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.

M. Hardinge. The .20. Diuision.

But here perhappes some wil say, it can not appeare by the euente of thinges, and practise of the Churche, that the Pope had this supreme power, and Auctoritie ouer al Bishoppes, and ouer al Christes flocke in matters touchinge Faithe, and in causes Ecclesiastical. Verily, whosoeuer peruseth the Ecclesi∣astical stories, and vie weth the state of the Church of al times and ages, can not but confesse this to be most euident. And here I might allege first certaine places of the New Testament, declaring, that Peter practised this preeminence amonge the Disciples at the beginninge, and that they yelded the same, as of right apperteininge vnto him. As when he first,* 1.1 and onely moued them to choose one in the steede of Iudas, and demeaned him selfe, as the chiefe auctour of al that was donne therein: when he made an∣sweare for al, at what time they were gased,* 1.2 and wondered at, and of some mo••kte, as being dronken with new wine: for that in the .50. day thei spake with tonges of so many Nations: when hevsed that dreadful seueritie in punishing the falsehead, and hypocrisie of Ananias and Saphira his wife:* 1.3 when variance being risen about the obseruation of certaine pointes of Moyses lawe,* 1.4 he as chiefe, and head of the rest, saide his minde before al others. Amonge many other places lefte out for breuitie, that is not

of least weight, that Paule beinge returned to Damasco out of Arabia, after three yeeres wente to Ierusalem,* 1.5 to see Peter,* 1.6 and abode with him fiftene dayes.

105.* 1.7 But because our aduersaries doo wreathe and wreaste the Scriptures (be they neuer so plaine) by their Priuate and strange constructions, to an vnderstandinge quite contrary to the sense of the Catholike Churche: I wil referre the reader for further proufe of this matter to the stories bea∣ringe faithful witnesse of the whole state and condition of the Churche in al ages. In whiche sto∣ries, the practise of the Churche is plainely reported to haue ben suche, as thereby the primacie of Peters Successour may seeme to al menne sufficiently declared. For, perusinge the Ecclesiastical stories with writinges of the Fathers, beside many other thinges perteininge hereto, we finde these [ 1] practises, for declaration of this special auctoritie, and power. Firste, that Bishops 106* 1.8 of euery Nation haue made their appeale in their weightie affaires to the Pope, and alwaies haue sued to the see Apostolike, as wel for succour and healpe against violence, iniuries, and oppressions, as for [ 2] redresse of other disorders. Also that the malice of wicked persons hath beene repressed and chasti∣sed of that auctoritie by Excommunication, Eiection, and Expulsion out of their dignities, and roomes, [ 3] and by other censures of the Churche. Furthermore, that the ordinances, and elections of Bishoppes [ 4] of al Prouinces, haue beene confirmed by the Pope. Beside this, that the approuinge, and disallowinge [ 5] of Councelles haue perteined to him. Item, that Bishoppes wrongefully condemned, and depriued [ 6] by Councelles, by him haue beene assotled, and restored to their Churches againe. Lastly, that Bi∣shoppes and Patriarkes, after longe strifes and contentions, haue at lengthe vpon better aduise, beene reconciled vnto him againe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Act. 1.
• * 1.2

  Act. 2.
• * 1.3

  Act. 5.
• * 1.4

  Act. 15.
• * 1.5

  Galat. 1.
• * 1.6

  Peter Heade.
• * 1.7

  The .105. vntrueth, ioyned vvith a sclaunder.
• * 1.8

  The .106. vntrueth, As after∣vvarde it shal ap∣peare.