A detection of sundrie foule errours, lies, sclaunders, corruptions, and other false dealinges, touching doctrine, and other matters vttered and practized by M.Iewel, in a booke lately by him set foorth entituled, a defence of the apologie. &c. By Thomas Harding doctor of diuinitie.

Iewel. Pag. 360.

Likevvise saith Petrus Rauennas, one of your notable Canonistes,* 1.1 vpon the Decretalles: Quamuis tactus & oscula sint praeludia inconti∣nentiae in Laicis, secus tamen est in Clericis. Nam Clericus prae∣sumitur ista facere pro charitate, & bono Zelo. Notvvithstanding handeling, and kissing in laie Personnes be the occasions, or beginninges of incontinent behauiour, yet in Priestes it is, far othervvise. For a Priest is presumed to do•• these thinges of Charitie, and of good zele.

Harding.

Yet Petrus Rauennas saith not, that Simple Fornica∣tion is no sinne, That is the thing, you haue taken in hande

to proue against the Canonistes. When touche you the point? In Italie, where this lawier liued, to kisse a woman is taken for a certaine earnest of a wanton bar∣gaine promised, and therefore openly men kisse not wo∣men at first, and last salutations, as the vse is in England. But bicause that thing maie be in it selfe diuers, accor∣ding to the diuers manners of Countries, and therefore maie be deemed good, nolesse then euil, menne be∣ing bounde to iudge the best of that whiche maie be wel done, or is at least indifferent: the Lawier conside∣ring the vertue, and degree of a Clerke, saith, that an euil presumption is not lightly to be taken thereof, but willeth it to be taken for courtesie, and charitable saluta∣tion, as it is taken in England, and in sundry other coun∣tries.* 1.2 For the qualitie and state of the person doth of∣tentimes purge the suspicion, that otherwise is woont to rise of any acte. Let vs heare what other Gloses this Gloser bringeth for his purpose.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Extra de immuni∣tate Eccle¦siarū. Pet. Rauēnas.
• * 1.2

  Extra de Prebend. c. nisi in principio.