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.

I adde this interpretation, that the Reader may vnderstande Timothie to haue authoritie ouer Bishops and Ministers of the worde, least you by cauilling shoulde shifte off this place, with your signification of Seniors, whiche were not ministers of the worde, as you say.

All this whyle haue I looked for the performance of your promise, to proue that* 1.1 Timothie and Titus were no Bishops: But bicause I perceyue that you are con∣tent to forget it, I will héere perfourme mine (least I fall into the same faulte with you) repeating only that which I haue before added to my answere in the 2. edition, least I shoulde put the Reader bothe to coste and paynes in searching for it there.

First therefore that Timothie was Bishop of Ephesus, the whole course of the* 1.2 two Epistles written vnto him declareth, wherein is conteyned the office and duety of a Bishop, and diuers precepts peculiarly perteyning to that function, as it is ma∣nyfest: neyther were those Epistles written to Timothie for the instruction of other onely, but for the instruction of him selfe also, as the whole course of bothe the Epi∣stles doe declare, and all learned expositours confesse.

Secondly, the subscription of the seconde Epistle is this: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.* 1.3 The seconde (Epistle) was written from Rome to Timothie, who was ordeyned the first Bishop of the Churche of Ephesus, when Paule appeared before the Emperour Nero the seconde time. Whiche althoughe it be lefte out in some Gréeke Testamentes, yet is it in the moste, the best, and the aun∣cientest, yea almoste in all: neyther is this a sufficient answere to saye, that the sub∣scription of some one or two Epistles séeme to be vntrue, therefore this is vntrue: For the subscription, as it is (no doubt) of great antiquitie, so is it consonant to al olde auncient authoritie.

Thirdly, the vniuersal consent of histories conclude him to be Bishop at Ephesus.* 1.4 Eusebius lib. 3. cap. 4. saythe, that Timothie was the first Bishop of Ephesus.

Dorotheus who lyued in Dioclesians time, wryteth that Paule made him Bishop of Ephesus.

Nicephorus lib. 2. cap. 34. sayth, that Paule made him Bishop of Ephesus, before he writ his first Epistle vnto him.

Hierome in catalog. scripto. Ecclesi. sayth, that he was made Bishop of Ephesus by Paule.

Isidorus de Patribus noui Testamenti, sayth also that he was Bishop of Ephesus.

Antoninus parte. 1. titulo. 6. cap. 1. affyrmeth the same oute of Polycrates. So

dothe Supplementum chroni. So dothe also Volaterane, lib. 20. where he calleth him Prae∣sulem Ephesinum. And all the Histories that I haue read, whiche make any mention of him.

Historia Magdel. centu. 1. lib. 2. cap. 10. in vita Ioan. Euang. hathe these words: Constat Paulum Ephesinae ecclesiae Timotheum dedisse pastorem: It is certayne that Paule appoynted Ti∣mothie Pastor of the Churche of Ephesus.

Surely it is the generall consente of all hystories, that Timothie was Bishop of Ephesus.

Fourthly, the fathers affirme the same.* 1.5

Dionisius Areopagita (so called of some men) who liued in the Apostles time, wry∣teth his booke De diuinis nominibus, to Timothie Bishop of Ephesus.

Epiphanius lib. 3. tom. 1. affirmeth that Timothie was Bishop of Ephesus.

Ambrose sayth the same in his Preface to the first Epistle written to Timothie.

Chrysostome in his argument of the same Epistle giueth this reason why Paule of all his Disciples writte onely to Timothie and Titus, bicause he had committed to them the gouernment and care of the Church: and the other he carried about with him. The same Chrysostome vpon the fourth to the Ephe. speaking of Pastors and Doc∣tors, vseth Timothie and Titus for an example.

Occumenius like wise vpon the fourth to the Ephe. calleth Timothie and Titus Bishops. And vpon. 1. Timoth. 1. he sayth, that Paule ordeyned Timothie Bishop of Ephesus. And in the fifth Chapter vpon these words, Manus citò nemini imponas. he sayth, Mandat de ordinationibus, Episcopo enim scribebat: he giueth preceptes of ordeyning, for he wrote to a Bishop.

Theodoret, vpon the first to Timothie, affirmeth in playne words, that Timothie had cure of soules committed vnto him.

But to be shorte, there is not one olde writer whiche speaking of this matter, doth not testifie that Timothie was Bishop of Ephesus.

Last of all, I proue him to be Bishop there, by the consent of the late wryters.* 1.6

Erasmus in his annotations, sayth that Paul made him Bishop: so sayth he likewise in his Paraphr. 1. Timoth. 4.

Pellicane sayth the same. 1. Tim. 1.

Zuinglius in his booke called Ecclesiastes, sayth directly that Timothie was a Bishop▪

Bucer sayth the same, writing vpon the. 4. chapter of the Epistle to the Ephe.

Caluine vpon. 1. Tim. 1. calleth him Pastor of the Churche of Ephesus. And in the 1. Timoth. 4. expounding these words, Ne donum quod in te est. &c. he sayth, Spiritus sanctus oraculo Timotheum destinauerat, vt in ordinem pastorum cooptaretur: The holy Ghost by oracle did appoynt Timothie, that he should be chosen into the order of Pastors. And in the. 2. Timoth. 4. sayth, that he did excell Vulgares pastores, common Pastors. meaning that he was an excellent Pastor, indued with more singular and notable giftes, and of greater authoritie than the common sorte of Pastors be. And in the same chapter speaking of Paules sending for Timothie from Ephesus to Rome, he saythe, That there was no small cause why Paule sent for Timothie from that Churche which he ruled and gouerned, and that so farre off: Heereby we may gather (sayth he) howe profitable conference is with suche men: for it might be profitable to all Churches, whiche Timothie might learne in a small time: so that the absence of halfe a yere, or a whole yere, is nothing in comparison of the commoditie that commeth thereby. And agayne in the same place he sayth, That Paule sent Tichicus to Ephesus, when he sent for Timothie to Rome, in the meane tyme to supply Tymothies absence. By all these places it is manyfest that Caluine taketh Timothie to be Pastor & Bishop of Ephesus, as I haue beforesayde.

Bullinger vpon these words also, ne neglexeris quod in te est donum, &c noteth three things to be obserued in the ordering of a Bishop: and proueth therby that Timothie was lawfully called to his Bishopricke. And vpon these words. 2. Tim. 1. Quamobrem cōmonefacio te vt suscites donum. &c. he sayth, that per donū Dei, Paule vnderstandeth the gifte of Prophecying, & functionem Episcopalem, the offyce of a Bishop to the whiche the Lord called Timothie, but by the ministerie of Paule. What can be spokē more playner?

Illyricus in his epistle dedicatorie to the newe Testament sayth, that Paule praysed Timothie his Bishop, and in his Preface to the epistle written to Timothie, he calleth Timothie and Titus praestantes doctores, multarum{que} ecclesiarum Episcopos: Notable Doc∣tors, and Bishops of many Churches.

Of the same iudgement is Musculus, and all the rest of the late wryters that I haue read, one onely excepted, who notwithstanding in effecte confesseth also that he was Bishop at Ephesus: for in his annotations. 1. Tim. 4. vpon these words, vsque∣dum venero. &c. he saythe, that when Paule sente for the ministers of Ephesus to Mile∣tum. Acts. 20. he sent for Timothie especially. Cuius ministros (meaning of Ephesus) ac proinde Timotheum inprimis Miletum accersiuit. But it is manyfest Act. 20. that they were all Pastours and Bishops: therefore Timothie was a Bishop. The same author vpon these wordes. 1. Timoth. 5. aduersus presbyterum. &c. sayth, Timotheum in Ephesino presbyterio tum fuisse 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 1. Antistitē, vt vocat Iustinus. And addeth, that it is mani∣fest by Cyprian, that the Bishop dyd rule in the Colledge of Seniors. Then if he that was chiefe in the Colledge of Seniors, was a Bishop, and Timothie was chiefe in the College of Seniors, it must néedes followe that Timothie was a Bishop.

But it maye appeare howe little learning and learned men be estéemed of those, whiche to maynteyne contention, are not ashamed to denie that whiche all learned men agrée vpon.* 1.7

Their reasons as in number they be not many, so in substance they be nothing: I will recite the chiefe, and leaue the rest to children to be discussed.

The first, is taken out of the. 2. Ti. 4. where Paule sayth to Timothie, Opus perage* 1.8 Euangelistae: do the worke of an Euangelist. Their reason is this: Paule biddeth Ti∣mothie do the worke of an Euangelist, Ergo, Timothie was not Bishop.

First therfore we must searche out what Opus Euangelistae is, and then trie whether it be incident to the office of a Bishop, or no.

Bullinger vpon that place sayth, that he doth the worke of an Euangelist, which prea∣cheth the Gospell purely, and is not by any persecutions or aduersitie driuen from his calling,

Hemingius sayth, that opus Euangelistae, generally taken, is to preache the Gospell.

Musculus in locis commun. ticulo de verbi ministris, sayth, that he is Euangelista, eyther that preacheth, or that writeth the Gospel, and that Paul in the first sense speaketh to Timothie, saying, opus fac euangelistae.

And in the same place among other things that Paule requireth of a Bishop, he affirmeth this to be one, vt opus peragat Euangelistae. So sayth Illyricus likewise.

Zuinglius also is of the same iudgement in his booke called Ecclesiastes, and proueth by that text of Paule, that the worke of an Euangelist and of a Bishop is all one. Nowe howe this reason dothe followe, Paule did bid Timothie preache the Gospell purely and constantly, Ergo, Timothie was not a Bishop, let euery man iudge.

The seconde reason is taken out of the. 4. to the Ephe. Et ipse dedit alios quidem A∣postolos,* 1.9 alios verò Prophetas, alios autem Euangelistas, alios autem pastores ac doctores: He ther∣fore gaue some to be Apostles, and some Prophetes, and some Euangelistes, and some Pa∣stors and Teachers. The reason is framed on this sorte: An Euangelist and a Bishop were distincte offices, and coulde not be bothe ioyned in one. But Timothie was an Euangelist, Ergo, he was not a Bishop. This argumente is very féeble in euery* 1.10 parte: For first the maior is vtterly false, for those offices named by Paule were not so distinct, but that diuers of them may concurre in one man, as maye easily be pro∣ued. Paule was an Apostle and also a Doctor. 2. Timoth. 1. Matthew and Iohn bée∣ing Apostles were also Euangelists, as the consent of al writers doth testifie.

Timothie was according to M. Beza his iudgement both an Euangelist and also a prophet: Looke his notes in the fourth chap. of the first to Timothie.

Zuinglius in his booke called Ecclesiastes, sayth, that an Euangelist is nothing else but a Bishop or a pastor, as it is manyfest (sayth he) by the wordes of Paule whiche he speaketh to Timothie, saying, opus fac Euangelistae, and Timothie at that tyme when Paule writte this Epistle vnto him, was a Bishop: And therefore it is certayne that according to

Faule his sentence, the office of an Euangelist and of a Bishop is all one. These be the ve∣ry words of Zuinglius.

Bullinger expounding this place in the fourth to the Ephe. hath these words: There is no man whiche seeth not these names to be confounded, and one to be taken for an other: for an Apostle is also a Prophete, a Doctor, an Euangelist, a Minister, and a Bishop: and a Bishop is an Euangelist and a Prophet: A Prophet is a Doctor, a Minister, and an E∣uangelist. Therefore the Apostle Paule by these sundrie names, dothe signifie these diuers giftes which God hath bestowed vpon his Churche to saluation. And in that he so often vseth this disiunction; alios at{que} alios, he hath signified that all giftes are not giuen to one man, but that diuers men haue diuers giftes of the spirite, wherof he hath spoken more in the. 12. to the Rom. and the. 1. to the Cor. 12. chapter. Hitherto Bullinger.

Pellicane in the same place is of the same iudgement.

These offices therefore or giftes maye well concurre in one man, so that the maior is false, and this conclusion followeth not. Timothie was an Euangelist, Ergo, he was no Bishop.

The minor (which is this, Timothie was an Euangelist) is very doubtfull: For* 1.11 first it may be doubted what an Euangelist is. The common opinion of old writers, and also of diuers late writers is, that those were properly called Euangelists which writte the Gospels. Other say, that he is an Euangelist whiche preacheth the Gos∣pell. Some say that he was an Euangelist that was occupied in teaching the people playnly and simply. Caluine and some other thinke, that they were next vnto the A∣postles in degree, and helpers of them, and suche as supplied their office oftentimes. Diuers other opinions there are of Euangelists, and scarse two agree in one opinion touching the office of an Euangelist. The moste saye (whiche also the etymologie of the name dothe importe) that those were Euangelistes whiche eyther preached or writte the Gospell.

Sainct Augustine in his seconde booke contra Faustum Manichae. wryteth héereof on this sorte: Narratores originis, factorum, dictorum, passionum domini nostri Iesu Christi pro∣priè dicti sunt Euangelistae: They are properly called Euangelistes, which are the declarers of the birthe, deedes, sayings, and sufferings of our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ Which may be done both by preaching and writing the Gospell, as I sayde before.

Now if Timothie be an Euangelist bicause he preached the Gospell, there is no cause why he may not be a Bishop also. And it is certayn that when Paule sayd vn∣to him, do the worke of an Euangelist, he ment the preaching of the Gospell.

If an Euangelist be taken in any other significatiō, how can it be proued that Ti∣mothie was an Euangelist? For this proueth it not, fac opus Euangelistae, a man may do the worke of an Euangelist though he be not an Euangelist, a man may doe the worke of a pastor, though he be not a pastor.

To be short the conclusion is not necessarie, howsoeuer the premisses be true, for* 1.12 although it should be graūted that bothe the maior and minor were true, yet the conclu∣sion dothe not followe: for Timothie might first be an Euangelist, and after a Bi∣shop, as Zuinglius in his booke called Ecclesiastes, sayth, That Philip the Euangelist bee∣ing a Deacon, was afterwarde Bishop and pastor of Cesarea: Iames the yonger beeing an Apostle, as Hierome and all the olde fathers doe testifie, was after Bishop of Ierusalem, and there remayned: and dyuers of the Apostles when they lefte off going from place to place, became in the ende Bishops, and remayned in one place, as it appeareth in olde hystories.

So that although one man could not be bothe an Euangelist and a Bishop at one time, and if it be graunted that Timothie was an Euangelist, yet doth it not proue but that he was a Bishop also.

But certayne it is, that one man at one time might be both an Euangelist and a Bishop: and most certayne it is that Timothie was a Bishop, howe certayne soeuer it be whether he were an Euangelist, or no.

But héere it may be sayde that Timothie no more returned to Ephesus, after he had bin the seconde time with Paule at Rome, and therefore not to be like that he

was B〈1 line〉〈1 line〉shop there. This argumente is onely coniecturall, and of no force to proue any suche matter. Howbeit if we will credite stories, wherby in such cases we must be directed, it is certayne that Timothie returned to Ephesus, & there dyed.

Dorotheus sayth that he died at Ephesus, and was there buried.

Polycrates testifieth that he was stoned to death at Ephesus.

Isidorus in his booke de Patribus noui Testamenti, writeth that he was buried at E∣phesus in the mount Pyon.

Symeon Metaphrastes testifieth the same.

Nicephorus li. 10. ca. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. testifieth, that Iulian the Apostara did tormēt one Artemius for translating the bones of Andrewe, Luke, and Timothie from Patra, Achaia, and Ephesus, to Constantinople. But it is certayne that Andrew was crucified at Patra by Aegeas the Proconsull: and auncient writers testifie that Luke was buried in Achaia: ther∣fore the bones that were brought from Ephesus, must néedes be Timothies.

Héereby it may appeare that Timothie not onely returned from Rome to Ephe∣sus, but also continued there euen to his death. And therefore certayne it is that he was Bishop at Ephesus. But nowe to my purpose.

Notes

• * 1.1

  That Timo∣thie was Bi∣shop.
• * 1.2

  1 The course of the Epistle.
• * 1.3

  2 The subscrip tion.
• * 1.4

  3 Consent of hystories.
• * 1.5

  4 Content of fathers.
• * 1.6

  5 Consente of late writers.
• * 1.7

  The chiefe reasons to the contrarie an∣swered.
• * 1.8

  1 The place. 2. Tim. 4. an∣swered. The work of an Euāgelist.
• * 1.9

  2 The place Ephe. 4. an∣swered.
• * 1.10

  The maior false.
• * 1.11

  The minde doubtfull,
• * 1.12

  The conclu sion not ne∣cessary.