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. Page 44. Sect. vlt.

To say that the Byshop may as well say (receiue the holy ghost) as to say the wordes vsed in the Supper, or to say that the sinnes of those, which do beleeue are forgiuen, is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as farre as Yorke and London. For there are commaundementes to the Ministers to doe that, which they doe, and heere is none: and there the Minister doth not commaunde that the bread be the bodie of Christ, but he sayth that it is. Neither doth he commaunde that sinnes should be for∣giuen, but pronounceth in the behalfe of God, that they are forgiuen. It is not lawfull also, that he with the congregation should make a prayer for the assistance or encrease of God his giftes vp∣on him, that is ordeined, but to commaund that he should receiue it, is meerely vnlawfull. For these wordes (receiue the holy ghost) are the imperatiue mode, and doe expressely signifie a commaunde∣ment. And so the Bishop may as wel say to the sea when it rageth and 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉elleth, peace, be quiet, as to say receiue the holy Ghost. And if you thinke it so good reason to vse this in the making of mini∣sters, bicause you vse the words of our Sauiour Christ, why may not you as well blow vpon them as he did? For seyng that our sauiour Christ confirmed his word there with a Sacrament, or out∣warde signe, and you thinke you must therefore do it, bicause he did it, you are muche to blame to leaue out the outward signe, or Sacrament of breath, whereby the faithe of him that is ordeined, might be the more assured of such giftes and graces, as are requisite in his function. I heape not vp here the iudgement of writers, you knowe, I thinke, it might easily be done, if I liked to follow that waye.

Io. Whitgifte.

Christ vsed these wordes (this is my bodye) in the celebration of his Supper, but there is no speciall commaundement that the Minister should▪ vse the same, and yet must he vse them, b〈1 line〉〈1 line〉cause Christ vsed them: euen so, when Christ did ordeine his A∣postles Ministers of the Gospell Io. 20. he sayd vnto them▪ receiue the holy G〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ost. &c. which words bicause they containe the principall duetie of a Minister, and do signifie that God doth poure his spirit vpon those whom he calleth to that function, are most

aptly also vsed of the Bishop (who is Gods instrument in that businesse) in the or∣deyning of Ministers. S. Paule speaking to Timothie. 1. Tim. 4. saythe, Neglecte* 1.1 not the gifte that is in thee, whiche was giuen vnto thee by prophecie, with the laying on of the handes of the eldership. In whiche wordes the Apostle signifieth, that God dothe bestowe his giftes and spirite vpon suche as be called to the ministerie of the worde, whereof imposition of handes is a token, or rather a confirmation: and ther∣fore sayth M. Caluine, that it was not a vayne ceremonie, bicause God dyd fulfill with hys* 1.2 spirite that consecration, which men dyd signifie by imposition of handes. And surely as that is no vayne ceremonie, though it be done by men, so these be no vayne words, though they be spoken by men.

Neither dothe the Bishop speake them as thoughe he had authoritie to giue the holy Ghost, but he speaketh them as the words of Christ vsed in the like action, who (as I sayde before) dothe moste certaynly giue his holy spirite to those whom he cal∣leth to the ministerie. And surely if any patterne eyther in calling or ordeyning of ministers is to be followed, this of Christ is to be followed especially: and it is not vnlike but that the Apostles when they layde on their hands vsed the same words, bi∣cause (as I haue sayde) laying on of handes is a signe, or rather a confirmation of the same. That which you speake of commaunding, is a méere cauill, you knowe in your conscience that there is nothing lesse ment.

To recite the wordes of Christ in the name of Christ, in the selfe same maner that Christ dyd speake them, is as lawful in this action, as it is in the Supper, for the bread is not the ministers body, but the sacramente of Christ his body, and yet he sayth, Take and eate, this is my body: So in reciting Gods commandements we say, Thou shalt haue no other Gods but me: and yet we meane not that we are their Gods, but we speake the words of God in his person, and in the selfe same maner & forme, that he hath lefte them vnto vs. But it is nowe no maruayle thoughe suche as wyc∣kedly forsake their calling, doe also impiously deride and iest at the manner and forme thereof.

Christ when he sayde to the sea, peace, be quiet, shewed a myracle to confirme his diuinitie: but when he sayde, Receyue the holy Ghost. &c. he dyd institute a ministe∣rie, which shoulde be vsed by man: and therefore there is no similitude betwixt these two. Christ when he breathed vpon them, dyd an action proper vnto him selfe, for he thereby signified that he had authoritie to giue vnto them his holy spirite, and that the same spirite dyd not only procéede from the father, but from him selfe also: when he spake these wordes, he made a perpetuall promise, that all suche should receyue his spirite, as from time to time were by him called to the office of the ministerie.

I thinke you woulde surely vse some authoritie of wryters héere, as you doe in other places, if you had any: but I suppose you haue not one that misliketh this forme, as it is vsed in this Churche of Englande. I knowe they doe iustly con∣demne the foolishe imitation of the Papistes, who followe Christ in breathing: But that there is any great misliking of these words, Receyue the holy Ghost (except only when they speake of the papisticall abusing of them) I can not perceyue.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Tim. 4.
• * 1.2

  Cal. 1. Tim. 4.