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 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.

Now I wil shew you (which thinke that the consent of the church in their minister / can not stand with the time of a christian magistrate) that it hathe not only stode / but hath bene cōfirmed in their times / and by them. In codice Iustiani: it is thus wrytten / following the doctrine of the holy Apostles. &c. we ordaine / that as often as it shall fall out / that the ministers place shall be voyde in any citie / that voyces be geuen of the inhabiters of that city / that he of three (which for their right faith / holines of life / and other good things are most approued) should be chosen to the Byshoprike / whych is the moste meete of them. Also Carolus Magnus / whych was the first Germaine Emperoure in. 63. distinct. sacrorum canonum sayth / being not ignorante of the holy Canons / that the holy churche in the name of God should vse her honoure the freelyer / we assent vnto the Ecclesiasticall order / that the byshops be chosen by election of the cleargye and people / according to the statutes of the canons of that diocesse.

In the. 63. distinction it appeareth / that Ludovicus Carolus his son decreed / that he should be bishop of Rome / whom all the people of Rome should consent to choose. Platina also in the life of pope Adrian. 2. writeth that Ludovike the second by his letters commanded the Romans / that they should choose their own bishop / not looking for other mens voices / which being strangers / could not so well tell what was done in the common weal where they were strangers / and that it appertained to the Citizens.