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.

Chap. 5. the fifth Diuision.

Ansvvere to the Admonition. Pag. 59. Sect. 1. & Pag. 60. Sect. 1.

Bucer in an Epistle that he writte to Iohn Alasco, is of the same* 1.1 iudgement, his wordes are worthie to be noted, and be these: For if by no meanes it be lavvfull to vse those things, vvhiche vvere of Aarons Priesthood or of the Gentiles, then is it not lavvfull for vs to haue Chur∣ches, nor holydayes. For there is no expresse commaundement by vvord in the holy Scriptures of these things. It is gathered notvvithstanding from the example of the olde people, that they are profitable for vs to the encrease of godlynesse, vvhich thing also experience proueth. For any thing to be a* 1.2 note of Antichrist, is not in the nature of any creature in it selfe (for to that ende nothing vvas made of God) but it hangeth altogether of consenting to Antichristes Religion and the professing thereof. The vvhich consent and* 1.3 profession beyng chaunged into the consent and profession of Christiani∣tie, there can sticke in the things themselues no note or marke of Anti∣christes Religion. The vse of Bels vvas a marke of Antichristianitie in our Churches, vvhen the people by them vvere called to Masses, and when they vvere roong against tempestes 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Novve they are a token of Christianitie, vvhen the people by them are gathered together to the Gospell of Christ, and other holy actions. VVhy may it not then be, that the selfe same gar∣mentes* 1.4 may serue godly vvith godly men, that vvas of vvicked significati∣on vvith the vngodly? Truely I knovve very many Ministers of Christe, most godly men, vvho haue vsed godly these vestures, and at this day doe yet vse them: So that I dare not for this cause ascribe vnto them any faulte at all, much lesse so heynous a fault of communicating vvith Antichrist, for the vvhiche faulte vve may vtterly refuse to communicate vvith them in* 1.5 Christ. The Priests of deuils did celebrate in their sacrifices, the distributi∣on of bread and the cuppe, as Iustinus Martyr and Tertullian make menti∣on. VVhat let is there vvhy vve may not vse the same ceremonies also? you vvill say vve haue a commaundement of the Lord touching this ceremonie. Very vvell. And by the selfe same it appeareth that same thing to serue a∣mong the children of God to the seruice of Christ, vvhich the vvicked abu∣sed in the seruice of deuils, if the commaundement of Christ be added there∣to. But it is the commaundement of Christ, that in our holy actions vvein∣stitute and vse all things so as comelinesse and order be obserued, that fayth may be edified.

The same M. Bucer in another Epistle written to M. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, saith on this sort: All true godly men may* 1.6 godly vse those rytes, vvhiche vvicked men haue abused hovvsoeuer vn∣godly.

T. C. Pag. 56. Line. 2. & Sect. 1.

It is true that M. Bucer saith, that it is not in the nature of any creature to be a note of Anti∣christ, but yet it followeth not thereof, that the creature that hath bene accidentally and throughe a∣buse applyed to Idolatrie, may be forthwith vsed as we shall thinke good. For neither the Idols of the gentus, nor the corruptions of those which offered, had not power to make the beefe or mut∣ton that was offered, no good and holesome meate for the sustenaunce of man, neyther cause that a Christian man could not eate them as beefe & mutton, but yet either to eate it at the table of Idols,

before them, or else priuately in his owne house, when there was any weake by, that thought it an abhominable thing, was not lawfull: and yet the meate neuerthelesse the good creature of God, and which might be receiued with thanksgiuing, so the abuse of the surplis and coape. &c. cannot cause, but that they may be vsed as cloth and silke.

And whereas he saith that they are changed, and made of notes of Antichristianitie, markes of Christianitie, I say that they cannot be changed so by and d〈1 line〉〈1 line〉cree or commaundement, for asmuch as notwithstanding that profession of chaunge, the ha〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 ts or men vnto whiche euery man must haue regard vnto, are not changed. For not so soone as the magistrate will say that these things shall be from hencefoorth vsed as things indifferent, foorthwith men do vse them so, but those only vse them so, which haue knowledge, both the ignorant and the weake take them still otherwise.

Io. Whitgifte.

Your answer to these learned and famous men, is not of any moment at all, for* 1.7 their reasons you answer only with wordes, when as indéede their onely wordes (for their godlinesse, experience, and learning sake) ought to be of greater credite than your reasons: but the aptnesse of your answers I referre to the iudgement of the rea∣der, séeing he hath both their words and yours before his eyes. This only I note, that something you will saye how vnaptly soeuer, least you shoulde séeme to giue place to the plaine truth. These vestures are neyther vsed at the tables of Idolls, nor with the offence of the the weake, as I haue she wed before: they are knowne of all men to be notes of the ministers of the Gospell, aswell as the bell is knowne to be rong to godly prayers, and preachings. &c. and therefore you haue spoken, but aunswered nothing.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bucer.
• * 1.2

  What it is to be a note of Antichrist.
• * 1.3

  The vse or a∣buse of things indifferent.
• * 1.4

  Bucers opi∣nion.
• * 1.5

  The distribu∣tion of bread & wine in the sacrifices of deuils.
• * 1.6

  ☞
• * 1.7

  The 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 answering of T. C.