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. 100. Sect. 2. 3.

Now whereas he saith that we desire to pull the rule from others, that the rule might be in our handes, and we might doe what we list, and that we seeke to withdrawe our selues from controle∣ment of Prince and Byshop; and all: first he maye learne, if he will, that we desire no o〈1 line〉〈1 line〉r authoritie, than that which is to the edifying of the Churche, and whiche is grounded of the wo〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e of God: which if any Minister shall abuse to his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or ambition, then he ought to abyde not 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e∣ly the controlment of y^e other Ministers, yea of the brethren, but also further the punishment of the Magistrates according to the quantitie of the fault.

And seyng you charge the brethren so sore, you must be put in remembrance, that thys vnreaso∣nable authoritie ouer the rest of the ministers and cleargie, (*) came to the Bishops and Archby∣shops, when as the Pope did exempte his 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉hauelings from the obedience, subiec〈1 line〉〈1 line〉on, and iurisdicti∣on of Princes. Nowe therefore that we be readie to giue that subiection vnto the prince, and offer our selues to the princes correction in things wherein we shall doe amisse, doe you thinke it an vn∣reasonable thing that we desire to be disburdened of the Bishops and Archbishops yoke, which the Pope hath layde vpon our neckes?

Io. Whitgifte.

Your answere maketh the matter more suspicious: for this authoritie you speake of which you say▪ is to the edifying of the Church, and grounded of the word of God, is as it plea∣seth you to interprete it. For what so euer you phansie, and whatsoeuer authoritie you vsurpe, shall haue the same pretence: and if the Prince seeke to restraine you, or to breake your will, you and your Seniors will excommunicate hir if she be of your parishe. Fu〈1 line〉〈1 line〉thermore the greatest preeminence she can haue, is to be one of your seig∣niorie, and then must M. Pastor be the chiefe, and so in authoritie aboue y^e Prince and consequently a Pope, but of this more in due place shal be spoken.

This authoritie, which the Bishops and Archbishops now exercise, came first from the Apostolicall Church, then from the example of the primitiue Churche for y^e space of fiue hundred yeares after the Apostles time. Thirdly, from the Councels of Nyce, Antioche, Constantinople, and all the beste and purest Councels that euer were. And last of all from the authoritie of the Prince, and by the consent of this whole Churche and Realme of England, & therefore not from the Pope, who hath rather diminished it (by taking all to himselfe) than in any respect encreased it. Wherfore you also in ex∣empting your self, from the authoritie and iurisdiction of the Archbishop and Bishop, resist God in his Ministers, the Prince in hir officers, and the lawes of the Church & Realme in their executors. And as for your protested obedience, it is so enwrapped with conditions and prouisoes (as in other places of your booke more plainely appea∣reth) that when it should come to the triall (if your platforme were builded) it woulde proue as little, as 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉uer the Popishe Byshops was, in their greatest pride.

Notes

• (*)

  An vntruth〈1 line〉〈1 line〉▪ for the lawfull authoritie o〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Bi∣shops and Arch∣byshops was long be〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ore.
• Excessiue au∣thoritie is sought vnder pretence of e∣qualitie,
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 authori∣tie of By∣shops & Arch∣bishops came not from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.