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. 3. Diuision.

T. C. Pag. 167. somvvhat tovvards the ende.

Agayne, how can we iustly reproue the Papistes for the vse of bothe the swords, spirituall an〈1 line〉〈1 line〉

materiall, when as we are founde in the same faulte our selues? And surely howsoeuer long cu∣stome hath caused it to seeme, yet in deede it is a very great and vntollerable confusion, which may be the easelyer vnderstanded, if so be we set before our eyes, how vncomely and disordered it is, in the like, or rather in the very same case. For let vs imaginethe Ma〈1 line〉〈1 line〉or or Bayliue of a towne, or the King or Emperour of the lande, to come into the pulpit and make a sermon, afterwarde to minister the sacraments, and from the Churche to goe with the scepter in his hande vnto the place of iudge∣ment: who would not be amased to see this, and wonder at it, as at a s〈1 line〉〈1 line〉aūge and monstrous light? assuredly the self same deformitie it is, when as the minister of the word is made a Iustice of peace, of Quorum, a Commissioner, an Earle, or any suche like, to whom the iudgement of matters per∣teyning to the court of the ciuill Magistrate is committed, especially seeing there are God be 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ray∣sed) of the Nobilitie and Gentrie of this realme, that are able to discharge these offices much bet∣ter, than those ecclesiasticall persons to whome they are committed.

Io. Whitgifte.

The Bishop of Rome doth chalenge vnto him selfe the whole power and authori∣tie* 1.1 of the ciuill Magistrate, and that (as he sayth) by the word of God. He baasteth that temporall Princes haue their authoritie from him: and that it is in his power bothe to displace and place them. This we vtterly and most iustly condemne: but that iu∣risdiction ciuill that we allowe in ecclesiasticall persons, is not the whole power of the ciuill Magistrate, but onely so muche as may helpe to the good gouernment of the Churche, and the suppression of vice. Neyther doe we chalenge it as due, but receyue it from the ciuill Magistrate as conuenient, and execute it by his authoritie, not by our owne. This you could not but vnderstande, if you had not bin disposed to qua〈1 line〉〈1 line〉il.

You say, 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉tis an vntollerable confusion. &c. but this is a Popish surmise, and the exam∣ple vsed craftily to verifie the same: for the Papists doe imagine (or at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doe maliciously spread abrode) that by giuing to the Prince chiefe authoritie in eccle∣siasticall matters, we also giue vnto hir power to minister the sacramentes, and to preache the worde: In like maner you would insinuate vnto the Reader, that by al∣lowing ciuill functions in ecclesiasticall persons, we also allowe them to execute all kinde of ciuill functions: which is spoken of you as well to deface the authoritie of the ciuill Magistrate in matters ecclesiasticall, as it is to improue ciuill offices in ecclesiasticall persons. It is neyther confusion, nor vncomelynesse to come from the pul∣pit, and administration of the Sacraments, to the punishment and correction of vice and wickednesse. Neyther is it any monstruous or straunge sight, for an ecclesiasticall person to execute that kinde of discipline agaynst offendours, which by lawfull authoritie is established in the Church, whether it be by béeing Iustice of peace and Quorum, or a Comm〈1 line〉〈1 line〉issioner, or any other suche like office and function.

But remember I pray you what you sayd before in the treatise of Seni〈1 line〉〈1 line〉rs: you* 1.2 there set it downe that they are ecclesiasticall persons: and yet M. Beza (as I haue there declared) sayth that noble men and Princes maye be of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wher∣fore eyther may ciuill and ecclesiasticall offices méete togither in eccles〈1 line〉〈1 line〉icall per∣sons (whiche you denie) or else can not noble men and Princes be of your Seignio∣rie, as M. Beza affirmeth: or if they be of your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they must cast off their Baronries, Earldomes, and ciuill dominions (whiche I am sure they wyll not) or else to conclude, your assertion is straunge, and your S〈1 line〉〈1 line〉lorie con〈1 line〉〈1 line〉used.

I doubt not but that many of the Nobilitie and Gen〈1 line〉〈1 line〉rie of this Realme are more fitte for these things, than ecclesiasticall men are: neyther can I be persuaded, but that they consider how expedient it is notwithstanding, that such functions be com∣mitted to some of the cleargie: and I am well assured that they can not but easily es∣pie the deformitie & confusion that your platforme would bring to this Monarchie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The ciuill iu∣risdiction that the Pope 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ay meth, not lyke to that in vse in this church
• * 1.2

  T. C. muste 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ther di〈1 line〉〈1 line〉sent from Beza, or graunt the controuersie. Tract. 17. cap. diuis.