The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

But that peace off it self is an aide to godly increase / and ⟨p. CCXLIIII⟩confirmation off the church: it is manifest / by that all the churches in Jury, Galilee, and Samaria, being in peace were edified, ¹and walking in the fear off God, were multiplied. Now if they in the time off peace multiplied / having no further aide of the magistrate / then that he hurt them not: what condemnation shall it be / if our churches which have assistance off the magistrate / cannot uphold them in that fear off God / but they must fall into such riot / as the A. supposeth? And if multiplying off open wickedness / and decrease of former godliness were so general / and so incident to the peace off the gospel / as you pretend: there is no cause why we should pray so earnestly / and often for it / nay rather there should be good cause / off praying against it. For when it is given us of God / partly for our ease / and especially for the glory of God in increase of all virtue: the chief part which is the glory off God / being by you shut out: there is no cause why we should pray for the other. Your reason of having a better feeling in the time off persecution, then in the peace of the gospel, is very insufficient: especially to that you use it unto / off proving greater plenty off knowledge in time off persecution / then in peace. considering that those wicked which never were in persecution / nor have that spirit which is often times sharpened / and quickened by persecution: know notwithstanding the mysteries of God / as the children of God them selves. And although the persecution should give some advancement to knowledge that ways: yet it hindereth more otherwaies / in that it letteth the often meetings to hear the word of God / whereby knowledge is bred: in that also poverty (where with it is continually yoked) draweth many cares for this present life / for them / and theirs. Likewise continual fear they be in / even during the time of their meetings for the word off God (enemy unto the understanding / and putting to flight the powers of the mind / wherewith knowledge is gotten) and also the often / and sudden shiftings from place / to place: must needs be a let to that tainment off knowledge / in the word off God. Where you call upon answer unto your reason:

But that peace off it selfe is an aide to godlie increase / and ⟨p. CCXLIIII⟩