A tract of the soueraigne iudge of controuersies in matters of religion. By Iohn Cameron minister of the Word of God, and divinity professour in the Academie of Montauban. Translated into English by Iohn Verneuil. M.A.

CHAP. 12. (Book 12)

The verification of the second meanes of nullity against the fift allegation. (Book 12)

TOuching the fift allegation that the Scripture cannot be the rule, seeing it cannot put an end to the dissentions of them, who make profession to keepe themselues strictly vnto it, is also wonderfully perverse. For question is not made of such a rule, as vnto which, all those should truly and indeed conforme themselues, who make a shew so to do, neither of finding such a Iudge, as all they who professe to yeeld, & referre themselues to his judgement, should in effect per∣forme it: so long as the Church shall be militant here on earth, such a rule, such a Iudge will not be foūd. But the que∣stion is of finding a rule, of finding a Iudge, to whom who∣soever shall submit himselfe, to which whosoever shall con∣forme himselfe, shall not disagree frō those who do the like?

Otherwise albeit that passion, and malice hinder not that men may seeme to hold themselues to one certaine rule, of which the doctrine is evident and playne, for to disguise the businesse and colour over a bad cause these vices notwith∣standing will not suffer vs in truth to conforme our selues thereunto, as is seene in the example of the heretiques aboue alleaged, who did protest to keepe themselues to the Coun∣cell of Nice, and to the traditions of the Fathers. Moreover we do not seeke a rule to which whosoever conformeth himselfe doth it wholy in all points. For it is well knowne that the Fathers did conforme themselues to the patterne of the Scripture, to the consent of the Church, and yet which of them hath done it so exactly? all of them by rea∣son of humaine infirmity, disagreing one with another, and oftentimes from themselues. He that shall say, that there∣fore God speaking in the scripture is not Iudge, by the same reason should bee forced to conclude, that neither the Church it selfe is Iudge. But the question is of finding a Iudge, a rule which might cause agrement at least in the Principall points, amongst all those who sincerely desire the knowledge of truth.

There were betwixt the Christians and the Iewes great controversies, they protested both the one and the other that the Scripture was the rule. And S^t Paul that hee taught nothing but what the Prophets had foretold. And the Iewes would receiue no other doctrine, but that of Moses and the Prophets: ceased he therefore to convince the Iewes by the Scriptures, and apply them as the rule against them? And vnder colour that the Iewes boasting them∣selues in Moses writings, agreed not with the Lords, who made as much or more reckoning of them, did he forbeare to tel them,* 1.1 had yee beleeued Moses, yee would haue beleeued mee, for hee wrote of mee: but if yee beleeue not his writings how shall ye beleeue my words? and in the verse immediately going before.* 1.2 Do not thinke that I will accuse you to the Fa∣ther, there is one that will accuse you, euen Moses in whom you trust.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iohn. 5. 46. 47.
• * 1.2

  v. 45▪