THE Forerunner of Bells Downfall,  
Wherein, is breisely answered his braggnig offer of disputation, and insolent late challenge: the particularties of the confutation of his books, shortly by god's grace to be published, are mentioned: with à brief answer, to his craking and calumnious confutinge of Papists by Papists themselves: and lastly à taste.  
Given of his rare pretended sincerity, with some few examples.  jerem. 51. v. 44. 
I will visit Bel upon Babylon, and cast forth of his mouth, that which he hath swallowed up: and the gentiles shall no more flock unto him and that because the wall of Babylon shall fall down,  
ANNO M. D C. V.   

THE FORERUNNER OF BELLS DOWNEFAL.  

The vain and foolish title of his book, with a note of a quadruple devise, which he useth to win himself credit, and to endamage the Catholic cause.  
CHAP. I.  
THERE came lately to my hands, a certain book presented the last Easter term to the view of the world, by one Thomas Bell, long since à Minister, after that a Priest, and for some years past, and at this present, Sicut erat in principio: as it was in the begining: a Minister again: in which state he meaneth constantly to continue, until the Lord by new revelation shall otherwise dispose of his person. The title of his book looketh big as though it had eaten buls-beife, and according to the common saying, as the Devile locked over Lincoln, and is ready to quarrel with any Papist whatsoever: this it is. The Downefal of Popery proposed by way of a new challenge, to all English Jesuits, and jesuited, or Italianized Papists: daring them all jointly, and every one of them severally, to make answer thereunto, if they can, or have any truth on their side: knowing for truth, that otherwise all the world will cry with open mouths, Fie upon them, and their patched hodge-podge religion. 
Fair and soft for dashing: what will this man be in the fight, that is so hot and eager before he is yet entered the f●elde.  This name of his book by all probability, was given by the godfather, when he was in the ruff of his roperye, and came hastily into the kitchen, from some homely place, where a bad scent had entertained his smelling instrument (dangerous in these times of infection for an empty stomach) and not finding there any meat meet for his ministerships' mouth, but only an odd hodge-podge, fell into some choleric pang, in which distemperature returning to his study, the title was begotten; for otherwise why himself, being à patched minister, created of two recantations, should call our religion à patched hodge-podge I cannot see, nor I think himself, having yet the eyes of two ministers, and one Priest. Our church hath not stood simpering in a close pot, or poor pipkin, no man can tell where, for I know not for how many hundred years together, as their congregation hath (which though falsely pretended, is the best cloak they can find to cover the shame oft her naked continuance) but hath always borne sail in the sight of the world, maugre the malice of the devil, and all the tempests of persecution, that the furies of hell could raise: Neither is our religion patched together 
S. Epiphanius haeres. 75. and S. Austen haeres. 53. Se S Hieron. contra Vigilantium. Ciril. 6. contra julian. Cedrenus in Heraclio. S. Alcoranus Mahumet. cap. 15. & 16.  of many mamockes of old stinking heretical assertions, as their faith is, where denienge of prayers for the dead, and the appointed fasts of the Church, borrowed from Aerius: scorning of relics, scoffing at invocations of Saints, rejecting voluntary poverty, and allowance of priests, taken from Vigilantius, railing at the holy Cross, and sacred Images: received from julian the Apostata, and miscreant Mahometans: and divers other such like fragments, scraped together, be in their congregation entertained for heavenly articles: and so whether it may not truly be termed, à patched hotch-poch religion, and godless galimamphorye of a new gospel, I leave to indifferent judgement. divers other books in former times, hath he also divulged, (for he had rather be ill occupied then idle) each of them, one so like another, that any man may easily know them to be puppies of one litter, & sundry puddles stewing from one sink. In all which the principal scope he outwardly aimeth at, is the overthrow of Popery, as he speaketh, and the advancement of the truth: but whether any pharaisaical making broad his phylacteries, and enlarging 
Matt. ●3. v. s  his fringes, the love of the first places at suppers, and the first chairs in the synagogues, and salutations in the market place, and to be called of men Rabbi, hath also his share, and divide stakes, that is council to any, and a mystery so secretly carried, that it is without the compass of all human divination: for the happy effecting of these his designments, and to procure credit with his readers, (for I think he hath little with his hearers) like an old soldiear and beaten Captain he useth many stratagems, but especially four. The first is, to provoke, to challenge, to dare all learned men, to the combat. for would any man in his wits, make such an offer, were he not moste assured of victory, and to triumph over the Romans, that have so often triumphed over others? The second is, with great sorrow of soul to lament, that he can get no answer to his books, and utterly to despair ever to see any such thing effectually attempted: an evident demonstration, that they be of rare erudition, and truth in his side. The third is an invection (if we list to believe him of his own, as Thraso said in Terence) 
eunuch.  and that is to overthrow papistry, by papistry itself, and to ruin our saith, by the principal professors and patrons of our religion. Mary god bless us from this Bell, for never was there such à peal rung in our days, or in the days of our forefathers. The fourth and last is, his saintlike protestation of sincerity, upright dealing, and handle all things according to equity and conscience. These be the main bulwarks of his books, framed by this excellent engenite, both to defend themselves, and to batter us: All which not withstanding, are nothing else but skearcrowes, & painted paper walls, seem they never so terrible to simple souls: Spiders webs are strong enough to make booty of flies and gnats, weak nets to catch swallows and greater birds. And I will not deny, that he might with some pretty credit, have tampered among little ones, who are soon scandalised, but when which fantastical conceit he supposeth, that he can contrive the ruin of god's Church, or confound all learned Catholics whatsoever. Suitor ultra crepidam the Cobbler is beyond his shoe, and he doth walk (as the Prophet saith) in great and wonderful things above himself. His malice is great, but his power nothing 
Psalm. 130. v. 2.  corespondent. He is a cursed cow, but with short horns: wherefore let him strive against Catholic verity, struggle with God and Church, war against heaven: repentance (god grant that not fruitless) will be the end of his labours: and perpetual disgrace, (without divine amending grace) the just reward of his works. If any overswaied with a false weening, think otherwise, let him have a little patience, vouchsafe the reading of this small treatise, and he shall see his four forts (by one that acknowledgeth himself inferior to thousands in God's church) fired about his ears: let us briefly run them all over.   

Bel seemeth wonderful desirous of disputation in words, and yet in deeds refuseth the same. With an indifferend offer of trial.  
CHAP. II.  
Much ianglinge hath the minister kept since his last reformation, & like a Ffleet-streete hackster iustileth at jesuits, showldreth Seminaries, braveth all the learned men of christendom; so desirous is he to manifest his manhood, to exercise his talon, and to show the world some trick of his 
In the preface special, and pag. 35. and 36. To the Seminary. Priests in wisbich castle, etc. Pag. 57 and 65.  cuninge. This humour of his he discovereth in his motives: The same vaunting vain hunteth him in his survey: In his hunting of the romish fox, though it be but a petty pamphlet, yet is he once or twice harping on the same string: And in his Counterblast, with in solent words & opprobrious terms, he dareth Jesuits, and Seminaries, to answer his books. And lastly in his late Downefalle, he proclaimeth à new challenge, courageously casting out his daring darts: and in the end of his preface; and every several chapter, as though he had been apprentice to some ballad maker, the foot of the song runneth after this manner: Answer o Papists if you can, if ye cannot so do, then repent for shame, and yield unto the truth: And at the heels of one of them followeth this fearful, and formidable adjuration. I challenge you, I provoke you to 
pag. 80.  the combat, I adjure you all jointly, and every one of you severally, for the credit of your cause, for the honour of your Pope, and the life of Popish doctrine, which now lieth bleeding, and will shortly yield up the ghost, if some sovereign remedy be not speedily provided for the same. The minister may take care for his winding sheet, god's church is in no danger, the more she bleedeth out such corrupt, and pestilent humours as he is, the better is her estate. He must pardonus, we rely more upon Christ's promise for her perpetual continuance, then upon his lying lip, for her short yielding up the ghost. we make no doubt but that he mightily envieth her felicity, and greedily thirsteth after her destruction. But as little do we doubt, but that she shall still live and endure, rumpantur ut ilia Codro, although he fret out his bowels with grief and envy. Desiderium peccatorum peribit, the desire of 
Psalm. 111. v. 9  sinners (such as he is) shall perish. Thus the minister braggeth & braveth others to disputation, either by word or writing, and like à desperate coward, feareth not to fight with any, provided always that they be far enough of, and himself out of all danger: and so he showeth himself of as resolute a courage, as the collier of Croidon, who little fearing the Mayor of London's authority, out with his purse, and like a liberal gentleman, gave him that livery which would better have beseemed some body else: but yet not before he was six miles out of town. If he take himself for such à silogistical swashbuckler, that nothing but present death, to approach the sphere of his disputant activity, why did he never vouchsafe to visit Wisbiche, where he might have won himself imortal fame, if he could by his learning and force of arguments, either have transformed them from Papists to ministers (as by special revelation he hath changed himself) or else by his potent proofs, so set them aground, that their favourable auditors should have condoled their dismolle misfortune, seeing them so battered with Bell bullets, and put to so disgracious confusion: was he doubtful of finding them at home? it cannot be, their business lay always within doors, and he might have been as sure of them, as though they had been fast shut up in a Castle. was he unwilling to take so long à journey? no just cause of any such suspicion, when he offereth about the like business, with a safe conduct to repair into any part 
In the special preface of his Motives.  of Christendom. why did he not also whet his wits upon Master Wrighte his countryman, who was long time prisoner in the Clinke, and for his learning well known to the whole realm, having been assaulted by the flower of our Clergy chivalry: but as for this challenger, never could I hear that ever he durst come near him: by which the gentle reader may gather, that the heavenly influence of his conjuring, worketh not any rare effect, but where none is present to entertain him (for there he shameth, disgraceth, and confoundeth all, be they never so learned, and none can be found that dare take up the bucklers against him) and that upon the dunghill of his own parish, he jetteth up and down like à cock of courage, with his big barbles, and threatening coxcomb, crowing most fearfully: marry where any occasion is offered of blows, or knocking cheer, there he creepeth pitifully, like à poor pared capon, with a thin payer of gylles, that came lately from Katherine cutter, or like a mungrille cur of the country, that with his tail clapped betwixt his legs, and cringled back, sneaketh away as fast as he can trudge, for fear of such a breakfast as he list not to come at.  
This is the magnanimous spirit of worthy Sir Thomas, or else why hath he not repaired to these places, where his longing might have been satisfied: or if he desired to manifest himself to the world, or to seek for the common good of many, why did he not procure by that great grace & favour which his deserts hath purchased him in court, whereof 
In the epistles dedicatory of his Motives and Survey.  himself to his comfort, maketh mention, that he might in public audience, have scufled with these ignorant jesuits, and curried over the coats of these silly Seminaries. And be it spoken in a good hour, if his longing be not gone, nor his disputing heat cooled, there is no time yet past: for not long since, an humble supplication was exhibited to his Majesty, wherein with dutiful respect, the favour of an indifferent disputation was sued for. Mistress Suctliffe as the bruit goeth, being quicker of her fingers, and more nimble of conceits, got the start of her husband, and so hath had the glory of the first answer, Sir Matthew her mate, like a kind comrade, hath seconded her, and set forth an other: and so bootless to write any more: The only course that Bell for his credit can take, is to make earnest suit, that he may have the honour of the disputation; now let him speak, or for ever hold his peace. Is disputation with him now out of request, and his mind changed, as it may well be, seeing he hath made greater mutations than that, and had he rather show his valour in an indifferent conference: if so: then will I offer him fair play, and that is, if he please to be the defendand of his own books, with which he should be best acquainted, and in all reason ought to defend, I will be the opponent, and take upon me notwithstanding all his protestation of sincerity, to convince him of many coseninge tricks, sundry notable lies, and divers gross corruptions, Let him therefore prove his friends, and procure that it may be obtained, with those equal conditions which were granted to the Protestants in the presence of the French king. And if any entreaty will farther so honest a suit, which to him, if his heart and pen agree together, can not but be grateful, and embraced with all the powers of his soul, than I request him of all courtesy, and for that common good which may redound to many, earnestly desire him, that he will strain his credit (if it be not at the highest and in danger of breaking) that we may meet in the lists and make experience quid possit uterque, what either of us offensively and defensively can perform. If he stand upon his punctoes, and disdaigne all humble kind of proceeding, as nothing fitting his brave braggarie, nor his mounting and overlookinge humour, thinking it small reputation to combat with abase petitioner: then to keep proportion to answer his vain, and also not to give one inch of ground in the quarrel of god's truth, for who is this uncircumcised Philistian, that hath dared 
2. Reg. 15. v. 16.  to rail upon the army of the living god? I challenge this challenging coward, dare and redare, this daring dastard, that he wilfor the honour of his cause, the credit of his learning, and defence of his braginge and insolent books, labour effectually, that we may in manner aforesaid grapple together.  
If he refuse this condition, so reasonable, so just, so indifferent, no remedy but I must come upon him, with à law case of noverint universi. Be it known to all men, that the date of his learning is out, his great and flowing courage daunted, and drawn dry: proclaim him contemptible, and bankrupt, having broken with his own dependents and creditors, and expose him for a jesting stock to all Christian people, from generation to generation world without end.  
Amen.   

That Bells books have long since received their answer, with the particular contents of the same, and though upon just occasion it hath hitherto been suppressed, yet shortly by god's grace to be set forth.  
CHAP. III.  
Whereas Bel hath passed hitherto uncontrolled, and without answer, partly for that by some of judgement not any was thought necessary (of such course stuff be they made) partly for other just reasons, hereafter more at large to be handled; the minister maketh his commodity thereof, and would have the world to think, that not lack of good will, but want of skill, hath made Catholics so long silent: and all this to alienate men's minds from the faith of their forefathers, as a religion that cannot stand in field against him, and for that cause hath been utterly left destitute of all defence. And albeit he had intelligence by a Catholic book (as himself confesseth) set out in then'de of the year 1602, that the confutation of his works was undertaken, and to be published if it should be thought convenient (and one parricular point in the same touched, which did not a little wring his mastership on the walls, though he set a good face on the matter, and for the ease of his stomach, entertained the said book with the eloquent flowers of Shameless pamphlet, 
In his Counterblast pag. 45.  Sourrilous libel, and a rude lying hodgepodge of omnigitherum: reveleth also at the author, himself, terming him in the lenity of his spirit, Swaggeringe divine, Shameless calumniator, sowle-mouthed swaggering divine, impudent liar, and brazen face) yet by no 
pag 44. pag. 49.  means will he believe, that there was ever any such thing intended indeed: Just as the false prophets persuaded 
jerem. 37. v. 18.  the jews, that the king of Babylon would not come upon them, nor their country: and therefore to have it given out that there is any such confutation, he reputeth it but for adevise, to dazzle (as he saith) the eyes of the simple readers, 
pag. 45.  and of others, that shall hear thereof, that they may still be scduced with popish legerdemain, from time to time, and not behold the sun shining at noontide, who all in the end must receive the just reward of their folly, even the slapp of a fox tail.  
Thus the minister is pleasant, recreateth himself and his readers with his merry conceits, but if in conclusion the confutation do come forth, as by gods grace it shall, with that convenient speed, which the time, and other occurrents will permit, is he not then like those that leremie speaketh of, proved a false Prophett, and do not they that believe him (as I think there be very few, let him prattle what he list) show themselves very silly sheep, to follow such a bell-wether; and that they must in the end receive the just reward of their folly, even the blessing of an Ass tail. Again in the very same place, 
Pag. 45.  dispairinge ever to see the effect of any such attempt, he lamenteth, his distressed case, in this dolefll manner. No no my dearest they mean nothing less. They will never while I live, publish any such confutation: their own consciences condemn them, they know they are not able to perform it, I would most gladly (I protest before god and the world) once see any such confutation during my life. Surely he is much to blame to discomfort himself without all cause. He may very well live to see it, and yet die sooner much then he would. Let him not be dismayed, for I can assure him of mine own knowledge that our consciences do not condemn us, neither do we know that we are not able to perform as great a matter as that. To give the more credit to my words, and somewhat to revive his dead spirits, I will here give him a note of the number of the books, and their particular contents. They be in all Five, written against his motives, and survey five years ago. The first book containeth many of his notable untruths, corruptions, and falsifications. The second presenteth a gallant and desperate fray, betwixt the reformed minister of Bascall, and Thomas Bel preacher of the word: all the clubs in London being not able to part them. For such a grace he hath in writing, that he falleth into gross contradictions, and what he saith in one place, not feldome he unsaieth in another. The third handleth a couple more of extra. ordinary, and choice contradictions, worthy for their dignity, to have a special place by themselves. In the first (which hath divers proofs) he condemneth himself, and his own congregation (the defence whereof he hath undertaken) for the maintainers of false, heretical, and blasphemous doctrine. A point worthy to be considered of by his brethren, for he giveth them most just cause, to suspect him of playing booty, and that his heart is still an harbourer of Popery, or at least not replenished with the lively liquor of the new gospel: And though he laboureth to purge himself of that suspicion, 
In his survey to the christian reader. Mat. 26 v. 73.  and sweareth devoutly, yet may they come upon him as those caterpillars did upon S. Peter with a loquela tua te manifestum facit, thy speech doth bewray thee. In the second (fortified also with divers reasons) he acknowledgeth our faith (which with might and main he would seem to oppugn) to be the truth, and that very religion which jesus Christ god & man, brought from the bosom of his father, and planted in the world: so that the Protestants have again just cause to complain of him (as Balec did 
Num. 25.  of Balaam) for blessing those whom they expected he should have cursed: and worthily to have him in jealousy as being fled to them with the same 
2. Reg. 15. v. 34. e● cap 17. v. 15.  mind, that Chusai Arachites did from David, to the camp & service of Absalon.  
The fourth entreateth of the weak grounds of his works, to wit, what deceits he useth in reasoning, with examples, for more perspicuity and light: what treacherous tricks also he practiseth, concerning Doctors and Fathers, councils and Scripture: so that the reader shall have a perfect Anatomy of the corrupt body of his books, with their manifold maladies and diseases: and with all behold all his foundations and ground works undermined, and his fortifications blown up.  
The fifth and last, shall answer the recapitulation of his Survey or as he partly speaketh, the Perioch: in which he would show at what time, divers points of our religion came in. And although what hitherto hath been written, concerneth only his first two books, yet will I now take the pains, to view over those also, which came out after: as that terrible toothless biting beagell, called the hunting of the romish Fox: the natural imp of his motives and Survey, begotten by them in sin and iniquity: it resembleth the parents so lively, as though it had crept out of their mouths: his Golden Balance also, with the yoake-fellowe. The Counterblast: and lastly his late Downefal, and what in them I shall think meet according to the order propounded, by rank in his due place. If aught else be added, for example a more particular reply to the challenge of his Downfall, that must be counted for a work of superarogation: what reason hath he now to fear that he shall die before he see his confusion. Tender boughs and young leaves as scripture saith, and experience teach, 
Mat. 24 v. 32.  are a token that summer is at hand, the particularities likewise before mentioned, as buds shooting forth, are a sign of more plentiful blosomes shortly to follow, if the cold eastern wind of poverty, doth not hinder the growing, and keep back the springe. My principal hope is in our good Lord, that as he hath given me a mind to write, polished, and set forth the work, so he will asiste me, not only with health and liberty, but also furnish me with all those things, which for such an exploit be necessary. If his divine wisdom, which reacheth from end 
Sap. 8. v. 1.  even to end mightily, and disposeth all things sweetly shall otherwise ordanie, his name be blessed: humane counsels, must with all obedience yield to heavenly providence: only I would have the courteous reader to understand, and Bell to know, that there shall be no fault in me, for performing of what soever is promised, more than which, neither can I in reason assure, nor any with equity ever expect.   

That Papists do not oppugue papists as Bel vainly vaunteth: with the discovery of a double slight, which concerning this point he practiseth.  
CHAP. FOUR  
THe principal thing wherein Bel would be thought to out run his fellow ministers (if any he hath) and to win the bell from them all, is a certain singular gift, and superexcellent dexterity, of confounding our religion, by the professors of our faith, and setting one Papist together by the ears with an other. This new invention of his in the epistle dedicatory of his motives, dedicated to the right Honourable lords of the Council, himself calleth A rare methodical discourse, such is the rare humility of the reformed order, and the memory thereof is so grateful, that he is often twanglinge upon this string. to omit other places in his late Downfall (though long since a fowl downfall broke the neck of his soul) he observeth, That popish religion hath always been condemned of great learned papists, that lived 
pag. 18.  in the pope's church. and in another place his margin telleth us, that The Papists grant as much as they desire: which I would 
pag. 7 ●.  willingly confess to be true, were not he in saying so a notable liar. How then cometh it to pass, will some say, that usually he allegeth Catholic authors against chatholicke doctrine? The question is quickly answered; it is not their default, but his fraud, not his great learning, but little conscience that is the cause thereof. The scriptures are daily for divers mad purposes wrested and wrong, clean a 'gainst the heat, and contrary to their true sense & meaning, as all know, and yet no blame to be laid upon the sacred text, but upon those crooked Apostles that deprave them, to their own and others perdition. If the word of god may be perverted, men's writing have no such privilege, but that they may meet with false fingers, such as Bells be; and therefore I give him to understand that he abuseth god's church, deceiveth his ignorant reader, and iniureth Catholic authors, when he would make the world believe, that our own Doctors do wound our religion: They are clear from the crime objected: all the suspicion which is grown, taketh root from his malice, and not from any desert of theirs, they carry not two faces under one hood, nor blow hot and cold out of one mouth (as some do every way as honest as Thomas Bel, and yet bad enough) as I intend more briefly to let the reader to understand. Two slights he useth to dazzle the eyes of unlearned men, persuading them that the spiritual soldiers of the Catholic church, have turned their weapons to their mutual destruction. The first & that most gross, shameful, and common, is, to falsify, or by one way or other to deprave such sentences as he produceth: for proof whereof, I refer the reader for a little trial to the next chapter, where he shall find some few examples: more choice of such wares, he shall find at the next mart, where his foul farthel shall be laid open to the view of all. The second is, Whereas Catholic writers have diversity of opinions, with unity of religion, dissenting in small matters, as namely those, which we call schoole-questions, but never disagreeing in any article of faith, no one ever formally opposing himself, against any thing defined in general council, for no such precedent can he bring forth, yet he maketh his tongue to walk, and would have the world to think, that one Papist doth massacre another, and that we had variety in articles of faith (as though the lunacy of the Protestants had infected us:) Plentiful examples hereof we have in his book of motives, I will briefly cite one: Many papists (quoth he) 
Chap. 8 artic. 12.  as Aquinas Richardus etc. do hold, that a simple Priest, by virtue of the Pope's dispensation, may lawfully and effectually, minister their Sacrament of Confirmation. We willingly grant it, as being the most received and common opinion: what of all this? But this opinion (saith he) is stoutly impugned by other great papists, to wit, Bonaventura, Alphonsus, Durandus, Scotus Maior, etc. Be it so, what then? such dissension as this, is without any violation of faith at all. O (saith he) what gteater and more important dissension can be then this? for Confirmation is a 
In the former place.  Sacrament with the Papists. If he knew not, and be content to learn I will teach him. A far greater dissension it were, even in this very point of Confirmation, if some hold it to be à Sacrament, and others did deny it: the disagreement was of the extraordinary minister of the Sacrament (which is no such important matter as he would enforce) of the Sacrament itself they made no question. do not we know that the Protestants themselves allow, and prescribe the sign of the cross in Baptism, and that the Puritans detest it: that they in necessity permit lay people to baptize, and these think it such a profanation of that sacred mystery, that they had rather suffer infants to die without baptism (so great a zeal they have to pack them to hell ward) Should I come upon him for this variety, and cry out after this manner: what greater and more important dissension can be then this, for Baptism is a Sacrament with them: would he not condemn me for a notable wrangler, seeing they contend not whether Baptism be a Sacrament or no, but about other questions, to wit of a certain ceremony, and the extraordinary minister, which they make no great account of. Let him then queitly take himself by the sleeve, and see whether the measure will not serve (and much better) to make for his ministershipp a livery of the same cloth. Were the dissensions in the Protestants congregation, of no more fundamental points than ours be, it should not daily be shaken with such terrible earthquakes, and to the great disgrace of a new timbered gospel, for lack of good work manshipp, be in danger of falling: but alas they are continually brawling like beggars, and lie lugging together by the ears, about the very sinews and soul of their religion, in endless quarrels and contentions. Luther and Zwinglins are proclaimed by M. jewel, that Patriarchal 
In his Apology of the Church of England's.  challenger, for most excellent men sent of god to give light to the world. and yet did Luther defend till death, the true, real, and substantial presence of Christ's body in the Sacrament, giving his black blessing to all those that taught otherwise. Zwinglius for all that, having the spirit no less than Luther, utterly denied the real presence, contemning his curse, and disdaining to follow the light of his lantern: such sweet agreement there was betwixt these two most excellent men sent of god. Can Bell deny this to be true, or that this point of religion is material, as upon which dependeth salvation or damnation: I know him to be a brave minded man, and one that dare venture as far for the credit of the gospel as an other: Yet I suppose he will never stand upon any terms, but queitly admit both the one and the other for known truths: and then must I be so bold as to demand, how he can defend one of these heavenly prophets, from being an heretic and damnable doctor; and so with the candle of false doctrine, to have shown his followers the way to everlasting darkness. The minister is quick sighted to behold a mote in our eye, but he cannot see a beam in his own. May we not justly say to him with our Saviour, Hypocrite cast out 
Mat. 7. v. s.  first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote of thy brother's eye. To leave Germany and speak of the professors of our own country: Do not the Protestants think the dignity, & superiority of bishops and Archbishopps agreeable to god's word: and yet do the Puritans in the name of the lord (by their champion Martin Marprelat and his mutinous makebates, that band under his colours) cry out (as Thomas Rogers saith, and it is no council to any) that their calling is unlawful, that they be ministers of Antichrist, 
In his sermon printed by john Windet 1590. pag. 13.  worse than friars and monks, devils bishops, and devils incarnate. netheir as I suppose will he say that this is a trifling question, for fear of scandalizing little ones. Aerius of whom we spoke before, was condemned of heresy for equalling priests with bishops. Could Bell have the luck to finger an Overseer ship (to use his own phrase, that he may the better know my 
Survey Pag. 516. Golden Balance pag. 31.  meaning) then were the matter cock sure, and a flat heresy indeed to maintain any such assertion: mary till then great wisdom to proceed with deliberation, to run with the hare, & hold with the hound: flatter on the one side, and faun on the other. Can he not read riddles, Dauns est non Oedipus. By the next post he shall know more of my meaning, in the mean time let him feed in his heart upon this by faith and be thankful.   

Bel pretendeth great sincerity like à true Apostle, and yet like à false Apostata useth it not, with some few examples of his malicious and corrupt manner of proceeding,  
CHAP. V.  
WHere deceit is intended, there the Protestation of sincerity, upright dealing, and a tender conscience, as a necessary preparation must be pretended. for this is the golden bait to angle ignorant souls, and the common cloak of coseninge companions. jugglers tuck up their sleeves, open their hands, and make show of the plainest dealing in the world: False 
Mat. 7. v 15. 2. Cor. 11. v. 14. 3. Reg. ●1. v. 9 Rom. 16. v. 18.  prophets put on sheeps clothing, and the devil transformeth himself into an Angel of light. jesabel proclaimed afast, when she sought the blood of innocent Naboth, and the Apostle assureth us, that certain false teachers and belly gods did by Sweet speeches and benedictions, seduce the hearts of innocents. Bell as though he were made of no other elements then sincere dealing, and had not so much as the skill to foist in a lie, or to mangle and maim a sentence, speaketh often of conscience, and honest proceeding, and of his own free motion and liberality, entereth into a band of subscribing, and forfeiture of his credit, if he can be convinced of the conrrarie. In the epistle of his Downfall To all english Jesuits, 
Motives. 18.  seminary priests, etc. thus he writeth. In my first book published in the year. 1593. I premised to yield if you could convince me, either to have alleged any writer corruptly, or to have quoted any place guylefullie, or to have charged any author falesly. Yea and in the same place he addeth, thath he will never require credit at the reader's hand, either in that book or any other to be published hereafter, if any such thing can be proved against him. Upon this foundation dependeth all the reputation of his works, and that little credit which he hath gotten with his simple followers: for if he be such a sincere writer, as he protesteth, and so considerative and respective in the peninge of his books, that no suspicion of misreporting, or corruption, can be justly fastened upon him, then doth it evidently follow, that we have great dissensions, in matters of faith, and that our Doctors, be the bane of Catholic doctrine, and then no marvel if he make challenge upon challenge, and remain unanswered, when as not only our enemies, but also those that we take for our friends, and rely upon, stand in open field against us, and have as it were sworn our destruction. But if on the contrary plain evidence shall convince, that he maketh no scruple of lying, no conscience of falsification, is not his hopocritical sanctity double iniquity, and Bel proved the son of Belial, and is not the main pillar that beareth up all his brave building, and glorious turretts overthrown, and himself with his applauding mates, in the midst of their pastime, crushed, and strooken dead as the insulting Philistians were by the servant of god Samson? 
judg. 16. v. 30.  whether this be so or no remaineth now briefly to be handled: to justify mine accusation, I will run over afew passages of his late challenge, because that is of latest date, and therefore of all likelihood most grateful to the reader: of whom I desire not any extraordinary favour, but that which none can deny to be indifferent and reasonable: and that is, as upon my bare words I would not have him to discredit Bel, and believe me, for that savoured, either of partiality, or of indiscreet kind of proceeding: so neither upon his affirmation, to condemn us, and to commend him, for that were also opposite to all equity: but as they have long lent the plaintiff one ear, so now a little to afford the defendant the other; and seriously to to examine our depositions, and take some panies to try the truth of our relations, and then a gods name let them think as the very force of proofs and allegations shall induce them, and freely speak what they think: and so have a crash at his challenginge Downfall.  

I.  
PAg. 40. Thus he cometh over the 
3. Part. tit. 1. cap. 11 prop● finem.  Pope. Antonius (quoth he) a man of no small credit (for he was an Archbishop of the Popish stamp, and by the Pope reported for a Saint) hath these words. Reperiturtamen Martinus quintus dispensasse cum quodam qui contraxerat & consummaverit matrimonium cum quadam eius germana. Neverthelet it is known that Pope Martin the fifth, did dispense with one who had contracted, and consummated matrimony, with his own natural and fulsister, of the same father, and same mother, for so much the word (Germana, doth import. Behold here gentle reader, the excellency of holy Popery, and if thou desierest more of such melody, thou mayest find it in my book of Motives, but this is here a sufficient antepast for all our English Jesuits, and jesuited popelings. none are so ignorant but they know that only god can give licence, to marry a man's own natural sister. This place he bringeth to prove (as his words going before import, and these now cited insinuate as much) that te Pope taketh upon him that power, which is proper to god alone: and the matter as he handleth it seemeth so odious, that some no question condemn us highly upon his report, and myself was since the coming forth of his book, assaulted with this very question, so markable it is in every man's eye. But as it is nothing prejudicial to the Catholic faith, were it true, so being most false, it cannot but lance the ministers reputation, and gore the very entrails of his best credit. First therefore I say that it is nothing prejudicial to the catholic faith were it true: For we defend not all the particular facts of any, though Popes: we know that they may err, either by wrong information, yea or of wilful malice. Their unjust actions (for which they must render account to god) hurt themselves, and their own souls, catholic religion no reason it is they should hurt though weaklings may be scandalised. Glorious S. Augustin having reckoned up all the bishops of Rome, from S. Peter to Anastatius, thereby to confound 
Epist. 165. ad generosum.  the Donatist heretics, because as he saith. In this order of succession, there is none found a Donatist bishop, strait ways to stop the mouths of any, that leaping from faith to manners, might truly or falsely have objected the bad life or fact of some Pope, he addeth these words for a salve: If in these times any traitor should have crept into that order of bishops, which is derived from Peter himself even to Anastasius, who now sitteth in the same chair, it should have been no prejudice to the church, and innocent christians, for whom our lord providing said whatsoever they shall say do ye, but do not 
Mat. 23. v. 3.  those things which they do, for they say, and do not. A certain Prelates daughter in this realm, and well affected to the word, by the countenance and assistance of her father, turned of her old husband a grazing, and betook herself to à new, Is Bel content that this detestable fact should disgrace their religion, or that upon this we infer, that superintendant to have taken upon him the power proper to god alone, or rather more (seeing god cannot give leave to a woman to have two husbands, neither can any such precedent be shown, but of brothers that married their sisters we have in Adam's children) If not: because he may truly say, that such exorbitant actions proceed not infallibly or usually, from any such luciferian conceit, but rather from passion or malice, which, do not seldom, pervert the judgement of men in authority, and make them run headlong in to gross errors: then might he very well have spared his wind, and odious declamation against Martin the fifth. I would not here wish him to come to fiercely upon me, for that I touch the matter so lightly, and threaten me the bastinado, for standeringe an Ouerseear of the gospel, for if he be so lively and pert, let him not think, but that I will stand upon my lawful defence, and be ready to entertain him, with Stafford law, and by S. Chad, that good Bishop of Lincoln, I hope to make my party good.  
Secondly I tell him, that his lips have lashed out to lustily, and that he hath wickedly slandered Pope Martin, and most perfidiously corrupted Antonius. The very title of the chapter might have taught him, that he was in error: or at least have given him a greater caveat better to consider the matter, for it is De affinitate: of affinity: and therefore had the Pope given one licence to marry his own natural sister; he had dispensed in consanguinity, and so nothing fitting the matter entreated of in that chapter. But what do I speak of error: when as monstrons' malice, and extremity of hatred against the church, and Sea Apostolic, made him set a broach this shameless untruth, for otherwise he would never have smothered the words following, the witnesses of his false doctrine; nor ever have given a false gloze and translation, to those which he doth cite. The truth is this: Martin the fifth dispensed not with one, to marry his own natural and full sister, of the same father, and the same mother (as Belle ambleth in amplification, and troteth alyinge pace with out all moderation) but only to continue still with her with whom he had married, and with whom he had consummate matrimony, notwithstanding he had before his marriage committed fornication with her natural sister: So that S. Antonius speaketh not any one word of the man's own natural sister, but of his wife, and her natural sister. For proof and perspicuitiee of this point, let us allege the Doctors whole sentence. It is found (saith he) that Pope Martin the fifth did 
3. part. tit. 1. cap. 11. ss. 1.  dispense with à certain man who had contracted and consummated matrimony with a certain natural ssster of her, with whom he had committed fornication; yet with great difficulty, and because the matter was secret, and the man not fit for Religion, or to remove into any other country, and so scandal would have followed of the divorce if it had been made. Let any that is desirous of truth, by this one place, take a scantling of Bells holy sincerity. Because he found S. Antonius to speak of a dispensation granted to one after he had married, and consummate matrimony with her, whose sister before his marriage he had known carnally: and so a dispensation only in affinity, contracted by unlawful copulation: (for which the Minister had he been consulted would rather have laughed at him for his simple scrupulosity, than thought it needful to sue for any such favour or grace) which did nothing fit his purpose; and therefore meaning to make it in spite of all honesty to serve his turn, he hath first corrupted the sentence by false translation, saying with his natural sister, in steed of these words with her natural sister, or the natural sister of her: and although every one can not espy his cunning conveyance, because he suppressed the other part of the sentente following, yet is it apparent enough to any Grammarian: for were the latin as he turneth it, than should it not be, cum quadam eius germana, but, cum quadam sua germana: But not only such as know latin, but even those also that have any skill in pewter, might have espied the gross untruth, had he cited the whole sentence as it is in Antonius before alloadged: and therefore to help out a lie, he ventured upon corruption, and chopped away all those words which might have marred the market of this Geneva merchant. For had one married his own natural sister, as Bell not so confidently as impudently affirmeth: then should it not have been truly said, that he had committed fornication, but incest, a sin distinct in nature, and far more odious in the sight of god: neither could the matter have been secret as Antonius saith it was, nor yet the separation scandalous, but rather offensive to have suffered them to continue together in filthy pretenced matrimony. To conclude therefore he had not dispensation in respect of his own natural sister, but to remain still in matrimony with that woman, whose natural sister he had before marriage carnally known. Having told so notorious a lie, and holpen it out with foul falsification, he could not contain himself but cry out in the seal of his soul Behold here gentle reader the excellency of holy Popery, and if thou desierest more of such melody, thou mayest find it in my book of Mottues. But may not I with far more reason desire him to note the baseness of his ministerial iniquity, that after such à shameful prank of lying and falsification, setteth such a brave face on the matter as though he were innocent and no way to be touched: And as for the melody he speaketh of, to give him his just deserts I cannot deny but that not only his Motives, but also his other books, be full of such harmony, lying, and corruption, being the ordinary music which this fiddling minister scrapeth to those that dance after his pipe. And whereas he calleth this a sufficient antipast for all english Jesuits and jesuited popelings (such is the modesty of this refined ropelinge) we willingly grant it, to be very sufficient for all Catholics, and his devoted dependents: for us, to take him for a whetstove doctor, and polling preacher: for them to discard him, as being the shame, disgrace, and confusion of the new gospel, and a corrupt member of their congregation.   

II.  
PAg. 50. S. Austen (quoth he) proveth at large in sundry places of his works that voluntary motions of concupiscence are sin indeed, and truly so called: In his first book of Retractations he hath these words. That 
Aug. lib. 1. Retract. cap. 13. pag. 13.  which in infants is called original sin, when as yet they use not free arbitrement of will, is not absurdly called voluntary, because beings contracted of the evil will of the first man, it is become in sort hereditary: It is not therefore 
Aug. Retract. lib. 1. cap. 15. pag. 16.  false which I said, sin is an evil so voluntary, that it is no way sin, if it be not voluntary. Whether Bell fathereth not a notable untruth upon S. Austen, when he citeth these words of his to prove that voluntary motions of concupiscence be sin indeed, and truly so called, I report me to the words by him alleged: for no such thing is in them to be found, nay either my brains are not in good tune, or else S. Austen proveth the clean contrary. It is a constant doctrine with that holy father; that sin is voluntary otherwise no sin, and for as much as some doubt might be made of original sin, because it seemeth wholly involuntary; he affirmeth also that sin to be voluntary and so concludeth generally all sin to be so: Marry a man of the ministers learning, may quickly overthrow us with our own Doctors, if by that rare skill which he hath in lying, when they say one thing, he can without all blushing maintain them to say the contrary. Let the reader peruse the sentence and speak his mind freely.   

III.  
PAg. 69. disputing against the condign merits of works he citeth this sentence of a Catholic writer josephus Angles. Eodem etiam modo, etc. As 
In 2 lib. Sent. pag. 130.  other holy Doctors also considering after the same manner the natural value only of good works, and perceiving that it is exceeding far distant, from the value and just estimation 
Lo the Friar granteth that all the holi● fathers are a 'gainst the Papists.  of eternal life, said wisely: That our works are not meritorious nor worthy of eternal life, yet for the covenant and promise made unto us, the good works of man, with the help of grace, are worthy of eternal life, and equal with it, which for all that, that promise of god which is frequent in scripture, set aside, were altogether unworthy of so great a reward. In these words although nothing be contained hurtful to Catholic doctrine: Yet Bell by his Achymistical art of changing truth in to falsehood, can gather out matter sufficient against us. But before I pass any farther, I must note one thing briefly, and that is, whereas joseph is dedicating his books to the Pope, speaketh of kissing his holiness feet, this minister not only out of all season mentioneth it in this place, but is at it again and again, as some wise folk there be, which if they get a word by the end, will hardly let it go, but like a bell still jangle the same tune. Doth not himself confess that 
Survey pag. 487. Genebrardus in Chron. Anni Christi 32. De verbis Apostoli Sermo 18.  justinian the Emperor nine hundred years ago kissed the Pope Constantive feet: and is it not well known, that Alexander the great, fell down at the feet of laddas high priest of the jews: and S. Austen reporteth how the people in his time did the like before the feet of bishops. all which considered (to omit what adoration is given to temporal princes) I marvel that it should seem so strange a thing to one of Bells reading and learning, that a religious bishop should submit himself to kiss the Pope's feet: Enough of this: Let us now see what he gathereth out of josephus words against us. In the margin of his book this wholesome note is painted. Lo this Friar granteth that all the holy fathers are against the Papists. It should have been long enough before a man of ordinary capacity, could ever have observed any such point in josephus discourse. But take heed whilst ye live, when such a turncoate as he is cometh to toss and turn over a sentence: for he can not only infer, that which is true, but with as great facility gather that also which is false: Be it known to him, that he belieth josephus, for no such thing as he noteth can be wrong, racked, or conjured out of his words: Let them be viewed and pondered by the discreet reader, and I leave it to his judgement whether he granteth any such thing, or no. The father's saith Bell, out of the testimony of josephus confess that good works according to their natural value, be not meritorious of eternal life. What is this against us? Do not all Catholics grant as much, when they acknowledge that they receive all their efficacy of working from god's grace: which doctrine of ours he may learn out of the council of Trent, where it is handled at large: False therefore it is that either the fathers be against us, or that Angles granteth any such thing.   

FOUR  
PAg. 115. Our petye pygmy will needs be wrestling with Hercules club; that is, Bell bicker with Bellarmine, impar congressus Achilli; The poor man might do far better and wiser, to keep his teeth to be agents for his belly which he loveth well, then to endanger them upon so rough a file. And what a gods name is his quarrel against that learned prelate. Marry (quoth he) These are his express words: But in the new Testament 
De verbo Dei lib. 3. cap. 2. tom. 1.  because Christ had fulfilled the figures and the prophecies, although he many do not under stand the sentences of the scriptures, yet do they understand the mysteries of our redemption, even the common country fellows and the very women. Thus writeth our jesuit, affirming that even women and the very rustics of the country, do understand the scriptures, so far forth as pertaineth to the mysteries of their redemption. If the minister do no better keep his hands from picking and stealing, than he doth his tongue from evil speaking, lying, and slaundringe, to use the phrase of their catechism, he might far more justly be called in question, for the unlawful use of his fingers, than he did the serving man at Thirske about suspicion of Seminary affairs: For I give him to understand (though no great news) that he belieth Bellarmin: He saith not that women and rustics do understand the scriptures so far forth as pertaineth to the mysteries of their redemption. Nay he saith the contrary in the words by him alleged, Although many (quoth he) understand not the sentences of the scriptures. In which number, I think rustics and women must be contained. If then they understand not the sentences of the scriptures as Bellarmin affirmeth how do they understand the scriptures so far forth as pertaineth to the mysteries of their redemption. Was there ever known a more gallant gospeler, that dareth thus to practise his godless occupation though all the town look on. Yea but Bellarmin saith that country fellows and women understand, the mysteries of our redemption: what then? is there no means to attain that knowledge, but but by reading and understanding of the scriptures? if so, woe be to them that can not read at all, no small part of the christian world. who knoweth not that ignorant people learn better the mysteries of their redemption, by the instruction of their Pastors, diligence of parents, and help of good catechisms, then by fishing for it by their own labour, out of the profound sea of sacred scripture, where they may sooner for lack of skill be drowned in the depth of errors, then by themselves find out the lively waters of true doctrine; would to god to much experience in these unruly times, taught us not this to be too true a lesson, The lamentable story of Hacket that quintissentiall Puritan and a great bible cannoneer, may warn all to be wise unto sobriety as. S. Paul 
Rom. 12. v. 5.  wisheth; and also what ruin of souls, and danger to common weals, doth arise, by generally suffering, yea and animating all sorts of people, tag and rag to learn the mysteries of their redemption out of the scripture, and to examine the doctrine forsooth of Fathers, & councils, by that rule & touchstone, as john Calvin prescribeth.   

V.  
PAg. 130. Many Papists (quoth he) are so blinded and besotted with unsavoury traditions, and superstitious illusions, that they deem it a greater sin to eat flesh in Lent, then to commit adultery, murder, or perjury. seeing moste certain it is that these fowl sins of adultery, murder, and perjury, be forbidden by the law of god, no necessity occurring or circumstance what soever, giving any leave to commit any one of these sins: and that the fast of Lent ordained only by a positive law of the Apostles, from which many for age, sickness, and other causes, may be justly excused; and this so well known, that no doubt can be made thereof, what a creature is Bell, that uttereth so notable an untruth, bringing not so much as any colourable ground to support it, but his bare word, and the empty blast of his own mouth. Should I tell him that certain reformed Protestants, otherwise called willet) under the letters of E. O. gave him but a little item by the way, noting a certain palpable contradiction in his survey: to wit that he saith in one place, that the bishops of Rome, until the 
Survey pag. 193.  days of S. Austen, and long after, were very godly men, and taught the same doctrine that S. Peter had done before them, and yet in an other place maintaineth, that Pope Siricius 
Survey pag. 228. & 230. Survey pag. 488.  was seduced by Satan, published wicked doctrine, and taught the flat doctrine of the devils: and Pope Sozimus falsified the decrees of the Nicen council: so to maintain the usurped primacy of the church of Rome. seeing both these Popes lived in S. Augustins time. To deliver himself from this disgracious shakell which much hindereth his going, he fetcheth many cross capers, tumbleth like a pig in a poke, but he is so hampered, that the more he struggleth the more fast is he caught, the holes are so strait and himself so big that there is is no creeping out, well may he thrust his head forth, as his brother Eton the minister by Hounslowe, did upon the pillory in London, for teaching his daughter a wrong lesson, but no possibility of escaping appeareth. Many sovereign solutions forsooth, and divers plasters of Isayes, are applied to cure the wound, but all in vain, for it festereth more and more, without all hope of amendment. Bad tinkers stop one heal, ad make an other. Bell is so cuninge a work man, that he hath both left the old leaking still, and made divers new. I touch this point now briefly, better opportunity hereafter will be offered further to examine this matter, when god willing all his bucklers of defence, shall be beaten upon his own face. At this present I will give the reader a short view, of the great dexterity he hath in answering; and the wonderful facility in lying and the great pleasure he seemeth to take in that occupation, insisting so much upon that, and amplifienge it at lardg, as if he had either conscience in his soul or blood in his cheeks, he would never for shame once have mentioned. I will cite all his words at full, that no just cause of complaint be given: In his third chapter the title whereof is. Of the notorious lies of E. O. thus he declaimeth. Pope Siricius (as Thomas Bell affirmeth) was seduced by Satan, published wicked doctrine, and Precisians, came daily to a winter morning lecture, where after other preparative discourses, when the mot was given by the preacher, and the text of Multiplicamini proclaimed, candles were put out, and that they frequented this exercise, fare more diligently than they observed the Lenten fast: and brought nothing to justify my relation, how would he take me up for halting. Yea I am verily persuaded, that albeit, I should say that such a thing happened in a principal town in Berkshire, adding also that the minister upon the breaking forth of the matter fearing persecution for the testimony of a good conscience, fled a way towards Oxford, and venturing with his horse to take the water, because he had haste in his way, and could not expect a boat, was there drowned, that he would not make any great scruple notwithstanding these particularities to give me the lie. Let him then with far more reason quietly digest it himself. His odious terms of blinded, and besotted, unsavoury traditions, and superstitious illusions, must be pardoned: Some have such a defect of nature, that they can not speak unless thy stammer: and Sir Thomas such an imperfection of grace, that except he rail and lie he can write nothing. S. Hierom calleth the Lenton fast a tradition of the Apostles. 
Epist. ad Marcellum adversus Mont●num.  though it pleaseth him to call it an unsavoury tradition so little doth it like him, and to say truth, the old tradition commanding so long abstinence from flesh, can not but be to the ministers mouth sour and unsavoury: and the new Geneva fashion that giveth leave by the liberty of the gospel to eat flesh at all times, is far more savoury, toothsome, and pleasant.   

VI  
THus much out of the Down fall: now for a packing blow one bout more and so an end. In this book of his which he published the last year 1603 (and coupled it together with his Golden balance) the good man seemeth to be much nettled, and the waters of his patience so troubled, and shaken, that they be not yet queit and clear: for a certain Catholic author (in a book entitled A Detection etc. written against Master Sutcliff, and Master taught the flat doctrine of the devil: These are the express words of E. O. whom (as it seemeth) the devil did even then posesse when he vitered them. For not one of these words (TAUGT THE FLAT DOCTRINE OF THE 
But they are found.  DEVIL) can be found in my Survey, in the place which E. O. hath quoted, but these words which of purpose he did omit (prohibited marriage as an unlawful thing) This therefore is a notorious, and a most malicious lie, It is a lie in grame, and that a knocker (to use his own words else where) adorned with the name of the devil, to give the more grace unto it; And that worthily, because the devil is the Architect and thief worckman in that art and occupation. Here is a grievous complaint put up against E. O. for that he hath slandered the minister, and uttered a notorious and most malicious lie, a lie in grain and a knocker, adorned with the name of the devil, etc. and the lie consisteth in this point, because E. O. chargeth Bell as though he should say that Siricius taught the flat doctrine of the devil, none of which words as he affirmeth can be found in his survey in the place which E. O. hath quoted: and this inturie he reputeth for a fault of no small quality when he writeth that the devil as it seemeth did even then posesse him when he uttered them. A grievous crime doubtless, that in his seeming opinion deserved so sudden and severe a punishment, or else he presumeth much upon the diveles friendship, when he is ready to conceive that for a trifelinge injury offered to his ministership he took the matter so hotly, as to prosecute it in such terrible revenging manner. But now nothwithstandinge all this bitter and fearful exclamation, what if these words be found in his survey and in that very place which E. O. hath noted upon whom them doth the notorious and malicious lie fall, whose coat is died and marked with the lie in grain, whose credit doth the knocking lie batter and beat, and whose tenement most like to give the devil entertainment? That the said Siricius was seduced by Satan, and published wicked doctrine he denieth not: why I beseech him is there any such great difference betwixt these words which he granteth and those other which he doth not grant, that he should mount up into such extravagant terms, let them be indifferently pondered, and they express the very same meanings for is it not truly verified of him that he doth teach the flat doctrine of the devil, of whom it is confessed that, he was seduced by Satan and published wicked doctrine. Put them into an equal balance, and a dram of difference in sense and true construction, will not be found, for Bell is no near allied to the rineged minister of Baschall than Satan is to the divile. These are vain shifts, idle vagaries, & a cuninge wheeling from the matter, cries out Sir Thomas: To the point, show the foresaid words, or else E. O. remaineth convicted of notorious lying, and I in the back house ditch for taking his part: seeing he is so short and so cutted, to take away all cavilles, and to chamber the clapper of his runinge red rag. I tell him that for the words wherewith Bell is charged, two places of his survey are quoted: to wit pag. 228. and 230. and in the first quotation of 228. be those words found which he admitteth, and in the next of 230. is that sentence registered which he denieth utterly ever to have spoken. for revellinge at Siricius for calling, not holy wedlock as he saith (he must take an hear from his beard which had he done so often as he hath overreached, he had been a bald minister long since) but the filthy yoakinge and pretenced marriage of priests the pollution of carnal concupiscence: he exclaimeth against him in this manner. I add hereunto that this is the flat doctrine of the devil, and S. Paul is my very witness herein. I report me now to his devoted dependents whether his wits were at home, when he meddled, with such hot and dangerous edge tools, as have pitifully hurt and scaled his own fingers, or what discretion, shame, or modesty he had, to pursue his adversary with so full mouth and strong a cry of words in which the devil also had his part: so vainly to vaunt of his sincere proceeding, so desperately to deny any of these words taught the flat doctrine of the devil, to be in the place quoted: and confidently to charged his adverfarie with a notorious lie: when he had more reason to have commanded his tongue silence seeing it hath found out his own confusion, never to have preached of sincerity, when he played the coney catching companion: nor ever to have called an other in question for lying, himself in that very place not only venturing upon an untruth, but also in that very same thing, which as a notorious lie he objecteth to an other. As for S. Paul where he would have his witness, he may talk is pleasure and say what he list, but he may sooner spend all his pensions in Sub-penas, then ever bring that blessed Apostle to depose in his side for the lawful marriage of vowed priests and religious persons. The testimony of their own corrupt conscience yea and of their concupiscence they may have: the authority of any Apostle, or authentical ancient writer, they are never able to produce.  
And thus much breiflie for a sample cut of as it were from the main web intended. No difficulty had it been to have ranged more plentifully, after the same manner both in these and other his books. But my purpose was only at this time to give a taste not to furnish a formal bankett: these few passages, shall I hope for this present give the gentle reader desirous of truth, sufficient content: being as it were the two messengers Chusy and Achimaas to bring 
1. Reg. ●8.  news of the overthrow of this glorious Absalon, who hath as shamefully apostared from his vocation, and waged war against his mother the church, as ever did that graceless imp revolt from his natural alleigaunce, and took arms against his father the king: the main battle heavenly grace asistinge me shall with convenient speed follow after. God that willeth not the death of a sinner, put into the hearts of all such Protestaunts as love truth and detest falsehood: desire salvation with Christ and his Sanites, and tremble at eternal damnation with. the devil and his angels, carefully to seek for the knowledge of the pure, ancient, and Aposto like faith, Zealously when it is found to keep and embrace it, and constantly to live and die in the profession of the same. B. C.    
FINIS.