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…

I am not so diffident as to distrust every word that is spoken, nor must I be so simple as to believe every thing. In the quoting of mens words in writing, and giving the sense of them, I find you trip so often ignorantly or upon set purpose; and so many times to quote that as making for you, which is as direct against you as can be spoken, that without breach of charity, I may suspect some such thing in this particular; either that you mistook their meaning, or misrelate their words, or set down your own consequence for their position, or the like. Instances of your mistaking enough hath been formerly mentioned, in this very place there be two of no small note, nor hard to be disproved. First you say, The Nonconformists condemn the calling of Parsons and Vicars (their office you mean) as false and Antichristian. But their practice and profession both, doth evidence the contrary to the whole world, as hath been showed. And if you will mistake their writings so palpably and again and again ⟨p. 85⟩affirm them from their writings, what is not there to be found, but is direct contrary to their judgement, writing and practice, how can we believe that you truly report their words. Secondly, you say; The Reformists do utterly condemn this extraordinary office of Preachers. Lecturers you understand by extraordinary Preachers; but extraordinary they are not, either in respect of their calling, or the work wherein they are employed. And the Nonconformists are so far from condemning that office, that it is well known many, if not the greatest part of them, had none other calling, or office in the Church. And I presume every reasonable man, will conceive it an unlikely thing, that so many godly and learned men, suffering many and great troubles against other abuses, should choose to live in such a calling, against the light of their conscience. ¹And you know some have maintained, (whose judgement therein and works are approved by others of the same rank,) That the Ministry of godly Preachers (and so of Lecturers) in the Church of England, in all substantial and essential parts, is that very Ministry which Christ hath instituted and ordained in the New Testament, and which he hath blessed for the gathering and building forward of his Church in faith and holiness.

I am not so diffident as to distrust every word that is spoken, nor must I be so simple as to beleeve every thing. In the quoting of mens words in writing, and giving the sense of them, I finde you trip so often ignorantly or upon set purpose; and so many times to quote that as making for you, which is as direct against you as can be spoken, that without breach of charitie, I may suspect some such thing in this particular; either that you mistooke their meaning, or misrelate their words, or set downe your owne consequence for their position, or the like. Instances of your mistaking enough hath beene formerly mentioned, in this very place there be two of no small note, nor hard to be disproved. First you say, The Nonconformists condemne the calling of Parsons and Vicars (their office you meane) as false and Antichristian. But their practice and profession both, doth evidence the contrary to the whole world, as hath beene shewed. And if you will mistake their writings so palpably and againe and againe