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…

Of the which I will upon occasion speak a word / if first I show that the use of the ancient church hath been not to permit the excommunication to one / but that the sentence thereof should come from the governors and elders of the church / unto whom that did especially appertain. Although I can not pass by that which M. doctor saith / that for so much as the authors of the Admonition had alleged the words (tell the church) to prove the interest of the church in excommunication / that therefore ⟨p. 187⟩they could not use the same to prove the interest of the pastor / as who should say that the pastor is not one of the church. But of the absurdity of this / I have spoken sufficiently before / and how all men do see the vanity of this reason / that because that people have an interest by this place / therefore the pastor hath none. But I come to show the use of the primitive church in this matter / whereof we have a manifest testimony in Tertullian. If (saith he) there be any which hath committed ¹such a fault that he is to be put away from the partaking of the prayer of the church / and from all holy matters or affairs: there do bear rule or be presidents certain of the most approved ancients or elders / which have obtained this honour / not by money / but by good report. And that the ancients had the ordering of these things / and the peoples consent was required / and that if the case were a very difficult case / it was referred unto the synods or councils / and that the ministers did not take upon them of their own authority to excommunicate / and that those which did receive the excommunicate without the knowledge & consent of the church were reprehended / it may appear almost in every page of ²Cyprian's Epistles / and namely in these which I have noted in the margin.

Of the whych I will vpon occasion speake a word / if first I shewe that the vse of the auncyent church hath bene not to permit the excommunication to one / but that the sentence therof should come from the gouernors and elders of the church / vnto whome that dyd especially appertaine. Although I can not passe by that which M. doctor sayth / that for so much as the authors of the Admonition had alledged the words (tell the church) to proue the interest of the church in excommunication / that therefore