A01760:862
A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…
A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not only our own arguments [sic] against the same are strongly confirmed, but likewise the answers and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Morton ... Forbesse, &c. particularly confuted.A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not only our ovvne argumemts [sic] against the same are strongly confirmed, but likewise the ansvveres and defences of our opposites, such as Hooker, Mortoune ... Forbesse, &c. particularly confuted.
Leiden: printed by W. Christiaens, 1637
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, I say, they may not by themselves presume, publicly and judicially, to decide and define any matter of Faith, which is questioned in the Church: but this definition they ought to remit unto a lawful and free Council. Ambrose would not come to the ⟨p. 178⟩Court to be judged by the Emperor Valentinian, in a matter of Faith, and asked, when ever he heard that Emperors judged Bishops in matters of Faith, seeing, if that were granted, it would follow that Laymen should dispute and deba•e matters, and Bishops hear, yea that Bishops should learn of Laymen.
First, I say, they may not by themselves presume, publikely and judicially, to decide and define any matter of Faith, which is questioned in the Church: but this definition they ought to remit unto a lawfull and free Councell. Ambrose would not come to the ⟨p. 178⟩Court to be judged by the Emperour Valentinian, in a matter of Faith, and asked, when ever he heard that Emperours judged Bishops in matters of Faith, seeing, if that were granted, it would follow that Laymen should dispute and deba•e matters, and Bishops heare, yea that Bishops should learne of Laymen.
The true ground of which refusal (clear enough in it self) is darkened by aD. Field, who allegeth, 1. That the thing which Valentinian took on him, was, to judge of a thing already resolved in a general Council called by Constantine, as if it had been free, and not yet judged of at all. 2. That Valentinian was known to be partial; that he was but a Novice; and the other Judges which he meant to associate to himself suspected. But howsoever these circumstances might serve the more to justify Ambrose his not compearing, to be judged in a matter of Faith by Valentinian, yet the D. toucheth not that which is most considerable, namely, the reason which he alleged for his not compearing, because it hath been at no time heard of, that Emperors judged Bishops in matters of Faith, and if that were granted, it would follow, that Bishops should learn of Laymen. Which reason holdeth ever good, even though the thing hath not been formerly judged by a Council.