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…

Now it is known they are from beneath and of the earth / and that they are of men and not of God: The answerer goeth about to prove / that they came yet out of good earth / and from good men / which if he had obtained / yet he may well know / that it is no good argument to prove that they are good. For as the best earth bringeth forth weeds / so do the best men / bring forth lies and errors. But let us hear what is brought / that if this visard and show of truth be taken away / all men may perceive / how good occasion we have to complain / and how just cause there is of reformation. In the first place of S. Augustine there is nothing against any thing which we hold / for this / that the church may have things not expressed in the scripture / is not against / that it ought to have nothing / but that may be warranted by the scripture. For they may be according to the scripture / and by the scripture / which are not by plain terms expressed in the scripture. But against you it maketh much / & overturneth all your building in this book. For if in those things which are not expressed in the scripture / that is to be observed of the Church / which is the custom of the people of God / and decree of our forefathers: then how can these things be varied according to time / place / & persons / (which you say should be) when as it is to be retained / which the people of God hath used / & the decrees of the forefathers have ordained. And then also how can we do safelier / then to follow the apostles customs and the churches in their time / which we are sure are our for fathers / & the people of god.

Nowe it is knowne they are from beneath and of the earthe / and that they are of men and not of God: The answearer goeth about to proue / that they came yet out of good earthe / and from good men / whych if he had obtained / yet he may well know / that it is no good argument to proue that they are good. For as the best earth bringeth forth weedes / so do the best men / bring forth lies and errors. But let vs heare what is brought / that if thys visarde and shewe of truthe be taken away / all men may perceiue / howe good occasion we haue to complaine / and howe iust cause there is of reformation. In the first place of S. Augustine there is nothing against any thing whych we hold / for thys / that the church may haue thyngs not expressed in the scripture / is not againste / that it oughte to haue nothing / but that may be warranted by the scripture. For they may be according to the scripture / and by the scripture / whych are not by plaine termes expressed in the scripture. But against you it maketh muche / & ouerturneth all your building in this boke. For if in those things whych are not expressed in ye scripture / that is to be obserued of the Church / whych is the custome of the people of God / and decree of oure forefathers: then howe can these things be varyed according to time / place / & persons / (whych you say should be) when as yt is to be retained / which ye people of God hath vsed / & the decrees of the forefathers haue ordained. And thē also how can we do safelier / then to folow the apostles customes and the churches in their time / which we are sure are our for fathers / & the people of god.