A14227:45
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
AN ANSWER TO THE FORMER CHALLENGE.AN ANSVVER TO THE FORMER CHALLENGE.
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.
And as we may thus discover innovations, by having recourse unto the first and best times: so may we do the like, by comparing the state of things present with the middle times of the Church. Thus I find by the constant and approved practice of the ancient Church; that all sorts of people, men, women, and children, had free liberty to read the holy Scriptures. I find now the contrary among the Papists: and shall I say for all this, that they have not removed the bounds which were set by the Fathers, because perhaps I cannot name the Pope, that ventured to make the first enclosure of these commons of Gods people? I hear S. yHier•me say: Judith, & Tobiae, & Macchabaeorum libros legit quidem Ecclesia, sed eos inter Canonicas Scripturas non recipit. The Church doth read indeed the books of Judith, and Toby, and the Maccabees; but doth not receive them for Canonical Scripture. I see that at this day, the Church of Rome receiveth them for such. May not I then conclude, that betwixt S. Hieromes time and ours, there hath been a change; and that the Church of Rome now, is not of the same judgement with the Church of God the•: howsoever I cannot precisely lay down the time, wherein she first thought her self to be wiser herein then her Forefathers?
And as wee may thus discover innovations, by having recourse unto the first and best times: so may wee doe the like, by comparing the state of things present with the middle times of the Church. Thus I finde by the constant and approved practice of the auncient Church; that all sorts of people, men, women, and children, had free libertic to reade the holy Scriptures. I finde now the contrary among the Papists: and shall I say for all this, that they have not removed the bounds which were set by the Fathers, because perhaps I cannot name the Pope, that ventured to make the first inclosure of these commons of Gods people? I heare S. yHier•me say: Iudith, & Tobiae, & Macchabaeorum libros legit quidem Ecclesia, sed eos inter Canonicas Scripturas non recipit. The Church doth reade indeed the books of Iudith, and Toby, and the Macchabees; but doth not receive them for Canonicall Scripture. I see that at this day, the Church of Rome receiveth them for such. May not I then conclude, that betwixt S. Hieromes time and ours, there hath beene a change; and that the Church of Rome now, is not of the same judgement with the Church of God the: howsoever I cannot precisely lay downe the time, wherein shee first thought her selfe to be wiser herein then her Forefathers?