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.

Io. Whitgifte.

You bewray the weakenesse of your cause to much, when you are constrayned to* 1.1 runne so farre for a precept to proue the examination of communicants to be com∣maunded: and especially when you are compelled for want of other, to bring out cere∣moniall precepts long ago abrogated. This boldnes of yours is so by custome confir∣med that now without blushing it dare abuse any scripture, yea euen touching the Ceremonies of the law, to proue any deuise of your owne: and why may not the Pa∣pistes as well vse the same for their auricular confession?

But what if that commaundement signify no such thing? from whence then will* 1.2 you fetch your proofe? the wordes of Iosiah to the Leuites in the. 2. Chro. 35. vers. 6. be these: So kill the passouer, and sanctify your selues, and prepare your brethren that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses. What one word of exa∣mining other is there in this commaundement? These words Prepare your brethren* 1.3 &c. are thus expounded by learned interpreters: Exhort your brethren to examin thē∣selues, that they may be ready to eate the passouer, according to the word of the Lorde by the hand of Moses. And manifest it is that neyther the Priests, nor the Leuites dyd

did euer vse any suche kinde of examination before the eating of the Passouer, as you woulde insinuate, and therfore as yet you are vtterly destitute of a commaun∣demente.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Replyer applyeth a ce∣remoniall pre∣cept to the re∣ceiuing of the communion.
• * 1.2

  His precept proueth not his purpose.
• * 1.3

  Looke the marginal note in the Geneua Bible.