A10345:1317
The sum of the conference between John Rainoldes and John Hart touching the head…The summe of the conference betwene Iohn Rainoldes and Iohn Hart touching the head…
The sum of the conference between John Rainoldes and John Hart touching the head and the faith of the Church. Wherein by the way are handled sundry points, of the sufficiency and right expounding of the Scriptures, the ministry of the Church, the function of priesthood, the sacrifice of the mass, with other controversies of religion: but chiefly and purposely the point of Church-government ... Penned by John Rainoldes, according to the notes set down in writing by them both: perused by John Hart, and (after things supplied, & altered, as he thought good) allowed for the faithful report of that which past in conference between them. Whereunto is annexed a treatise entitled, Six conclusions touching the Holy Scripture and the Church, written by John Rainoldes. With a defence of such things as Thomas Stapleton and Gregory Martin have carped at therein.The summe of the conference betwene Iohn Rainoldes and Iohn Hart touching the head and the faith of the Church. Wherein by the way are handled sundrie points, of the sufficiencie and right expounding of the Scriptures, the ministerie of the Church, the function of priesthood, the sacrifice of the masse, with other controuerises of religion: but chiefly and purposely the point of Church-gouernment ... Penned by Iohn Rainoldes, according to the notes set downe in writing by them both: perused by Iohn Hart, and (after things supplied, & altered, as he thought good) allowed for the faithfull report of that which past in conference betwene them. Whereunto is annexed a treatise intitled, Six conclusions touching the Holie Scripture and the Church, writen by Iohn Rainoldes. With a defence of such thinges as Thomas Stapleton and Gregorie Martin haue carped at therein.
Londini: printed by John Wolfe, 1584Londini: printed by Iohn Wolfe, 1584
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.
Rainoldes. You will never leave to dally with the Church of Rome, as Tully did with Mistress Fabia. The succession of the Roman Bishops is a proof of the true faith: for so it was in the time of Austin, Epiphanius, Optatus, Tertullian, & Irenaeus, twelve hundred years ago & upward. Succession was a proof of the true faith, till Bishops, who varied from the truth succeeded: even as *sheep's clothing was a mark of true Prophets till false Prophets came in it. But neither are true Prophets known now by sheep's clothing: nor the true faith by succession. The succession of Bishops was a proof of true faith not in the Church of Rome alone, but in all, while they who succeeded the Apostles in place, succeeded them in doctrine ⟨p. 443⟩too, & kept that which kPaul delivered to Timothy & lTimothy to others. But when ravening wolves were gotten into the rooms of pastors, and mthat was fulfilled which Paul foretold the Bishops of Ephesus, of your own selves there shall arise men speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them: then succession ceased to be a proof of true faith, for that it was no longer peculiar to the truth, but common to it with error, and so a mark of neither, because a mark of both. This difference of succession between the later age and the former, the primitive churches time and ours, is manifest by the Fathers them selves whom you allege. For nIrenaeus (to begin with the most ancient of them) saith, that the succession of Bishops in all Churches through the whole world doth keep and teach that doctrine which the Apostles delivered. Now it doth not so: nor hath these many ages since Irenaeus died. Hath it?
Rainoldes. You will neuer leaue to daly with the Church of Rome, as Tullie did with Maistresse Fabia. The succession of the Roman Bishops is a proofe of the true faith: for so it was in the time of Austin, Epiphanius, Optatus, Tertullian, & Irenaeus, twelue hundred yeares ago & vpwarde. Succession was a proofe of the true faith, till Bishops, who varied from the truth succéeded: euen as