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. 105. Sect. vlt. & Pag. 106. Sect. 1.

It is not to any purpose, that M. Doctor setteth himself to proue that there may be a prescript

order of prayer by Iustine Martyres testimonie, which notwithstanding hath not one worde of prescript forme of prayers, only he sayth there were prayers, he sayth in deede the auncient fathers say that there hath bene alwayes such kinde of prayers in the Churches, and although they do say so, yet all men may vnderstand easily, that M. Doctor speaketh this rather by contecture, or that he hath hearde other men say so: for so much as that Doctor which he hath chosen out to speake for 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ll the rest, hath no such thing, as he fathereth on him. He sayeth that after they haue baptized, they pray for themselues, and for him that is baptized, and for all men that they may be meete to learne the truth, and to expresse it in their honest conuersation, and that they be founde to keepe th〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉m∣maundementes, that they may atteyne to eternall life, but is this to say that there was a prescript forme of prayer, when he sheweth nothing els, but the chiefe poynts, vpon the which they conceyued their prayers? If you had alleaged this to proue what were the matters or principall poynts that the Primitiue Churche vsed to pray for, you had alleaged this to purpose, but to alleage it for a proofe of a prescript forme of prayer, when there is not there mentioned so much as the essentiall forme of prayer (which is the asking of our petitions in the name and thorough the intercession of our Sauiour Christ) without the which there is not, nor cannot be any prayer, argueth that eyther you little know what the forme of prayer is, or that you thought (as you charge the authors of the Admonition so often) that this geare of yours should neuer haue come to the examination.

But for as much as we agree of a prescript forme of prayer to be vsed in the Church, let that go: this that I haue sayde is to shew that when M. Doctor happeneth of a good cause, which is very seldome in this booke, yet then he marreth it in the handling.

Io. Whitgifte.

I haue the lesse laboured in this point, bicause it is a thing so generally allowed of in all Churches, in all times, and so vnlearnedly impugned by the authors of the Admonition.

Iustinus Martyr maketh much for my purpose, for in that he doth rehearse those chiefe poyntes of theyr prayers then vsed, it is manifest that they had a prescript or∣der and forme of prayer, the which no man can denie that readeth the place. I graunt that these wordes prescript forme of prayer, are not there to be founde: Yet is there a pre∣script order and forme by him generally described: whereby it is more than proba∣ble, that at that tyme, there was vsed a prescript forme of prayer. In the 3. Councell* 1.1 of Carthage we finde this Canon: Let no man vse the formes of prayer which he hath framed to himselfe, without conference with brethren, that are better learned. Whereby it may euidently be gathered, that at that time there was a prescript forme of prayer vsed, and that it was not lawfull to vse any new forme of priuate prayers, except the same were allowed by the brethren. But for as much as in this poynt you consent with me, and graunt that there may be a prescript forme of prayer: I will omitte whatsoeuer I had purposed to haue sayde more in that matter: and so I will do also your taunts, respecting the matter, rather than Lucians Rhetoricke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Con〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. Carth. 3 Can. 23.