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…

AS though M. Doctor were at utter defiance with all good order / & Method of writing / that which was given him orderly by the Admonition / he hath turned upside down. For where the Admonition speaketh first of the elders / then of that which is annexed unto them / which is the discipline (whereof excommunication is a part) considering that the subject is in nature before that which is annexed unto it / M. Doctor hath turned it clean contrary / and first speaketh of excommunication / and then of the elders. I will therefore that the reader may the easelyer understand that which is said / follow the order of the Admonition / and first of all speak of the elders or seniors which ought to be in the church. And in speaking of them / I must call to remembrance that division which I made mention on before / that is: Of those which have care and which govern the whole congregation / some there be which do both teach the word and govern also: some which do not teach / but only govern / and be aiders in the government / unto those which do teach. This division is most manifestly set forth in the Epistle unto Timothy: where he sayeth the elders ¹which rule well / are worthy of double honour / and especially those which labour in the word and doctrine / where he maketh by plain and express words two sorts of elders / the one which doth both govern and teach: the other which governeth only. These therefore are the seniors which are meant / whose office is in helping the pastor or bishop / in the government of that particular church / where they be placed pastors and elders. Now that it is known what these seniors be / in entreating of them I am content to answer M. Doctor three requests which he maketh in the. 125. page / where he desireth that one would do so much for him / as first to show that these seniors were in every congregation: secondarily he will have it proved that this regiment is perpetual / and not to be altered: last of all he desireth to know / whether these seniors were lay men / and not rather ministers of the word and bishops. This last is a fond request / and such ⟨p. 174⟩as is already answered / but he must be followed. For the first therefore / which is / that there were seigniors in every congregation / although M. Doctor in the 114. page / and in the. 132.

AS though M. Doctor were at vtter defiance with all good order / & Methode of wryting / that which was geuen hym orderly by the Admonition / he hath turned vpsyde downe. For where the Admonition speaketh first of the elders / then of that which is annexed vnto them / which is the dyscipline (whereof excommunication is a part) consydering that the subiect is in nature before that which is annexed vnto it / M. Doctor hath turned it cleane contrary / and first speaketh of excommunication / and then of the elders. I will therefore that the reader may the easelyer vnderstand that which is sayde / follow the order of the Admonition / and first of all speake of the elders or senyors which ought to be in the church. And in speaking of them / I must call to remembrance that diuision which I made mention on before / that is: Of those which haue care and which gouerne the whole congregation / some there be which do both teache the word and gouerne also: some which doe not teach / but only gouerne / and be ayders in the gouernment / vnto those which doe teache. Thys dyuision is most manifestly set forth in the Epistle vnto Timothe: where he sayeth the elders