An apologetical reply to a book called an answer to the unjust complaint of…An apologeticall reply to a booke called an ansvver to the unjust complaint of…

If he say, the complaint is unjust in the second respect; it must be showed that the cognisance of a Church-grievance, referred to them by the members, doth not belong to the Consistory, which, I suppose, he will not undertake. If he say the complaint is unjust, in the 3. respect; their own protestation, in the conclusion of the grievances, will answer for them, that their end in taking that course, was, that some lawful course might be taken by the Elders, for the redress of those grievances, and, in case that should be neglected, to free them selves from the guilt of those evils, when they should have done their uttermost endeavours for the redress of the same. If he say; the complaint is unjust in the fourth respect, as too much aggravating the offence; the Answerer himself cleareth them thereof, in the preface of his book, where he justifieth the harshest expressions used by the Complainants, & the very title of the printed pamphlet, which many mislike: saying, If the complaints be just, then is the title just, being framed according to the contents & special subject of the book &c. It remaineth therefore, that he find some other respect, in which the complaints may be said to be unjust; else it will be concluded that the are just, notwithstanding any thing said by him to the contrary, in that pretended answer, & that him self hath dealt unjustly in calling them unjust complaints.

If he say, the complaint is unjust in the second respect; it must be shewed that the cognisance of a Church-greivance, referred to them by the members, doth not belong to the Consistory, which, I suppose, he will not undertake. If he say the complaint is unjust, in the 3. respect; their owne protestation, in the conclusion of the greivances, will answer for them, that their end in taking that course, was, that some lawfull course might be taken by the Elders, for the redresse of those greivances, and, in case that should be neglected, to free them selves from the guilt of those evills, when they should have done their uttermost indeavours for the redresse of the same. If he say; the complaint is unjust in the fourth respect, as too much aggravating the offēce; the Answerer himselfe cleareth thē thereof, in the preface of his booke, where he justifyeth the harshest expressiōs used by the Complainants, & the very title of the printed pāphlet, which many mislike: saying, If the cōplaints be just, then is the title just, being framed according to the contents & spec•all subject of the booke &c. It remayneth therefore, that he find some other respect, in which the complaints may be said to be unjust; else it will be concluded that the are just, notwithstanding any thing said by him to the contrary, in that pretended answer, & that him selfe hath dealt unjustly in calling them unjust complaints.