Good Christian Reader, this whole matter concerneth only the credit, and certainty of General Councils. Sotus, and Hosius say, what so ever is determined in Council, must be taken, as the undoubted Judgement, and Word of God. Hereunto the Godly Learned Father, Johannes Brentius, replieth thus, Councils sometimes have erred, and have utterly wanted the Sprite of God: as it may appear by that in a Council the Son of God was condemned, and judged to die the death. Hosius answereth, When Annas, and Caiaphas sate as Presidents in the Council, and Christ y• Son of God, was by them condemned to die, yet nevertheless y• same Council had the assistance of the Holy Ghost, and the undoubted Sprite of Truth. For, 1speaking of the same Council, he saith thus, Vides, Brenti, quemadmodum non defuerit Sacerdotio Levitico Spiritus Propheticus, Spiritus Sanctus, Spiritus Veritatis: Yee see, friend Brentius, how that the Levitical Priesthood (that pronounced sentence of death against Christ) wanted not the Sprite of Prophecy, the Holy Ghost,2 the Sprite of Truth. Again he saithe, Ex quo tempore Primus Parens noster de vento ligno gustavit, factus est Mortis Reus Christus Dei, &c. Nec falsum fuit illud,3 quod dixerunt, Nos legem habemus, & secundum Legem hanc debet mori: From the tune, that our First Father tasted of the forbidden fruit Christ the Son of God became guilty of death: Neither was it false, that the Jews said, We have a Law, and according to that Law he ought to die. With this Sprite, I trow, he was inspired, that wrote this Marginal Note upon your Decrees, Judaei mortaliter peccassent,4 nisi Christum Crucifixissent: The lewes had committed mortal sin, if they had not nailed Christ unto the Cross. Again, Hosius saithe,5 Nulla esse potest tanta Pontificum improbitas, quae impedire queat, quo' minùs vera sit illa Dei Promissio, Qui indicabunt tibi Judicij Veritatem: Be the wickedness ⟨p. 622⟩of Bishops never so great, it can never hinder, but that this promise of God shall ever be true, The Bishops shall show thee the truth of Judgement.
Good Christian Reader, this whole mater concerneth onely the credite, and certainetie of General Councelles. Sotus, and Hosius saie, what so euer is determined in Councel, must be taken, as the vndoubted Iudgemente, and VVoorde of God. Hereunto the Godly Learned Father, Iohannes Brentius, replieth thus, Councelles sommetimes haue erred, and haue vtterly wanted the Sprite of God: as it maie appeare by that in a Councel the Sonne of God was condemned, and iudged to die the deathe. Hosius answeareth, When Annas, and Caiphas sate as Presidentes in the Coūcel, and Christe y• Sonne of God, was by them condēned to die, yet neuerthelesse y• same Coūcel had the assistance of the Holy Ghoste, and the vndoubted Sprite of Truthe. For, 1speakinge of the same Councel, he saithe thus, Vides, Brenti, quemadmodum non defuerit Sacerdotio Leuitico Spiritus Propheticus, Spiritus Sanctus, Spiritus Veritatis: Yee see, frende Brentius, how that the Leuitical Priesthoode (that pronounced sentence of deathe against Christe) wanted not the Sprite of Prophesie, the Holy Ghoste,2 the Sprite of Truthe. Againe he saithe, Ex quo tempore Primus Parēs noster de vento ligno gustauit, factus est Mortis Reus Christus Dei, &c. Nec falsum fuit illud,3 quod dixerunt, Nos legem habemus, & secundum Legem hanc debet mori: From the tune, that oure Firste Father tasted of the forebidden fruite Christe the Sonne of God became guilty of deathe: Neither was it false, that the Iewes saide, VVee haue a Lavve, and accordinge to that Lavve he ought to die. With this Sprite, I trowe, he was inspired, that wrote this Marginal Note vpon your Decrees, Iudaei mortaliter peccassent,4 nisi Christum Crucifixissent: The levves had committed mortal sinne, if they had not nailed Christe vnto the Crosse. Againe, Hosius saithe,5 Nulla esse potest tanta Pontificum improbitas, quae impedire queat, quo' minùs vera sit illa Dei Promissio, Qui indicabunt tibi Iudicij Veritatem: Be the wickednesse ⟨p. 622⟩of Bishoppes neuer so greate, it can neuer hinder, but that this promisse of God shal euer be true, The Bishoppes shal shevve thee the truthe of Iudgemente.
- 1Hosius, Li. 2. contra Brentium.
- 2Pagi. 62. b.
- 3Pagi. 63. a.
- 4Dist. 13. Item. In Margin.Dist. 13. Item. In Margine.
- 5Hosius contra Brent. Pag. 63. b
