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.

Io. Whitgifte.

And howe would you haue that Churche wherof he is to be Pastor demaunded whether* 1.1 they haue any thing to obiect against him? would you haue euery one that is to be mini∣ster, first goe and dwell among them, that they might haue triall of him? In déed so did Mathias, and Barsabas among the Apostles, and the seuen among them, by whome they were chosen Deacons. But howe long shall he then remayne among them? for it had néede be a good tyme, else shall they not throughly knowe him, nor then neyther, for he maye playe the hypocrite. But who shall in the meane tyme beare his charges there and fynde him? for a number of parishes in Englande be not able sufficiently to fynd one, muche lesse moe: Or howe shall they haue any tryall of his doctrine, learning and habilitie to preache, séeing that he maye not publikely eyther teach or exhorte, bicause he is not yet called to the ministerie?

Surely I vnderstand not how your deuise coulde be well brought to passe, except you will make in euery parishe an vniuersitie, or some schoole of Diuinitie, or Col∣ledge of learning, as in déede they had in moste great Cities of the old Church, where the election of ministers was committed to manye: or excepte you imagine, that some suche maye be dwelling, and continuing in euery Parishe, as by inspiration or some other extraordinarie meanes may be made able to be their Pastor, when the place shall be voyde.

But tell me this one thing: woulde you haue him that is to bée chos〈1 line〉〈1 line〉n their Pa∣stor, remayne among them, they hauing yet a Pastor? or come vnto them after the death or departure of their Pastor, as the seconde Admonition woulde haue it Folio. 14? if the fyrste: then muste the Parishe bée double burdened, that is, they muste finde bothe him that is, and him also that shall be their pastor: moreouer it is vncertaine how long he must remaine with them, expecting the death or depar∣ture of the other: Likewise how he shall in the meane time occupy himselfe. &c. If the second: then must they of long time be destitute of a Pastor, for they cannot haue sufficient triall of him, excepte also sufficient time be graunted vnto them to

trie him in, which cannot be lesse than one whole yeare at the least.

But admitte all these impossibilities and great absurdities, to be possible and con∣uenient: yet are there further doubtes, what if the parish be wholly or the most parte simple, ignorant, and vnlearned men not able to iudge? what if they be all or the most part corrupt in religion? what if they be such, as can be better content with one that will winke at their faultes, than with him that will reproue them? what if they be such, as wil be ouerruled with some one, whome they dare not displease? To be short, what if they cannot agrée among themselues, vpon some one, but be diuided i〈1 line〉〈1 line〉to fa∣ctions. &c? All these things being considered, you shall find it the fittest, and best way, that the Byshop, euen according to the forme prescribed in the booke, haue authoritie to admitte and allow of suche as are to be ministers. Would you haue him that is brought vp in the vniuersitie, and well knowne in all respects to be meete for the mi∣nisterie, to whome also a cure in some place of Westmerland is to be committed, to be kept from the same, bycause he is vnknowne vnto them? Let other men thinke of your de〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ises as they list, in my iudgement they be méere phansies & fond dreames, grounded neither vpon the word of God, neyther yet of any other good consideration. Sure I am that they are contrary to the practise of reformed Churches, and namely the Churches of Berne and Tygure. As M. Musculus reporteth in his common pla∣ces titu. de ministris verbi. And M. Bullinger. 1. Tim. 4.

Touching this supposition of yours, that none should be admitted into the ministerie ex∣cept* 1.2 the same haue some certayne cure committed vnto him, occasion will be giuen to speake in another place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The absurdi∣ti〈1 line〉〈1 line〉s that of necessitie fol∣low the asser∣tion of T. C.
• * 1.2

  Tra〈1 line〉〈1 line〉t. 4. c〈1 line〉〈1 line〉p. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉