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…

Those that write the Centuries / suspect this Canon / and doubt whether it be a bastard or no / considering the practise of the church: But here or ever you were aware / you have stricken at your self. For before you said / that this order of choosing the minister by voices of the church / was but in the Apostles time / and during the time of persecution. And the first time you can allege this liberty to be taken away / was in the 334. year of our Lord / which was at the least 31. years after that Constantine the great began to reign. I say at the least / because there be good authors that say / that this Council of Laodicea was holden Anno. 338. after the death of Jovinian the Emperor / and so there is 35. years between the beginning of Constantine's reign / and this council. Now I think you will not say that the Church was under persecution in Con stantines time. And therefore you see you are greatly deceived in your account.

THose that write the Centuries / suspect thys Canon / and doubt whether it be a bastarde or no / considering the practise of the church: But heere or euer you were aware / you haue striken at your selfe. For before you sayde / that thys order of chusing the minister by voyces of the church / was but in the Apostles tyme / and duryng the time of persecution. And the first time you can alledge thys libertie to be taken awaye / was in the 334. yeare of our Lorde / which was at the least 31. yeares after that Constantine the great began to raigne. I say at the least / because there be good authors that say / that thys Councell of Laodicea was holden Anno. 338. after the death of Iouinian the Emperoure / and so there is 35. yeares betweene the beginning of Constantines raigne / and thys councel. Now I thinke you will not say that the Church was vnder persecution in Cō stantines tyme. And therfore you see you are greatly deceiued in your accoumpt.

And if it be as lawful for us to use master Calvins authority / which both by example and writings hath always defended our cause / as it is for you to wring him and his words / to things which he never meant / and the contrary whereof he continually practised / then this authority of yours is dashed. For ¹