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…

In the time of persecution a church chooseth an unlearned minister / or one that is wicked in life / howsoever it be / he is unfit / the churches round about by their ministers or elders admonish this church of her fault / and move to correct it / the church will by no means be admonished: what can now the other churches do in the time of persecution? if they excommunicate the whole church / it is a hard matter / & yet if they may do that / there is all they can do: the evil is not remedied / which may be easily taken away / where there is a godly magistrate / and the church (as is before said) compelled to a better choice / so you see that there are inconveniences in the choosing of the pastor / and other the governors of the church / by the church / in the time of persecution / which are not in the time of peace under a christian magistrate.

In the time of persecution a churche chuseth an vnlearned minister / or one that is wicked in life / howsoeuer it be / he is vnfit / the churches rounde about by their ministers or elders admonishe this church of her fault / and moue to correct it / the church will by no meanes be admonished: what can nowe the other churches do in the time of persecution? if they excommunicate the whole churche / it is a hard matter / & yet if they may do that / there is all they can do: the euil is not remedied / whych may be easely taken awaye / where there is a godly magistrate / and the churche (as is before sayde) compelled to a better choyse / so you see that there are inconueniences in the chusing of the pastor / and other the gouernors of the churche / by the churche / in the time of persecution / whych are not in the time of peace vnder a christian magistrate.

Now I will show you (which think that the consent of the church in their minister / can not stand with the time of a christian magistrate) that it hath not only stood / but hath been confirmed in their times / and by them. In codice Justiani: it is thus written / following the doctrine of the holy Apostles. &c. we ordain / that as often as it shall fall out / that the ministers place shall be void in any city / that voices be given of the inhabitants of that city / that he of three (which for their right faith / holiness of life / and other good things are most approved) should be chosen to the Bishopric / which is the most meet of them. Also Carolus Magnus / which was the first German Emperor in. 63. distinct. sacrorum canonum saith / being not ignorant of the holy Canons / that the holy church in the name of God should use her honour the freelyer / we assent unto the Ecclesiastical order / that the bishops be chosen by election of the clergy and people / according to the statutes of the canons of that diocese.