A replie to Iesuit Fishers answere to certain questions propou[n]ded by his most gratious Matie: King Iames By Francis White D: of Div· deane of Carlile, chaplaine to his Matie. Hereunto is annexed, a conference of the right: R:B: of St Dauids wth the same Iesuit*

ANSWER.

If the rule be infallible, and the Preaching of Pastours ac∣cording to that rule; ignorant persons, by the assistance of Grace, may learne the doctrine of saluation from their tea∣ching, [ D] without the least thought or reference more to the Ro∣mane Church, than to any other Church: for although Saint Augustine and Saint Cyprian were subiect to errour, yet the vn∣learned people of Hippo and Carthage receiued right Faith by their Ministerie, with assurance, that the same descended from the Apostles.

And it is as euident as the Sunne shining, that the Word of Christ is the sole authenticall ground of Faith a 1.1, and the onely

infallible rule to decide Controuersies; and the Pastours of [ A] other Churches, if they vse the meanes, and haue sufficient knowledge, and the assistance of ordinarie Grace, may bee as infallible in their Doctrine as Romane Prelates.

And although vnlearned people depend vpon their Pastours like sicke men vpon their Physitions, yet where they inioy the free vse of the holy Scripture, as in antient times all people did: and if they be carefull of their owne saluation, and desire to know the truth, God blesseth his owne ordinance, and ordi∣narily assisteth them by his grace, in such sort, as that they shall not be seduced to damnation. Math. 24.24. And if they be di∣stracted [ B] in smaller points by the dissentions of Teachers, their Errour in this case is excuseable a 1.2. But howsoeuer, the Ro∣man Church can be no greater stay to them than other Chur∣ches, but onely by leading them to a blind obedience b 1.3, like as Pagans are led in another kind.

Dr. Fields testimonie concerning the necessitie of learning, [ C] which is the true Church, the ground and Pillar of Truth, &c. serueth not to prooue, That the definition of any moderne Church is absolutely and vniuersally the rule of Faith, and su∣preame Iudge of all Controuersies, or free from all Errour: for this learned Diuine speaketh of the Catholike Church in generall, as it containes the holy Apostles, and those which succeeded them in all ages, in the teaching of the doctrine which they deliuered to the world. And concerning the pre∣sent Church, he ascribeth no more vnto it, but to be a manu∣duction and guider to sauing veritie, confirmed and grounded [ D] vpon the holy Scripture: neither maketh he the authoritie and definition thereof absolute, but dependant vpon the word of God.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Gerson. part. 1. d. potest. Eccles. Consid. 13. Considerari debet Ecclesia prout instituta est à Christo, supra 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Petram fidei ad finem supernaturalem, secundum legem Euangelicam & Sacrae Scripturae diuinitus reuelatae, secundum quam re∣gulati [ E] debet iudicium de fide, & motibus subditorum, quoniam rectum index est sui & obliqui. Idem. d. Exam. Doctr. part. 1. Consid. 2. Determinatio solius Papae in hijs quae sunt fidei non obligat praecise vt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad credendum. Idem. d. pot. Eccles. Lect 11. Cum summus Pontifex sit peccabilis, &c. Similiter Sa∣crum Concilium quod ei datum est & coasistit, non est in gratia confirmatum, &c.
• a 1.2

  Binnes. 22. q. 1. ar. 10. pa. 135. Quod si inter eos sit dissensio sim∣plices fideles ex∣cusabuntur iuxta communes regu∣las sequendo sententiā cuiuslibet partis: non tamen inde sequitur, quod vel fides deficiat nam aliqui eorum veram fidem tenebunt.
• b 1.3

  Cusan. Exercit. li. 6. Obedientia irrationalis, est consummata obedientia & perfectissima, scilicet quando obeditur sine inquisitione rationis, sicut iumentum obedit Domino suo.