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…

First of all in your reading ministers that is untrue / for they go not to read in all churches / but tarry until they be hired in one. And therefore when the Bishop hath laid his hand of them / they are no more ministers then before his hund came upon them / because they have no charges / and therefore the patron or person that hireth them to read / and setteth them a work are their bishops / and make them ministers / and not the Bishop of the diocese.

First of all in your reading ministers that is vntrue / for they goe not to reade in all churches / but tary vntill they be hired in one. And therfore when the Bishop hath laide hys hand of them / they are no more ministers then before hys hund came vpon them / because they haue no charges / and therfore the patrone or person that hireth them to read / and setteth them a worke are their byshops / and make them ministers / and not the Bishop of the diocese.

Secondarily for those that preach to have a whole diocese / or province / or realm to be their flock / or city to attend upon / is contrary to the policy or good husbandry of all those / that would either have their city safe / or their flocks sound. For who are they which would appoint one for the watch of a thousand towns or cities / when as all they which love their safety / would rather have for every city many watchmen / then for many cities one? or what is he that is so watchful and circumspect / whose diligence and watchfulness one city assaulted with enemies / will not wholly occupy and take up? or what is he whose sight is so sharp / that he can see from one end of the diocese / or province / or realm to the other end thereof? or what is he that will commit the keeping of .xx. M. sheep to one man / that looketh for any good / or increase of them? how shall all these hear his whistle / how shall all know his voice / when they can not hear it? how shall they acknowledge him / when they can not know him? how shall they follow him / when they can not see him go before? how shall he heal their diseases / when he can not possibly know them. But some man will say / that these are human reasons / and likelihoods which may be overthrown with other similitudes. These notwithstanding are Analogies drawn from the nature of those things which the ministers are likened unto / and are of the most part used of the holy Ghost him self expressly. But that there be no controversy left in this point / what is a flock? S. Paul defineth it plainly / when he sayeth: appoint