The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Where you say / there was no other cause off presenting them, then that which is expressed in the text: tell me what cause is expressed / off presenting them in the congregation? surely none that I read. those two which I alleged in my reply / are gathered / but none is expressed. So that if there were no other cause / off there presenting / then that which is expressed: there should be none at all / and that action off the Apostles / should be to no purpose. What express words are there in the text, contrary to this trial, or at the lest offer off trial? the words should have been noted / the meaning should have been beaten out: where we need your help / there you forsake us. where the meaning is clear / and without controversy / there you trouble your self / and us both.

Where yow say / ther was no other cause off presenting them, then that which is expressed in the text: tell me what cause is expressed / off presentinge them in the congregation? surely none that I reade. those two which I alledged in my replie / are gathered / but none is expressed. So that yf there vvere no other cause / off there presenting / then that vvhich is expressed: there shoulde be none at all / and that action off the Apostles / should be to no purpose. What expresse wordes are there in the texte, contrary to this tryall, or at the lest offer off triall? the vvordes shoulde haue bene noted / the meaning shoulde haue bene beaten owte: where vve neede your helpe / there you forsake vs. vvhere the meaning is cleare / and vvithout controuersie / there you trouble your selfe / and vs boothe.

If it be a rule to be followed it must be followed wholly, saith the answer. This is very definitively / and magistrally said: and being a dangerous error (as that which tendeth to the overthrow of the chiefest heads of Christian religion) is notwithstanding farced / with scoffing questions in derision off the truth. I never learned, nor I do not use / to add, or take away from the word off God: I expound the scripture / and gather off it / which is not to add: and in saying / that something is not to be followed off us, I take nothing away: for I confess it to be so as the story reporteth. And although that part be no example to follow: yet even now / and to the end / it containeth a profitable doctrine. But if I take away from the scripture / because I say / that some Part of that action is not to be followed: you do much more / that say / nothing