The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

I leave to the reader how evil the three places off Saint Matthew / are patched up together: and how there is never a one off them / which proveth that he taketh in hand / that there be in the church open offenders / which can not be rooted out. I give warning only to the simple reader / that the A. being deceived in interpretation off the parable off the sower / do not also deceive him. For there is nothing less meant / then that where ⟨p. CCXLII⟩one heareth the word profitably, three do the contrary, which is both curious / and uncomfortable: only he showeth / that off four kinds off hearers / one only receiveth fruit: but off the number off those which hear fruitfully / or otherwise / not a word. And it may be for any thing our Saviour Christ setteth down / that in some places / that one sort of men which hear with fruit are moe in number / then all the other three which hear without fruit. If we should say that there is no church where such faults be / or that for such faults we should make a departure from the church: thes charges off Anabaptistrie which sound so often / and so full in your mouth• / might have place. But that it is an Anabap•istic•l cavil to say / that the multitude and swarm off known / and open faults / argue want off good government / and wholesome discipline in the church: you are never able to show / nether your self by argument / nor out of Master Bull. or any other godly writer. Shall there be no end off this unfaithful dealing? Where in a syllable is it said / that the gospel can not be sincerely preached where great corruption off manners doth appear: yet whilst you confute this / You would make men believe that we affirm it.

I leaue to the reader how euill the three places off Sainte Mathew / are patched vpp together: and how there is neuer a one off them / vvhich proueth that he taketh in hande / that there be in the churche open offenders / which can not be rooted owte. I giue vvarning onely to the simple reader / that the A. beinge deceiued in interpretation off the parable off the sower / doo not also deceiue him. For there is nothinge les ment / then that where ⟨p. CCXLII⟩one hearethe the worde profitably, three doo the contrarie, vvhich is bothe courious / and vncomfortable: onely he sheweth / that off fowre kindes off hearers / one onely receiueth fruict: but off the nomber off those which heare fruictfully / or otherwise / not a worde. And it maie be for anie thinge our Sauiour Christe setteth downe / that in some places / that one sorte of men vvhich heare vvith fruict are moe in nomber / then all the other three vvhich heare vvithout fruict. Yf wee shoulde saie that there is no church vvhere suche faultes be / or that for suche faultes we shoulde make a departure from the church: thes charges off Anabaptistrie vvhich sounde so often / and so full in your mouth / mighte haue place. But that it is an Anabapisticl cauil to saie / that the multitude and swarme off knowen / and open faultes / argue wante off good gouernment / and wholsome discipline in the churche: yow are neuer able to shewe / nether yowr selfe by argumēt / nor owte of Maister Bull. or any other godly writer. Shall there be no ende off this vnfaithful dealing? Where in a syllable ys yt saide / that the gospell can not be syncerely preached where great corruption off manners dooth appeare: yet whilest yow confute this / Yow vvoulde make men belieue that vvee affirme yt.