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…

The Treatiser (as you call him) propounding this objection of yours, that the Scriptures of the old and new Testament, warn Gods people of false prophets, which the Ministers of that Church are, having an unlawful calling, maketh answer, 1 By denying that the Scriptures warn men simply not to hear false Prophets, i.e. any false prophet whatsoever. And then propounds a distinction of false Prophets; that some false Prophets were in the Church of God, and these might be heard, as they had place in the Church, till they were orderly repressed, or at least discovered; others were not in the Church, but simply without, and these were not to be heard. This is the plain and direct answer of the Treatiser, as every man may perceive, that is not grossly ignorant, or wilfully blind. But see how you jest and dally with it unconscionably when you had nothing to answer. 1. You say he peremptorily denieth the whole objection, and so consequently affirms, that all false Prophets may be heard. But what new Logic is this, whereby we may learn to draw such consequences. In former times it hath been thought reasonable to deny an universal negative or affirmative proposition, when they hold not true in all Individuals. No false prophet is to be heard. This proposition may justly be benyed, if any false Prophet may be heard, though all might not. 2 You add presently and with the same breath, He unsaith what he said before. But this is a palpable and gross calumny: For he said not, that all false Prophets might be heard by all, nor denieth what he granted at the first, that some may be heard: but plainly implieth a distinction of false Prophets, which I can hardly think you did not perceive, though you be pleased so to pervert his words.

The Treatiser (as you call him) propounding this objection of yours, that the Scriptures of the old and new Testament, warne Gods people of false prophets, which the Ministers of that Church are, having an unlawfull calling, maketh answer, 1 By denying that the Scriptures warn men simply not to hear false Prophets, i.e. any false prophet whatsoever. And then propounds a distinction of fals Prophets; that some fals Prophets were in the Church of God, and these might be heard, as they had place in the Church, till they were orderly repressed, or at least discovered; others were not in the Church, but simply without, and these were not to be heard. This is the plaine and direct answer of the Treatiser, as every man may perceive, that is not grosly ignorant, or wilfully blind. But see how you jest and dally with it unconscionably when you had nothing to answer. 1. You say he peremptorily denyeth the whole objection, and so consequently affirmes, that all false Prophets may be heard. But what new Logicke is this, whereby we may learne to draw such consequences. In former times it hath beene thought reasonable to deny an universall negative or affirmative proposition, when they hold not true in all Individuals. No false prophet is to be heard. This proposition may justly be benyed, if any false Prophet may be heard, though all might not. 2 You adde presently and with the same breath, He unsaith what hee said before. But this is a palpable and grosse calumny: For he said not, that all false Prophets might be heard by all, nor denyeth what hee granted at the first, that some may be heard: but plainly implyeth a distinction of false Prophets, which I can hardly thinke you did not perceive, though you be pleased so to pervert his words.