The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

There was yet a third reason / which no doubt moved the churches to keep this order: that this bar off him from the ministry / which had so fallen / might serve for example unto other ministers / to take heed. For they considered well / that as common wealths / so the churches of God / are preserved by reward / and punishment: and that as in the reward off some / other are provoked to make after those things / which are by that reward crowned: so by the punishment off some / other are terrified from doing that / for which they see them dishonoured. Therefore they thought it unmeet / that he which had faulted in the quality off a minister / should no other wise be disciplined / then a private person: but rather as his fault exceeded / so his correction should increase. Which thing being so much commended / in common wealths well governed: I see no cause / why it should not be as convenient in the church off God: so far / and in such kind off corrections / as are in the churches power. And therefore it appeareth / that the commandment which is given in Ezekiel ⟨p. CLXXVI⟩/ and in the book off the kings / for the separating off the Levites from their Ministry / which had fallen to Idolatry: was not a law for a time / but drawn from the spring off that equity / which can not be changed.

There was yet a thirde reason / vvhiche no doubte moued the churches to keepe this order: that this barre off hym from the mynistrie / vvhiche had so fallen / mighte serue for example vnto other mynisters / to take heede. For they consydered well / that as common wealthes / so the churches of God / are preserued by rewarde / and punishement: and that as in the rewarde off some / other are prouoked to make after those thinges / vvhich are by that rewarde crowned: so by the punishement off some / other are terrified from doinge that / for whiche they see them dishonored. Therfore they thowghte yt vnmete / that he which had faulted in the qualytie off a mynister / shoulde no other wise be disciplined / then a pryuate person: but rather as his faulte exceded / so his correction shoulde encrease. Whiche thinge beinge so muche commended / in common wealthes well gouerned: I see no cause / why yt shoulde not be as conueniente in the churche off God: so farre / and in suche kinde off corrections / as are in the churches power. And therfore yt appeareth / that the commaundemente which is gyuen in Ezethiell ⟨p. CLXXVI⟩