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…

But there is greater authority / for S. Luke in the first of the Aces / showeth that S. Peter would not take upon him / to present two as sit for the place which was void / but saith / they did present or set up: whereby appeareth / that the examination of their ability was committed to many. The same appeareth also in the sixth of the Acts / when as the Apostles will the church wherein there were so excellent personages / to look out seven full of the holy ghost and wisdom. &c. they do not there permit the discerning of their wisdom and other gifts to one / but to many.

But there is greater authoritie / for S. Luke in the first of the Acces / sheweth that S. Peter would not take vpon him / to present two as sitte for the place which was voyde / but sayth / they dyd present or sette vp: whereby appeareth / that the examynation of their habilitie was committed to manye. The same appeareth also in the sixte of the Actes / when as the Apostles wil the church wherin there were so excellent personages / to looke out seuen full of the holy ghost and wisdome. &c. they doe not there permit the dyscerning of their wisdome and other giftes to one / but to many.

Secondarily / I cannot commend it / for that / that one man is the Archdeacon / which must examine the pastors / and judge of their sufficiency. For what is the Archdeacon? is he not a Deacon? for he being the chief Deacon / must needs be also a Deacon him self. And therefore although the chief deacon / yet inferior to any of the pastors: and the * gifts which are required in him / inferior ¹to those which are required in the pastor. And to make him judge of the aptness & ablenesse of the pastor / is to make the inferior in gifts / judge of the superior: he that hath by his calling less gifts / judge of his which hath by his calling greater gifts / which is nothing else / then to appoint him that hath but one eye / to oversee his sight / that hath two.

Secondarely / I cannot commend it / for that / that one man is the Archdeacon / which must examyne the pastors / and iudge of their sufficiencie. For what is the Archdeacon? is he not a Deacon? for he being the cheefe Deacon / must needes be also a Deacon hym selfe. And therfore although the cheefe deacon / yet inferioure to any of the pastoures: and the * giftes which are required in hym / inferioure