The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Whereof is it / that even where the gospel is soundly and abundantly taught: knowledge hath not accordingly followed. Is it not thereof / that the principles / and grounds of religion are not by Catechism laid forth: that those of whose ether capacity or diligence it is doubted / are not (that a supply may be made) particularly examined? Whereof cometh it that Arians / Valentinians and Anabaptists / in divers sorts with such other detestable heretics: are so rife / in many places of the land. Is it not thereof / that there is no eldership / which might assist the pastor / to espy them out: no pastorable by substantial reasons to convince them: no authority there to decide of them / or after decision by ecclesiastical censures to punish them. Whereof cometh it / that horrible blaspheming the holy and most reverend name of God / quarrelling and fighting / drunkenness / filthy speaking / fornication / adultery / slandering and such like / run over almost in every place / off which some are so open that there is no night or corners sought to hid them / but are done in the high streets / and at noon days: yea (which is fearful) that often there is more danger to them that reprove these faults / then to those which commit them. Is it not hereof that there is no eldership to watch over these offences / to admonish the offenders / and by ecclesiastical censures to correct them. Whereof cometh it / that in so many excellent laws / provided against rogues and beggars: there are yet (to the manifest breach of the law of God / and hazard of the common wealth) such numbers. Is it not hereof / that the office off Deacons / which god had ordained for that purpose (the bare name remaining) is abolished: and that the Lord will give no blessing to those good laws / because his order is neglected. Finally hereof it cometh / that having a gracious Prince maintaining / and her honourable ⟨image 12⟩Counsel favouring the preaching of the gospel / in so long and quiet peace / apt for the furtherance off it: there is notwithstanding so small fruit that (saving a few which the lord hath gathered) for the general estate of the Realm / the Gospel may seem hitherto rather to have shined for further condemnation of it / then for light or heat of salvation / joined therewith, what price therefore we set of the glory off God / what account we make off the salvation of our country:

Wheroff is it / that euen vvhere the gospel is soundly and abūdandly taught: knowledg hath not accordingly folowed. Ys it not therof / that the principles / and groundes of religiō are not by Catechism laid forth: that those of whose ether capacity or diligēce yt is doubted / are not (that a supply may be made) particulerly examined? Wheroff cometh yt that Arians / Valentinians and Anabaptistes / in diuers sortes with suche other detestable heretikes: are so rife / in many places of the land. Ys it not therof / that there is no eldership / which might assist the pastor / to espie them out: no pastorable by substancial reasons to conuince them: no autoritie there to decide of them / or after decision by ecclesiasticall censures to punish them. Wheroff cometh yt / that horrible blaspheming the holy and most reuerend name of God / quarreling and fighting / dronckennes / filthy speaking / fornicatiō / adultery / slaundering and suche like / run ouer almost in euery place / off which some are so open that there is no night or corners sowght to hid them / but are doen in the high streates / and at noon daies: yea (which is fearful) that often there is more daunger to them that reproue these faultes / then to those which cōmit them. Ys it not hereof that there is no eldership to watche ouer these offences / to admonish the offenders / and by ecclesiasticall censures to correct them. Wheroff cometh it / that in so many excellent lawes / prouided against roges and beggers: there are yet (to the manifest breach of the law of God / and hasard of the commen wealth) such nombers. Ys it not heroff / that the office off Deacons / which god had ordeined for that purpose (the bare name remaining) is abolished: and that the Lord will giue no blessing to those good lawes / because his order is neglected. Finally hereof it cometh / that hauing a gracious Prince mainteining / and her honorable