The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

If therefore the bishop have the spirit off prophecy at any time / whereby he may have such a certain / and unfallible direction ⟨p. CCLXXXIIII⟩/ as this was / we will less stick with him for his sole election: If not / it is in vain to allege this example: saving that it maketh much against him. For if the lord would have the approbation off the whole company of Doctors / and elders in that election which him self had made / and where there was no danger off error: how much more ought the bishops election / which hath so many banks both off ignorance / and evil conscience / to put him from the way of a good election / be sustained by the judgement off others. And it is untrue that it is plain, that the church was here shut forth. For although it was nether in the ministers power / nor the peoples / to change this election: yet the fast there mentioned being general / and the account off their embassage / and success thereof being afterward made ¹unto the church: it is not unlike but in the approbation which that election could admit / the church also had her part. That which is here added out off Beza / which the D. would have so diligently noted: is but to waste paper. For we hold that it is most convenient / the people should have the ministers / and elders go before / and direct them in their elections. But it is most directly against the D. For thereby appeareth that Beza is off that mind / that although the people be ignorant / and untractable: yet they ought not to be cut of from ecclesiastical elections / but directed / and called to some moderation.

Iff therfore the bishop haue the spirite off prophecie at any time / wherby he may haue such a certeine / and vnfallible direction ⟨p. CCLXXXIIII⟩/ as this was / wee will les sticke with him for his sole election: Iff not / yt is in vaine to alledge this example: sauinge that it maketh much againste him. For if the lorde woulde haue the approbation off the whole companie of Doctors / and elders in that election vvhich him selfe had made / and vvhere there was no daunger off error: howe much more owghte the bishops election / which hath so manie bankes both off ignorance / and euill conscience / to put him from the waie of a good election / be susteined by the iudgement off others. And yt ys vntrwe that it is plaine, that the church was heere shut forth. For althowgh yt was nether in the ministers powre / nor the peoples / to chaunge this election: yet the faste there mentioned beinge generall / and the accoumpte off their embassage / and successe therof beinge afterwarde made