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.

It followeth after in my answere to the Admonition, that there was superioritie a∣mong

the ministers of the word, e〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ē in the Apostles time, which I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉rip∣tures & other testimonies, it is also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that great factions & schi〈1 line〉〈1 line〉mes did 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the Church euē in the Apostles time: & therfore most like these that Icrome sp〈1 line〉〈1 line〉keth of, to haue bin thē determined. The which to be true, his words ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 touching y^e church of Alexādria doth euidently declare: for he saith y^t this order was kept 〈◊〉〈◊〉 frō S. Marke. But admit these were not true (which you wil neuer be able to proue) yet your argument is of no force, & the place of Tertullian is not vnderstanded, for Tertullian in that boke, after he hath repeated the rule of faith, which is to beleeue in* 1.1 one God, and in his sonne Iesus Ch〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ist. &c. he saith, that this rule hath come from the be∣ginning of the Gospell euen before all former heretikes, muche more before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that was but yesterdaye, as well the posteritie of all heretikes as the verye noueltie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which was of late will proue. VVhereby iudgement may hereof be indifferently gyuen a∣gainst all heresies, that that is true whatsoeuer is first, & that count〈1 line〉〈1 line〉rfeit, whatsoeuer is last. Wherby it is e〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ident that Tertullians rule is to be vnderstanded in matters of sal∣uation,* 1.2 & of faith, & not in matters of ceremonies, & kinds of gouernment: which thing he himselfe in plaine words declareth in his booke de virginibus velandis, where in lyke maner after he hath recited this rule of faith, he addeth this lawe of 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉aith remaining, o∣ther things of discipline & conuersation admit newnesse of correction, the grace of God working and going forward, euen to the end. So that Tertullian thinketh that matters of ceremonies and discipline may be altered (y^e rule of faith remaining 〈◊〉〈◊〉) not∣withstanding his former rule.

If you will not haue this to be the meaning of Tertulliā, then will I reason thus.* 1.3 In the beginning there were Apostles, therfore there must be Apostles now: in y^e be∣ginning it was forbiddē to eate y^t which was strangled, Ergo we may not eate it now: In y^e beginning there were no Christian Magistrates Ergo there must 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e no〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e now: In the beginning the Apostles baptized in riuers, the cōmunion was ministred to. 12. only. &c. Ergo quòd posterius falsū, that which is latter is false: these be as good arguments as yours. But it is manifest that Tertullian speaketh of matters of faith, & necessarie to saluation, & therfore these arguments, & yours also with such like, be starke naught.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉▪
• * 1.2

  〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 is to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ode. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 gin. veland.
• * 1.3

  The reason of the 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 gainst 〈◊〉〈◊〉