The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Against the place I alleged out off Solomon / he excepteth ¹that it is strangely applied, and far fetched. Solomon in the chapter before / had showed how the harlot / doth lye in wait for men secretly / and in the night time / and so (pressed with conscience of the evil / which she goeth about) shunneth the light / and seeketh secrete corners. In the beginning off this chapter / he compareth the wisdom off God in his word / unto a noble woman / whom he opposeth unto the Harlot: and showeth How she off the contrary part / doth not lie in wait / or seek corners / or night / to hide her self in / or whisper in the ears off men / but exalteth her voice and speaketh in the most open places / and corners off streets ²where the greatest concourse off people is. whereupon it may appear / that if the A. ether will / or understanding were at home / and not far from him: this place had been near enough the purpose. For if the word must be taught in such sort / as it may best be conveyed unto the knowledge of most men / and lest be charged with the seeking off corners ⟨p. LXXIIII⟩/ or the cover off the night: and it is manifest / that that is better done / when it is preached publicly / then when it is preached privately: it must follow / that by that saying of Solomon / it is prescribed unto the church / that the preaching ought to be public. And if there be not only examples off Christ / and off his Apostles / but also a plain commandment (as I have showed) to preach the word openly: then it followeth / that if the church have power to order / whether the word should be preached publicly / or privately: it hath power to order / contrary to the commandment of our saviour Christ.

Againste the place I alledged oute off Salomon / he excepteth ¹that it is strangelie applied, and farr fetched. Salomon in the chapter before / had shewed how the harlot / doothe lye in waite for men secrethe / and in the nighte time / and so (pressed with conscience of the euill / which she goethe abowte) shunneth the lighte / and sekethe secrete corners. In the beginninge off this chapter / he comparethe the wisdome off God in his worde / vnto a noble woman / whom he opposethe vnto the Harlot: and shewethe How she off the contrary parte / doothe not lie in waite / or seeke corners / or night / to hide her selffe in / or whisper in the eares off men / but exalteth her voice and speakethe in the moste open places / and corners off streates