The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Thirdly if this word which noteth the choice by voices / ⟨p. CCVII⟩should be restrained unto Paul / and Barnabas: then also the word which declareth that they prayed should only be restrained ¹unto them: for as that is given unto them / so is this. Now if it be absurd to say / that in those public prayers Paul / and Barnabas only prayed: it is as absurd to say / that they only chose: and the same may be said off fasting. For that which followeth ²with fastings, is all one as if he had said / fasting, saving only that S. Luke for elegance sake / and to a void the multitude of participles coming so thick / turned the verb into the noun. so that for so much as Paul / and Barnabas did not only fast / but the church also: it must follow that they chose not only / but the church with them. Therefore as S. Luke in saying that Paul / and Barnabas prayed, and fasted, meaneth not that they prayed and fasted only / but that they went before the rest / in governing those Ecclesiastical actions: even so in saying that they chose by voices, he meaneth not that they chose alone without the church / but that they guided / and directed the judgements off the church. Last off all / seeing that all the twelve ³together / would not enterprise to do any thing off their private authority / without consent of the church: much less can it be thought / that Paul / and Barnab. would attempt it.

Thirdly if this worde whiche notethe the choise by voices / ⟨p. CCVII⟩shoulde be restreined vnto Paule / and Barnabas: then also the vvorde vvhich declareth that they praied shoulde onelye be restreined ¹vnto them: for as that is gyuē vnto them / so is this. Nowe if it be absurde to saie / that in those publike praiers Paule / and Barnabas onely praied: yt is as absurde to saie / that they onely chose: and the same may be saide off fasting. For that which followethe