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. 2. the. 5. Diuision.

T. C. Pag▪ 122. Sect. 1.

And yet also I haue to say that the obseruation of those feastes, firste of all was much bet∣ter than of later tymes. For Socrates confesting that neyther our Sauiour Christe, nor the A∣postles* 1.1 did decree or institute any holydayes, or laye any yoke of bondage vpon the neckes of those which came to the preaching, addeth further that they did vse firste to obserue the holydayes by cu∣stome, and (*) 1.2 that as euery man was disposed at home: which thing if it had remayned in that freedome, that it was done by custome and not by commaundement, at the will of euery one, and not by constraynt, it had bene much better than it is now, and had not drawne such daungers vpon the posteritie, as did after ensue and we haue the experience of.

Io. Whitgifte.

Surely they were neuer better, nor more pure from al supersticion, and other er∣rours than they be nowe in this Churche: and therefore in that respecte there is no cause to complaine.

You do not truely reporte Socrates words, nor yet his meaning, for he doth not say* 1.3 that euery man at home kepte those dayes as he was disposed: but thus he sayth, VVherefore

neyther the Apostle, nor the Gospell, do at any tyme laye a yoke of bondage vpon them, whiche come vnto the preachyng of the Gospell, but menne themselues euery one in theyr countrie, according as they thought good, celebrated the feast of Easter, and other holy∣dayes of custome, for the intermission of theyr laboures, and remembrance of the health∣full passion: his meaning is not, that euery priuate man in his owne house kepte Easter, and the other feastes as him lysted: but that euery Churche appoynted such an order and tyme for the same, as it thought conuenient: and that this is his mea∣ning, that whiche followeth in that Chapter, and expresseth his owne opinion of this mater, dothe euidently declare. His woordes be these: Surely I am of this opinion, that as many other thinges in diuerse places haue bene brought in of custome, so the feaste of Easter had a priuate or peculiar obseruation with euery particular people of custome, by∣cause none of the Apostles (as I haue sayde) did make any lawe hereof, &c. For his whole drifte is to proue that the feast of Easter concerning the daye and tyme, was diuersly obserued in diuers Churches and Countries: but he neyther can proue, nor goeth aboute to proue, that there was any Churche wherein it was not obserued. And I haue before declared that the feast of Easter was obserued by the Apostles, and sithence that tyme continued.

Notes

• * 1.1

  li. 5. ca. 22.
• (*) 1.2

  Socrates wordes vntruly reported.
• * 1.3

  Socrat. Lib. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. Cap▪ 22.