The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Unto the next divis. I answer not. Upon that many parishes ¹may be joined in one, and fix towns in France (as he saith) are committed unto one Pastor, he concludeth that one Pastor may have divers flocks: which is unworthy any answer. As if a thousand sheep in one pasture / were not easelier / and with more commodity tended / then three in three sheepgates. For as touching the preaching off the word / and administering the Sacraments / unto divers towns assembled into one body of a church: the labour is almost all one in ten / and ten hundred. The residue off the charge being common with him unto the rest off the elders / may be (especially in such necessities) borne out by increasing their number / according to the compass off the churches territory. It is also untrue that he affirmeth I have said / that the number, or distance off place is all one. And it is inconvenient / that ether a greater number be assembled into the body off one particular church / then can be at once taught off one mouth / or that the number should be taken out off towns / farther removed from the places off the churches resort / then that they may have convenient access. Likewise it is untrue which he saith off six towns to one Pastor in France. For although one church be assembled out off divers towns: yet it falleth out that the least part off those towns pertaineth unto the church: and those few meet together in one place / to receive the nurture provided for them off the Lord / by the hand off their Pastor.

Vnto the next diuis. I answer not. Vpon that many parishes ¹may be ioined in one, and fix townes in Fraunce (as he saith) are committed vnto one Pastor, he concludeth that one Pastor may haue diuers flockes: which is vnworthy any answer. As if a thowsand sheep in one pasture / were not easelier / and with more cōmoditie tended / then three in three sheepgates. For as towching the preaching off the word / and administring the Sacramentes / vnto diuers townes assembled into one bodie vff a church: the labour is almoste all one in ten / and ten hundred. The residue off the charge being commen with him vnto the rest off the elders / may be (especially in such necessities) borne owt by increasing their numbre / according to the compas off the churches territorie. Yt is also vntrue that he affirmeth I haue saide / that the numbre, or distance off place is all one. And yt is inconuenient / that ether a greater numbre be assembled into the bodie off one particular church / then can be at once tawght off one mouth / or that the numbre should be taken owt off townes / farther remoued from the places off the churches resort / then that they may haue conuenient accesse. Likewise yt is vntrue which he saith off six townes to one Pastor in Fraunce. For although one church be assembled owt off diuers townes: yet it falleth owt that the least part off those townes perteineth vnto the church: and those fewe meet together in one place / to receiue the nourriture prouided for them off the Lord / by the hand off their Pastor.