A14227:66
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.
Howsoever then we yield unto you, that their innocent sanctity freeth us from all mistrust of malicious corruption: ⟨p. 30⟩yet you must pardon us if we make question, whether their admirable learning may sufficiently cross out all suspicion of error, which may arise either of affection, or want of due consideration, or such ignorance as the very best are subject unto in this life. For it is not admirable learning that is sufficient to cross out that suspicion: but such an immediate guidance of the holy Ghost, as the Prophets and Apostles were led by, who were the penners of the Canonical Scripture. But this is your old wont, to blind the eyes of the simple with setting forth the sanctity and the learning of the Fathers: much after the manner of your grandfather Pelagius; who in the third of his books which he writ in defence of Free-will, thought he had struck all dead by his commending of S. Ambrose. Blessed Ambrose the Bishop (saith hhe) in whose books the Roman faith doth especially appear, who like a beautiful flower shined among the Latin writers, whose faith and most pure understanding in the Scriptures the enemy himself durst not reprehend. Unto whom S. Augustine: iBehold with what and how great praises he extolleth a man, though holy and learned, yet not to be compared unto the authority of the Canonical Scripture. And therefore advance the learning and holiness of these worthy men, as much as you list: other answer you are not like to have from us, then that which the same S. Augustine maketh unto S. Hierome. kThis reverence and honour have I learned to give to those books of Scripture only, which now are called Canonical, that I most firmly believe none of their authors could any whit err in writing. But others I so read, that ⟨p. 31⟩with how great sanctity and learning soever they do excel, I therefore think not any thing to be true, because they so thought it: but because they were able to persuade me, either by those Canonical authors, or by some probable reason, that it did not swerve from truth.