The defense of the aunsvvere to the Admonition against the replie of T.C. By Iohn VVhitgift Doctor of Diuinitie. In the beginning are added these. 4. tables. 1 Of dangerous doctrines in the replie. 2 Of falsifications and vntruthes. 3 Of matters handled at large. 4 A table generall.

T. C. pag. 2. Sect. 2.

It is all true you heere alleadge of the Anabaptistes: God be praysed there is nothing of it true in vs. If through these questions moued, the Churche be disquieted, the disquietnesse ri∣seth in that the truth and sinceritie which is offered, is not receyued. We seeke it in no tumul∣tuous manner, but by humble sute vnto them, to whom the redresse of things pertayne, and by teaching as our callings will suffer. If all those are to be counted in the way to Anabaptisme, which moue controuersies when the Gospell is preached: (*) 1.1 Then those that taught that the Gentiles weare to be preached vnto, when as the most of the beleeuing Iewes (which likewise preached the Gospell) thoughte otherwise, are to be counted in the way of Anabaptisme. Like∣wise, those that preached that circumcision was not necessarie vnto saluation, when as a greate number of Christians at the first thought it necessarie. Then Maister Zumglius, and Decolam∣padius smelt of Anabaptisme, which went aboute to ouerthrowe diuers things, which Maister Luther helde. I coulde goe further with this, but I content my selfe with these examples. If any be brought in doubt, or hatred of the truth hereby, or any man take occasion to be contentious, it is not in the nature of the doctrine which is taught, but in the corruption of their mindes, nor it is not offence giuen, but taken: nor this doctrine can be no more charged, than the rest of the Gos∣pell, which is a (*) sworde that cutteth a Citie or kingdome in sunder, and setteth a (*) fire where* 1.2 there was none, and putteth contention betwene the father and the sonne. But what is to giue an* 1.3 incurable offence vnto the simple, and matter to the enimie to reioyce in, to all good Christians of teares and weeping, if this be not, to make the worlde thinke, that numbers of those which pro∣fesse the Gospell, are infected with the poyson of Anabaptisme, which can not be touched with the smalest poynt of it? As for the Magistrate, and authoritie, we acknowledge the lawfulnesse, neces∣sitie,* 1.4 and singular commoditie of it, we commende it in our sermons to others, we pray for them, as for those, of whose good or euill estate, hangeth the flourishing or decay of the common wealth, and Church both. We loue them as our Fathers and Mothers, we feare them, as our Lordes and Maisters, and we obey them in the Lord, and for the Lorde. If there be any thing, wherein we do not according to that which is commaunded, it is, bycause we can not be perswaded in our con∣sciences, that we may so doe (whereof we are readie to render a reason out of the word of God) and if that will not serue, forthwith to submitte our selues, to that punishment, that shall be awarded against vs. And herein, we first call the Lorde God to witnesse of our meaning, and then we re∣ferre our selues to the consciences of all men in the sight of God.

Notes

• (*) 1.1

  The ca〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thing lyke.
• * 1.2

  Mat. 10. 34.
• * 1.3

  Luc. 12. 49.
• * 1.4

  A good 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 vnfayne〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.