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…

Or, thirdly, Would he have his credulous Reader to suspect my trueth, when I say that I came over but for 3 or 4 months? ⟨p. 113⟩Else, what mean those 4 presumptions, which he insinuateth to suggest the contrary? To which I will answer briefly.

Or, thirdly, Would he have his credulous Reader to suspect my trueth, when I say that I came over but for 3 or 4 moneths? ⟨p. 113⟩Else, what meane those 4 praesumptions, which he insinuateth to suggest the contrary? To which I will answer breifely.

To the first, For a man of plausible gifts, eminent, and of fame, & wanting present employment, to present himself where a place is vacant where much contention hath been &c. I answer. 1. For the titles which he giveth me, I account them, as they fall from his pen, but an honourable reproach. 2. For the matter of it:¹ The extreme necessity of the place, he being so weak and unfit to preach, together with the importunity of those that solicited me, was the cause moving me (who then was out of employment, and in continual danger) to come over to that place, choosing rather to cast my self upon Gods providence, in perils of the sea, and in a strange land, where I might be of some use to the Church, for a time, then to live privately, but neither safely nor profitably, in my own land, in hope that 3 or 4 month would quiet, and pacify their spirits, that were most exasperated and incensed against me, without any just cause; that so my return to my own land might be with safety and comfort. What if this might give them occasion of seeking, and calling me? will it thence follow, that I sought the place before I was called? or that I did intrude, or thrust my self in for a Pastor? ²or that I run before I was sent, as he slandereth me before? No marvel, if diverse learned and godly Ministers, being their neighbours in this country, have been loath to show themselves in this place &c. least they should seem to offer themselves unto this calling. For they knew the Answerers disposition and spirit, and the contentions which have thereby been in this place, which if I had known, so as now I do, no persuasions should have drawn me thither. And it is very likely, that I had stayed at Rotterdam till the Eldership had sent for me, as Mr. H. did, if the necessity of the place had not hurried me sooner, to prevent the shutting up of the Church doors, which (as I have been told, and the event showed) would come to pass the next Lords day, if my coming prevented it not. Yet two of the Elders, with some other members of the Congregation, met me at Harlem, and accompanied me to Amsterdam, & took care for my accommodation with a convenient entertainment: