Dr. Burnet's letter to his friend in London. Being an answer to a late scurrilous pamphlet entituled His farewel.

Dr. Burnet's letter to his friend in London. Being an answer to a late scurrilous pamphlet entituled His farewel.

Table of contents

Dr. Burnet's LETTER To his Friend in LONDON. Being an Answer to a late Scurrilous Pamphlet Entituled HIS FAREWEL.

§

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Dr. Burnet's LETTER To his Friend in LONDON. Being an Answer to a late Scurrilous Pamphlet Entituled HIS FAREWEL.

SIR,

MY acquaintance with you, which happily commenced at our meeting in Scotland, and those many friendly caresses wherewith you have vouchsaf'd to salute me, are the daily remembrancers of that great respect and veneration I owe you, and seem to imply that I have leave to address my self to you as to an Asylum, a place of refuge and security. I know Sir, you are, so great a friend to truth and honesty, that you always appear vigorous in the defence of Innocency, you comfort the Dejected, relieve the Oppressed, and to speak the sence of all that know you, your Charity is universal, and extends it self to the several exigences of those that become your Petitioners.

My circumstances at present enforce me Sir (without any Introductions, or circumlocutions) to Sollicit your favour for the prevention of that mischief that so loudly threatens me. I am sensible that the lashes, and persecutions of malevolent Tongues, are more intolerable than the severest of human inflictions, and to my great▪ dissatisfaction I find, since my departure, I am too too grosly scandaliz'd, and reproach't▪ what the consequence of such popular licence may prove, such a discerning person as your self may easily foresee: To you therefore Sir, and to all other Gentlemen of the like integrity▪ and veracity, I apply my self, that by your undaunted Vindication of me, you may put a check to that impetuous torrent of Scandall that seems to overwhelm me.

I am lately Sir, expos'd, and insufferably abus'd not only by the perverse Tongues of inveterate Men, whose Passions are as irregular as their Morals; But by the wider and more licentious Mouth of the Press: The scurrilous Pamphlet has circulated the Town, and by this time I presume it is seen by you. How full of Spleen and Malice it is, is easily discernable to any unprejudic'd person. The Spirit of malediction is so notoriously visible through every line, that one would think, people should not be so credulous as to take for granted, what is so slily insinuated by the mercenary-Scribler. I shall therefore unravel all the Vanity, Folly, and inconsistency of that sheet that bears so hard upon my Reputation. Wherein you must understand he First gives me the Title of a Confessor, yes and Confessor to the Late King of Poland, too. A great promotion to which this insignificant Pamphleteer advances me: Certainly if ever impudence be reckon'd a vertue▪ t'will be now, for never did sham, and imposture prevail so much upon a people as at this Instant,

The next Complement he affords me is no less than deep dy'd Rebel, and maks me leap from Poland into Hungary in a moment, and to show himself a man of judgment he pretends a substantial reason for so doing▪ which is [...]d likeness▪ [...] (his hard word) Congeniality to the Cause here. Profound pieces of Scandal! I would fain know whether this mighty Man of Parallels, values himself upon such a production; if he does, I must tell him, that any Billingsgate Oyster Woman can easily arrive at the like excellence. For Scandal, and Reproach is the talent of the Rabble, and Porters, and Carmen can challenge as great a share as our Scribler. But however Sir, this is my comfort, that men of that sobriety and seriousness of life with your selfe, cannot easily entertain any vile, or mean thought of me. Now [...] this clutter about Hungarian Rebells his Tapsky's-Perkinaski's, his ridiculous chiming with Routs and Riots, Confusion, and Faction; His prophane intermixing Sacred History with his excrementitious stuff, his ridiculous discourse of the Acts of the Dyet, his foolish story of Milk and Mackrel; What is it the Gentleman fixes upon me? Why Sir, tis some Enormous Crime, some grande nefas, & morte piandum, no less than Misprision at least. Now where's the proof of what is so heavily lay'd to my charge? Not a word of seriousness, argument, or any thing like to be found.

[Page]I shall therefore to satisfy you Sir (and all whose curiosity leads e'm to peruse those Pamphlets that are dayly vended) open my self with all ingenuous freedom and plainenss, for the confirmation of that good opinion you have conceiv'd of me. The general outcry against me is in reference to that Gentleman, my late Lord Russel, of my advising him to conceal and palliate those things, which he seem'd to confess of his own inclination; The report is so current and so universally received, that it is not without great difficulty to remove their prejudices. But those that will credit truth when, as delivered with such asseverations, can distinguish 'twixt credulity, and mistaken zeal, and I suppose will vouchsafe to believe me upon those Protestations.

1. I declare that I had no other design in visiting my Lord in his unhappy circumstances, than to give him Spiritual instructions and advice for the benefit of his Immortal Soul. Let the malice of men suggest what it pleases, the dictates of my own conscience tell me, that I have done nothing but what a Christian might Honourably justify before the face of the whole World. And in that capacity of a Divine, I reckon'd it my duty (considering my acquaintance with his Lordship) to interpose with my Prayers and Spiritual assistances. But for having that influence over his Lordship, as people wou'd fain represent, is a mistake as groundless as ridiculous▪ Besides, they little imagine how much they reflect upon his Lordship's judgment, to be byast according to the insinuations of any near him. 'Tis certain my Lord fell not under the Character of so injudicious a Person amongst the knowing part of mankind, as to be so easy, and credulous as to be modell'd according to any one's fancy.

But for my self I must declare that I had no interest in paying him those frequent visits, but the real promotion of his Souls Eternal welfare.

2. As for my disaffection to the present Establish't Government or my lukewarmness, or damn'd neutrality (as they call it) 'tis as Groundless as the former objection against me. I am, I presume, so well known, that I need not make any great Apology for this calumny against me. Those that have had the opportunity of my Conversation and the advantage of my Ministry, cannot find by any of my discourses any thing tending to the derogation of the Government.

However this abusive Pamphleteer takes great Freedom with me, and 'tis no wonder, for it must be an elevated piece of Impudence that does the thing when nothing of reality appears in the Accusation.

3. Be pleas'd to observe the scurrility of his language; he says I have nothing but a Religious cant to recommend me to the Observation of any judicious person. I have no mind to take notice of the obloquy, since I am not fond of my Credit in that particular. There is no man has more humble thoughts of himself then I have▪ and for his envious reflections that I was taken notice of before any of the Reverend Prelates of the Land, by the Members of Parliament, I have nothing to say at present, but that my designs were Honourable, without any affectation of popularity.

I must be bold to say that I have a great veneration for that August Assembly, and what I have delivered from the Pulpit, has been honestly design'd, and mean't.

4. As for those Doctrines which he would needs insinuate that I approve; I utterly deny it. Assistance and taking up Arms against Lawful Authority, is a Doctrine I never believ'd, neither did I ever teach, or encourage it. My conversation has been always peaceable, free from extreams, and if my strictness of Life, and strongly inculcating of it to others is become a Crime, I wonder to what a pitch of impiety the World will come. As I have been a Son of the Church of England, I endeavoured (in that Sphere I was) to keep up its Credit and reputation against the wild Opinions of some hot Brain'd people. But I find let a man be never so Orthodox, some people (who make it their business to disparage our reformed Religion) will find somewhat whereby to calumniate and reproach him. I wish this licentious Spirit of malediction may be stopt, otherwise I cannot find but the very foundations of our Church and Religion will totter, and come to Ruines▪ I am sure some would be glad to see her in the Dust.

Lastly for the other inconsistent foppery's his imputation of Lechery and Treachery, to pass it over in silence would be the greatest piece of prudence. The great sceptic's of the Age know no more compendious way to affront Religion, than by casting dirt in Face of its Professors; And in their most remarkable abuses they are sure something will stick close, that afterwards may reflect upon a mans reputation, fortiter calumniare, aliquid haerebit.

Now after all Sir, I must beg your pardon for this Freedom in molesting you with such ungrateful repetitions; However my design is to satisfy a too credulous World, that those common popular reflections upon me, are the inventions of Malice and revenge. I find other people that make considerable Figures in the Church, cannot be exempted from unwarrantable reproaches, what with their Quaeries &c. No serious person can be secure without being Stigmatiz'd.

To you therefore I apply my self that by your influence over your acquaintance you may stop that Torrent that seems to carry all before it. This you may please to let the World know that the Dr. (for reasons best known to himself) tho at present retir'd will appear again to the confusion and confutation of such pedantique Calumniators as our insignificant Pamphleteer. I am with all respect and submission,

Your Humble Servant, G. B.

§

§

London, Printed by G. C. for A. Gad, 1683.

Information about this book

Title statement

Dr. Burnet's letter to his friend in London. Being an answer to a late scurrilous pamphlet entituled His farewel.

G. B.

Edition statement

1683

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A30376

ID [STC]

Wing B5822

ID [STC]

ESTC R213039

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99825565

ID [PROQUEST]

99825565

ID [VID]

29949

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30376)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 29949)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1755:34)

Source

— Dr. Burnet's letter to his friend in London. Being an answer to a late scurrilous pamphlet entituled His farewel., G. B., Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715, attributed name..

Extent

1 sheet ([2] p.)

printed by G.C. for A. Gad,. London :: 1683.. (Signed at end "G.B.", but according to J.E.S. Clarke and H.C. Foxcroft, "A life of Gilbert Burnet", p. 554, G.B. is not Gilbert Burnet, but rather "a mere pamphleteer" whose work "may be founded on Burnet's conversation or a letter from him".) (Caption title.)

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