The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

That also also which you add / that the tenth part off the inhabitants off Ephesus, Antioch, and Rome, was not Christian in the Apostles times: is only said / and it is much for you to speak so largely off the tenth / not able to prove the fiveth / or third. And although it can not be certainly known / what number of believers were at thes places: yet it may be by all likelihood showed / that it is untrue especially off the two first. Of Antioch we read / that when they which were scattered by persecution moved in ¹Jerusalem / preached there: the hand off the Lord was with them, and a great number believing turned unto the lord. And in the 24. verse it is said / that at the preaching off Barnabas / there was a great multitude added unto the lord. And yet in the 26. verse it is declared / that afterward Barnabas procuring Saint Pauls coming thither / they both together abiding there by the space off one whole year / taught a great multitude. Here is mention off three great multitudes / which at several times were turned unto the lord in that city: and how dare you yet say / that all thes were not the tenth part? Of Ephesus also it is written / that the fruit off S. Pauls preaching there by the space of two years / was so great / that the books off those which had exercised curious / and unlawful arts / were burned in the sight off all men: which could not be done without great danger unto the church / onles the greatest part off ²the city had believed. Which may yet more appear / for so much as Demetrius the silversmith / affirmeth that the art of making shrines, and Diana's temple, was in danger to be set at nothing.

That also also which yow add / that the tenthe parte off the inhabitans off Ephesus, Antioche, and Rome, was not Christian in the Apostles times: is onely saide / and it is muche for yow to speake so largely off the tenthe / not hable to proue the fyueth / or thirde. And althowghe yt can not be certainly knowen / what nomber of beleuers were at thes places: yet it maie be by all likelyhood shewed / that it is vntrwe especially off the twoo first. Of Antioche wee reade / that when they which were scattered by persecution moued in ¹Ierusalem / preached there: the hande off the Lorde vvas vvith them, and a great nomber beleuinge turned vnto the lorde. And in the 24. verse yt is saide / that at the preachinge off Barnabas / there vvas a great multitude added vnto the lorde. And yet in the 26. verse yt is declared / that afterward Barnabas procuringe Saint Paules comminge thether / they bothe together abyding there by the space off one whole yeare / tavvght a great multitude. Here is mention off three great multitudes / which at seuerall times were turned vnto the lorde in that citie: and how dare yow yet saie / that al thes were not the tenth parte? Of Ephesus also it is written / that the fruicte off S. Paules preaching there by the space of twoo yeares / was so greate / that the bookes off those which had exercised curiouse / and vnlawfull artes / vvere bourned in the sight off all men: which coulde not be doone without great daunger vnto the church / onles the greatest parte off