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 many times repeat, that upon the Nonconformists grounds to return unto the service in the Church of England, is to join with Idolaters in Idolatry. This no doubt is a vehement accusation, if it can be proved: if it be rashly surmised, then it is as pestilent a slander: But ground out of the Nonconformists for such conclusions you have showed none nor once take notice of that which is alleged to the contrary, which you could not but see, if you could have found any exception against it. They do not deny, but there is a visible Church of God in England, and therefore your saying of them, that they do almost in plain and flat terms, say that we have not so much as any outward face, and show of the true Church, argueth that you have almost no love in you, which upon one word once uttered, contrary to the tenor of their book, ¹and course of their whole life, surmise this of them. Thus a chief Nonconformist long ago. Another in the book, which you pretend to answer, and in these very pages, He most shamefully and lewdly, as a man void of all common honesty and grace, maketh the Ministers of Lincoln to affirm, that the Prelates are reviled to be great Antichrists and their Ministry and constitution, to be great troublers of the Church at this day, and that it cannot but be very sinful and hurtful to retain or communicate with them. ²The Devil himself would have been ashamed in this open manner to have told such a lie, and therefore he is to be trusted no further, than he is seen. This you pass over in silence; and if the substance of the accusation be applied unto your self, I know not what apology you can make.

You many times repeate, that upon the Nonconformists grounds to returne unto the service in the Church of England, is to joyne with Idolaters in Idolatry. This no doubt is a vehement accusation, if it can be proved: if it be rashly surmised, then it is as pestilent a slander: But ground out of the Nonconformists for such conclusions you have shewed none nor once take notice of that which is alledged to the contrarie, which you could not but see, if you could have found any exception against it. They doe not deny, but there is a visible Church of God in England, and therefore your saying of them, that they doe almost in plaine and flat tearmes, say that we have not so much as any outward face, and shew of the true Church, argueth that you have almost no love in you, which upon one word once uttered, contrary to the tenour of their booke,