The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Yet that may not be omitted / that as in the refusal off a minister / which hath defiled him self with Idolatry / provision is made for the safety / and security of the church: so an eye is had to a more plentiful fruit / which may redound unto it / by him that is placed in the ministry. And forasmuch as no small portion off that / should be by great likelihood turned a way / by restoring such one / as hath fallen so grievously: amongest other reasons that also hath force / to hinder his restitution. For when S. Paul requireth authority in a deacon / purchased by continual ⟨p. CLXXV⟩¹tenor / and as it weer by an even thread / of a holy / and innocent life / that he might with greater liberty / and boldness execute his office: he sufficiently declareth / that such a fall / especially in the bishop / and minister / taken in the race off his ministry / maketh a deep wound into that authority / and freedom off rebuking others / which is necessary for him / for furtherance off hy ministry / to retain. And as it taketh away from his freedom in reprehending: so that which he reprehendeth / hath so much less authority with the hearer: as it is not only not confirmed / but contraried by his example. And if Timothy / being endowed with such rare gifts off knowledge / and holiness ²off life / had much a do to maintain his authority in the church / against the contempt of his youth / which was no fault: he had need have very extraordinary gifts / which can deliver his ministry from contempt / ten fold more occasioned by such a fall / then by want / of a few years. Seeing therefore the wound being healed by repentance / the scar doth yet remain in the eyes of the church / to the blemishing of his Ministry: it is good he be taken down / and set in some less lightsome place / off the church off God.

Yet that maye not be omitted / that as in the refusall off a minister / which hathe defyled hym selfe withe Idolatrie / prouision is made for the safety / and securitie of the churche: so an eye ys had to a more plentifull fruicte / which maie redounde vnto it / by hym that is placed in the ministrie. And forasmuche as no smale portion off that / shoulde be by greate likelihoode turned a waie / by restoring suche one / as hathe fallen so grieuously: amongest other reasons that also hathe force / to hinder his restirucion. For vvhen S. Paule requireth aucthoritie in a deacon / purchased by continuall