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. 71. Sect. 6.

Thirdly, for that Ambrose in an other place (which you after cite) deuidyng all the Church in∣to the cleargie and laytie, dothe subdeuide the cleargie into Byshoppes, Elders, and Deacons, and therefore it is not lyke, that there was any which had any continuall function of archebyshoppe: But as he was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or leader of the daunce which commeth fyrst, and after commyng in agayne in the seconde or thyrde place, is no more so called, so that bishop was called Arche∣bishop, which for the time present did gather the voyces of the rest of the bishops, which he by and by layde downe, with the dissoluyng of the meetyng. And that thys is not my coniecture only, that there was no ordinarye or absolute Archebishop (*) 1.1 let the Centuries be seene (a) 1.2 whych alledge that place of Ambrose to proue that the office of an archebishop was not then come into the Churche, which was foure hundred yeares after Christ, and more also.

Io. Whitgifte.

This is a dauncing deuise in déede, withoute any shadow of truthe, as it maye appeare by that whiche already is alleadged, and shall do more and more by that which followeth. You are maruellous circumspect in your quotations least you shoulde be tripped, and therefore you saye let the Centuries be seene, but you tell not where. Surely you doe verie vntruely reporte the Centuries, for I haue redde them where they doe alleadge that place of Ambrose, and there is not to be founde any suche matter, but the cleane contrarie, as is to be séene in that place* 1.3 by you alleadged of the fourth Cent. the wordes be these: Episcopi & Metropolitani dicebantur à praecipuis seu primarijs ciuitatibus, sicut Basilium Metropolitanū Capadocū, Zozome∣nus vocat lib. 3. cap. 16. Et Archiepiscopi, qualem Seleuciae fuisse Simeonem, idem retulit lib. 2. cap. 8. Patriarcha, totius alicuius prouinciae diceba〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ur Episcopus, vt Socrates indica〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Lib. 5. cap. 8.

Bishoppes and Metropolianes were named of the chiefe and princip〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ll Cities, as Zozo∣menus calleth Basile the Metropolitane of Cappadocia, lib. 3. cap. 16. and Archebishoppes, suche as he reporteth that Simeon was of Seleucia lib. 2. cap. 8. Patriarke of some whole prouince was called a Bishop, as Socrates sheweth lib. 5. cap. 8. Wherefore it is too much boldnesse in you to auouche so manyfest vntruths. Neyther is it any maruel though you quote not the places, for forgerie séeketh corners.* 1.4

And although that whiche hath bin hytherto alleadged out of the Councells of Nice, and Antioche, with the iudgemente of so manie learned men interpretyng the same, might serue to perswade any reasonable man, that the office and name of Archebishoppe and Metropolitane is bothe of greate antiquitie and not for one action onely, or a dauncyng office (as you woulde haue it) but fixed and permanent: yet bycause I haue to doe wyth quarellers, before I goe any further in confuting, I will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 downe the iudgement of other aunciente and famous wryters also, who allowe bothe of these names and offices: And fyrste I will recite suche as haue the names expressed with the offices, then suche as speake of the very thyng it sel〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e withoute the names. I will begin with Councels.

The Councell of Nice, as you haue hearde, hath the name of Metropolitane,* 1.5 and dothe limitte vnto 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ym certaine Prouinces, to gouerne and take the care of. It hathe bin declared that bothe M. Caluine, Illyricus, M. Foxe, and others doe ac∣knowledge the names and office of Patriarkes and Archbishoppes. &c. in the same Canon to be conteyned. Neyther doe they, nor any other learned wryter denie these names and offices to haue bene in the primitiue Churche, and that fixed to certayne places and persons, not mouable by actions, nor practised by course. Lykewyse you haue hearde, howe that Councell by this clause Secundùm morem antiquum, according to the auncient custome, doth signifie that these names and offices haue bene in the Churche of long tyme, or else it woulde not haue bin saide to be an olde custome.

Moreouer, the nynthe Canon of the Councell of Antioche before alledged is* 1.6 most playne and euident, both for the name and the thing, together with the long continuance of them in the Churche.

The. 20. Canon of the same Councell of Antioche sayeth directly, that no Bi∣shoppes* 1.7 may call a seuerall Councell withoute the consente of theyr Metropo∣litanes.

In the sixth and. 37. Canons Concilij Arelatensis, mention is made of the Me∣tropolitane,* 1.8 of his authoritie in ordering of bishoppes, and of the authoritie of his Synode.

The lyke bothe for the name and the matter also, touchyng ordeynyng of* 1.9 Byshoppes is in the twelsth Canon of the Councell of Laodicea.

In the seconde Councell of Carthage in the twelfthe Canon it is euident, that there was a Primate in euerye Prouince, and that withoute his commaunde∣ment it was not lawfull for any to bée ordeyned Bishop.

In the. 13. and. 17. and diuers other Canons of the general Councell of Carchage* 1.10 as it is in the Gréeke copie the authoritie of the Primate is also expressed.

In the Councell of Chalcedon the name of Archebishoppe is sundrye tymes v∣sed: Flauianus is there called Archebishop of Constantinople, Dioscorus Archebishop of Alexandria and one Atticus bishoppe of Nicopolis, dothe call the saide Dioscorus Archi〈1 line〉〈1 line〉piscopum nostrum, our Archebishop. Leo is called Archebishop of Rome. &c.

Of the Councels that folowed there is no doubte, and it were but superflu∣ous for mee to stande in reciting of them, and therfore thys shall suffise for the Councels, to shew that bothe the name of Metropolitane or Archbishop, and also the authoritie is not vnhearde of in the Churche of Christ, or a flitting or slyding office.* 1.11

Nowe to the fathers and stories. Epiphanius Lib. 2. tom. 2. haeri. 68. calleth one Peter Archebishoppe of Alexandria. And that it maye fully appeare, that it was bothe a continuall office and of greate authoritie and iurisdiction, I will sette towne his woordes.

Et Meletius quidem in carcere detentus erat vnà cum praedictis Martyribus, ac Petro Alexan∣driae Arc〈1 line〉〈1 line〉iepiscopo. &c. And Meletius truely was kepte in pryson togyther with the forena∣med Martyrs, and Peter the Archbishop of Alexandria: and Meletius seemed to excell the other bishops of Aegypt, for he had the seconde place after Peter in his Archbishoprike, as being vnder him to helpe him, and looking to Ecclesiasticall matters vnder him: For this is the custome, that the Byshoppe of Alexandria hathe the Ecclesiasticall gouernmente of all Aegypte, Thebais, and Mareota, and Libya, and Ammonica, and Mareotis, and Penta∣polis.

In the same leafe he calleth this Peter Archbyshop thrée times. This Peter ly∣ued in the yeare of our Lorde thrée hundred and foure, twentie yeres at the least be∣fore* 1.12 the Councell of Nice.

The same Epiphanius in the same Booke and Tome baere. 69. writeth thus: Quotquot enim Ecclesiae in Alexandria catholicae Ecclesiae sunt, sub vno Archiepiscopo sunt. All the Churches that are Catholike Churches in Alexandria, are vnder one Archeby∣shoppe. And a little after he calleth Meletius Archebyshoppe of Aegypte, but yet sub∣iecte to Alexander the Archebyshoppe of Alexandria, and all this was before the Coun∣cell ot Nice.

What can be spoken more aptely, and more playnely to my purpose? And if T. C. will cauill at the authoritie of the authour (whyche is the poorest shifte that can bée, especially when the authour is so generally allowed) then for breui∣ties sake, I doe referre hym to the Epistle of Ianus Cornarius prefixed before this Booke, and to that whiche after warde I haue alledged in his defense out of the Centuries.

Athanasius was called Archebyshoppe of Alexandria: and that it may appeare that it was not a bare title, but an office of Gouernment, you shall finde these wordes in his second Apologie:

Iscbaras quidam, vt nequaquam clericus, ita moribus improbissimus conatus est sui pagi insu∣las decipere, iactans sese clericum esse. Id vbi resciuisset eius loci Presbyter, mibi tum Eccle∣sias* 1.13 perlustranti renunciauit: ego igitur. &c. A certaine man named Ischaras, as hee was no Clearke, so was hee most wicked in manners, who wente aboute to deceyue the yles of his precincte, boasting that hee was a Clarke: when the Prieste of that place vnderstoode thereof, hee tolde it vnto mee, when I was visiting my Churches, so I sente the same man togyther wyth Macharius the Prieste to fetche vnto mee Ischaras, whome when they founde sicke in his chamber, they commaunded hys father to warne hys sonne, that hee attempted no suche thing as was reported of him. And after in the same place followeth Ischaras Letters of submission to Athanasius. In the same Apologie there are Letters of submission written by Arsennius Byshoppe of Hipsell, and the Ministers and Deacons of the same Diecesse to Athanasius: the begin∣ning of the Letters is this: Et nos quoque diligentes pacem & vnanimitatem cum ecclesia ca∣tholica, cui tu per Dei gratiam praefectus es, volensque ecclesiastico Canoni, pro veteri instituto, subijci, scribimus tibi (Papa dilecte) promittimusque in nomine Domini nos deinceps non commu∣nicaturos cum schismaticis. &c. And we also louing peace, and concord with the Catholike Churche ouer whiche thou arte by the grace of God appoynted, and willing accordyng to the olde custome to be subiecte to the Ecclesiasticall Canon, write to thee (louing father) and in the name of the Lorde promise, that wee hences orth will not communicate with the Schismatikes.

By this it is playne that Athanasius had great iurisdiction ouer many Byshops, and other Ministers, and ecclesiasticall persons. Againe in the same Apologie men∣tion is made of an Archbyshop.

In the same Booke the Priestes and Deacons of the Churches of Mareo∣ta, in an Epistle that they writte to the Synode, besydes that they call A∣thanasius, Episcopum nostrum, oure Byshoppe, they shewe that hée vsed to visite the Churche solemnlye accompanyed. Theyr wordes are woorthe the no∣tyng, and bée these folowyng: Vtpote qui non longis finibus ab Episcopo diste∣mus,

& comites in lustranda Marioteei cohasimus, nunquam enim ille solus visitandi causa iti∣nera obire solet: sed comites secum trabere, Presbyteros & Diaconos & non paucos ex plebe. Bicause we dwell not farre from the Byshoppe, and we accompanied him whilest he visited Mario∣tes, for he is neuer wont alone to take iourneyes in visitations, but to take companions with him, Priestes and Deacons, and many of the people. And his own wordes a little before that Epistle speaking of these Priestes, and Deacons, be these: Et mecum Prouincias lustrabant, And they visited the Prouinces with me. Whereby also it is euident, that he had a large iurisdiction, and that he did visite his Prouinces. The same Athanasius in that. Apologie, declaring what this place called Mariotes is, sayth: Mariotes ager est in Alexandria, quo in loco nunquam fuit Episcopus: imo ne Chorepiscopus quidem, sed vniuer sae e∣ius loci Ecclesiae Episcopo Alexandrino subiacent: tamen vt singuli pagi, suos presbyteros habeant. Mariotes is a territorie of Alexandria, where there was neuer Byshop, no not so muche as a Byshops deputie, but all the Churches of that place are vnder the Byshop of Alexandria, yet so that euery village haue their Priestes.

In his Epistle Ad solitariam vitam degentes, he calleth Lucius Metropolitane of Sardi∣nia, and Dionysius Metropolitane of Mediolane.

Socrates Lib. 5. cap. 8. sayth, that in the Councell of Constantinople, They confirmed* 1.14 the faythe of the Nicene Councell, and appointed Patriarkes, assigning their Prouinces, that the Byshoppes of one Dioces shoulde not intermedle in other Churches (for this before was indifferently vsed by reason of persecution) And to Nectarius was allotted Megalopo∣lis, and Thracia. &c.

The same is to be séene in the Canons of that Councell of Constantinople.* 1.15

I omitte Iustinian the Emperoure, who so often mentioneth these names and offices in his Constitutions. I also omitte that Illyricus calleth Cyprian Metropo∣litane of Carthage: and the fourthe Centurie, where Ambrose is called Metropoli∣tane, hauyng gouernmente of many Churches. Neyther shall I néede to repeate the places of Caluine, M. Foxe, M. Beza Lib. conf. cap. 5. or other late wryters iudge∣mentes, who directely confesse, that these names were vsuall in the Primitiue Churche, and that the office was permanente: for this that is spoken, maye suafice.

I will come to those Authours and places, where the office and iurisdiction is* 1.16 spoken of, though the name be not expressed.

Cyprian Lib. 4. Epist. 8. sayeth, that he hadde a large Prouince, Habet enim Nu∣midiam & Mauritaniam sibi cobaerentes, for it hathe Numidia and Mauritania annexed vnto it. And Gregorie Nazianzene in the Oration that he made in the commen∣dation of Cyprian sayeth, that he didde rule and gouerne not onely the Chur∣ches of Carthage or Affrike, sed & Hesperiae vniuersae: imò Orienti ferè ipsi ad finem vs∣que meridiei & Septentrionis: but of all Spayne, and almoste of the whole Easte, vnto the ende of the Southe and the Northe. And what was this else, but to bée an Arche∣byshop?

Eusebius Lib. 6. cap. 1. sayeth, that Demetrius was Byshop of the Parishes of Alex∣andria,* 1.17 and of Egypt, and this Demetrius liued Anno Domini. 191. Eusebius testifyeth there likewise that one Iulianus was before him in the same roume.

Athanasius in an Epistle that he writte De sentētia Dionysij Episcopi Alexand. contra Arri∣anos,* 1.18 affirmeth, ad Dionysium Alexandria▪ Episcopum curam etiam Ecclesiarum in Pentapoli su∣perioris Libyae pertinuisse, that vnto Dionysius Bishoppe of Alexandria the care of the Chur∣ches in Pentapolis of the higher Libya perteyned. And it is manyfeste in the same Epistle, that these Churches had their Byshoppe besydes. For Eusebius Lib. 7. cap. 26.* 1.19 writeth, that Basilides was Byshoppe of the parishes of Pentapolis while Dionysius lyued: so that it is euident that Dionyfius was an Archebyshoppe. And this is that Diony∣sius that is called Alexandrinus, whose workes be extante, and is one of the most an∣cient writers. The same Eusebius sayth, that Gregorie did gouerne the Churches throughout Pontus.

Sozomen. Lib. 7. cap. 19. sayth, that though there be many cities in Sythia; yet they* 1.20

haue but one bishoppe.

Theodoret. lib. 4. cap. 11. testifyeth, that Amphilochius to whome the Metropolitane citie of Licaonia was committed to be gouerned, did also gouerne that whole countreye, and did driue from thence the heresie of the Messalians: And in the same Chapter we* 1.21 reade that Letoius gouernour of the Churches of Militia, burned Monasteries infec∣ted with that heresie: whiche declareth that Bishops had then greate authoritie in gouernment.

Aurelius Bishop of Carthage in the Councell of Affrike sayd, that he had the o∣uersyght and care of many Churches.

But what néede I labour so muche in a matter that can not be vnknowne to* 1.22 any that is of any reading, this therfore shall suffice bothe for the name and office of an Archebishop & Metropolitane. &c. against the vnlearned distinction that you haue vsed in answering S. Ambrose.

Notes

• (*) 1.1

  Where, or which centurie〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• (a) 1.2

  Vntruth.
• * 1.3

  Cent. 4 cap. 7.
• * 1.4

  Forgerie see∣keth corn〈1 line〉〈1 line〉rs.
• * 1.5

  Councels of the name and o〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ice of Me∣tropolitane an〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Archbi∣shoppe. &c. Con. Ni〈1 line〉〈1 line〉en. Can. 4. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. 7.
• * 1.6

  Con. Antiocb. can. 9.
• * 1.7

  Can. 20.
• * 1.8

  Con. Arelat. cano. 6. &. 37.
• * 1.9

  Con. L〈1 line〉〈1 line〉odic. can. 12. Con Cartb. 2. Can 12.
• * 1.10

  Con. Carth. can. 13.▪ 17. &c Con. Chalcedo.
• * 1.11

  Fathers and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the name and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉t Arche∣bishop. E〈1 line〉〈1 line〉phanius.
• * 1.12

  Peter, Arch〈1 line〉〈1 line〉∣bishop of Ale∣xandria abou〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 twentie yeres before the Councell of Nice. Idem.
• * 1.13

  Atbanas. Apol. 2.
• * 1.14

  Socrates.
• * 1.15

  Iustinian. Illyricus. Cent. 4.
• * 1.16

  The office of Metropolitan & Archbishop without the name. Cyprian. Greg. Nazi.
• * 1.17

  Eusebius.
• * 1.18

  Atbanasius.
• * 1.19

  Euseb.
• * 1.20

  Sozom.
• * 1.21

  Theodoret.
• * 1.22

  Con. Afric. can. 55. in graeco.