SPECULUM CULMERIANUM, WHERE●N All persecuting, and malicious PRIESTS May behold the blindness of their Zeal, the shame of their hypocrisy, and the just reward of their unsatisfied malice. BEING An Answer to a scandalous book, called a Parish Looking-glass for persecutors of Ministers, pretended to be writ by Richard Culmer the younger, in defence of his father Richard Culmer, Minister of Minster in the County of Kent, in the Isle of ●hanet, near Canterbury. By Stephen Blaxland. Isa. 57 v. 21. The wicked are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire, and dirt. Isa. 10 12.13. Wherefore thus saith the Lord the holy one of Israel, because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression, and perverseness and stay thereon. Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out of a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly in an instant. Anno 1657. To all the well affected Gentlemen in KENT. Gentlemen, HAving been instigated, and indeed importuned by Mr. Culmers unsufferable abuses, and most scandalous falseties, I have undertaken this short answer, which I hope will not be found larded with untruths, but to relish of approved verity. I protest I writ no thing out of malice, but shall refer myself unto your candid judgements, and rest A servant to you all, and a lover of my Country. Stephen Blaxlan● To the Reader. READER, BEfore I make any progress into my intended discourse I will declare unto the world the reason of my undertake, which in short, is as follows. First in respect of the wrong, and unsufferable injury done to my deceased father by the false & approbrious aspersions of Mr. Richard Culmer the elder, Minister of Minster in the Isle of Thanet, the known Author of that impertinent and shameful book, entitled, A Parish Looking glass, pretended to be writ by his son, in defence of his (as he pretends) persecuted Father, but time shall show Mr. Culmers' falsity to the world, whilst truth (the virginity of the soul) shall in despite of malice, like the rod of Moses, devour the rods of the Egyptians. Secondly, In respect of my own reputation, which Mr. Culmer hath most injuriously endeavoured to demolish by several untruths, which I shall declare to the world without the least prejudice to truth, and I question not, but to shake off his serpentine invectives, as St. Paul did his viper, without the least detriment to my own conscience. And now I shall desire the ingenious Reader, after he has seriously prepended and weighed each particular in the balance of reason to be an equal judge, for I must confess I have undertaken to encounter a Goliath, a man armed with literature (or at least ought to be) whose proud insults, can neither terrify, nor conquer a true Israelite; The sling of Justice is better than the sword of envy. Thus armed with resolution, I will enter the lists, notwithstanding I sufficiently know, that to strive with my superior, is furious, with my equal, doubtful, with my inferior, sordid and base, with any, full of unquietness; for indeed, as one very well says, It is a shame to resist, where it is no honour to overcome: It was the saying of a wise man, that a man knows himself best by his enemies, which I have found to be an approved truth, for I have benefitted more by the serious consideration of Mr. Culmers' malice, than ever I did by his doctrine; I will only say of him, as it was said of Nero Caesar, he was Maximus tyrannorum but minimus Doctorum, & invert that which was said of Julius Caesar, he believed as a Pagan, but worked as a Christian, so Mr. Culmer may be said to believe as a Christian, but to act as a Pagan, I am sorry that his own merits enforce me to these expressions. It was a custom amongst the Heathens, to choose their priests out of their Philosophers, and their Kings out of their Priests; had Master Culmer lived in those days, he must have approved himself a better proficient in learning, than he did in making those verses of Queen Anne, which he so much boasts of in his Book of nicknames, where he makes an E●dipthong short, Culmerianâ authoritate, and not poeticâ licentiâ: neither would I have my Reader mistake me, and think that I am an enemy to Ministry, for I protest, I honour them with as much fidelity, as the Israelites did Aaron the first of Priests, and love them with as much integrity as Jonathan did David the best of Kings, Prophets, and Priests; but when a priest shall degenerate into a Rabshecai, a scoffer, a railer, and instead of pitying those that he pretends to be criminals, nick name, and revile them, than we may, like Lot, turn our backs upon Sodom; I never read that St. Paul, St. Peter, or the rest of the Apostles ever did so, but constantly exhorted one another, to meekness, patience, and charity; which three virtues cover the heart of man (as Solomon did the Temple) with gold: but when these three graces are deficient, it is an undoubted truth that the Divine cannot be Orthodoxal; Moreover, all things in a Divine aught to preach; his habit, his diet, nay, his whole life; he must not, like Ishmael, have his hands against every man, and every man's hands against him, but like Joseph forgive his brethren, and instead of punishing them for their cruelty towards him, send them home to their father laden with provision for their necessities; again, a Divines words ought to be Maxims, and his actions examples, and his examples rules, and his perfections ought to consist in the acknowledging his imperfections; for wisdom lives at the sign of humility: but as for Mr. Culmer, he may truly say to all these virtues, as S. Peter said when he denied our Saviour; I know not the man, neither understand I what thou sayest: notwithstanding, I do really believe Mr. Culmer is no enemy to learning, neither do I believe that learning is much a friend to him, but it may be replied, what then, the Apostles were ilitterate, IT is truth, but during the time of their ignorance they converted none, but when they had the gift of tongues, and were acquainted with learning, they converted thousands; It is said by a good Author that Josias was but eight years old when he walked religiously before God, therefore Religion consists not in learning, but in grace, is it not possible for him to whom nothing is impossible to make Josia's a Scholar at eight years old: moreover it is said that the learned always put the cause before the effect, knowledge was the cause of Josia's his Religion, and his Religion was the effect of that cause, for he could not be zealous for God without being taught to know there was a God, for zeal (as one saith) without learning is stark blind, and learning without discretion is purblind, like Samson without his eyes; apt to do little good, but able to do a great deal of mischief: but I stay too long in the Porch, I will therefore conclude with the Poet, — Si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti, si non, his utere mecum. SPECULUM CULMERIANUM Qui male fecit, semper aliquid praetendit. FIrst I must begin with your large commendations; for in your Epistle Dedicatory to the Right honourable, (and I may truly say) most worthy Colonel Gibbon, Governor of the Isle of jerfy, you begin very pathetically thus: Right Honourable Culmer. YOur Native Country (the County of Kent) hath many obligations of much due respects unto you for your valiant actions formerly, and at present for the welfare, and safety thereof, etc. Answer. This is an undeniable truth, and I must confess, a person of his Honour deserves (I speak it without a hyperbole to his worth) a larger and better encomium than I am able to express, yet I am sorry that this Lamb should live so near a Lion, this truth border upon an untruth, being not many lines asunder; which is, Culmer. And your undeserved favour, etc. hath encouraged, etc. to crave your patronage of this Apology, which the Law of filial love and duty hath compelled me to write in defence of my aged Father, whose Ministerial employment will not give him leave to do it with his own Pen, I do unfeignedly profess it is rather a grief then any delight to me that (upon this occasion) I am necessetated to publish that any such Savages as are here described, should be found in Kent, etc. Answer. Here we may find a strange Metamorphosis, the Father transformed into the Son, and the Son into the Father, the Son must further the Father's works, and the Father must cherish the Son in owning an untruth, and the more to excuse the business, and to be thought studious you say that your Ministerial employments will not give you leave to do it with your own Pen, when I am very confident that you take not so much pains in your Ministerial employment, but that you may take time enough to write a great deal more, to as little purpose, as you have done this, which neither savours of learning, conscience, nor modesty as shall hereafter be expressed: Suppose it be your Sons (as it is well known it is not) he has used you, as you do your Text, for at first he calls you Father, and afterwards never mentions you, but by the name of Mr. Culmer. As for your book, I look upon it as a very ridiculous thing, wherein you seek more your own private interest by calumniaing of others, than the discharging of a good conscience by gently admonishing them; I will pass over the first and second pages, and only look upon them as a praeludium to your own praises, and vain ostentations. Culmer, pag. 3ly. 12ly. But I shall only instance in the persecutors of Master Rich. Culmer, (heretofore of Magdalen College in Cambridge Master of Arts) now Minister of Minster, in the Isle of Thanet in the County of Kent, whose persecutors are now very few living in that Parish, but mighty, and numerous elsewhere, especially those of the Popish, prelatical, and Cavalier party that never saw him, because of his activeness against their cause. Answer. First, for your Persecutors, I know, none of them, neither can I experimentally say that ever I knew you persecuted, but I believe when you name persecutors, you mean prosecutors, for indeed I know some that prosecuted you for your unjust actions, but I know none that persecute you (as you pretend) for your activeness in the service of the State, or that you were ever indemnefied more than what the State has doubly; nay, trebly requited, therefore this, your persecuting expressions, are only to bring your former actions into remembrance, and advance your own merits by a popular applause: St. Paul was persecuted for the truth, but you are only prosecuted for the contrary, he fought with beasts at Ephesus, but you make your Parish Ephesus, and your Parishioners beasts: You likewise say that you have very few persecutors now living in the Parish of Minster, truly, I am of your opinion, and yet I believe you have as many there now as ever, because in your book of Nicknames, you use so many inveterate and violent expressions against them; so that how can you expect a Parochial affection, when you come so much short of your Ministerial profession; can the sheep feed, when they are frighted by the shepherd. As for your being of Magdelin College in Cambridge, I cannot deny it, but as for your being Mr. of Arts, I must be silent, I confess, I never heard, nor saw your Latin Sermon, which you preached at St. Mary's, which I wonder you had not boasted of (if there were any such thing) as well as of a few Schoolboys verses, page the 7h. at the latter end; And at the latter end of the 6th. page you say, they published Libels that you were famous in the University for football playing, but never thought to be cut out for a Mercury; Indeed that is an undeniable truth, for ex omni ligno non fit Mercurius. But in the latter end of the same page, you say, you gave a specimen to the contrary in many public Arts, naming only that in Print, in the book called [Lachrymae Canterbrigiencis,] which litter of verses are as follows: Upon Queen Ann. Cynthia lucifluo conjungitur aurea Phaebo. Phoebaeo in terris conjux fuit Anna Jacobo: Ecclepsin patitnr Phoebe: sic deficit Anna: Phoebus in orbe micat: sic splendit in urbe Jacobus Luna praeest undis, lachrymas tulit Anna Brittannis; Sol radiis undas siccat: splendore Jacobus. Rich. Culmer Col. Mag. Now let the Reader judge wherein consists the excellency of those verses, except it be in, luna praeest undis, wherein an ae. is made short Culmeriana authoritate; If this be all the learning you can boast of, than every Schoolboy may pretend to be a Divine, but it may be you did it purposely to be known to be a poor Scholar. Now we come to your testimonials, page the 8th. where being afraid you should want matter for your vainglory you request a Certificate from the Major, Alder-men, and the inhabitants of Canterbury, which may be seen in the two last lines of the 7th. page. Civit. Cant. ff. We the Major, Alder-men, and other inhabitants thereof, at the request of Rich. Culmer, Clark, do testify that he is a man of an exemplary life, etc. and an able Teacher of God's word, etc. August the 10th. Ann. Dom. 1642. This Certificate is signed by above threescore persons, but what is this material to your present affairs, it being above 12. years since you begged it, since which time we have had those happy revolutions, that have quite altered the face of things, from what they were then, neither do I believe that you are now of the same opinion you were of then, yet these present testimonials must be produced, more out of vainglory to show what you have been, than out of policy to show what you are, as if it were impossible for you to change your principles, when you know, Tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur in illis, and this you do because the illaffected should not point at you, but many of those that were worst affected in those times, are best affected in these, therefore those testimonials are not materia for your purpose. As for the 10th. 11, 12, 13, 14. & 15. pages, they are indeed either very scurrilous, or large encomiums of your own worth, therefore I will pass them by, and come to the sixteenth page, where we may find in the two and twentieth of that page, that you give a Nickname to one, and call him the five hundred pound-man. The party so nicknamed was my Father, therefore I must crave leave a little to enlarge myself. It was very well known to all in that Island, that my Father was a man of a quiet and peaceable spirit, one, that would not (like you, our Minister) act the part of Tom a Bedlam, as shall be sufficiently proved, and if the Parish since that time hath been distempered, it was by example of the Priest, therefore the less to be condemned by you; Neither was my Father ever thought to have a spurious offspring, insomuch that he was enforced to exhaust his livelihood from the Tap, I need not further explain myself, for I know you very well understand me. It is an ancient adage, de mortuis nil nisi lonum, and ignobilia sunt odia quae ultra mortem procedunt, which saying it may well be perceived, you observe not, for indeed you endeavour (which is a thing very unsuitable to your profession) to scratch the dead out of their Graves, with the sharp Nails of malice. As for my Father, (I will speak it in defiance of your envy) he was well known to live quietly and lovingly amongst his Neighbours, which is more than you can boast of. And he was likewise careful in the education of his Children, not permitting them to riot, as you do your Children, for it is very well known that your eldest Son being drunk at Sandwich, opposed the Mayor, for which he was sent to prison, and hath bragged of his beastly behaviour towards women: And as for your youngest Son, it was very well known how often he hath attempted the abuse of several women. By these things we may observe the good instructions, and careful education you have given to your Children; but it may be, you suppose, that they may take the liberty by the Laws of Nature Patrizare: Thus you that pronounce the just judgements of God upon others that suffer by any mischance, or come to any untimely end, will not look at home and there behold his judgements sufficiently exemplified upon yourself, in your Children. Again, in the first line of the seventeenth page, you say that I. W. For crying all, all, was within a short time after crushed to death with a Wagon. Answer. I will not deny but that it may be truth, and that God's judgements are just, and that he is known by them, but so known by them, that he would not have us Triumph over other men's misfortunes; but rather when we see, or hear of them, be truly thankful to him that the like judgements have not fallen upon us, who have equally deserved the like, though it be his goodness to retard them. In the fifth following line of the same page, you say, That notwithstandanding the forementioned judgements of God, that some continued to revile you. Answer. If you admire at this, what reason had Moses to admire at Pharaoh, that notwithstanding all the continuation, and experience of so many plagues did persist in his obstinacy against the Children of Israel; God permits no punishment to be inflicted without just desert, but I perceive that (in such matters as these) you see but with one eye, for you only look upon the pretended malice of the Agent, and not upon the just deserts of the patiented, St. Paul, as he was the greatest of sufferers, so he was by his own confession the greatest of sinners, he made it no wonder that men should revile him, because he was conscious to himself of his own sins; but you, without the least reflection upon yourself, wonder that people should revile you, remember our blessed Saviour, remember David in all his troubles, remember Job upon the dunghill, and then you will find that these things are the Ornaments of a Christian; but you, instead of acknowledging your own infirmities, procure others to flatter you with the vain, and untrue praises of your own abilities; Now let the Reader judge whether, or not your actions be any thing consonant to the Acts of the Apostles. Culmer. Page the eighteenth line, the twelfth: But this is an ordinary persecution of Ministers, as now, when lately in that Isle a Drunken, scandalous, railing Priest was ejected, there scarce came one in ten, to hear the Godly Minister. Answer. Here I find that quite contrary to the rules of Divinity, you absolutely justify one party, and condemn the other, but you know the heart of man is deceitful above measure, who can know it? All that I can say is this, 'tis pity he was so; however, his Doctrine may be good, though his life be bad, where we cannot live by example, we must be content to live by precept, for a good disposition, makes a good exposition; And if God speaks to us as he did to Balaam, by the mouth of an Ass, we must hear him, and if he will have us saved by one that shall be damned, we must hear what he says, not look what he does. In the twentieth page, about the four and thirtieth line, we may judge your resolutions by your Heathenish expressions, which are Flectere si nequeo superos, Acharonta movebo. With that it may be the better understood by all, I will render the effect of it in English. But if the Gods deny to please me well In my designs, I'll work my ends by Hell. Now Reader judge, if this expression be any way fit to be used by a Divine, and whether, or not his Parishioners ought to credit, or follow his Doctrine that is so Diabolical in his resolutions. Culmer, page 33. l. 38. And to oppress Mr. Culmer, the more they minded not the bounds of the Parish. Answer. Here you endeavour to tax the Parish with injustice, when you yourself know the bounds of the Parish as well as any, for the bounds are so well known, that it is altogether needless to put the Parish to unnecessary charges, neither is it a thing usual there abouts; but this truth is very much like the rest. Culmer, pag. 24. l. 1. And besides all these apprehensions, one thing more in point of livelihood, I thought fit to mention. That Mr. Culmer having laid out about five pounds in demolishing the Monuments of Idolatry at Minster by special order, according to the Act of Parliament, for their demolishing, cannot get his money so laid out: At his first coming he often desired the Churchwardens to do that work according to the Act, but the five hundred pound-man being Churchwarden refused to Act. Answer. All this that you have declared is an absolute untruth, for my Father, whom you (not like a Divine) wisely Nickname the five hundred pound-man, did go with you, and the rest of the chiefest of the Parish did go upon a May day in the morning, and took down that, which you, in your grave wisdom, thought any way Superstitious, or Idolatrous; Insomuch that you, yourself at the same instant gave the glory to God in bringing to pass so great a Reformation, in a day, which was set apart for a deformation: But after all this you being moved in spirit, got the Key of the Church, and locked yourself in (because none should participate in so glorious a work) and took an occasion to quarrel with the Kings of Israel, which were painted in the Chancel windows, which, (when the Chief of the Parish were with you in the Church) you thought were not Superstitious, (as indeed they were not) but it was you, that were envious, because you very well knew that my Father (the five hundred pound-man, as your gravity is pleased to call him) was to maintain the Chapel, now pray tell me where was the glory to God? I am sure he cannot be glorified with envy, hatred, and malice, for it may easily be discerned, that envy was your zeal, and that you minded more the completion of your own wicked resolutions, than the glory of God. Culmer, page the 25. l. 5. And the next Sabbath day Mr. Culmer got into the Church at the broken windows, which were left unrepaired by the five hundred pound-man above half a year, in hope that Master Culmer should pay for all the ruins, which came through the wilful neglect of the five hundred pounds-man speedy reparations those windows, which belonged to him to repair as Parson, according to the said Act of Parliament; there was not at first above ten foot broken there. Answer. What reason was there that my Father should repair those demolishments which you made contrary to Act of Parliament, when as you yourself did not think them Superstitious, therefore reason and equity will Demonstrate that what you ruin without order, you ought to repair at at your own proper cost and charges. Culmer, pag. 25. l. 25. Yet I heard him say that he could have easily killed them every one with his Stiletto, but he often said, he blessed God, who kept his hands from shedding their blood, and that he admired at the goodness of God to him, that gave him such a spirit of meekness upon such an occasion, contrary to his natural and usual disposition in his own defence. Answer. I do much wonder that a man of your Coat should offer so much to disguise the truth with the imaculations of falsehood; for it can be proved as it is Articled against you, that you have said, That you would stand up to your own knees in blood, and up to your Horse's knees in blood, but you would have your Tithes, and up to the ears in blood, when you have been persuaded to be reasonable. And that it was the greatest sin that you had to answer for that you had not sued more for your Tithes: And that you were sorry that you had not persecuted those that pulled you out of your Pulpit, even to their very Estates; & thought it was justifiable if you had murdered them all in the place, and said that you had that about you that would easily have done it, meaning a Dagger, and other things. Here you show your zeal, your humility, your meekness, your love, and your charity: God bless every flock from such a shepherd. Culmer pag. 27. l. 29. Afterwards two Justices did sit upon the Riot, and the Riotors were bound over to the Sessions, and there indicted and found guilty, and fined each of them forty shillings, which they received again from their good Masters & Dames. Answer. That the Rioters were indicted and found guilty, and fined forty shillings a man, is truth: but that (as you most falsely suggest) they received their moneys again from their good Masters & Dames, as you call them, is altogether false: but Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem: Testadiu: What's bred in the bone will never off of the flesh. Culmer, pag. 29. l. 4. And especially, two Justices of Peace, and Deputy Lieutenants came with their Families constantly about two years to hear Mr. Culmer Preach. Answer. Here you may take notice of your own vainglory, thinking to advance your abilities in preaching, by divulging, what Eminent men came to hear you, when as, all, was but two. (Mr. Paromour, and Mr. Foach. (Though you seem to divide them into many: Remember, who says, I will scatter the proud in the imagination of his heart: As for those beastly lines which follow in the same page I will omit, being fitting to be expressed only by such a mouth as your own. Culmer, pag. 29. l. 12. And this wife of the five hundred pound-man, told her husband that she edified most by Master Culmers Ministry, and desired him to carry her about to no other Parishes, etc. Answer. I do much wonder to what intent you should speak this, except it be (as indeed it is your constant practice) to prove your self vainglorious; but they that build their designs (as you do) upon the Maxims of falsehood must expect, as you may, the just rewards, of their merits, for as for my Mother's expressions to my Father, which you say, were, as is bf over mentioned, I am confident and very certain is altogether untrue. Culmer, page the 33. l. 29. And Master Culmer indicted the Scout for barring a common sheep-way, and had a verdict against him, etc. Answer. 'Tis truth you did (to your credit be it spoken) indict the Gentleman, which you out of a wonderful deal of discretion) Nickname the Scout, and had a verdict (such an one as it was) against him, but notwithstanding, your gravity, dare not ride that way without his permission, except it be on a Sunday morning early, and when you came home from London from prosecuting your Neighbours. As for procuring five men to be his assistants in the Exchequer, as you allege in the same page, is altogether false, for he neither persuaded, nor procured them: As for the Articles you there speak of, there was none exhibited against you, but what may be sufficiently proved. Culmer, pag. 34. l. 15. This man was lately brought in to be Clerk of the Parish, for his good service done against Master Culmer many ways, etc. Answer. It is false that this man (who you are wisely pleased to Nickname the Trumpeter) was put in by the faction; But in this you discover your exquisite malice, in endeavouring to make all the Parish assistants and maintainers of this man's actions, which your own conscience if you dare examine it,) informs you to be untrue; For it is very well known that the Parish abounds with many inhabitants now (the more their misery in respect of so troublesome a Minister) that were not then, nor had any cognizance of the difference between you and your Parishioners; For my own part, I was no inhabitant at the same time when you, and the Ryotors fell out, but the greatest cause that the Parishioners had to put him in Clark, was, charity, (which is, indeed a stranger to you) in respect he was aged, and lame, and not in a capacity of relieving himself, and not be a charge, and trouble to the Parish. Culmer, pag. 34. l. 40. Who is a profane scoffer at the Communicants, calling them Master Culmers Disciples. Answer. In respect that I know you mean me, I shall in short answer for myself, and let the World know what an undeserving scandal you have cast upon me; I thank God I have been, and am (though not by you) better principled in my Religion than to be a Profane so offer, as you term me, at holy Ordinances, neither did I, as you falsely suggest in derision, call them your Disciples, for indeed I rather will pity, than laugh at them knowing what a bad, and Hypocritical Master they have; As for the Chancel windows you make mention of, I confess, I did not repair them till I was absolutely informed whether I had right to a Pew, which I built in the Chancel; which your Son (learning humility of his Father) broke down, saying, that he was placed there by order, but when I knew that the right lay in me, you very well know I mended them according to the time limited by the Justice. Culmer, pag. 35. l. 21. But they need not seek revenge further than their own avenging themselves by their calumnies and false accusations and rail against Mr. Culmer. Answer. I never knew any that sought revenge against you, except you account it revenge, for people to seek for right in their own cause; neither did any calumniate you, except you look upon truth, as a calumny, because your civil, or (to speak truth) your uncivil deportments and misdemeanours deserved to be taken notice of: and whereas you declare that we combine to put you to charges in the Law, you are very much mistaken, for you know that your Tithes were never denied you, for you sued me, and the rest before we denied payment, & have put us to unjust charges, as the success of your suit will manifest. Culmer, page the 35. l. 25. But it seems nothing will satisfy their malice and rage, but his purses bleeding to death by taking away his means of livelihood and subsistence by his ejection, or removal from his place and station. Answer. If we endeavour your removal, it is because you endeavour our disquiet, and instead of making peace amongst us, you endeavour to bring us into confusion; Neither is your Ministerial employment all your livelihood, for we very well know that you have (except you have spent it in Law) 120 pounds per annum, besides your Land in Ireland, but because you will make your condition to be the more commiserated, you beggar it by an untruth, and say, we go about to take away your livelihood and subsistence, but I will not trouble myself with any more of your impertinences, only give a glance upon the 37th. page. Culmer, pag. 37. l. 2. It is a sure sign commonly, that a Minister is good when all the Parish is against him; and commonly when a whole Parish loves a Minister, and speaks well of him, he is stark naught. Answer. This indeed is a prime sentence, and very worth the taking notice of, for here you say that you must upon necessity be very good, because your Parishioners hate you, (as indeed the most part do: (And other Reverend Divines (not fare from you) because they are generally beloved of their Parishioners, are stark naught: I hope some of them will give you no thanks for this expression, but indeed this is something like your Flectere si nequeo superos, acharonta movebo. Moreover, by this you condemn all the Apostles, who found love and respect from Christians wheresoever they came; but you, no where; Then again, you condemn the Fathers, for I never read but that Augustin was very well beloved, and his death very much lamented by his Parishioners at Hipo, where he was Minister; And Chrisistome at Constantinople, and Barnard, Jerome, and the rest at their respective Parishes, how happy are you, (nay, and are like to continue so) that all your Parish hate you? neither dare we believe that you will give us cause to do otherwise; for if we should, we should make ourselves guilty of your being stark naught, so that now we may say (and you may be proud of it if you please) Good Master Culmer. Thus having answered to all, or most part of your most material vilifications, give me leave to desire you to look upon a place of Scripture, which I believe you either never saw, or very little minded; It is the third of Timothy, beginning at the second verse, where we shall be informed what a true Minister ought to be, and if you can approve yourself to be so, then let me, and others be condemned for our disrespects. Verse the second, a Bishop, or Minister must be blameless, the Husband of one Wife: vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to Hospitality; apt to Teach. Verse the third, not given to Wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patiented, not a brawser not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his Children in subjection with all gravity. Verse the sixth, not a Novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Verse the seventh, moreover, he must have a good report of them that are without, lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the Devil. Verse eight, he must be grave, not double tongued. Now Master Culmer, if you can prove yourself to be any of all these, except it be the Husband of one Wife, then go on, and hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, and follow the prescriptions of your Lord and Master, who says, Learn of me, for I am meek, and endeavour to keep the Unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, remember what he said to St. Peter, Peter, Peter, lovest thou me, feed my Sheep, remember the charge that he gave to his Disciples, Preach to all Nations, unity, peace and concord, do you the same to your Parishioners, and if it be your Parishioners weakness to offend, let it be your goodness to forgive, so shall you be sure to purchase a good report here, and a happy enjoyment hereafter. But before I conclude, let me entreat you not to misconstrue what I have writ, but prove (when you have read) a Dove, without gall, and as I hope you will read without prejudice, so I protest, I have not writ one Syllable out of malice, or envy, but with a serene and calm spirit, and I hope what I have writ will not procure me the name of a busybody, in respect I have not meddled with any man's business but my own, for indeed it is a very great argument, that he which shuffles himself into other men's business, has little to do of his own. Moreover, as one very well says, a busybody talks without credit, lives without love, dies without tears, or pity, only some may say 'twas pity he died no sooner. And as I have writ nothing to boast of, so I hope I have writ nothing to blush at, except it be the reiteration of your Invectives, which indeed will prove foul spots in your reputation, except you wipe them off by a discreet acknowledgement, for a crime timely acknowledged is half expiated, and I hope you will not so much abuse your discretion as to justify that, which the World condemns; give me leave to furnish you with that advice, which I never had from you, which is, speak evil of no man; do good to all: let not the Serpent of your envy, devour the innocent Dove of your charity, let your life teach us to die, and if the World revile you without a cause, remember our Saviour; or if you have denied our Saviour, either by the omission of those things, which are necessary for salvation, or by the Commission of those things that are inducements to destruction, do as Peter did, go out and weep bitterly, so shall your bitter tears be sweetened with a plentiful remission, and our Saviour (as Noah did his Dove) will take you into the Ark of his mercy. Sir, Let me entreat you not to do to me as the Jews did to our Saviour, laugh me to scorn for what I have spoken, say not, nay think not, that I have writ any thing out of vain glory, or to argue myself discreet above my Neighbours, but rather believe that I have told you these things out of the humility of my spirit, desiring you to observe what I have writ, or to write me better things for my observation. It is reported that the Lion (the King of beasts) is directed to his Prey by a Jacka, which is a very small beast, yet so great for the Lion's benefit, that his livelihood depends upon him; Sir, I speak this, because (knowing myself inferior to you.) I have presumed to hunt out these observations, and lay them before you, for though the Lion has the better judgement to choose his Prey, and the better stomach to digest it, yet the Jacka has the better sent. Neither despise me because I am many degrees lower in my judgement then yourself; but know, that though you are like Saul, higher by the head and shoulders than the rest, yet I will endeavour (like short legged Zacheus) to get up into a Tree but I will see my Saviour. Luther says, that a man lives forty years before he knows himself to be a Fool, and by that time he seethe his folly he dies: I am of Luther's opinion, and shall only add this, that though we do know ourselves to be fools at forty years old, yet we are ashamed (or at least unwilling) to confess it at threescore. To conclude all, I shall desire Mr. Culmer, seriously to consider ●●d ruminate upon What I have express in my preceding answer, and if he conceives I have injured him by my objections, let him justify himself by his answer, or prove himself guilty by his silence. FINIS.