The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

In deed I deny, but you affirm that there be still Apostles / ¹Prophets / &c. and therefore by your saying / that order which was then / ought now also to be continued. And although your archbishop were under ground: yet order in ecclesiastical ministries remaineth / that the teaching Elders should be a degree above those which govern only / and they above the Deacons. The mark I shoot at is certain / that is to confute your distinction off ²ministries off the word / and Sacraments only / and ministries off government / and order: and it seemeth I shot so nigh / that I have driven you away from the mark. For you wander / ⟨p. CCCCLXI⟩and tell us of things that have nether head / nor foot: and which if they were true / make nether hot / nor cold unto this question. For if your learned interpreters, have well defined S. Pauls rule (the Elders which rule are worthy) &c. when they say it is to serve Christ, and his church faithfully, in doctrine, and integrity off life &c: then it must suffice your Archbishop to do so / and no more. For if you think that every minister in his church / is barred by that definition from further government / then which consisteth in preaching / administering the Sacraments / uncorrupt life / &c: it followeth that he meddling with moe then those / breaketh the bounds off good government. After you make an other rode out off the question / bearing the reader in hand / that I would conclude out off that place equality off ministers when as my purpose was as I have showed / to confute your vain distinction. Which although you here deny: yet the print off your hand is deeper / then you can wipe out by thes so strong / but little honest denials. For onles you refer this word only, to the secluding off the ministries mentioned to the Ephesians / from the government / and policy off the church: your answer falleth as is before declared. Considering that you labouring to make a difference between those ministries / and the Archbishops / make none: if they together with administration off the word / and Sacraments / handle also order / and government. And although you had quite left out the word only: yet thes words (the Apostle doth recite those ministries which are occupied in prayer, the word, and Sacraments: not off them which are instituted for order, and discipline) have that sense which I have given them.