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…

Seventhly, What if those men, upon search into particulars,¹ shall not be found so opposite each to other, as he pretendeth? Let the Reader judiciously and indifferently weigh what is replied for the clearing hereof. 1. He saith Mr. H. and I are opposite in 3 points, 1, the admission of Brownists to be members of his Church, ⟨p. 60⟩whilst they persist in their separation from the Church of England, 2. Touching private mens preaching 3. Touching repentance going before faith. Reply. When he saith, we are opposite, I hope, he meaneth not in our affections: If he do; he is much deceived, or else I am much deceived in mine own heart, which knoweth, that I account him a Godly, learned, faithful, worthy preacher of the Gospel, in his fellowship with Christians singularly profitable, very peaceable in his conversation towards all, of a sound judgment, and unreprovable life. In a word, such an one, as Amsterdam had been happy, if it might have enjoyed him, and therefore is the more intolerably injured, in being deprived of him. What is it then? We are opposite each to other, in our opinions, in those 3. points. It were good that all ambiguity were removed, in expressions of this kind▪ opposition in opinions is the fight of 2. propositions which consist of the same subject, and predicate: and this fight is, either in their quality alone, or in their quantity alone, or in both together. Now, which of those ways Mr. H. and I were opposite the Answerer should have shown, if he would have discovered the extent of our difference, which, because he hath neglected, the Reader doth not well know what to judge in this matter. Wherefore, to prevent all mistake, I must profess, that, upon a serious review of the copy of that writing of questions and answers between them, I find some difference between the Answerers report of passages, which he made to me, and Mr. Hooker his own expression of his judgment, in that manu-script: and therefore, in the 2. former points rightly understood, and according to his true meaning, as may be easily and clearly gathered out of his own words, I fully agree with him. As for the third, I do reverence his judgment in that which is not fully clear to me, and do profess ingenuously, that I rather suspect mine own apprehension, then his judgment, in that wherein we seem to differ. Now let the Reader judge;