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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66946	A vindication of the historiographer of the University of Oxford, and his works from the reproaches of the Lord Bishop of Salisbury, in his letter to the Lord Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, concerning a book lately published, called, A specimen of some errors and defects in the history of the reformation of the Church of England, by Anthony Hurmer, written by E.D. ; to which is added the historiographer's answer to certain animadversions made in the before-mention'd History of the Reformation, to that part of Histroia & antiquitates Universitatis Oxon, which treats of the divorce of Queen Catherine from King Henry the Eighth.	Wood, Thomas, 1661-1722.; E. D.	1693 (1693)	Wing W3412; ESTC R22497	12,326	32

Parsons his Party are to Answer for it while in the mean time the Author of the Athenae Oxon is so far from speaking ill of that Worthy and Learned Bishop that he tells you in that Book That he was one of the greatest Lights that the Reformed Church of England hath produced that for his great Learning and Sufferings he was made Bishop of Salisbury by Queen Elizabeth and adds with Cambden who was no Missionary That he was a wonderful great and deep Divine a most stout and earnest Maintainer of our Reformed Religion against the Adversaries of his Learned Books That he was a Man of singular Ingeny of exquifit Erudition in Theologicals and of great Piety c. what more can be said If this is not enough after an excellent Book written of his Life by the Learned Dr. Lawrence Humphrey I know not what is The Truth is which may be easily observed by any ordinary Reader not prejudiced that the Author of Athenae Oxon. hath written very impartially and has related whatsoever he knows whether good or bad of those whose Lives he writes The Roman Catholicks are not better used by him than those of the Church of England as may be seen in the Lives of many of them in the First Volume among which are those of John Bekinson William Chiadsey Edm. Bonner Thomas Harding Henry Cole Edm. Campian John Nicholls Robert Parsons and others whose great Mutability in Religion which the Author of The works of the Learned calls Hyprocrisie he sets down The Second Volume of the Athenae Oxon which makes the Third Volume that the Author hath Published was collected as the First viz. From Records Registers c. In it you 'll find a great deal of the Mystery of Iniquity Acted in that dismal Rebellion which was commenced by the Puritans and other Factious People Anno 1642 opened and displayed It shews how those Brethren were common Preachers up of Treason and Rebellion and how their Pulpits were Esteemed by Observing Men the Chairs of Juglers That Blasphemies Profanations Absurdities c. were by them vented every Day in their Extemporary Prayers and Sermons to the great blinding and misleading of the People It shews how the Men of those times did turn themselves and overturn all things meerly for private Interest and Gain It shews also the Instability of others who then Swore and Forswore for their own Ends made Religion a Stalking-Horse and of Sacred Oaths no more than common Knights of the Post Therein you 'll find many passages relating to the Life and Actions of that Blessed Martyr King Charles the First especially for the Two last Years of his Reign which were never before Published and the Intriegues of many of the Leading Men on the Rebels side that were carried on in bringing that Pious Prince to the Block Therein you 'll find great and generous Sense of Loyalty in the Author and from his Pen Just and Impartial Characters of the True and Suffering Sons of the Church of England as also the Impartial Relations of such as were not so mostly taken from their own Books and Sermons or Pamphlets written by the Brethren or Royal Party You 'll also find therein the Just Characters of many of the Nobility and Gentry that adhered to the said King when he was at Oxon and what not of History that relates to that most Wicked and Barbarous Rebellion before-mention'd You 'll also find therein many bold and undeniable Truths which treading too close on the heels of Time several Persons whose Relations had been Actors in or submitters to the Men in the said unparallel'd Rebellion have endeavoured to make them Abuses and Libels thereby to bring the Author into trouble Both the Volumes of the Athenae and Fasti Oxon which his Lordship of Salisbury calls a despicable Book are most exactly written according to time and the Author has been so punctual that the very Day and sometimes the Hour of a thing done or of the Death of a Writer or Bishop is set down and all compacted in so good and exact a Method that nothing of that Nature can possibly be done better And therefore why his Lordship of Salisbury should say That he has thrown together a Tumultuary mixture of Stuff and Tattle none in Oxon can imagin it or in the least judge where that Stuff and Tattle should be lodged Both the said Volumes will without doubt be of great use to all Persons of Literature but particularly to such as apply themselves to History or Politicks whom it concerns every Moment to know what kind of Men were the Authors of those Books they Read Neither is that knowledg unnecessary to all that Study for as the Writing of Authors may be said to be the Picture of the Mind so to know their Life Religion and most remarkable Actions must needs be a great help towards judging rightly of their Sentiments This being an infallible Truth it has been a wonder to many why his Lordship of Salisbury who hath written many Lives and many more of Eminent Men and seems to have a peculiar Genius that way should now endeavour to run down the Athenae and Fasti Oxon which consists all or most of Lives and Characters and make it a despicable Book and the Author a Scribler c. As for that passage in Mr. W. Fulman in the Second Volume of Athenae p. 625 that his Corrections of and Observations on the First part of The History of the Reformation of the Church of England were some omitted and others curtail'd c. The Author had from Mr. Fulman himself who related it several times with reluctancy before him and some of his Collegiats of Christ-Church-College and seemed to Condole his Misfortune that his Labours and Lucubrations could not stand according to his Mind desiring withal that as the said Author had done him right as to the Collecting of the Works of King Charles the First and obtaining Materials for the Writing of that King's Life the Glory of which Dr. Richard Perinchief carried away so he would be pleased to do him right in the Work Athenae Oxon that he was then Meditating to let the World know of the omitting and curtailing of many of the said Observations All which he according to a promise then made hath performed and thereby done right to the Memory of his deceased Friend Which being Just and Equitable and not unbecoming an Historian his Lordship of Salisbury needed not to expect to see a Writer of his Anthony Harmer ' s Rank descend so low to Cite such a Scribler especially upon such an occasion c. Had it not been for Mr. Harmer's reference to a passage in the Second Volume of the Athenae Oxon. the Character of a Scribler and other most terrible things of the Historiographer would not have been mention'd but something must be said let it be never so unjust lest an Answer should be deficient Et hinc Lachrymae I cannot but reflect on that sort

the first part of The History of the Reformation of the Church of England Printed at London 1679 wherein p. 85 86. the Author speaking of the Divorce of Queen Catherine from King Henry the Eighth makes these Animadversions following on the said part in Hist Antiq. Vniv Oxon. lib 1. p. 256. a. The Collector of the Antiquities of Oxford informs us of the uneasiness of this matter the Divorce and of the several Messages the King sent before that Instrument meaning the Act or Decree of the Vniversity in order to the Divorce could be procured So that from the 12th of February to the 8th of April the matter was in Agitation the Masters of Arts generally opposing it tho' the Doctors and Heads were for the greatest part for it But after he has set down the Instrument he gives some Reasons upon what design I cannot easily imagine to shew that this was extorted by force and being done without the consent of the Masters of Arts was of its self void and of no force And as if it had been an ill thing he takes pains to purge the University of it and lay it upon the Fears and Corruptions of some Aspiring Men of the University And without any proof gives Credit to a Lying Story set down by Sanders of an Assembly called by Night in which the Seal of the University was set to the Determination but it appears that he had never seen or considered the other Instrument to which the University set their Seal that was agreed on in Convocation of all the Doctors and Masters as well Regents as Non-Regents giving power to these Doctors and Bachelors of Divinity to determine the matter and to set the Seal of the University to their conclusion The Original whereof the Lord Herbert saw upon which the Persons so deputed had full Authority to set the University's Seal to that conclusion perhaps that Instrument was not so carefully preserved among their Records or was in Queen Mary's Days taken away which might occasion these Mistakes in their Historian There seems also another Mistake in the Relation he gives for he says those of Paris had determined in this matter before it was agreed to at Oxon. The Printed Decision of the Sorbone contradicts this for it bears Date the Second of July whereas this was done the Ninth of April 1530 c. Thus the Church Historian soon after the Author or Collector of the Antiquities of Oxford Examining the said Animadversions on that little part of his Book before mention'd he divided them into several pieces and made Answer to each but were not then Printed The Contents of which and the Answers follow But after he hath set down the Instrument he gives some Reasons c. The Two first Reasons if they may be so called were put in by another hand and the other were taken by the Author from these Three Books following viz. 1. From A Treatise of Marriage c. written by Doctor Nicholas Harpesfield which is a Folio Manuscript written either in the time of Queen MARY or in the beginning of Queen ELIZABETH and 't is by him quoted in the place excepted against 2. From The Life of Queen Catherine written by William Forest in the Reign of Queen Mary and Dedicated to Her 'T is also a Manuscript and written in a fair Character on Parchment 3. From An Apology for the Government of the Vniversity of Oxon against King Henry the Eighth c. written by a Master of Arts in the time of Queen Elizabeth 'T is a Manuscript also and hath all the Kings Letters therein written to the University about the Question of Marriage and Divorce with several passages relating to Convocations and Congregations concerning the said Question So now you may see that he did not frame or give those Reasons from his own Invention but from Authors of Credit in the time they Lived Vpon what design I cannot easily imagin There was no design at all in the matter but only for Truth 's sake which very few in these Days will deliver And as if it were an ill thing he takes pains to purge the Vniversity of it c. It was a very ill thing as he thought for a King by his Letters to frighten Persons out of their Consciences and Opinions and to endeavour to force them as 't were to say and do what must please him But forasmuch as the Masters would not be frightned and therefore they were laid aside and the matter discussed and determined by a few Old Doctors and Bachelors of Divinity who would act and say any thing to please the King lest danger should follow they ought to be commended for keeping their Consciences sound and standing up for that which they thought was Equity And without any Proof gives Credit to a Lying Story set down by Sanders of an Assembly called by Night c. Sanders is not his Author for he says no such thing in his Book De Schismate of an Assembly called by Night His Author for it is the Apology before-mention'd which adds That when a Regent of Balliol-College whom the Scholars called King Henry heard that the Commissary or Vice-Chancellour and his Company were going to dispatch this Night-work denied the Seal with his Breeches about his Shoulders for want of a Hood See in Hist Antiq. Vniv Oxon. lib. 1. p. 256. a. The Truth is the Meeting was unseasonable and all their Actions Clancular as having been protested against by and done without the consent of the Regents And as for Sanders tho' he cannot defend him yet many things in his Book De Schismate especially those relating to the University of Oxon he finds from other places to be true But it appears that he had never seen and considered the other Instrument to which the Vniversity set their Seal c. The grand Collection or Farrago which Mr. Thomas Master of New-College drew up by the Lord Herbert's appointment in order to write the Life of King Henry the Eighth he had seen and perused but could not with all his diligence find that Instrument Act or Decree of Convocation neither in the Three great Folio's written by another Hand containing Materials at large for the writing the said Life neither in any of the Registers Records or Papers belonging to the University So that for those Reasons and because that the Lord Herbert says that it was blurred and not intended for the King and that also it was not under Seal you say 't was neither passed in the Majority of Votes therefore did he omit it as not Authentick Truly he had good ground to think that it was only drawn up and not proposed for if it had been proposed it would have been Registred there being nothing proposed either in Convocation or Congregation but is Registred whether denied or not And the Register of that time is most exactly kept and nothing as he could perceive hath been tore out There seems to be another Mistake in the

Relation he gives for he says those of Paris had determined in this matter c. He says it not for it was said by M. Warham Archbishop of Canterbury then Chancellour of the University in his Letters thereunto To make what Expedition they could to give in their Answer to the King's Question forasmuch as Paris and Cambridge had done it already For this matter he Quotes the Book of Epistles sent from and to the University of Oxon which is a Manuscript in the Archieves of Bodley's Library Epist 197. Yet he believes the Archbishop said those things to hasten the Members of the Convocation of the University of Oxon the more tho' probably it was not so However he was not bound to take notice of that but to follow Record as he had found it And that he doth follow Record throughout his Book there is not one as he presumes of the Venerable Senate of Antiquaries or Historiographers can deny it c. Thus far the Answer to the Animadversions of the Church Historian made on a little part of Hist Antiq. Vniv Oxon. Now forasmuc has the said Church-Historian doth often quote and make use of several Manuscripts and Records in the Cottonian Library it would be well worth the Curiosity of some Persons to Enquire why he did not make use of a certain Volume in that Library under Faustina c. 7. containing Letters sent from and Copies of Charters Privileges c. of the University of Oxon In which Letters are several Matters relating to the Reformation of the said University by certain Commissioners appointed by King Henry the Eighth Anno 1535. To which may be Answered that there being many Vile things in the said Letters which tend rather to the Deformation of the said University a Nursery to supply the Church they would have spoiled the smooth Current of his History of Reformation And if so as several Curious Persons have supposed it doth under favour Argue much Partiality and he that is Partial is not fit to be an Historian One passage among the rest I shall here set down written by Nicholas Layton or Leighton one of the Commissioners his Letter Dated the Twelfth of September 1535 and directed to Thomas Cromwell Secretary of State wherein is mention made of some of the mad work they had done relating to the Works of the Famous Joh. Duns Scotus tells you thus We have set Dunce in Boccardo meaning a Prison in Oxon so called and have utterly Banished him Oxford for ever with all his blind Glosses and is now made a common Servant to every Man fast Nailed up upon Posts in all Common Houses of Easement Id quod oculis meis vidi And the Second time we came to New-College after we had declared their Injunctions we found all the great Quadrant-Court full of the Leaves of Dunce the Winds blowing them into every Corner and there we found one Mr. Greenfeld of Buckingham-shire gathering part of the said Book-Leaves as he said therewith to make him Scuels or Blaunsheers to keep the Deer within the Wood thereby to have the better Cry with his Hounds c. Thus Thomas Layton Which things were mostly done by Dr. John London another Commissioner at that time Warden of New-College who spared not to Abuse his Founder College University and his Conscience to gain Favour from great Persons and Wealth into his Purse If so be the said Commissioners had such disrespect for that most famous Author J. Duns who was so much admired by our Predecessors and so difficult to be understood that the Doctors of those times namely Dr. William Roper Dr. John Kynton Dr. William Mowse c. professed that in Twenty Eight Years Study they could not understand him rightly as John Bale an inveterate Enemy to that Author and Romanists reports what then had they for others of inferiour Note Truly I have very good reason to think that the said Commissioners made sad Havock in the University at that time and were not wanting upon all occasions to give an ill Report of Learning and Learned Men. So it was that what the Wisdom of former times did Advance and Cry up the Peevish and Base Humour of these 1535 did decry and run down such is the World's Career But now let 's proceed It has been a Wonder that among all the Members of the most Famous University of Oxon who have signaliz'd their Learning and Industry in all Professions and almost upon all Subjects never have undertaken the History of the Writers thereof and of Learning till our Historiographer wrote the Athenae and Fasti Oxon the First Volume of which coming out in 1691 doth make the Second Volume which he has written It was partly collected from Records and Registers and some of it from the Works of Authors who are therein mention'd Another part from Books written pro and con and what concerns the Death and Burial of Authors is taken from Epitaphs Parochial and other Registers or from the Will or Heralds-Office at London And lastly what is said of such Roman Catholick-Writers either in that or the Second Volume who to enjoy their Religion in Peace and Safety have fled their Native-Country is partly taken from the Registers of those Colleges and Houses of Religion beyond the Seas wherein they have settled and spent their time or from the Epitaphs or Inscriptions on their Graves All which hath been communicated to the Author by Letters from Persons mostly unknown to him Now whereas the Bishop of Salisbury saith in his Letter p. 9. That he hath been visibly made a Tool by some of the Church of Rome to Reproach all the greatest Men of our Church is under favour not true as he himself hath several times protested and with Zealous Imprecations declared his Innocency of such a matter so much that he is ready to make Oath in any Court of Judicature that he hath not in the least either by Letter from or Discourse with any Roman Catholick whether Religious or Laick been desired persuaded or provoked to speak any one thing of or against a Writer or Bishop or any Person else of the Protestant Persuasion His Lordship in that Character of the Historiographer's being made a Tool hath seemed much to incline to the vain Reports of some Men and hath received things too much upon trust For had he enquired of several Persons in Oxon of known Worth and Truth he would have found him not to be so But it seems those just Truths which he hath given of Trimmers and Temporizers relishes not with many Men of this Age. Furthermore also whereas his Lordship doth alledg That he hath laid together all that the Malice of Missionaries could furnish him with to Blemish the Work of one of the greatest Men of our Church Bishop Jewell is under favour a mistake for he laid them not but R Parsons the Jesuit whom he Quotes for what he says And if any thing be ill said of that Bishop those of

814 WOOD Anthony à D. E. A VINDICATION OF THE HISTORIOGRAPHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD and his Works from the Reproaches of the Lord Bishop of Salisbury in his Letter to the Lord Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield concerning a Book lately Published called A Specimen of some Errors and Defects in the History of the Reformation of the Church of England by Anthony Hurmer To which is added the Historiographers Answer to certain Animadvertions made in the before-mention'd History of the Reformation to that part of Historia et Antiquitates Universitatis Oxon which treats of the Divorce of Queen Catherine from King Henry the Eighth Sm. 4to 30 pp. cobb boards FINE COPY RARE £4 10 0 Randal Taylor London 1693 ⁂ This rare tract is an answer to one of the many attacks on Anthony à Wood the famous author of the Athenae Oxoniensis His works are fully described and many of his statements justified by reference to the original authorities It was probably written by Thomas Wood his nephew the lawyer who appeared for him in his suit against Lord Clarendon A VINDICATION OF THE Historiographer OF THE UNIVERSITY of OXFORD AND HIS WORKS FROM The Reproaches of the Lord Bishop of Salisbury in his LETTER to the Lord Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield concerning a Book lately Published called A Specimen of some Errors and Defects in the History of the Reformation of the Church of England by Anthony Hurmer Written by E. D. To which is added the Historiographer's Answer to certain Animadversions made in the before-mention'd History of the Reformation to that part of Historia Antiquitates Vniversitatis Oxon which Treats of the Divorce of Queen Catherine from King Henry the Eighth London Printed and Sold by Randal Taylor MDCXCIII A VINDICATION OF THE Historiographer OF The University of OXFORD And his Works c. THE Prefacer to the First Volume of Athenae Oxonienses now an Eminent Proficient in the Common Law saith First It is well known that the Author of that Work hath through the whole course of his Life declined the pursuit of any private interest or advantage and hath only according to his Abilities endeavoured to promote the Honour and Glory of that Nation wherein he had been Born and more especially of that University wherein he was Educated His Early Application or as some call it his Natural Propensity to Histories and Antiquities made him more fit to serve his Country in that than in any other Study and that part of Antiquity which was most useful in it self and which yet lay most neglected became the immediate object of his Care as that which not only deserved but required and wanted the greatest Industry The First product of his Labours and generous Studies was The History and Antiquities of the Vniversity of Oxford which being by him wrote in English in his Juvenile Years it pleased the Chief Heads of the said University to have it put into Latin that the Learned World might know and be acquainted with the Antiquity Honour and Glory thereof Which had it been done by a Scribler or poor Writer as his Lordship of Salisbury is pleased to Characterize the Author in his Letter p. 9. they would not in the least have taken notice of it nor would a certain Writer of Note have stiled it Four Years before it was Published Liber aureolus plurimo labore nec minori judicio confignatus c. It was a Book of Eight Years Labour and all or most part of it was Extracted from the very Bowels of Antiquity as the many Quotations from Records and Manuscripts in every Page thereof do shew It hath afforded matter for many Eminent Writers whether Domestick or Foreign who have made Honourable mention of it and its Author as those who are Bookish Men who have frequently stiled it A Choice Treasure of Antiquities do know very well After it was finished the Curators of the Sheldonian Press namely Sir Leoline Jenkins Sir Joseph Williamson Dr. John Fell afterwards Bishop of Oxon and Dr. Tomas Yate did Dedicate it to His Majesty King Charles the Second to whom being presented at Windsor in July 1674 by Dr. Richard Allestry Provost of Eaton College His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept of it turn over several parts thereof and hold some Conference about it with that Learned Doctor as the Author of it was by his Letters informed Soon after the Heads of the University of Oxon agreed that as many Copies that Cost Eighty Pounds should be presented to the great Persons of the Royal Court of the Clergy and of the Law And afterwards it was presented in the Name of the said University 1. To the most illustrious Prince John William Prince of Neoburg when he was Entertained by the Members thereof in the beginning of June 1675. See in the Fasti of the Second Volume of Athenae Oxon. p. 871. 2. To the most illustrious Prince Cosmo de Medicis the great Duke of Tuscany to whom the said Hist Antiq. was sent by the Decree of the Venerable Convocation of the Doctors and Masters held on the Seventh of October 1675 and with it a Latin Letter Pen'd by the Publick Orator wherein a Just and Laudable Character was given of the said Book as it appears in the Register of the Acts of that Convocation The said Duke had been entertained by the University of Oxon when he came to see it and its Glories in the beginning of May 1669. 3. To Charles Maurice le Tellier Archbishop and Duke of Rheimes when he and other French Nobility visited the University It was presented by the Hands of Doctor Fell Bishop of Oxon the 8th of May 1677. 4. To his Royal Highness James Duke of York when he was Entertained by the University in the Month of May 1683. See in the said Fasti p. 893 c. To omit others must not be forgotten the most Illustrious and Excellent Ld. Peter Sparr Fzee Baron of Croneberg c. General of the Army of Foot belonging to the King of Sweedland and Extraordinary Embassador to the King of Great Britain from the said King of Sweedland who had a Copy presented to him by the Heads tho' not quite finished at the Press when he was Entertained in Oxon in the Month of June 1674. These Memoirs are purposely set down that the Reader might understand what value the chief Members of the most Famous University of Oxon had for that Book which they deemed a fit Present for a Prince and other great Persons and that he might see that the Author thereof was not a poor Writer or Scribler or one who had no Reputation of lose as his Lordship of Salisbury in his Letter before mention'd tells you p. 9 10. The said Book wherein is maintained by several valid Arguments the Antiquity of the University of Oxon against that of Cambridg remains as yet unanswer'd Nor is any part of it Animadverted upon but a Minute part by Doctor Gilbert Burnet in

of Creature who when for their Snarling and Barking a Stone or a Stick is thrown at them they turn Tail to him that threw it and fall with Teeth and Grins upon the poor Instrument of Correction With Reverence be it spoken there is a great likeness in the present Case Mr. Harmer being a little offended with the Noise made by the Writer of The History of Reformation thought fit to cast at him a passage out of Athenae Oxon. Vol. 2. p. 625. Upon this the Author of that History turns away from the Objecter and falls upon the Book so Objected to him with so much Fury that if the Book had been burned it had been better used But pray where 's the Ingenuity of this Method of Defence Would any Court of Equity allow that when a Person stands Convicted of a Crime by this or that Evidence he shall not insist upon disproof of the Testimony but fall upon the Witness and call him Fool and Knave because he dared to prove him guilty If the Writer of this Vindication had treated Mr. Harmer with some Scorn and Contempt it had not affrighted him nor deterr'd him from enquiring further into the truth of things And therefore it seems when he foresaw his Scorn and Contempt would be thrown away upon the said Mr. Harmer he was resolv'd to cast it all upon the By-stander the Author of Athenae Oxen. And it was wisely done not to provoke the Man that wore the Sword but to turn the Affront upon the Naked Passenger And he has effectually done it upon one who can digest a Rude thing and equally neglect Greatness and Passion The next matter that his Lordship of Salisbury takes notice of is His Barbarous attacking the Memory of his Predecessor Bishop Ward who was in so many respects one of the greatest Men of his Age c. What his Lordship means by Barbarous attacking is no doubt in his sense Abusing or Reporting False things of him If so then let the Reader know that what is said being taken from Register and Observation is as clear as the Sun at Noon But I see Truth must not be spoke at all times Had his Lordship known Dr. Ward before His Majesties Restauration he would have been of another Mind but his knowledg of him was not I presume till after he was a Bishop when then and to the time of his Death he was esteemed a Good and Excellent Man The Truth is he was a Man of Parts and a great Royalist for a time but when he saw that King Charles the First was beheaded and Monarchy never in a possibility of returning again then did he change his Orthodox Principles submit to the Men then in power and Eat the Bread of Two Royalists that had been Ejected successively And tho' his Friends say that he never took the Oath cal●ed the Engagement yet it appears that he did so in the Register belonging to the Committee for the Reformation of the University of Oxon as I was many Years since informed by the Clerk belonging to that Committee What his Life and Conversation was while he Lived in Oxon the poor Remnant of the Royalists that then remained there would have told you who usually said That had not Dr. Ward degenerated from their Principles of Loyalty he would not have lashed out into several Immoralities c. for the doing of which he also lost the Opinion that the then Saints in the University had of him And now to conclude I shall leave with you the Character of the Author of the Athenae Oxon. which is at the end of the Epistle to the Reader of which but few were Printed set before the First Volume of the said Athenae running thus The Reader is desired to know that this Herculean Labour had been more proper for a Head or Fellow of a College or for a Publick Professor or Officer of the most Noble University of Oxon to have undertaken than the Author who never enjoyed any Place or Office therein or can justly say that he hath Eaten the Bread of any Founder Also that it had been a great deal more fit for one who pretends to be a Virtuoso and to know all Men and all things that are Transacted Or for one who frequents much Society where the Characters of Men and their Works are frequently discussed but the Author alas is so far from frequenting such Company that he is as 't were Dead to the World and utterly unknown in Person to the generality of Scholars in Oxon. He is likewise so great an Admirer of a Solitary and Retired Life that he frequents no Assemblies of the said University hath no Companion in Bed or at Board in his Studies Walks or Journeys nor holds Communication with any unless with some and those very few of Generous and Noble Spirits that have in some measure been promoters and encouragers of this Work And indeed all things considered he is but a degree different from an Ascetick as spending all or most of his time whether by Day or Night in Reading Writing or Divine Contemplation However he presumes that the less his Company and Acquaintance is the more Impartial his Endeavours will appear to the Ingenious and Learned to whose Judgments only he submits them and himself To which I shall add what I know besides of the same Author viz. That he did never in heat and forwardness meddle with a Subject to which he was not prepar'd by Education and a due Method of Studies That he never Wrote to oblige a Rising Party or to insinuate into the disposers of Preferment but has been content with his Station and aimed at no end but Truth That he never took up with the Transcript of Records where the Originals might be consulted Nor made use of others Eyes when his own could serve That he never Wrote in Post with his Body and his Thoughts in a hurry but in a fix'd Abode and with a deliberate Pen That he never conceal'd an Ungrateful Truth nor flourish'd over a Weak Place but in sincerity of Meaning and Expression has thought an Historian should be a Man of Conscience That he has never had a Patron to oblige or forget but has been a free and independent Writer And in a Word that he confesses there may be some Mistakes in Modern Things and Persons when he could have no Evidence but from the information of living Friends or perhaps Enemies But he is confident that where Records are cited and where Authentick Evidence could possibly be had there he has been Punctual and Exact And therefore he defies Anth. Harmer to Write any one Specimen of Errours and Defects in his History or if he can find out Eighty Nine or One Hundred gross Mistakes yet he should not value his Threats of further Exposing him and his Writings FINIS * Nich. Lloydius in Dictionario Historico Geograph Poet. c. Edit Oxon. in fol. 1670. p. 593. col 2. in Voce Oxon. * In his Mystery of Iniquity c. Printed at Geneva in Octavo Anno 1545 Fol. vel Pag. 26. * So in The Works of the Learned c. London 1691. qu. p. 5. * See Hist Antiq. Univ. Oxon lib. 2. p. 243. See also in Athenae Oxon Vol. 2. p. 625. * Preface to the Specimen of Errours c. p. 7.