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…

I think you will not say that all the people through out the whole province / or through out a whole diocese (as we count a diocese) met together / for that had been both a great disorder and confusion / a great charge to the church / and in the time of persecution as that was / to have offered the whole church in all the province / into the mouth of the wolf.

I thincke you will not say that all the people through oute the whole prouince / or through out a whole diocese (as we count a diocese) mette togither / for that had bene bothe a great disorder and confusion / a great charge to the church / and in the time of persecution as that was / to haue offered the whole church in all the prouince / into the mouthe of the wolfe.

And least peradventure you should have this hole to hide your self in / saying that it might be procured / that in every church or parish through out either the province or diocese / the consent of the people might be asked / and they tarry in their places where they dwell / Cyprian in the next epistle / doth put the matter out of all question / saying that the priest (whom he after calleth bishop) is chosen in the presence of the people / & in the eyes of all / so that Cyprian's bishop / whom you will needs have an archbishop / had neither province nor diocese / as we call a diocese / but only a church or congregation / such as the ministers and pastors with us / which are appointed unto several towns. Which may further appear / in that Cyprian sayeth / that out of one province there were. 90. bishops / which condemned Privatus. Now / if there were. 90. bishops in one province which met / and yet not all that were in that province (as may appear out of the same Epistle) all men do understand that the scope that Cyprian's bishop or archbishop (as you will have him) had / was no such thing as a diocese or a province. I could bring infinite testimonies out of Cyprian / to prove that the bishop in his time / was nothing else but S. Pauls bishop / that is / one that had cure and charge of one flock / which was so placed as it might be taught of him / and overseen by him / and governed by him / and of whom in matters pertaining to God / it might depend.