An answer to two treatises of Mr. John Can, the leader of the English…An answer to two treatises of Mr. Iohn Can, the leader of the English…

In the three ages following, though the doctrine of salvation and substance of Gods Worship, was maintained in all fundamental points, and the Omnipotency of the Pope was not known, nor Images worshipped, the Scripture was read and Prayers made in a known tongue; the Sacrament of the Supper was administered to the People in both kinds; men women and Children had free liberty to read the holy Scriptures, the Sacrament was not adored, nor the doctrine of Transubstantiation heard of. Nevertheless manifest seeds of Antichristianism ⟨p. 85⟩were sowed and began to appear in some strength. The state of the Church was lamentable, the corruptions many and great, both in respect of doctrine, worship, government, and holiness of conversation. ¹The Pastors of this age spake more unwarily of justification, and grace, than was meet, prayer for the dead was ordinary, the foundation of prayer unto Saints, was laid and defended by the teachers themselves, with overgreat zeal, in the superstitious vigils, and frequenting the Sepulchres of Martyrs. The former profanation of the Sacraments by superstitious rites much increased, some whereof are abolished by the papists themselves. Liberty is taken from the Ministers, the Bishops contend among themselves, with ambition, hatred, affecting high titles and precedency, more than the good of Gods Church, the pleasure of peace and security took away all care of godliness. Now they seek the relics of Saints, go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, consecrate Temples to Martyrs, esteem it more religion to build certain places and to pray in them, than in others, and to live by prescriptions and will-worship of Monks, &c. than to walk according to the rule of Gods Word. Now they give themselves to corrupt religion, with idle and impure rites: Images that were not mentioned in the first and second ages of the Church, in the fourth, fifth, and sixth age, were brought into the Church in some parts, painted upon the walls, retained for Historical and Rhetorical use, to inform the understanding, and stir up devotion, and of some began to be worshipped, which Gregory himself disliked. Monks kept the communion at home, and wanting a priest, communicate themselves. No public assemblies could be found, in which the ordinances of God did flourish entirely.

In the three ages following, though the doctrine of salvation and substance of Gods Worship, was maintained in all fundamentall points, and the Omnipotency of the Pope was not knowne, nor Images worshipped, the Scripture was read and Prayers made in a knowne tongue; the Sacrament of the Supper was administred to the People in both kindes; men women and Children had free liberty to read the holy Scriptures, the Sacrament was not adored, nor the doctrin of Transubstantiation heard of. Neverthelesse manifest seeds of Antichristianisme