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.

ACcording to my promise made in my boke, I haue here set down the iudgemēt of the la∣ter writers, concerning these matters in controuersie betwene vs. VVherin bicause I loue not to translate out of other mens workes whereby I might make mine to grow: I haue kept this moderation, that I neither set downe all the writers, nor all their places that I coulde, nor yet of euery singular matter: But the chiefest writers, and either of the chiefest points, or else of those, wherein they are alledged against vs by M. Doctor, and one only place of eache (as farre as I coulde iudge and chose out) most directe to that wherefore I haue alledged it. For otherwise if I would haue spoken of all the pointes, and of the iudgement of all the writers, and gathered all the places that I coulde, they would haue ben sufficient matter of an other boke as bigge or rather bigger than this. I must also admonishe the Reader, that I haue forborne in certeine of these titles to sette downe the iudgements of M Beza. M. Bullinger and M. Gualter: bycause they are comprehended in the confession of the Churches. And thus partly vpō those sentences which I haue alledged in this booke, and partly vpon these testimonies here set down: I leaue to the consideration of all men, howe truely and iustly it is sayd, that the learned writers of thesetimes (one or two only excepted) are against vs.

Io. Whitgifte.

Surely it had bene more commendable in mine opinion, if you had sette downe the verie wordes of the Authors themselues, rather than your own collections 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉pon them: for so shoulde their iudgements more plainely haue appear〈1 line〉〈1 line〉, whereas now you frame them as they may best serue for your purpose. It is no shame for a man to translate out of other mens workes, especially vsing their testimonies: but it cannot be voyde of great reproch, for any man so to be addicted to his owne persua〈1 line〉〈1 line〉on, that he should so lightly regarde other mens opinions.

I doubt not but that the Reader will conceiue by these authorities that you haue here collected as chiefe, principall, and moste euident for the confirmation of your assertions, vpon what slender pillers your building standeth. For truely (so farre as I can gather) most of these places make little for your purpose, and none of them inforce any such necessitie as you séeme to vrge, as it will fall out in the examina∣tion of them.