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. 135. Sect. 1.

For Godfathers there is no controuersie betweene the Admonition, and master Doctors booke, which appeareth not onely in their corrections, but plainly in the. 188. page, where they declare that they rather condemne the abuse, whilest it is vrged more than greater matters, and which are in deede necessarie, this being a thing arbitrarie, and left to the discretion of the Church,* 1.1 and whylest there is so euill choyse for the most part of Godfathers, which is expressedly mentio∣ned of the Admonition, and whilest it is vsed almost for nothing else but as a meane for one friende to gratifie an other, without hauing any regarde to the solemne promise made before God and the congregation, of seeing the childe brought vp in the nurture and feare of the Lorde. For the thing it selfe, considering that it is so generally receyued of all the Churches, they doe not mislike of it.

Io. Whitgifte.

Peraduenture they are better aduised nowe than they were when they wrote

the Admonition. But it is good for the Reader to note that you make Godfathers a thing arbitrarie, and left to the discretion of the Churche: and yet was it inuented* 1.2 (as the Authours of the Admonition say) by Pope Higinus. So that some thing be∣like of the Popes inuentions may remayne in the Churche, thoughe the same bée not expressed in the worde of God. Indéede this is the libertie that you chalenge, to allowe what you list, and disallowe at your pleasure: all is perfect that you con∣firme of whome soeuer it was borrowed. And why may not I say the same for in∣terrogatories ministred to the Infant? You adde this reason in the ende (Conside∣ring it is so generally receyued of all Churches) and yet page. 18. you disallow Sainct Au∣gustines* 1.3 rule tending to the same effect, so that you may say and vnsay at your plea∣sure, and no man say vnto you, blacke is your eye: or Domine cur ita facis?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Godfathers al∣lowed by T. C.
• * 1.2

  Godfathers allowed thogh brought in by Pope Higi∣nus.
• * 1.3

  The Replyer vnconstant. Pag. 18. Sect. 7