The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Here remaineth only to prove / the title Head off the church / to belong only to our Saviour Christ. I must therefore desire ¹the reader to turn unto the 6. divis. pag. 181. where the D. confesseth as much as I / that Christ is only the head of the church. If Christ be only head: then that I set down / that the civil magistrate is head of the commonwealth / and not of the church / standeth. But if the magistrate be head off the church: then Christ is not only. Howbeit having for fear off the outcry off all / made a little courtesy unto the truth: he forth with lifteth up his heel against it / and will have the civill magistrate head also off the church / whereupon must follow infinite absurdities. first the doctrine off the Apostle is by this means clean overthrown / ²which showeth that this title Head of the church / was given to our Sau. Christ / to lift him above all powers / rules / and dominions ⟨p. CCCCXII⟩/ ether in heaven / or earth. Where if this title belong also unto the civil magistrate: then it is manifest / that there is a power in earth / whereunto our Saviour Christ is not in this point superior. And by the same reason that he may give the civil magistrate this title / he may give him also that he is the first begotten of all creatures / the first begotten off the dead / yea the redeemer of his people which he governeth. For these all are a like given unto him / as dignities whereby he is lifted up above all creatures. And beside that the whole argument off the Apostle in both places / lead to show that this title Head off the church / can not be said of any creature: it is confirmed by the demonstrative article / wherewith the Hebrews especially / whom Saint Paul followed / use to tie that which is verified off one / unto him self alone. For he saith he is the head: as if he should say / he ³and none other is the head of the church. Again if the church be the body of Christ / and of the civil magistrate / it shall have two heads: which being monstrous / is to the great dishonour off Christ / and his church. So also should come to pass / that the church having the magistrate for head / is accomplished / and made a perfect man without Christ: so that the knitting of our Saviour Christ / should not be an accomplishment off that which lacked / but an addition off that which is to much.