A14227:539
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.
The doctrine of the Semi-pelagians in France is related by Prosper Aquitanicus and Hilarius Arelatensis, in their several epistles written to S. Augustine of this argument. gThey do agree (saith Hilarius) that all men were lost in Adam, and that from thence no man by his proper will can be freed: but this they say is agreeable to the truth, or answerable to the preaching of the word; that when the means of obtaining salvation is declared to such as are cast down and would never rise again by their own strength, they by that merit, whereby they do will and believe that they can be healed from their disease, may obtain both the increase of that faith, and the effecting of their whole health. And hthat grace is not denied, when such a will as this is said to go before it, which seeketh ⟨p. 486⟩only a Physician, but is not of it self otherwise able to do any thing. For as touching that place, As he hath distributed to every one the measure of faith; and other like testimonies: they would have them make for this, that he should be holpen that hath begun to will; but not that this also should be given unto him, that he might will. Prosper in his Poems doth thus deliver it. iGratia quâ Christi populus sumus, hoc cohibetur Limite vobiscum, & formam hanc asseribitis illi: Ut cunctos vocet illa quidem, invitetque nec ullum Praeteriens, studeat communem adferre salutem Omnibus, & totum peccato absolvere mundum. Sed proprio quemque arbitrio parere vocanti, Judicioque suo, motâ see extendere mente Ad lucem oblatam; quae se non subtrahat ulli, Sed cupidos recti juvet, illustretque volentes. Hinc adjutoris Domini bonitate magistrâ Crescere virtutum studia; ut quod quisque petendum Mandatis didicit, jugi sectetur amore. Esse autem edoctis istam communiter aequam Libertatem animis, ut cursum explere beatum Persistendo queant: finem effectumque petitum Dante Deo, ingenijs qui nunquam desit honestis. Sed quia non idem est cunctis vigor, & variarum Illecebris rerum trahitur dispersa voluntas: Sponte aliquos vitijs succumbere, qui potuissent A lapsu re vocare pedem, stabilesque manere.
The doctrine of the Semi-pelagians in France is related by Prosper Aquitanicus and Hilarius Arelatensis, in their severall epistles written to S. Augustine of this argument.