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…

And you see that if I would follow those noble metaphors of watchman & shepherd / which the scripture useth to express the office of a minister with / what a large field is opened unto me. For then I could show you how that cities besieged / and flocks in danger of the wolves / are * watched continually night & day. ¹And that there is no city so sore / and so continually besieged / nor no flocks subject to so manifold diseases at home / or hurtful and devouring beasts abroad / & that without any truce or intermission / as are the churches / the shepherds and watchmen whereof / are pastors or bishops. But I will leave that to their considerations / and will show that the parts and duties of the minister be such and so many in his own flock / ye if he were as wise as Solomon was / as great in counsel as Joseph / as well learned as s. Paul / as active as Joshua / which fought so many battles in small space / yet all were little enough / or too little / to perform to the full / that which his charge requireth of him. Of the pastors therefore is required / not only the preaching of the word / and ministering of the sacraments / whereof / the preaching of the word / and ministering of the sacrament of baptism / ought to be continually / and as oft as the church may conveniently assemble / the other sacrament of the Lord his supper / although not so continually (for that the church shall hardly have so much leisure from their necessary affairs of this life / as that they may celebrate it as often as the other) yet so often / as that we remember that too rare and seldom celebrating it / argueth a mind too too much forgetful of the unspeakable benefit of our redemption / and argueth also that we are far behind the primitive church in zeal which did celebrate it every Sabbath: I say beside the preaching of the word / and ministering of the sacraments / there is required of him that he should admonish privately / and house by house ²those that are under his charge. Now tell me how this can be done profitably without a diligent marking / and looking into their manners? Howe can either public preachings / or private admonitions have their effect and working / onles the word of God be applied according to the disposition or state of that people / unto which it is preached?

And you see that if I wold folow those noble metaphores of watchman & shephard / whych the scripture vseth to expres the office of a minister with / what a large field is opened vnto me. For then I could shew you how that cities beseged / and flockes in danger of the wolues / are * watched continually night & day.