The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Before I further answer the D. reason / touching the change ¹of the manners of the Christians in times off peace / from that they were under persecution: understand good reader / that this is the very reason off the archpapist Hosius / against the election off the church: which affirmeth that there is greater gravity / and constancy in the Christians under persecution / and therefore that this manner off election by the bishop / was brought in. now to Hosius / and the D. I answer / that when wickedness breaketh into open actions / then they are no more Hypocrites / but openly wicked / and such as ought not only be taken heed off: but without speedy amendment / removed. I grant it is no shame to the churches to have Hypocrites / forasmuch as the judgement off man can not discern them / and off them and none ²other is the parable off tares / which forbiddeth weeding until the day off harvest: and they are only those which can not be rooted out. But to say that beside those which are corrupt in religion, it is full off drunkards, whoremongers, &c. It is more then ever S. Paul reproached any the most disfigured churches / he wrote unto. For how many such persons as be found in her: so many botches hath she / which do not only stain her beauty / but put her in hazard off her life. And if Saint Paul for one unclean ³person / thought that all the Corinthians had good cause of mourning: rivers off tears in every mans head / are not sufficient for us to bewail / the estate which Master D. telleth us we be in: which by his saying / have few sober / few chaste / &c.

Before I further answer the D. reason / touching the change ¹of the manners of the Christians in times off peace / from that they were vnder persequution: vnderstand good reader / that this is the very reason off the archpapist Hosius / againste the election off the church: which affirmeth that there is greater grauitie / and constantie in the Christians vnder persequution / and therfore that this manner off election by the bishop / was browght in. nowe to Hosius / and the D. I answer / that when wickednes breaketh into open actions / then they are no more Hypocrites / but openly wicked / and suche as owght not onely be taken heed off: but without speedy amendement / remoued. I graunte yt is no shame to the churches to haue Hypocrites / for asmuche as the iudgement off man can not discerne them / and off them and none