A10345:2201
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.
Although I am not ignorant (right worshipful audience) that Cato the grave Censor reproved a certain Roman ▪ who taking upon him to write a story in Greek had rather crave pardon of his fault in doing it, then keep himself clear from committing that fault: yet so it hath happened to me at this present, yielding shall I say thereto, or refusing it, surely some what against my will, but so it hath happened, that I who could not choose but commit a fault, am forced to request you to pardon my fault. For both the weakness of my voice, because it is not able to fill the largeness of this place, will discontent perhaps them who hear me not: and the unripeness of my ability, which I fear me will not answer the solemnity of this assembly in handling those things that are to be debated, will of likelihood be reproved by them who hear me. How much the more earnestly I am to request, by word, you that hear me; by will, the rest who hear me not: that either you will be no Censors at all, or else be more favourable Censors then Cato; least either you judge me to have dealt unwisely who did not keep my self from fault; or impudent, who first commit it▪ and then request you not to blame it. Neither do I doubt but I shall find defence, for the weakness of my voice, in your friendly courtesy before whom I speak: for the unripeness of my ability, in the goodness of the cause which I have to speak off. For, that your courtesy will condemn me of that fault, which I could not eschew, I need not to fear. And the goodness of the cause hath in it such evident and clear light of trueth, that (I do not doubt) it will defend it self though no man plead for it. Wherein I hope also that you even your selves either do already or will agree with me: if you shall hear me open as briefly as I may the meaning of the three Conclusions that I h•ld, the perfection of the scripture, the infirmity of the Church, the authority of them both. For, as for the praise and commendation of Divinity, whereof the beginning is from heaven; the majesty, divine; the office, to be an instrument of salvation to mankind; which was ordained by God the father, revealed by Jesus Christ, registered in writing by the holy Ghost: I cannot speak thereof ⟨p. 682⟩as I would, according to the worthiness of the thing; as I may, according to my power, I ought not.