The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

Touching that the authority off the Scripture in divine matters ought to prevail / I willingly grant: but that the argument off the authority of men which have interpreted the Scriptures / is the best reason in controversies off divinity / but off the Papists (whose strongest towers are in the testimonies off the Doctors) was never hard off. And though there be nothing more Papistical then this assertion: yet the doctor holding the name and profession of the gospel / may to the utter subversion off it / cause this to be printed and fly abroad. And that the authority off learned men should be the best proof in divine matters / hath more absurdities in it / then it hath words. For first their authority is here set in the same rank with the authority off the Scripture / in that / as the authority off the Scripture / so it also / is set in the superlative degree off the best proof Then their authority being preferred unto all reasons / is preferred unto the reasons drawn out off the Scripture: which in every divinity cause almost / besides the authority are diverse: drawn off the causes and off the effects / &c. Thirdly it is absurd / to prefer the authority of any man (which is only his bare affirmation) unto his one reason and discourse. And seeing the end off proofs in controversies off divinity / is that faith ⟨p. XIX⟩may be engendered in minds / which only can be grounded on the word off God: what a miserable / yea what • cursed faith shall that be / that is hanged off the authorit•• off men: which be they never so learned / yet are they (because they be men) Liars / such as deceive / and be deceived.

Touchinge that the authoritie off the Scripture in diuine matters owght to preuaile / I willinglie graunte: but that the argument off the authoritie of men whiche haue interpreted the Scriptures / is the beste reason in controuersies off diuinitie / but off the Papistes (whose strongest towers are in the testimonies off the Doctors) was neuer hard off. And thowghe there be nothing more Papistical then this assertion: yet the doctor holding the name and profession of the gospell / maye to the vtter subuersion off it / cause this to be printed and flie abroade. And that the authoritie off learned men should be the best proufe in diuine matters / hathe more absurdities in yt / then yt hathe wordes. For first their authoritie is here set in the same ranke withe the authoritie off the Scripture / in that / as the authoritie off the Scripturr / so it also / is set in the superlatiue degree off the best proufe Then their authoritie being preferred vnto all reasons / is preferred vnto the reasons drawen owt off the Scripture: which in euerie diuinitie cause almoste / besides the authoritie are diuerse: drawen off the causes and off the effectes / &c. Thirdlie yt ys absurd / to perferr the authoritie of any man (which ys onelie his bare affirmation) vnto his one reason and discours. And seing the ende off proufes in controuersies off diuinitye / is that faythe