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. 32. Sect. 6. 7.

You say that howsoeuer in the Apostles tyme. this vse was of hauing the consent of the church in the choyse of their Pastor or Bishop, nowe in this state it were moste pernicious and hurte∣full. Wherein, see howe (a) 1.1 vnaduisedly you condemne the churches of Geneua, of all Fraunce, of certayne of the Germayne churches, which keepe this order. But you alleage your reasons, ther∣fore those are to be considered, bicause they come so rare. For your maner is, that if you can haue but one writer new or olde, of your side, or which seemeth to be of your side, you runne away with the matter, as though you had scripture, reason, Doctors, and all.

I will therefore then take a view of your reasons, when as I shal haue briefly set downe those reasons, wherby the perpetuall equitie, reasonablenesse, & conueniencie of this order, that the church should haue a stroke in hir ministers election, may appeare.

Io. Whitgifte.

I condemne no Churches that haue appoynted any order for the electing of their Pastors, which they thinke to be agreable to their state, and moste profitable for them: for therefore I say, that no certayne maner or forme of electing ministers is prescribed in the Scripture, bicause euery Churche may doe therein as it shall séeme to be moste expediente for the same. That maye be profitable for the Churches of Ge∣neua and Fraunce. &c. whiche woulde be moste hurtefull to this Churche of Englande.

And therefore I saye that howsoeuer this popular kinds of electing was conuenient or profitable in the Apostles tyme, yet in this state of the Churche of Englande, it woulde be pernicious and hurtfull.

You say my manner is, that if I can haue but one writer. &c. Truely I doe not stande so muche in my owne conceyte, neyther am I so well persuaded of my owne witte and vnderstanding, but that I greatly estéeme the opinions of learned men: and I thinke my selfe to haue reason sufficient, when I haue good and learned authoritie, which is grounded both vpon Scripture and reason. And to put you out of doubte, if you be offended bicause I so doe, you must be offended still: For I had rather alleage the authoritie of learned men, whiche is grounded bothe vpon the Scriptures and reason, than to sticke to mine owne phansie, bothe without authoritie and reason, as those commonly doe, whiche are desirous of innouations, and haue their heades filled with new deuises.

But you will take a view of my reasons. &c. and I will first examine your reasons se∣uerally, and then answere for my owne.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  This is an v〈1 line〉〈1 line〉∣aduised colles∣tion.