The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

It maketh no matter that this form of election, was not in some few churches off the world in Cyprian's time: nether is it marvel. although in some places at that time / they had departed from the institution of the Apostolical church. If it be proved that Cyprian teacheth / that it ought to be so / and that it is Gods ordinance: if all the churches had declined from it / as there were very few: Cyprian must needs by that sentence / disallow them. Although I must also admonish you / that if those few examples in Cyprian's time could prejudice the truth: yet your bishops election is not confirmed thereby. for it might be done by the eldership of the church / by assembly off many bishops. most unlikest is it off all other / that it was done at the pleasure off one bishop. Let us therefore come to examine Cyprian's judgement / and see whether I have reported truly of him.

Yt makethe no matter that this forme of election, was not in some fewe churches off the worlde in Cyprians time: nether is it meruaile. althowghe in some places at that time / they had departed from the institution of the Apostolicall churche. If it be proued that Cyprian teachethe / that it owghte to be so / and that it is Gods ordinance: if all the churches had declined from yt / as there were verie fewe: Cyprian muste needes by that sentence / disalowe them. Althowghe I muste also admonishe yow / that if those fewe examples in Cyprians tyme coulde preiudice the trwthe: yet yowr bishops election is not confirmed therby. for it mighte be doone by the eldershipe of the churche / by assemblie off manie bishops. moste vnlikeste is yt off all other / that it vvas doone at the pleasure off one bishope. Let vs therfore come to examine Cyprians iudgemente / and see vvhether I haue reported trwly of him.

First / as a truant loth to go to school / seeketh the furthest way: so the A. afraid off the light off Cyprian's words / maketh entrance into this sentence by half a score lines / which might have been in one. Here good reader as the A calleth for ⟨p. CCXIII⟩thy diligence / so if thou give a little heed: thou shalt see such open / and violent perverting / as could not be done without crack off conscience.