by William Whitaker
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Translated and Edited by REV. WILLIAM FITZGERALD, A.M.
William Whitaker's A Disputation on Holy Scripture Against the Papists, Especially Bellarmine and Stapleton is a masterful and rigorous defense of the sufficiency, authority, and clarity of Scripture in the face of Roman Catholic objections. Written during the height of the Reformation's theological battles, this work systematically dismantles the arguments of leading Jesuit theologians such as Robert Bellarmine and Thomas Stapleton. Whitaker, a staunch Protestant scholar and the Queen’s Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, contends that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority for faith and practice, not the Church or human traditions. He meticulously addresses issues such as the number of canonical books, the authenticity of the biblical text, and the necessity of vernacular translations, demonstrating the Reformed commitment to sola Scriptura. His methodical refutation of the Apocrypha as inspired Scripture and his exposure of the corruption of the Latin Vulgate highlight his unyielding dedication to biblical truth.
What makes this work particularly engaging is Whitaker’s incisive logic, his reliance on Scripture and patristic sources, and his ability to expose the weaknesses in Roman Catholic reasoning. His firm yet scholarly tone provides readers with a clear and compelling defense of Protestant biblical authority, making this book a crucial read for those interested in Reformation apologetics. Whitaker not only refutes his adversaries but also lays a robust foundation for understanding the role of Scripture in the Christian life. His work remains a significant contribution to Protestant thought, as it underscores the unshakeable truth that God’s Word is the supreme and self-authenticating rule of faith.
About the Author: William Whitaker (1548–1595) was a leading Protestant theologian and the Queen’s Professor of Divinity at Cambridge. A fierce defender of the Reformed faith, he played a key role in articulating and defending sola Scriptura against the rising influence of Roman Catholicism in Elizabethan England. His scholarly precision and theological depth made him a respected figure among both Protestants and even some of his Catholic opponents, including Robert Bellarmine, who reputedly kept Whitaker’s portrait in admiration of his learning. His works remain influential in the study of Reformation theology and the doctrine of Scripture.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE.
EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
PREFACE TO THE CONTROVERSIES, DELIVERED TO THE AUDIENCE AT CAMBRIDGE.
QUESTION I. OF THE NUMBER OF THE CANONICAL BOOKS OF SCRIPTURE.
1. CHAPTER I. WHEREIN THIS WHOLE CONTROVERSY IS DISTRIBUTED INTO ITS PARTICULAR QUESTIONS.
2. CHAPTER II. CONCERNING THE STATE OF THE FIRST QUESTION.
3. CHAPTER III. CONCERNING THOSE HERETICS WHO WERE GUILTY OF SACRILEGE AGAINST THE SACRED AND CANONICAL SCRIPTURES.
4. CHAPTER IV. WHEREIN THE ARGUMENT OF THE ADVERSARIES IS PROPOSED AND CONFUTED.
5. CHAPTER V. WHEREIN REASONS ARE ALLEGED AGAINST THE BOOKS OF THE SECOND KIND.
6. CHAPTER VI. WHEREIN THE TRUTH OF OUR CAUSE IS ILLUSTRATED BY OTHER TESTIMONIES.
7. CHAPTER VII. OF THE BOOK OF BARUCH.
8. CHAPTER VIII. OF THE SEVEN APOCRYPHAL CHAPTERS OF ESTHER.
9. CHAPTER IX. OF THE APOCRYPHAL PARTS OF DANIEL.
10. CHAPTER X. OF THE BOOK OF TOBIT.
11. CHAPTER XI. OF THE BOOK OF JUDITH.
12. CHAPTER XII. OF THE BOOK OF WISDOM.
13. CHAPTER XIII. OF THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTICUS.
14. CHAPTER XIV. OF THE BOOKS OF MACCABEES.
15. CHAPTER XV. OF THE BOOKS ALLOWED BY THE PAPISTS TO BE APOCRYPHAL.
16. CHAPTER XVI. OF THE BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
QUESTION II. OF THE AUTHENTIC EDITION OF THE SCRIPTURES.
17. CHAPTER I. THE STATE OF THE QUESTION.
18. CHAPTER II. OF THE HEBREW EDITION.
19. CHAPTER III. OF THE GREEK VERSION BY THE SEVENTY TRANSLATORS OF THE HEBREW BOOKS.
20. CHAPTER IV. OF OTHER GREEK TRANSLATIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
21. CHAPTER V. OF THE GREEK EDITION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
22. CHAPTER VI. OF THE LATIN VULGATE EDITION.
23. CHAPTER VII. WHEREIN AN ANSWER IS GIVEN TO THE ARGUMENTS OF OUR OPPONENTS, WHEREBY THEY ENDEAVOUR TO PROVE THAT THE LATIN VULGATE EDITION IS AUTHENTIC.
24. CHAPTER VIII. IN WHICH AN ANSWER IS GIVEN TO THE TEN REASONS OF THE ANGLO-RHEMIST TRANSLATORS, WHEREBY THEY ENDEAVOUR TO PROVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE VULGATE VERSION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
25. CHAPTER IX. WHEREIN THE ARGUMENTS ARE EXPLAINED WHEREBY THE LATIN VULGATE EDITION IS PROVED NOT TO BE THE AUTHENTIC SCRIPTURE.
26. CHAPTER X. WHEREIN CERTAIN CORRUPT PLACES IN THE VULGATE EDITION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ARE SET FORTH.
27. CHAPTER XI. OF THE LATIN EDITION OF THE PSALMS AND ITS MANIFOLD CORRUPTIONS.
28. CHAPTER XII. OF CORRUPTIONS IN THE LATIN EDITION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
29. CHAPTER XIII. WHEREIN THE STATE OF THE QUESTION CONCERNING VERNACULAR VERSIONS IS EXPLAINED.
30. CHAPTER XIV. WHEREIN THE ARGUMENTS OF OUR ADVERSARIES AGAINST VERNACULAR VERSIONS ARE REFUTED.
31. CHAPTER XV. OUR REASONS FOR VERNACULAR VERSIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES.
32. CHAPTER XVI. STATE OF THE QUESTION CONCERNING PUBLIC PRAYERS AND SACRED RITES IN THE VULGAR TONGUE.
33. CHAPTER XVII. THE ARGUMENTS OF THE PAPISTS FOR SERVICE IN A FOREIGN TONGUE ARE CONFUTED.
34. CHAPTER XVIII. OUR ARGUMENTS, WHEREBY WE PROVE THAT THE OFFICES OF THE CHURCH SHOULD BE PERFORMED IN THE VERNACULAR LANGUAGE OF EVERY PEOPLE.
QUESTION III. CONCERNING THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE.
35. CHAPTER I. OF THE STATE OF THE QUESTION.
36. CHAPTER II. HOW MUCH AUTHORITY, WITH RESPECT TO SCRIPTURE, IS ATTRIBUTED BY THE PAPISTS AND BY US TO THE CHURCH.
37. CHAPTER III. WHEREIN THE FIRST ARGUMENT OF OUR OPPONENTS IS CONFUTED.
38. CHAPTER IV. WHEREIN STAPLETON’S SECOND ARGUMENT IS PROPOSED AND CONFUTED.
39. CHAPTER V. WHEREIN THE THIRD ARGUMENT OF OUR OPPONENTS IS EXAMINED AND SET ASIDE.
40. CHAPTER VI. WHEREIN THE FOURTH ARGUMENT OF OUR OPPONENTS IS ANSWERED.
41. CHAPTER VII. OF THE FIFTH ARGUMENT OF OUR ADVERSARIES.
42. CHAPTER VIII. OF THE SIXTH ARGUMENT OF OUR ADVERSARIES.
43. CHAPTER IX. OF THE SEVENTH ARGUMENT OF OUR ADVERSARIES.
44. CHAPTER X. OF THE TWO REMAINING ARGUMENTS OF OUR ADVERSARIES.
45. CHAPTER XI. OUR ARGUMENTS, WHEREBY WE PROVE THAT THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURE, IN RESPECT OF US DOES NOT DEPEND UPON THE JUDGMENT AND AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH.
QUESTION IV. CONCERNING THE PERSPICUITY OF SCRIPTURE.
46. CHAPTER I. OF THE STATE OF THE QUESTION.
47. CHAPTER II. WHY GOD WOULD HAVE MANY OBSCURITIES IN THE SCRIPTURES.
48. CHAPTER III. WHEREIN THE ARGUMENTS OF THE PAPISTS ARE OBVIATED.
49. CHAPTER IV. THE ARGUMENTS OF OUR WRITERS ATTACHED BY BELLARMINE ARE DEFENDED.
QUESTION V. CONCERNING THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE.
50. CHAPTER I. THE STATE OF THE QUESTION.
51. CHAPTER II. OF CERTAIN PRELIMINARIES, NECESSARY FOR UNDERSTANDING THE STATE OF THE QUESTION.
52. CHAPTER III. THE STATE OF THE FORMER PART OF THIS QUESTION TREATED MORE AT LARGE.
53. CHAPTER IV. THE ARGUMENTS OF OUR OPPONENTS TAKEN FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ARE SET ASIDE.
54. CHAPTER V. AN ANSWER IS GIVEN TO THE TESTIMONIES TAKEN FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT.
55. CHAPTER VI. OF THE THIRD ARGUMENT OF OUR ADVERSARIES.
56. CHAPTER VII. OF THE JESUIT’S FOURTH ARGUMENT.
57. CHAPTER VIII. OUR ARGUMENTS WHEREBY WE PROVE THAT THE SUPREME DECISION IN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE BELONGS NOT TO THE CHURCH, BUT TO THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.
58. CHAPTER IX. THE STATE OF THE QUESTION, CONCERNING THE MEANS OF FINDING THE TRUE SENSE OF SCRIPTURE.
59. CHAPTER X. THE GENERAL ARGUMENTS OF OUR OPPONENTS AGAINST THESE MEANS ARE OBVIATED.
60. CHAPTER XI. THE PARTICULAR ARGUMENTS OF OUR ADVERSARIES ARE REFUTED.
61. CHAPTER XII. THE ARGUMENTS BY WHICH OUR OPPONENT ENDEAVOURS TO ESTABLISH HIS OWN MEANS ARE EXAMINED.
62. CHAPTER XIII. THAT SCRIPTURE IS TO BE INTERPRETED BY SCRIPTURE.
QUESTION VI. CONCERNING THE PERFECTION OF SCRIPTURE, AGAINST HUMAN TRADITIONS.
63. CHAPTER I. THE QUESTION IS PROPOSED.
64. CHAPTER II. WHAT THE PAPISTS DENOTE BY THE TERM TRADITION.
65. CHAPTER III. HOW THE PAPISTS CLASSIFY THEIR TRADITIONS.
66. CHAPTER IV. THE RULES WHEREBY THE PAPISTS DISTINGUISH GENUINE FROM SPURIOUS TRADITIONS.
67. CHAPTER V. WHAT DOGMAS ARE DEFENDED BY THE PAPISTS BY THE AUTHORITY OF TRADITIONS.
68. CHAPTER VI. THE STATE OF THE QUESTION IS LAID DOWN.
69. CHAPTER VII. THE ARGUMENTS OF OUR ADVERSARIES, WHEREBY THEY PROVE THAT THE SCRIPTURES WITHOUT TRADITION ARE NEITHER NECESSARY NOR SUFFICIENT.
70. CHAPTER VIII. THAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE NECESSARY.
71. CHAPTER IX. THE ARGUMENTS OF OUR OPPONENTS, WHEREBY THEY PROVE THAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE NOT SUFFICIENT WITHOUT TRADITION.
72. CHAPTER X. THE ARGUMENTS TAKEN FROM SCRIPTURE, WHEREBY BELLARMINE PROVES THE EXISTENCE OF SOME TRUE TRADITIONS, ARE ANSWERED.
73. CHAPTER XI. BELLARMINE’S THIRD ARGUMENT IS OBVIATED.
74. CHAPTER XII. THE FOURTH ARGUMENT, FOUNDED UPON THE TESTIMONIES OF THE FATHERS, IS ANSWERED.
75. CHAPTER XIII. BELLARMINE’S REMAINING ARGUMENTS ARE CONFUTED.
76. CHAPTER XIV. SUCH OF OUR ARGUMENTS AGAINST UNWRITTEN TRADITIONS AS BELLARMINE HATH ANSWERED.
77. CHAPTER XV. WHEREIN OTHER TESTIMONIES OF SCRIPTURE AGAINST TRADITIONS, NOT NOTICED BY BELLARMINE, ARE EXPLAINED.
78. CHAPTER XVI. UNWRITTEN TRADITIONS ARE OPPOSED BT REASONS.
79. CHAPTER XVII. TESTIMONIES OF THE FATHERS.
80. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.