Treatise on the Right Use of the Fathers in the Decision of Controversies

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 Excerpt: ... 291 CHAPTER VI. REASON VI. THAT NEITHER THOSE OF THE CHURCH OF ROME NOR THE PROTESTANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THE FATHERS FOR THEIR JUDGES IN POINTS OF RELIGION; BOTH OF THEM REJECTING SUCH OF THEIR OPINIONS AND PRACTICES AS ARE NOT SUITED TO THEIR TASTE: BEING AN ANSWER TO TWO OBJECTIONS THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST WHAT IS DELIVERED IN THIS DISCOURSE. Thus far have we laboured to prove that the writings of the Fathers have not authority enough in themselves to be received as definitive judgments upon our differences in religion. Let us now, in the last place, see how much regard they ought to have in this respect. For although a sentence of judgment should be good and valid in itself, as being pronounced by one who is a competent and lawful judge, duly and according to the forms of law; yet notwithstanding this would not serve to determine the controversy, if the authority of this judge be denied by either of the parties, (unless, as it is in worldly affairs, the law be armed with such a power, as to be able to force those who are obstinate to submit to reason): forasmuch as the question is here concerning religion, which is a holy and divine thing, to the embracing whereof men ought to be persuaded and not compelled, since force hath no place here. For although, perhaps, they could compel men outwardly to render some such respect to the writings of the Fathers, yet notwithstanding this would not serve to make any impression of the belief of the same in the heart of any one. The same divisions would still remain in the minds of men, which you are first of all to pluck up by the roots, if ever you intend to reconcile them to each other, and to make them agree in points of religion. For the certain determination therefore of all differences of this nature, it is necessa...