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 consequently / although M. doctor thought with one whiting box / to have whited two walls (by establishing our archbishop and bishop by the same testimonies of the fathers) yet it shall be plain / that in going about to defend both / he left both undefended. Let us therefore come first / to examine Jeromes reasons / why one must be over the rest / for in the testimony of men / that is only to be regarded / which is spoken either with some authority of the scripture / or with some reason grounded of the scripture: otherwise / if he speak without either scripture or reason / he is as easily rejected as alleged. One (saith he) being chosen to be over the rest / bringeth remedy unto schisms: how so? least every man (sayeth he) drawing to him self / to break the church in pieces.

And consequently / although M. doctor thought wyth one whiting boxe / to haue whited two wals (by establishing our archbyshop and byshop by the same testimonies of the fathers) yet it shalbe plaine / that in going about to defend both / he left both vndefended. Let vs therfore come first / to examine Ieroms reasons / why one must be ouer the rest / for in the testimony of men / that is only to be regarded / whych is spoken eyther wyth some authority of the scripture / or wyth some reason grounded of the scripture: otherwise / if he speake wythout eyther scripture or reason / he is as easely reiected as alledged. One (sayth he) being chosen to be ouer the rest / bringeth remedy vnto schismes: how so? least euery man (sayeth he) drawing to him selfe / to breake the church in peeces.

But I would ask if the church be not in as great danger / when all is done at the pleasure and lust of one man / and when one carieth all into error / as when one pulleth one piece with him / another an other piece / and the third his part also with him. And it is harder to draw many into an error / then one / or that many should be carried away by their affections / then one / which is evident in water / which if it be but a little / it is quickly troubled and corrupted / but being much / it is not so easily. But by this ecclesiastical Monarchy / all things are kept in peace: Nay / rather it hath been the cause of discord / and well spring of most horrible schism / as it is to be seen in the very decretals them selves. And admit it