The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Luther also after them / writeth thus: Bishops wheresoever they be in all the world, are equal to our bishops, or parish ministers, and preachers: of none can it be said one is lord, an other a servant: they are off the same judgement, and whatsoever belongeth to the church, equally belongeth to all except that (which Paul teacheth) some preacher or Christian ⟨p. DCXVIII⟩may be off a sounder faith then other, have greater gifts then another, interpret the scripture better then an other, rule better then an other, preach better, and have the discretion off spirits more then an other &c. howbeit such gifts cause no inequality, or lordship in the church Here I will also set down the judgement off the reformed churches in Helvetia / Zurich / Berne / Geneva / Polonia / Hungry / Scotland / &c. who having reckoned the ministries specified in scriptures / add: in the times ¹following there were many other titles off ministers brought into the church For some were ordained Patriarchs, some Archbishops, other Suffragans, also metropolitans, Archelders, &c. but for all those we pass not ether what they were in times past, or are now: the Apostles doctrine of the ministers is sufficient for us. If all these churches make no account off these offices / not only as they are now / but when they were at the best if they esteem them without the doctrine of the Apostles: I leave to the readers judgement what estimation they had off them / and how the D. would abuse us / that draweth the sentences of the chief in this confession / to prove their convenience. Neither do I doubt but that our Archbishops / and Bishops refusing to join with the rest off the churches in this confession / did it because they could not digest this morsel especial.

Luther also after them / writethe thus: Bishops vvhersoeuer they be in all the vvorlde, are equall to our bishops, or parishe ministers, and preachers: of none cā yt be said one is lord, an other a seruant: they are off the same iudgement, and vvhatsoeuer belongethe to the churche, equally belongeth to all except that (vvhich Paule teacheth) some preacher or Christian ⟨p. DCXVIII⟩may be off a sounder faith then other, haue greater giftes then another, interprete the scripture better then an other, rule better then an other, preache better, and haue the discretion off spirites more then an other &c. hovvbeit suche giftes cause no inequalitie, or lordship in the church Here I will also set downe the iudgement off the reformed churches in Heluetia / Zurich / Berne / Geneua / Polonia / Hungery / Scotland / &c. who hauing reckened the ministries specified in scriptures / add: in the times