A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.

The B. of Sarisburie.

Bernarde was a Monke, & liued at Clara Uallis aboute the same time, y^• Tho∣mas Becket liued here in Englande:* 1.1 at whiche time, as it appeareth by his often complaintes, the Churche of God was miserably defaced. For thus he writeth, namely touchinge the Cleregie of Rome:* 1.2 Nihil integri est in Clero &c. In the whole Cleregie (wherein he includeth the Pope, the Cardinalles, the Bishoppes, & al the reste) there is no parte leafte sounde. It remaineth now, that the man of Sinne that is, Anti∣christe, be reueled.* 1.3 From the toppe to the toe, there is no health. The Seruantes of Christe now serue Antichriste. Therefore Bernarde, liuinge in a time of suche corruption, and be∣inge carried away with the tempeste,* 1.4 & violence of the same, muste néedes in these cases beare the lesse credite. How be it, in other places he séemeth somewhat to

rectifie his owne meaninge.* 1.5 For thus he writeth, Quasi verò Christus, cùm iam as∣cenderit in Coelum, tangi a Maria, aut velit, aut possit. Et vti{que} poterit: sed affectu, non manu: Voto, non oculo: Fide, non sensibus: As though Christe, after he is Ascended into Heauen, either can, or wilbe touched of M••rie. And verily he may be touched: but with loue, not with hande: with desire, not with eie: with Faithe, not with senses.

If M. Hardinge wil presse vs further with that, S. Bernarde saithe, The Priest holdeth God in his handes, it may please him to consider, that the rigour thereof may be qualified by a conuenient exposition.* 1.6 So S. Chrysostome saithe, Adest Sacer∣dos gestans Spiritum Sanctum: The Priest is present bearinge the holy Ghoste.

And S. Gregorie saithe,* 1.7 Paulus praedicando Deum infundebat audientibus: Paule by his Preachinge powred God into his hearers. And againe, Latens in Pauli pectore, quasi sub tentorio ibat Deus:* 1.8 God wente in Paules harte, as vnder a tente. S. Hierome saithe, His, qui baptizandi sunt, publicè tradimus Sanctam, & Adorandam Trinitatem: Vnto them, that are to receiue Baptisme, wee openly deliuer the Holy Trinitie. The meaninge hereof is this, That he receiueth the Trinitie, that receiueth the Faithe, and Do∣ctrine of the Trinitie.* 1.9

Now, as S. Chrysostome saithe, The Priest beareth the Holy Ghoste: As S. Gre∣gorie saithe, S. Paule powred God into his hearers: And as S. Hierome saithe, Wee de∣liuer the Holy Trinitie: Euen so it may séeme, Bernarde saith, The Priest holdeth God in his hande: that is to say, not Really, or in déede, but in a certaine peculiar manner, and fourme of speache. For by a Rhetorical amplification of woordes, he holdeth God, that holdeth any thinge specially perteining vnto God.

Thus must these, and other like woordes be salued: namely these of Bernard, for that they seeme expressely to require the same. For thus they stande, far other∣wise, then M. Hardinge hath reported them: Deum suum manu, & ore contrectaturi, & colloquentem ••ibi ipsis audituri: To touche God with their hande, and with their mouthe, and to beare him speakinge vnto them. Which later clause M. Hardinge, as his manner is, hath purposely dissembled. As the Priest heareth Christe speake vnto him, so he holdeth Christ in his hande. But the Priest heareth not Christ speake Uerily, and in deede, but by a Figure: Therefore it seemeth, it may reasonably be geathe∣red of the same, that he holdeth not Christe in his hande Really, and in déede, but onely by way of a Figure.

Thus muche touchinge Bernarde. Notwithstanding it is likely, and thought of many, that as wel herein, as in other cases of Religion, He was leadd•• awaye with the errours, and ignorance of his time.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno Dom. 1117.
• * 1.2

  Bernard. in psal. Qui habitat.
• * 1.3

  De Conuersione Pauli.
• * 1.4

  In Canti. Canti∣corum.
• * 1.5

  Bernard. in Cantica Canti. Sermone. 28.
• * 1.6

  Chrysostom. De Sacerdotio li. 3.
• * 1.7

  Gregori. in Iob. li. 27. ca. 6.
• * 1.8

  Hieronym. ad Pammachi. ad∣uersus error.
• * 1.9

  Iohan. Hieroso∣lymitani.