CHAP. X. Whether at all times a publick debate be necessary with such persons upon these points.
Assertion 1. We say that there are some times and cases in which public debates are not altogether to be avoided. I will not say that every person is bound to accept such a challenge, lest thereby truth be wronged; neither is it always the ablest man who manages such a business best. But in general, such debate is necessary in these and similar cases: 1. When errors appear to be new among the people. 2. When those who promote them become insolent, as if they dared to bring their deeds openly into the light. 3. When, through forbearance and silence, people are in danger of thinking highly of such insolent boasters and of their opinions. In these and similar cases, I say, there is some necessity for public debate for the Church’s edification, as may appear from Titus 1:9–11. “There are many,” says the Apostle, “who are unruly and vain talkers,” such as vainly boast of their own ability to maintain their opinions, “whose mouths must be stopped,” lest they gain advantage to seduce others. And this is given as the reason why ministers should be qualified with ability to convince gainsayers, because sometimes the insolence and vanity of such persons makes this necessary. Upon this ground we find our blessed Lord Himself, and Stephen and Paul, frequently disputing even in assemblies and synagogues. This does not imply that every minister must dispute at all times, even in such a case; sometimes the matter may be referred and committed to others. For if truth is maintained and error refuted, the gainsayer’s mouth may be stopped, though every minister does not personally do it.
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