The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

For answer therefore I say: first / that he useth weight / and weight / measure and measure / which being abominable before God / in buying and selling such base things: it is seven fold more / in this holy traffic off the glorious word off God. For when we give M. D. for proof off trial in the ministers election / that which was used in the Deacons / which is like / and comprehended under one head: he layeth in so heavy a weight / whereby he would make us believe / that the prose is to light / saying / that it is of the election of deacons, and maketh nothing for us. Now when he delivereth us a proof / that an election may pass by one witness / he putteth in a lighter weight / for he bringeth in an example off S. Paul / one not then to be chosen / but already chosen: Which came not to receive any authority / whereby he might be enabled / to do that afterward which he could not do before: but to confer of that / which he had done before: Which came not to submit him self to any trial / but which had as good right to try / as to be ⟨p. CLXI⟩tried / to enquire / as to be enquired upon. And that I take a• advantage off this / that it vvil be hard at any time to find a witness / so without all exception as Barnabas / which knew Saint Paul so well off whom he witnessed / and was known so well unto the Apostles / to whom he commended him: I think there i• no glue so strong / as can join thes together / A man which is doubted off may be received to talk / and confer with an other at testimony of one: therefore he may be received to the ministry / of the like Testimony. Again / three Apostles may receive one to there conference / upon one mans witness: therefore one bishop / may receive one to teach others / upon a single witness. Last off all (which is most absurd) three Apostles may at the witness off one man / receive one that is doubted off for a disciple / or one off the church: therefore one Bishop may likewise receive one doubted of / to be a minister of the church. for it is clear by S. Luke which saith / that S. Paul first assayed to join him self unto the church: that their consultation was not / whether ¹they should receive him as an Apostle: but they feared that he was a wolf / and went about under the colour off professing the Religion of Christ / to betray the whole church off Jerusalem.