A18078:288
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…
A reply to an answer made of M. Doctor Whitgifte Against the admonition to the Parliament. By T.C.A replye to an ansvvere made of M. Doctor VVhitgifte Against the admonition to the Parliament. By T.C.
printed by John Stroud?, 1573
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To the fifth in the. 45. page.
To the fifte in the. 45. page.
If there be no churches established / because there are no christian Magistrates / then the churches of the Apostles were not established. And it is absurd to say / that the ministers now with the help of the magistrate / can lay surer foundations of the church / or build more cunningly or substantially / then the Apostles could / which were the master builders of the church of God. And as for the consummation of the body of the church / and the beauty of it / seeing it consisteth in Jesus Christ / which is the head / that is always joined unseperably in all times of the cross / and not the cross with his body / which is the church: I can not see why the churches under persecution / should not be established / having both the foundation and the nether most parts / as also the top and hiest part of the church / as well as those which have a christian magistrate. If in deed the magistrate / whom God hath sanctified to be a nurse unto his church / were also the head of the same / then the church could not be established without the magistrate / but we learn that although the godly magistrate be the head of the common wealth / and a great ornament unto the church / yet he is but a member of the same. The church may be established without the magistrate / and so / that all the world / and all the Devils of hell can not shake it / but it can not be in quiet / in peace / and in outward surety / without a godly magistrate: And therefore the church in that respect and such like / praiseth God and prayeth for the magistrate / by the which it enjoyeth so singular benefits. Thereupon you conclude / that the church was then popular / which is as untrue / as the former part. For the church is governed with that kind of government / which the Philosophers / that write of the best common wealths / affirm to be the best. For in respect of Christ the head / it is a Monarchy / and in respect of the ancients and pastors / that govern in common / and with like authority amongst them selves / it is an Aristocracy / or the rule of the best men / and in respect that the people are not secluded / but have their interest in church matters / it is a Democracy / or a popular estate.