M. Hardinge.
VVhere they saie, we passe but litle on the Scriptures, as dumbe and vnprofitable, therein they ‡ 1.1 slaunder vs, as in other thinges. VVe do not so. But we saie, that as euery act of Parlament must be executed by a lawful Iudge, so the holy Scriptures haue their execution by lauful Iudges, who are the bishoppes and fathers, as wel in other places, as specially when they be laufully assembled in general councelles. Now saie these men, that way is very vncertaine, dangerous, in maner mad, and not allo∣wed of the fathers. VVho euer heard men thought to haue their right wittes, talke after so loose a sorte? Did the fathers* 1.2 disproue the order of comming together in general councelles? Or thought they the same to be a way for men to be the soner deceiued? If so many maie be deceiued with moste diligent studie and mature iudgement conferring together, howe mutche soner may one or two alone ••eadde by priuate phansie and self wil, be caried away into errour? At the Nicene councel came to∣gether. 318 bishops: At the first of Cōstantinople. 150. at the Ephesine coūcel. 200. At that of Chalcedō 630 Al these foure councelles sundry ancient fathers, namely S. Gregorie, estemed as the foure Gospels. Yea but saith he, I haue the word of God. But what if 300. farre holier, and better learned men saie, he hath it not? Let the reader be iudge. saith be. A meete iudge, in suche a cause. The Scholers maie reade, but iudge of their maisters they maie not by Christes doctrine,* 1.3 who said, Non est discipulus supra ma∣gistrum, the scholer is not aboue his maister. VVhy not, for al that, saie you, if the Holy Ghost inspire him? Sir, is it not to be thought, God doth assist his Churche represented in sutche solemne assemblies of three hundred or moe fathers gouernours of Christen people, rather then one man?