The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

You shall not be able to show that the bishops which the Apostles planted were other, then which with the elders had the oversight ¹of one particular congregation: and therefore your proofs are always by other things / as doubtful as the question in hand. And if that were true / yet maketh it nothing for the archbishop. For what sinews are in this argument? The Apostles placed bishops in every city, therefore an Archbishop overseer off them in every province. After he saith / if by a pillar of Antichrist you understand him or him: as if I had not sufficiently showed whom I meant. Who can patiently answer this wandering where the way is so plainly beaten? and this is his common practise to piece out his answer. Thirdly he saith / he may take reports off Antiquities from the papists: no man hindereth him. But if he will take their report in their own cause / and in a matter invented to advance the credit of the romish seat / that whilst Peter is made the founder of Archbishops / and Patriarchs / the Pope his supposed successor / might have the stewardship off them / and they be the easelier holden in his obedience: if I say he will believe such stories / it is to be feared lest it be the Lords anger against him: whereby it is just that they should believe lies / which vvill not believe the truth. And if the scent of the archbishop had so occupied his sense / that he hath not smelt this fraud of the papists / and the cause hereof: ²he might have learned it of Gratian / who carieth this whole fable unto that end.

Yow shall not be hable to shewe that the bishops which the Apostels planted were other, then which with thelders had the ouersight ¹of one particular congregation: and therfore yowr proofes are alwaies by other thinges / as dowtefull as the question in hande. And if that vvere true / yet maketh it nothing for the archbishop. For what synewes are in this argumēt? The Apostles placed bishops in euerie cytie, therfore an Archbishop ouerseer off them in euery prouince. After he saith / yf by a piller of Antechriste yow vnderstand him or him: as if I had not sufficiently shewed vvhō I mēte. Who can patiently answer this wandring where the way is so plainly beaten? and this is his commen practise to peece owte his answer. Thirdly he saith / he may take reportes off Antiquities from the papistes: no man hindereth him. But if he will take their reporte in their owne cawse / and in a matter inuented to aduance the credite of the romishe seat / that whilest Peter is made the founder of Archbishops / and Patriarckes / the Pope his supposed successor / might haue the stewardship off them / and they be the easelier holden in his obedience: yf I saie he will belieue suche stories / yt is to be feared leste it be the Lordes anger againste him: wherby it is iuste that they shold belieue lies / which vvill not belieue the truth. And if the sentet of the archbishop had so occupied his sense / that he hathe not smelte this frawde of the papistes / and the cawse hereof: