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. 82. Sect. 2.

It will be sayd that no one is able to do the office of a Bishop, vnto all the whole Church, ney∣ther is there any one able to do the office of a byshop to the whole Churche of England, for when those which haue bene most excellent in knowledge and wisdome, and most ready and quicke, in do∣ing and dispatching matters, being alwayes present, haue founde ynough to do to rule and gouerne one seuerall congregation: what is he which absent, is able to discharge his duetie toward so many thousand churches? And if you take exception, that although they be absent, yet they may do by vn∣der ministers, as Archdeacons, Ehauncellors, Officials, Commissaries, and such other kinde of people, what do you else say, than the Pope, which sayeth, that by his Cardinalles, & Archbishops, and Legates, and other such lyke, he doth all things? For with their handes he ruleth all, and by their feete he is present euery where, and with their eyes he seeth what is done in all places. Let them take heede therefore, least if they haue a common defense with the Pope, that they be not also ioyned nearer with him in the cause, than peraduenture they be aware of. (a) Truly it is agaynst my will, that I am constrayned to make such comparisons, not that I thinke there is so great di∣uersitie betweene the Popedome and the Archbyshopricke, but bycause there being great resem∣blance betwene them, I meane hauing regard to the bare functiōs, without respecting the doctrine good or bad which they vphold, that I say there being great resemblance betwene them, there is yet as I am persuaded, great difference betwene the persons that execute them. The which good opi∣nion conceyued of them, I do most humbly beseech them by the glorie of God, by the libertie of the Churche purchased by the precious bloud of our sauiour Christe, and by their owne saluation, that they would not deceyue, by reteyning so harde, such excessiue and vniust dominion ouer the Church of the liuing God.

Io. Whitgifte.

But one man may do the office of an Archbishop in one prouince, euery seuerall diocesse whereof hath a Bishop. And one man may do the office of a Bishop in one dio∣cesse, euery seuerall parishe whereof hath a seuerall Pastor. The Archbishop hath a generall charge ouer the prouince to sée that vnitie be kept among the Bishops, and that the Bishops do their duties according to the lawes and order of the Churche, or else to sée them reformed according to the sayd lawes & orders, if they shall be cōplay∣ned of to haue neglected the same. The lyke care haue the Bishops ouer the seuerall Pastors of their diocesse, and other persons. Neyther doth their office consiste in preaching onely, but in gouerning also: in the respect whereof they are ouer & aboue the rest. This office of gouernment may be well executed in one prouince, so much

and so far as by the lawes is required, and as is cōuenient for the state of the Church, but it could not be so ouer all Christendome.

It may be that some Pastors hauing small charges, and busie heades, may finde and procure moe matters and controuersies than eyther they be able or willing to compound: such busie Pastors there be in England: but their vnquietnesse, or lacke of abilitie to dispatch those controuersies which they themselues are the authors and causes of, doth not proue but that eyther the Archbishop or Bishop may do those things sufficiently, and well, that do apperteyne to their office and calling.

So much may they do by vnder ministers as Archdeacons, Chauncellors, &c. as by the rules of the Churche are permitted vnto them, and may be conuenient for the time and persons. But the office of preaching, of ordeyning ministers, of suppressing he∣resies and schismes, with such lyke, they do not commit vnto them, but execute them themselues, the which bycause they cannot do throughout all Churches, as they may in one Prouince, therefore your reason is no reason. Moreouer a Bishop of one dio∣cesse or prouince, may haue conference with his Archdeacons and Chauncellor, and be priuie to all and singular their doings: So cannot the Pope with his Cardinalles, Archbyshops, and Legates &c. dispersed thorough out whole Christendome. And there∣fore an Archbishop or Bishop may well gouerne a prouince or diocesse, and vse the heipe of Archdeacons, Chauncellors &c. but so cannot the Pope doe whole Christen∣dome, what helpe or deputies soeuer he haue.

If agaynst your will you were constrayned to make such comparisons, why do you make them when there is no cause? why do you forge that which is vntrue? why do you ioyne togither offices which in no poynt are like. The Pope chalengeth authoritie o∣uer all Christendome: so do not our Archbishops. The Pope exalteth himselfe aboue Kings and Princes: so do not our Archbishops, but with all reuerence acknowledge their subiection to the Prince. The Pope sayeth, that to be subiect vnto him, is of ne∣cessitie to saluation, so do not our Archbishops. The Pope maketh his Decrées equall to the woorde of God, our Archbishops thinke nothing lesse of theirs. To be short, the Pope oppresseth and persecutetth the Gospel: they earnestly professe it, and haue suf∣fered persecution for it. Therefore your comparison is odious, & your riotous speach more presumptuous than becommeth a man pretending your simplicitie.

Your good opinion conceyued of them, is well vttered in your booke: what spirit hath taught you thus to dissemble? surely euen the same that hath falsified Scriptures, and wryters in your booke: that hath vttered so many prowde and contemptuous speaches agaynst your superiours: that hath moued you to make contention in the Churche: euen spiritus mendax, spiritus arrogantiae & superbiae, a lying spirite, the spirite of arrogancie, and pryde, for such frutes cannot procéede from any other spirite.

Notes

• (a)

  Who can be∣leue you mean〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 good fayth▪
• Difference betwene the Pope and our Archbishops.