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…

Voluntary separation from the ordinances of Religion in our assemblies, Answer. is neither commanded by God, nor taught by the Prophets, or Apostles. It is not approved by the practice of the Saints, nor grounded upon the principles of the Nonconformists, as hath been showed. That there be ^mabuses and corruptions in the Book, the Nonconformists do not deny; and therefore in all humility they have sought to have them reformed; but that they affirm the whole service thereof to be idolatrous, false, Antichristian, that is your impudent slander. That many Treatises have been written against the Ceremonies imposed upon the Ministers and people, is very true. But in the relation which you make out of them, these few things must be observed. First, what is spoken of one Ceremony, you apply to all, when there is not the same reason of all, in the judgement of them that wrote. Secondly, what they write of the Ceremonies as they are used amongst the Papists, that you report as if they understood it of the use of the Ceremonies as they are imposed and enjoined amongst us. Thirdly, The private opinion of one, you allege, as if it was the common principle of the Nonconformists, though you do, or might know, that generally they are of another mind. Fourthly, Amongst your chiefest Nonconformists you allege, such as be not English-Nonconformists, nor speak of English-Conformity, but that which was lately brought in among themselves; whose case doth much differ from ours in their judgement. But the further examination of these things is needless; let us hear how from these principles of the Nonconformists, you can conclude the necessity of Separation.

Voluntary separation from the ordinances of Religion in our assemblies, Answer. is neither commanded by God, nor taught by the Prophets, or Apostles. It is not approved by the practice of the Saints, nor grounded upon the principles of the Nonconformists, as hath beene shewed. That there be ^mabuses and corruptions in the Booke, the Nonconformists doe not deny; and therefore in all humilitie they have sought to have them reformed; but that they affirme the whole service thereof to be idolatrous, false, Antichristian, that is your impudent slander. That many Treatises have been written against the Ceremonies imposed upon the Ministers and people, is very true. But in the relation which you make out of them, these few things must be observed. First, what is spoken of one Ceremony, you apply to all, when there is not the same reason of all, in the judgement of them that wrote. Secondly, what they write of the Ceremonies as they are used amongst the Papists, that you report as if they understood it of the use of the Ceremonies as they are imposed and injoyned amongst us. Thirdly, The private opinion of one, you alledge, as if it was the common principle of the Nonconformists, though you doe, or might know, that generally they are of another mind. Fourthly, Amongst your chiefest Nonconformists you alledge, such as be not English-Nonconformists, nor speake of English-Conformitie, but that which was lately brought in among themselves; whose case doth much differ from ours in their judgement. But the further examination of these things is needlesse; let us heare how from these principles of the Nonconformists, you can conclude the necessitie of Separation.