A14227:533
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.
But that at which they all aimed in general was this, pthat Grace was only a kind of Mistress to Free-will; and that by exhortations, by the law, by doctrine, by the creatures, by contemplation, by miracles, and by terrors outwardly, it showed it self to the judgement thereof: whereby every man according to the motion of his will, if he did seek, might find; if he did ask, might receive; if he did knock, might enter in. And thus (saith Pelagius) doth God qwork in us to will that which is good, to will that which is holy; whilst finding us given to earthly lusts, and like brute beasts affecting only present things, he inflameth us with the greatness of the glory to come, and with promise of rewards; whilst by the revelation of his wisdom he raiseth up our stupefied will to the desire of God; whilst he persuadeth us to all that good is. To this instructing and persuading grace doth Pelagius attribute the exciting of the Will: but the converting of it unto God (which followeth afterward) he ascribeth wholly to the freedom of the will it self. ⟨p. 480⟩rHe that runneth unto God, (saith he) and desireth to be ruled by God, hanging his will upon Gods will; he who by adhering unto him continually, is made, according to the Apostle, one spirit with him: doth not this but out of the freedom of his will. Which freedom who so useth aright, doth so commit himself wholly to God, and mortifieth all his own will, that he may say with the Apostle; I live now, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and doth put his heart into Gods hand, that God may incline it whither it shall please him. Here have you the full platform laid down of Pelagius his doctrine touching the conversion of a sinner. First, he supposeth a possibility in nature; whereby a man may will and do good. secondly, a corruption in act; whereby a man doth will and do the contrary. thirdly, an exciting grace from God; whereby the mind is enlightened, and the will persuaded (upon consideration of the promises and threats propounded) to forsake that lewd course of life, and to will and do the things that are good and holy. fourthly, an act of the free-will, thus prepared by Gods exciting grace: whereby a man (without any further help from God) doth voluntarily yield unto these good motions;