English Reformer. Philpott (1511-1555): Tenacious in Combat

Part nine begins, 153.

The Examinations and Writing of John Philpott (Parker Society Series, 1842). Archdeacon of Winchester (1511-December 1555).

The Oxford Memorial to the Reformers martyred in England for the Reformed and biblical faith.

Newman, Pusey and Keble, in private correspondence, abhorred this monument. We reasonably infer that Mr. (bp.) Iker, Ackerman, Hewitt, and Schofield would also, if the "Reformed Faith" became the Confessional core of the ACNA.

Free and downloadable at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=WhT67MqcFDIC&pg=PA319&dq=examinations+and+writings+of+john+philpott+parker+society&lr=&as_brr=1.
Observations:

1. Another examination—the poor archdeacon of Winchester, John Philpott, is being examined near unto death, as it were. Over and over and over. One can hear the thoroughly modern argument, "C'mon, old boy, just go along to get along. We can get this over in short order. No need for this doctrine. We've got the numbers and everyone else on our side. C'mon good man!"

2. Chichester takes to correcting Philpott re: Augustine and the Donatists. Philpott responds: “And St. Augustine speaketh of such as were thoroughly persuaded by manifest scriptures, and yet would resist of stubborn willfulness.”

3. Additional exhortation to comply with the “catholic faith” (=Papist) is enjoined.

4. Philpott: “I am of the same catholic faith…” (= Reformed). This is why Reformed Churchmen do not surrender the term "Catholic."

5. Chichester to the other bishops: “…but he meaneth otherwise than you do…” This old go-around is getting tiring.

6. Durham and the numbers-game: “…will you believe as we do, and all the learned of the realm, or no…and be of one church with us?”

7. Philpott then lectures on the “true church and false church.” He notes that Abel and Cain were in the same church, with one slaying the other. He points 10 of 12 tribes that were the attached, false church. God cut off the false appendage. The implication is clear. Papistry, Romery, and Romanism is a "false church." Committed to the biblical Gospel, every Reformer, held this. It was true then. It's more so today. One can hear modern objections, to wit, "We can't say that any longer in light of the ecumenical discussions, not to mention our pluralistic context. These are just exaggerated statements of these beseiged Reformers." We think not.

8. Chichester: that is true in the OT, but not in the NT.

9. Philpott: Judas in the NT. Simon Magus. Two churches when Paul mentions the antichrist in Thessalonians with a false generation.

10. Durham concedingly: the church is a fisher’s net with good and bad fishes.

11. London (Bonner): Accuses Philpott of saying that the Holy Spirit is Christ’s Vicar on earth.
Christopherson (a friend of Philpott’s from earlier years when in Rome together) interrogates Philpott: “I marvel why you should dissent from the true catholic church since it hath thus long universally been received, except within these five or six years here in England.)

Interpretation:

The Romanists are working hard to get Philpott to repent of his Reformed ways. The Reformed faith of the English Reformed Church was established by courageous and principled men, grounded in the Supreme Word of God and also by men well-schooled in patrology. If we see anything here, it is Philpott’s tenacity. That’s how reformation wars are won and fought.

Part nine ends.