AN EXPLANATION OR ENLARGING OF the ten Articles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Supplication 〈◊〉 Doctor IAM●S, lately exhibited to the Clergy of England. OR A manifest proof that they are both reasonable and faisible within the time mentioned. Our Law condemneth no man before he be heard. OXFORD, Printed by JOHN LICHFIELD and WILLIAM TURNER, Printers to the famous University. Anno Dom. 1625. FIRST CONCERNING THE FIRST POINT OF THE Latin Fathers. The first Point THat the Latin Fathers works, (whereof diverse are already done) the books of Counsels, and the body of the Canon Law, may be diligently reviewed, and compared with the best Manuscripts; and the Collections and needful observations thence-from arising, printed; together with the pieces and fragments of the Father's works (if any shall be found.) Explained. THat all these ten points are necessary and fi● to be enquired into, I take as granted by the confession of all: that they are doubted by some, and plainly affirmed by others, whether within the time mentioned they may be performed, I know: and therefore I as much in me lieth) endeavour to satisfy the one, and take away all manner of doubting from the other, with brevity and perspicuity; grounding myself upon good experience for some, and very probable reasons for the rest; following the order prescribed. Concerning the Latin Fathers therefore (the Greek Fathers being reasonably well done already, Ignatius by a Geneva. 1623. Vedelius, b Chrysos● opera G●. cu●n annot. Etonae 1612. Chrysostome by that learned and judicious Knight, c Ath●na●ij opera Graec. & Lat. 1600. Athanasius by some, and d Clem. Alexandrini opera Graece cum annot. 1542. Clemens Alexandrinus, etc. by others) which do in a manner implore our best help, and as the controversies are moved in Relion, do enforce our labour. There is not only profession made by e Lanfrancus Manuscri●ta SS. Patrum secundum Orthodoxam fidem correx●t, & immutavit, Boston. in Catalogo & Io. Anglicus in hist aurea. Observed by Master Rich. james, of C. C. C. a kinsman of mine. Lanfranke of old, but by divers of late; Gregory of the Rome Print, and Augustine of Paris, do fully prove the same; that sundry things are purposely changed, whether for the better or the worse? who knoweth not that we have just cause given us to suspect the worst? I will instance only in one place, & that a principal one, concerning Transubstantiation, a chief pillar of the Popish doctrine. The place is in f S. Ambros. l 4. de sacram ●. 4. See Paraeus in 1 Cor. Lyd. in annal. p. 172. Hospin. de sacrament. l. 2. p. 69. Juel. in defence p. 249. Ambrose de Sacramentis, the words, Vt sint quae erant, & in aliud mutentur: this corruption is above 500 years old: but yet not received till of late into the g Ambr. opera Romae. 1580. Roman Edition, and from thence derived into the Paris, and it may be in the Lye-on Edition, and others: and yet these words now suppressed and dashed clean out of the Text, are plainly to be found in all our MSS. of what Library, from what Monastery soever. Add hereunto, what shuffling and cutting there is between the Master of the sacred Palace, and the Printer; both hired to reform say they, (no doubt) i I refer t●e Reader to my Vindicia G●e●orianae▪ ●ow printing at Geneva. to deform and corrupt the father's works. I know it, and can prove it by k Romae 1564. Manutius Cyprian, and l S. Gregorij operu Romae to● 6. 1588. Veterum exem lari●m collatione (no copy named, no● whence taken) & pristino suo spendori restituta, aucta & illustrata. In praef. to. 4. Dominicus Basaes' Gregory, and Ambrose of h There are six or seven copies in my Ecloga, I appeal to them all. Rome. I can make an ocular demonstration of the manifold and manifest corruptions of these Authors: we may easily guess at the rest, for all their m Accipietis Aug. nostratiu● opera, hoc est Ge●manorum Theol. study illustratum, ad ●imā & incudem revocatum: nec solum infinitis p●ope numero erroribus liberati●, sed etiam magna rerum accessione exornatum Ep. Thom. Gozaeu● Apostolicus ac regius lib. censor per Belgium ope●am navanit in restit. Aug. ex varijs Bibliothecis: exemplaria plusqua 200. MSS. conquisierat. Concilia edita per jac. Meclinum 1524. per P. Crabb 1530. & 1531. Col. & Ib. 1531. & Ib. 1538. per Surium 1567. Ven. 1585. per Zllettum. per B●n●um 1606 et 1618. & Pauli 5. auctoritate 1608. & postremo Par. 1623. See one or two MSS. in the New College. Vide Indicem librorum, qui varij: ex locis sunt habiti. Vide eased qui●●● ie●torem, in principio 〈◊〉 est ●●●onere. §. de nomine Paleae Corpus juris Canon▪ Rome 1582. glorious pretence of two hundred copies, used in ●h●●ollation of Saint Augustine, and many in Gregory and Ambrose, I know not how many; nor do I, nor any man living wor, how many Copies, or from whence taken, they have used in this their double diligence. As for the Counsels, I can (I suppose) produce, or there may be produced twenty several Editions, all differing from themselves, and from the truth: and (if there be any one true) I do guess it is that, whereof I do hear tidings in a Book of the Acts of the Council of Trent, printed by Arnold Brickman, 1565. this was of likelihood a good ●dition. One Celaunus had travailed far and near, to gather all that could be gotten: but either this was never printed, or being printed, was purposely suppressed by them. For the Canon Law the sink of all Popery, and fountain, or puddle rather, of all kind of Popish corruption, to found the Primacy, and by necessary consequence, all points of Popery, out of blind Counsels, and bastard, false, or falsified Fathers: Yet as bad as it is, neither Text nor Gloss is so bad as they have made it. I speak upon knowledge, Semeca hath not in the old MSS. Statuimus, id est, abrogamus; or Dic Romano, id est, Constantinopolitano: these fooleries are of a later stamp, & stamped or printed they are, but I suppose hardly to be found in the written Copies; for Gratian, questionless they have used him (Nec enim lex iustior ulla est) as he is known to have used others; they have chopped and changed, curtailed and clipped his words, and works; notwithstanding Gregory the thirteenths' pretence, of I know not how many copies, besides the labours of Faber and Acontius: I will instance only in their Palea. They have first played with the word, making it a Cardinal, or a man for chaff, and long for short; else should it be Palaea, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and not Pal●a: they have herein done us a double wrong; they have made that Palea which is not so, because it maketh against them: and on the contrary side, they have omitted to put the true stamp of Paleaes upon that, which maketh for them, though they be invisible and innominable in the old MSS. We have examples store, in both kinds: The right of Emperors in making Laws, Gratian corrupted about taking away kingly right. About Priest's marriage. About Appeals to Rome. About the Supremacy. About worshipping of relics. About Transubstantiation, besides infinite other depravations. Locuple tatum est caput hoc, ex orig●nali & caeteris collectoribas, prater Anselmun qui habet ut antea Gratianus habebat in Annot. See my answer against A. C. and A. B. etc. when it shall come forth. and commandments for the Church, is cashiered because it liketh them not: nor that of their married Popes, Dist. 96. cap. 2. Osius Papa, Item Decret. Part. 2. cap. 27. q. 2. c. 18. against Priest's marriage. Of the second sort are these: for drawing causes to Rome. Causa 3. q. 6. c. 16. Neminem exhiberi, nisi praelatus sit qui accusetur, is forged, and came in not the right way, to prove appeals to Rome. Causa 24. q. 1. cap. 15. Rogamus vos fratres: we read these words for to estabblish the Supremacy: Nulla est (sedes) quae cius (i Romanae) non sit subiecta ditioni. Again, Quanto magis non potest (faemina) imperare, as it were to strengthen the Salic Law, Causa 33. Quaest. 5. cap. 17. Mulierem constat, was thrust into the Text by some French man. The solemn swearing upon the Gospel, and by the Relics of the Saints, Causa 3 3. Quaest. 6. cap. 9 are found in some blind Charnel house, or Reliquiarie, not in the written Gratian. In de Consecrat. Dist. 2. cap. 1. In Sacramentorum oblationibus, for assuring of their impossible doctrine of Transubstantiation; we use it (say the Papists) Vt a Patribus accepimus, & ipsa ratio docet, which they have thrust into the Text violently: Habemus confitentes reos. I could be large in this point, but I must but point at, and not treat de industria of their wilful corruptions, and make whole Iliads, or Chiliads of them: but that which is expected of me now I have proved, that there is good reason, and high time to employ some to perfect that work, which was happily begun, and left off (which I shame to speak of) for want of payment. I was, My Lord of Canterbury promised & gave 10l. l. My Lord of York 10l. l. My Lord of Winchester Bilson 10l. l. The Bishop of Durham, Doctor james, 10l. and sundry others did willingly promise and pay: others did willingly promise, but failed in payment, whose names I conceal. All the books that were hitherto used in our collation, were either at, or according to the Rome print. See hereafter amongst the Critical thes. thes. 22. At that time was (troubled, I cannot say,) but subject to the stone: since that, I have been afflicted both with the stone and the Palsy, but recovered by Doctor C●aitons means, my worthy friend, and learned brother, Master of Pembroke College, and our public Professor of Physic, and Reader of the Anatomy Lecture. and am willing to be employed in the painful revision of the rest; but how shall I be able to embark others in that business? But. non si male nunc & olu●sic erit: we had then, and I trust shall have now in some proportion, men as willing and as able to do the work; and I am sure that the world will bear me witness, that my labour was treble to any ones: and yet in a year and little more, we surveyed all Gregory, and Cyprian, and all Ambrose of the Rome print: noting both the differences in the Margin, whether material, or immaterial; what Copy each man used, when we began, and when we ended, and how far we proceeded every day; never ceasing our six hours a day, (Sundays and Holy days excepted) God giving me a body able, and a mind willing to fit it out: and that I may be thankful to the Divine majesty, my body, as if it had a dispensation for the time, was free from any known disease, that did, or might impeach the work. My body (I must confess) is much impaired since, by much sickness; but on the contrary, my willingness and experience in these businesses, are much increased: and therefore I am persuaded, that if Ambrose, Gregory, and Cyprian, may be, and have been done within a year and something more: Augustine may be done in another, and Hierome in a third, and all the rest of the Fathers in less than a year, and the Counsels and Gratian in a fifth; whereof one, as I have said, is happily passed already: I do purpose to employ only six persons, four to the MSS, one to the last of the Protestants, the sixth to the last of the Papists Edition; which both shall be noted in the Margin, and I will take upon me as before, to be both Notary, and Actuary to the Company, concluding (as Bellarmine doth) if he be as true as his word: Si semel inveniar mentitus in vita, omnem mihi in posterum fidem derogent. The second Point That the Latin Translation of the Greek Fathers may be collationed by able and fit persons, by reason of divers Christophorsons and jesuits, that have tootoo much abused the ignorant of the tongue. Explained. TOuching the second Point, for the comparing of the Latin Translation of the Greek Fathers: I purpose not (unless it shall be thought fit by my Superiors) to compare it with MSS. Copies in Greek: we are left destitute of Copies, especially now we are wholly bereft of all hope of help from the great Palatine Library: but (as I have said) Vedelius, For a need I can give them the places to be considered of, that are any ways controverted: almost all of them before hand. and that worthy and thrice honoured Knight and others, have partly prevented, and partly supplied us herein: that which I intent, is only to survey the Translations in places controverted only, whether they be fitting and proper. A work that may well be done, being divided amongst our Sages of the Greek, whether in, or out of the University, within a year: though if they list to follow Vedelius in noting the corrupt Translations, sundering the Bastard Treatises from the true a part by themselves, & answering the places objected out of the Fathers, with Critical observations, they shall deserve well of the Fathers; it may, and shall be done for the Latin Fathers: as we may follow Vedelius in the Greek, so if no other will undertake the work in the Latin Fathers, I will do the like in them, as Master Crompton hath done before in Saint Augustine. The third Point That the Jndices Expurgatory may be likewise perused, all of them, as many as can be gotten, the places forbidden to be transcribed, of which labour is a third part at the least already taken by me, or my procurement. Explained. THe third Point concerneth the Indices Expurgatory, The first, Index Exporgatrious that we have, is the known one of Junius, printed according to that of Antwerp, Lug●. 1586. The second, of Madrill, 2582. The third, called Greg. Cappuccini E●chiridion Ecclesiasticum Ven. 1588. The fourth, by Ge●. Dalme●da, Lat. & Portugal●●cè, Olyss. 1581. The fifth, per Io. M●riam Bruschelle●s. 1601. Tom. 1. The sixth and last, by Bern. de Sando●al. Madr. 1612. which no doubt are many, but all are not to be gotten, and of those we cannot get the Editions mentioned in their books, without the which it cannot be done. Nevertheless, to facilitate this work, I have in a readiness an Alphabetical note of all the Editions that are forbidden 〈◊〉 corrigantur: that those that have them may send them unto us. I say only that I, by myself, and others, have already done a third part of the whole, perhaps it will amount to a second of all the Books and Editions that be found, and that men may know how far I have proceeded already, these Authors following, with their several books, are reseve out of the Papists hands, and restored by me. The reprinting of that which they commanded to be left out, and in some books de facto left out, will keep one Press going a year. Abulensis or Thostatus P. Aerodius. Leo Bapt. Alb●rti. Amatus Lusitanus. Lud. Ariosto. The Annotations upon S. Aug. Albertus Argentinensis. jac. Philippi Berg●mensis. Laurentius Beyerlincke. Biblia Rob. Stephani. Biblia cum duplici Translatione. Bibliotheca SS. Patrum. Io. Bodinus. P. de Boll●. Henr. Breulaus. Guil. Budeus. Ambros. Calepinus. Barth. Cassnaus. Greg. Cappacinu●. Io. Campensis. Index in joh. Chrysostomum. Nic. Cle●ardus. Isid. Clarius. P. Crinitus Cyprianus Mon●●hus Cistere. Notae marginales Index & textus Cyrilli Alex. Dantes. I mondi del Doni. Fr. Duarenus. Andr. Eborensis. Notae in Engelbertum. Enchiridion Christianae institutionis. Erasmi opera, almost. Claud. Espencaeus. Eucherius. jac. Faber Stapulensis. Barth. Ferrariensis. Io. Ferus. Barth. Fumus. Gilb. Genebrardus. Germanicarum rerum scriptores. Tomis varijs. Lilius Greg. Gyraldus. Antony's de Guevara. Claud. Guilliaudus. Adamus Kel●erus. Albertus Krantzius. justus Lipsius. josephus Luqui●●. Andr. Masius. Christ. Maffaeus. jac. à S. Mearia. janotius de Ma●●●tis. Lucius Marineus siculu●▪ Marcus Marull●●. jac. Menochius. Papyrius Massonius. Ben. Arias Montanus. Tho. Marus, Miles. joh. N●viza●us. Annot. in Nicephorum. Hieron. ab Oleastre. P. Opm●erus. Claud. Paradinus. Fr. Petrarcha. Fr. Polygranus. Io. jou. Pontanus. Procopius Gazaeus. Ant. de Rampengolis. Guil. Ranchinus. P. Rebuffus. Eman. Rodericus. Alph. Salmeron. Eman. Sa. Io. de Salas. jac. Shoepperus. jul. Caesar Scalig●r. Dimas Serpe. Laur. Schraderus. Raynerus Suoygoudanus. Rob. Stephanus. Did. Stella. Fr. Swertius. Ale●● Tartagni. jac. Aug. Thuanus. Benjamin Tudelensis. Tuccius T●ccius. Fr. Vallesius. Laur. Valla. Dan Venatorius. Diego de la Vega. Polyd. Virgilius. Alphonsus Viu●ldus. Lud. Viues. Geo. Wicelius. Theodorus Zuingerus. All these forenamed Authors, (unless it be Zuinger and Erasmus works) are (if I may say) repurged and restored unto their former integrity, the rest that remain may be well transcribed in half a year: As master Casaubon and Master D●usius works, and Sir Adolphus M●●kerch● book are done already: but for the rest I think we may save our labours. for I can set at one time a hundred several persons on work; it it is a business of labour, Et quis ad haec non id●neus. I intent not (unless it be by commandment of my Superiors) to meddle with the Expurgation of our Protestant Writers, which they have vainly attempted; nor of the Thalmud of the jews, or rabbinical Writers: but Popish Writers of what sect, sort, language, nation, or faculty whatsoever, tag and rag, are the subiectum ad●quatum of this business: And so I come unto the fourth Point, of collation of books. The fourth Point That Lyra and the Gloss, the Great Bibliotheca sanctorum Patrum, Platina, Caietan, Alphonsusde Castro, and sundry others of all sorts of Authors, may be compared with former Editions, and Manuscripts (if need be to meet with their secret Jndices Expurgatorii, which are the more dangerous, because they print, and leave our what they list, at pleasure, and yet make no words of it, neither have any Commission known for to do it. Explained. Qui Lyrani open't ●um Glossa ordinaria, &c Lugd. 1589. ab infinitis mendis p●●gata, etc. per. Fr. Fewardentium ●rd. Minorum, Job. Dadraeum, & jac. de Cucilly, Theol. Doctores. The book dedicated to Sixtus S. Patrum interpre●at. ad ipsos fontes revocatis, ipsis per doctum Lyra●um pestilli● D. Lyrani ad ipsum Autographum, exconuentis Canobij Vermoliensi diligenter collat●s. Biblia SS cum Glossa ordinaria, etc. to. 6. compre●●usa Duaci, 1617. Quid in hac edit. prestitum fit ultra omnes alias editiones▪ etiam illam quam Parisienses. Theologi exbibuerum quam multa correcta, restituta, sup●leta, quam multa utiliter ad ecta, opera & study Theologorum Duace●sum, diligenter eme●data. TOuching this fourth Point, herein give me leave to explain myself out of my own and others observations, especially of the learned Bishop of Meth: Lyra and the Glisse were reviewed and revised by Dadr●n●, Cucilly, and Fewardentius: and now lately by three Benedictines: if their former did their best, what needed the second Edition? if they did not, why do they pretend such exactness, so great pains? But the truth is, Lyra is somewhat touchy against them, and the Gloss doth thwart their Expositions: and therefore though closely, the three D●wists do make profession, They confess they have put forth the testimonies of the Rabb●u●s & others. Possevine excuseth the former Edition by haste of the Printer, and civil wars. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Col▪ Agr. 1613. to. 14▪ and Bibliotheca vet. Patrum sen. Edit. Paris. 1609. to. 8. ex prescripto Indicis Expurgatorij Romae vulgati emendata. If we compar● Io. Baconthorpes works in sent. Cremona, 1618. with the former Mad. 1511 Blesensis of M●gunce 1600. put forth by Busaeus, with the ●ormer, 1519 and t●e MS●. whereof we have store in the Library. Aquinas of Rome 1570. o● Antwerp 1612. with fomer Editions and MSS. Scotu● works, Ven. 1597. with that of Nurembergi. 481. as also Bed●s history I know to be ver● corruptly printed, being a leading Author to all ou● late Historians. Alph de Castro aduersu● haer●ses, is far different from the latter Editions about the Pope's authority, we have all his Editions. O●●phrius the old doth infinitely disagree with the latter, especially in julius the third his life. that they have mended diverse things, wherein the former Edition was wanting, according to the prescript of the MSS, and some things they say, they have thought good to expunge in Thoringis about Lyra: where he is thought delirare from their Trent faith, or common Tenets: a great labour, undertaken, I am afraid, rather to suppress the truth, than to express any good meaning. Epicharmus precept will here serve, as Doctor Rainold showeth us, to distrust their works of what kind soever; especially if the Jesuits have a finger in the setting forth of them: as you may see their notes infarced almost in every Tome of the Bibliotheca Probabilium Patrum, which hath been reprinted four times within these few years, and twice within these two or three years: Think yond that it was for nothing? Was not the Roman correction sufficient to purge it, according unto whose correction it was printed carefully at Pa●is? If the Master of the Sacred Palace be not wise enough to mead it, we are like to have it well amended. But who knoweth what harm is done in the middle aged Writers? Bacon or Ba●onthorpius, (I am persuaded) is corrupted in the late Editions, Aquinas, and Scotus, Blesensis and others; Doubt less, by that little that I have seen, they carry the mark of the Beast, and the print of their fingers: but if I may have my will, no book of note or worth shall go uncompared: the work is very easy, the parties are very many that may well be employed in this work, if they have corrupted them under colour of correcting them. There hath been reprinted of late, A phonsus de Castro, Onuphrius, Sixtus Se●ensis, and last of all, M●●cus de Guadalaiara in Spanish, of the lives of the latter Popes, with the occurrences of those times: Touching the former, the learned have spoken enough to stir us up to the diligent revising and comparing of them. See●ilson ●ilson de obed. p. 294. In lib. de haeres. inscript. Paris. ●n folio à jod. Bad. excus● anno 1534. L●el. lat. part. 2. p. 128. Quarta pa●te de la historia Pontifical Gen● al●y Catholica compuesta 〈◊〉 ordenada por Fr. Marco de Guadalaiara 〈◊〉 Xavier de la Religion obseruante de nuestra Sennora del Carmen de Arragon, d●rigida all m●y alto y poderoso monarca de Espanna Filip●● Tertero Rey y Se●●or nuestro, Anno 1612. Con ●cencia y privilegio J●●gr●ssa en Carago●. por juan de Lanai● y Quartane●. Conform a●● que be●eydo en Gotardo Dantiscano y otros auctores, una troytion intentada contra el Rey jacobo, sus huo● y muger, y contra todos les nobles y estado, del ●●yno: y descubierta mibagrosament per lo que dios sabe, Part. a. lib. 14 cap. 8. This book is called Vando y l●yes del Rey jacobo contra la Fe Catholica, consu respuesta, y advertentia all Letor para la auerigu●cion è intellige● i● de●te caso prouecho●a para el mismo Rey y para ●odos por el D. B. de Cleremond: a book in the ha●ds of Master Boswell Parson of Saint Laurence in London, they have craftily concealed the time and year wherein it is printed. For Alphonsus de Castro, I leave you to consider of that which hath been struck out of him in latter Editions, in verbo Papa, concerning the Pope's infallible authority, which true Castro doth deny to be so great as it is made; or that his person is inerrable, he thinketh no Parasite of the Popes, or flatterer of the world, will dare to avouch. For Onuphrius & others, I know what the learned judgement is of that Author & others, & I know and all the world shall know how this Guadalaiara is used, or rather abused by the Papists, and forced to say, & unsay, for servile fear of the Spanish Sandovall, both against his will, & the truth: it is the latest, clearest instance of their cunning dealing, to their no small advantage, to settle a wrong opinion in men's minds about the powder Treason. In the former Edition, which is but an addition unto Illes●●● of the Pope's lives, he hath truly reported the story of the Gunpowder treason, out of Gothardus Arthus, and others: laying (as we say) the saddle upon the right horse, the fault upon certain Popish malcontents; but it seemeth in a latter Edition, now extant in the public Library, they have mis-reported the treason, and put it as D. B. Clermond had done before upon the Puritans; casting foul aspersions upon our State, as if they had plotted that which the Papists had acted out of a Ragionamento del Stato, or Trigo deal Estado, or as Cleremond saith, to get their goods and lands confisked unto the Exchequer, to enrich the King's coffers. That which I infer out of these premises, are the injury done unto the estate of books, and sometimes unto books of Estate, The very same book is reprinted thus as if it had been composed by Dr. Lewis de Bavia capell●● del Rey ●. S. en ●● Real capilla de Gra●● da Con privilegio de Madrid, po● Luy● Sanchez Impressor del Rey nuestro senior. anno de 1613. Both Editions dedicated to the King, made and published within one year, the first approved by Maestro Pedro Geronymo Cassiu●n. e, juan Perez de Artieda officy reg●●te del Vicari●do, Padre Fray Estevam de Th●us provincial de los Carnelitas etc. F. Miguel Ripol 〈…〉, ●uan Munnoz. T●e latter is published, 〈…〉 del Rey nuestro senior: subscribed jorge de Toua●, supe●uise● p●● Pedro de Valentia Miguel Vazquez de 〈…〉 Granaca, & Fra● Pedro de Granada. What a change is there here? 〈…〉 as it were by a M●te● psychosis changed into Levys de Bavia, and five censors turned into four, as it were four Kings warring against five. Por el mandad● del Rey, as is said. inuoluing our King and Counsellors within their secret censures. This book is reprinted as I say, within few years, composed by a man of great note, dedicated to Philip the third, printed at the first with licence and privilege, approved by diverse kinds of Religious persons, no mention is made of any alterations in the second edition: and it is turned clean cham. The fact is notorious, the fault inexcusable, say what can be objected in his defence. He is perhaps living, and living men▪ as they may alter their wills, so they may change their words. I admit it, so do our Masters of Trent: but conditionally, so it be in matters of faith, and not of fact▪ or if it be in matter of faith, so the Author be convinced, and his error showed: but in questions of fact, volat irrevocabile verbum, the rule must hold, quod scripsi scrips●, all the world cannot help it, it cannot be, as Aeneas Silvius sometimes said. But to come to Guad●laia●a was that true that he had written in his former edition, why is it altered in this latter? if it be not, why is not the contrary showed? howsoever it be, they should have told us so much in the frontisp●ce or first page, that upon better advice, and ●ruer relations, Levys de Bavia, hath altered some things: but I do verily believe, it was not done by him, but mandato Superiorum, by those that do ●yranni●e over m●●s books, and lod● it over men's consciences: this latter book is now in the hands of a friend of mine ad facti fidem asserendam, and cannot possibly be denied, do they what they can, or el●e I am much deceived. You see by that which hath been spoke▪ how needful it is that all sorts of books as well of Estate, as Religion, should be diligently compared with former Editions: it is to be presumed that all sorts of books are depraved by them, especially that come forth with glorious Titles, fair Paper, and chiefly with jesuitical Annotations: They know every p●ny Divine would shun such Editions that have this scarecrow title in the forefront of the book. although they come not forth juxta mandatum Indicis expurgatory, or S. Inquisitionis, whether of Spain or of Rome, Multa Latent, quae non patent; the truth of this will easily appear by our labour, the labour will be far more easy than the former, and if I have causelessly suspected them, I will cry them mercy, and subscribe unto the truth; we may set not a hundred, but a thousand on work (if need require) but I hast unto the fifth Article. The fifth Point That the Authors of the middle age, that wrote in the defence of that Religion, which is now (thanks be to God) publicly established in the Church of England, for the substance thereof, may be faithfully transcribed, diligently collated, & distributed into volumes, whereof many may be made of orthodox writers; if not so many as of their Bibliotheca Patrum Probabilium: adding hereunto such Writers, as being bred and brought up in the bosom of the Roman Church saw the disorders, discovered their abuses both in doctrine and manners, and wished almost for the same reformation, that was afterward most happily wrought and brought to pass by Martin Luther and his companions: of the first sort are Wickliff, Peacocke, Gu●de S. Amore, Jo. P. Minorita, Normannus Anon, Nic. Orem and sundry others: of the Later kind, Wesselus', Wicelius, P. de Alliaco, Faber, Gerson, Cusanus, and such like. Explained. THe fifth Article concerneth the transcribing Authors of the middle age, a point wherein (if in any) we may seem to be defective. But quaedam videntur & non sunt, store is no sore; we have (thanked be God) store of these Writers, that have witnessed the truth of our Religion, both in their worthy and solid writings, and by their glorious deaths. If they failed in any point (as seldom they do) it was the fault and darkene see of those times, the fault & number of those bastardly and beggarly Treatises, which ever since Vincentius Lirine●isis time corrupted the lump and body of the true writers: here was no Erasmus then living to hold the candle unto them, no Cooks or Rivets living, to unmask or unuaile them. Hence it is that our Magdeburg Writers have found so many naevos and errors in the Fathers: but all of them of whom they spoke and so sharply inveigh against are not Fathers, nor true sons, but bastard imps, it were well they were well rooted out all, both branch and bowgh, as Spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altas. Would it not trow we be a glorious sight, Of Wi●liffes works and Peacocks, we ha●e th●se MSS in Oxford and Cambridge. 1 Io. W●clishes Triangle transcribed. 2 His Exposition upon the Epistles and Gospels. 3 Of the seven Commendaments. 4 Of the ruins of the Church. 5 Of the Church, and the members thereof. 6 Of the lives of the Priests, and his confession of the Sacrament. 7 Against the Friar's Minors. 8 His Com. on the Psalms▪ and diverse other works. In Latin these▪ 1 De v●ritate Scri●turae almost transcribed. 2 De ●o Mandatis. 3 Ded●mini● civili contra unum M●n. in defence of Kingly power, proving the unlawfulness of K. john's Donation (if any such were) see the rest in my Ecloga. of Peacock his Donate of Christian life, and Repressor of over much blaming the Clergy, MSS. Gro. Wicelius works are printed in diverse years, from 153●. to 1559 He wrote almost as much as S. Aug & would, if he had lived, have reduced them into Tomes. Wesselus' works are printed at Fas. 1524 and reprinted lately at Marpurg. 1617. Mr. Harding would fain persuade Mr I●ell to recant and apostate from the faith, because one Staphylus, Baldwinus, and Wicelius, had done the like. Iu●ll in his answer to M. Hardings' conclusion. Ia● Gretserus in excerptis de vita & moribus Lutheranorum ex Geo. Wicelij libello qui inscribitur. Retectio Lutherismi, &c Lips. 1538. Haec Wicelius olim Lutherus praedicans. Papa lux venit in mundum: fed dilexerunt homines tenebras magis quam lucem: Omnis qui male agit, odit lucem; Et non venit adlucem ut non arguantur o● era eius i quia mala sunt, Oratio Cornelij Episcopi Bipontini in Conc. Trid. sub Paulo 3. p. 16. Conc. Trid. Lovan. 1567. The University of Oxford in an Epistle to Io. P. 22. about provisions, have the very same words in effect, as if Cor. Musse had there read them cut of a MSS. of Mr. Allens before Turgots' book of the Bishops of Duresine. to see Wicleph and Peacocke revived again out of the dust of their graves, and our Libraries, and to write in defence an Apology of our Religion, as valiantly and pertinently as jewel or Morton have done, both Bishops and glorious Lamps and Ornaments of this Church of England; and for want of others, we will be bold to crave aid of the Papists, they have given us a good hent in their several books of Prohibition, and Expurgation, and so directed us, that we need not far to seek for witnesses: they though Papists will bear witness unto the Protestant faith and orthodox doctrine, or else I do much mistake their writings, or our own Tenets; and let Wicelius or Wesselus' answer for us. Wicelius works are printed, but I suppose his works are in the hands of few: Wesselus' are extant and to be read of all. Wicelius (as shall be showed ere long) was almost wholly ours; it will not serve their turns to say as Harding doth, that he was first of our Religion, or as Gretser (that never told lie in his life) sometimes a Lutheran preacher. I do not absolutely deny it, it may be so, there is little written of, much by him: but in all his writings that I have seen till of late, there can be nothing gathered whereon they may ground this improbable conceit. But what the? as for Wesselus', he was not unworthily called lux mundi, not blasphemously, as certain of their Parasites have said of some Popes; Papa lux venit in mundum, etc. But I will call him as the Scripture calleth the righteous, as bright a Star as any shined in their Horizon. Whose works are set forth and published as well by their own men, as ours, and his death greatly lamented of all. But why dwell I so long upon this point? the work is as easy and faisible as the two last. We may employ as many hands as we please, and Authority shall think fit. Two Dutchmen of the Palatinate have traveled for me in this business, and are able and willing to write out a choir of Paper in a week, which would come to an hundred choir in the year, able to set two presses or work. Their hand is legible, though not fair. I have paid them xx s. for a choir (their ingenuity being Scholars, craveth no less at my hands.) Some things I have of Wicleph both in English and Latin ready for the Press: especially I have employed them in writing out his De verit ●te Scripturae, or his Aletheia (as Zuinger calleth it) and I have begun the rather with this book, because it was his Masterpiece, and (as was said) a good means of con●erting the Bobemian Nation, next under God. It is not that which is printed. De periculi● nouissim●um temporum, which it seemeth Mr. Fox had seen, where are 25. signs, but a book with this Title, Collecti● Catholicae & Canonicae Scripturae, dinstructionem & praeparationem simplicium fidelium Christi, contra pericula inuminetia Ecclesiae Generali per hypocritas, Pseudo praedicatores, & penetrantes domes, & otiosoes & curiosoes & gy●●vagos, which is ready for the Press upon a week's warning. I have likewise ready done the great and famous work of Guil. de S. Amore: not that which is printed, but that which exceedet that far, both in greatness and goodness: it is or shall be ready for the Press, and I will accounted no book ready till it have a good Concordance in the Margin, a Table of the Author's cited, and matter contained therein, after he most exactest manner of an Alphabet. The sixth Point That the Catalogus testium veritatis, compiled by Illyricus, may be rectified out of the originals, quoting Book, Chapter, and Edition; and supplied out of the vnprinted Manuscripts. Explained: TOuching Illyricus, the Books printed, whose authorities are vouched, may be reviewed by many; but for the Manuscripts (as I would wish that all that are in Oxford and Cambridge, or elsewhere, may be viewed, qu●ad hoc) I have much in this kind gathered to the hand, much more hath an industrious kinsman of mine: Of C.C.C. If I had no other employment but this, we two would undertake that business, and to do it as it should be done, to no small profit of the Church, and increase of Illyricus Catalogue of witnesses of the truth. The seventh Point That out of all these an Anticoccius may be framed out of Fathers, and middle-aged Writers, that were in their times esteemed of the Church of Rome, and out of them only: nothing doubting but we shall be able to match, if not exceed, his two large Volumes, both in greatness and goodness; quoting as before, precisely, our Editions, and doing all fide optima & antiqua, religiously and unpartially, as becometh Divines. Explained. FOr the Anticoccius, it is already performed in a manner: I have all the testimonies before Luther, and before or since of Papists, that proved each Point material of our Religion, disposed after a double method: the first of time, descending downwards from Christ and his Apostles: the second Alphabetical, that I may know and supply what is wanting, there wants: but comparing of the testimonies with the Original: though I misdoubt them not, See jewels defence and reply against Harding, and Mornayes resp. à l' Euesque d' Eureux Sal●●●. 1602. being all taken out of the worthies amongst our Writers: Namely, Bilson, and Morton, and Abbot, bishop; Field, and Francis White, Deans; john White, and Beard, Doctors of Divinity: as also jewel and Mornay, and who dares suspect? I know some have challenged them, but the best is, they have made their own Apologies. The eighth Point That the supposititious and Bastard Works of the Fathers, noted by Doctor Rivet, or Master Cook, or any other, may be reexamined; their exceptions scanned or weighed with indifferency, and other reasons added to their challenge, if any shall be found. Explained. COncerning the eighth Point of the bastard Fathers: Some are challenged by Protestants, In my ●nchi i●●ion Theologicum MSS. apud me, taken out of the most eminent amongst the Popish or Protestant writers, with quotations of book, and Chapters. some by Papists, some by both; by whom, & the places where, I have a reasonable good direction: the places may be seen, their reasons weighed, and accordingly on Gods name let judgement be given. I know some that are tainted of corruption, which will appear upon better judgement, to be truly their proper works; I spare to speak my mind, or to instance and exemplify in this point, for that it concerneth some greater & wiser men than myself: but thought is free, vincat melior sententia, & let that which is spoken by me, be spoken with due submission, & under correction, Donec predeant censurae aliorum. The work doubtless is of good moment, the doing of it will be no great labour, nor unpleasant work: so much I say before hand, for their and mine own encouragement. The ninth Point That the suspected places may be viewed in the true Fathers, which are justly challenged of corruption, either by our own men, or the adversary; with the like indifferency of minds, and unpartialitie of judgements▪ being compared with the touchstone of the old Manuscripts, and printed books, which are quasi Manuscripts. Explained. AS concerning the ninth Point, I have most of the places gathered together in numerate. a matter as worthy as any of our best considerations; there are a thousand places challenged of corruption, (I speak within compass) most by Protestants, mostly in the question of the Supremacy, and judge of controversies, the carrying question: all which may be once well decided, either judiciously out of the MSS, or coniecturally out of the strength of wit or reason, and there is no third way allowed us by the Critics, all that I have seen, and some of the best, it hath been God's providence that I have seen in my time, which may appear by that, which here followeth; gathered together and disposed into Theses, for the better guiding of me and others, that shall busy themselves in examining or re examining these 1000 places, or more; suspected or corrupted in the true Fathers. Theses or Rules concerning the Art Critic. 1 A Critic is a man naturally inclined to those kind of studies, of a sincere judgement, approved honesty, versed in all kind of good literature, as a man would a Non. Steph. l. 1. dissert. de Criticis p. 24. say, a most exquisite and absolute Grammarian. 2. The Art Critic, is an Art of enquiring into the truth, b Ib. p. 43. and faith of such as have written and put forth books, according to certain rules, examining and reading all manner of books, in what faculty soever: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Critically, c H. Steph. dissert. de Criticis p. 247. upon Conjecture, or upon judgement. 3. Our Conjectures are uncertain, for the most part grounded only upon circumstances: judgement proceeds from the MSS, and is for the most part solid and certain. 4. There are certain rules and precepts to be observed in both. 5. Our Conjectures must be made sparingly, discreetly, and warily, d Parc● Prudenter, Pudenter. and fortified with as many reasons as may be well brought together. 6. And this is a most certain rule, that we e Mar. Victor. Annot. in Hieron. Ep. p. 593. must never change a reading upon a bare conjecture only, against the constant and received reading of all the MSS. f Lucas Fruterus lib. verisi●● l. p. ●0. 7. In defect and want of MSS▪ (which happeneth too often, God knoweth, and the Critics know it to their grief) The next and best help we have, is from conjecture, it hath the second room; but the g H. Steph l 1. dissert de Critics p. 22. first place doth by droict du Canon in the judgement of our most approved Critics, begin, proceed, and end with the MSS, more or less. h Lucas Brugen. Novantiq. lect. p. 171. 8. It is a rule in Criticism, that caeteris paribus, the older the copy is, the better it is. i Fr. Luc. Brug. Novantiq. lect p. 304. 9 There is another rule, that if the copy be old, it hath seldom its explicit, or time noted wherein it was written. 10. Nevertheless, there are means and ways left unto us, to difference and discern old copies from new, former from latter, by the Character. 11. Books written in the Longobard Character, k Mar. Victor. Annot. in Com. p. 1. are esteemed to be of great antiquity, and so are books written with a bigger letter, or (as our Antiquaries call it) Lirera formata, w●th a set hand, and both these as it hath been judiciously observed, l Angel. Posit. p. 69. have few or no abbreviations. 12. Books that have been transcribed within these 500 or 900 years, have come into our hands very corrupt and false, as rightly observed Lud. Viues, and others: the corruptions came in, partly by the unskilfulness and multiplied abbreviations of those that usually copied out books; partly by the boldness and presumption of certain scioli; or lastly by the carelessness of Writers. 13. All which must be understood with this one exception, unless the said books were diligently copied out and collated with the old and best MSS; for so being carefully done, they may be well nigh of as good credit, and stand us in as good stead as the old MSS. themselves, whereout they were transcribed. 14. This is to be known by these few marks: First, you have it in some books in express terms, explicit such or such a book, copied out such a year, and collationed the same year, or another. Secondly, you shall find it blotted and blurred in certain places, where the wrong words are put forth, and the right set down, most commonly in the Margin, or written over head. Thirdly and lastly, by certain pricks or points under so many letters or words as are to be expunged: a acquaint device to preserve the beauty of their books, but very subject to error and misinterpretation. 15. Books that were printed long since, or at the first, when printing came in (such as Cyprian 1471. or 1478.) are sometime in stead, and aequalled with some MSS. 16. In collationing and comparing of old books with new, printed with the MSS, (a work only of industry, and properly belonging to our Critics) as the antiquity of the books must be regarded, so the number of the copies is to be well considered, and weighed in the libration of books. 17. As it is a sure and received rule, that there m Goulart. Annot. in Cypr. p. 582. Fr. Brug. Novant. lect. p. 124 lieth a kind of impossibility to mend a book without any MSS: so to attempt to do the same, without the aid of two copies at the least, may perchance prove but a fruitless, or bootless labour. 18. As the elder copies are to be preferred before the latter, so are the more to be regarded before the fewer. 19 If we find a currant and constant reading in all the MSS, without any varying, no man may be so bold as to change the same, be it never so contrary to sense, or repugnant to reason: All that we can do in such a case, i● to gloss or expound it in the side of the book, or in the end of the same, by way of Annotation. 20. In variety of MSS, n Mere Victor. Annot in Com. p. 1. the Reader is left free to choose what copy or reading liketh him best; no one man's judgement must prejudice another man's opinion, because neither one man alone, nor all jointly together, do know all things. 21. There is o Hen. Steph. lib. schediasm. p. 147. no assurance or infallibility in the Art Critic: who dares absolutely to take upon him to mend a book, so as there shall be no fault or wrinkle in him? we cannot, we dare not say it: it is sufficient for a Critic, to do all that he may, or can, according unto the rules of his Art, and to use his best industry, that is to say, if he have good MSS, to use them; if he have them not (because they also do fail us sometimes) to use the best that can be gotten, and when they cannot be gotten, to follow the thread of Conjectures and likelihoods, which sometimes, and in some cases, (though seldom) are p Lu●as Fruteru●verisimilium, l. 7. p. 44. as good as some MSS. 22. The readings in the MSS, q Luc. Fruter. verisimil. p. 127. whether right or wrong, sound or unsound, must be needfully, and heedfully preserved, and observed. 24. Sometimes the r H. Steph. dissert. de Ca●i●. p. 53: & 65. inversion or perversion of a letter, the mispointing, false colon, or comma in a sentence, may overthrow the true meaning thereof, and draw it to a clean contrary sense. 25. There is no fault so small, but must be mended, if it may, but noted it must be howsoever: these are but seeming trifles I must confess, s H. Steph. dissert. de Criticis p, 71. Luc. Fruter veris. l. 7. p. 20.23. yet such as with draw men from the true reading, and draw great consequences with them. 26. Therefore our Critic must approve his honest and faithful dealing unto the world, dealing with the MSS, as the MSS dealt with him; making choice of some good readings rather then other, t Angel. Poli●. p. 69. but noting both unto the Reader; for a false reading many times, hath some footsteps of a truer lection, and what one cannot, another may observe: These are the Rules which we intent to follow, till we know any cause to the contrary. And for the practice of them, Bilson of obedience p. 583. whereupon D or. Norrice giveth us this wise note. Master Bilson and Master Field in append. 2 §. ●7. have no other shift to traverse the evidence of this place, then by accusing it of some secret corruption. D.N. p. 47. How truly, the Reader may judge by that which followeth. I will exemplify them in two places, taken from one of the profoundest Scholars, and of deepest judgement that ever England yielded. The first consisteth upon judgement, the other upon conjecture, the two legs whereupon the Art Critic standeth: My Author is the famous Bilson Bishop of Winton, whose learning was too great, and himself too good, (as foolishly Norrice said of him) to be a Protestant, and therefore he prayed for his conversion after the time of his dissolution, I know not how he will answer this, he is not wont to be so charitable to others. My place (as I said) the one out of Aug. de Gen. ad lit. lib. 10. cap. 23. the other taken out of Chrysostom's Ep. add Innocent. The Papists prove Tradition out of the one, and Norrice following Bellarmine, the Supremacy out of the other, but the Papists fail in both: the Bishop's conjectures in neither, and my confirmations (if any be needful, or possible after him) are partly out of the MSS, and partly out of conjecture. Touching the first place, thus we read, Consuetudo matris Ecclesiae in baptizandis parvulis non credenda, nisi Ecclesiae traditio esset: Whereupon the judicious Bishop hath these words following, they being objected to him in the person of the Papists by his Philander. The meaning of the Speaker in this place, and the likeness of the same speech in other places, makes me think that a letter too much is crept into these words, as through the injury of times, and variety of Scribes, many thousand depravations, and diverse Le●tions were, and yet are in the works of Saint-Augustine and other Fathers, not only by the judgement of the learned, but by the very sight of the Mangines: Cited by him about the place Deu. 17. where the Papists in their vulgar Bible read ex for et. My Ecolga Oxonio-Cantabrig. printed at London 1600 to the benefit of most Protestant writers, and some Papists, as Poss●uin and Pitsius, that have partly mangled & curtalled my book. I wonder how they durst keep it being utterly forbidden by Io. Maria Master of the sacred Palace. So Costerius & others. See Bilson. de o●●d. p. 53. jun. to. 2. p. 730. Nifi Apostolica traditio esset for esse, is a escape in writing soon committed, but a matter of some moment in altering of the sense. I take not upon me to correct it, but leave it to the indifferent Reader. See here an evident Argument of the learned Bishop's judgement, and modesty: judgement, or rather conjecture in guessing it to be corrupted, modesty in not presuming to alter the reading upon his own conjecture, without furthet warrant from the MSS: for than he is bold to say, as he doth else where; Know ye that there are six MSS. in the New College that read thus. This place was (that I may ingeniously profess a truth) it that drew my studies to the contemplations of the MSS, and made me take a wearisome journey to Cambridge, and elsewhere, to compile my Ecloga: this five and twenty years at the least, I have been conversant more or less in these kind of studies, and some small proficient I have been, nothing repenting me of my pains bestowed, if they may profit myself and others, to the purpose. Answerable to the Bishop's conjectures are most, if not all of our English MSS: Quos Catholici maiores nostri reliquerunt, (saith Possevine) & thought to be as good as any are in the world besides. The second place suspected by the Bishop of corruption, is taken out of Chrysostom's Ep. add Innocentium, in these words: The word is printed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, obscre ut scribas, which the words precedent and consequent import should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obscro ut scribatis, and so the other part of the sentence doth plainly convince where he saith: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: i fore is easily overseen, and yet in the matter the difference is much, though not so much, that it should either help them, or hurt us. And elsewhere obsecro ut scribas, the print or copy disinherited, the whole letter goeth on with verbs of the plural number— the whole petition made to them all. Now whether obsecro ut scribas, can stand with these words, libris vestris▪ firms concedite, or rather obsecro ut scribatis. A verb of the singular number thrust in amongst verbs of the plural to claw the Bishop of Rome. This selfsame place I sent unto a friend of mine, a Bachelor learned in Divinity, to be farther considered of me, who returned me this note thereupon. Bell. de Rom. Pontif l. 2. c. 15. § Septimo Bellarmine's observation out of these words is this. Chrysostome was uniuslly deposed by Theophilus Antiochenus, and hereupon writeth to the Bishop of Rome, that he would be pleased by his authority to nullify Theophilus' sentence, & to proceed both against him and his fellows. Therefore (saith he) Chrysostome did acknowledge the Bishop of Rome to be chief judge of Controversies amongst the Grecians. Thus far he Baronious is ready to dance for joy, that he hath found so pregnant a place for the Pope's supremacy, and is of opinion, that God in his Divine providence suffered this breach to happen between these two famous Bishops, because there should a Constat as it were remain upon record whether we ought to go upon the like occasions: but by their leaves, both our Cardinals, have committed many fraudulent deportements in the carrying of this busisinesse. 1 First S. Chysostome wrote not to Innnocentius alone, but jointly to him and to his Colleagues: This is proved by the tenor of the whole Epistle, which never speaks but in the plural number. Domini maxim, venerandi & pij quam haec ita se habere didiceritis, studium vestrum ad hibete, quo retundatur haec impietas] Again, in the very same place above mentioned, obsecro ut scribatis, non ut scribas] This reading is also well warranted by Binius, in both his Editions of the Counsels, as well of Anno 1●06. as the other of the year 1618. and in the Greek Text set forth by Sir Henry Savill, By Pitsius. not without deserved thanks and commendations of Papists. to. 7. p. 157. We read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉:) Although some Printed Copies, read corruptly scribas, and some Greek (if the jesuit deal with us fide optima & Romana) which the learned Knight doth not dissemble, and once more still in the plural number literis vestris frui concedite] 2 I was haled and pulled & carried away by main force, the reason was because forsooth I had appealed unto the Synod] unto the Synod, not unto the Bishop of Rome. 3 He desireth the charity and favour of the Eastern Bishops almost in every place, and wisheth that he might have the happiness to come to their goodnesses, and enjoy the benefit thereof:] we have therefore no acknowledgement of the Pope's power of omnipotency. 4 If it shall be lawful for every one to break or rush into another man's Diocese, though from parts never so far distant, & to determine what they list of their own authorities, in short time all things will come to nothing] He doth plainly allude unto the Canon of the Council of Nice, wherein each Patriarch (the Roman and all) have certain bounds and limits, which all men were bound expressly to keep. Therefore without all peradventure Innocents authority alone (which he well knew) reached no further than his own Diocese: Further he could not go extra regiones suburbicarias: that was not the thing sought after, but the aid of an ecumenical universal Synod, to determine this Controversy. 5 Besides, Innocentius himself elsewhere doth plainly show, and as it were demonstrate unto us a way for the composing of such like Controversies, in his Epistle to the Clergy of Constantinople, as we may read it in Sozomen, l. 8. cap. 26. Necessaria est inquit, etc.] It is not only expedient but necessary, that the Bishops should meet in a Synod, about the determining of these Controversies—, for these storms cannot be quieted, nor these tempests allayed, but only by a sober and temperate meeting of Bishops in a Synod] by a Synod only, and not only by the Sea of Rome. 6 In his 2. Ep. to Innocent, thus writeth S. Chrysostome else where,— I must needs acknowledge, that your Fatherhood hath piously, (as much as in you lay) composed all differences, and removed all scandals.— But they notwithstanding cease not to go on in their obstinate and wicked courses.] Therefore Theophilus and his Complices or Copesmates, nothing cared for Innocentius attempts in this very Controversy: but obstinately went on, and fomented this Schism; Nathlesse he did intercede and mediate to the contrary. 7 The most and the utmost indeed that Innocent could do, was (which was common to him with other Bishops according to the ancient custom of that age) to deny all manner of Communion and fellowship with Theophilus or his Theophilines': this was not to pronounce him banished from the Catholic Church, or to invalidate, or make his Acts of none effect by his bare authority and only command. So here you have a small taste of that fruit in both kinds of Criticism, which the world is to expect at our hands, if God give grace and the Bishop's leave: Reason's why we should undertake the 8th. or 9th. Articles first. and I should not think it much amiss or far out of the way, if we did presently go in hand with this eighth and ninth Articles: of all others they are the most important, else in comparing the Father's works, we may happily mistake one for the other, or sons for Fathers: And again, who knoweth not but the work of comparing the Latin Fathers works, the greeks Translation, are in some sort involved and included in one of these two points, and these (to my seeming) may be well acted and peracted by, or not long after Michaelmas, only with the help of these twelve and some few voluntaries: provided that we begin before the next, Easter as motus est in instanti, but I submit and pray. The tenth Point Tenthly and lastly, the perpetual Visibility of the Church, more or less, and the History of the same Religion that we profess for the substance thereof throughout all ages, may be showed to the Eye, noting when those Novelismes and superadditaments of the Church of Rome, came in as near as may be guessed, the time when, and parties by whom they were opposed. All which 10 Propositions, (needful and important as they are) I do willingly commend unto my dear Mother the Church of England, and from her to the Clergy and Gentry of this Land, to be proceeded in, as they shall see it most expedient for the common good; promising nothing but my pains to be commanded in these public services. And I make no doubt (if God will) but that all this may be effected, within some few years, if the Almighty give grace, the rich whom God hath blessed with this worldly substance, encouragement; and the rest their prayers. Of the likelihood hereof I am the rather persuaded, because already by my own means, and small endeavours, there is almost a fourth part of the Work done in all these 10 Articles. If one alone may do so much within such a time, what may a dozen able Scholars (such as I know and could name) do within 5, 6, 7, or 8 years, which is the utmost in my conjecture? The approbation of the Worke. I Approve of the things here projected, & wish with all my heart they may take good effect. IO. PRIDEAUX Vicecanc. S.T.D. Prof. Reg. Theol. ROD. KETTELL Praeses Coll. S. Trinit. LEON. HUTTEN Aedis Christi Praebend. GVIL. LANGTON Coll. Magd. Praeses. SEBASTIANUS BENEFIELD Lecturae Margareticae Professor. IO. RAWLINSON Principalis Aulae S. Edmundi. IO. PARKEHURST Magister Coll. Ball. IO. WILKINSON Aul. Magd. Praep. GVIL. PEIRS Decanus Petriburgensis. RICHARDUS CORBET Aedis Christi Decanus. SAM. FELL Aedis Christi Praebend. THO. ILES Aulae Cervinae Principalis. RIC. ASTELEY Custos Coll. Omnium Animarum. ROB. PINCK Novi Coll. Custos. GU. SMYTH Coll. Wadham. Guard. IO. TOLSON Coll. Oriel. Praepositus. PAULUS' HOOD Coll. Lincoln. Rector. GVIL. JUXON Coll. D. Io. Prese. I Am now at length, happily (as I trust) arrived at the tenth point, which I will call the Cape of good Hope, because I conceive very good hope that if the former were done, this with some labour formerly taken by me will suddenly follow of itself: it is almost done already (thanks be to God) and good Mr. Fisher he shall have his Buttery-booke ere long, Ex malis moribus bonae leges, his jests may perhaps turn to earnests: we will out-Catalogue his fellow Dr. Norrice, who is so mighty a Goliath amongst our Philistius, that he hath defied all the host of Israel: as for Field, Shall I here pose Mr. Bilson, shall I pose M. Raynolds S.N. p. 200. & p. 81.91. & 97. or Bilson, or Abbots, or Raynolds, they are but dwarves in his hands, he maketh but a push at their writings, and seemeth to be able to set them to school again, if General Norrice had been no better at his sword, than he is at his Pen, the Low-countrieses had been low enough by this time. I say no more but brag is a good dog: and though I would not willingly fall into the same crime which I find fault with in another, yet in this place in the upshot and conclusion of all, I trust I shall find pardon with the ingenious and discreet Reader, if I speak somewhat of myself, and for to excuse my forwardness in pressing this work. As when men shall understand that I was borne of Honest and Religious Parents, that are (I hope) now blessed Saints in Heaven, sometimes glorious Confessors here upon earth, and exiles for Religion, My Father, M, Richard james was in the house when Marsh was taken, and himself forced with his wife and children to live all Q. Mar●es time beyond the seas. My petition is printed, and to be seen, that I preferred at that time unto the Bishops in Convocation. As shall be fully showed ere long in a book now in the Press, to be printed, if God william. that I have studied this point more than 25 years, and petitioned, as I do now, the Bishops in the last Parliament of the late Queen, that I have lived ever since in a place of some eminency for books; where though I could not well study them myself, but carried and sometimes broke the bread like Silenus' Ass, for others more than for myself, yet as one that standeth upon an high tower, to descry the enemy, may do good service, though he be not in the Camp; so I standing upon this Pharos of learning, have seen somewhat that it grieveth me to see, that books in time will decay if the estate of the Church or Commonwealth, do not prevent our Papists mischievous plots & complots, to pull Kings out of their thrones, and the King of Kings out of Heaven, if they may have their wills, they are cunning Merchants, close workers, all is in the dark, and in the vault; I fear more their secret, than their open Indices: the truth is, I fear all, and believe none of them, I am so taught by D. Raynold, D. Raynold by Epicharmus: they sow that now, which they mean to reap perhaps 40 or 50 years hence. I would gladly redeem truth out of their hands, which is there not to be used, but suppressed, and to preserve Religion entire, as it hath been left unto us, & to preserve it from the injuries of times and men, & who knoweth whether the great City of Rome be not to be assaulted and battered with these Rams? & the Man of sin, that Antichrist that exalteth himself above God, or all that is called God, be not to be overthrown and cast down to the ground, by this weak paper-shot of ours: I have in Gods Name begun the battle in a good time, my bellum papale hath made a great and wide breach in their walls, my book of corruptions hath touched them to the quick, and drawn blood: but I shall reinforce the battle ere it be long; experience hath taught me to use stronger weapons. I would have them in Print, that the Adversary should take no exception against them; or rather that he may justly object what he can, and when it is done, what great mastery is it to conquer a poor feeble man, whom age hath made old, and not sickness, and God with the means of a learned Physician hath made strong, contrary to all humane expectation. I must die when the appointed time shall come, it is good not to be found idle, or abroad out of my vocation. Non omnes possunt esse maximi. Sure I am I have been oftentimes buried in the mouths of some ambitious men. I have written, spoken, and done somewhat, when I might have taken my pleasure of the world, (as too many of my coat do) I have (thanked be God) no cure of souls, and yet am not secure or willing to say to my soul, take thy rest: yet if my eyes may be so happy as to see the Epilogue and Catastrophe of this great business, I shall sing my Nunc dimittis with great contentedness of mind, though I have never a penny for my labour: they deserve not (to my seeming) a reward for their labours, which labour for a reward. I shall find some respect amongst my fellow Protestants, and if it be but for my constant and unfeigned zeal: of the Papists, I look for nothing but contempt and disgrace: I have tasted of this cup which my blessed Saviour began unto me, it is very bitter, save that the wood of his Cross hath sweetened it; I never offended any of them willingly: all my reading is in their own Authors, are they offended for this? The proofs of my Religion, Truth and Antiquity are taken from them, is this that offendeth them? Nay I am contented, and fully resolved to stand to the determination of the material controversies by their own rules, and judges of their own making, or some of their own appointment. My books are yet unanswered, those that seemed to be answered; here a sentence and there a sentence, I have replied and rejoined unto them: I am neither idle drone, nor wine bibber, or tippler, nor cutter and mangler, forger or counterfeiter of MSS, I will leave that to the Papists, Hardings, and Possevines of those times, I will not offer to take their trade out of their hands. They think not so meanly of myself, as myself do, yet as jewel once said to Harding, by the grace of God I am that I am, From Io. Zamoscius the Chancellor of Poland, and General of his army sent unto me 23. years ago from my Lo. Mornay from Amandus Polanus, junius, Gruterus, Sch l. tetus, Keckermanus, Vossius, Rivet, Goulartius, and others, from beyond the Seas. My small pains have been approved and in some sort commended by my now Lord of Canterbury, Dr: Sutliffe, Dr. Bull●eley, Dr. Prideaux, Dr. Hakewill, Dr. Beard, Master Perkins and others. The siege of Troy is said to have lasted 10 years at the utmost. I would not ask longer time to impugn and expugn this New Troy, or Troynovant, I have it under their hands, I have made the best choice of the best and most able scholars that never sued to me: I will bear them witness, but I will attempt nothing but permissu Superiorum. and that grace is sufficient for me: if I should depend upon the praise of 〈◊〉 I were not the true servant of God, it p●ffeth 〈…〉 up, that I have received private let●ers, and open testimonies from beyond the seas, to encourage me to go on cheerfully in the course of my studies, and these from Papists as well as Protestants, some men of eminent learning, as well as Nobility, from the greatest Bishops within this land, as well as men of fame and name beyond the Seas: all this (as I say) puffeth not me up, and maketh not me neither idle, nor high minded, I thank them for their good wills, and am thankful to the Almighty, if any thing be praise worthy in me, or bneficiall to others: but I accounted all this as nothing, and myself less than nothing, if I do not religiously pay my vows, which I have solemnly made to God and the Church in this kind: and for a conclusion of all, to wind up all, as it were into one clew. If the first Point may be well accomplished in three or four years, the second in one year, the third and fourth in half a year, the fifth in a year or two, the 6. by two in two years, the 7. in a manner in a quarter of a year, the eighth and ninth in half a year, the last within less than a twelve month: when all is done, Quid stamus hic tota die otiosi. Once again I am ready myself, and so are twelve more as willing in some sort, more able than myself, to enter the lists, and upon the work: if we shall be thereunto required by our Superiors, if our sister University will join hand in hand with us, we shall march the more confidently, they revising our labours, and we interchangeably theirs, the work will the sooner and better be done, within half the time, by the rule of proportion. Thus I have laboured in this Apology to satisfy others (for if I should not do so much as in me lieth, I should not satisfy myself) satisfy all I cannot, my Superiors I hope I shall; if by no other, yet by this, that in the end I may justly sing my Io Poean, all honour, praise, and glory unto God, not dividing my praise as most Papists do, and Bellarmine is said to divide his soul betwixt God and the virgin Mary, foully and shamefully: contradicting his former position, supping up as it were his own words. Tutissimum est, etc. The safest way of all is to rely on God's mercy. FJNJS.