The Epistle of T. C. Sect. 12.
It is further sayd, that the setters forward of this cause are contentious, and in mouing que∣stions giue occasion to the Papistes of staundering the religion, and to the weake, of offence. But if it be founde to be both true which is propounded, and a thing necessarie about whiche we con∣tende, then hath this accusation no ground to stand en. For peace is commended to vs, with these conditions, if it be possible, if it lye in vs. Now it is not possible; it lyeth not in vs to conceale the* 1.1 truth, we can doe nothing against it, but for it. It is a prophane saying, of a prophane man, that an vniust peace, is better than a iust warre. It is a diuine saying of an heathen man: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: It is good to contend for good things. The Papistes haue no matter of re∣ioycing, seyng they haue greater & sharper controuersies at home, and seing this tendeth both to the further opening of theyr shame, and thrustyng out of their remnants, whych yet remayne a∣mong vs. The weake may not be offended, consyderyng that (euen in the Church of God, and among those of the Churche) there hathe bene as greate varieties of iudgementes, as these are. For what weightier controuersies can there be, than whether wee shall ryse agayne or no,* 1.2 whether circumcision were necessarye to be obserued of those whych beleeued? And yet the fyrste was amongest the Churche of the Corinthes, the other was fyrst in Hierusalem and Antioche and after in the Churches of Galatia, and yet they the Churches, and that the true religion why∣che was there professed.
Io. Whitgifte.
It is very true, and sufficiently proued in that Answere to the Admonition, that the authours thereof bée contentidus, and giue occasion to the Papistes of staunde∣ring the religion professed, and to the weake of offence. For whosoeuer troubleth the peace of the Churche, or deuide themselues from the Churche for externall thin∣ges, they be contentious: but these men doe so, therefore they be contentious: the maior proposition is grounded vppon the woordes of Saincte Paule. 1. Corinth. 8. 9. and. 10. but especiallye vppon these woordes of the. 11. Chapter. If anye bee