The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Now to run through the rest / I answer prayers, and Sacraments forasmuch as they take effect by the preaching off the word / where that is not / those do not only not feed / but are ordinarily to further condemnation. That which the Curates can give before they have learned their Catechism (of which time is here spoken) is poison and no meat: so that hitherto they may pine / for any thing that the Answ. setteth before them / in such sort especially as he setteth it. All the hope therefore off delivering them from famine / hangeth upon the well disposed preacher, which if he feed another flock with the hinderance off his own / or having no flock go about in circuit whether so ever he thinketh good: I will not dent but the one and the other may have a good meaning therein / but whether the lord allow off it (onles he be able to show the seal off some extraordinary calling) I leave it to be considered / of that which hath been before disputed. I omit that I know my self / that within seven miles of Cambridge / there have been parishes where one off thes sermons was not / in four whole years. Which if y• be so near Cambridge / where the greatest number off those preachers be: what is to be thought off other places off the Realm?

Now to runne throwgh the reste / I answer prayers, and Sacramentes forasmuche as they take effecte by the preachinge off the worde / where that is not / those doo not onely not feede / but are ordinarily to further condemnation. That whiche the Curates can gyue before they haue learned their Cathechisme (of wiche tyme is here spoken) is poison and no meate: so that hetherto they maie pyne / for any thinge that the Answ. setteth before them / in suche sorte especially as he settethe yt. All the hope therfore off delyueringe them from famyn / hangeth vppon the well disposed preacher, whiche if he feede another flocke withe the hinderance off his owne / or hauinge no flocke goe abowte in circuite whether so euer he thincketh good: I will not dente but the one and the other maie haue a good meaninge therin / but whether the lorde alowe off it (onles he be able to shew the seale off some extraordinary calling) I leaue yt to be considered / of that which hathe bene before disputed. I omit that I know my selfe / that within seuen myles of Cambridge / there haue bene parishes where one off thes sermons was not / in fowre whole yeares. Which if y• be so neere Cambridge / where the greatest number off those preachers be: what is to be thowghte off other places off the Realme?