A09739:86
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.
These points being resolved, it is easy to decide this question, if the Church be above the Scripture, the which seemeth to me to be so foolish a question as if one asked whether the infant or child were above his father,1 the woman, above her husband, yea the man above God. And in very deed the true Church will never strive against God in such a quarrel nor none other, but ⟨image 34⟩will escape condemnation. And it serveth to no purpose to say that the Church was before the Scripture. For although that so it be, yet it is so that this word that afterwards haeth been written is always more ancient seeing that by the same the Church hath been conceived,2 engendered, and nourished, as it haeth been said. The saying of S. Augustine is alleged in this behalf, I would not believe the Scripture if the authority of the Church moved me not thereunto. But here must ye consider that Saint Augustine speaketh of him self as a Manichean.3 When therefore two parties will debate or strive for the truth of an instrument, unto whom shall they have recourse but unto notaries which keep the register thereof? And yet notwithstanding it can not be said ⟨image 35⟩that the register is founded upon the witnessings of notaries the which should not fail to be true although no man living bare witness thereof. Even so much hereof must we answer unto them that think that the authority of the canonical books is not founded upon that which the Church haeth determined thereof, as if it were so, that there were found determinations of Councils altogether divers in this point that which may be more at large declared in a mutual conference. It shall suffice me to allege besides that which I have before spoken, one only reason accompanied with the authority of some of the ancients that be well approved.
These pointes being resolued, it is easie to decyde this question, if the Churche be aboue the Scripture, the whiche semeth to me to be so foolish a question as if one asked whether the infant or childe were aboue his father,