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. 58. Sect. 1.

The second reason is, that they that weare this apparell haue edifyed, and do edify, which is, as if a man would say, the midwiues which lyed vnto Pharao, did much good amongst the Israelits, Ergo their lying did much good. If he will say, the comparison is not like bycause the one is not sinne in his owne nature, whereas the other is sinne, then take this: One that stammereth and stut∣teth in his tong edifyeth the people, therefore stammering and stutting is good to edify. For what if the Lord giue his blessing vnto his word, and to other good gifts, which he hath that preacheth and weareth a surplis, &c. Is it to be thought therefore, that he liketh wel of the wearing of that appa∣rell? This is to assigne the cause of a thing to that, which is not only not the cause thereof, but some hindrance also, and s〈1 line〉〈1 line〉aking of that, whereof it is supposed to be a cause. For a man may rather rea∣son, that for asmuch as they which preach with surplis. &c. edify (notwithstanding that they therby (*) 1.1 driue away some, and to othersome giue suspition of euill. &c.) then if they preached withoute wearing any such thinges, they should edify much more. And yet if a man were assured to gaine a thousand, by doing of that, which may offend, or cause to fall one brother, he ought not to do it.

Io. Whitgifte.

Indéede, if this apparell were of that nature, that a lye is, your similitude of the midwiues had some shew in it: and yet must you of necessitie confesse, that their lying to Pharao did much good per accidens: for otherwise the men children of the Israelites, and euen Moses himselfe had bin murthered: and you are not ignorant that diuers writers in this respect excuse that doing of theirs. You knowe likewise what the opinion of some is, touching that kynd of lye that is called officiosum mendacium: but for my part, I am in that point of Sainte Augustines iudgement. But your similitude is not lyke: and if it were, yet makes it agaynst you, for theyr lying dyd good, as I haue sayd e before.

Yo〈1 line〉〈1 line〉r other similitude of stammering & stutting is ridiculous, and argueth your great

contempt of lawfull and decent orders. The lawes of this Churche haue prescribed this apparell to the ministers of the worde as decent, orderly, and comely, the same lawes haue inhibited those to preach, that refuse to submit themselues vnto such or∣ders. Wherefore s〈1 line〉〈1 line〉eing they be appointed as fit garments for preachers, and non〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 may preach, except he receiue them, they do edify, not by themselues, as I haue be∣fore declared, but per accidens, as all other suche like things do. For neyther the church, nor the Pulpit, nor the bells, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and such other do otherwise edify than per accidens.

Touching offence that is taken at the wearing of this apparell, I haue shewed be∣fore, that it is an offence taken and not giuen: neyther is i〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 to be considered whether men be offended or no, but whether they haue any iust cause of offence. Many be of∣fended with our Churches, and will neyther heare sermon, nor receiue the sacra∣ments in them: we must not therefore pull downe our Churches, or cease to preach, and administer the Sacramentes in them. You must remember the destinction of scandalum acceptum and scandalum datum: an offence giuen, and an offence taken.

Notes

• (*) 1.1

  They that are driuen away 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉or that cause do giue suspition of Anabaptisme.