A Potent vindication for Book-making: or An Emblem of these Distracted times.  

WHen nights black mantle had excluded and folded up fair Phoebus' bright lustre in our Horizon, and exposed the borrowed splendour of horned Cynthia, and the twinkling Tapers to our view. And when silent sleep had captivated the senses of many in the Cradle of Oblivion; solitary Morpheus presented to my sight a pleasant Forest, where I was no sooner entered, but such a company of harmonious echoes sounded in my ears from the winged choir, which so ravished my senses, that I began to imitate their heavenly Tunes; and the first which most pleased me, was the Golden strains of the Finch: And after I had observed some of her ravishing harmony, I was delighted with the melodious tunes of the Nightingale, Linnot, and other birds of rare quality, and could so follow their strains, that the heavenly Phoenix, the aspiring Lark, and other celestial birds, took notice of my skill. Yet some angry Wasps and malicious Hornets began to buzz about my ears, and sought to sting, but had no power at all to hurt me. And though the King of beasts, and others of good and gentle nature, were delighted with our harmonious noise, and heavenly music; yet the politic Cat, crafty Fox, and greedy Wolf, began to grumble, as envying my happiness, and seemed more malicious than the poisonous Serpents and deaf Adders, that lay under my feet, ready to sting me: for they persuaded the puissant Lion, and his grave Counsellors, that I was an an idle fellow to leave my employment at home, and come learn to sing of birds abroad: (for they did not consider that this was in the night, when I had finished my work) Upon which report their King did choir forsake me, and his faithful friends seemed to be displeased with me. But I having a love in my work, would not leave off till I became a perfect quirrester: and then (with Morphous') I laid me down in bed, and sweetly slept till Aurora withdrew nights sable Curtain, and began to usher in the light some day, and then I understood the meaning thereof to be thus, When the night of ignorance and self-conceit had excluded from my understanding the splendour of many learned famous writers, I having received into my soul divers good motions from the holy Spirit of God, intimated by the God of dreams, wandered in the Forest of my own imagination and by my own capacity thought to imitate the golden strains of Sylvesters heavenly harmony, on Du Bartas weekly days. And having extracted from thence many heavenly lessons, I inserted them into my fantastic notions. And not satisfied therewith, I took from melodious Philomel, I mean our Book of Common Prayer, (in my conceit not unfitly by me called the Nightingale, because some say it was used to be sung in the time of Popery, but sung in a more harmonious manner now in the day of the Gospel) many Divine lessons: for however others are, I was, and still am, so ravished with her variety of sh〈…〉 and heavenly ejaculations, that I became bold to garnish my Annuary World therewith. And from the admirable Meditations and Prayers of Doctor Featly, Mr. Austin and others, I made it so complete with heavenly matter, that the 〈…〉 nix of our time for our soul ravishing. Divinity, who is raro avis in terris, but still Holds-worth, took notice thereof, and subscribed my certificate. And not only he, but the aspiring Lark, our Laureate Poet Mr. Francis Quarles, whose sententious and unparaleld verses seem to penetrate the heavens, approved my labours, as well as the Satirical and Prophetical Poet, Captain George Wither, the Saintlike Poet Master john Vicars, the prime Astrologian of our time, Mr. john Booker, and that ancient Writer Mr. Henry Peacham. And because I should not drown my Loving Labours in the Sea of Oblivion, the Water Poet lent me his assistance over the waters of contempt and disdain to the Cape of good Hope, where my little Pinnace lies at Anchor, till a gentle gale of prosperous wind drive her to the desired haven of Content: Yet I observed some angry Wasps and fell Hornets to buzz about my ears, but durst not show their stings for fear I should make them odious in the sight of all people: I mean, neither Anabaptist, Brownist, nor any of your new inspired Doctors, durst lift pen on paper against my Annual world, or Sacred Poems, though they treat of holy days, and are ampli●ed with the expression of many heathen Poets: for I have the approbation not only of celestial Birds, but the very beasts of the Wood listened to my tunes; I mean not only men that were learned, as Preachers and Writers, but honest Merchants, and men of solid judgement approved my labours. And first, my late honoured Master, whom I compare to the Lion, not to signify that he was King of men, but as he was sometime the King's Majesty's Lieutenant, and Senior aldermans of this famous City a long time; and for justice and mercy, according to my pattern, not unlike the Lion, of whom I may truly say without flattery, That to my knowledge never any Praetor governed this famous City, or his House, with more justice and clemency, than he did. And so like the courageous Lion, who though he is stern to his foes, yet he is gentle and kind to his friends: for it is reported that Androdus, a Roman slave, for pulling a thorn out of a Lion's foot, was relieved a long time by the same Lion in his Den, with such provision as he could make, till he was weary of that dreadful lodging: And then the same slave returning to his Master, for an offence being cast into the Den of the same Lion, to be devoured, the merciful beast knowing his old acquaintance, in stead of tearing or assaulting him, came and fawned on him. And to show that my Master did approve of my works, when they were done, plainly appeared, (though it is true before out of his love towards me, he would not have me trouble my unlearned brain with such high mysteries) as by his willingness to do me good so long as he lived, so by two notes made a little before his death, wherein he bequeathed me a competent portion which he left his Executors to dispose of as they shall think fit. And as he, so most of the Aldermen his brethren, as well as his own and my Lady's kindred, did approve of the same, as appears by this Certificate following.   

WE whose names are subscribed, at the humble and earnest entreaty of Edward Browne, late servant to Sir James Cambell, Knight and Alderman of Lodnon, deceased, certify and declare, that we have perused two Books of his composing, the one entitled an Annual World and Sacred Poems, and the other, a Rare pattern of Justice and Mercy, with a Meteor and a Star; and thereof judge, that he did not these Books with any intent to dishonour his said Master, but only to obtain his Master's favour upon his honest endeavours, wherefore we do commend his expense of spare time in such divine matters, and approve of his good meaning in publishing his masters charitable Legacies; which is, as he saith, only for his Master's honour, and to induce others of like worth to do such judicious, noble, and pious actions.  
All which we testify under our hands the fifteenth day of August, Anno Dom. 1642. As appeareth on the next page. 

Knights and Aldermen of London.  
Geo. Whitmore.  
Nic. Rainton.  
Morris Abbot.  
Edmond Wright.  
john Cordel.  
Tho. Soame.  
jacob Garrad.  
john Woollastone  
George Clarke.   

Ri. Holdsworth, S. T. D.   

Aldermen, Esquires & Gentlemen.  
Gilbert Harrison.  
Tho. adam's.  
Abra, Reynardson.  
Robert Bateman.  
Clement Moss.  
Robert Michael.  
Thomas Wiseman.  
William Williams.  
john Walter.     

HEre is above the number of a complete jury of eminent men to testify a truth, and therefore needs no more; yet such as did peremptorily refuse to subscribe this Certificate, I affirm and declare, that they are as unchariatble and malicious, as they are proud and covetous. For others, that say, My Books are useless, having in them light with darkness, holy things and vain, unprofitable things mixed, which are altogether inconsistent, & blame me for expending my precious time in dishonouring God by Booke-making; because I am not called thereunto. I will prove they are beside their Text, and would feign seem to be more wise in Religion than they are, like many others of their garb, who place their religion in idle & impertinent questions, and have little or no regard to true devotion which is the life of religion: for some who under the mask of religion, detain lechery, pride & covetousness. I advise them to view their own deformity, before they tax the infirmities of those of better worth than themselves: For those that say my Books are Non sense, I believe they have No-sense to do better. Those that say, I have played the fool in writing my own fancy, and expending my time and money so vainly in printing Books; let them understand, that the Fool is ofttimes the wisest man in the play, because he makes more fools than himself laugh, and all that is well spent, is not ill lost. Those that say, I scold and rail in my pamphlets, know not well what they speak: for I have write nothing a but the truth; and that they say, must not be spoke, much less writ at all times. But this is a pitiful age, when truth to convince the folly of men, must be smothered, and not suffered to be spoke or writ, though by fools: for Archers coat must be pulled off, if he say lawn sleeves are dirty, and do not Laud them for whiteness when they are coal black. And last of all, for those, who in a close, secret, and dissembling manner, seek to cast some of their envious poison of detraction and malice into my friends ears, & seem to say as they did to my late Master, that I seek his and their dishonour by Book-making, and therefore not worthy to be harboured in an obscure chamber upon my own bedding, as I have been this eight years and upwards, I neither care nor fear as appears by this letter following,  
Sir, I understand that you and your friends made good sport of me and my Disaster, wherefore to make your mirth complete, I give you my Paradox, and would entreat you, if you have found where the nest of wasps are, you spoke of, to tell them from me, that I challenge not only them, but all manner of envious creatures, such as your Hornets, Snakes, Scorpions, Dragons, especially deaf Adders, to shoot out their poison, and advance their stings against me; for I am persuaded God hath anointed me with such a saving Antidote, and armed me with such puissant strength, that I shall be able to pull out their stings and repel their venom. For I know that the sight of a Basilisk shall not confound me, the terror of the Griffin shall not dismay me, the cruel Crocodile shall not affright me, the deceitful Hyena shall not beguile me, nor the enchanting Sirens shall not allure me: no, nor all the devils in hell, or men on earth shall be able to hinder me in the way that God hath set my feet to walk in, because he hath now taken from my heart a slavish fear, and would not suffer me neither day nor night, to take my rest, till I had performed this work, which I am sure he hath called me unto: For it is lawful for any to write, though not to preach. The reason is plain, because a man in a pulpit may imagine he hath a Spirit of Revelation, which he hath not, and therefore sometime in an absurd ecstasy of zeal may vociferate and babble he knows not what himself, except he be a man of rare parts, that hath premeditated and set his words well in order before. But if a man write, that truly shows his mind: for he hath laid his words in the balance of his reason and understanding, and will not be ashamed of his work, except he be a Dunce or a Coward. And therefore I neirher fear the roaring Lion, the ravening Bear, the stately Elephant, the cruel Boar, the puissant Unicorn, the courageous Horse, the angry Leopard, the fierce Tiger, the devouring Wolf, the snarling Dog, the polirique Cat, the crafty Fox, or the strong Ox, shall be able to hurt me, my Books or my Paradox: for I have armour of proof, that their fangs nor talons cannot tear. I have skilful courage to avoid their policy, and defeat their strength. And I have a sword as Sharp as a raizor, that where Haire-is, it shall so neatly shave those that offer to abuse me, that they shall appear like bald Friars; and if they will not then be ruled, it shall cut off their heads, and make them little better than Devils. I have likewise hot fiery pellets, which well discharged out of my piece, shall make their heads ache, and their bellies Wamble. And I have such a Pole-axe, which will Perk, Pierce and Hough the strongest armour of the best Smiths forging. And this I write, to Warn them to take heed how they offer to stir: for besides this my Militia, which is void of Malitia, I have Commission of Array, to train, muster, and Marshal my forces against all opposites; who, as angry whelps, respecting no persons, will so Touse and trample upon them, that though they were arrayed in Silk, Satin, or Cloth of Gold, they shall appear as ragged Beggars. And yet I have not told you all my Ammunition: for I have likewise a Burr to cast on my enemy's tongues, and stick in their throats, that they shall not be able to speak. I have a hard knotty stick, with which I will so Bast them, that the Print thereof shall remain a long time after. I have sharp vinegar to wash their rotten teeth, that they shall not dare to grin: And I have as Smart a Satirical scourge, as the best Carter, which shall pull the skin from their bones, and breed Pain in their whole man: that though they may now seem as Bright as Angels, they shall then appear as loathsome as Lepers; And though one may now seem like a Burgess, when I have unmasked him, he shall then appear like. A. Taylor: For I am confident to convince all that shall abuse me for Book-making, and make them in such a Case, as they were never in since they came from Holme, I mean since they came from their Owen true Protestant Religion in England, to the hypocritical society of Amsterdam, Geneva, Scotland, etc. Thus have I passed over the Wells of danger, to Goodwins safe harbour, without licence from Sedge-week. Commending this to your serious consideration I rest,  
Yours in all Christian observance, ED. BROWNE   

IF any Say, that by the Penning of these expression, I mean particular persons, and therefore will not Brook them, but fret and fume, whinper and Pymper, let them in a patiented temper show me wherein they are offended, and it shall be ordered for their satisfaction, and all the world, That their answer with my reply shall be forthwith printed and published.  
Per. Cl●r. Dulm. Ignor.   

NOw courteous Reader, pray consider, how could I better vindicate my B●okemaking, and so free myself from falling into these po 〈…〉 t calumniators paws, then by printing these my confused notions, which I am confident they dare not, answer for by private writings they might slily have fought revengement to my great damage; but in a public way they will not offer to ab●se me, ●est they be too notorious. Therefore leaving them, I will declare how my wo●ks and these distracted times agree together: For I may not unfitly compare my Books to the true Protestant Religion, and myself to the Imperious Clergy, and hypocritical professors; for as my mind is almost distracted by disastrous l 〈…〉 es on the one fide, and a malignant party on the other, yet my books stand unblameable in the midst, though they may seem to have some blemishes in f●●cy, yet similes and illustrations (though fabulous) in signification, makes the matter more pleasant and delightful: So these times are distracted by Popery & Arminianism, who have lost much of the Church's glory, on the one side, and Anabaptists, Brownists and Sectaries, as a malignant party on the other, yet the true Protestant Religion stands still upright in the midst, though she may seem to have spots in outward worship; In the signification thereof to a devout heart, makes her more beautiful and amiable. For further illustration hereof, as it is apparent, that our Prelatical Clergy sought to erect an Arminian Hierarchy, if not Papistical Idolatry, in these thtee Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by imposing useless ceremonies by their Canonical Oath, etc. by their 2s. and 9d. Tithe, by their insulting pride in Spiritual Courts, by their Lordly habits of Satin, Silk and Velvet, fare different from Christ and his Apostles humility, etc. So it is conspicuous likewise, that these Presbyterian Doctors do now assume to themselves such a Spirit of Revelation, that whatsoever they foment against Church and State, must be taken for pure Divinity, though it be faction, rebellion and schism. Thus for a trifling ceremony, wherewith every Christian Church in the world differs in one kind or other, those affirm and declare, that there can be no reformation without resisting and opposing supreme authority. And this they maintain with a strong hand, and grow very proud and imperious; and what their haughty insolence will arise unto, it is not yet known; but it is to be feared, confusion both of this flourishing Church and Common-weal. For they are not ashamed to affirm, That Reformation cannot be established without blood; and therefore to put out the light of our eyes and stop the breath of our nostrils, the supreme head of these three Kingdoms, our gracious Sovereign whose virtues are unparaleld, and learning excellently admirable seek to stop all passages of peace and reconciliation between him and his people, and will not suffer a little paper to be printed in his own Press, or any others that speak truth, but admit, or at least suffer lying and scandalous Pamphlets against his person, government, and royal proceed; and under pretence of fight against Prince Robert, Cavaliers and Papists, they seek to destroy all ingenious spirits and learned men, What shall we say to these things? Is there not enough noble and innocent blood on both sides shed already? Are these people bloodthirsty? Are they insatiable? pray judge. What would they do if all power were in their own hands? Are these things equal? Did we ever read or hear, that that Religion can be good which is established by blood? Truly, I doubt the doctrine as much as the practice of those who are esteemed great Professors, Saints, and Prophets of the time, God grant they may profess less, but do more: for what needs war, when both King and Parliament affirm and declare, That they endeavour to maintain the true Protestant Religion, the ●afety and honour of the King's sacred perton crown and dignity, the rights and privileges of Parliament, and liberty of the Subject? But now I am in a great strait, for some say, even to my face, that writing against hypocrites, I writ against the Parliament; but God knows my heart is free from that scandal: for I honour every worthy member thereof, and with the rotten limbs were cut off that disturb the Church and State: And on the other side, in speaking against Bishops, I speak against the King, which is likewise clear to the contrary: for I wish, that my life (for his sake) might end this quarrel. Are not these the last times, when a man's enemies are those of the same house, as Christ prophesied? What shall I do? I would fain leave, but cannot my mind is as a vessel filled with new Wine, and it must have vent: for my words may be milconstrued, my writings cannot justly be condemned by indifferent men, therefore seeing our Poetical Captain's satire hath lost his scourge, and our laureate Poets will have no bitterness in their sweet expressions. God, who opened the mouth of the dumb Ass, and makes infants to speak to his praise, hath stirred up my unlearned quill to do all these works to his glory, good or others, and comfort of my own foul. I will not fear to declare not only mine, but the opinion of all godly, zealous learned men in the world that the Church of England as it hath been governed and established by Act of Parliament these fourscore years and upwards, was the most true Catholic Christian religion in the world, both in purity of doctrine and decent orderly ceremonies, and therefore could wish that all private Conventicles, and close Meetings against King and Parliament, were dissolved, that there might be a free debate according to ancient custom, that both King and Parliament (laying aside all by-respects) would join together, and endeavour to root out all Papistical Idolatry, and Arminian pride in 〈…〉 opacy, all schismatical faction and apparent hypocrisy in those who are esteemed Puritans, and speedily settle such a Protestant religion, that England may again retain its former splend of, and not as now it is a hissing and a byword to other nations, even an Aceldama of Christian blood; but none can bring this to pas●e, but God only. And therefore for conclusion of all my printed labour, except it be to answer my malignant party, I will, & so all good people should, both day & night pray God to send peace in our days that the light of the Gospel may still shine amongst us in burning & shining lamps, that the voice of the Turtle may still continue to be heard in our streets from able and zealous Divines that the King and all people may unite their forces together, for composing of our differences, for the healing of our distractions, for the making up of the many breaches in Church and State, and for the establishment of the foundation thereof on the word of God, that so being as a house built on such a rock though the wind of foreign invasion blow, the rain of civil dissension fall, and the floods of internal malice roar, and lift up their voice, yet the house that is built upon Christ, the corner stone thereof shall stand, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  
Amen. So be it.  
FINIS.