The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

The first sort off Testimonies out off the ancient writers / and councils / are off off those which are in controversy / as whether bishops may have suffragans / whether there ought to be metropolitans / &c. Whereof although he bring no testimony out off his authors / that they are in the churches power / to order: yet he setteth them down / as though there were never question moved off them / and as if he had gained them by strong hand off reason.

The first sorte off Testimonies owt off the auncient writers / and councells / are off off those which are in controuersie / as whether bishopps maie haue suffringanes / whether there owght to be metropolitanes / &c. Wheroff althoughe he bringe no testimonie owte off his antors / that they are in the churches power / to order: yet he settethe them downe / as thowghe there were neuer question moued off them / and as if he had gained them by stronge hande off reason.

The second sort are off those things which being determined by the word off God / off or on / are out off the churches compass to take order in: As is that which he reciteth out of Justine / off the deacons carrying the breed of the holy supper off the lord, to those which were not present at the action off the supper: and that which he allegeth out of the council of Neocesarea / that no man should be minister before 30. year off his age, Likewise that which he bringeth out off the Amyran council / that a minister can not s•ll the churches rights especially in that sense the council meaneth / which is for his own private profit. The first of these is contrary to the institution / and the last being sacrilege are simply forbidden in the word of god. The Scripture also determining that a man off those gifts which be required off the Minister off the word / may / and (if need require) ought to be received unto the ministry / and showing further / that those gifts fall into younger years then 3•. it must needs follow / that the church determining flatly / that none shall be received to the ministry before those years / shutteth the door off the ministry unto those / to whom the word off God setteth it open. And also / that this Council is altogether out off place alleged: considering that it determined not off this / as off a thing whereof the Scripture had not given sentence / but as off a thing unlawful by the Scripture / and for that purpose it allegeth the example off our Saviour Christ / which preached not before he was 30. year old. Thes things dangerously set down