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.

If you had not learned that poynt of Sophistrie which is called Petitio princip〈1 line〉〈1 line〉j, (whereof I haue so o〈1 line〉〈1 line〉tentimes told you) without doubt you had lacked much matter, and your booke would haue ben very thinne. For all this adoe in this place is nothing but discanting vpon a false playne song. The offices of an Archbishop and Byshop are no Idolatrous functions but Christian, and méete both for Iewe and Gentile con∣uerted vnto Christ: neyther are they translated from the Gentiles, but grounded vpō the woorde of God, practised in the Apostles time, approued by the best councells as is declared in the answere to the Admonition, and shall be more amplie hereafter, occa∣sion being offered. Wherefore all this that you haue here sayde, (the ground being taken away) serueth for no purpose.

Your coniecture of the Deaconship to be taken from the Iewes, is but a mere coniecture, if there had bene any such office in the law, it would haue bene specified in one place or other of the old Testament.

Touching your eldership wée shall sée what you haue to say for it in place. I will not trouble my selfe and the reader with bye matters not incident to this question.

And yet I would gladly learne of you in what portion of the lawe your presbyterie is commaunded or prescribed, for I tolde you before out of M. Caluine, that it was appoynted after the returne of the Iewes from the captiuitie of Babylon.

Your reason why there should be no orders or ceremonies taken from the Gen∣tiles is not sufficient: for it is a negatiue reason ab authoritate. But to speake of that matter is now from the purpose bycause I haue denied these offices to be taken from the Gentiles.