Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Canes, Vincent
CANES, VINCENT (d. 1672), a Franciscan friar who, on entering into religion, took the name of John-Baptist, was born on the borders of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, and brought up in the protestant religion. When he arrived at the age of eighteen he was sent to the university of Cambridge, and remained there for two years. Then he removed to London, and after travelling in Holland, Germany, France, and Flanders, returned to this country 'to participate of the miseries which our civil wars then commenced.' Having been converted to the catholic religion, he entered the Franciscan convent at Douay. In 1648 he was employed on the English mission. He lived sometimes in Lancashire, but for the most part in London, and was remarkable for the plainness of his dress and the simplicity of his conversation. Canes was selected by the catholic body to defend their cause against Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, afterwards bishop of Worcester, and he performed the task to their satisfaction. He died at Somerset House, in the Strand, in June 1672, and was buried in the chapel belonging to that palace.
His works, which appeared under the initials J. V. C., are: 1. 'The reclaim'd Papist: or a dialogue between a Popish knight, a Protestant lady, a parson, and his wife,' 1655, 8vo. Dedicated to John Compton, esq., to whom, it seems, he was chaplain. Dr. John Owen published an answer to this work under the title of 'The Triumph of Rome over despised Protestancy,' London, 1655, 4to. 2. 'Fiat Lux, or, a general conduct to a right understanding in the great Combustions and Broils about Religion here in England betwixt Papist and Protestant, Presbyterian & Independent. To the end that moderation and quietnes may at length hapily ensue after so various Tumults in the Kingdom. By Mr. J. V. C., a friend to men of all Religions' [Douay ?], 1661, 8vo; [London], 1662, 8vo. Dedicated to Elizabeth, countess of Arundel and Surrey, the mother of Cardinal Howard. Dr. John Owen also answered this work in a volume of 'Animadversions;' and Samuel Mather published a reply to it, entitled ' A Defence of the Protestant Religion,' Dublin, 1671, 4to. 3. 'An Epistle to the Authour of the Animadversions upon Fiat Lux. In excuse and justification of Fiat Lux against the said Animadversions' [Douay ?1 1663, 8vo, and reprinted in 'Diaphanta.' This elicited from Dr. Owen ' A Vindication of the Animadversions,' 1664. 4. 'Diaphanta: or Three Attendants on Fiat Lux. Wherin Catholik Religion is further excused against the opposition of severall Adversaries. (1) Epistola, ad Odœnum, against Dr. Owen. (2) Epistola ad Crœsum, against Mr. Whitby. (3) Epistola ad Amphibolum, against Dr. Taylor. And by the way an Answer is given to Mr. Moulin, Denton, and Stillingfleet' [Douay], 1665, 8vo. These letters were reissued under the title of' Three Letters declaring the strange odd proceedings of Protestant Divines, when they write against Catholicks: by the example of Dr. Taylor's Dissuasive against Popery; Mr. Whitbies Reply in the behalf of Dr. Pierce against Cressy; and Dr. Owens Animadversions on Fiat Lux' [Douay?], 1671. 5. 'Tῷ Kαθολικῷ Stilingfleeton. Or, an account given to a Catholick friend, of Dr. Stillingfleets late book against the Roman Church. Together with a short Postil upon his Text. In three letters,' Bruges, 1672, 8vo.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iv. 107; Dodd's Church Hist. iii. 315; Fiat Lux (1662), 261-71, Cal. State Papers (Dom.), Car. II (1666-7), 291; Oliver's Catholic Religion in Cornwall, 546; Cat. of Printed Books in Brit. Mus.]