A09739:84
An answer made the fourth day of September a thousand five hundred sixty [and]…Ane answer made the fourth day of Septembre a thousand fyue hundreth syxtie [and]…
An answer made the fourth day of September a thousand five hundred sixty [and] one, by maister Theodore de Besza minister of the holy Evangel, in the presence of the queen mother, the king and queen of Navarre, the princes of the blood royal, and of the privy counsel, unto that which the cardinal of Lorraine had replied against that which was propounded in the first journey of their talking together, by the said de Besza in the name of the reformed churches. Together with an other short answer made by the said de Besza the 26 day of the said month unto certain articles of reply set forth by the said cardinalAne answer made the fourth day of Septembre a thousand fyue hundreth syxtie [and] one, by maister Theodore de Besza minister of the holie Euangile, in the presence of the quene mother, the king and quene of Nauarre, the princes of the blood royall, and of the priuie counseil, vnto that whiche the cardinall of Lorraine had replied against that whiche was propounded in the first iourney of their talking together, by the said de Besza in the name of the reformed churches. Together with an other short answer made by the said de Besza the 26 day of the said moneth vnto certein articles of replie set forth by the said cardinall
Edinburgh: printed by Robert Lekprewik, 1562
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.
But because this name haeth been abused a long time, it behoveth to show which be the Apostolical traditions, the which will not be hard to be done, if two points be propounded whereby they may be judged,1 that is to say if they be conformable to the doctrine, and mete to edification, for it is a thing most assured that the Apostles never appointed any manner of doing, that might be directly or undirectly contrary to the doctrine, which they taught, nor also that might turn away men how little soever it be, from the spiritual service, seeing all their writings bear witness thereof. When therefore, this rule shall be kept, then shall it be easy to discern ⟨image 32⟩the doctrine from the traditions, and the false traditions from the right traditions. And to this may be added that, that which the Apostles them selves have done, in this behalf, is not always perpetual. Not but that they are witness without reproach, but for this cause, that according to the rule of charity did they bear some thing with the infirmity of the Jews,2 and so must be judged of that which they ordained of things strangled & to eat no blood. And of that which S. Paul haeth taught and practised in Timothy and on his person, the which things now might have no place, except in following the general rule to commodate our selves to our neighbours in things indifferent,3 & such things may also be gathered of other manner of doings ⟨image 33⟩which they have appropried unto their times, as where it is spoken of kissing & to have their head uncovered or bare in sign of authority,4 the which at this day be contrary manner of doings or fashions amongest many nations, amongest whom it should be found very strange that men should kiss one an other or that one man should kiss an other mans wife, as also at this time, to speak bear headed, is a sign of inferior or low condition.
But because this name haeth bene abused a long tyme, it behoueth to shew whiche be ye Apostolicall traditions, the wc will not be hard to be done, if two pointes be propounded whereby they may be iudged,