A14227:139
An answer to a challenge madeAn ansvver to a challenge made
An answer to a challenge made by a Jesuit in Ireland Wherein the judgement of antiquity in the points questioned is truly delivered, and the novelty of the now romish doctrine plainly discovered. By James Usher Bishop of Meath.An ansvver to a challenge made by a Iesuite in Ireland Wherein the iudgement of antiquity in the points questioned is truely delivered, and the noveltie of the now romish doctrine plainly discovered. By Iames Vssher Bishop of Meath.
Dublin: printed by the Society of Stationers and Eliot's Court Press, 1624Dublin: printed by the Societie of Stationers and Eliot's Court Press, 1624
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 as for notorious offences, which bred open scandal, private confession was not thought sufficient: but there was further required public acknowledgement of the fault, & the solemn use of the keys for the reconciliation of the penitent. pIf his sin do not only redound to his own evil, but also unto much scandal of others, and the Bishop thinketh it to be expedient for the profit of the Church, let him not refuse to perform his penance in the knowledge of many or of the whole people also, let him not resist, let him not by his shamefastness add swelling to his deadly and mortal wound: saith S. Augustine. and more largely in another place; where he meeteth with the objection, of the sufficiency of internal repentance, in this manner. qLet no man say ⟨p. 93⟩unto himself: I do it secretly, I do it before God; God who pardoneth me doth know, that I do it in my heart. Is it therefore said without cause; Whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven? Are the keys therefore without cause given unto the Church of God? Do we frustrate the Gospel of God? do we frustrate the words of Christ? Do we promise that to you which he denieth you? Do we not deceive you? Job saith: If I was abashed to confess my sins in the sight of the people. So just a man of Gods rich treasure, who was tried in such a furnace, saith thus: and doth the child of pestilence withstand me, and is ashamed to bow his knee under th• blessing of God? That which the Emperor was not ashamed to do, is he ashamed of, who is not as much as a Senator, but only a simple Courtier? O proud neck, ó crooked mind! perhaps, nay it is not to be doubted, it was for this reason God would that Theodosius the Emperor should do public penance in the sight of the people, especially because his sin could not be concealed: and is a Senator ashamed of that, whereof the Emperor was not ashamed? is he ashamed of that who is no Senator, but a Courtier only, whereof the Emperor was not ashamed? Is one of the vulgar sort, or a trader ashamed of that, whereof the Emperor was not ashamed? What pride is this? Were not this alone sufficient to bring them to hell, although no adultery had been committed? Thus far S. Augustine, concerning the necessity of public Repentance for known offences: