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…

done for the time they were assembled: which thing we do not deny / may be / but affirm that it is fit & necessary to be / to the avoiding of confusion. For it were an absurd hearing that many should at once attempt to speak / neither could it be done without great reproach / that many men beginning to speak / some should be bidden to hold their peace / which would come to pass / if there should be no order kept / nor none to appoint / when every one should speak or not / to put them to silence / when they attempted confusedly to speak / and out of order. Moreover when many ministers mete together / and in so great diversity of gifts as the Lord hath given to his church / there be found that excel in memory / facility of tong / and expedition or quickness to dispatch matters more then the rest / and therefore it is fit / that the brethren that have that dexterity / should especially be preferred unto this office / that the action may be the better / and more speedily made an end of.

done for the time they were assembled: which thing we do not deny / may be / but affirme that it is fitte & necessary to be / to the auoyding of confusion. For it were an absurde hearing that many should at once attempt to speake / neyther coulde it be done without great reproch / that many men beginning to speake / some should be bidden to holde their peace / which would come to passe / if there should be no order kept / nor none to appoynt / when euery one should speake or not / to put them to silence / when they attempted confusedly to speake / and out of order. Moreouer when many ministers mete together / and in so great dyuersitie of giftes as the Lorde hath geuen to hys church / there be founde that excell in memory / facilitie of tong / and expedition or quicknesse to dispatche matters more then the rest / and therefore it is fitt / that the brethren that haue that dexteritie / shoulde especially be preferred vnto thys office / that the action may be the better / and more spedely made an ende of.

And if any man will call this a rule or presidentship / and him that executeth this office a president or moderator / or a governor / we will not strive / so that it be with these cautions / that he be not called simply governor or moderator / but governor or moderator of that action / and for that time / and subject to the orders that others be / & to be censured by the company of the brethren / as well as others / if he be judged any way faulty. And that after that action ended / & meeting dissolved / he sit him down in his old place / and set him self in equal estate with the rest of the ministers. Thirdly / that this government or presidentship / or what so ever like name you will give it / be not so tied unto that minister / but that at the next meeting it shall be lawful to take an other / if an other be thought meeter. Of this order and policy of the church / if we will see a lively image and perfect pattern / let us set before our eyes / the most ancient and gospel like church that ever was or shall be.