The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

In the third division pag. 107. to that I found fault with / off the second rule off Augustine / which is / that it is madness, ether not to keep, or to reason off that, which is universally observed off the church: he answereth / that was a rule for Augustine's time, and not for all times. Wherein / he first condemneth him self / off wandering from the cause: which to show / that some thing may be established in our church / not commanded in the scripture / allegeth a rule that belongeth not unto us. Then it is manifest / how helpless a shift this is / considering that the rule is general / and as generally given / as any other the rules / which the A. commendeth unto us / out off Augustine. Beside that I alleged / that even in August. time / it was wicked to give any such authority / to the decree / or custom of men / as not to enquire into it: which because he durst not deny / he left unanswered. And whereas he addeth / if it be not repugnant to the word: I showed that Augustine / could have no such meaning: which although he confess in one word / contrary to that which he set down: yet in the same page (lest the truth should get any victory at his hands) he doth in effect deny it. For he saith / that Aug. hath sundry times in such rules, made this exception, if they be not against faith, &c. Where it is manifest / that this exception is of those rules / which are diversly observed / and which he openly opposeth / unto this rule / and such as this is / off the necessary observation off things.

In the thirde diuision pag. 107. to that I found fault with / off the second rule off Augustine / which is / that yt is madnes, ether not to kepe, or to reason off that, vvhich is vniuersally obserued off the church: he answereth / that was a rule for Augustines time, and not for all times. Wherein / he first condemneth him selfe / off wandring from the cause: which to shew / that some thing may be established in our church / not commaunded in the scripture / alledgeth a rule that belongeth not vnto vs. Then it is manifest / howe helpeles a shift this is / considering that the rule is generall / and as generally gyuen / as any other the rules / which the A. comendeth vnto vs / out off Augustine. Beside that I alledged / that euen in August. time / yt was wicked to giue any such autoritie / to the decree / or custome of men / as not to enquire into yt: which because he durst not denie / he left vnanswered. And whereas he addeth / if it be not repugnant to the word: I shewed that Augustine / could haue no suche meaning: which althoughe he confesse in one word / contrary to that which he set downe: yet in the same page (lest the truthe should get any victorie at his handes) he dooth in effect denie yt. For he saithe / that Aug. hath sondry times in suche rules, made this exception, iff they be not against faith, &c. Where yt is manifest / that this exception is of those rules / which are diuersly obserued / and which he openly opposeth / vnto this rule / and suche as this is / off the necessary obseruacion off thinges.