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. Page. 111. Sect. vlt.

To the admonition obiecting in the nintie and two page, that Iohn baptized openly, amongst the congregation, he answereth and sayth, that it may be as well concluded, that we should baptize only in the riuer of Iordane, and none but those that be of age, by whiche saying he giueth to vnderstand (a) 1.1 that to baptize in the Church, hath no greater necessitie, than y^e baptizing in Iordan, nor it skilleth no more, whether baptisme be ministred in the publike assemblie, than it is necessatie or skilleth, whether we be baptized in the ryuer of Iordan, and that the baptisme of yong infants hath no better groundes than priuate baptisme hath. The latter wherof, (both beyng absurde) is tootoo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the baptisme of yong infantes. For as of our Sauiour Christes preaching in publike places, and refusyng priuate places, we doe gather that the preachyng of the woorde, ought to be publike. Euen so of S. Iohns preaching and baptizing in open meetings, we conclude that both preaching and baptizing, ought to be in publike assemblies.

Io. Whitgifte.

I referre it to the learned Reader to iudge whether this be a good argumente or no: Iohn baptised openly in the Riuer Iordan, Ergo baptism〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 may at no time vpon any occasion be ministred in a priuate house. And if any will iudge it to be good, thē will I demaunde of them, why this should not be as good: Iohn did baptise in Ior∣dane: Ergo, none ought to be baptized but in the riuer Iordane. Or this. Iohn bap∣tized suche as confessed their synnes, Ergo none muste be baptised, but suche as are able to make a confession of their sinnes. This is that vnskilful kinte of reasoning, that Zuinglius so ofte reproueth the Anabaptistes for, and he calleth it an argumente à facto ad ius. I doe not in any respecte speake agaynste baptizing in the Churche, but doe greately commende it, as a thyng moste conueniente: but I doe not so tie the Sacramente to the place, or publike congregation, that I make it of the necessitie of the Sacramente, so that it maye not vppon any occasion be mini∣stred in a priuate house. I compare not baptizing in the Churche, and in the riuer Iordane together: neyther doe I saye that baptizing of yong infantes hath no better

groundes than priuate baptisme hath: but I disallowe this kinde of proofe, which the A〈1 line〉〈1 line〉∣monition vseth: and I sée not why it is not of lyke force in all other the circumstan∣ces of that place, and those examples that I haue alleadged.

Christe preached both priuately and publikely: in the temple, and in priuate fa∣milies: in great assemblies, and seuerally to his owne disciples, and at all tymes as occasion serued: and therefore you can not conclude by the example of Christe, that the preachyng of the Gospel, ought only to be publike in the open congregation, and at no tyme priuate vpon any occasion.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  Nay I giue you to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fondnesse of the argument.