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.

Chap. 5. the. 19. Diuision.

T. C. Pag. 97. Sect. 3.

The Bishoppes in tymes past had no tayle nor trayne of men after them, and thought it a slaunder to the Gospell to haue a number of men before and behinde them. And therefore is (*) 1.1 Paulus Samosatenus noted as one that brought Religion into hatred, and as one that feemed to* 1.2 take delight rather to be a Capitaine of two hundred, than a Bishop, bycaus〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 he had gotten hym a sorte of seruing men to waight on him, An other example not vnlyke and lykewyse reprehended is in Ruffine of one (a) 1.3 Gregorie a Bishop. Nowe in our dayes it is thought a commendation to* 1.4 the Bishop, a credite to the Gospell, if a Bishop haue. 30. 40. 60. or mo wayting of him, some be∣fore, some behinde, whereof three partes of them (set a part the carying of a dishe vnto the table) haue no honest or profitable calling to occupie themselues in two houres of the day, to the filling of the Churche and common wealth also with all kinde of disorders, and greater incommodities, than I minde to speake of, bicause it is not my purpose.

Io. Whitgifte.

In Eusebius it is sayde that Paulus Samosatenus vsed to walke publikely in the market places reading letters and boasting himselfe, being accompanied with a num∣ber* 1.5 of Souldiours some before him and some behinde him, more like to a Capitaine than a Bishop. If any of our Bishops walke in the stréetes to be séene, or stande in the market places, or other open and publike assemblies reading of letters, accompa∣nied with Souldiours and men of warre, then may it be truly sayde of them, that is here truly spoken of Paulus Samosatenus. But if they being farre from such vani∣tie, kéepe that countenance and retinue of men, which their place, the maner of their Countrey, the honour of the Prince, the state of the Church requireth, then doe you vncharitably and vniustly applie this example agaynst them. But vnlesse Paulus Sa∣mosatenus had béene riche and wealthie, howe coulde this pompe of his haue béene mainteyned? Wherefore this example is rather agaynst you, than for you: ney∣ther doth it condemne wealth and ryches in Bishops, but pride, vainglorie, and light∣nesse. For they accuse him of spoyling the Church, and thereby enriching himselfe.

In the example of George, whom you 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉all Gregorie, mentioned in 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉uffine, there is no worde spoken of any seruing men, or souldiours: onely he is there reproued, be∣cause he got his Bishoprike by violence, and thought that the office of iudgement in* 1.6 ciuill causes was rather committed vnto him, than the Priesthoode. &c. If any Bishop of∣fende in the like with vs, it is the fault of the man, not of the office. By this example also it may appeare, that Bishoppes in those dayes had ryches and authoritie: For this abusing of their wealth and authoritie, doth argue that they had both, which they might haue vsed rightly and well.

Notes

• (*) 1.1

  He was re∣proued for vsing himselfe like a capitaine, be∣ing accompanied with a garde of souldiours.
• * 1.2

  Euseb. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. 7. cap. 30.
• (a) 1.3

  Gregorie for George.
• * 1.4

  Ruf. lib. 1. cap. 23.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is accom∣panied with spearemen, and halbardes. The example of P. Samo▪ vniustly ap∣plied to our Bishops.
• * 1.6

  Rufsin. lib. 1. cap. 23.