The third Question is, Whether1 those things which are well and sufficiently decreed upon, once in some general Council, ought to be called into question, and to be disputed on again. To this question I answer thus: Those things whereon the Counsels have rightly and truly decreed by the word of GOD, to those must we submit our selves, neither are they to be called into question. As the first general Counsels holden at Nice, Constantinople, and Ephesus, did well and rightly decree touching the holy Trinity, the Divine and Humane nature of Christ, the holy Ghost, and of such things which did hereunto appertain. They now therefore offend not against GOD, which dispute and set them selves against those that call these things again into question, ⟨p. 35⟩and make doubt of them: but they which are the causers and authors of these Disputations offend, as namely Seruetus the Spaniard in our age, and diverse others, which have done the like by their open works and writings. We also confess, that the laws of the godly Emperors and Kings, were and are right profitable and necessary, wherein blasphemous and wicked disputations are forbidden. But the Popish Prelates can not by2 this title defend or shield them selves, as that nothing ought to be written or disputed against their late new holden Counsels, which thing in deed they greatly desire, because they know them selves guilty of infidelity. For it is too manifest, and can by no manner of means be denied, that in their Counsels they have ordained and decreed many things contrary to the custom of the Primitive Church, and the manifest testimonies of the holy Scriptures, which by their leave we may not leave untouched. Whereupon within these few ⟨image 46⟩hundred years, many holy, learned, faithful, valiant and sincere Ministers of GOD, have cried out, saying, that the church of Rome is fraught and full stuffed with all abuses, errors, sins, wicked and horrible facts and offences, and therefore hath need of great and earnest reformation. But these men would that all these things should be covered and smeared over, and therefore they say, It is not lawful again to speak of or dispute against those things which were once decreed and established by general Councils.
The thirde Question is, VVhether1 those thinges whiche are well and sufficiently decreed vppon, once in some generall Councell, oughte to bee called into question, and to bee disputed on agayne. To this question I aunswere thus: Those thinges whereon the Counselles haue rightely and truely decréed by the woorde of GOD, to those muste wée submitte our selues, neyther are they to be called into question. As the firste generall Counsels holden at Nice, Constantinople, and Ephesus, dyd well and rightely decrée touching the holy Trinitie, the Deuine and Humane nature of Chryste, the holy Ghoste, and of suche thinges whiche dydde héerevnto appertayne. They nowe therefore offende not agaynst GOD, whiche dispute and set them selues agaynst those that call these thinges agayne into question, ⟨p. 35⟩and make doubte of them: but they whych are the causers and authors of these Disputations offende, as namely Seruetus the Spaniarde in our age, and diuerse others, whiche haue done the lyke by their open workes and wrytings. We also confesse, that the lawes of the godly Emperours and Kinges, were and are ryghte profitable and necessarie, wherein blasphemouse and wycked disputations are forbydden. But the Popishe Prelates can not by2 this tytle defende or shielde them selues, as that nothing ought to bée written or disputed agaynst their late newe holden Counselles, whiche thyng in déede they greately desire, bycause they knowe them selues giltie of infidelitie. For it is tootoo manyfeste, and can by no manner of meanes bée denyed, that in their Counsels they haue ordeined and decréed many thinges contrary to the custome of the Primatiue Churche, and the manyfeste testimonies of the holy Scriptures, which by their leaue wée may not leaue vntouched. Wherevppon within these fewe ⟨image 46⟩hundred yeares, many holy, learned, faythfull, valyaunte and sincere Ministers of GOD, haue cried out, saying, that the church of Rome is fraught and full stuffed with all abuses, errors, sinnes, wicked and horrible factes and offences, and therefore hathe néede of greate and earneste reformation. But these men woulde that all these thinges shoulde bee couered and smered ouer, and therefore they say, It is not lawefull agayne to speake of or dispute agaynst those things which were once decreed and establyshed by generall Councels.
- 1Whether the articles which are decided & confirmed may be disputed on again.Whether the articles vvhiche are decided & cōfirmed may be disputed on agayne.
- 2Whether it be lawful to dispute against popish doctrineWhether it be lavvfull to dispute againste popish doctrin
