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 if the Jews had precepts of every the least action / which told them precisely how they should walk: how is not their case in that point better then ours / which because we have in many things but general rules / are to seek oftentimes / what is the will of God which we should follow? But let us examine their laws / and compare them with ours in the matters pertaining to the church: for whereas the question is of the government of the church it is very impertinent / that you speak of the judicials / as though you had not yet learned / to distinguish between the Church and common wealth.

Now if the Iewes had precepts of euery the least action / whych told them precisely how they should walke: how is not their case in that poynt better then oures / whych because we haue in many things but generall rules / are to seeke oftentimes / what is the will of God whych we should follow? But let vs examine their lawes / and compare them with oures in the matters pertaining to the church: for whereas ye question is of the gouernment of the church it is very impertinent / that you speake of the iudicialies / as though you had not yet learned / to distinguishe betweene the Church and common wealth.

To the ordering and governing of the church / they had only the moral and ceremonial law: we have the same moral that they had: what special direction therefore they enjoy by the benefit of that / we have. We have no ceremonies but two / the ceremonies or sacraments of Baptism and of the Lords supper / & we have as certain a direction to celebrate them / as they had / to celebrate their ceremonies / and fewer and less difficulties can rise of ours / then of theirs: and we have more plain and express doctrine to decide our controversies then they had for theirs. What hour had they for their ordinary and daily sacrifices: was it not left to the order of the church? what places were appointed in their several dwellings to hear the word of God preached continually / when they came not to Jerusalem? the word was commanded to be preached / but no mention made / what manner of place they should have: where was pulpits commanded / or chairs? and yet they had both. Where any form of burial in the law? and yet it is a thing pertaining to the church / that the dead be after a comely sort buried. Where / any order or form of marriage? and yet it is known they had. It was (which is more) in the discretion of that church / upon occasion of dearth / or war / plagues / or any other common calamity / to proclaim a fast.