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. 10. Diuision.

T. C. Pag. 151. Sect. vlt.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 besides that the choysest are to be taken to this office, this ought not to be forgotten, that seeing good successe of thinges depende vppon the blessing of God, and that blessing followeth the Church when the Lords order is kept, simple men which carrie no great countinance or shew, wil vndoubtedly do more good vnto the Churche, hauing a lawfull calling, than those of great porte which haue no such calling.

Io. Whitgifte.

But how wil you bring it to passe that the choysest may be taken? for if the electiō go by the whole parish (as it must) then is it a thing vnpossible to be brought to passe in many parishes, the most part being euil affected, except you will vse violence, and compulsion, which is against the libertie that you séeke for.

The lords order is kept whē due obediēce is giuē to y^e ciuil magistrate, & other that be* 1.1 placed vnder him, to gouern y^e church of God. For of this we haue expresse mētiō to y^e R〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. 13. 1. Ti. 2. 1. Pet. 2. & it is cōfirmed by y^e examples of y^e old church vnder Moses,* 1.2 Iosua, Dauid, Salomō, Iehosaphat, Ezechias, Iosias, and all other godly kings and* 1.3 Iudges. Likewise y^e order of God is kept, whē next to this supreme gouernour vnder* 1.4 God, we reuerēce & obey in y^e Ecclesiastical state, such as god hath appointed to take y^e chiefe care & gouernmēt of the Church, vnder y^e Prince, be they Archbyshops, By∣shops or such like. And therof also we haue expresse warrant in the word of God and that such as admitteth no other interpretation: as 1. Tim. 3. Lit. 1. Hebr. 13. but as for* 1.5 your order of Seniors, and kind of gouernment, you haue no suche warrante in the* 1.6 word of God. And the places that you vse for your purpose be doubtfull, and diuer∣sly* 1.7 interpreted by learned men: wherefore not sufficient to ground any certaine do∣ctrine vpon, being of faith and of saluation, as you haue saide before, the kinde of go∣uernment to be. Wherefore it is you that disturbe and seeke to ouerthrow the order of gouernment appointed by God, and therefore in the end, you must looke to be o∣uerthrowen your selfe.

To your imagination of transforming simple, vnap〈1 line〉〈1 line〉, and vnlearned men to an aptnesse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of gouernment, if your platforme were placed. I will only an∣swere that which Master Bullinger did to a fantasse of the Anabaptists not much vn∣like: You imagine and conceyue in your minde those things, which neuer haue beene, nor are extant, and shall neuer hereafter be.

Notes

• * 1.1

  How y^e lords order is kept.
• * 1.2

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉om. 13.
• * 1.3

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉. Tim. 2.
• * 1.4

  1. Pet. 2.
• * 1.5

  1. Tim. 3.
• * 1.6

  T〈1 line〉〈1 line〉t. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.
• * 1.7

  Heb. 13.