Where they say, we pass but little on the Scriptures, as dumb and unprofitable, therein they ‡slander us, as in other things. We do not so. But we say, that as every act of Parliament must be executed by a lawful Judge, so the holy Scriptures have their execution by lawful Judges, who are the bishops and fathers, and well in other places, as specially when they be lawfully assembled in general councils. Now say these men, that way is very uncertain, dangerous, in manner mad, and not allowed of the fathers. Who ever heard men thought to have their right wits, talk after so loose a sort? Did the fathers* disprove the order of coming together in general councils? Or thought they the same to be a way for men to be the sooner deceived? If so many may be deceived with most diligent study and mature judgement conferring together, how much sooner may one or two alone lead by private fancy and self will, be carried away into error? At the Nicene council came together. 318 bishops: At the first of Constantinople. 150. at the Ephesme council. 200. At that of Chalcedō 630 Al these four councils sundry ancient fathers, namely S. Gregory, esteemed as the four Gospels. Yea but saith he, I have the word of God. But what if 300. far holier, and better learned men say, he hath it not? Let the reader be judge, saith he. A meet judge, in such a cause. The Scholars may read, but judge of their masters they may not by Christs doctrine,3 who said, Non est discipulus supra magistrum, the scholar is not above his master. Why not, for all that, say you, if the Holy Ghost inspire him? Sir, is it not to be thought, God doth assist his Church represented in such solemn assemblies of three hundred or moe fathers governors of Christen people, rather then one man?
VVhere they saie, we passe but litle on the Scriptures, as dumbe and vnprofitable, therein they ‡slaunder vs, as in other thinges. VVe do not so. But we saie, that as euery act of Parlament must be executed by a lawful Iudge, so the holy Scriptures haue their execution by lauful Iudges, who are the bishoppes and fathers, and wel in other places, as specially when they be laufully assembled in general councelles. Now saie these men, that way is very vncertaine, dangerous, in maner mad, and not allowed of the fathers. VVho euer heard men thought to haue their right wittes, talke after so loose a sorte? Did the fathers* disproue the order of comming together in general councelles? Or thought they the same to be a way for men to be the soner deceiued? If so many maie be deceiued with moste diligent studie and mature iudgement conferring together, howe mutche soner may one or two alone leadde by priuate phansie and self wil, be caried away into errour? At the Nicene councel came together. 318 bishops: At the first of Cōstantinople. 150. at the Ephesme coūcel. 200. At that of Chalcedō 630 Al these foure councelles sundry ancient fathers, namely S. Gregorie, estemed as the foure Gospels. Yea but saith he, I haue the word of God. But what if 300. farre holier, and better learned men saie, he hath it not? Let the reader be iudge, saith he. A meete iudge, in suche a cause. The Scholers maie reade, but iudge of their maisters they maie not by Christes doctrine,3 who said, Non est discipulus supra magistrum, the scholer is not aboue his maister. VVhy not, for al that, saie you, if the Holy Ghost inspire him? Sir, is it not to be thought, God doth assist his Churche represented in sutche solemne assemblies of three hundred or moe fathers gouernours of Christen people, rather then one man?
- ‡Untruth. For these be your own Fellows words. Read the Answer.Vntruthe. For these be youre ovvne Felovves vvoordes. Reade the Ansvveare.
- *Gregorius Nazianzenus saith, He never saw good come of any Councel.Gregorius Naziāzenꝰ saith, He neuer savve good comme of any Councel.
- 3Math. 10.
