The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

There followeth that they allow better off the harmless simplicity off some, then off the exquisite learning off others, joined with pride. And worthily. For nether can pride agree with manners off the minister off God: and harmless simplicity may well agree / with a competent learning meet for that function. In the end they conclude / that they reject not the good simplicity of certain, so they be not altogether unskilful off God, and his word. First this can make nothing for excuse off our ministers. For when they are to learn their Catechism / and the principles off Christian Religion / what knowledge is left unto them off God / and off his word? Then it is like / that by harmless simplicity they mean some rare / and singular holiness / whereby they goo as far beyond the other in life / as they come behind them in learning: which all see to be otherwise in our ignorant ministers / oftentimes the masters off misrule to all the parish. Otherwise they knew what Jerome saith / ¹that in that S. Paul requireth that a bishop should be wise, he barreth those which under the name off simplicity, excuse the folly off ministers.

There followeth that they allovve better off the harmeles symplicitie off some, then off the exquisite learning off others, ioyned vvithe pride. And worthily. For nether can pride agree withe manners off the minister off God: and harmles symplicitie maie well agree / with a competent learninge meete for that function. In the ende they conclude / that they reiecte not the good symplicitie of certein, so they be not altogether vnskilful off God, and his vvorde. Firste this can make nothinge for excuse off our mynisters. For when they are to learne their Catechisme / and the principles off Christian Religion / what knowledge is left vnto them off God / and off his worde? Then yt is like / that by harmles symplicitie they meane some rare / and singular holines / wherby they goo as farre beyond the other in life / as they come behinde them in learninge: whiche all see to be otherwise in our ignorante ministers / oftentimes the maisters off misrule to all the parishe. Otherwise they knewe what Ierome saithe / ¹that in that S. Paule requireth that a bishop shoulde be vvise, he barreth those vvhich vnder the name off symplicitie, excuse the folie off mynisters.

1. 1