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.

Ansvvere to the Admonition Pag. 198. Sect. 2.

You say that thereby prayer for the dead is mainteyned, as may partly be gathered out of some of the prayers, where we pray that we with this our brother, and other departed in the true faith of thy holy name▪ &c. You know full well what out doctrine* 1.1 is concerning prayer for the dead, and you ought not thus boldly to vtter a manifest vntruth, for in so doing you do but be wray your sini∣ster affection How proue you that a prescripte forme of seruice for burying the dead, and the minister only to bury them, doth mainteine prayer for the dead▪ when you haue shewed your reason, you shall hea〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e my answer.

In saying that these words gathered out of some of the prayers,* 1.2 that we with this our brother. &c. import prayer for the dead, you do but quarrell:* 1.3 when we say that we with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob may reygne in thy kingdome, do we pray for Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, or 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉a∣ther wish ourselues to be where they are?

In the like manner when we say, that we with this our brother, and all other departed in the true faith of thy holy name, may haue our perfect consummation, & blisse both in body and soule, we pray not for our brother, and other that be de∣parted in the true faith, but we pray for ourselues, that we may haue our perfect consummation and blisse, as we are sure those shall haue which die in the true fayth.

Now weigh this reason, there is a prescript forme of burying the dead, and it is madea portion of the ministers office, ther〈1 line〉〈1 line〉fore you will not subscribe to the communion booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prayer for the dead not, mainteyned.
• * 1.2

  Pag. 199. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1. 2. 3.
• * 1.3

  E〈1 line〉〈1 line〉position of a prayer at Buriall.