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…

Matthew / without noting the circumstances more at large / for that he spake of a thing which was well known and used amongst the Jews whom he spake unto. And that this was the meaning of our saviour Christ in those words / it may appear by the practise which is set forth in the Epistles to the Corinthians. For it is certain that S. Paul did both understand and observe the rule of our saviour Christ. But he communicateth this power of Excommunication with the church / and therefore it must needs be the meaning of our saviour Christ / that the excommunication should be by many / and not by one / and by the church / and not by the minister of the church alone. For he biddeth the church of Corinth twice in the first Epistle / once by a Metaphor / an other time in plain words / that they should excommunicate the incestuous person. By metaphor / saying: (purge out your old leaven) in plain and flat words / when he sayeth (take away that wicked ¹man from amongst you.) And in the second Epistle understanding of the repentance of that man / he entreateth them that they would receive him in again / ²showing that he was content to release the bond and chain of his excommunication / so that they would do the same / and therefore considering the absolution / or reconciliation of the excommunicate / doth pertain unto the church / it followeth that the excommunication doth in like manner appertain unto it.

Mathew / wythout noting the circumstances more at large / for that he spake of a thyng whych was well knowne and vsed amongst the Iewes whome he spake vnto. And that this was the meaning of our sauioure Christe in those wordes / it may appeare by the practise whych is set forthe in the Epistles to the Corinthians. For it is certain that S. Paule dyd bothe vnderstand and obserue the rule of our sauyor Christ. But he communicateth thys power of Excommunication wyth the church / and therfore it must needes be the meaning of oure sauioure Christe / that the excommunication should be by many / and not by one / and by the church / and not by the minister of the church alone. For he biddeth the church of Corinthe twise in the first Epistle / once by a Metaphore / an other time in playne woordes / that they should excommunicate the incestuous person. By metaphore / saying: (purge out your olde leauen) in playne and flat words / when he sayeth (take away that wicked