The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Where he saith / that the multitude is for the most part ignorant, ⟨p. CCXXIX⟩careless, and oftentimes evil disposed, and commonly led by affection, hatred, fear, &c. There is no vice which any one off the church is subject unto / but the bishop is subject unto the same. Nether i• there any affection enemy unto a good election / whereof the bishop is not liker to be overcome: then either the whole church / or the greatest part thereof.

Where he saith / that the multitude is for the moste parte ignorant, ⟨p. CCXXIX⟩careles, and oftentimes euill disposed, and commonly led by affection, hatred, feare, &c. There is no vice which anie one off the churche is subiecte vnto / but the bishopp is subiecte vnto the same. Nether i• there any affection enemie vnto a good election / wheroff the bishoppe is not liker to be ouercomed: then either the whole churche / or the greateste parte theroff.

What need this going about the bush? I speak off the visible church / called by the preaching off the gospel: not off those whose calling is yet hidden / and folded up in God's election. And of those I say / not as you (for what can you else do:) untruly report / that they can not err in choosing their pastor: but that they are not such: ignorant dotterels / as you would make us believe / and such as have no taste to discern between good and bad / holy and unholy. And this knowledge / and discretion off good and evil / is not only in those which are effectually called: but in those also which have only the outward calling / without the spirit off sanctification / and adoption off the children off God. So that the pretence off such ignorance as you speak off / can not fall into any which are off the visible church off God. The D. could not hale in the corrupt interpretation off the pope in this place / to help to make up his answer / but he must ascribe a notable untruth unto me / that I should go about to prove, that the church can not err in the election off the minister. Where have I pretended any such thing? or what need have I to prove that? As if I could no otherwise drive the bishop from this sole election / onles I could prove that the people can not err in their election: Or as if bishops elections were without danger off error / so that he which will change them / must be driven to seek for such electors / as no error can take hold off. And if any bars were strong enough / to keep your tongue from this untrue dealing: my words which follow by and by after / wherein I confess the church may err, had been sufficient to restrain it.