A14227:193
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.
S. Gregory likewise in the very same place from whence the Romanists fetch that former sentence, doth thus declare in what manner that principality of judgement, which he spake of, should be exercised: being therein also followed step by step, by the Fathers of the Council of Aquisgran. lThe causes ought to be weighed, and then the power of binding and loosing exercised. It is to be seen, what the fault is, and what the repentance is that hath followed after the fault: that such as almighty God doth visit with the grace of compunction, those the sentence of the Pastor may absolve. For the absolution of the Prelate is then true, when it followeth the arbitrement of the eternal Judge. And this do they illustrate by that which we read in the Gospel of the raising of Lazarus, Joh. 11.44. that Christ did first of all give life to him that was dead by himself, and then commanded others to loose him, and let him go. mBehold (say they) the disciples do loose him being now alive; whom their Master had raised up being dead. For if the disciples had loosed Lazarus being dead: they should have discovered a stink more then a virtue. By which consideration we may see: that by our Pastoral authority we ought to loose those, whom we know that our Author and Lord hath revived with his quickening grace. The same application also do we find made, not only by nPeter Lombard, and other of the Schoolmen, but also by Judocus Clichtoveus, not long before the time of the Council of Trent. ⟨p. 149⟩oLazarus (saith Clichtoveus) first of all came forth alive out of the sepulchre, and then was commandment given by our Lord that he should be loosed by the disciples and suffered to go his way: because the Lord doth first inwardly by himself quicken the sinner, and afterwards absolveth him by the Priests ministry. For no sinner is to be absolved, before it appeareth that he be amended by due repentance, and be quickened inwardly. But inwardly to quicken the sinner, is the office of God alone, who saith by the Prophet: I am he that blotteth out your iniquities.