The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

That the Canons attributed unto the Apostles / make not to prove the sole election off a bishop / shall be discussed after: here it is only sufficient to have showed / that they make not to prove that which the Ans. alleged them for. Wherein I marvel also what he meaneth / to ask leave of me that it may be as lawful for him to use them, as it is for me: as if I had used them otherwise / than I ought. I never used them as the natural canons of the Apostles / I have showed that they are not / nor can not be theirs: but as the Canons off other Councils where amongest the bad / there are found some good. And I never used them / but where I confirmed by Testimony off the word off God / that which I bring them witness for. Therefore this phrase being used thrice / or four times / without all occasion: argueth him to be a vain trifler / which because he hath nothing to answer / giveth him self the bridle to forge / and surmise all manner off untruths. And where by this preface / it seemeth the man would have stricken this matter / as dead as a door nail: yet having leave to use them / he hath not so much as once come near unto the matter ▪ only he hath gained some few lines / to increase his confused heap.

That the Canons attributed vnto the Apostels / make not to proue the sole election off a bishoppe / shallbe discussed after: here it is onely sufficiente to haue shewed / that they make not to proue that whiche the Ans. alledged them for. Wherin I meruaile also what he meaneth / to aske leaue of me that yt may be as lawfull for him to vse them, as it is for me: as if I had vsed them otherwise / thē I owght. I neuer vsed them as the naturall canons of the Apostels / I haue shewed that they are not / nor can not be theirs: but as the Canōs off other Councels where amongest the bad / there are founde some good. And I neuer vsed them / but where I confirmed by Testimonie off the worde off God / that vvhich I bringe them witnesse for. Therfore this phrase beinge vsed thrise / or fowre times / withowte all occasion: argueth hym to be a vaine trifler / whiche becawse he hathe nothing to answere / gyueth hym selfe the bridle to forge / and surmise all maner off vntrwthes. And where by this preface / yt semeth the man woulde haue stricken this matter / as dead as a dore naile: yet hauing leaue to vse them / he hathe not so muche as once come neere vnto the matter ▪ onely he hathe gained some fewe lines / to encrease his confused heape.