The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

The sense which I have alleged / soundeth no whit that way / that the virtue off the word, &c. should depend off the good life off the minister. What likelihood is there between these / a minister which hath fallen into idolatry, ought not to be received, although he repent, and be never so holy: and this / that you surmise off me / that the virtue off the word, &c. dependeth upon the holiness off the minister? Was the spirit off God Anabaptisticall / which ordained this first? did he therefore forbid the Levites approach unto the table off the Lord / be cause he would teach men / that the virtue off the Sacraments, depended off the holiness off the ministers? did the churches which used and established this order / the fathers which taught it / thereby establish Anabaptistrie? I did not take upon me to translate the place / neither do I use for every place which I allege / to goo to the translations: I toke (as I said) that which was for my purpose / and which I thought warranted / both by the words / and intent of the Apostle. And if I should consult / and confer all translations: could you help me to a greek text that doth translate the new Testament. Either you be a great stranger in Greece: or you have travailed further into it / then any man that I have heard off. I have heard off a greek paraphrase / which is with some moo words to bring light to the text / as off the Scholiast: and off Metaphrase / which is to change the proof into meter / as Nonnus did S. John: but off a greek translation off the new Testament / I never heard. But this was not off evil will / and therefore I easily forgive it you.

The sense which I haue alledged / soundeth no whit that way / that the vertue off the word, &c. should depend off the good life off the minister. What likelihood is there betweene these / a minister vvhich hathe fallen into idolatrie, ovvght not to be receiued, althovvghe he repent, and be neuer so holie: and this / that yow surmise off me / that the vertue off the word, &c. dependeth vppon the holines off the minister? Was the spirite off God Anabaptisticall / whiche ordeined this first? did he therfore forbidd the Leuites approche vnto the table off the Lord / be cause he woulde teache men / that the vertue off the Sacramentes, depended off the holines off the ministers? did the churches which vsed and established this order / the fathers which taught it / therby establishe Anabaptistrie? I did not take vppon me to translate the place / neither doo I vse for euerie place vvhich I alledge / to goo to the translations: I toke (as I said) that which was for my purpose / and whiche I thowght warranted / bothe by the wordes / and intent of the Apostle. And yf I shoulde consulte / and conferre all translations: could yow helpe me to a greeke text that doth translate the newe Testament. Either yow be a great straunger in Grece: or yow haue traueiled further into it / then any man that I haue heard off. I haue heard off a greke paraphrase / vvhich is vvith some moo vvordes to bringe light to the texte / as off the Scoliast: and off Metaphrase / which is to chaunge the profe into meter / as Nonnus did S. Iohn: but off a greke translation off the newe Testament / I neuer heard. But this vvas not off euill will / and therfore I easelie forgiue yt yow.