A10345:2203
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.
In the one, I hope, you approve my good will: in the other, I beseech you, take my judgement in good part. For I do• not say, by way of amplification colourably, that I refrain therefore from the praising of it, because my wondering at it doth dazzle (like the brightness of the sun-beams) the eyes of my mind: as aTully feigneth of Caesar that the people showed not their good will toward him by joyful clapping of their hands, because that they being amazed with wondering at him could not stir themselves. But as bthe prophet Isaiah witnesseth of God, that, when he beheld his majesty, he was dismayed, because he was a man of polluted lips, unworthy to behold the king and Lord of hosts: so may I protest from my hart in trueth, that, when I consider the highness of Gods word, I hold my peace as amazed, because I am a man of polluted lips, unfit to touch the nobleness of a thing so worthy. Wherefore I willingly leave these Ivy-garlands to be hanged up by them, who vent the wine of Philosophy, Physic, and Law: which arts very profitable, but for the life that fadeth; excellent, but human; commendable, but transitory; beautiful, but brittle, I doubt not but already the learning and eloquence of men well seen therein hath made you well to like of in this exercise of disputations. Now I take a greater enterprise in hand, for the valour of the thing which I am to deal with: though nether with better wit, nor deeper judgement then they whom I follow in the course of dealing. 3Livy reporteth that Hannibal, having purposed to fight•with the Romans, did cause certain couples of captives to fight one with an other hand to hand, before he set his soldiers in battle array: that his Carthaginians might, by that pastime of the captives combat, address them selves with better consideration and courage to the serious and set battle. In like sort there have been brought before you (gentle audience) to the combat sundry opinions of sundry arts, as it were couples of captives: which whether they live or dye, be so or not so, it skilleth not greatly; the state of the realm is not ventured upon it. But now from that sporting conflict of light matters there cometh to the battle for earnest trial of things of weight, host against host, truth against falsehood, religion against error: