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…

And howsoever he pretendeth that the printing of that pamphlet compelled him to print, in his own defence, yet it is evident, 1. that he declared his purpose of printing about these matters before any writing was made by me, in mine own defence, or by them, in way of complaint of their grievances. 2. that his threatening to print an answer to their complaints, which then were only written, and left in the Consistory privately, and the report of one, who said that he had seen some of the sheets which the Answerer had prepared to print, were the causes moving W. B. to print that writing. 3. that himself declared in a letter, which the friend, to whom he sent it, showed me, that he purposed to print an answer to that short writing which was left by me, when as nothing had been printed by W.B. Which proveth that the printed pamphlet was not the cause of his book, but that he took occasion thereby to publish that which he had before purposed. 4. When he acquainted the ministers of the Classis with his purpose of printing an answer to that pamphlet, they dissuaded him: yet he again importuned them to consent to it, threatening to get it printed in England, if they opposed it here. To conclude. He so wearied them with importunities, as if his life had lain in the doing of it, that they left him to himself (after they had advised him to ⟨image 5⟩leave out some passages which they disliked in his copy) but still professed that, as they did not hinder him, so they would not counsel him to do it. This some of those learned & prudent men have affirmed to some of the members of that Church, whereby the Reader may see with how strong a bent of spirit he was carried hereunto, but upon what argument, or motives, I leave it to his own consideration in the sight of God.

And howsoever he pretendeth that the printing of that pamphlet compelled him to print, in his owne defence, yet it is evident, 1. that he declared his purpose of printing about these matters before any wrighting was made by me, in myne owne defence, or by them, in way of complaint of their greivances. 2. that his theatning to print an answer to their complaints, which then were onely written, and left in the Consistory privatly, and the report of one, who said that he had seene some of the sheets which the Answerer had prepared to print, were the causes moving W. B. to print that wrighting. 3. that himselfe declared in a letter, which the freind, to whom he sent it, shewed me, that he purposed to print an answer to that short wrighting which was left by me, when as nothing had bene printed by W.B. Which proveth that the printed pamphlet was not the cause of his booke, but that he tooke occasion thereby to publish that which he had before purposed. 4. When he acquainted the ministers of the Classis with his purpose of printing an answer to that pamphlet, they disuaded him: yet he againe importuned them to consent to it, threatning to get it printed in England, if they opposed it here. To conclude. He so wearyed them with importunityes, as if his life had layne in the doing of it, that they left him to himselfe (after they had advised him to