§. 2.

AMong this Brethren in euill. Gen. 49. v 15 Vaſa iniquitatis bellantia. fraternity, there is a freſh vpſtart, (vnto whom I preſume Pandoraes boxe was entayled) deſirous to bee admitted. Hee is onely knowne vnto mee by the marke of I. R. but if I bee not miſtaken in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gen. 16 v. 15. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Eſa. 30.1. Hierogliphicks, his familiars may ſalute him by the name of Iſhmael Rabſhacheh, he is ſo wholly compact of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gen. 2 • . • v. 9. mocking and rayling, that hee well ſeemeth to haue the mixed quinteſſence of them both. This Polypragmiſt, forſooth, to ſhew his inuincible courage, and vndaunted ſpirit, (which I muſt confeſſe doth many miles outſtrip his leaden art, and heauy-heeld learning) hath vndertaken the Combat with one of your Mr VV. Craſhaw. Lecturers, and profeſſeth (as if his breaſt were the ſtore-houſe of Aeſculapius his medicinall receits) the preſent cure of all thoſe feſtered wounds, which were by him diſcouered, in the diſeaſed body of the Romiſh Church; little remembring, that Roma iam ve • us eſt malum. old fleſh, & inueterate ſores, require more then ordinary skil; and that it muſt bee a better tongue, then his mouth can yeild, to licke them whole. Notwithſtanding, in this his preſumptious heat, his ſwelling and pregnant wit, hauing by the vvindie incurſion of ſuperiour hopes, conceiued the Idaea of an ill propotioned Brat, where-with for want of a good Mydwife he hath beene in trauaile theſe fiue yeares, is now at length deliuered of a little prettie Pygmie: whom, as if it had deſcended of the ſtock of Hercules, he hath chriſtned, The Nil niſi bella crepat, bella, horrida bella. ouerthrow of the Proteſtants pulpet Bables: and hath entred it into the Church-booke, to bee the worke of I. R. Rudent, (I ſhould ſay Student) in diuinity, Anno Domi. 1612. And, as if he had had the law on his ſide, he hath Preface dedicatory. inuited your worthy ſelues, the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court, to the vpſitting. His hope, no doubt, is, that according to the law of Goſhipping, you will dandle the fathers none boy, and ſweare it is a iolly pretie ape. And ſo I proteſt you may: your verdite herein will not bee much amyſſe, for wot you what? he hath taught it, in leſſe then three monethes, to know mee better, then euer I knew my ſelfe. You would wonder to heare how in the liſping language it will name Pag. 7. D. Iewel, Pag. 7. 149 D. Andrews. Pag. 137. D. Morton, Pag. 8. D. Feild. Pag. 85. 91 303. Sir Edwyn Sands, and among the reſt Sir Edward Hoby, as if it had beene acquainted with either of vs, twice ſeauen yeares at the leaſt. Nay more then ſo, he hath breathed into it ſuch a Criticque, and diſcretiue ſpirit, that it is able to controule, the valour, ſincerity, and learning of the beſt of vs all. But truſt me truely, it hath one propertie, which all this praemature forwardneſſe, is no waies able to counteruaile: you will find it the moſt foule-mouthed Impe, that euer Cerberus bred or Tit. c. 1. v. 12 Crete ſaw. Yet muſt I not conceale the benefit, which I haue in my own perticular reaped thereby, which is not much vnlike, that which obliged Lib. 1. c. 13 Gelon (of whom Aelian maketh mention) to his yolping Curre,

§. 3.

THis poore man, taking, (as it may ſeeme) an after-noones nap, fell into a very fearefull dreame, that his bowells were peirced with a thunder-bolte, the ſoddain and ghaſtly apprehenſion whereof, ſo affrighted him, that he ſent forth moſt pitiful grones, in ſo much as his dog being not far off, and hearing the noyſe, fel on barking, till at lengh he quit his Maiſter, of his ſleepe and feare. Right ſo fared it with me, who thinking to repoſe my ſuperlatiue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Vulnera vulneribus non addas plura receptis. ſorrow, (for the loſſe of one onely Child, a vertuous and louing wife, a broken arme, a burning feuer, & weakneſſe of eies, all in one yeare conglomerated) by the ſolace of a rurall deuoted Deus nobis haec otia fecit. priuacy, fell, I know not how, to clyme the ſteepe hills of certaine craggy ſtudies, and vnwonted ſpeculations, and had not the belowing of this roaring Ouid. Met. lib. 1. Lycaonite, ſomwhat awakened mee, it is twenty to one, I had bin no leſſe perplexed with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Printed at Venice. 1593. Arca Noe, then Gelon with his diſmal dream. Wherfore I ſhould I much degenerate from my ſelf, if in leiw hereof, I would not vouchſafe a litle conference with him, whoſe cal hath freed my braine from ſo great a burthen, And ſeeing he refers him-ſelf to the cenſure of your learned ſociety, of whoſe noble diſpoſition, and renowned diſcretion, your nuptiall reuells, and graue pleadings haue giuen ſufficient teſtimony, to the admyring world, I cannot repute it, the leſt part of my hapines, that I am ſummoned to anſwer, at ſo honorable abench, againſt thoſe vniuſt Cauills and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 eſt morſus figura • us, qui ſape, fraude, vel vrbanitate regitur vt aliud ſonet, aliud intelligatur. Macrob. ſcommatizing imputations, which this falſefiing Ouid. Met. lib. 14. Cecropidan hath forged, againſt certaine paſſages, in a ſhort letter of mine, which ſome few yeares ſince, paſt from my pen To Ma. T. H. to the preſse. And here, before I enter the liſt, I muſt deſire you, to be informed, that my purpoſe is not to foreſtal 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 M. Craſhaws market, nor to put my ſickle into his harueſt, I doubt not but hee hath ſtore of ſtrong powders to mak him feele the ſmart of thoſe wounds, which by drawing ouer a faire skin, he ſeeks to hide, and his Quiuer full of ſuch forked ſhaftes, for the entring of the weake ſides, of the Romiſh cauſe, that the beſt chirurgians, in the Ieſuites Hoſpitall, ſhall hardly with all the art they haue, bee ſo hardy as to pluck them out. So far am I from vſurping the leaſt part of his praiſe, that it grieus me to think, he ſhold waſte his forces vpon ſo inglorious a Hic cum victus erittecum certaſſe feretur foe. The only ſtraite that I am in, is, in reſpect of my ſelf, how I ſhould wade through with your good opinion, being to ſute my Apology to the Iſhmalites obiections, whereof ſome are perſonall, and cannot be well anſwered by my ſelfe Nec te collaudes nec te culpaueris ipſe. without apparance of vainglorious oſtentation, and ſome ſo friuolous, that I haue little or no vſe of thoſe my ſmale readings, which in a more materiall cauſe, I mought with greater pleaſure to my ſelfe, and perhaps content to you, haue imployed; But becauſe I am ſingled out, onely to defend my ſelfe, I muſt craue your forbearance in this, till my fitter opportunitie inhable mee to repay your patience in a better kinde.

§. 4.

THe firſt Epithite with which it pleaſeth this Hagueren to grace thoſe my curſory lines is, the friendly cenſure, of Preface dedicatory. pag. 22. an vnlearned letter, as if him-ſelfe were Act. 8.9. Habet quenda acul • um contumelia, quem pati prudentes as viri boni difficillimé poſſunt. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , ſuch a one as had by his laborious induſtry, climed the top of Pernaſſus, and drunke the fountaine of Helicon drie: the triall hereof I referre, to the vnpartiall reader.

Indeed I cannot but ingenuouſly confeſſe, that I haue loſt many Hoeſcio, quod nihil Scio howers, which I would be glad with double pains, and greater price to redeeme: yet haue I not beene ſuch a ſtranger to thoſe ſacred Siſters, but that I haue ſeene Aristotles Well, and friendly conuerſed with them all. And were it not that Ʋide. §. 3. my infirmities did ſuppreſſe the virility of my ſpirit, I could perhaps readily ſhew (abſit inuidia verbo) as many of their fauors, as this boaſting Iſhmaelite, yea ſhould hee ſeeke and ſearch all the corners of his deske. Had any approued Artiſt, laid ignorance to my charge, I ſhould the ſooner haue ſuſpected my ſelfe; but when your wiſdomes ſhall peruſe the Si ego dignus hac centumelia, tu indignus qui faceres tamen. Solaeciſmes, crabbed phraſes, and incongruities of this nibling Probationer, I doubt not but the compariſon will purchaſe my Nullitie, the title of Mediocria firma. Mediocritie. In the entrance of his preface, which may ſerue as a Perſpectiue to the reſt, hee caſts a Fygure, and rayſeth ſuch a number of iffs, that Barbariſme it ſelfe, would bluſh to reade them. If (ſaith hee) many ſeduced ſoules in our (in this reſpect,) vnhappy nation. &c. If if, &c. Heare is a iobbing Parentheſis, and a crabbed ſtrayne indeed.

In this my learned Magnificoe, ſhowes what refined ſtuffe we ſhall meete withal, in ſifting the ſequele of his diſcourſe: Many a good mans dog, hath broken his leg ouer a leſſe ſtyle. Now if I ſhould ſpell all his iffs backwards, and turne them into ſo many Phi. nota faetoris. fyes, I might cry, fy vpon thoſe Telas arane arum texuit. Cobweb alluſions, ſo often iterated, that the margent would not contain, the perticular Pages, wherein the Pag. 4.20.22. fower times. 31 36.50.57.58.59.133. Spyder or Flye is praedomināt. Fy vpon your accidental & genericall chriſtening of Pag. 246. Bells and relatiue honor of Pag. 201. Images. Fy vpon the bird that defiles his owne neſt, terming his country an Pag. 3. vnhappy kingdom, the Climat Pag. 36. Clowniſh, & infamous, the ayre groſſe, and this Iſland an vſurper of the ſurname of Pag. 18. Crete. Fy vpon that blockiſh ſimplicity, that cō founds a rhethorical acclamation, which the Prophet vſeth to the Eſay. 45. v. 8. Clowdes, and a theological inuocation, which the Papiſts direct to the woden Pag. 207. Croſſe: not diſtinguiſhing betweene a Hyperbolicall exaggeration, and a Superstitious obſecration.

The like art he vſeth vnder the priuiledge of a ſimple Metaphor, to diuide the kingdom between God, and The throne of mercy is hers by a Metaphor. pag. 168. the Virgin. Deſerues hee not to haue your voices for the Rhethoricke Lecture? Thus might I ſtuffe much paper, with many like vnſauoury P. 40. Baberies, wherwith being P. 52 abſorpt, in his P. 44. extaticall contemplations, he perfumeth his il current and worſe cadent lines. So that hee doth well to enioine the reading of his imaginary refutation as a P. 50. pennance to your iudicious eyes; neither haue you any reaſon to ſtop him with a Nil minus, when in plaine tearms he cōfeſſeth, P. 50. Ex ore tuo te iudico. Factus ſum inſipiens, I am become a foole; vnder this colour of affected ſimplicity, his deſire is to paſſe, for Tom tell troth, that ſo with his fooles boltes hee might P. 14. cracke in peeces the credit of our Engliſh Church: But albeit hee ſlauer my poore letter, with his driueling tearmes, I wil yet do him his right, ſince hee will needes bee a foole, I dare vndertake you ſhall finde him a crafty foole. When any of their owne auncient Records are produced, he hath a trick to turne them oft in a trice, blearing his Reader, that theſe are but P. 7 23. worme-eaten ſayings of an old gloſſe: when they are charged with lying ſtories, painted in their Chappels, that fault hee layes to the P. 15. Paynters penſil, and when they are vrged with idolatrous appeale, from God to the Virgine, and the like abſurdities, hee ſhifts them off to the P. 37. Picto • i • us atque Poetis. Poets pen.

§. 5.

THus doth he with the long ſided skirts of his fooles coat, thinke ſhiftingly to hide that, which he dares not doctrinally defend: betweene Poets and Painters he challengeth licence for his Church, to teach and write what ſhee liſt, without check and controle. Which idle conceit, hath ſo fully poſſeſſed them, that there are fewe, or none of their late VVriters, who haue not beene free, of one, or both thoſe (ſo largely priuiledged) companies. Their boundleſſe, and groundleſſe fictions, bewray the moſt to be either Poets, or Paynters; when their Church Hymns are confeſſed to be but figuratiue Poems, and Poeticall fancies, and their pictures but Paynters deuices, you may gheſſe of the inſolidity of the reſt.

I feare Rabſhachehs Fy vpon a ſloud of fools. fooles coate, will be well clawed by his Superiors, for telling of tales out of ſchooles, as alſo for diſcountenancing their highly eſteemed P. 208. Breuiaries, and P. 156. Councells: And he well deſerues it, as being the moſt brazen faced intrudor, that Fooliana euer harboured. You would wonder how he ſhould lurke in the Parliament houſe, to publiſh our (ſuppoſed) P. 59. commaunds. Is it not ſtrange, that a principall Earle of Saliſbury. Secretarie of ſo great a ſtate, ſhould let fall to ſuch an open mouthed fellow, his diſlike, and reſolution to diſcarde P. 52 Maſter Craſhawes Sermon, as our Cecropidan, peraduenture, to raiſe ſome ſiniſter ſuſpition, pretends. Were he now aliue to heare thoſe new inuented fictions, I wonder what he would thinke of ſuch poring ſpies, and hollow-harted Intelligencers M. Tom. Dyrre.Did a Courtier of my acquaintance, who is not far behind him for learning, heare him aſ-certain ſo much, I ſmile to thinke how hee would looke. I preſume the afore-ſaid Councellor would ſoone caſt a net to catch this fleeting Gudgeon, that makes himſelfe ſo priuy to his inward thoughts: And yet (though by all likelihood hee is not Out of the current of his natiue ſtreams extra quatuor Maria) this would not eaſily be compaſſed, For if euer any fellow were made of quick-ſiluer, this is he, as I verily thinke. One while he is in P. 322. Virginia, and can tell you what peaſe-pottage (tawny) the Miniſter did eate, whileſt his fellowes vvere fighting. An other vvhile hee is at an execution at P. 106. Oxford, and by and by he conuerſeth with a P. 321. Credite Piſones. Gentleman of Honour, vvho bringeth him nevves from my Lord De la Warres ovvne mouth: Nay, there can no ſooner bee an argument propounded at my table, but hee hath it ſtraight by the end. If he be now amongſt the roaring Pag. 100. Rakehile, in the Colledge pumpe, he will in a moment bee inuiſible, among the Goſſippes in P. 185. 245 Pemblico: It is not vnlike hee hath met with Fortunatus his hat, his eares are as quicke, as his thought, and his pen ſo well feathered, that it follows him cloſe at the heeles: whatſoeuer his Philautie preſenteth, his heart crediteth, and his hand publiſheth.

Among many other his imaginarie diſcoueries, hee would faine make vs beleeue, that hee hath beene with (glorious) Pag. 104. Qui vbique nullibi Q. Elizabeths ghoſt, taking vpon him to determine with what conſorts ſhee is accompanied; and as if hee had a priuy key to the cloſet of your hearts, hee is ſo ſhameleſly audacious, as vnder colour of rumor, to ſound a falſe Alarum, informing his Readers, that Pag. 5. your generall diſlike, of Mr. Craſhawes intemperancie in writing, and folly in marrying, (being held no conuenient qualitie for your Preacher) did praeſage his preſent diſcharge from his office. Is not this a daungerous mate, that hath ſuch a number of Familiars, to ſend into euery But Picke. hatch, Bedlam Shorditch. Pag. 276. coaſt? Can hee bee ſo carefull of your Honors, as hee pretends, that broacheth out of his fuſtie braine, ſuch muſty ſcandales, for the vilifying of your iudgement, and traducing the conſtancie of your faith? No maruaile if hee taxe my learning, vvho laies ſo hard a cenſure vpon the bleſſed ſoule, of ſo worthy a Saint, chargeth a great Counſellor of eſtate, and your venerable Societie, with theſe ſurmiſes; were that time beſtowed in his theologicall ſtudies, which hee ſpends in hunting after fabulous reports, hee might with more probability, haue made a greater breach into our Fort, then hee is now with his paper-ſhot like to performe.

§. 6.

YEt I cannot but commend him for his iugling, what hee wants in reall, hee ſupplies vvith perſonall imputations: I haue eaten more then a buſhell of ſalt in Fraunce, the Lowe-Countries, Spaine, Portugal, &c. in all vvhich time I cannot iuſtly accuſe my ſelfe of any military ſeruice, by ſea or land which I refuſed, or diſhonorable diſgrace which I pocquetted: Yet doth this Lycaonite, for vvant of better ſtuffe, diſplay mee to be a Knight, Pag. 21. more famous for my penne, then my ſworde.

It ſeems he grieues that I ſhould ſleepe in a ſound skinne; the truth is, as I was neuer forward in putting my ſelfe vppon the pikes of needeleſſe daungers; ſo did I neuer turne my backe, where my aduerſarie durſt ſhevv his face. Sua vulnera narrat. Miles glorioſus, beene long ſince a laughing ſtocke, to the vvhole Theatre: I haue euer held it more valour to let others feele, then for my ſelfe to make boaſt of the ſharpeneſſe of my ſworde. If I haue not beene famous for quarrels, it hath either been my happineſſe, which hee ſeemeth to enuy, or my heedineſſe, vvhich hee hath reaſon to commend. Whether Mars or Mercury had the praedominance in my Natiuity, I am not ſo cunning Format enim natura prius no • intus ad omnem fortunarum habitum. a Starre-gazer to determine. It ſhall bee my greateſt content, to ſtand as a Jſti adſimiles ſunt abacorum calculis, qui & ſecucdum voluntatem Cal culatoris modo obolum aereum, modò, talentum valent J • a A • lici ad nutum Principis, modò beati, modò miſerifi un • . Cypher, in what ranke of employment my Maſters fauour ſhall bee pleaſed to place mee: To whoſe honor, and ſeruice, I will neuer be daunted to ſacrifice my deareſt blood. How this Rodomantado may vnderualew my worth, vnleſſe hee were a more competent Iudge, the matter is not great.

§. 7.

HIs next flurte is at my witt, which (ſaith hee) pag 22. Were it aunſwerable to my name, or my learning, as high, as my own conceite thereof, I were a ſoaring birde. Thus do his ſquibbes flie about to ſindge my feathers. By all meanes I would not haue him loſe this conceit. Marke the alluſion: were my wit aunſwerable to my name, I were a ſoaring bird: Well flowne Buzzard: I perceiue hee will flie farre for a ieſt: would hee not proue (think you) a good Anagrammiſt, that can deſcant ſo well vppon a name? Well I am glad I had it for him, or elſe all this ſport had beene mar'd. To iuſtifie my witte, were wit-leſſe folly; Yet if an ambitious ſpirit, had that little in keeping, I am perſwaded hee ſhould haue no great neede, to borrow of this indigent Artiſt: who would make vs beleeue he was borne in the ful moone, when wit was a dealing. The fates, no doubt, were very partiall, to emptie all their vyalls, into one caske; It cannot be but he muſt needs haue a great skonce, that hath ingroſſed ſuch a maſſe of wit. There is no queſtion but this Brauo will wel perform the gybing task, vnto which by the Ladies liberall purſe—promiſes (their former Spreta exoleſcuat, ſi iraſcare, aguita videntur. c. Tacit. Libels being turned into ſmoake) he ſtands ingaged. If hee miſſe his pay let him ſobbe for I. R. vnderſtandeth me, ſhe was of the arting kinds. her death, who hauing giuen firſt incouragement, did not long after, by Gods great mercy, ende her daies in a farre other manner, then he expected.

§. 8.

THe conceipt of my learning, wherewith my innocent thoughts are vniuſtly vpbrayded, cannot bee well remoued by bare words; but had hee a window into my breaſt, to ſurvaie the imaginations of my heart, his pen is not now ſo buſie in cenſuring, as his tongue would bee diligent in reuoking. I am, God wot, too priuy to mine owne defects, to giue credit to any comparatiue attributes in that kinde. My deſire hath bin to holde conformity herein, to my firſt breeding, and to keepe pace, with men of my owne ranke. Wherein, if I haue gayned ſo much as may ſerue for my owne meditations, and my Countries affayres, wherein I am intereſſed, I neither enuy them that haue more, nor diſparrage thoſe which haue leſſe.

Whervpon this his ſurmize ſhould grow, I cannot readily tell, vnleſſe he find himſelfe wrung with his owne Obtrectator magis m • rbum ſuum quam mores alienos prodit. ſhooe. Had I as much learning as hee wants, I could finde good vſe for much more. The Apoſtle long ſince taught me, and lent me a brydle, which may ſerue as a curbe, to ſubdue the like motions of his ſwelling pride: 1. Cor. 3 v. 2. Si quis ſe exiſtimat ſcire aliquid, nondum cognouit, quemadmodum oporteat eum ſcire. The greateſt Tympany hath not alwaies the beſt burthen; where the hill is higheſt, commonly, the graſſe is loweſt; the deepeſt riuer runnes with the leaſt noice, Sapere ſupra ſobrietatem, O di pracocia ingenia. hath beene as dangerous in the Church, as pernicious in the ſtate. A great Maſt ſoone ouerturnes a little Barke, and hee which bringeth a great Armie into the field, without victuall or munition, is like to goe by the worſte. Wherefore, how-ſoeuer I may be miſconſtrued, my courſe hath euer beene, by comparing that which I doe not know, with that little which I haue attained, to ſubſtract many ounces, from that ordinary opinion, which men of his profeſſion doe in like caſe intertaine. It is for children to bee proude of Peacocks feathers, and for baſe aſpiring ſpirits, to ſet out their paynted butter-flies with Eagles winges.

True generoſity baniſheth ſuch baſe thoughts, if the Vino vendibili non o • us haedera. wine bee good, no matter for a greene buſh. Wherfore I am well content to beſtow this Cauill vpon the firſt Plaerique in id nati, vt ne que ipſi quieſcant, nec alios ſinant. Thucid. founder, for his paines If his meanes may bee bettered, or his credit more currant, by the ſtampe which it ſhal receuie, from the partial hand of his ouerweening imagination, I ſhall not repine to ſee him make his beſt of ſuch ordinary commodities. The world will perhaps wonder at my charity, and the rather for that hee further taxeth mee for, Pag. 22. fluttering in a webbe of weake ſ • unders, which is ſo vile a reproach, that patience it ſelfe would ſhrinke, if not ſinke, vnder the burthen.

A man had neede haue the ſheilde of Pallas to repell theſe poyſoned dartes: but as longe as they flie from ſo weake a hand, without the vantage of firmer proofes, there is good hope they will neither fly flarre, nor peirce deepe.

§. 9.

WHat hee ſhould meane by theſe weake ſlaunders, my dull brayne cannot conceiue, vnleſſe he haue reference to thoſe three Falſifications, where-with his ſeditious treatiſe, would gladly perſwade Saint Auguſtine to finde him-ſelfe greiued. Pag. 134. This (ſaith he) is not onely, groſe ignorance, but alſo great impudency, &c. Want of conſcience, which I haue bewraied, in framing ſentences for Sainst Auguſtin; which he neither wrote, nor ſo much as dreamed of. And therfore he warnes Maiſter Craſhawe that, in proofe of his aſſertion, hee bring not ſuch testimony as the three alleaged by me, out of that Father, to proue he reiected the Machabees. Thus doth this Spider-catcher trauaiſe his ground, with a goodly flouriſh, as if he meant, with the weake Goddeſſes, to binde Iupiter: but if he bring not ſome Briareus to aſſiſte him, it wil not be long ere he be Magn • is tamen excidit auſis. out of breath. Amongſt all that I wrote in an 114, pages, hee hath only a ſpite at one leafe, which lies in the heart of my letter; and that the world may know hee is a man of his handes, hee puts euery ſillable to the ſword. One ſhall hardly finde ſuch an Examiner in a country. I beſhrew his curioſity; Hee is ſo nice, that hee hath made Mee and my Printer allmoſt fall out, about ſetting Pag. 135. Grande piaculum. Razis for Razias. The beſt ſatiſfaction I could get from him was, that if Maſter Iſhmael be ſo ſtrict for a letter, rather then he would ſtand in law with him, he would willingly graunt that laſt ſillable, to Nunquam ego hominem magis aſinam vidi him and his heires for euer.

This is he by way of amends content to ſet downe vnder his hand. And that you may ſee hee meanes no double dealing, he is well pleaſed, the whole world ſhould be witneſſe: adding this proteſtation, that he is ſorry he hath withheld his due ſo longe. But to return to that Marble pillar, that glorious Saint, that euer admired Auguſtine, I cannot but deplore my hard hap, that I ſhould be indited for the leaſt wronge, done to him, to whoſe heauenly Meditations, ſweet ſayings, and learned diſcourſes, I owe more then the half of my ſelf. Would any man beleeue, that I ſhold father that booke, de mirabilibus ſacrae ſcripturae vpon him?Pag. 122. Varius ait, Scaurus negat. Rabſhacbeh auerres that. Indeed I cannot denie that finding it in their owne Coppies in equall rancke, with thoſe other bookes that goe vnder the title of Saint Auguſtine his workes, and hauing no other certaine, or knowne author, vnder whoſe name I mought cite it, I was loath to trouble the margent, with any Circumloquution, cōtenting my ſelf only to note where it might be found. And this I did to a double end. Firſt, to draw and extort from the aduerſarie, an open confeſſion of the falſehood of their forefathers, in packing and placing their baſtardly brood, amongſt the naturall children, and true branches of thoſe Angelical Doctors. Which vniuſt dealing, hath not beene the leaſt bane of the Chriſtian world. Secondly, to inferre vpon their owne acknowledgement, and diſcarding this booke, that the teſtimonie euen of the moſt partiall, that vented their follies in thoſe firſt declining yeeres, will ſteed them but very little, for authorizing the Machabees, from whence the foundation of their praier, and oblation for the dead was firſt deriued. As neere as I can remember, I thus argued with my ſelfe: If they grant that Saint Auguſtines penne doe feuer the Machabees from the diuine Canon, then the matter will bee ſoone at an end: and if they deny that booke to bee his, then hovv vvill they excuſe the infidelitie of their Church, who hath in her time plaide manie ſuch lewde prankes as this? Or how vvill they anſwere Antiquitie, vvhich diſtinguiſhed theſe bookes eight hundred and nine yeeres; before either The book de Mirabilibus, was written 627. vt. P. 133 Luther or Suinglius vvere borne.

So that my reply is this: If it bee a booke of no account, not ſauouring of Saint Augustines vvit, learning, and ſtile, then are they culpable either of forging, or maintenance, or both; If it bee not his, why was it entertained? vvhy is it continued in their own editions amongſt his golden works? If they print it vnder his name, they may giue me leaue ſo to note it, where they might be ſure to finde it. Yea, but P. 3. q. 45. art. 3. ad 2. teſte Tho. Aquinate, it hath beene long ſince pronounced diſcarded: By like it will not ſerue the Popes turne; vvhy then welfare their honeſt Index expurgatorius, that will tell manie tricks of the like cleanly conueiance. In what an intricate age doe wee liue? A man cannot, ſafely, read any their fathers, but he muſt turne ouer Thomas Aquinas, before hee can tell what workes are their owne; and conſequently, may catch a Snake, inſtead of an Eele, ere hee be aware.

§. 10.

THus you well ſee (ingenuous Gentlemen) how I haue quit my hands of the firſt falſehood, my ſcope being not then to prooue that booke de mirabilibus to be Saint Auguſtines, but firſt to euince them of forgerie, and then to ſhevve vvhat their ovvne Antiquitie did manie hundred yeeres agoe thinke, of thoſe Apocriphall books. Had I bin indeed perſwaded, that it had bin S. Augustines owne off-ſpring, I ſhould haue held it needles to cumber the breuity of a letter with more then one other proofe of the ſame Father▪ But becauſe I foreſaw, that by this baite I ſhould bring the oppoſite partie, to one of thoſe ineuitable diſaduantages formerly mentioned; I therefore added tvvo ſeuerall teſtimonies, (vvhich he cannot diſauow) to confirme the ſame truth; in the alleaging vvhereof, hee cries out, P. 134. that I am a notorious falſefier. For triall vvherof my pen proſtrates it ſelfe to your cenſure.

The vvords by mee cited are theſe; Mr. T. H. P. 60. Machabaeorum Scriptura recepta est ab Eccleſia, non inutiliter, ſi ſobriè legatur, vel auditatur, maxime propter iſtos Martyres: vvhereupon my inference was this, Ergo ob hanc cauſam in Canone morum, non fidei cenſeri poſset. Which laſt clauſe I wonder how it ſhould ſo paſſe my ſight in the re-vievv: For, peruſing my firſt draught, I finde go vvritten ſhort in another letter, to diſtinguiſh my inference from his proofe; It ſeemeth either my Manuaties haſte, or the Dominum De um • n • strum Papam, not his Phraſe but ouer-ſight in print. P. 149. Printers miſpriſion, hath turned go into (ſed) as if the ſame had beene continued, vvhereas my Engliſh reddition was plaine. And that (conſequently) they are in the Canon of Manners, &c. vvhich Aduerbe, their former error cauſed them vtterly to omit. Verſtij Paraſceue. Such ſcapes oftentimes happen, when the Author himſelfe cannot attend the preſſe. Now that you may perceiue there is no ſuch Trophey in this caſuall addition, which no man of ſence vvould willingly haue ſuffered, when the Authors are obuious to euery eye; you ſhall ſee, I had S. Hieroms authority for that inference, though I then did not quote him, whoſe words are theſe:

Jn praf. lib. Salomonis. Iudith, Tobiae, et Machabaeorum libros legit quidem Eccleſia, ſed eos inter Canonicas Scriptur as non recepit: and hee explaines himſelfe how this ſhould be vnderſtood, Legat Eccleſia, (ſayth hee) ad aedificationem plebis, non ad authoritatem dogmatum Eccleſiaſticorum confirmandam; reckon all theſe together you ſhall find them amount to no leſſe ſumme, then that the bookes of Machabees are in Canone morum, non fidei, cenſendi. Might it haue pleaſed him to haue ſifted Lyra, Brito, Rabanus, and Caietan, vvhom I there cited, this matter would not haue beene ſuch a beame in his eye.

How will he looke when Mr. Craſhaw ſhal make him fly to his Printer for Sanctuarie in greater extremities, then the miſtaking of a word? Will you giue me leaue to praeſage vvhat he will ſay? Admit this clauſe annexed be true in it ſelfe; yet how can it bee collected out of theſe former words, when as S. Augustine, ſhewing that the Iewes doe not admit the booke of Machabees, as they do the Law, Prophets, and Pſalmes, addeth Sed recepta eſt ab Eccleſia non inutiliter, ſi ſobriè legatur, vel audiatur, maximè propter iſtos Martyres Machabaeos; How can you then conclude, ergo, it is not Canonicall?

Nay rather, the conſequence will be this, ergo the Chriſtian Church doth admit the booke of Machabees, as Canonicall in that ſenſe, that the Iewes did refuſe them, to wit as the Lawe, Prophets, and Pſalmes, any of P. 135. which may more hurt then profit, if the ſame bee read in a drunken fit of a wanton wit.

This inference I grant is in another letter indeed, his Printer hath done him right to ſet it in his owne Character; for neither did Saint Auguſtine dreame, neither would any ſober ſetled braine ſtumble vpon ſuch a ſenſe. Doth not hee make Saint Auguſtine ſpeake that which hee neuer meant, vvhen hee rackes his words, inforcing him to ſay that Canonicall Scripture is receiued of the Church, with a Si, which is neceſſarily to bee acknowledged, though it fall out by default to bee Sapor mortis ad mortem? or did hee dreame of ſuch a drunken Church, as theirs ſeems to be by their cloyning of the Scriptures from the common people, leaſt it ſhould hurt them? Had his purpoſe bin to ſet theſe books in the ſame throne imperiall vvith the ſacred Scriptures, to vvhat end dooth he inſtance in, thoſe Machabees Martyrs? This ſpecification (maximè propter iſtos Martyres Machabaeos) declares vvhere the daunger lies: implying, if vvee ſayle vvell by theſe rocks, there is (though no neceſſity) ſome vſe of the reſt. So that the words, rightly poyſed vvill beare that diſtinction, vvhich Saint Hierome, vvho was better acquainted vvith Saint Augustines meaning, and the Churches cuſtome, dooth reſolutely maintaine, that Canonicall Scripture muſt neceſſarilie bee receiued: as for other vncertaine writings, they may not vnprofitablie bee read:

And whereas hee confeſſeth that the Iewes, vvho were the beſt Surueyors of the authority of their ovvne Hiſtories, did reiect them; You may well thinke, hee held it ſmall reaſon for after ages to intertaine them in the higheſt eſteeme, as Iudges of their faiths: though hee ſaw many good things, for which the Church, with a little caution, did approue them.

§. 11.

THus for want of better ſporte, this trifling companion, is faine to play with a feather, which when he hath blown vp as high as hee can, falls downe, and ſtickes vpon his owne coate: I cannot blame you if your Angligena attollant equites, pedites que cachinnum. laughter ſome-what paſſe modeſty, when you conſider how wittely he workes, vpon that clauſe, Si ſobrié legatur, turning the weakenes of the iudgement (which Saint Augustine vpon good probability feared) into that intemperance of diſordered affection, which was not by him intended. By this common acceptation of the word Sobriè (in this place ridiculous) hee glides to this needleſſe concluſion, Pag. 135. that there is no ſtory, nor miracle in the holy Bible, which ſome will not deride, when they bibble, and take Faeda Tobacciſeriquid vult contagio ſum, Prater inauditam perlus membre lu • m? Tobacco, or when they read the Scripture, as Sir Edward Hoby doth ſeeme to doe Lypſius his booke, of our Ladies miracles by the fier ſide, when men roaſt crabs to driue à man out of à melancholy fitt; To M. T. H. Pag. 102. I preſume you haue read that diſcourſe, ſo that I ſhall not need twiſe to preſent you with the ſame diſh. Neuer did your eies behold ſuch lewd lies, and incredible falſe-hoods, as that Aliquando fit in Ecleſia maxima deceptio populi in miraculis ſactis à Sacerdotibus propter lucrum L •• a. in. ca. 14. Daniel. Miracle-monger ſetteth to ſale for ſound truthes. It is not vnlike, that this probationer hath taken vp ſome ſtore of them vpon truſt, and becauſe he cannot now ſo cleanly put them to ſale, but that they ſtill he vpon his hand, (the dulleſt ſent finding that they haue taken too much winde,) hee therefore takes it in dudgeon that I ſhould hinder his market by ſaying that Reddere perſonae ſci • cenuenientia cui que . Lypſius is worthy the reading by the fier ſide, when men roast crabbs. This makes him as hotte as a toſte. This roaſting of Crabbs ſettes his teeth on edge.

Doe you ſee what a queaſie ſtomack hee hath? His Et data Romanis venia eſt in digna poet •• . Poets and Painters may lymme and faine, what ridiculous Chimaeras they pleaſe, by vertue of his diſpenſation; But Sir Edward Hoby muſt be called in queſtion, if hee chance to clap a Ʋerba que praeuiſam rem non inuita ſequuntur. wilde phraſe vpon a vile fiction: As if I were now to learne of ſuch an Hipodidaſcalian Paedagogue to Quo ſcribi poſſunt numero, quoue ordine dicam. meaſure my phraſe by his Sibi conuenientia fingit. rule and line. Alaſſe poore Nouice, I haue liued a little too longe to goe to ſchoole to ſuch an Ignatius as hee is, that cannot diſtinguiſh between a Helmet, and a Couentry capp. I haue euer held it art enough, for mee to pleaſe my Quem penes arbitrium est, et ius, et forma loquendi. ſelfe; It is for ſuch ſeruile pens as his, to write in Moode and Figure: But doth hee not (thinke you) deſerue the wood of the Crabb, that is ſo angry with the Crab of the wood? Can you deny that hee flutters in a web of fooliſh Baberies, when he bables of bibling & taking Nuga mea arguuntur, adeó factorum innocens ſum. Tobacco. I am ſure this is no mortal ſin, though if it were, I haue litle reaſon to trauel to the Popes toe for a Pardon, no not if I were ſure to haue the paring of his nayle with th' appurtenances for my paines. Shall I be ſo bold as to make you my confeſſors? Then I confeſſe in my time I haue not beene an enemy to that Indian weede, and perhaps haue ſpent ſome-what that way, which had bin better giuen to the poore. Yet my tennants cannot ſay, but that my chimneys did euer ſmoak more then my noſe. As for theſe late yeares, I doe not remember, that I had a pipe in my hand twice. So that the Informer may put vp this ieſt in his boxe; If he be as free from all his olde vices, and drunken conceites, as I am from this vanity, hee ſhall not neede any great pennance. You may ſee how gladly hee would finde a hole in my coate, who catcheth ſo at a Et fumus et fimus. vapour, which is long ſince flowne out of his reach.

§ 12.

THe next flaw which he finds is Pag. 135. an imperfect Allegation of the ſame Father, without any direction where hee might finde it. In which he hath ſhewed himſelfe a very kinde Aduerſarie, by quoting the place, and adding the words which were wanting. I will not requite him with the Prouerbe, that profered ſeruice merits ſmall thankes: but in lieu of his labour, I will more fully aduertiſe him of my ſcope, which hee ſeemes wholie to miſtake. My purpoſe was from a ground out of Saint Auguſtine, to proue that the booke of Machabees is not Canonicall. My Major is S. Auguſtine, as well knowne as the Beggar knoweth his diſh, In libris Canonicis, nuſquam nobis praeceptum, permiſſumué, &c. In holy Canonicall Scripture there is no diuine precept or permiſsion to be found, that either to gayne immortalitie or to eſcape any perill we may make away with our ſelues: But Razias mentioned in the Machabees, is commended for a fact of this kinde: Ergo, Theſe bookes are not Canonicall.

This Syllogiſme I had a deſire to contract. Artis eſt artem diſſimulare. Hee is a ſimple Painter that is driuen to write a Gooſe, or a VVoodcocke ouer-head, that people may know what feature hee hath drawne vnderneath. Neither doe Rhethoricians vſe to diſtinguiſh their propoſitions by name, leaueing worke for the Logicall Analyſis, to ſet euery part in the proper place: VVherefore being then loath to be tedious to the Reader with long Quotations, I held it beſt to abridge two Authorities in one, and did forbeare to note the places, becauſe I was reſolued to deliuer the words by waight, and not by tale.

The words by mee deliuered were theſe: In ſanctis Canonicis libris nuſquàm nobis diuinitùs, praeceptum, permiſſumue reperiri poteſt, vt vel ipſius adipiſcendae immortalitatis, vel vllius Carendi, Cauendi que mali cauſa nobis ipſis necem inferamus. At Razias ſeipſum occidens laudatur. Pag. 135. Theſe foure words (ſaith he) are added to the Text, S. Auguſtine hath them not. Farre was it from S. Auguſtines grauitie, to ſay, that Razias was therefore praiſed in the Machabees; For hee ſaith the contrary in expreſſe termes, in the very ſame place againſt Gaudentius.

I will not be the man, that ſhall ſet S. Auguſtine at oddes with S. Auguſtine. I could gladly haue concealed it, if there be any ſuch contradiction. But ſeeing hee ſues me to iuſtifie my Aſſumption, That Razias is therefore commended in the Machabees, I muſt referre you to Lyra in 2 Mach. 14. Lyra, 2 Mach. 14. VVhere hauing deliuered two caſes, wherein the Iewes held it not onely lawfull, but meritorious for a man to kill himſelfe: as firſt, Ne ſubditus fieret peccatoribus: Secondly, Ne in contemptum Dei Coeli, eius vita in ludibrio haberetur: Hee concludes, Et vt dicunt aliqui, hoc modo intelligendum eſt dictum Auguſtini, quod habetur hic in Gloſſa: and, as ſome thinke, S. Auguſtines ſaying, which followeth here in the Gloſſe, is thus to be vnderſtood. O that I could meete with that ſaying of S. Auguſtine, which I omitted to cite. Doth Lyra ſay, it followeth here in the Gloſſe? then will I preſume ſo farre vppon your patience, as to write it out. Lyra in Mach. l. 2. c. 14. Vnde & Scriptura huius Libri, quae recepta est ab Eccleſia ad legendum pro informatione morum, non videtur hic Raziam arguere, ſed potiùs Marke Mr. Rab • echeth. commendare, de ſui ipſius interfectione. Si autem praedicta non ſufficiunt ad eius excuſationem, poteſt dici quod fecit hoc per ſpiritualem inſtinctum Spiritus Sancti: Whereupon the Scripture of this Booke, which is receiued by the Church to be read, for the information of manners, doth not ſeeme here to reproue Razias, but rather to commend him for killing of himſelfe, &c.

Now whether S. Auguſtine were of this minde or no, let it lye vpon Lyraes report, who here relateth, eyther the very wordes, or the receiued ſenſe. Yet doth not this Sophiſter ſticke to ſay, It was farre from his grauitie, hee read not that Booke with ſo little ſobrietie. Howſoeuer, it is not much materiall, for hauing my Major out of S. Auguſtine, that in no Canonicall Booke there is eyther Precept or Permiſsion for a man to kill himſelfe, it is ſufficient for mee, to proue from the aſſent, euen of the Rabbins, (albeit that Father had not iumped in this point, as hee ſeemes to doe,) that Razias is here commended: and ſo may conclude, That they are not Canonicall.

How would this dizzie brainde Iſhmalite haue inſulted, had I noted S. Auguſtine, de Ciuitate Dei, in the Margent, for the whole, which error a man might eaſily haue committed vpon Lyraes warrant, that my Clauſe and Minor Propoſition, that Razias is therefore commended, was not onely held by the opinion of the Rabbins, but euen of Saint Auguſtine himſelfe: VVherefore as hee hath found Saint Auguſtine for the firſt part, let him put Lyra to the laſt, and then I will paſſe my word, the Concluſion ſhall be free from his ſuppoſed colluſion.

Did I doubt of the agilitie of your apprehenſion, I could be more prolixe in the explication thereof, but becauſe I haue another Crow to pull with him, I will no further inlarge my Apologie in this point.

§ 13.

THe laſt Pag. 318. occaſion which he pretends hath giuen him iuſt cauſe to carpe is, for that I ſaid To Mr. T.H. Pag. 92. our Engliſh nation was not conuerted vnto Chriſt by that proud and inſolent Auguſtine, their great Gregories delegate: affirming that he taught vs no more, then wee knew before, ſetting ſome friuilous Ceremonies aſide. VVherevpon hee enforceth, that J neuer read that Maſter-worke of the three Conuerſions of England, wherein the teſtimonie of Guildas, by mee cited, is largely handled and fully declared. Should I graunt all, I cannot ſee what inconuenience will enſue. Is there no better imployment of my time, then the pervſall of that Arch-fugitiues lines? Or hath none beſides of their faction beaten this buſh, and harped on the ſame ſtring? Or am I in conſcience bound to put the ſeale of my aſſent to whatſoeuer F. Parſons did write? I confeſſe hee acknowledgeth that Saint Peter was here, hee mentioneth alſo (perhaps vpon greater probabilitie) the comming of Saint Paul, Simon Zelotes, Ariſtobulus, and Joſeph of Arimathaea. VVhere doe I ſay, that they weary the World, and bob their credulous Ladies, as if they neuer had heard of Gildas his Teſtimonie? I neuer named their Author, nor queſtioned that matter. Howſoeuer it pleaſe him to ioyne the pieces of two ſentences together, which are almoſt a whole Page diſtant; and to fetch his Marginall Note 92. Pages off.

Gildas his teſtimonie (ſaid I) hath beene vrged that the Britaines receiued the Chriſtian Faith from the beginning, and after many ſuch like Inſtances, I conclude that theſe particulars haue beene againe and againe renewed, without any verified contradiction; ſo farre was I from denying that their Author mentioneth not theſe, whom I well know hee hath particularly cited. That which I wondred at, was this, that notwithſtanding the former inſtances by them not denied, they ſhould ſtand ſo much vpon the Conuerſion of England, by Saint Gregories meanes; at which I onely aymed, as if that originall and primitiue Conuerſion, had beene a matter which they neuer heard of before. VVhen they haue made the beſt they can of it, it will proue at the moſt to be but a new ſupply, and a further propagation of the Goſpell formerly preached among the Inhabitants of this Land. For, if Britaine were many hundred yeeres before that time conuerted (as themſelues confeſſe,) then did not Auguſtine lay the corner-ſtone himſelfe, but built vpon the Foundation of other men.

So that the particulars were not by mee ſpecified, as if they denyed them, but to proue from their owne acknowledgement, that they had therefore little reaſon ſo to magnifie the enterance of that Delegate, with the glorious ſtile of the Conuerſion of this Engliſh Nation.

§ 14.

NOw, whereas hee further replieth, that the people of this Country (the Britaines being expelled) were then Heathen: I demaund, whether hee found not in Britaine, at his Arriuall, amongſt the Engliſh Saxons, ſeauen Biſhops, and an Arch-biſhop, vvho were not onely Profeſſors, but alſo Preachers of the Chriſtian Faith? VVere there not at that in the Monaſterie of Bangor two thouſand Monkes? VVas not Bed. lib. 1. c. 25 Q. Aldiberga a good Chriſtian before hee came into Kent? or had the Biſhop her Chaplaine no Faith at all? VVill hee not beleeue Bede, L. 1. c. 17. who writeth that before Auguſtines comming, the Britaines were infected with Arianiſme and Pelagianiſme? Perhaps this Cure deſerued the name of a Conuerſion: yea, but Auguſtine was not the Phyſitian. The French-men (ſaith Bede) at the requeſt of the Britaines, met in a Synode, and ſent Germanus and Lupus, by whom the Heretiques were confuted, and the auncient Faith reuiued, before that Monke ſet foote vpon Engliſh ground. But becauſe hee is ſo confident in the three Conuerſions, as if that Mallet were able to ſtrike all dead, let him learne from his owne Author, that which I beleeue hee will be ſcarſe willing to heare, viz. Part. 1. c. 9. n. 1. That from the time of K. Lucius, vntill the comming of Auguſtine, which was foure hundred yeere and more, they did not alter their Faith, but it remained among them when hee entered.

VVhat is now become of this goodly Conuerſion? Dares hee let his witneſſe be examined any further? That Faith (ſaith hee) which Auguſtine brought, and that which the Britaines had before, muſt needes bee one and the ſelfe-ſame in all materiall and ſubſtantiall Poynts. VVee ſhall not neede to vrge him with further Interrogatories, the Iewrie ſees hee failes in this Iſſue, and therefore their verdict will be, that It was onely a ſuperficiall, and no ſubſtantiall Conuerſion. Hath hee not now brought his Hoggs to a faire Market? Hath hee read the Booke of the three Conuerſions? The caſe is ſo cleare now, that his Mulier nihil ſcit, niſi quod ipſa cupit. Ladies ſhall be able to conceiue it.

But ſuppoſe it were a Conuerſion, I hope they preſume ſo farre vpon Auguſtines honeſtie, that hee would not broach any other Faith, then that which his Maſter, by whom hee was ſent, had giuen him in charge. If ſo, what will become of the Popes Supremacie, Images, Merits of workes, and the like traſh; which that Catholike appeale for Proteſtants. Way to the Chur. Sect. 49. Gregorie was ſo farre from countenancing by his authoritie, that hee diſclaimed by his Penne? So that if he were a Founder, yet was it not of that Faith, which the B. of Romes Proctors doe now ſo ſtifly maintaine: and conſequently this imaginarie Suppoſition will bruiſe their owne Pates. But how ſhall I then ſcape his hands for wronging Auguſtine? Hee cannot endure to heare him tearmed a proud and inſolent Delegate: indeede, vvere my Malice the Mynter of this contumelious reproach, I confeſſe hee had no reaſon to ſtand with his finger in his mouth; but hee might haue done well before hee had growne into ſuch a choler, to haue taken Counſell of the Britaine BB. L. 2. C. 2. Bede would haue informed him how Lordly hee ſate in his Chaire, like a little Pope, Vultus animi index. neither ariſing nor bowing to the BB. when they came into the Synode, more like a Lord, hauing dominion of their Faith, then a Conuerter, beſeeching them in the Name of the Lord Ieſus. Thoſe BB. were not ſo ſimple, but they could Ex vngue Leonem. diſcouer his Pride, and therefore endeuoured to ouer-thwart him in whatſoeuer hee propoſed. VVell did his Maſter perceiue his ambitious ſpirit, when hee gaue him this cooling Card touching the BB. of France; Greg. reſp. ad inter. Aug. Bed. l. 1. c. 27. In Galliarum Epiſcopos, nullam tibi authoritatem tribuimus: Wee giue you no authoritie ouer them. All this notwithſtanding, I muſt haue my lips ſealed, not daring to ſay, that Hee was a proud inſolent Delegate. I ſee no reaſon why vitium and conuitium ſhould be parted: ſeeing hee deſerued it, hee is beſt vvorthy to haue it.

VVere I now in his caſe, I ſhould be in a pittifull feare leaſt the Noble Ladies, whom hee hath ſo groſſely deluded, ſhould like ſo many Hecubaes, ſeeke ſome violent reuenge: what ſtarting hole can there be poſſibly found, to hide theſe his writing falſifications from their curious eyes? when they ſhall perceiue how he coniures my ſentences together, to raiſe his owne ſence, hee may well thinke their Contributions will be ſoone ſhortned, and Exhibitions reuoked: farre is it from their generous diſpoſitions to giue incouragement to any ſuch audacious Vaſſall, in the cauſleſſe traducing of a Knight, to whom their Honors is no leſſe deare then his owne.

§ 15.

IF hee haue any Plea for himſelfe, it will be this; that Pag. 133. 135 22. 218. &c. hee doth not charge the Knight with theſe ignorant and impudent corruptions: No, hee thinkes not ſo diſhonorably of men of my calling; hee aymes onely at the Miniſter that ſuggeſted vnto mee theſe corrupted pieces of Saint Auguſtine. His purpoſe was onely to gall thoſe Pedanties, Trencher-Schoole-Maſters, and humorizing Diſcourſers, that caſt ſuch Flies and follies vpon my Trenchers: If hee haue taxed mee with ignorance, that is pardonable in a Knight: but as for notorious falſhoodes, hee is ſo charitably perſwaded of mee, that hee knowes ſome Trencher-Miniſter, or Mercenarie Lecturer, (yea, Mr. Craſhawe himſelfe, who is great in my Booke,) hath caſt them on my Trencher, to put into my Booke: and that theſe Miniſters haue made mee print ſuch ſtuffe, eyther falſe, or impertinent, with the loſſe of my Honor, which had I ſeene their Bookes I would neuer haue done againſt my Conſcience and knowledge. Adding further, that what J haue written, it hath beene by their ſuggeſtions, as hauing my ſelfe not read, nor knowne ſo much as the ſubiect and Argument of the three Conuerſions of England, which I ſeeme to ſpeake againſt: and that theſe are the men that made mee flye hoodwinck'd to catch Flyes. In fine, as for any thing that hee hath written, it was to no other end, but that I might no longer truſt my Trencher-Schoole-Maſters, but ſet ſuch a frowne vpon them, that they might vaniſh out of my ſight for euer; not ſuffering my ſelfe to be thus troubled, and my Credit blowne vp, but rather to lay the matter of the Pamphlet vpon the true Father, onely chalenging to my ſelfe the Stile and Phraſe which may well beſeeme a Knight, and is too rich and golden to clothe the foule Brat of a Miniſters Braine. Thus doth hee pleade without his Fee, making the Salue worſe then the Cauda & capite mendacium grauiter ferit. Sore: firſt, treading on my Toe, and then crying mee mercy: but the beſt is, I am not troubled with Cornes, or if I were, I would ſoone cut them out. VVhat hee ſtriues to perſwade the world with my diſabilitie, I am not ſo Conuitia hominum turpium laudes puta. popular much to heed: neyther can his Cani latranti praeda facilè, elabitur. ſnarling ſurmiſes abate one graine of my eſteeme. My eyes are not yet, I thanke God, ſo dim, but that I am able to reade; nor my apprehenſion ſo dull, but that I can vnderſtand, not onely the Argument, but euen the moſt artificiall conueyance of the beſt of their VVorkes.

Vpon my life hee hath beene an old notorious Truant: Had he made Sic vos non vobis. his owne Exerciſes vvhen hee vvent to Schoole, hee would neuer haue beene ſo ſuſpicious of my Penne. Is it not ſtrange ſuch a Dottrell, ſhould ſo preſume of his owne wit, as if hee were able to wooe me to diuide mine owne childe? I aſſure mee, that all that know me, will vndertake I was not from home when it was begotten. How eaſily would I haue beleeued him vpon his word, that there was no hand in the building of his Nec oleum, nec operam ſapit. Pinnace, but his owne; yet will not hee take my Ego credidi ancillae tuae, tu non credis mihi ipſi? hand for the naturalizing of my owne Lines, which as I had ſtrength to beget, ſo doubt I not to finde ſtocke to maintaine. VVere I ſo happy to ſee him at my 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Table, (which runs much in his minde) I preſume I ſhould ſo ſet his tongue a-worke, that he ſhould doe mee little harme with his teeth. Hee ſhould perhaps then finde, that I am yet able to cite more then a piece of Auguſtine, without a Prompter; and to caſt ſuch a Bone vpon his Trencher, that with all the Dogges teeth he hath, hee ſhould hardly picke. I haue ſeene in my time, as tall a Logician as hee, glad to ſcratch the beſt powle hee had for an anſwere. As I was euer different from their humour who loue to eate their morſels Vbi ſolitudo ibi ſolicitudo. alone, ſo hath it euer beene my deſire to conuerſe with men of the Plenum Theatrum eſt vir bonus, viro bono. beſt parts, that ſo I might by their readings better my ſelfe. And if at any time I met with a hard knot, hee was the beſt welcome to mee, that could helpe mee ſooneſt to vnlooſe it. Neuer did I truſt ſo much to mine owne Apprehenſion, but that I was well content to haue it eyther confirmed, or rectified by better Iudgements. If this be a fault, I wiſh from my heart it were the greateſt my aduerſaries knew by me, or I by my ſelfe.

§ 16.

I Doe not reade in Gellius that there was any fault found in Gracchus, albeit hee came not at any time to make an Oration to the people without his Minſtrell, who by the ſound of his Fiſtula Concionatoris. Pipe, did ſet him a right and iuſt Keye for the eleuating or depreſſing of his voyce. VVhen I was an Eaton-Scholar, I learned out of Lucians Dialogues, that Iupiter was faine to ſend for Vulcan and his hatchet, before Pallas could come into the world: So that I cannot well diſcerne what reaſon hee hath to debarre mee of that conference at my Boord, which their owne Doctors haue in their Libraries. If happily I did moue a Queſtion, how S. Augustine was in ſuch a place to be vnderſtood, it did argue my Plus vident oculi quam oculus. care in ſounding the depth of the Riuer, before I launched my Barke into the Streame. I was euer of Demoſthenes minde in this, that my writings ſhould not onely ſmell of the Lucernam olet. Lampe, but if it were poſſible, be engrauen alſo in Atilan ok dunmes. Marble. But that I euer ſuffered my Penne to be guided, or my courſe ouer-ruled by any other Pilot then my owne Genius, were hee not a meere ſtranger to my proceedings, hee would neuer be ſo ſhameleſſe as to auerre. Though it be my error, yet I muſt needes ſay, I could neuer endure to let my Clarke paſſe any Letter, but from my owne mouth: And ſhould the greateſt Architect in the Land, giue mee a plot for a building, I am verily perſwaded, I ſhould in the end take a cleane contrary courſe. VVhen I can hardly pleaſe my ſelfe, it will be a matter of more difficultie for others to giue me content. Euery man (as I take it) hath his proper Quot capita, tot 〈…〉 . veine: for my particular I dare ſay, it is vnpoſſible for the pallat of my fancie, to be fitted by any other Cooke then my ſelfe. Should I haue eyther an Adjutor, or Superviſor, in any worke I vndertake, I thinke it would proue little better then the confuſion of Babell: VVee ſhould ſooner fall together by the eares, then bring the Treatiſe to an end.

The ſhort is, I am Homo perpaucorum hominum, though ſeeming a VVidower, yet contracted to Mris. Folly: I can gladly heare what others will ſay, yet when it comes to the point, I loue to doe what 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . likes my ſelfe beſt. VVherefore hee hath taken wrong courſe, to wound M. Craſhawe (a man with whom I neuer had the leaſt domeſtique conuerſe,) through my ſides.

§ 17.

AND as for Houſe-Pedantes, Trencher-Schoole-Maſters, and Mercenary-Lecturers, he that reades my bitter (yet iuſt)To Mr. T. H. Pag. 24. inuectiue againſt them, will thinke they haue as little reaſon to aſſiſt mee, as I to truſt them. VVherefore I cannot gueſſe, why hee ſhould caſt this foggy miſt of miſpriſion before the eyes of the world: (euer and anone comming in vvith A Miniſter of his owne making,) vnleſſe it were couertly to vpbraid mee, for medling in Theologicall affaires, as better beſeeming a Miniſter then a Knight. Herein though I could inſtance in perſons of greater place, euen in former ages, who by publiſhing their labours in the like ſubiect, were ſo farre from reproofe, that they were much more honoured by men of the Church: yet had I rather repaire for defence to my owne Studies, which (ſetting ſome fantaſticall yeeres aſide) hath for the moſt part beene ſpent in diuine Authors. My Diteſcit cui Chriſtus dulceſcit. Patrimonie (God be thanked) being competent, I endeuoured rather the ſearch of my content, then my profit. And what greater contentation can there be, then the contemplation of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . heauenly things? If he ſay, I might haue kept my Candle vnder my owne Buſhell, I muſt anſwere that his opinion is no Oracle: for beſides ſome other priuate motiues, I held it not inexpedient, euen in this regard, that the truth might be defended by perſons whoſe pennes could not be corrupted with ambitious hope of Becauſe (ſaith he) they haue no other meanes to liue. Pag. 31. ſpirituall promotions.

Further, the report of the VVriter might happily induce the Ladies to vouchſafe the reading thereof, whereas their Prieſts debars them the ſight of our Miniſters Bookes. I was loath ſuch rare creatures ſhould be ouer gudgeoned by ſo foule Popinians, by whom, when their treaſure is once waſted, and their younger yeeres ſpent, they ſhall be no more eſteemed, then ſo many Motheeaten Gloſſes: which (albeit they haue formerly ſtood them in ſtead) they are not now aſhamed to diſclaime.

Other incitements I had then to write, which he hath neyther authoritie to extort, nor I reaſon to declare. And becauſe I then paſſed my word, to anſwere any To Mr. T. H. Pag. 6. Romefied Renegado, though I haue ſmall reaſon to defile my fingers with ſuch a Pezantique Fugitiue, who is aſhamed of his Les eſcrits iniurieux doiuent eſtre meſpriſes quand les auteurs ſont in cogneus. P. Mat. Fathers name: yet leaſt my ſilence might preiudice ſo warrantable a cauſe, I haue clapt my hand vpon this Gnat, which keepeth ſuch an humming about my eares. This I was not ignorant of before I tooke my penne in hand for this combat, that I ſhould gaine no more by coping with a nameleſſe Foe, then the Lord Chiefe Iuſtice Not long after the Statute made for burning of rogues in the eare. Cataline got, when his Studie was robbed, by the paper which was there left, with this Inſcription: If any aske who hath beene here, Say it was I. R. Nomen & •• en. Iack Rogue late burnt in the eare.

§. 18.

A Perſon not long ſince of eminent place, eſteemed not leaſt Politicall, after he had beene often (as himſelfe ſaith) vexed with their Quò triſtis Erynnis, quò fremitus vocat. Virg. 2. Aeneid. Erynnicall Libels, (which are ordinarily addreſſed to perſons of higheſt rancke) at laſt vouchſafed a briefe An Anſwere to certaine ſcandalous Papers, printed 1606. Apologeticall anſwere; but with this proteſtation, that hee neuer intended further Reply. VVherefore, as while he liued, Nature caſt this lot vpon me, to be one of the neareſt of his bloud; ſo though hee be dead, I will iumpe with his diſcretion in this, that if eyther this Cat-ſputtrer, or any other Hagaren ſhall hereafter inter-lace my name in their Spiders Web, Periti bellatoris eſt, non minus ſcire fugiendi artem quam pugnandi. aut Dormitabo, aut Ridebo. VVere not the darkneſſe of my 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 VVindowes a ſufficient Superſedeas, yet ſhall I by this meanes turne their Follies and friuolous Contumelies into the Trophies of my victorious Patience. VVhereas, Prou. 26.4. By anſwering a foole according to his fooliſhneſſe, J ſhould alſo be held like vnto him. It is more then enough, that I haue thus farre yeelded to Pag. 52. bray him in this Morter, with the Peſtle of my Penne; if the iuyce be vnpleaſing, you muſt attribute it to the venome of his cankered Complexion: better things I could not extract from ſuch an Aſpe.

If you ſeriouſly obſerue his lame and goutie Arguments, his dangerous intention, and ſlender proſecution, you ſhall finde iuſt ground to ſay of his Treatiſe, as Populi Romani legationem, nec pedes, habere, nec caput, nec cor. Cato merrily ſpake of the three Ambaſſadours, who being named for Bithinia, excuſed themſelues; one by a cut in his head, another with a paine in his feete, and the third with a gryping in his heart: neither whole head, good feete, nor ſound heart.

§ 19.

IN his Preface Dedicatorie, hee brags, that hee hath ſent out his Booke, as a Pinnace, to fetch you into the Arke of the Catholike Church: But I feare by that time Mr. Craſhawe hath ſearched his bottome, it will proue no better then a leaking Friggot. His Sailes are too great for a Veſſell of ſo ſmall burthen, and conſequently moſt like to indanger the Paſſengers ſafetie. If all thoſe Bookes, which hee complaines are not ſuffered to paſſe our Pag. 89. Ports (except almoſt inuiſible) be like this Pag. 8 Dung-hill of his, let it euer be regiſtred in the Booke of fame, amongſt the due Commendations of that famous, ſuperlatiuely learned, and Noble Lo. Warden of the Cincque Ports. Councellor, to whoſe care this important charge is committed; that hee hath herein teſtified his loue to Religion, fidelitie to his Prince, and loyaltie to the State: As his wiſedome deſerues to be admired, and his lenitie applauded, ſo doth his ſinceritie herein merit high renowne in the Gates of our Sion. For ſhould the infectious Manuels of theſe peſtilent incrochers be paſſable in our Coaſt, the contagion would be ſuch, that true Pietie could not long holde vp the head, nor due Alleagiance be able to ſtand vpon her right feete. The giddineſſe which Superſtitio initium prabuit, & ortum impietati. Superſtition would breede, and the Diſobedience which Papall Authoritie would raiſe in the mindes of the vnlearned, vvhoſe Capacities are not able to reach the future perill of Innouation, would be ſo dangerous to a Chriſtian, and vvell gouerned State, that it would aske the whole imployment of the moſt experienced Senators, to roote out the weedes which thoſe enuious impes had ſowne. All which will be preuented if at their firſt Arriuall they be caſt 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

I ſhall not neede any further to weary my ſelfe, or tyre you, with the repelling of thoſe inuectiues which this Tenebrio hath ſharpened vpon the VVhetſtone of his malice, to wound my reputation. This ſhall I hope ſuffice, that I haue as neare as I could, ſolidly anſwered things of waight, dealing in points of leſſer import, as I thought their qualitie did require.

§ 20.

THE due regard which I euer had of your iudgements (hauing my ſelfe beene ſometimes an vnworthy member of the ſame Middle Temple. Societie) hath made mee deſirous not onely to ſend my Defence after his accuſations, but alſo to ſecond it with a further manifeſtation of my Loue.

May it then pleaſe you to take notice, that howſoeuer hee ſeeke to inſinuate himſelfe by his charitable pretences into the boſome of your fauors, yet hath hee not left his Loquitur mendacia verſipellis. Pag. 12. Scorpions ſting at home: For notwithſtanding hee fathers his Dedication vpon the Pag. 22. carefull reſpect of your Saluation and Honour, yet doth hee make no other reckoning of you, then of ſo many Pag. 81. Parlamentarians, whoſe Religion is ſteared by the Helme of the State, as if the Bookes of Statutes vvere the ſole foundations of your Faith. Neyther doth hee ſticke to ſay that you make your Pag. 59. Temples and Courts the places where ſilly Flies and fooles are caught, by your example as with a ſtale drawing others into the Snare. If this be the honor he beſtowes vpon his friends, I will neuer be importunate with him to grace mee. Doe you remember what Gracchus ſaid to a fellow that ſpake in diſgrace of the vertuous Matron, his Mother Cornelia? Eraſ. Apoth. Tune, inquit, Corneliam vituperare audes, que Tyberium peperit? Dare thou (ſaith hee) traduce her, who brought ſo famous a Sonne as Tiberius? The like anſwere might I retort in the teeth of this Therſites. Is he not paſt all hope of future ingenuitie, that faſtneth his taunt vpon the venerable Mother of ſo many honourable Sonnes, ſaying, Pag. 22. That ſhee is more full of Cobwebs then any other place? Did Scipio Naſcica aske one which had a tough and rough hand, Rogauit hominē, num manibus ambularet. whether hee vſed to goe vpon his hands? then, ſhould he haue ſeene the brazen fore-head of this ſawcie Malapert, hee might iuſtly haue demaunded whether hee hath not cuſtomarily crept vpon his face. It is well knowne to the Chriſtian world, that theſe your famous Courts haue brought forth, euen in theſe latter yeeres, as many Tanquam eu Eque Treiane. ſage Councellors of State, religious Iudges, gallant Courtiers, learned Pleaders, and worthy Gentlemen, as the Sunne euer ſaw. In which number I may both for his merit, and my reſpect, name that truely Noble Peere the Lo. Elmſmere, in whom it is hard to ſay, whether wiſedome in the deciſion, or integritie in the impartiall execution of Iuſtice haue the prioritie. VVell doe I aſſure my ſelfe, hee would neyther ſpare his authoritie, nor forbeare his beſt meanes to keepe Spiders from breeding, and Cobwebs from growing in thoſe Courts, wherein himſelfe hath ſpent much time, and gained ſo great renowne. So that the Fan of truth which he offereth to cleanſe your Temples, may better be reſerued by him, eyther to keepe off the Mothes from the olde Gloſſes, or the Flyes from the Prieſts Poſt ſumptos Calices oſcula muſca dabit. lips: Herein you may doe the Pope yeoman ſeruice indeede.

§ 21.

A Greater Commendations there cannot be vnto you that are Students, and Profeſſors of the Lawes of the Realme, then to manifeſt the ſincere affection you beare to true Religion, by your liberall Contributions to ſuch as may inſtruct you in the Lawes of God. The quarrell hee pickes with you about this, will more deepely imprint the Charecters of your praiſe. Should you paſſe the preſentation to him, who can tell what Lecturer hee would nominate? No doubt hee would come in with, Ego Iſhmael Rabſbacheh, Pag. 149. Domino Deo noſtro Papa à ſcandalis praeſento vobis, dilectum commilitonem meum I. R. Iſcharioth de Rubigine, quemſcio Homiliſtam eſſe egregium, Bibulum celeberrimum, Cantorem que non vulgarem, id que vobis meâ, fidê praeſto, toti que contubernio. Yea marry, here is a fine Demilance for the nonce: here is one that will be the formoſt attendant vpon my Lo. of the Reuels; Hee will neuer holde you a quarter after the glaſſe is runne. But can you gueſſe what Countriman hee is? For his life hee is not able to pronounce 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shibboleth. VVhy then, you will none of him! O beware of a quare impedit. But the beſt is, you haue the Law in your hands. You haue a purſe priuiledge to be your owne Caruers. If the worſe come that can, you may diſmiſſe him to ſerue the Cure at Pemblico: and ſo perhaps you may regaine your old choiſe.

Yea, but Mr. Craſhawe hath committed ſuch an error, as deſerueth depriuation ipſo facto: VVot you what? in his Ieſuites Goſpell hee makes Pag. 76. Dux Cleri to be the Popes chiefeſt title: which (if wee may beleeue our Informer) was neuer giuen him by any Catholike, but rather belongs to the Lo. of Canterburie. I will not be ſo curious to ſtand vpon the number of 666. thence collected; but, ſet that aſide, I dare ſay; Crux Cleri had beene the better word for the Pope: and yet to meete with him at the rebound, I hold Dux Cleri to be but a part of my Lo. Graces Title, who by the goodneſſe of his affable diſpoſition, bounty in Hoſpitalitie, painfulneſſe in preaching, and dexteritie in the diſpach of all occurrences, hath well deſerued the Stile of Lux Cleri, as being ſuch a light in Choro & Foro, that if a man ſhould ſearch (like Diogenes) amongſt all the Cardinals, hee ſhould miſſe of his match. So that mee thinkes the matter neede not be held ſo haynous, if hee haue taken that part which my Lord might beſt ſpare, to pay the Pope more then his due. I ſee there is then no great reaſon of complaint: what other Cauils they haue againſt him, I am neyther ſo acquainted with the proceedings, nor intereſted in the cauſe, to debate.

Touching my ſelfe, (all due reſeruation remembred) I conclude with him, whoſe queſtionable authoritie hath bred theſe broyles: Mach. l. 2. c. 15. v. 39. If I haue done well, and as the matter required, it is the thing that I deſired: but if I haue written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , ſlenderly and barely, it is that (which on the ſodaine) I could. Howſoeuer, you muſt accept it, as dedicated to your ſeruice.

From Iames Parke, Iune 21. 1613. Edward Hoby.