A53737:109
A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux
A vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat lux wherein the principles of the Roman church, as to moderation, unity and truth are examined and sundry important controversies concerning the rule of faith, papal supremacy, the mass, images, &c. discussed / by John Owen.
London: printed for Ph. Stephens, 1664
A Vindication of the Animadversions on Fiat Lux. › Chapter 4
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 although these things are evident and sufficiently proved, yet I see nothing will satisfy you, unless we produce testimonies of former times, to manifest that your Church hath been arraigned, judged, condemned, written against, by Fathers, Councils, or other Churches. Now though this be somewhat an unreasonable expectation in you, and that which I am no way bound unto by the Law of our Discourse to satisfy you in; yet to prevent for the future such Invasions, as you have made use of on all occasions in your Epistle, I shall in a few pregnant and unquestionable Instances, give you an account both when, how, and by whom the falls of your Church have been observed, reproved, condemned, and written ⟨p. 69⟩against. Only unto what shall be discoursed unto this purpose, I desire liberty to premise these three things, which I suppose will be granted. Dabitur ignis tamen, et si ab inimicis petam.
But although these things are evident and sufficiently proved, yet I see nothing will satisfie you, unless we produce testimonies of former times, to manifest that your Church hath been arraigned, judged, condemned, written against, by Fathers, Councils, or other Churches. Now though this be somewhat an unreasonable expectation in you, and that which I am no way bound unto by the Law of our Discourse to satisfie you in; yet to prevent for the future such Ivasions, as you have made use of on all occasions in your Epistle, I shall in a few pregnant and unquestionable Instances, give you an account both when, how, and by whom the falls of your Church have been observed, reproved, condemned, and written ⟨p. 69⟩against. Only unto what shall be discoursed unto this pnrpose, I desire liberty to premise these three things, which I suppose will be granted. Dabitur ignis tamen, et si ab inimicis petam.
The first is, that, What is by any previously condemned, before the embracing and practice of it, is no less condemned by them, than if the practice had preceded their condemnation. Though you should say that your avowing of a condemned error, would make it no error; yet you cannot say that it will render it not condemned: for that which is done, cannot be undone, say you what you will.