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. 107. Sect. 1.

Nowe for as much, as there is no promise in the scripture, that we should be free from all ad∣〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ersitie, and that euermore, it scemeth that this prayer might haue bene better conceyued, being no

prayer of faith, or of the which we cā assure our selues that we shal obteyne it. For if it be sayd, that 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉y the worde (aduersitie) is meante all euill, we knowe that it hath no such signification neyther in this tongue of oures, neyther in other tongues which vse the same worde in common with vs, but that it signifieth trouble, vexation, and cala〈1 line〉〈1 line〉tie, from all the which we may not desire alwayes to be deliuared. And whatsoeuer can be alleaged for the defense of it, yet euery one that is not conten∣tio〈1 line〉〈1 line〉s, may see that it needeth some caution or exception.

Io. Whitgifte.

I thinke no man will contende with you for the signification of this woorde 〈◊〉〈◊〉: for it properly signifieth all affliction or trouble that perteyneth eyther to the body, or to the minde. And it is species mali, a kinde of euill, for Malum doth conteyne not onely vice and sinne, but aduersitie also and affliction.

But to come to your reason: you say, there is n〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 promise in Scripture that we should be fre〈1 line〉〈1 line〉rom all aduersitie: and therefore we may not pray to be free from all aduersitie. If this be a good argument then will I also reason thus: there is no promise in Scri∣pture that we should be frée from all sinne: therfore we may not pray that we should be frée from all sinne. There is no promise in Scripture, that we should be frée fro〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 persecution but the contrarie rather, and therefore we may not pray agaynst perse∣cution. Likewise there is no promise that we shall be alwayes deliuered from po∣uertic, and from diuers other particular euils. To be shorte, if this rule and reason be good, then muste we pray for nothing, except first we searche in the Scriptures, whether there be any promise for the same or no.

But you and all Christians ought to vnderstand, that our prayers and faith an∣nexed to them, are grounded vpon these promises. VVhatsoeuer you aske in my name, that will I do. And agayne: If you aske any thing in my name, I will do it. Iohn. 14. And in the. 16. chap. Verily verily, I say vnto you, whatsoeuer you shall aske my father in my n〈1 line〉〈1 line〉me, he will giue it you. Upon these promises is both our fayth and prayers groun∣ded. But for bicause in asking of extern〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ll thinges, we be vncertayne whether they be profitable for vs or no, therefore we aske them with a condition (which although if be not expressed, yet it is alwayes vnderstoode) if it be Gods will: beyng certaynely perswaded, that if those thinges we aske be profitable for vs, we shall obteyne them for his promise sake. And for as much as all good thinges come of God, whether they perteyne to the bodie, or to the soule, and at all times to be deliuered from aduersitie is on〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 of his singular benefites, we may no doubt begge the same at his handes, referring not withstanding the graunting of it to him, who knoweth what is better for vs than we do our selues. If you will spoyle vs of this libertie in praying, you shall not onely bryng prayer into a narrowe roome, but depri〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e vs of one of the greatest and moste singular r〈1 line〉〈1 line〉nsolations, that a Christian man can haue in this worlde. We cannot as∣sure our selues that we shall obteyne any externall benefites by prayer at Gods handes: bycause we know not whether that which we aske be profitable for vs or no: and yet God forbidde, that we should cease from praying euen for such thinges. Dauid beyng put out of his kingdome by his Sonne Absolon, was not assured that he should be restored agay〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e, and yet did he pray for it, with this condition, if it pleased God. Christe himselfe prayed to haue the cuppe of his passion remoued from him, which vndoubtedly he knew before would not be graunted vnto him. Many exam∣ples there be in the Psalmes, of prayers made for externall things, of the obteyning whereof the Prophete could not assure himselfe. Well sayth S. Augustine, VVhen thou doest aske of God health of the bodie, if he knowe it be profitable for thee, he will giue it vnto thee: if he giue it not, then it is not profitable for thee to haue it. Therefore we may lawfully aske any externall ben〈1 line〉〈1 line〉fite at Gods hande, bycause he hath willed vs so to do: and the same petition or prayer, is a prayer of fayth, bycause it hath 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 promise in the Scripture to grounde vpon, which is, VVhatsoeuer you shall aske my father in my name, &c. and such like. But the successe of our prayer we must committe to him of whom we aske, as Dauid did.

And why should this manner of speaking séeme so straunge vnto you, do we not

reade in the. 91. Psalme, that a promise is made to those that loue God in this man∣ner. There shall no eui〈1 line〉〈1 line〉l come vnto thee, neyther shall any plague come nighe vnto thy dwelling. Is not this as much as though he should haue sayd, thou shalt euer be defen∣ded from all aduersitie? for as learned interpreters saie, dictione mali omnis generis afflictio∣nes, miserias, & aerumn as complectitur, The Psalmist in that place by this word euil, doth com∣prehende all kinde of afflictions, miseries and calamities: so that you haue here the very wordes expressed, that you finde faulte with in the prayer vsed on Trinitie Sunday. Wherefore they may still remayne without any caution or exception. And I woulde to God, you were as farre from contention as those be that thinke so.

I might here adde and saye, that we are deliuered from all aduersitie after twóo sortes, that is, bodily and spiritually: Bodily, when we are not temporally and exter∣nally afflicted with them. Spiritually, when we are not ouercome by them, or caused to decline from God, or to mistruste in his mercies. That we may praye to be deliue∣red from all aduersitie, in the first signification, I haue proued: that we ought so to do in the latter signification, there is no Christian man that doubteth.

Notes

• The argu∣mēt retorted.
• Our prayers and fayth are grounded vpē promises.
• Io〈1 line〉〈1 line〉n. 14.
• Iohn. 16.
• A condition 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉nnexed to pe∣titio〈1 line〉〈1 line〉s for ex∣ternal things.
• 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. Samuel. 15.
• Mattb. 26.
• Augustine.
• Iobn. 16.
• Psal〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. 91
• Deliuerance from aduersi∣tie of twoo sortes.