The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Where I show that nether homilies, nor Apocrypha are to be compared in goodness in themselves, nor in fruit toward the hearer, with the scripture, and reading thereof (wherein the D. laboured not, but •o••ered / against the Adm.) he answereth that nothing can thereby be concluded against homilies, which may not be against sermons, and other interpretations, and rather against sermons then homilies: which is detestable. For thereby he affirmeth / that homilies are both better in them selves / and red more fruitful to the hearers / then the word off God preached. Wherein he controlleth also the order off our church / which will have homilies give place / •f there be any to preach. For confutation whereof I send the reader to that before disputed▪ for if the word preached / be more fruitful then the word it self red: then reading off homilies inferior in fruit to the reading of scriptures (by the D. confession here) must be much more inferior to the word preached. His reason is / for I make no make no other difference betwixt homilies, and sermons, but that one is pronounced within book, the other not so. Belike homilies / and sermons are equal in all other things: yet homilies excel ⟨p. CCCXCIIII⟩sermons / in that they are red in the book / the other is done by lively voice. But is there no difference at all but this? first •et h•m understand / that sermons in the church / are expressly commanded off the Lord / are such as are necessary for all churches / and which no one can want. As for homilies / if they were in this dearth off preaching granted convenient for our church: yet have they no commandment / whereby they are made necessary / and such as the church is bound unto: they also are such / as ether all / or the most flourishing churches have not. In which difference there is as great a golf between them / as is between heaven and earth. I speak off them now / as if they were conveniently ordained. For although in such case / during the convenience / they ought to be kept as profitable orders off the church: it thes changeable constitutions / compared with the eternal saw off God / are infinitely inferior. so it is utterly false which he saith afterward / all kind off publishing the doctrine in scripture, have necessary uses in the church.