John Whitgift

The Works of John Whitgift: The First Portion, Containing the Defense of the Answer to the Admonition, Against the Reply of Thomas Cartwright: Tractates I - VI. - Parker Society

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1851. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... H Of the Election of Ministers. Tract, in. Of the trial of Ministers both in learning and conversation. Chapter i. The First Division. Admonition. The first is this: For, whereas in the old church a trial was had'both of their 1 JJJ;,-1-1 ability to instruct, and of their godly conversation also; now y'TM /"' by the letters commendatory of some one man, noble or oilier, TU-'6tag and rag, learned and unlearned, of the basest msort of the 'sl" people (to the slander of the gospel in the "mouths of the adver-'Rom. U. U. saries) are freely received. Answer to the Admonition, Page 36. It is true that in the old church trial was had of their ability to instruct, and of their godly conversation. But the place in the margent alleged out of the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles maketh nothing for that purpose; being therein no mention at all of any trial made either of learning or manners, but only of presenting two, and of praying and casting of lots. And M. Calvin in his Institutions saith plainly, that out of this place of the Acts and example there can be no certain rule gathered of electing and choosing ministers; for, as that ministry was extraordinary, so was the calling also4. Eead M. Calvin, and you shall soon see how little this place, so oft in the5 margent quoted, maketh for that purpose for the which it is quoted. T. C. Page 23, Sect. 4, 5, and Page 24, Sect. 1, 2, 3, 4. It maketh for the purpose which is alleged out of the first of the Acts, to prove that there ought to be trial of those which are chosen to the ministry; for, when St Peter saith that such a one must be chosen as hath been continually conversant with our Saviour Christ, and from the beginning ' Acts i. 21, Adm. " Adm. has not f). 3 Rom. ii. 24, Adm. 4 Ilujus autem rci certa regu...