An ansvvere to a certen libel intituled, An admonition to the Parliament, by Iohn VVhitgifte, D. of Diuinitie

Answere.

And what reason can you giue, why you should not as∣well allowe of it by subscription, as you saye that you haue hitherto done by vsing of it in your mini∣sterie? Will you speake on thing and do another? will you not subscribe to that, whiche you publiquely vse and giue your cōsent vnto? If those persons by whome this booke was first authorised, were studious of peace and of bulding vp of Christes Church, as you say they were, then you that séeke to deface it, are disturbers of peace and destroyers of y^e Church of Christ. They were singuler learned men, zelous in Gods religi∣on, blamelesse in life, and Martirs at their end, for eyther all, or the most parte of them haue sealed this boke with their bloud. But by the way this is to be noted that you confesse your selues to haue allowed that (by vsing of it) which you say is against the worde of God.

The vnperfectnesse of this booke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suche things in the same as be culled and picked out

of that popish dunghill the masse booke wyth the contents therin that be against the worde of God, shal apeare I am sure in your seuerall reasons, for it is not sufficiente for you, barely to say so withoute wit, learning or reason.

This you know right well, that in so saying you make the Papists leape for ioy, bycause they haue gotten suche companions to assault this booke, whilest they rest them, and lye as it were in slepe. O, that the wise men of thys Realme, (suche I meane as be in authoritie) sée not thys Popish practise and séeke not with more earnestnesse to preuent it. Will ye suffer the Papists to gather strength and to multiplie, by tollerating suche libellers vnder the pretence of reformation, to discredit so muche as lyeth in them, yea to ouerthrowe the whole state, and substance of religion in this Church? be not secure, but watche, and remēber the beginning and encrease of the Anabaptists of late in Germany, which I haue described in my preface to this booke.

You saye, that you can not but muche mar∣uell at the craftye wylynesse of those menne, whose partes it had bene firste to haue pro∣ued eache, and euery contente therein to bee agreeable to Gods woorde. &c. Nay surely, but it were youre partes rather to proue, that there is some thing therein contrary or not agréeable to Gods worde. For suche as bée learned and knowe the manner of reasoning saye, that the Opponente muste proue or im∣proue, and not the Aunswerer: They stande to the defence and mayntenaunce of the Booke, you séeke to ouerthrowe it, it is youre partes therefore to iustifie youre assertions, by reasons and argumentes. Nowe to your reasons.