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

¶ A briefe viewe of the se∣conde Admonition.

I Haue also receyued a seconde Admonition to the Parliamēt, the Authoure whereof vnder∣taketh to teach how to reforme those things whiche the other Admonition found fault with. I shall not néede to make any long discourse of it, neyther will I: The aunswere to the first Admonition, is an answere to this also.

Only I thought it good to note vnto you that this booke consisteth of these points especially: First it iustifieth the authours of the first Admonition, & séemeth to complaine that they haue not iustice, bicause they appealing to the highest Courte of Parliament, their appeale woulde not be receiued. And therefore they say the scripture is plaine that it shal be easier for Sodom & Gomorra in the day of iudgement, than for suche a Courte: (meaning the Court of Parliament) & they quote for that purpose in the margent the .10. of Math. vers. 14.15. which is a shameful prophanation of the scripture, & an egregi∣ous slander to that honorable Courte. The iustnesse of the appeale, I leaue to the Iustices, and skilfull lawyers to be considered of, for it is not within the compasse of my facultie. Only I thinke that, that scroule can haue no de∣fence of Parliament: first bycause it is a Libell: second∣ly bicause it was published in printe before the Parlia∣ment was made priuie vnto it.

In this parte these words of theirs would be wel con∣sidered, there is no other thing to be looked for, than some speedy vengeance to light vppon the

whole lande, prouide as well as the politique Macheuills of Englād thinke they can though God do his worst: It would be knowne whome they meane by these politique Macheuills: For they en∣uie all men of great authoritie, wit and pollicie.

The seconde parte consisteth only of rayling wordes and slanderous accusatiōs, first against this whole church of England, for they say that we are scarce come to the outward face of a church rightly reformed, and that althogh some truth be taught by some preachers, yet no preacher may without greate danger of the lawes vtter all truth comprised in the booke of god &c. And a litle after they ad & say, that the truth in a manner doth but peepe out behind the screene: which speches as they be very vn∣true (for who knoweth not that the Gospel is wholy, pu∣blikely, & fréely preached in this church of Englād) so they be slanderous, neither can the Papists speak any worse.

In this part also to proue that this is no true saying, in maters of pollicie & gouernmēt, it is not repugnāt to the word of god, & therfore it may be vsed: is al∣ledged this saying of Christ. Math. 12. He that is not with me is against me. But they haue forgotē y^e words of christ, Mar. 9. qui non est aduersus nos pro nobis est, He that is not against vs is with vs. Wherevpon we may much better cōclude, that that which is not repugnāt to the scripture, is consonāt to the Scripture, than they can doo the con∣trary of the former place. Notwithstanding in both these places (as I thinke) Christe speaketh rather of men and persons, than of things themselues.

In the same parte their speach of the Quéenes supre∣macie is very suspicious, & it would be demaunded of thē, what they think in déede of hir maiesties authoritie in ec∣clesiastical matters, for in this pointe they haue hitherto

delte very subtilly and closely: notwithstāding their mea∣ning may easily be perceiued of such as diligently cōsider their bookes.

Likewise in this parte they note certayne contrarie∣ties in this Churche, as betwixte the Communion boke and Iniunctions, touching wafers: the Communion booke and Aduertisementes concerning Churche vestures: the Cannons and the Pōtificall in not ordering of ministers sine titulo, and such like matters of no importance: which iustifie rather this church, thā otherwise: for surely if they had had weightier matters, they would no doubt haue al∣ledged them. But in these same matters they are muche deceiued, for as I suppose in matters of ornaments of the Church and of the ministers thereof, the Quéenes maie∣stie togither with the Archbishop or the commissioners in causes ecclesiastical, haue authoritie by Acte of parliamēt to alter and appointe such rytes and ceremonies as shall from time to time be thought to them most conueniente. To be shorte, in that pointe they saye that in thinges of order one Churche maye many times differ from another without offence, following the generall rules of scripture for order, as in ap∣pointing time and place for prayers &c. whiche is a very true saying, and flat contrary to all that is saide either in the first admonitiō, or in this second: For if such things may be appointed in the church, not being expres∣sed in the word of God, but depending vppon this gene∣rall rule, Let all thinges be done decently and in order. 1. Cor. 14. then surely the magistrate hath authoritie in such matters to appoint what shall be thought vnto them most conuenient, so that it be not repugnant to ••o y^• word of God: excepte you will make this the question, whether in suche matters we oughte to be directed by the magi∣strates and gouernours of the Churche, or by euery pri∣uate pastoure in his seuerall charge?

The thirde parte of this booke condemneth the degrées of Doctors, Bachilers of diuinitie, and Masters of arte in the vniuersities, and slaunderously, vntruly, and oppro∣briously speaketh of the vniuersities and suche as be in them: presumptuously prescribing a manner of reforma∣tion for the same, when as I thinke verily, they knowe not what Uniuersities meane. But here we may note y^t they séeke to ouerthrowe al learning and degrées of lear∣ning. The same parte also very slaunderously and vnchri∣stianly rayleth on some bishops by name and the rest of the clergie, charging them most vn truly with sundrie things: but bycause it is done by way of libelling (a diue∣lishe kinde of reuenge) therefore, I trust godly and wise men will estéeme of it accordingly. Besides slaunderous reports and opprobrious words, there is nothing in thys parte worthy the answering.

In the fourth parte, the Authoure taketh vppon him to set downe a plat forme of a Churche, to prescribe the manner of electing ministers, of their exercises, of theyr equalitie, of the gouernement of the Church, &c. Whiche surely being well considered, wil appeare not only a con∣fused plateforme, without any sounde warrant of Gods worde, but also a fantasticall deuise, tending to the ouer∣throwe of learning, religion, yea the whole state and go∣uernement of the common welth.

But bicause I haue before in the confutation of the first Admonition, spoken sufficiently of al these matters, therfore I will only note one or two things in this parte, to let you vnderstand that these platformers builde not vppon that foundation that they woulde haue others so strictly bounde vnto: For let them tell me vppon what scripture this is groūded: Let no one minister medle in any cure saue his owne, but as he is appoin∣ted by common consente of the nexte conference or counsells prouinciall or nationall, or further

if it may fall out so generall of all Churches re∣formed? Or this, That the ministers muste be equall, and that some must be gouerned by all, and not al by some? Or that, the pastor or teacher in euery congregation ought to be the principall of the consistorie of their congregation? Or that, Many parishes may be ioyned in one, and haue one pastor, and yet that it is vnlawfull for one pastor to haue many parishes? Or that, In the meane whyle, till preachers increase to furnishe the places vnfurnished, vpon cōference among the learned, some discrete man be appoynted to make some entiet prayer. &c. Or that it is euill so ofte to repeate, Glory be to the father. &c. Lorde haue mercy vpon vs. &c. or the Lordes prayer? For the text which they alledge for the same, Math. 6. is wickedly wrested, and corruptly alledged: for the words of Christe be not (as they translate them) When you pray 〈…〉〈…〉 that is, many words without fayth, and the inwarde af∣fection of the minde, is forbidden. Paule. 1. Thessa. 5. saith, Pray continually. And Christ, Math. 6. sayth, Pray on this maner, Our father. &c. So that of necessitie we muste oftentimes repeate the Lordes prayer, if we will beléeue Christe and his Apostle Paule: But Lorde what strange doctrine is this, to call Glory bee to the father. &c. Lorde haue mercy vpon vs. &c. Our father. &c, popishe? Surely these men (as I suppose) be not well in their wittes.

These and a number of other phansies they haue in

this booke which they can not grounde vpon any scrip∣••ures, but by wringing and wresting of them: and in déede their séeeking is, to haue all thinges framed according to their fansies, that they may be accompted planters and platformers of Churches.

I omitte this, that the Author boasteth, that he and many others will set them selues agaynst vs, as the professed enimies of the church of Christ: For the matter is not great, neither shall the•• in that poynt deale any otherwise with vs, than 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anabap∣tistes, Arrian••, and other Heretikes haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with o∣ther Churches.

This shall be sufficient for an answere to that booke, bicause all other matters of substaunce are by me answe∣red before in the former confutation.