The rest of the second reply of Thomas Cartvurihgt [sic]The rest of the second replie of Thomas Cartvurihgt [sic]

Secondly it was alleged, that S. Paul, so loeth to lay any unnecessary charge, upon the church: yet enjoined this ministry unto the poor and persecuted churches. The strength of which reason lieth in this, that some contribution was necessary to their maintenance then: where as now in time of peace, this ministry, may be without all charges unto the church. To this, in stead of answer, he frameth other arguments of his own, wherewith he dallieth, scoureth up his old stuff of widows, and the civil Magistrate, before answered, allegeth the poverty of some parishes, the unwillingness of other some to contribute: which is a mere trifling. For seeing, the poverty of the churches could not exempt them from this charge, when they were much poorer¹, as appeareth by S. Paul, seeing also it may be now without the charge of the church, as appeareth by the practise of the churches, which are so governed in these days, where there is not a penny allowed to any Elder: ether he ought to confute this, or blush to set down that for answer: yet he is not afraid ^bafter to put it, for a reason against the Eldership. whereunto may be added, that the churches in persecution, nether those now, nor other in times past, could have such helps of houses or lands, appropriated to the finding of their ministry, as the churches with us: but were driven to pay for all of their own purrs. And not that only, but constrained to pay their tithes, or other exactions, to the Idolatrous priesthood, of that place where they abode: which we are freed³ from, under a Christian Magistrate.

Secondly yt was alledged, that S. Paul, so loeth to lay any vnnecessary charge, vpon the church: yet enioyned this ministery vnto the poor and persecuted churches. The strēght of which reason lyeth in this, that some contributiō vuas necessary to their mayntenance then: vuhere as novu in tyme of peace, this ministery, may be vuithovut al charges vnto the church. To thys, in sted of answer, he frameth other argumentes of his own, wherewith he dalieth, skowreth vp his ould stuf of widowes, and the ciuil Magistrate, before answered, alledgeth the pouerty of some parishes, the vnwillingnes of other some to contribute: which is a meer trifling. For seing, the pouerty of the churches could not exempt them from this charge, when they were much poorer