If they had knowledge then, it was bycause they were taughte, and that they are ignorant* 1.1 nowe, it is bycause they haue no good ministers to teache them, and if the Churches should choose their ministers, I am sure they could not choose worse, than for the most part, they haue nowe, be∣ing thrust vpon them.
They were then diligently taughte, and they gaue them selues wholy to learne, bycause it was a time of persecution, in the which men be commonly beste disposed, and sequestred (as it were) from all worldly cares, lookyng continually to fall into the handes of the persecutors: nowe, thoughe they be in diuerse places well taught, yet bycause they haue not suche a sense, and féeling of the worde in the tyme of pros∣peritie, as they haue vnder the crosse (when the Churche of Christe is purest) the election of theyr Ministers can not be so safely committed vnto them nowe, as it myghte be then. But why haue you not answered my reason? for as yet that is vn∣touched.