A10345:1397
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.
For, eChrist hath dealt with us, as an earthly Father is wont with his children: who, fearing least they should fall out after his decease, doth set down his will in writing under witnesses, & if there arise debate amongst the brethren, they go to the testament. He, whose word must end our controversy, is Christ. Let his will be sought in his testament, saith Optatus. Which reason of Optatus S. fAustin urging against the Donatists, as he doth other often: we are brethren, (saith he to them:) why do we strive? Our father died not untestate: he made a testament, & so died. Men do strive about the goods of the dead, till the testament be brought forth: when that is brought, they yield to have it opened, & read. The judge doth hearken, the counsellors be silent, the crier biddeth peace, all the people is attentive, that the words of the dead man may be read & heard. He lieth void of life & feeling, in his grave, and his words prevail: Christ doth sit in heaven, and is his testament gainsaid? Open it: let us read: we are brethren: why do we strive? Let our minds be pacified. Our father hath not left us without a testament. He that made the testament is living for ever. He doth hear our words: he doth know his own word. Let us read: why do we strive? Were not this a silly speech of S. Austin, if he had ⟨p. 463⟩meant, as you say, that all the Lords will is not declared in his testament: that things beside his own word may be proved by mens words? Let him be accursed who preacheth any point of faith, or life beside the scriptures. True: beside the scriptures, that is against the scriptures, say your Lovan Doctors. See what skill can do. If they were Doctors of the Arches, we should have jolly law. For a cozening merchant might claim a thousand pound of a dead mans goods, who had bequeathed him a legacy of twenty groats: & they might adjudge it him with good consciences, as not against the testament, though beside the testament. Nay, they might do this with so much better reason, then they do the other; by how much the testament of God is more perfect, than any mans can be: and that which Christ bequeathed the Pope, is far less in comparison of the supremacy, then twenty groats of a thousand pounds. Wherefore, say the Doctors of Lovan what they li•t, (perhaps they speak for their fee:) S.