The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

If it be said / that the magistrates honour is touched here: I answer that then the Angels them selves are dishonoured / which having government of kingdoms / and nations / add also of the churches which they serve: have not / nor ought as I have showed to have / the title off head off the church. Nay those which go about to gratify Princes / with the spoil off our Saviour Christ / are found dishonourers of them: as those which leave them no place in the church of Christ. for if the magistrate be head of the church of Christ / which is within his dominion then he is none of it. For all that church maketh the body of Christ / and every one of the church fulfilleth the place of one member of the body. So that he that is not of the body / can have no place in the ⟨p. CCCCXX⟩church. if it be further said that he hath injury / considering that he bringeth such singular comfort / and profit unto the church / establishing the pureness off religion / overthrowing the corruptions / repressing sin / crowning virtue: beside the weight of glory which attendeth for good Princes in the life to come / and that they are honoured with most honourable names / which ought more then content the most excellent servants off God / which are but simple creatures: it must be also considered / that as the godly magistrate being head of the common wealth / bringeth singular commodity unto the church: so do the godly pastors / which be the church officers / bring singular fruit unto the common wealth. For whilst they conquer by the word / riot / adultery / covetousness / pride / idleness / &c. whereby diseases / beggary / translations off inheritance from the right heirs / needles dearths / seditions / rebellions (whereof every one is an engine able to pull down the common wealth): they may be well called the horse / and chariot of the common wealth. But yet as the pastors can not therefore be said / officers of the common wealth: no more can the magistrate / which by virtue of his civill office giveth singular assistance unto the church / be called properly the church officer. If (as I see) it like some to call magistrates a kind of officers in the church / because they being members / by public calling ¹procure the quiet thereof: they which are disposed may so speak / I will not strive.

Yf yt be said / that the magistrates honour ys touched here: I answer that then the Angels them selues are dishonoured / which hauing gouernement of kingdomes / and nations / add also of the churches which they serue: haue not / nor owght as I haue shewed to haue / the title off head off the churche. Nay those which goe abowte to gratifie Princes / with the spoile off our Sauiour Christe / are found dishonorers of them: as those which leaue thē no place in the church of Christe. for if the magistrate be head of the church of Christe / which is within his domyniō thē he is none of yt. For all that church maketh the bodie of Christe / and euery one of the church fulfilleth the place of one member of the body. So that he that is not of the body / can haue no place in the