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. 6. the. 8. Diuision.

Admonition.

Sixthly, in this booke three or foure are allowed for a fit number to receyue the Communi∣on, and the Priest alone togither with one more, or with the sicke man alone, may in tyme of ne∣cessitie, that is, when there is any common plague, or in tyme of other visitation minister it to the sicke man, and if he require it, it may not be denyed. This is not I am sure, lyke in effect to a pri∣uate Masse: that Scripture (f) 1.1 drinke ye all of this, maketh not agaynst this, and priuate Com∣munion, is not agaynst the Scriptures.

Ansvvere to the Adm onition. Pag. 185. Sect. 1.

How vntruly these men charge the Church with priuate Commu∣nions I haue shewed before. The place of scripture here alledged to proue that three or foure be not a sufficient number to communicate* 1.2 is this, drinke ye all of this. Mat. 26. Mark. 14. which may as well be applyed to proue that ten, twentie, fortie, is no sufficient number: I know not what your meaning is except you thinke no number suffi∣cient, vnlesse al do communicate togither, bicause Christ said drink ye

all of this. This text proueth that all ought to be partakers of the Lordes Cuppe, but it doth not determine any certaine number of Communicants. I knowe there be some of the olde fathers as Basi∣lius* 1.3 Magnus, which would not haue fewer Communicants than. xii. But of the number of Communicants there is nothing determined in Scripture, neither is it materiall so that there be a number, that it may be a Communion.

T. C. Pag. 117. Sect. 1.

These things being considered, the reason which the Admonition vseth in the. 185. page, where this matter is spoken of, which is, drink you al of this, is not so ridiculous, as M. doctor maketh it. For although it do neyther proue that. 12. or. 20. or any other definite number must of necessitie re∣ceyue, yet it proueth that as all they which were present did communicate: so as many as in the Church are fit to receyue the Sacraments, or may conuetently receyue them togither, should fol∣low that example in celebrating the supper togither.

Io. Whitgifte.

The booke of common prayer doth greatly commend, and like the receyning of the whole Church togither, but if that can not be obteyned (as it cannot, and they will not haue men compelled vnto it) it secludeth not those that be well disposed: so they be a competent number. And the booke doth exhort those to depart which do not com∣municate, with a warning from whence they depart, so that you may well vnder∣stand, that the meaning of the Booke is, that all that be present should communicate. Neither can this place of scripture be drawne to improue the decrée of y^e Church ther∣in. For Christ had. 70. other disciples and his mother, with diuers other which follo∣wed him, that were not present at that Supper: as no doubt they should haue béene, if by that example he had ment to haue made a law, that there may be no Cōmunion vnlesse the whole congregation of euery particular Church do communicate togither.

Notes

• (f) 1.1

  Mat. 26. 27 Mar. 14. 23
• * 1.2

  No number determined to be at the Cō∣munion.
• * 1.3

  Basill would haue. xii. at the least.