A reply to an answer made of M. Doctor Whitgifte Against the admonition to…A replye to an ansvvere made of M. Doctor VVhitgifte Against the admonition to…

And it is no small injury which you do unto the word of God / to pin it in so narrow room / as that it should be able to direct us / but in the principal points of our religion: or as though the substance of religion / or some rude and unfashioned matter of building of the church were uttered in them, & those things were left out / that should pertain to the form and fashion of it: or as if there were in the scriptures only to cover the churches nakedness / and not also chains and bracelets and rings / and other jewels / to adorn her and set her out / or that to conclude / there were sufficient to quench her thirst / & kill her hunger / but not to minister unto her a more liberal / and (as it were) a more delicious and dainty diet. These things you seem to say / when you say / that matters necessary to salvation and of faith are contained in the scripture / especially when you appose these things / to ceremonies / order discipline / and government.

And it is no small iniurie which you doe vnto the word of God / to pinne it in so narow roume / as that it should be able to direct vs / but in the principall poyntes of our relygion: or as though the substance of religion / or some rude and vnfashioned matter of building of the church were vttered in them, & those things were left out / that should pertayne to the fourme and fashion of it: or as if there were in the scriptures onely to couer the churches nakednes / and not also chaines and bracelettes and rings / and other iewels / to adorne hir and set hir out / or that to conclude / there were sufficient to quench hir thirst / & kil hir honger / but not to minister vnto hir a more liberall / and (as it were) a more delicious and daintie diet. These things you seeme to say / when you say / that matters necessary to saluation and of fayth are contayned in the scripture / especially when you appose these things / to ceremonies / order dysciplyne / and gouernement.

And if you mean by matters of faith and necessary to salvation / those without which a man cannot be saved: then the doctrine that teacheth there is no free will / or prayer for the dead / is not within your compass. For I doubt not / but divers of the fathers of the Greek church / which were great patrons of free will (at lest as their words pretend) are saved holding the foundation of the faith / which is Christ. The like might be said of a number of other / as necessary doctrines / wherein men being nursled / have notwithstanding been saved. Therefore seeing that the point of the question lieth chiefly in this distinction / it had been good that you had spoken more certainly and properly of these things.