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. 36. Sect. 1.

In the tyme of persecution a churche chooseth an vnlearned minister, or one that is wicked in lyfe, howesoeuer it be, he is vnfit, the Churches rounde aboute by their ministers or Elders, ad∣monishe this churche of her faulte, and moue to correcte it, the Churche will not by no meanes be admonished, what can now the other churches doe in the tyme of persecution? if they excom∣municate the whole churche, it is a harde matter, and yet if they maye doe that, there is all they can doe: the euill is not remedied, which may be easily taken away, where there is a godly Ma∣gistrate, and the Churche (as is before sayd) compelled to a better choyse. So you see that there are* 1.1 inconueniences in the choosing of the Pastor and other the gouernours of the churche, by the churche, in the tyme of persecution, which are not in the tyme of peace, vnder a christian Ma∣gistrate.

Io. Whitgifte.

This is your only reason, to proue that in a Churche persecuted, it is méeter for the Minister to be chosen without the consent of the Churche, than in a Church bée∣ing in prosperitie. And surely it is euen lyke to your reasons in other matters: for first, that whiche you saye of the Churches rounde aboute (for admonishing, correc∣ting, or excommunicating that Churche, that shall choose an vnméete minister) is not to bée founde in all the Scripture, either in commaundement or example, and it is a méere deuise of your owne head.

Secondly, it is moste vnlyke, that the Church in the time of persecution should choose an vnméete or a wicked minister: bycause those that be persecuted themsel∣ues be godly, and well disposed, and carefull to haue suche a one, as they may safe∣ly committe themselues vnto. For thoughe in the tyme of persecution there maye bée some hypocrites, that will for a tyme ioyne themselues with the Godlie, yet the moste parte doe of a conscience that whyche they doe, else woulde they not endure persecution: wherefore if euer the election of theyr minister may safely be committed vnto them, it may then so be especially. Lastely, in the tyme of per∣secution, they haue no Magistrate, they be all equall, neyther is one bounde to

obey another by any ciuill lawe, none hathe chiefe and speciall care ouer the rest, as Magistrate to compell: wherfore it can not be otherwyse then, but that suche offices and functions should be chosen by a common consente, neyther can there be therein, in that tyme, the halfe parte of inconuentences that are in the same, in tyme of prospe∣ritie, as any man of any consideration may euidently perceyue.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This is but one and yet none in deede: for the case you put is verie vnlikely se the tyme you speake of.