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.

That which was brought in after the daies of the Fathers, could not be confuted by them particularly, and in expresse tearmes; neither could Antiquitie, or fame of Tradition, make report to Posteritie of those things which happened after∣wards. But yet many things vttered vpon other occasion, are found in the writings of the Fathers, which prooue, that our present Romists are degenerated, and entertaine a beleefe re∣pugnant [ D] to the Primitiue Church.

But it is obiected that common people cannot know certainely the perpetuall Tradition of Gods Church by such places of the Fathers, partly because the exact examining of the workes and sayings of the Fathers, requires great labour and skill, and so it exceedeth the abili∣tie of these people, partly because many obscure and difficile passages are found in the writings of the Fathers, which will rather perplex common people, than resolue them.

whereunto I answere, That the rule whereby common people must examine Doctrine, is the plaine sentence of holy [ E] Scripture a 1.1: and further triall and examination of Controuer∣sies by the Fathers, and Ecclesiasticall Writers, belongeth to the learned, and principally to the Pastors and Doctors of the Church, who are to vse their gifts, to the instructing of the common people.

If the Aduersarie shall obiect, that Heretickes and deceiuers [ A] may impose a false sence vpon the Scripture. I answere: That notwithstanding this, sufficient matter is found in the Scripture, to confute hereticall exposition, a 1.2 and God alwayes stirreth vp some Pastours or other learned persons, to assist common people, which haue receiued the loue of truth, in true vnder∣standing of diuine veritie necessarie to their saluation. Second∣ly, If the Scripture may bee abused and prophaned by here∣tickes, Tradition may with greater colour be pretended or a∣bused by them (as appeareth by the Pharisees.) Thirdly, Tra∣dition is founded vpon the authoritie of a present Hierarchicall [ B] Church, which may erre, by the confession of many learned Papists b 1.3. But the Scripture is founded onely vpon the autho∣ritie of Christ and his Apostles, and is acknowledged to bee sacred and diuine, by all Christian Churches.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Aug. sup. Psal. 93. Sicut Stellas in Coelo non extin∣guitnox, sic mentes fidelium inhaerētes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Scrip∣turae 〈◊〉〈◊〉, non vin∣eit 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.2

  Greg. Mor. l. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. c. 8. Superbientes Haereticos & sacrae Scripturae senten∣tias deferentes, quasi elatum Goliā suo gladio detrun∣camus.
• b 1.3

  Occham. Dial. part. 3. tr. 1. l. 3. c. 9. Lyra sup. Math. 16. Cusan. Concord. Cath. li. 2. c. 3. Mul∣ta Concilia etiam rite conuocata, errasse legimus. Gerson. l. d. Appellat. à Pontif. propos. 4. & citatur à Francise. Pic. Mirandul. Theor. 8. Tam Papa quam Episcopus sunt deuiabiles à fide. Nichol. Clemangis Disp. sup. materia. Gen. Concilij.