The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

And although we have already to many interpretations by one: yet here cometh the third. And this is an allegory / which expoundeth killing, confuting. Where first / the answerer should have remembered / that he condemned in the Admonition allygoryinge as Papistical / (which in deed is not so much Papistical / as Anabaptisticall) albeit they fetched their allegory / from two famous men / master Hopper and Master Alasco. Here it is Catholic in him / that was there Papistical in them. then observe Good reader / how he that challenged the Admo. For making the holy scripture a nose off wax, and me that I make it it a shipman's hose: hath here set up three interpretations off one / and the same place. Off which although never a one / can stand with another: yet because he thinketh they all make for him / he sticketh not even to strike him self / to give a prick unto the truth.

And althowge vve haue alredy to manye interpretations by one: yet here comethe the thirde. And this is an allegorie / whiche expoundeth killinge, confutinge. Where firste / the answerer shoulde haue remembred / that he condemned in the Admonition allygoryinge as Papistical / (vvhiche in deede is not so muche Papisticall / as Anabaptisticall) allbeit they fetched their allegorie / from two famous men / maister Hoper and Maister Alasco. Here yt is Catholike in him / that was there Papisticall in them. then obserue Good reader / howe he that chalenged the Admo. For makinge the holy scripture a nose off wax, and me that I make yt yt a shipmans hose: hathe here set vpp three interpretations off one / and the same place. Off vvhiche althoughe neuer a one / can stande vvith a nother: yet becawse he thinkethe they all make for him / he stickethe not euen to strike hym selffe / to gyue a pricke vnto the truthe.

And as for master Luther / I answer with Jerome: which (albeit he did not so well practise it him self) yet in one place of the smaller Prophets (that cometh not now to my mind) saith / that to seek for an allegory, where a Plain and literal sense may be had: is to seek a knot in a rush. Seeing therefore the scripture meaneth here as it speaketh / and calleth a spade a spade / and a fig a fig: to expound killing confuting, and corporal weapons spiritual / and heretics heresies: is by Master Luther's Good leave / out off season.