A10345:877
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.
Hart. 1You shall not teach me how to reason. The first proposition of Pighius is good, though it be admitted that his conclusion is faulty. For the learned Catholics, albeit they grant that Honorius was an heretic and condemned justly by the sixth general Council: yet they hold that Christ prayed for the Pope, and that therefore the Pope cannot err; but how? Christ did not respect S. Peters person, but his office, when he prayed for him that his faith should not fail: for it was to this end, that he being converted might strengthen and confirm his brethren. Now, because the Church, for whose sake that privilege was given unto Peter, should need to be strengthened afterward no less then in his time: therefore was it given to him, not as to him alone for himself, but as for his successors in the Church of Rome too. So, the Pope is privileged from falling into error by the prerogative of his office, through the ordinance of Christ: that would have all Bishops and Pastors of the world to depend on him for their confirmation in faith and ecclesiastical regiment. Whereof it ensueth that he cannot err in respect of his office, although in respect of his person he may: or (to speak it after the phrase of the 1Schoolmen) he may err personally, but not judicially. For error is twofold: personal, and judicial. Error personal, is the private error of a man: judicial, the public. Into public errors Popes can not fall: they may into private. I mean, 2they may err in person, understanding, private doctrine, or writings: but they cannot nor shall not ever judicially conclude or give definitive sentence for falsehood or heresy against the Catholic faith, in their Consistories, Courts, Councils, decrees, deliberations, or consultations kept for decision and determination of such controversies, doubts, or questions of faith as shall be proposed unto them: because Christs prayer and promise protecteth them therein for confirmation of their brethren. And hereupon we say the Pope may err, as a private man, but not as Pope. Which, although you call it a quirk, and fancy, yet hath it pith & weight. For [Pope] doth note the office: [a private man] the person. And any man of sense may see the difference between the person and the office, as well in doctrine, as life.
Hart.