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.

The wordes of Augustine be plaine, neyther can they be so shifted of. And it ma∣keth euidently against your distinction that he sayth such things may not be conuerted into priuate vses. A man may cauill with the most manifest authorities either of scrip∣tures or fathers, that can be: but euery shifte and cauill is not a sufficient answere. This proposition is by these wordes of Augustine directly proued: that things altoge∣ther dedicated to Idols and vsed in Idolatrie may be afterwarde vsed in the seruice of God, and to his honour, which is the state of our question. And bycause this is a materiall poynt, and peraduenture Saint Augustine his authoritie is not much regarded of you, I will set downe M. Caluine his opinion also touching the same matter, who in hys Harmonie vpon the bookes of Moyses, vpon these words in the. 23. of Erodus ver. 24. Thou shalt vtterly ouerthrowe, and breake in peeces their Images, sayth t〈1 line〉〈1 line〉us: we make it* 1.1 not now any scruple of conscience to reteine still those Churches which were polluted with Idols, and to put them to better vse bycause that whiche is added to the lawe propter conse∣quentiam (as they terme it) doth not bynde vs. I graunt that all those things which doe tende to the planting of superstition ought to be taken awaye, so that, by precise vrging of that vvhich is of it selfe indifferent, vve be not in to much rigour, Supersti∣tious. The place is worth the noting, it fully ouerthroweth your groundes agaynst the apparell.

Saint Augustine in that sermon quoted in your margent, speaketh against such as professing Christianitie did notwithstanding resort to the temples of the Paganes at their solemnities and feasts, thinking it sufficient, if they did in heart detest the Idols, though in bodie they were present in their temples and at their feasts: much like vn∣to those that thinke it sufficient to serue God in heart, though in bodie they be present

at the Masse, and Idolatrous seruice. That this is the meanyng of Augustine in that place, it may euidently appeare to all suche as will peruse it: vpon this Augustine bringeth in these wordes: If you aske howe the Paganes may be ouercome, wonne, and illuminated, howe they maye be brought to saluation: forsake all their solemnitie, let goe* 1.2 theyr toyes, and then if they agree not vnto the truth, let them be ashamed of theyr few∣nesse. It was in Saint Augustines time, as it is in some places at this day, where in some one citie there be Churches both for the Gospell, and for the masse also: it is not méete that suche as professe the Gospell, shoulde resort to the Masse: for besydes that they offende God in beyng presente at Idolatrous seruice, they also giue occasion to the Papistes to thinke better of theyr Masse, bycause they sée it frequented of suche as seeme to professe the Gospell, and thereby also persuade them selues of a greater multitude that embraceth their Religion: wherefore one way to conuert them is, to absteine from their Churches, that they may vnderstand both our misliking of theyr seruice, and their owne paucitie also. And that this is ment of by Augustine in that place, it may also appeare by these wordes in the same Sermon: The Paganes saye in their heartes, why forsake we our Gods, seeing the Christians them selues worship them as well as we. And agayne: Beholde against what true God thou doest offende, whyles thou fallest downe before false Gods. S. Augustine speaketh not one worde in all that sermon of ceremonies, or any thing else taken from the gentils, and by Christians con∣uerted to other vses: muche lesse of any suche matter as we haue newe in question. And therfore you do but abuse the Reader by reciting certaine words of S. Augustine without the circumstances, which open the true meaning of them.

I praise your wit for saying that such things may be conuerted to priuate vses: for denie that (as S. Augustine plainely doth) and I shall be bound vnto you, that your doctrine shall haue the fewer fautors by. 3. parts: for surely many that condemne your opini∣ons in heart, for hope of priuate commoditie, that might come vnto them, by the disso∣lution of colledges, Churches, &c. doe séeme very wel to like of them. Wherfore teach them (if you be wise) that such things may be conuerted to their priuate vses, what∣soeuer Augustine saith to the contrarie.

Augustine saith also that they maye be conuerted in honorem Dei, vnto the honour of God. What say you to that? as for your denying that that vse is in distinguishing eyther the ministers from other men. &c. bicause it is but your bare denyall against al the proofes alleaged, I will with affirming the contrarie passe it ouer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Calui〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.
• * 1.2

  Aug. serm. 6. de verbis do∣mi. in Matth.