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…

You distinguish not betwixt the effect and the event; which I will not say was done ignorantly or unadvisedly. To reason from the effect of things (you say) is unsound, and unconcludable by the Scriptures. This is, as if a man would say, the Midwives which lied to Pharaoh, did much good to the Israelites, &c. And then you go forward to produce testimonies, that things are to be esteemed by their causes, and not by the event, and that things are not true, because useful.

You distinguish not betwixt the effect and the event; which I will not say was done ignorantly or unadvisedly. To reason from the effect of things (you say) is unsound, and unconcludable by the Scriptures. This is, as if a man would say, the Midwives which lyed to Pharoah, did much good to the Israelites, &c. And then you goe forward to produce testimonies, that things are to be esteemed by their causes, and not by the event, and that things are not true, because usefull.

But your Pistoler argueth from the effect, not from the event, from the proper effect, not the effect by accident, as you might easily perceive, but that you took liberty to deride what you could not answer. Thus he argueth, The Doctrine taught in the Church of England is the sound and true doctrine of salvation, profitable to beget faith, and to build men forward unto life eternal (not by accident, but of it self) and is ordinarily blessed of God to that end and purpose: Therefore it is not unlawful to hear the word preached in their assemblies. What you talk of Cain's murder, Judas his Treachery, the good that comes by Schisms and Heresies, is only to please your self with by-matters: for the argument is drawn from the proper effect, in respect of means instituted, appointed and blessed of God.

But your Pistoler argueth from the effect, not from the event, from the proper effect, not the effect by accident, as you might easily perceive, but that you tooke liberty to deride what you could not answer. Thus he argueth, The Doctrine taught in the Church of England is the sound and true doctrine of salvation, profitable to beget faith, and to build men forward unto life eternall (not by accident, but of it selfe) and is ordinarily blessed of God to that end and purpose: Therefore it is not unlawfull to heare the word preached in their assemblies. What you talke of Caines murder, Iudas his Treachery, the good that comes by Schismes and Heresies, is only to please your selfe with by-matters: for the argument is drawne from the proper effect, in respect of meanes instituted, appointed and blessed of God.