For Hugh Capet King of France inculcating to his Son the like Veneration made no scruple to stile S. Benedict a Father and Guide to all men an Intercessâ—ur with God for the common salvation of Christians a haven of tranquility a sanctuary of security to men after death And lastly Ludovicus Pius Emperour of Germany and Son to Charles the Great names S. Benedict a blessed man of God replenished with the Holy Ghost 34. Noble Sir if these suffice not to preponderate the censure given by you many more might be added as namely no fewer than above fifty wise and learned men of all Nations almost of Christendom who have thought their labours well spent in writing Commentaries on S. Benedict's Rule I will for the affinity of the subject adjoyn a Vindication of Mr. Cressy who you say Sir if he had not been in love with his own mistakes could not have said that Englands Christianity was established by the Disciples of S. Benedict which supposed mistake you several times repeat 35. To this permit me I beseech you Honoured Sir to say with all due respect to you that the mistake is apparently your own for you understand me as if I had said Christianity had not been planted in our Island before the coming thither of S. Benedicts Disciples Which I could not say without forgetting that my self had in no fewer than the first nine Books of my Church History precisely related the beginning and progress of the Conversiâ—n of the ancient Britains But that which I said was That England or the Country and Nation of the English Saxons who drove the Christian Britains out of our part of the Island was indeed converted by the Disciples of S. Benedict And this truly I must stand to and for a sufficient proof I will oppose to angry Mr. Broughton alledged by youâ— the Authentick Testimonies of far more skilful Antiâ—uaries I dare say even in your opinion who in a Writing signed with their hands and expresly in opposition to Mr. Broughton testifie That whereas he affirmed that the first Converters of the Saxons in England were not Benedictins but Equitians They having spent much time in searching the Antiquities of our Nations do affirm they could find only two sorts of Monks in the Ancient Saxon Churches The first such as followed the Egyptian form of Monachism before S. Austin's arrival and the other Benedictins Companions of S. Austin And as for Equitians no such name was extant in any ancient Record Moreover that whereas they could exactly discover the original and entrance of all other Religiâ—us Ordâ—rs and could name the very years they could not do so of the Benedictins which firmly argues that S. Augustin and his Associates were Benedictins And that this doubtless was the reason of the deep root that Order took in the Kingdâ—m which Order also flourished here in the same Age of S. Augustin ' s arrival as they are assured by invincible Testimonies This Declaration was signed and given by these four knowing and uninteressed persons Sir Robâ—rt Cotton Sir Henry Spelman Mr. Iohn Selden and Mr. William Camden 36. And thus I wâ—ll takâ— my last farewel and leave of S. Benedict wiâ—h a firm resolution leâ— Dr. Stillingfleet say what he please of him or any other Catholick Saint never to defenâ— him more in a Treatise of Controversie unless the said Dâ—ctor will undertake to demonstrate That it is a sufficient cause for any one to desert the Communion of the Catholick Churh because S. Benedict S. Teresa c. are venerated in it And the like leave I take of Sancta Sophia and the Prayer of Contemplation except upon the same terms My desire is he should know that we are very well content with our Fanaticks and Fanaticism And I hope he will not be angry with me for this short Prayer I beseech Almighty God that it may be his holy will and pleasure that England may change her Fanaticks into such as â—urs Amen 37. One Prayer more I will add That it would please God to give to the Doctor and all the Doctors friends a holy ambition to aspire to the practise of Contemplative Prayer though by him so much despised It would among other good effects save him much labour in writing Controversies and it would likewise exceedingly beâ—ter his stile It is too much to be put to the trouble twice to make an Apology for praying to God in the perfectest manner that any one on earth ever prayed Yet not wholly to neglect that passage wherein you thought good to second the Doctor in his Objection against Mr. Cressy his Sancta Sophia I refer you and most humbly beseech you to allow one hour or two in perusing a little Treatise of an unknown Author named The Roman Churches Devotion Vindicated whose answer I believe will satisfie your objection against that Book therefore so contemned by him because collected by Mr. Cressy out of the writings of a Holy person who by most happy experience felt what he wrote and which the Doctor in great humility says he does not understand which is no wonder to any one who defers any thing to the judgment of the greatest Doctors of Gods Church S. Augustin and S. Gregory to whom we may add S. Bernard who all affirm constantly that the secret operations of God in a soul purified from all inordinate affections cannot be understood without experience nor easily expressed when understood by such as God has blessed with experience of them I might add to the same purpose the testimony of a Doctor whose authority I am sure Dr. Stillinfleet dares not except against I mean the Great Doctor of the Gentiles who expresly affirms that the sensual man neither does nor can pâ—ssibly understand them because they are spiritually discerned and therefore no wonder if thâ—y be esteemed foolishness by him who has never experienced them 38. And now truly Honoured Sir I beseeth you to let the Doctor without envy enjoy his peculiar endowment and Priviledge of as some think a graceful Art of deriding Saints and Saintly exercises It appears by all the serious passages of your Book that God has given you a far nobler masculine way of Eloquence Whereas the truth is in this new-fashioned sacred Burlesque you have as yet received do considerable Talent And besides this the Doctor may perhaps be displeased with you and tell you that he has no need of your assistance and that you wrong him in attempting to share in the glory due to him alone and which will make him shine to posterity 39. Thus far I have given you Sir an account of the first ground upon which I judged it no offence to Christian Charity not to flatter Dr. Stillingfleet in censuring his Book His unusual confident and insulting manner of accusing and rendring all Catholicks guilty of the most hainous crime that Christians are capable of committing which is most horrible Idolatry and which renders them indeed no
Christians and after he had thus declared us fit objects of publick detestation to expose us to publick scorn also as Members of a Church guided by false lights and Fanatical Enthusiasms This is a way of disputing against the Catholick Church hitherto unpractised and therefore an unpractised way of answering seemed to me requisite 40. You may remember Sir the proceedings of the ancient Factionists against the Church of England called Puritans Their Zealots did you no considerable mischief by arguments from reason or authority contained in their Books their Lectures or Exercises But as soon as they found out the art to instil into the minds of the baser sort of their fâ—llowers a Contempt of the Conforming Clergy and rendred your solemn Church-Service your Organs Musick your Copes Surplices Canonical Habits c. a spectacle of derision and sport to them this sport was quickly turned into sad earnest It was scarce saâ—e for a Clergy-man decently habited to appear in the streets of London and not long after they were not safe in their private Country houses Now if the authority of Laws and Governours could not protect against the rude fury of the people the Professors and Teachers of the Religion by Law established in the Kingdom What were we to expect being expos'd to the publick view of mankind as we have been by the Doctor in so odious so deformed and also ridiculous a dress ¶ 3. Of the season cruelly chosen by Dr. Stillingfleet for publishing his Books a second motive of sharpness 41. YET noble Sir this bitter Cup prepared for us might have been recâ—ived and also perhaps drunk by us without extreme danger had it not been presented us in so unlucky a season We had by his Sacred Majesty's gracious Indulgence enjoyed several years a moderate repose A storm indeed now and then began to rise against us yet through God's merciful providence they were asswaged But of late a furious Tempest we know not from what Coast began to threaten an unavoidable Shipwrack to us and this just at a time when we thought we had reason to believe our selves secure in the haven This now iâ— seems was the season long expected and almost despaired of by Dr. Stillingfleet wherein he might empty his Quiver full of fiery darts against his peaceable fellow Subjects And therefore not to lose the opportunity it has generally been observed that the Books written by him against Roman Catholicks Printed and Re-printed were still reserved till a new Session was to begin lâ—â—t otherwise in the time of a Prorogation they might have had small effect 42. Not Catholicks only but many English Protestants both of the Clergy and Laity conceived great indignation at such cruelty proceeding from a Preacher of the Gospel Which indignation was much encreased because they interpreted his violence against Catholicks to have been an effect of great disrespect and ingratitude to his Majesty against whose Indulgence to his faithful Subjects the Dâ—ctor seemed tacitly to nourish discontent in the Kingdom and this after himself and his friends not long before had received an incomparable benefit by the like gracious Indulgence 43. Now Honoured Sir in such circumstances as these it being necessary some Answer should be published to his Book and Mr. Cressy being personally glanced at in an uncivil manner and for his sake the most excellent instructions for Holiness of life and Purity of Prayer that were ever published in the English Tongue disgracefully traduced was it so great a crime in me to tell the world which truly I still believe to be a Truth that scarce any Book has been written against the Catholick Church wherein there was less force for disproving of any of her established Doctrines or more force for the procuring the ruine of those innocent persons among us who profess those Doctrines If a sense of the deplorable condition which I easily foresaw ready to befal the generality of Roman Catholicks and upon which not I alone judged his Books to have a considerable influence drew from my pen a few sharp phrases and reproofs without the least harm or danger to him Can you with equity meerly out of regard to the Doctor 's person and vain râ—putation think fit to revenge his quarrel against me by aggravating in a too tragical stile all the faults of which you either by knowledge suspicion or report judged me to be guilty of which some there are which in case your accusation be as probably it will be a Conviction expose more besides my self to the utmost danger of the Law as Traytors and the rest to the highest displeasure and resentments of my Lords the Bishops and other our worthy friends among the English Clergy yea even of his Majesty himself which I thought I never had and I am sure I never intended to incur This surely was a way of reparation for the Doctors honour as you suppose violated by me beyond what I bâ—lieve himself expected or desired since I am confident whatsoever wrong he may think I have done him it never entred so deeply into his mind as to deprive him of one half hours sleep or to urge him to wish my death 44. Well Noble Sir if I was indeed faulty I am sorry for it And yet in case the Doctor was to blame in his manner of stating the Controversies and especially in his unhappy timing of them I believed that I could not in a bâ—tter manner exercise Christian Charity to himâ— then by endeavouring to discover to him plainly and without a complemental Civility his Transgression against Charity which transgression notwithstanding if I should judge to amount to so high a degree as to bâ—liâ—ve that he either did design or now takes pleasure in the present ruine of Catholicks I should my self also be a Transgressor against Charity 45. But now Sir as I take the boldness to declare the reasons why I think I did not deserve so heavy a Censure for treating with Dr. Stillingfleet in a stile different from that which becomes those who seriously debate Controversies in Religion So neither will I so far justifie my self as to pretend that my Book ought to be exempt altogether from a just râ—prehension for the too free scope which the Author gave to his though not unreasonably grounded indignation Yea moreover in one regard I do sincerely acknowledge a blame-worthy faultiness in my self which consists in taking upon me a liberty to judge rashly of his thoughts and secret intentions Whereas therefore from a consideration of his Principles much different from thâ— grounds on which former English Protestant proceeded I represented Dr. Stillingfleet a having a design of undermining the Authority of the English Prelacy and as continuing a secret correspondence with the Sects declared enemies to the Hierarchy among whom he had had his Education and against whom therefore since his relinquishing them he had never employed his Pen These and other the like reflections on him to his disadvantage I do sincerely
AN EPISTLE APOLOGETICAL OF S. C. To a Person of Honour Touching his VINDICATION OF Dr. STILLINGFLEET Nec verecundi discunt nec iracundi docent R. Joses Permissu Superiorum An. Dom. MDCLXXIV AN EPISTLE APOLOGETICAL OF S. C. TO A Person of Honour Noble Sir AS soon as advice out of England came to me of the honor done me by an unknown Person of Honour in publickly declaring so inconsiderable a person fit to receive wounds from the Sword of so noble an Antagonist I obtained from the Charity of a Friend to have your Book sent me by the Letter-Post But partly to abate the charges and likewise to disguise the shape of a Book it was folded up in loose sheets with all the Margins close pared to the very quick that it might pass safely as some Merchants Accounts 2. At the first notice of the Tiâ—le I expected that the principal argument of it would be Reprehensions yet I wondered Sir how you should have found matter to fill a Book with Reprehensions After the reading a few pages I found my expectation fully satisfied But withal I perceived you had confounded S. C. with Mr. Cressy as if you were sure they had been one and the same person I might take leave to divide their causes since I have no reason having been discovered by your self to be answerable for whatsoever can be laid to the charge of every Individuum vagum whose true or supposed names begin with the two letters S. C. Yet this shall not hinder the joyning this particular S. C. with my self in this Apology as one guilty or innocent person 3. In the first place therefore I assure you Noble Sir that since you have so highly honoured me as to declare your self my friend and a friend till of late constantly the same during the prodigious changes of the last fifty years I am prepared to receive whatsoever Reprehensions come from such a Person not only with patience but gratulation considering that in case they be just it will be a happiness to receive my punishment and confusion in this world and if not well grounded you have given me an opportunity to justifie my self and thereby to obtain a return to your favour 4. Now in perusing your Animadversions I find not only my manner of treating with Dr. Stillingfleet severely condemned but more than the Title of your Book requir'd a terrible Censure fixâ—d on many of my actions and on whatsoever writings I have hitherto published and this Censure threatning not only great danger to my self but also to my Friends and Superiors yea moreover my secret thoughts and intentions by a strange Telescope it seems discovered have been exposed to the worlds eye and aggravated by an Elâ—quence befitting the greatest Orator of our Natiâ—n 5. Forasmuch as concerns Dr. Stillingfleet he will certainly never be able to avoid the odious Character and brand of ingratitude if he do not shew himself in an extraordinary measure sensible of the signal obligations he has to your tenderness towards him since to pleasure him though in a sort a stranger to you or of a very fresh and feeble acquaintance the reputation of an ancient Friend has been exposed to publick obloquy Not any bâ—rren thanks nor a Book written in your commendations will suffice to acquit him of such â—n obligation If he have therefore any spark of generosity oâ— but of good nature in him he wiâ—l employ all his credit and intâ—râ—st tâ— fix you in the publick favour both of the Court and Kingdom And what cannot his credit and râ—commendation effect since the whole Nation not its Representative only is eternally obnoxious to him for his discovery of new and never before suspected crimes in Roman Catholicks for the expiation of which not all the former Laws how terrible soever will be sufficient 6. But alas Sir I fear your self have obstructed a passage for it For either you are not rightly inform'd of the present temper of our Nation or out of the generous frankness of your nature you cannot perswade your self to comply with it and therefore even in this very Book published under the Patronage of Dr. Stillingfleet himself you speak your own sincere charitable thoughts of Roman Catholicks as if according to your judgment and desire some indulgence and relaxation of former severity might justly be extended to them yea that if even Catholick Priests themselves could agree to offer a sufficient Profession of Loyalty their erroneous Doctrines touching Transubstantiation Purgatory c. could not justly render them Criminals to the State And moreover not content with this you are pleas'd particularly to adorn with some commendations the Order of the Benedictins for their duty and respects shewed to his Majesty neither have you any suspicion of disloyalty in any of them except only in my self for having left out in the second Edition of my Exomologesis a reasonably sufficient Form of Profession of Fidelity 7. Honoured Sir to write thus concerning his Majesties Catholick Subjects or to express any Charity or compassion towards them becomes truly a Person of Honour and it will I doubt not in a good measure conciliate the favour of Almighty God to you and be a powerful expedient to put you in a good way towards your heavenly Country for Charity will cover a multitude of sins But I fear it will much prejudice you in any wordly pretensions For how wide think you will the mouths of the populace and of Sectary Demagogues be opened against you This Person of Honour will they say does not much approve of our burning the Pope in Effigie and in all his Pontificals neither will he be much pleased with our Witty Dialogue between the Pope and the Devil c. Perhaps he is a States-man and will not think sit so publick an affront despightful contempt should be shewed to one who though a Bishop is a great Temporal Prince and when he is treated with by any State divided from him in regard of Belief or Ecclesiastical Subjection as lately by the Moscovite addresses are made with all due respect whereas such rude inhumanity none but our late English Zealots esteem a virtue and Character of their thrice Reformed Christianity ¶ 1. Of the sharpness of my stile against Dr. Stilfleet 8. BUT leaving this general excursion I will hereafter Honoured Sir endeavour to give you the best satisfaction I can in order to the several special Points of accusation charged on mâ— Among which I ought in reason to begin as your self has done with that which was the occasion of the writing and publishing your Animadversions on my Book viz. My much condemned sharpness of stile against Dr. Stillingfleet and his Book 9. Sir that Controversies among Christians especially about matters which regard Religion ought by no means to prejudice Charity we all acknowledge Yet withal that sharpness of stileâ— and even bitter Invectives both against Persons Tenents and Practices may in some cases be made use of
without prejudice to Charity yea that Charity it self oâ—t requires them we must likewise acknowledge especially when those who are enemies to Truth or Piety are high in popular esteem for zeal and learning as the Pharisees were among the Iews and thereby give credit and authority to errors and suggestions of cruelty Otherwise we must condemn Moses and the Prophets under the Old Law and S. Iohn Baptist the Apostles and several among the Holy Fathers of God's Church under the New yea we must not except our Blessed Saviour who is Charity it self from our Censure whose sharp reprehensions neither the High Priests Scribes and Pharisees nor King Herod himself no not his own beloved Apostle escaped 10. Therefore before we can give an equal judgment whether and how far reprehensions deserve to be reprehended we ought impartially to consider the motives and grounds of them And to this tryal I most willingly submit my self before all indifferent judges and particularly the genuine learned Protestant Clergy of the English Church insomuch as if they shall determine that in my late to me unusual manner of treating with Dr. Stillingfleet I have offended against Christian Charity or purposely intended to fix any dishonourable brand on the English Protestant Church and the Doctrine or Discipline of it established by Law I will be ready without any reply to suffer whatsoever censure or punishment they shall think fit to inflict on me 11. And noble Sir if now after Sentence pronounc'd by you against me it may be permitted me to petition for a Revision of Iudgment I do not know the proper Law Term I do confidently perswade my self that you will in your own thoughts a little qualifie the rigour of your sentence and not look on me as a person who for one fault against a Doctor almost â— strâ—nger to you has deserved not only to be depriv'd of the happiness of fifty yâ—ars continued favour but moreover to be exposâ—d to the world as a virulent Calumniator of the English Church and to his Sacred Majesties Indignation as a defamer of one of his Royal Ancestours King Henry the Eighth and to the Honourable Parliament and Tribunals of the Kingdoms Iustice as a delinquent beyond all others deserving the utmost severity of the Law and lastly to the haâ—â—ed of all persons of Honour or Vâ—rtue as a most ungrateful infamous detracter from the fame and reputation of the most obliging generous friend that ever was my most dear Lord and Benefactor Lucius Viscount Falkland 12. Now honoured Sir my hope is it will not encrease your anger if I endeavour to clear my self the best I can of these dangerous imputations Yea moreover I am willing to comfort my self in a perswasion if I had had the happiness of a fit opportunity to have evidently demonstrated to you that had you not been wronged by a malicious Informer you would have spared most of these criminal accusations against me and have been a little more tender of my reputation and of the safety of my life My humble suit to you therefore is that at least you would be pleased your self to read this short Apology which I am forced to publish since your concealing your self disenables me to present it to you in writing ¶ 2. The first Motive of the Sharpness against Dr. Stillingfleet was his unusual odious way of managing Controversie 13. BUT I must apply my self first to what concerns Dr. Stillingfleet which occasioned your adding other far more criminal accusationsâ— and of greater danger against me And truly Sir I am sorry that being in conscience obliged once for all to endeavour to clear my self in this point also I cannot possibly do it without danger of renewing the Doctâ—rs personal resentments and yours also against me in case what I shall say touching the Motives inducing me to write in a stile which would have been unpardonable in a Book of Controversie wherein only Catholick Doctrines were to be defended shall give you no satisfaction But you will be pleased to consider that now I only declare what I then thought when that Book against the Doctor was written not what I now at present think And I leave it to the judgment of all men who are able to read his Book and this Epistle whether there was not exceeding great probability and more then sufficient grounds to induce me to suspect him of a design therein in a high degree contrary to Christian Charity and even to humaâ—ity However in some way of compâ—nsation this advantage against me I will freely yiâ—ld him That in case any more such quarrâ—lsom matter from whoâ—e pen soever shall come ouâ— aâ—ainst me I will not defend my self except I be commanded by such as have right to dispose of my Pen or unlâ—ss by false accusation I be arraigned at the Bar of Iuâ—tice and perhaps not then neither in all Points 14. Whereas you say Honâ—ured Sir that my fault was therefore inexcusâ—ble because I had not any provocation tâ— write in such a manner against a person of so dove-like a mildness with the softness gentleness and civility of whose language you say you have been exceedingly delighted c. I beseech you be pleased to consider that no personal provocation or contemptuous reflections were cast by the Doctor on me but only in regard of my Book called Sancta Sophia And I do assure you that though perhaps the reading of them might at first have a little warm'd my blood especially such incivility coming from a person with whom I never had any commerce at all and whose name I had never mentioned yet I should never have judged fit that a resentment of a few phrases of disparagement should be the argument of a Book to be publishâ—d to the world We as Christians must expect to go to heaven per infamiâ—m bonam famam Bâ— pleased therefore to believe that it was not my self that I considered when I wrote my Book but the wrong done to the Catholick Church in his Answer to another particular Adversary and the ruine of all English Catholicks which seemed not to me only but generally to all Catholicks of my acquaintance yea and to many Protestants also to have been the principal Design of his Book That therefore for which very many bâ—sides my self thought Dr. Stillingâ—fleet exceedingly blame-worthy was his unusual unseemly way of managing the Controversie against the Catholick Church Nâ—xt his cruel timing of it 15. First then consider I beseech you Sir impartially the Doctor 's bâ—haviour in the former regard and judge whether he did not renounce all moderation and charity in charging in a most tragical manner the Catholick Church upon three or four accounts with most horribble worse then heathenish Idolatry as also his employing the utmost of his invention all his Logick and Rhetorick to render us upon that account odious and fit to be exterminatedâ— but especially his doing this in quality of an authorized English Protestant as if
Purgatory I should answer wiâ—h passionate Protestations that I never knew of the one or the other till I saw the second Impression That my Superiours were offended with the first c. 59. Sir unless you do believe or would have the world believe that I have made shâ—p wrack of all common honesty and veracity you will have some regard to the account I shall now give with relation to this Accusation In the year 1652. I received at Doway a Letter from a Friend in England signifying that the Impression of that Book being spent he was willing if I thought good to reprint it at his own cost This Offer I was not unwilling to accept and thereupon prepared and sent him about a Sheet full of Additions and Alterations But I protest as in the presence of God that I cannot remember that one line of reproach against the Church of England was added by me which if I had done in such a time when savage Beasts had left that Church desolate would have been an act of most barbarous inhumanity for which I should never have forgiven my self If therefore any such Additions be to be found I do with a clear Conscience disclaim them But truly Sir I think there are none such for I have employed Friends to examine and compare the two Impressions and they could not show me any True it is they have found several passages wherein my stile has been much sharpened but those passages only regard Presbyterians and other Sects which insulted on a Church which they thought they had destroyed and the Revenues of which they had sacrilegiously divided among themselves If this was a fault at least it was not committed against the Church of England 60. In the next place as touching two Omissions very considerable objected against me and an Expostulation of a Protestant Friend about them and also about my pretended Addition of virulent Expressâ—â—ns against the Clergy of England I remember such an Expostulation and never having had the patience to read twice over mine own Writings much less to compare the Editions I might believe that he had certain grounds to objâ—ct both these matters to me and therefore in my answer to him I might protest against having any hand in such alterations But that I imputed them to my Superiours Commands or that they had ordered the Impression of the Book without communicating it to me this I do utterly protest against and I take God to witness that my Superiours never required any Alterations to be made nor interested themselves in the Impression but left the whole business to my self alone 61. The two Omissions are objected by you in these terms In the second Impression the Protestatiâ—n of Duty and Obedience which was in the first was totally left out it being not thought a fit Obligation for the Catholicks to enter into Truly Honoured Sir this is a terrible Inference even in case there had been such an Omission And yet it would have pleased me if it had proceeded only from such a Pen as is that of the Author of the Seasonable Discourse who as I am now informed seeking poyson wheresoever he can hope to find it has transcribed this passage into a later Book called The Difference between the Church and Court of Rome and moreover as became him has made an Addition of one falsity more saying that Mr. Cressy having in the first Edition of his Exomologesis made a Protestation of his Duty and Obedience to the Churches Authority corrected it in the second Who can hinder such Pens from sprinkling their Venâ—m where they please But the comfort is no man sure will take him for A Person of Honour You add the Discourse made of Purgatory was likewise left out because I had mistaken the Tenent of my new Church in that particular Truly Sir I was extreamly surprised at the reading this passage and never having read or compared the two Impressions I did not doubt of mine own guilt yet not of mine own but of him who had taken the care of the Press for I was assured I had never ordained such Omissions But as soon as I had recourse to the Books my surprise but on a quite different ground was renewed and a great joy I had also in pâ—rceiving that your severe Accusations of me were not grounded on any discoveries made by your self for it is manifest that you never yet read my last Edition but upon a false malicious Information given to you by some one wâ—o was desirous to incâ—nsâ— you against me and knew there was no way thereto more effectual than by painting me as a virulent enemy of the English Protestant Clergy and â—â—â—noâ—ncer also oâ— my Fidelity to Hâ—◠〈◊〉 I confess I wondred if any person of your condition should have had the patience to read and with attention compare any thing written by so worthless a Pâ—n 〈◊〉 mine But since it is not your self that I must now contradict but a malicious Informer who has wronged both your self and me give me leave to say to that Informer that there is not a word of truth in what he lays to my charge for neither the Profession of Duty and Obedience nor the Discourse of Purgatory have been omitted in the second Impression no nor one line word or syllable changed by me in either as your own eyes may inform you in the Pages 44â— and 442. of the second Imprâ—ssion and 76â— and 612. of the first Only whereas there was a tedious insinuating Preface before the Profession of Duty intended by way of Supplication to have been presented to the Parliament he who took care of the Impression thought â—it to leave it out and indeed that he had reason not to swell the Book with such unconcâ—rning stuff your self if you read it will easily be of the same mind There being therefore no omission of the Professiion of Obedience a reason cannot be given of that which is not Yet a reason has been given not by your self certainly but by your false Informer and a reason of a very dangerous consequence not to my self only but my Superiours also as if we repented and revoked a Testimony of our Fidelity as not a fit Obligation for Catholicks to enter into But now Honoured Sir after all I will take the boldness freely to tell you that I am heartily sorry that that Form of Profession of Duty had not been quite left out and I believe I shall before I conclude this Apology give you a sufficient reason for it but quite different from that mentioned by you 62. Yet I do not pretend so wholly to justifie my self as not to acknowledge that there may have unwarily flowed from my Pen some few Phrases and Expressions distasteful to the English Clergy even to such as in an especial manner honoured me with their friendship Among which there are two particular passâ—ges which have given great offence to a worthy Prelate whose savour and kindnessâ— I had from my
younger years enjoyed in Oxford That which he esteemed both most false and injurious was my saying That the Presbyterians had constrained the whole Kingdom to forswear the Religion in which they had been bred But truly under favour I do not understand wherein this Expression was either false or injurious to Loyal Protestants For certain it is that at the time to which that Speech had relation the King's Enemies were de facto Masters of the Kingdom and that all the Authority and Power both at Westminster and in the Field were employed most unjustly to constrain all men to swear to the Scottish Covenant In which they so far prevailed that the whole face of the Kingdom both as to Doctrine and Discipline was entirely changed and become Presbyterian And this was all that I did or could mean by that expression the truth whereof was too too manifest To whom therefore any injury was done by me in that passage I cannot yet imagine For though it was too true that the whole Kingdom as to the publick profession and practise had forsworn the former established Religion yet it does not hence follow neither had I the least thought of inferring such a consâ—quence that all yea or that any considerable number of English Protestants had subscribed and sworn to the Covenant no more than that Roman Catholicks had done so On the contrary I knew that both the English Clergy and Protestant Gentry had generally suffered the loss of their Churches and Estates for refusing to take the Covenant and to acknowledge the Vsurpers Authority â— Neither had I the least thought that â—he foresaid publick Change introduced by Violence and Tyranny had diminished the Right which the Protestant Religion had to be justly esteemed the Religion of the Kingdom no more than thâ— Vsurpers invading the Regal Throne could any way prejudice His Majesties Title thereto 63. But a second passage there is offensive to the said Venerable Prelate which I do acknowledge more difficult to be deâ—enâ—ed or excused It is my saying That several of the wisest and learnedst of the Clergy had been content to buy their security with a vâ—luntary degrading of themselves from their Offices and Titles Now in some degree to qualifie a resentment which the English Clergy may not unreasonably conceive from this passage that which I have to represent is That when I wrote the Book I was in a Foreign Country so that whatsoever I could write touching our own Affairs I must have received from Information by Letters or Friends And by such Information I wrote this particular passage 'T is true before I left this Kingdom the unworthy miscarriage of that ungrateful perfidious Prelate D. Williams Archbishop of York was publickly known and abominated And too credulous I was of some few Examples of something alike though far less heinous a nature which were written or brought out of England to the place where I then resided which I afterwards found to have been groundless but till now too late for me thus publickly to disavow 64. Before I quit this trouble some Book my Exomologesis I conceive my self obliged to do right to a learned Doctor of the Church of England Dr. Tillotson who in a Book written against another Catholick Adâ—eâ—saâ—y takes occasion quasi aliud agens to produce a passage in my Exomologesis changed in the second Impression and as he affirms changed with great disingenuity A Copy of his Book I have not at present and therefore I cannot cite his words but to my best remembrance they regarded a saying of mine in the 40. Chapter of my Exomologesis of the first Impression wherein I had called the word Infallible a word to me unfortunate and I had also said that Mr. Chillingworth combaâ—ed with that word with too much success Whereas in the second Impression that same passage which by a new division of the parts of the Book fâ—ll to be in the 20. Chapter of the second Section was so changed as to impute the said success and unfortunateness not with regard to Catholicks but himself only and has followers who to their great harm took advantage unnecessarily of the utmost importance of the said word beyond what his Adversary would have required And as for Catholick Controvertists â— I endeavoured to excuse their employing that word to signifie thereby alone the unappealable Authority of the Cathâ—lick Church I câ—nnot with any confidence affirm that I have given an exact account of the particular proofs alledged by Doctor Tillotson â— to justifie his impuâ—ing to me a very mis-becoming disingeruity in the alteration madâ— Neiâ—her is it needful the fault being manifest But I am willing that my Pen should here publickly acknowledge the justice of that imputation and I will not give cause a second time to have the same disingenuity laid to my charge for I will very simply and ingenuously relate the occasion and motive of the said disingenuous change which was this A certain ancient Vâ—nâ—rable Religious Father who for School-Learning and skill in the Canon-Law was the most eminent pâ—rson in all these Provinces knowing my intention to râ—print my Exomologesis and beingâ— I conceive not well pleased that a dis-reputation should be cast on that sort of Learning in which he excelled earnestly suggested to me a qualification of the said passage in my Book and withal assured me that the Censure I had given of an expression or Term for so many agâ—s in general use among Catholick Controvertists and Schoolmen would every where givâ— great offence And therefore though he would by no means counsel me to prejudice Truth yet that it was not always necessary to discover every thing that is true Therefore his advice was that in the new Impression I should retrench so much in that Chapter as reflected with disadvantage on those Catholick Writers who made use of the word Infallibility Thus he advised me and thus out Reverence to the person I complyâ—d with his desire For which I cannot as I said before blame Dr. Tillotson for charging me with disingenuity 65. The next Book which I justly pretend to be guiltless of the crime of reviâ—ing the Church of England is a short Treatise named an Appendix in which are cleared câ—rtain mis-constructions of my Exomologists â— published by I. P. Author of the Preface bâ—fore my Lord Falklandâ—s Discourse of Infallibility which is annexed at the end of the second Impression of my Exomologesis The said Author I. P. I never had the happiness to know but I wish if Catholick Religion must be opposed it may always find such â—dâ—ersaries that is persons endowed with very considerable parts of learning and acuteness enabling them with as much advantage as their cause will afford to maintain it and in maintaining it not to wander into unnecessary excursions and to use a stile though not void of sharpness yet such a sharpness as will not be ungrateful even to their opponents much less expose them and all
Commission from the Protestant Clergy to be their common Advocate and in their names to vent his own impotent malice for throughout the whole Book he shâ—ws himself exceeding zealous to defend forsooth the Protestant Church of England and not his own miserable Sect against the Papists Now who could restrain indignation hearing such an one crying out aloud We apples swim This short Treatise of mine therefore at least I believe will escape your Censure 71. These are the Books Honoured Sir which I judged reasonable and requisite to be ranged in a rank divided from that which was written against Dr. Stillingfleet In all which a Controversie in several Points being debated against the Doctrines of the Church of England I could not without shewing my self a Prevaricatour abstain from imputing Errors to Protestants and shewing the â—ll consequences of such errors but it was never my intention to give any scope to unseemly passions against persons from none of whom I had received any injuries but on the contrary from many of the most considerable among them not a few signal obligations If now and then an unwary phrase has drop'd from my pen and I am sure there are not many such I shall be far from justifying them but on the contrary I here publickly revoke them And for the future I dare challenge even Dr. Stillingfleet himself to try his skill upon me whether by any contempt either of my Person or Writings he can force me to answer in a language which shall need such another Apology Some worthy friends â—old me that there was at this time a necessity I should endeavour to excuse my self from acknowledging the justice of all your severe sentences against me considering that others also were wounded by them But certainly one Apology against personal imputations will be sufficient and God willing I shall spend my declining days more to the profit of my soul by silence and patiently suffering injuries though silence should be interpreted a confusion of guiltâ— then by composing with great loss of precious time and publishing Books regarding the qualities of persons which Books are scarce ever half so long-liv'd as a yearly Almanack and which serve only to increase the uncharitableness and injustice of this present age in which men will be sure to censure all Books and Persons and are indifferent whether they condemn the Plaintiff or Defendant or both ¶ 6. There was no intention of Reviling the Church of England in my Book against D. Stillingfleet 72. NOW I come to the fatal Book against Dr. Stillingfleet touching Fanaticism which forced you Sir to open a passage to all your indignation against me for my reviling reproaches against the Church and Clergy of England I fear now that no excuse of so great a crime will be admitted by you and that to pretend to justifie my self would be taken for an affront Yet Sir truth is bold and I dare pretend not only to justifie my intention and manner of writing in such a stile but my hope also that the said Book would deserve to be favourably accepted by the English Clergy 73. Now the ground of my justification is a firm perswasion that the present Church of England is the very same that it was when both of us received our Baptism in it by which Baptism we became Members under favour not of the Church of England but of that Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church of the belief of which our God-fathers and God-mothers made a publick Profession for us 74. This perswasion therefore remaining still the same I do confidently affirm and I protest my intention to have been that not any of those sharp phrases and Invectives ought with any justice to be interpreted as meant against the Church of England or the the Doctrines and Discipline of it established by Law but only against Dr. Stillingfleet's Church which he desires indeed should pass for the Church of England but which really is removed from it at a greater distance and opposition than is the Church of Geneva And to demonstrute this it will be sufficient to take a prospect first of the fabrick of Dr. Stillingfleet's English Church framed by himself upon Mr. Chillingworth's Authority and next of the Church of England established by Law as she represents her self in her Articles of Religion and Ecclesiastical Constitutions 75. First then Dr. Stillingfleet has made his Church perfectly visible throughout even from its very foundations or Principles of which the two most considerable and which involve all the rest are the thirteenth and the fifteenth The words are these Such a particular way of Revelation being made choice of by God for the means of making known his wâ—ll in order to the happiness of mankind as writing we may justly say that it is repugnant to the nature of the Design and the Wisdâ—m and Goodness of God to give infallible assurance to persâ—ns in writing his will for the benefit of mankind if those Writings may not be understood by all persons who sincerely endeavour to know the meaning of them in all such things as are necessary for their salvation And consequently There can be no necessity supposed of any infallible Society of men either to attestâ— or explain those Writings among Christians 76. Is such a Church as this Honoured Sir securely grounded Can you think it a crime in anâ— rational man to call this Church fanatical But why do I talk of a Church In all the Doctors Principles there is no mention of any Church at all as a Teacher or Interpreterâ— not the least regard had to such needless persons as Teachers or Governours Bishops or Presbyters All are sheep without shepherds or shepherds without sheep There is nothing to be found I mean for his sort of Protestants but a Book which all must read though they cannot read and in it find the way to heaven a thing so easie in the Doctor 's opinion that even the blindest man cannot miss it so he will consult that Book But I must recal my word The Doctor indeed does mention a Church or Society and that an infallible one but it is only mentioned to be rejected Now certainly if he rereject that Church which if any Church can have any obliging Authority may challenge the greatest on earth he will much more reject any inferiour Authority or Church Yet since he will take it ill if we do not call an Assembly of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Church please to consider that in this Church every man the most ignorant and stupid must by his own light know first that God has left his whole will touching his salvation in Writing 2. That this Writing comprehendeth thirty eight Books given by God to the Iews and twenty to Christians 3. All these Books this ignorant man must by his own light still know to be both safely conveyed and truly translated though he be not able to read either the Original or Translation 4. He must out of
in opposition to this you say Sir That it is a proof that Dr. Stillingfleet ' s Principles are not destructive to the Authority of the Church of England because the Presbyterians Anabaptists or Independents those enemies of hers who have been so vigilant and industrious so many years to make her totter have not made use of the said Principles nor so much as taken notice of them Hereto I answer They have not made use of them against Dr. Stillingfleet's Church of England because they are not Fools For though they may seem to have a great advantage against him by saying besides their acknowledgement of the evidence of Scripture in necessaries That it would be madness in them to leave God's Spirit their own infallible Interpreter of Scripture in other points also for his fallible common Reason which is not able to give assurance even in natural things as whether the Earth move or stand still by which means they being now Spiritual Christians would become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 animal Men. And moreover that they interpreting Scripture by the Spirit may force men to submit their judgments to them Whereas it would be ridiculous to submit to a Church which allows every one to judge of the sence of Scripture by their corrupt private reason These sure are notable Advantages on a Spiritual Churches side Yet on the other side they foresee that by such opposition they shall sadly expose thâ—mselves to his deriding Rhetorick For his Reason will make their Spirit miserably ridiculous He will bid them to make proof to him that they interpret Scripture by the Spirit and to shew when and which way the Spirit left English Proâ—estants to agitate them and also by what marks they know that all of their own faction have the Spirit and they alone though other Sects dissenting and oppâ—sing them do ground their opposiâ—ion on the same Spirit Now it being impossible for any of them by the hâ—lp of their Spirit to answer a word of sâ—nce to his Reason they will lamentably remain at his mercy Therefore they will not meddle with him And moreover they foresee that the Church â—f England will not account her self touch'd in this Dispute For she will renounce both private Reason and private Spirit and tell them that they must receive the sence of Scripture from her Therefore very wiseâ—y they will pursue their old way against her and tell her that she has received her Authirity from Idolaters yea from the Pope whom her own Bishops call Antichrist And God forbid that they should submit to such an Authority And for her Excommunications they account them no better than bruta fulmina on condition that their Purses may not be touched 83. Having therefore in my own perswasion invincible Reasons to make this judgment of Dr. Stillingfleet's Church of England and moreover not having ever heard and being confident that I never shall hear that any one English Bishop did or will so far betray themselves as to allow the grounds on which Mr. Chillingworth and after him the Doctor proceeded can you Sir think it just to render me the Object of the general hatred of English Protestants by transferring as you have done on the Church of England all the sharp and scornful Invectives which I have made against Dr. Stillingfleet's Church It is not I assure you the Church of England that I taxed for want of Miracles which are not indeed at all necessary in case she be as she professes a true Member of the Catholick Church But it is Dr. Stillingfleet's Church from which Miracles are to be required since it is a new-fashioned Church the like whereof was never seen before the last Age. And it is only Dr. Stillingfleet's Church to which I upbraided the exâ—â—usion of a Religious Prâ—fession which was nevâ—r condemned by the Church of England And the like I affirm with regard to all other pâ—ssages in my Book which have raisâ—d such indignation in you against me Which indignation I hopâ— you will have the goodness to qualifie when you shall read this my Defence to which I add also once more that if there be any phrase in any Book written by me whicâ— may probably be esteemed a reproachful reviling of the Church or Clergy of England I do here revoke and ask pardon for it ¶ 7. Câ—ncerning my Lord Falkland and detraction from his memory imputed to me 84. I Will here in the next place in regard of the affinity of the Subject annex that special Head among your manifold Accusations against me which concern thâ— Vindication of the Honour and Esteem of my Noble dear Lord Falkland aspersed say you most ungratefully and falsly by me with the Character of a Socinian Truly Sir it was not without some contentment to me to see any one interesting himself in clearing the Reputation of that Noble Person the greatest Ornament to our Nâ—tion that the last Age produced and which certainly could never with justice be blasted by any English Pen or Tongue 85. I was I confess extreamly astonished to find my self called to the Bar upon that account and to see that the ground of my Inditement should be a double Narration in my Answer to Doctor Stillingâ—leet hoâ— I presented D'aille his Book du vray usage des Peres to my Lord Falkland â— which he gave to Mr. â—hillingworth and shortly after sent to me being then in Ireland a Letter of Thanks especially in Mr. Chillingworth's behalf because the said Book had saved him a tedious labour of reading most of the Greek and Latine Fathers to whose Doctrines he had engaged himself to conform his belief And further in pursuance of my Narration I added how Mr. Chillingwâ—rth thanks to D'aille being now become a Protestant and having an intention to defend Dr. Potter against his Adversary F. Knâ—tt was induced by occasion of a Socinian's Book which he had met withal to proceed in the Controversie against Cathâ—licks upon far different grounds from those which had been made use of by former learned Protestant Bishops and Doctors For in stead of appealing to Antiquity Councils or Fathers for the sence of Scripture he resolved to appeal to the Scripture alone and this interpreted by each one 's own Reason and Judgment since in all necessary Points it is so plain as he pretends that none can mistake the sence of it or be obliged to submit his Reason to any external Authority interpreting it and Errour in places difficult will easily find pardon 86. This is the sence of the double Narrative on which you ground your Accusation you are willing also to question the truth of the Narration and to make me pass for a wicked person guilty of forgery All I can say hereto is to protest here in the presence of God that I have not willingly failed in any one material circumstance of this short story and since I am sure that it is true it exceeds the bounds of Omnipâ—tence to cause that which
persons not yet ordained may be seen habited like Priests at the Altar with all prescribed Ceremonies practising the reciting those words and performing those actions and Ceremonies which the by-standers can judge to be no other but the celebrating Mass yet in reality there is no such thing done no consecration at all made nor any thing performed but what may be as well done by any Lay-person of either Sex It is not saying Mass or hearing Confessions therefore that the Law condemns and against which it denounces death but only the receiving Priestly Orders beyond the Seas from an Authority derived from the Church of Rome â— This thing alone in England is declared Treason and by consequence no truly legal Conviction can be wiâ—hout the deposition of Witnesses who can testifie the time place and Bishop when where and from whom the accused Person received Holy Orders 127. Honoured Sir you will have the goodness to pardon so prolix an assertion of the innocence of our Catholick Priests and consequently of all committed to their care since your self obliged me to it having in your Animadversions so oft and largely expressed your opinion that they could not clear themselvâ—s from a just suspicion of Disloyalty to which they are more obnoxious than any Catholicks in other Countries Whereas it is most certain that not any of his Majesties Subjects nor any Catholicks abroad can if by Authority required give more unanswerable prooâ—s of their Fidelity and very few in our Nation â—if any equal Whence it follows that whatsoever we suffer it is purely for our Religion and the Catholick Faith that we suffer ¶ 12. Humble Thanks for good Counsel 128. I will conclude this Apology with humble thanks Noble Sir for the double â—dvice you think fit to give me toward the lâ—â—ter end of your Animadversions and I do also promise conformity to them to the uâ—most of my skill and power The first Advice has reference to my self purely The second to the Cause First therefore you counsel me having once been a Son â—f the Church of England and obliâ—ed tâ— her for my Education c. but nâ—w out of Conscience separated from her external Communion at least to live fairly and civilly towards her and to allâ—w some beauty to have been in the Church whiâ—h detained me so long and much more in writing on controverted Points to abstain from revilings c. 129. Sir Obedience to this Advice is very easie to me who never intended to be guilty of such ingratitude and disingâ—nuous an humour as reviling the Church of England and I extremely wondered when I read it in your Animadversions with such atrocity imputed to me But by the way I beseech you once more not to confound Dr. Stillingfleet's Church with the Church of England estâ—blishâ—d by Law Fâ—r the â—uture though Age and a sharp Infirmiâ—y which summons me to prepare an Account of all my Actions to the Supreme Iudge ought and will suggest to my thoughts meditations of another subject more seasonable than Controversie yet in câ—se God by my Superiours shâ—ll engage me in renewing Disputes for defence of his Catholick Truth and â—hurch I here oblige my self to be so wary in the managing of them that the most jealously tender Protestant shall not have cause to be dissatisfied and the like caution I shall observe if it be possible in sâ—parating the Cause of your Church from that of other Sects who will needs in despight of you invade the Title of Protestants of the Church of England 130. Your second Advice Sir is that I should contract the Controversie into what concerns the Church of England soly that is to what is contained in the Articles and Policy thereof without making sallies against Presbyterians Independents c. 131. Truly nothing is more reasonable than this Advice yet withal nothing more difficult than a conformity thereto because it does not depend on me and therefore I dare not promise obedience thereto The only Book wherein the occasion and argument of it permitted me to oppose the Church of England was my Exomologesis and therein I am sure nothing was treated but what was peculiarly essential to your Church As for other Books wherein I was only a Defender I was at the mercy of my Adversary who if he wandred into Exotick opinions I could not help it I was to be upon my guard as well against transverse as direct blows 132. This were Sir an Advice very fit to have been given to Dr. Stillingfleet and truly it would be very convenient if it would please you to make use even now at last of the Interest and Power you deserve to have with him to counsel him to deal so with the Catholick Church as you would have us to do with the English He has scope sufficient allow'd him for he may attaque not the Council of Trent only but all other Councils both General and Provincial received by Catholicks And in case he think it unreasonable that all the pains taken by himself or his friends in collecting recreative matter for the Consolation of his Parishiâ—ners or of Country Gentlewomen should be lost If he have more stories to make sport withal concerning Saints Classical or Heteroclites as no doubt he may find enough for a Book in folio or if he can furnish the Press with examples of some particular persons guilty of Superstitious usage of Images or of exotick Opinions touching Indulgences Confession Purgatory c. it is pity such costly materials should be cast away Let the World see them in God's Name if he have the Conscience to pretend so but let it not be in a Book of Controversie unless in relating such fopperies he will also as becomes a person who would be esteemed ingenuous declare that the Catholick Church approves not such ridiculous stories or exotick Opinions and that she expresly condemns superstitious practices about Images and sordidly gainful usages of Indulgences Now Sir when English Protestants and particularly Dr. Stillingfleet writing not only in quality of an English Protestant but of the Champion of the Church of England assaults the Catholick Church with such Engins what would you advise Catholick Answerers to do Must we say nothing but what concerns directly the Articles or Constitutions of the Church of England Truly that were the best course which also I purpose if it be possibleâ— to take and withal to neglect whatsoever he pretends to confute as the Doctrines of Catholicks unless they can be shewed to be the Decisions of the Council of Trent or other received Councils To conclude this matter You Honoured Sir profess to acknowledge the Doctour a Legitimate Champion of the English Church and that you are exceedingly delighted with the softness gentleness and civility of his Language Let this I beseech you Sir invite you to read over once more his Book which being done I shall be exceedingly mistaken if being demanded seriously in private by an intimate Friend your Judgment
you will not confess that what he writes in defence of the necessary Doctrine of the Church of England and in opposition to the necessary Doctrine of the Catholick Church will scarce suffice to fill up the void Pages of art Almanack 132. Give me leave to insert here a forgotten passage of yours and a Consideration upon it You say Sir That the Council of Trent is not yet received in France and in many other Catholick Countries Under favour Honoured Sir you will I suppose grant that the late famous and learned Archbishop of Paris Peter de Marca was better informed in the Ecclesiastical State of France than your self a Stranger Now in his Volume de Concordia Sacerdotii Imperii he writes expresly The Definitions of Faith of the Council of Trent were admitted by a Publick Edict made concerning the same matter in the year 1579. But the Decrees which regard Discipline are not received in France because they are not ratified by the Law of the Prince Although the chief Heads which do not infringe the received Customs and ancient Rights of the Gallican Church are comprehended in Regal Constitutions several times published concerning that matter Which thing how grateful and acceptable it was to Pope Clement the Eighth is testified by the late King Henry the Great in his Rescript of the year 1606. Besides de Marca a late learned Writer Cabassutius an Oratorian declares out of the Records of the French Clergy that in their General Assembly at Paris in the year 1615. the Canons of Doctrine of the Council of Trent were unanimously received by the whole Clergy And long before that even from the rising of the said Council each particular Bishop had received it in their respective Diocesan Synods Thus Sir you see a sufficient reception of the Faith delivered by the Council of Trent in France both by Authority Episcopal and Regal 133. Thus Sir God be thanked I am come to an end of an Apology perhaps as ungrateful to my self as it can be to you For were it not that many others better than my self were concerned in the Accusations I should have been contented to have spared so much pains for declining the Worlds ill opinion of me Non enim à vobis judicabor aut ab humano die And now all is done I do not expect nor so much as desire to be esteemed by your self Honoured Sir or by any others altogether innocent Though my Reason tells me that the imputing such horrible Crimes to the whole Church of God not the Western only and our Accusers taking so unhappy a time did deserve some resentment yet I am willing enough it should be believed that such a resentment has been expressed with a pâ—ssion not too carefully moderated and too long continued But such is the nature of disquieting Passions though Reason may put them first in motion unless the same Reason be continually watchful over them their motion naturalâ—y will become more and more violent and impetuous 134. Another proof of this I beg leave with all due respect Noble Sir to borrow from your self Your tender respect to the Church of which you are a Member suggested to you that the boldness I had taken to give a homely and disrespectful Character to Dr. Stilling fleet 's Church was directed in my intention against the Church of England This raised in your mind an Indignation against me which you thought sit to make known to the World In the beginning you assure your Readers that whatever other faults they may find in your Animadversions yet they shall not find the same of which you complain For you will give no body ill words nor provoke them by contemning their persons c. And accordingly at the first you are even too calm for in stead of Reprehensions you heap on me far greater Commendations than I deserve or dare acknowledge for my Good Nature Civility Good Manners Learning Natural Parts c. till I wrote that unhappy Book against Doctor Stillingfleet And thereupon you promise to treat me with that candour that becomes an old near fifty years continued Friend But alas this promise is quickly forgotten For my Invectives against Doctor Stillingfleet are only gentle harmless stroakings if compared with the keen Darts and Stings which through the rest of your whole Book are aimed against me and which in case they reach home God have mercy on my Soul For not content with the subject mentioned in your Title Page which is the censuring of my Book against the Doctor you renew almost all the same and some more dangerous Accusations against whatsoever I had formerly wrâ—tten in which you discover what I could never see and I am sure never intended a Criminal Disrespect to His MAIESTY yea strong suspicion of an intention to revoke my professed Fidelity to Him likewise you or some for you find more reviling Reproaches and those renewed against the Church of England and the Protestant Clergy and God knows how much mischief more all which joyned together especially against a Person who as you are pleased to say but surely cannot legally prove has been Re-ordained in the Roman Church will be more than sufficient to render me a Victim of Publick Iustice unpitied by all Now truly Sir if all this will not satisfie Doctor Stillingfleet's utmost revenge against his petulant Adversary certainly he has a Heart harder than the Nether Mill-stone 135. Yet after all this I believe sincerely Honoured Sir that with and in the midst of all this sharpness you have not quite forgotten your Fifty Years Kindness which you are pleased to call Friendship that you gave a freer scope to your Indignation to the end to force me either to clear my self or by begging pardon to be restored in some measure to your favour And that you will be well pleased if in this Defence I shall have alleadged any thing that may qualifie my supposed faults As you truly judge that it was Zeal of the Honour of the Catholick Church a Church not only contemned but horribly defamed by Doctor Stillingfleet which urged me to an unusual way of Vindication of her I have the same reason to judge that the like Motive produced a like effect in you which therefore I cannot wholly condemn And how happy should I think my self if God would be graciously pleased to transfer your Zeal to the same Object with mine I will conclude with an humble Request That you would be pleased to depose one Opinion which you seem to have entertained which is That because Catholicks have been taught from the beginning That Salvation is only to be had in the true Catholick Church therefore they cannot have a Cordial Friendship to those who are not in the same Communion On the contrary I do confidently assure you That though there be one special sort of Alliance called by the Apostle Philadelphia a love of Brethren peculiar to good Catholicks among themselves yet true Christian Charity the Noblest kind of Friendship ought to be extended to all which Charity is likewise warmed with a Zealous Tenderness of Compassion towards Virtuous Protestants our particular Friends considering the present danger we suppose them to be in and such Compassion impells us if we have any Piety to frequent and servent Prayers for their Eternal Happiness All which effects by Gods Grace shall never be wanting in me towards such an Honourable though as yet to me undiscovered Person who has for so many years honoured so worthless a Creature with the Title of Friend God Almighty have you always in His Holy Protection So I beg leave to subscribe my self Honoured Sir Your most humble and most obedient Servant in our Lord S. C. From my Cell the 21 of March Anno Dom. 1674 being the Anniversary day of St. Benedict Page 43 44. Page 18. 2 Cor. 4â— 6. Aâ—t 22. Pag. 167. Art 28. Vie S. Bernard lib. 3. c. 7. Bern. Ep. 240. ad Com. Tholosan Seâ—m 65. in Cant. Page 28. Page 39. Page 42. Tertul. l. de Cont. c. 2. Greg. Dial. l. 2. cap. 36. Baron A. D. 595. Greg. in l. 1. Reg. l. 4. c. 4. Syn. Rat. Syn. Du. 2 Cap. 8. Baron ad An Do. 1089. Tho. Gâ—â—l in l. diâ—â—â— Religiosu Helgâ—ldâ— ap 〈◊〉 ad A. D. 1029. Câ—andia in vitae S. Aâ—giâ— Page 29.202 Vid. Apo. Benedict p. 202. 1. Cor. 2.14 Terent. Page 84.85 Act. 4 1â— Page 85. Pag. 1â— Pag. 21â— Page 77â— Page 77. Vid. Sect. 111. Prâ—ncip 13. Princip 15. Art 20 Constit. 2 3 c. Pag. 197 Ob. Sol. Pag. â—â—â— Pag. 41 240. Page 79 80. Fox p. 1698. P. 1282. P. 1279. Hollinsh an 1553 Godw. in vit Mar. Reg. Park in vit Mar. Reg. Fox p. 1179. Dudit in vit Pol. Pag. 250 Art 31. Pag. 245. Pag. 243 Pag. 9. Pag. 12. Ephes. 4.11 12 13. Pag. 246 Pag. 9. Sect. 61. supra Stat 25. 27. Edw. 3. Stat. 16. Rich. 2. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Amos 7.13 Iuâ—â— 19.7 Dan. 6.12 Pag. 237 238. Pag. 148 Pet. de Marca lib. 2. c. 17. S. 6. Cabassut Notitia Concil in fine Pag. 5 6. Pag. 240