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THe whole scope and drift* 1.1 of this question is this, that if there chance a frée conference or disputati∣on in any counsel, wher∣in they are required to render a reason of their fayth and Re∣ligion, and so may not refuse the same, that then they may haue at the leaste some kinde of prerogatiue, to the ende that nothing may bee decréed agaynst thē, & that they may not be drawen frō their sinnes, errors, & other abuses, to a vertuous & acceptable life before god.
Therfore séeke they by al meanes, that them selues onely may be placed in th•• councels, and that they may not be con∣strained to admit any lay man, or suche as are not of their stampe, amongste them, but that they alone may haue ful power and aucthoritie to accuse, to be witnesses, to determine and to iudge, and that by this meanes nothing may be done, but as it listeth them. And euē in this sorte, haue some of their forefa∣thers nowe a great while holden coun∣cels, being the readye waye (as they thought) to prouide for them selues. But whether this were acceptable be∣fore God, vpright before men, or profi∣table to the church, the time it selfe, the oppressing of the truthe, the slaughters of moste godly men, and the miserable gouernement of the thurche, dothe eui∣dently declare, yea and all faithfull and wise men, may easely iudge. Of this* 1.2 question there is two partes. The first is, vvhether the Apostles in the firste councell at Ierusalem, did take into the same, those heretickes which wente a∣bout to thrust vpon the godly circumci∣sion
and the lawe of Moses? Now héere they suppose, we must néedes denie the same: whereuppon they will conclude, that bicause we are Heretickes, we neither oughte to be heard, nor be ad∣mitted into the councel. But althoughe there were no place nor licence giuen to the heretickes in the councell at Je∣rusalem to speake, yet it foloweth not, that we ought not to be heard, or ought not to be admitted into a lawfull coun∣cell, (for as touching other Councelles which are vnlawfull, and fosterers of their factions, we doe not passe) bicause we are not Heretickes as they were, which contended againste Paule: but we defende, preserue, and purely teache the Apostolicke doctrine, which Paule proponed in that councel, whereas our aduersaries defend ye doctrine of Pauls enemies, and by all violence and force, thrust the same vpon men. The summe of Paules doctrine was this: That sin∣ners* 1.3 vvere iustified before God, by faith in Christ, & not by circumcision or the deedes of the lavv. Against this doctrine did the enemies of Paul (who notwith∣standing
were reckened amongste the faithful, and taught the faith in Christ, but yet not sincerely) set them selues, saying, that they ought to be circūcised, to keepe the law, and to be saued by the workes thereof. And that this was the doctrine and iudgemente of bothe the partes, dothe euidently appeare by the xv. chapter of the Actes, and the Epistle to the Galathians. Wherefore sith yée teache the merite of woorkes, and dare to say that iustification is not of faithe only in Christe, but by good woorkes, consider whether we, or yée with your doctrine, come most neare to the iudge∣ment and opinion of Paules aduersa∣ries. And althoughe they were suche, yet neuerthelesse, they proponed theyr opinion in the Councell at Jerusalem,* 1.4 & were heard: for in the. xv. of the Actes it is written, that there was great dis∣putation betwéene Paule and Barna∣bas. Wherfore if we were Heretickes (as we are not,) yet ought we by right, to be hard in the councel as they were. And bicause the example of the Apo∣stles, which yée doe vse, sheweth yt they
condemned those which taught contra∣ry to Paule, and we haue already pro∣ued that yée teach the same, it foloweth that yée also are condemned in them. But if as you suppose, the aduersaryes of Paule had no place in the councell, then yée which agrée with them in opi∣nion, shall haue no place by your owne iudgement, in a lawfull councell. But if they which consented to Paules do∣ctrine, were admitted into the councell, and gaue sentence against Paules eni∣mies, then oughte we by good righte, to set in the councell, and to giue sentence against you. For we teach like doctrine with Paule, touching Christe, fayth in Christe, and of iustification, to wit, that we be iustified by faith in Christe, and not by workes. And héereby it appea∣reth that this question maketh directly against your selues.
The second parte of this Question,* 1.5 is whether the Apostles did take into the councel, lay or vnlearned mē which folowed the foresayde heresie? But yet these men do rather in this place, séeke whether that lay men, which followe
herestes, are to be admitted into coun∣cels? Héere first is diligently to be con∣sidered, who they are which folowe he∣restes, and then to consider to what end this Question is directed, and who they are, which they go about to exclude frō councels. To this second parte we aun∣swer, that those godly Princes and ma∣gistrates, and honest lay men which be∣léeue the gospel that we do preache, doe not folowe heresies, and therefore they may be admitted into Christian coun∣cels and assemblies. We are not igno∣rante of your custome, and tyrannous gouernement, whereby sometimes yée doe admit lay men into your councels, but yet to learne as yée terme it, but when any waightie matter is to be cō∣cluded, then yée exclude them, and place them only in your councell, which will geue sentence as you liste, and those be your Bishoppes onely. But in the same place of the Actes, which yée alledge for your selues, it is thus written: Then it pleased the Apostles and elders, vvith the vvhole churche. &c. In the which place lay and vnlearned men are num∣bred,
bicause they haue the grace and spirite of Christ: And therfore they nei∣ther may nor ought to be excluded from councels, which are ordained to the re∣formation of religion. Neither oughte the Princes and Magistrates, to suffer these spirituall nien (as they call them selues) to haue the whole authoritie of these matters to them selues.
The Papistes will be bothe accusers and Iudges.
Whether the Apostles ad∣mitted Here∣ticks into the Counsel.
The some of Paules doc¦trine and of his aduersa∣ries.
Whither He∣retikes ought to be admit∣ted into a counsell.
Whether the Apostles ad∣mitted laye mē Heretiks into the Coū¦sell.