232 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. JOHN CANNE.-This learned and zealous puritan was educated in the established church, and he most probably received episcopal ordination, but afterwards espoused the cause of the separatists. According to Neal, he was chosen pastor to Mr. Lathorp's separate congregation. in London; when he retired to New England;* but, according to Crosby, he was chosen pastor to Mr. Hubbard's people, upon their return from Ireland. The latter of these historians certainly appears more correct in his calculations.t Mr. Canne, having laboured among his people, by preaching to them in private houses, for some time, was at length driven by the cruel hand of persecution into Holland, where he was chosen pastor of the Brownist congregation at Amsterdam. He is denominated " a known separatist, and hitherto the busiest disputer for this opinion. "I He continued at Amster.. dam many years, and was greatly esteemed and followed by the puritans who went to Holland. He was banished from his'native country, as appears from his own words. " Upon my banishment from Hull,". says he, " for what cause I know not, there being nothing-to this day (1657) made known to me ; I went apart, as Elias did, into the wilderness. And as I lay under hedges, and in holes, my soul in bitterness breathed forth many sad complaints before the Lord. It is enough, 0 Lord, take awaymy life ; for I am not better than my fathers.' Often and sore wrestlings I had with my God, to know his meaning and teaching under this dispensation ; and what further work, whether doing or vuffering, he had for me, his poor old servant."¢ He is said to have succeeded Mr. Ainsworth as pastor of his church ; but shortly after his election to that office, he was censured and deposed by part of the people, who renounced communion with him and the other part of the congregation.N This may be true ; but it does not appear that he was deserving of such treatment. The party rejecting him were most probably such as could not endure his sound doctrine or his faithful discipline. Mr. Canne was a person who rendered himielf very popular, particularly by his controversial writings. He delivered his sentiments with great clearness and freedom, especially upon the controverted points of church discipline. Nears Puritans, vol. ii. p. 374. 1 . Crosby's Baptists, vol. i. p. 164, iii. 40,41.-Ainsworth's Life, p. 35.- See Art. Lathorp. Paget's Defence, Pref. Canne's Time of the End, p. 265. Edit. 1657. N Paget's Defence, p. 33.
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