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…

The answer of the bishop unto the fourth supposed reason / pertaineth unto an other question / that is whether ecclesiastical persons / ought to exercise civil jurisdiction / whereunto I will answer by Gods grace / when I come to speak upon occasion of M. Doctors book of that question. In the mean season I will desire the reader to consider / what weak grounds the archbishop and archdeacon stand upon / seeing that the bishop of Sarum / being so learned a man / and of so great reading / could say no more in their defence / which notwithstanding in the controversies against D. Harding / is so pithy and so plentiful.

The answer of the byshop vnto the fourth supposed reason / pertaineth vnto an other question / that is whether ecclesiasticall persons / ought to exercise ciuil iurisdiction / whervnto I will answer by Gods grace / when I come to speake vpon occasion of M. Doctors boke of that question. In the meane season I wil desire the reader to consider / what weake grounds the archbyshop and archdeacon stand vpon / seeing that the byshop of Sarum / being so learned a man / and of so great reading / coulde say no more in their defence / whych notwythstanding in the controuersies agaynst D. Harding / is so pithy and so plentifull.

Now I have showed how little those things which M. doctor bringeth / make for proof of that wherefore he allegeth them: I will for the better understanding of the reader / set down what were the causes why the archbishops were first ordained / and what were their prerogatives / and preeminences before other bishops / and the estate also of the old bishops / which lived in those times / wherein although there were great corruptions / yet the church was in some tolerable estate / to the intent it may appear / partly how little need we have of them now / and partly also how great difference there is between ours and them. Of the names of Metropolitan / it hath been spoken / how that he should not be called the chief of priests / or the high priest / or bishop of bishops: now I will set down his office and power which he had / more then the bishops.

Now I haue shewed how little those things whych M. doctor bringeth / make for proufe of that wherfore he alledgeth them: I will for the better vnderstanding of the reader / set downe what were ye causes why the archbishops were first ordained / and what were their prerogatiues / and preheminēces before other byshops / and the estate also of the old byshops / whych liued in those times / wherin althoughe there were great corruptions / yet the church was in some tollerable estate / to the entent it may appeare / partly how little nede we haue of them now / and partly also howe greate difference there is betweene oures and them. Of the names of Metropolitane / it hath bene spoken / howe that he shoulde not be called the cheefe of priests / or the high priest / or byshop of byshops: nowe I will sette downe hys office and power whych he had / more then the byshops.