An epistle apologetical of S.C. to a person of honour touching his vindication of Dr. Stillingfleet. Cressy, Serenus, 1605-1674. 1674 Approx. 206 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 83 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A34967 Wing C6893 ESTC R26649 09523098 ocm 09523098 43420 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A34967) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 43420) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1328:27) An epistle apologetical of S.C. to a person of honour touching his vindication of Dr. Stillingfleet. Cressy, Serenus, 1605-1674. 138 p. s.n.], [London : 1674. A reply to Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon's Animadversions upon a book intituled Fanaticism fanatically imputed to the Catholick Church by Dr. Stillingfleet. Imperfect: Pages faded with some loss of print. Pages 76-97 from the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York spliced at end. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Clarendon, Edward Hyde, -- Earl of, 1609-1674. -- Fanaticism fanatically imputed to the Catholick Church by Dr. Stillingfleet. Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. Catholic Church -- Apologetic works. 2002-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-06 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-07 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2002-07 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-08 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion 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 Ti●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 fix●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 El●quence befitting the greatest Orator of our Nati●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 b●rren thanks , nor a Book written in your commendations will suffice to acquit him of such ●n obligation . If he have therefore any spark of generosity , o● but of good nature in him , he wi●l employ all his credit , and int●r●st t● fix you in the publick favour , both of the Court and Kingdom . And what cannot his credit and r●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 m● . 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 stile● 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 o●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 ● str●nger to you , has deserved not only to be depriv'd of the happiness of fifty y●ars continued favour , but moreover , to be expos●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 ha●●ed of all persons of Honour , or V●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 accusations● 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 Doct●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 huma●ity . However in some way of comp●nsation , this advantage against me I will freely yi●ld him , That in case any more such quarr●lsom matter , from who●e pen soever shall come ou● a●ainst me , I will not defend my self , except I be commanded by such as have right to dispose of my Pen , or unl●ss by false accusation I be arraigned at the Bar of Iu●tice , and perhaps not then neither in all Points . 14. Whereas you say , Hon●ured Sir , that my fault was therefore inexcus●ble , because I had not any provocation t● 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 publish●d to the world . We , as Christians , must expect to go to heaven per infami●m , & bonam famam . B● 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 , b●sides my self , thought Dr. Stilling●fleet exceedingly blame-worthy , was his unusual , unseemly way of managing the Controversie against the Catholick Church , N●xt his cruel timing of it . 15. First then consider , I beseech you , Sir , impartially , the Doctor 's b●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 exterminated● but especially his doing this in quality of an authorized English Protestant , as if he had been commissionated by my Lords the Bishops to defend the substantial Doctrine of the Church of England after so cruel a manner , and to justifie , that her discession from the Roman Church was of absolute necessity , by reason of the manifold horrible Idolatries taught , and practised in her : which I am confident will never be averred by Protestants . 16. For what the judgment of the Church of England is in this matter , we may irrefragably collect from the Censures Synodically given by her in all those points of Roman Doctrine on which the Doctor grounds his charge of Idolatry against Catholicks , to wit , The worship of God by Images , The formal Invocation of Saints , and the Adoration ( forsooth ) of Bread in the Eucharist . 17. Now as touching the two first of these pretended grounds , I beseech you Sir , to consider how the Church of England in her establisht Doctrine has express'd her sense in the 22. Article : These are the words . The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory , Pardons , Worshiping , and Adoration as well of Images , as of Relicks ; and also Invocation of Saints , is a fond thing vainly invented , and grounded on no warranty of Scr●pture , but rather repugnant to the Word of God. 18. And this observation your self has ( as becom●s an unpassionate English Prot●stant ) made ; where speaking of Purgatory , you ingenuously profess , That if you thought your Prayers , or any thing else you could do could be helpful to the souls of your friends , or your enemies , you would pour them out with all your heart , and should not fear any reprehension from the Church of England , which hath declared no judgment in the point , except it be comprehended in the Article of Purgatory : and then the censure is no more then that it is a fond thing , which in that case you would be content to undergo . This you declare , and upon the same grounds since in the same Article no worse a Title and Character is given to other Romish Doctrines , as Pardons , Worshiping of Images , and Relicks , and also Invocation of Saints : Therefore certainly you cannot approve the Doctors attributing Idolatry to such Doctrines or Practices . 19. In the next place be pleased to observe what the Church of England declares touching that which Dr. Stillingfl●et ( for an odious purpose ) terms The Adoration of Bread in the Eucharist , in her 28th . Article : Transubstantiation ( or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine ) in the Supper of the Lord , cannot be proved by holy writ , but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture ; overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament , and hath given occasi●n to many superstitions . The Body of Christ is given , taken , and eaten in the Supper , only after an heavenly and spiritual manner : And the means whereby the Body of ●hrist is received , and eaten in the Supper , is Faith. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved , car - ried about , lifted up or worshipped . 20. You here see , honoured Sir , the Censure ( far unlike the Doctors ) which the Church of England has given of the D●ctrines of the Roman Church touching the Holy Eucharist , ( which Censure you likewise ( as before ) will not think fit to exceed● she terms them , respectively , fond , vainly invented , such as cannot be proved by Scripture , but are rather repugnant to the same : She doth not so much as stile any of them Superstitious , but only giving occasion to many Superstitions . Thus far , and no farther , does she condemn them : and I suppose so many grave , learned , and wise Prelates as joyned in the compiling these Articles , and many more who afterwards in several Synods reviewed , and without any considerable change , confirmed them , were as quick sighted to discover faults , and as able to proportionate a Censure of them , as Dr. Stillingfleet , who with all his skill is but a Neophyte in the English Church : Therefore it is evident , that it was not by the Church of England's warranty , and also that it was not the dictamen of calm reason , but an uncharitable passion against his neighbours , and brethren , who never had offended him , that incited him so cruelly to expose them to the publick hatred , and to the utmost effects of that hatred . 21. Perhaps he will say , that he is warranted to charge the Roman Catholick Church with Idolatry by the example of several other grave , and learned Protestants , members of the English Church : though I believe he will scarce grant that any before him has prosecuted that charge with such a killing Rhetorick , or in a time so seasonable for mischief . 22. All this indeed he may truly say : And among his Patterns he may , if he please , reckon some , more than Members , even Fathers , Teachers , and Governours of the English Church . I mean , Bishops , and Archbishops , who have done the like , or in some respect worse : for some of them , not content to accuse the Catholick Church of Idolatry , have written volumes to make the simple believe , that the Chief , Vniversal Pastor of the Catholick Church is ( God bless us ) the very Antichrist . 23. This he may say ; But withal , the most sober , learned , and judicious of the Church of England will tell him , that the uncharitable , Calvinistical spirit , by which those Bishops and Archbishops were agitated , did so b●ind them , that they did not see , or perhaps did not care , what ruine they brought on their own Order , Character , and Chu●ch by such their intemperate writing , and pr●aching ; which to Catholicks seemed only noysome words , but to the Church of England proved swords piercing into its very bowel . For if the Roman Church both taught and practised horrible Idolatry , and if the Pope were indeed Antichrist , then the Hierarchy of England is ipso facto ● null , or worse ; then the late rebellious Parliament had just reason to destroy them root and branch , as persons who pretended a Mission , and exercised a jurisdiction publickly acknowledged by themselves to have been received from abominable Idolaters ; yea , even from Antichrist himself . And certain it is that those few Presbyterian Bishops , and Doctors gave both courage , and weapons to the busie factious , ( then call'd Puritan ) party , to wound the Church of England more mortally , than without such helps , they possibly could have done . 24. Methinks therefore , honoured Sir , my resentment of Dr. Stillingfleet's manner of proceeding in this point was not so criminal , that it should so highly incense you as to excite you to a vindication of his honour , with so much trouble to your self , and so much danger to us : since I can withal truly protest , tht ( although you are pleased to stile me a Reviler of the Cburch of England ) it was a regard to her that h●d some influence on me to sharpen my stile : And this the rather you may believe , because , as an English Catholick , it concerns us , both as to our quiet , and safety , to lie at the mercy of a Church orderly established , and which acknowledges so merciful a King for Head , rather than to be exposed to the fury of Calvinism . 25. Moreover , Dr. Stillingfleet has seemed not to content himself , by aggravating in an unusual manner , the atrocity of Roman Doctrines , to render us fit objects of popular rage , and cruelty : But by the fecundity of his invention , is the first , and only Author , who has represented the universal Body of Catholicks as a crowd of crack-brain'd Fanati●ks , composed of seduce●s and seduced , a ●icked Clergy , abusing the foolish credulous Laity , by ridiculous L●g●●●s , ●●lse Miracles , lying Visions , and Revelations . By this means Catholicks being represented both as impious Idolaters , and either cheating Impostors , or silly sheep , may seem worthy to be treated as our Saviour was between Pilate and Herod . 26. It is worthy your consideration to observe on what occasion or provocation the Doctor entred into this new way of combating the Catholick Church . His Adversary chanced unhappily , though innocently , to let drop out of his pen one line or two which has undone us all . This he did after he had declared how King Henry the Eighth , having in anger to the Pope , given free licence to all his Subjects to read the Bible in English , but very shortly after finding how strangely Sects thereupon multiplied in his Kingdom , judged it necessary , by a pub●ick Law , to recal that leave : Thereupon he added these words , Whether the judgment of King Henry ought not to have been followed in after times , let the dire effects of so many new Sects , and Fanaticisms , as have risen in England from the reading of the Scripture , bear witness . 27. This is all he says . Permit me therefore , honourable Sir , with all due respect , to say that it is a great mistake where you say , That the first occasion was given the Doctor , by charging the Church of England with Fanaticism : For his Adversary does not lay any imputation to the Church of England : He does not pretend that English Protestants have received any the least tincture of Fanaticism from the contagion of any Sects lately risen in England . But the very naming of Fanaticism and England in the same line was provocation enough for the Doctor ( who seems with an impatient longing to have watched for such an advantageous opportunity ) to empty his voluminous store of Collections heaped , not only out of some foolish , obscure Legends , for which Cath●licks , who scorn them as much as himself , must yet be derided , but likewise out of Histories written by 〈◊〉 Saints and Fathers of God's Church ●cknowledged as such by the whole Church of God , both East●rn and Western , for now ●●ve a thousand ●●ars : in which , if his wi● serves him to d●s●race a Miracle or Revelati●● , by ●escanting ironica●ly on some circumstance in the Narration , he thinks it sufficient to make the Author pass for a Fanati●k , and the whole Church also , for not forbidding all her Children to esteem it credible . 28. But , Sir , I beseech you to consider , that in case Dr. Sti●lingfleet by jesting at a Miracle , or saying , I do not , how credibly soever averred , believe it , could perswade us also to be of his opinion , that , for example , what S. Gregory w●ites concerning S. Benedict● upon the credit of four Witnesses , were not fit to be believed , little prejudice will arrive to the Catholick Cause , or advantage to yours , till the Doctor can rationally assure men , that all is false whatsoever all other holy Fathers , and particularly S. Augustin testifies concerning a world of Miracles , many of which he had seen with his own eyes , and others he had received by the Testimony o● many Witnesses living in the place where such Miracles were done , evidently prove , that the Veneration which Catholicks allow to the Relicks of Saints is acceptable to God. The like may be said of other Relatitions made by S. Gregory , and delivered upon his own knowledge● or lastly , what three or four Religious , and learned Abbots write concerning S. Bernard , personally known to them . A certain Heretick , named Henry , having infected a great part of the Southern parts of France : Zeal for the integrity of the Catholick Faith obliged S. Bernard to travel thither for applying a remedy ; to which Journey Alberick Bishop of Ostia , the Pope's Legate , also solicited him . He was received there as an Angel of God , and the concourse of people to see him , and demand his Benediction , was so excessively great , that he could scarce pass through the High-ways . He preached and confuted the Heresies at Tholouse , and in several other Cities . Particularly in a place called Sarl●t : After he had preached , there were offered to him a certain number of loaves of Bread , to the end , that according to his custom , he might bless 〈◊〉 . Thereupon he lifting up his hand , and making the Sign of the Cross , blessed them , and withal said to the People , You shall hereby pe●●eive that we preach the Truth to you● and that Hereticks seduce you , if the Sick among you eating the Bread which I have blessed , immediately rec●ver health . This proposition of the holy Abbot struck fear into the mind of Godfrey Bishop of Chartres , there present ; who ther●upon said , They shall indeed receive health , but vpon condition they eat the Bread with a firm Faith. No ( said S. Bernard , having a perfect confidence in God ) I do not say so ; but I say absolutely , wh●soever shall eat , shall be restored to health , that by this Miracle they may know assuredly , that we have preached the word of God according to truth . And in effect such a world of Sick Persons were perfectly cured , that the fame of it being spread abroad through the Province , such an insupportable concourse of people assembled every where to see the holy man , that to avoid the danger of being stifled , he was forced in his return to divert secretly out of the know● ways . Now this story having been written by a Venerable Abbot , when the memory of the action was fresh in mens minds , if it was a forgery , ought to be esteemed the most impudently ridiculous th●t ever was , since the innumerable pretended witnesses of it , the Cities in which he preached , the Bishop of ●b●rtres said to be present , &c. would certainly have confounded the Author . Yet we do not find the least contradiction ever to have been made against it . I have made choice of this particular Miracle , because it produced many thoughts and scruples in Mr. Chillingworth's mind , and mine own also : Though probably the D●ctor will despise the consequence of it , especially when Saint Bernard himself shall inform him that the particular Heresies of the foresaid Henry were a contemning the Churches Prayers and Sacrifices for the Dead , Invocation of Saints , Excommunications of Bishops , Pilgrimages of Devotion , Observation of the Churches Feasts , Consecration of Chrism and Holy Oyls , and generally all the Ceremonies and Customs of the Church . 29. I beseech you , Sir , therefore , be not angry with well meaning Catholicks , if sometimes they bewail their Country , miserably disunited by a swarm of Sects , which you also call Fanatical , without the least thought of disparaging thereby the Church of England : or however , do not express your anger by comparing S. Benedict , S. Gregory , or S. Teresa , &c. with such a Brood ; as if any Christian could be perswaded that these had been the stains of the Catholick Church . Pardon my boldn●ss , Sir ● I beseech you , if I say ( and it is truly without diminishing my cordial respect , that I say ) it seems to me that a Person of Honour is injurious to himself in seeking to disparage the reputation , which for so many ages those eminent Saints ( who even by their birth were Persons of Honour too ) have had among all Christians . Indeed if Catholicks had built their Faith upon their Doctrines , Actions , Visions , o● Miracles , their Adversaries might have reason to enquire into the authentickness of them : But it grieves my heart to see Dr. Stillingfleet not only imitated by you , but out done in his unbeseeming comical stile . He only exercised his wit in descanting on the Miracles related concerning S. Benedict : But you Sir , spare neither S. Benedict's Person , Actions , Rule , nor Children . You believe him indeed to have been a devout person in a dark time , according to his Talent of understanding ( which you suppose was very weak : ) But ●ithal , that 〈◊〉 may have been deluded by the effects o● a distemperd fancy , as many well meaning men h●●e been . And having found an exception against one passage in his Rule , where he says , That an Abbot sustains the Person of Christ , as having received his Sirn●me , mention●d b● S. Paul , namely , Abba , Pater : Hence you p●●asantly conclude , that S. Benedict thereby proves that our Saviour was an Abbot up in ●arth . And withal , from thence you think fi● to add , Is the reading of this Rule now like 〈◊〉 advance the honour of S. Benedict ? Or is it possible for any man that doth read it to believe the poor man ( how good soever his meaning might be ) qualified to give Rules which can improve knowledge and Devotion ? Which Rules whoever reads will himself be more in danger to be stirred t● another passion , than Choler , ( that is , scorn and laughter . ) 30. First , as to your Objection ( which perhaps you rather intended for a jest ) I will answer in good earnest , that I cannot imagine how you could possibly argue the least defect , incongruity , or want of prudence in that passage extracted by you out of S. Benedict's Rule . I am assur'd you will not deny but that all lawful Superiours are God's Substitutes , for there is no such Power but from God. I suppose likewise that the Vniversal Church can constitute lawful Superiours , and from the Church do Abbots derive their Authority . Being therefore lawful Superiours , and this also in order to the direction of souls , the most proper Title that can be given them is that of Father , which is ( Appellatio & pietatis , & potestatis ) A name importing both a tender Care and a just Authority . So is God , and Ch●ist , a Father , both in heaven , and in earth , that is , in the Greek or Latin tongue Pater , in the Hebrew , Ab ● and in the Syriack ( spoken by our Saviour ) Abba , which word therefore the Holy Ghost has thought good should remain in Scripture unchanged in all Languages , as several others , Amen , Hosanna , Alleluia , &c. Was it not th●n an exceedingly useful , and necessary admonition which S. Benedict gave to Religious Su●●riours , that they , from their Title of Abba given them by God , the Supreme Abba , should govern as Fathers , and not tyrannize as Lords ? Good Kings likewise are Abba's , so called by God with regard to the Church , and so stiled oft by their Subjects , Patres Patriae . 31. It seems , Sir , this second Chapter of S. Benedict's Rule did so disgust you , that you had not the patience to proceed further : Give me therefore leave against this , or any other Objections that can be made , to set in an opposite Scale the Characters given by a sufficient number of persons considerable for their condition and judgment , who had read it through , and well consider'd it , and let indifferent Readers judge on whether side the greater weight lies . In the first place it is worthy to be considered , that wheresoever in the Canons of Synods presently after S. Benedict's time , and for several ages after , the word ( Regula ) Rule , is found standing alone , it is always understood of S. Benedict's Rule . In the next place , omitting the Testimonies of very many Saints and learned persons , who being Benedictins may be esteemed partial , as S. Peter Damian , S. Bernard , &c. of such I will only produce S. Gregory , whose Character of this Rule is , That it is above all others excellent for the Discretion of it , and clearness in the expression . Moreover , the same glorious Pope in a Synod at Rome , confirm'd it ; the tenour of which Con●●rmati●n extant in the Monastery of Su●lac is this , I Gregory , Prelate of the Holy Roman Church have written the Life of Blessed S. Benedict , I have also read the Rule which the Saint wrote with his own hand : I commended and confirmed it in a Holy Synod . I commanded likewise through several parts of Italy , and wheresoever the I a●in tongue is spoken , that wh●soever shall come to the grace of C●nvers●o● , sh●uld m●st diligently observe it , even to the end of the world . I have also confirmed twelve Monasteries f●unded by the same Saint . And moreover , the same holy Father sti●es S. Benedict , a most excellent M●ster of the m●st strict life , and a learned Disciple of ( God ) the Supreme Verity . 32. In the next place , several Syn●ds of Bishops have highly commended the same Rule , and strict●y enjoyned the observation of it , as the Synod ●f Ra●isbon , of Duzy , &c. The expression of this latter Synod , I perceive will little please you , where it says , S. Benedict , blessed both by Grace and Name , being inspired by the H●ly Ghost , hath in his Rule deliver'd documents consonant to the Holy Scriptures , and to the Sermons of the Holy Fathers . To these I will only add one Clergy-man more , Bonizo Bish●p of Sutrium , and a bless●d Martyr , who stiles S. Benedict , the Apostle of Monks , who shone like the morning Star. 33. But perhaps now the Testimonies of Lay persons , if considerable for their wisdom and quality , that is , if Pers●ns of Honour and Au●hority , will find with you , Honoured Sir , more esteem . And in th● first place I must recal a passage taken notice of by you : For it was not indeed a great and wise King who made choice of S. B●nedict ' s Rule by which to manage his Kingdom , but it was at least a great and wise Duke even C●smo de Medicis , Great Du●e of Tuscany , who being asked by a friend , why he had almost always S. Benedict's Rule in his hand , answered , It was , because fr●m the prudent prescriptions ●f t●at holy Father , he collected Instructions very proper for the government of his people committed to his charge . The same Great Duke also instituted an Order of Knights under the same Rule . Besides this Great Duke , not only a Great King , but a greater Potentate , an Emperour will be ready to testifie their Veneration of S. Benedict : 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 Intercess●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 Conversi●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 you● the Authentick Testimonies of far more skilful Anti●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 Religi●us Ord●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 Kingd●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 Rob●rt Cotton , Sir Henry Spelman , Mr. Iohn Selden , and Mr. William Camden . 36. And thus I w●ll tak● my last farewel , and leave of S. Benedict , wi●h a firm resolution ( le● Dr. Stillingfleet say what he please of him , or any other Catholick Saint ) never to defen● him more in a Treatise of Controversie , unless the said D●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 ●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 be●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 p●ssibly understand them , because they are spiritually discerned , and therefore no wonder if th●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 f●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 sa●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 rec●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 , i● 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 : l●●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 D●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 r●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 b●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 b●tter manner exercise Christian Charity to him● 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 b●li●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 r●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 th● 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 , as a good Consci●nce obliges me , revoke , since they are built only on suspicions , not sufficient to warrant me to be a Iudge of his Intentions . And this satisfaction I hope will deserve to be esteemed cordial , and becoming a Christian , because it is thus publickly made by me being at too great a distance to apprehend any danger from his resentment : whereas the sharp language I then used towards him , when I was obnoxious to the effects of his Choler . To conclude this present argument , I desire you , Honoured Sir , to reflect on that well known saying better becoming the Wise Laelius , than a Comical Poet ● Omnes quibus res sunt minùs secundae magis sunt , nescio quo mod● suspiciosi , Ad Contumeliam om●i● accipiunt magis , Propter suam impotentiam , se semper credunt negligi . ¶ . 4. A Religious Profession pretended to be inconsistent with my Fidelity to His Majesty . 46. AFter you had so generously laid an eternal Obligation on Dr. Stillingfleet , by so publick a condemnation of me for my incivilities towards him ; you proceed to a charge against me of a far higher nature , accusing ( I should say , arraigning ) me , for having renounced my Subjection to the King by being a Benedictin , and consequently chusing other Superiours to my self , with Obedience to wh●m my Obedience to the King , you say , is inconsistent ; so that I am so obnoxious to the Laws , that I cannot securely live one day , or set my foot in England , &c. 47. Sir , if by my professing my self a Benedictin , and moreover , that I am obliged by Vow to obey my Superiours , all which I cannot deny , your inference be concluding , that I am a Traytor to His Majesty , God have mercy on my Soul. I do not pretend to have any skill in our Statute Laws : notwithstanding , I never yet heard any one say , that the meer being of a Religious Order was declared Treason in England : for upon that account a Benedictin Lay brother would be as obnoxious to the Title , and punishment of a Traytor , as a Priest. Besides this , the French Benedictins , of whose Fidelity to their King you have a good opinion , m●ke the same Profession of Obedience to their Superi●urs , without the least jealousie conceived by that State. But however the matter stands as to the D●claration of Law , I ●e●e protest in the presence of God , that if I had any suspition that my Vow of Obedience to Regular Superi●urs did in any degree prejudice my Obligation of Fidelity to the King , either by Nature , or Religion ; n●y , if I were not certain of the contrary , the next Line here to be added , should be a renunciation of the Title of a Benedictin , and a r●vocation of the Vow of Regular Obedience . 48. I will add further , if I had not been assured , that by the Profession of being a Member of the Roman Catholick Church , I should continue as dutiful and obedient a Subject to His Majesty as ever I had been , I had never before my Conversion so much as enquired into the Truth of other Cath●lick Doctrines . 49. Nay yet farther , Sir , ( since I am fallen almost unawares into the humour of protesting , though no Protestant ) I will be yet more bold to protest sincerely , That if I were not entirely satisfied , yea assured , that no● the least Obligation of acknowledging any Temporal Authority in the Pope over this Kingdom was imposed on English Catholick Priests , Secular or Regular , by vertue of their receiving Ordination in , and from the Church of Rome : and likewise , that the spiritual Jurisdiction exercised by them in vertue of such Ordination , did in no measure prejudice or abridge the Civil Authority justly inherent in Monarchs , of what Religion soever : I should esteem them very unfit , and dangerous Directors of the Souls of His Majesties Subjects , and deservedly obnoxious to the utmost penalty of the Laws here enacted against them . 50. Now what greater assurance can any one have of this , than from a Consideration , First , That in all Catholick Kingdoms and States , where the Supreme Magistrates are jealous enough of their Temporal Rights such Ordinations are not only p●rmitted , but allowed , and enjoined . And Secondly , That all the same Acts of Spiritual Iurisdiction exercised by Catholick Priests , are also exercised by P●otestant Ministers over His Majesties Subjects : For these also by vertue of their Ordination do lawfully , and validly ( as they absolutely perswade themselves ) administer Sacraments , absolve Penitent Sinners , and I direct Souls in the way to Heaven , &c. Which Functions , you will not surely say , to be conferred on them by the King , but only that the King permits them to receive them from the Bishop , who only can communicate to others the Spiritual Faculties which himself has received from His Superiour the Archbishop . 51. Truly , Sir , the innocence of Catholick Priests , in this matter , is to me so evident , that I believe not any of them but durst commit themselves to the judgment of Dr. Stillingfleet himself : but upon this condition , that , by the great interest you now certainly have in him , you could obtain from him a sincere resolution of these few Proposals , ( which I am sure he is able to give : ) viz. 1. Whether among the several Sects with whom he received his Education and Learning , the respective Ministers do not exercise all the foresaid Spiritual Faculties and Iurisdictions ? 2. Since it is certain that such Faculties have been conferred on th●m neither by the King nor Bishop , but , on the contrary , are absolutely forbidden by all our Laws , both Ecclesiastical , and Temporal , Whether he esteems the said Ministers to deserve therefore the name and punishment of Traytors ? 3. With what confidence they can take the Oath of the Kings Supremacy in all Causes , as well Ecclesiastical as Civil . 4. Whether he can demonstrate ( and if he can , he is earnestly desired that he would do it ) that the difference in these regards between Catholick Priests and Dissenting Ministers is so great , that the former deserve only the name of Traytors ? 5. This if he affirm , he ought also to demonstrate , that it is incomparably more dangerous to the King , that Spiritual Functions should be received ( and this not immediately ) from one Person a thousand miles distant , than from God knows how many in the Bowels of the Kingdom . 52 If you will still oppose to poor Cath●licks alone the Laws of the Kingd●m , which allow these Acts of Spiritual Iurisdicti●n in Pr●testant Ministers , and scarce punish them in Presbyterians , but make them Tre●s●n only in Catholick Priests . To this terrible Objection , what Answer can be given but either a silent patience , or the same which the Apostles gave when convened before the Sanedrim ? And truly , Honoured Sir , if I were so happy as to see such a person as your self sitting in a high Place of Iudicature , and were also a Priest , arraigned before you for receiving , and exercising such a Iurisdiction , I should not be much apprehensive of a black Sentence from a Iudge in his own disposition compassionate , and who by many years experience has seen how far the Catholick Clergies Iurisdiction reaches , and how little jealousie it gives to other great Kings exceedingly tender of their Royal Authority . And in case I were condemned , I should say within my self , The Iudge , who has , according to the Laws , condemned me for a supposed Crime , called of late Treason in England , and no where else in the World , being forced to pronounce the sentence of Death against me upon the verdict of a dozen silly , ignorant Mechanicks , or Peasants ; yet I verily believe he knows , or might know very well , that the same sentence was as justly ( that is , very unjustly ) pronounced by Nero , Domitian , Dioclecian , &c. Roman Emperours , against the Apostles , and their Successours , S. Ignatius , S. Policarp , S. Cyprian , &c. For all these , and hundreds more such , assumed , and exercised a far greater Spiritual Iurisdiction , in their judgment , doubtless , without any wrong to Princes : For they administred Sacraments , congregated Churches , pr●ached , and converted , yea empower'd others to preach , and convert thousands to a Religion expresly contrary to , and by many Sanguinary Laws condemned in all the Countries where they travelled : yet ●e esteems them glorious Martyrs , and me an infamous Traytor . Deo gratias . ¶ . 5. Reviling Reproaches of the Church , and Clergy of England , objected against me . 53. ANother heavy Charge against me , often repeated with great Indignation by you , Noble Sir , is , as you term it , My defying the Laws of the Kingd●m , traducing the Government , treating the Bishops● and the Reverend Clergy , and the Christian Religion that is est●blished there by Law , and all the Prof●ssors of it , with those scoffs , and derision and contempt , as if they we●e Turks and Pagans , &c. Further , by pretending to pr●ve , that the very nature and essence of the English Church it self and its Religion is pure putid Fanaticism . In a word , I am accused of a constant reviling and malice towards the Church in which I received my Baptism . Now the guilt of this crime you extend to all the Books published by me . The least faulty , in your opinion , was my first , stiled , Exomologesis ; but that also in a second Edition , was enlarged , you say , with additions ●specially of reproaches against the Church of England , and virulent Expressions against the Clergy of that Church . 54. Sir , I should despair of being able to make any tolerable Apology for my self against this heinous imputation , but that I hope you will think it just that I should divide my Plea , which regards my last Book against Doctor Stillingfleet , from all the rest . Now an account of the necessity of making such a Separation , and the reasonableness of it , I will not long defer . 55. First then , touching my Exomologesis , ( take whether Impression of it you please ) excepting one most highly honoured Friend , ( whose Name I must take leave to conceal ) you are the only person who has condemned me for my acrimony in it , yet without selecting any det●rminate guilty passage in it . I had many other Friends of the Protestant Clergy , whose friendship and kindness to me never received the least abatement upon that account , on the contrary , they comparing my stile with that of several other Catholick Controvertists , expressed their satisfaction in my moderation . I will only name two very knowing , and in a singular manner intimate Friends● the first is , Doctor Earles , lately Lord Bishop of Salisbury , all the tender effects of whose friendship● I may add , of his bounty also , I enjoyed till God took him away ; a person certainly of the sweetest , most obliging nature that lived in our A●e . 56. The second , whom I may securely name , b●cause he is also dead , ( for out of due respect to some worthy Prelates alive I must ●●me them only in my Prayers ) is Doctor Hammond : To whom I being at Paris , caused my Exomologesis , as soon as printed , to be sent , and presented . He in a short kind Letter gave me thanks , and without the least exception against the stile , gave this judgment of it , That an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( that was his expression ) did privily run through the whole contexture of the Book . He did not further interpret wherein that fallacy conf●ted : But added , We are Friends , and I do not purpose to be your Antagonist . Alas , how happy had we been , if Catholick Religion , since it must be opposed , had been combated only by such Antagonists as he was ? Ind●ed it would cause not only wonder , but indignation in any ingenuous man , to see such a person as Doctor Hammond treated with scorn , contempt , and virulence . 57. One clause more there was in Doctor Hammond's Letter , which I judge expedient to add , partly in gratitude to his memory , and also upon occasion of your telling the world , that it was not devotion , but necessity , and a want of subsistence which drove me first out of the Church of England , and then into a Monastery . He , at the end of his Letter , kindly invited me into England , assuring me I should be provided of a convenient place to dwell in , and a sufficient subsistence to live comfortably ; and withal , that not any one should molest me about my Religion and Conscience . I had reason to believe that this invitation was an effect of a cordial friendship , and I was also informed that he was well enabled to make good his promise , as having the disposal of great Charities , and being the most zealous Promoter of Alms-giving that lived in England since the Change of Religion . Yet rendring such thanks as gratitude required of me , I told him that I could not accept of so very kind an offer , being engaged almost by vow to leave all pretensions to the world , and to embrace poverty for my portion . Now besides such a Friend as this , I had many more , several near His Majesty ; among whom , one especially there was of the highest rank , to whom formerly , upon the Rebellion in Ireland , I being destitute of a present subsistence , must acknowledge all gratitude due , for by his care alone I was provided of a condition both honourable and comfortable . So that if I had lost all other Friends , I had reason to assure my self he would have freely contributed , rather than extremity of want should have forced me to quit the world . Moreover , at the same time I received great Testimonies of favour from Her late Gracious Majesty the Queen-Mother of happy memory , an indifferent Recommendation from whom to the Court of France , could not fail to have procured me a convenient subsistence . But truly I never sollicited her , or any other , for such Liberality : True it is , that meerly of her own accord she was pleased at my leaving Paris , to assign me an hundred Crowns , to furnish me in my journey towards a Monastery . But this by the way . 58. Whereas , Sir , you affirm , that in the second Edition of my Ex●mologesis there are many Additions , especially of reproaches against the Church of England , &c. And moreover , that to a person expostulating with me , Why I left out the Protestation of Obedience , and a Discourse touching Purgatory ; I should answer wi●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 sh●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 Express●●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 obj●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 Protestati●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 Ven●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 p●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 , w●o was desirous to inc●ns● 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 ●●●no●ncer also o● my Fidelity to H●● 〈◊〉 . 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 P●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 44● and 442. of the second Impr●ssion , and 76● 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 ●it to leave it out , and indeed that he had reason not to swell the Book with such unconc●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 pass●ges which have given great offence to a worthy Prelate , whose savour and kindness● 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 cons●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 ● Neither had I the least thought that ●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 th● 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 de●en●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 v●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 Ad●e●sa●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 comba●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 f●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 ● I endeavoured to excuse their employing that word to signifie thereby alone the unappealable Authority of the Cath●lick Church . I c●nnot with any confidence affirm , that I have given an exact account of the particular proofs alledged by Doctor Tillotson ● to justifie his impu●ing to me a very mis-becoming disingeruity in the alteration mad● . Nei●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 V●n●rable Religious Father , who for School-Learning and skill in the Canon-Law was the most eminent p●rson in all these Provinces , knowing my intention to r●print my Exomologesis , and being● 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 ag●s in general use among Catholick Controvertists , and Schoolmen , would every where giv● 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 comply●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 revi●ing the Church of England , is a short Treatise , named an Appendix , in which are cleared c●rtain mis-constructions of my Exomologists ● published by I. P. Author of the Preface b●fore my Lord Falkland●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 ●d●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 their party , to utmost danger . Now in my Answer to this unknown Author , I think I have not , I am sure I intended not to give just offence to him , or any other English Protestant . 66. Yet this is the only Treatise against which a most Noble Friend , besides a general reprehension , instanced in a special passage which he thought fit to be sharply censured : and this passage was my naming it , The late Church of England . Now , surely , Sir , none who know me can judge me so utterly void of Humanity or Reason , as to think that I meant this expression in a sense of insulting or of contentment , in seeing a Church , of which all the Friends I then had were members , ( as I then verily thought ) destroyed by cruel Sectaries , the little finger of whose Governours would be heavier to poor Catholicks , than the loins of the former State. 67. I must therefore acknowledge that at the time of writing that short Treatise , I did ( and who almost did not ? ) despair of ever seeing a restauration of the Church of England , to its former splendour , though many were not out of all hope , considering an impossibility of a constant union among those Sects , that his Majesty might happily return . I well remember that in France , attending a certain Noble Person of very high Condition , and special trust near his Majesty , I once , in discoursing ask'd him this Question , Whether he th●ught not , that it was in his power to have hindred the restoring of the English Hierarchy ? to which , after considering a while , he answered , He thought it was ● Whereto I replied , Alas , my Lord , how dare you adventure y●ur soul for all eternity , in a Church which your self could have destroyed ? Thereupon he entred into a Discourse touching the nature of a Church , of which he concluded I had a wrong Notion . 68. But as for his first Answer , I believe there was scarce any one who then doubted but that a small power would be of force enough to hinder the reviving of the Church of England : yea , most men thought that even his Majesty with all his interest , and endeavours , could not have been able to have effected it , considering that all Sects , though in other regards disunited , yet unanimously conspired to the destruction of Episcopacy . Therefore it argued more than heroical magnanimity , and zeal also in his Majesties attempting , and executing such a design , from which such an incredible number of then not quite-unarmed Opponents could not deter him , though also thereby he obstructed the flowing into his Exchequer whole Rivers of rich spoils belonging to the Clergy . And truly , in both these r●gards it ought to be acknowledged by all English Protestants , that the said Noble Person , being then the most inward Counsellor to his Majesty , shewed himself of proof both against fear● and avarice ; since no doubt , a considerable advantage might have fallen to his share likewise in those spoils . These things therefore considered , I humbly conceive , that the forementioned phrase ( The late Church of England ) spoken at such a time , did not merit an extraordinary Censure : considering also , that as a particular Church , and of such a peculiar fabrick , it cannot appropriate to it self an Indefectibility , or challenge share in the Promise of Christ , that the gates of Hell shall n●t prevail against it . 69. The next Book was the Answer to Dr. Pierce his Sermon . In which I never heard any thing challenged as disrespectful to the English Clergy , excepting one line , for which my worthy Friend Dr. Earles , then Dean of Westminster , gave me a friendly chiding , though to say the truth , it was in his Wifes quarrel , who was much offended with it , and I confess , with some reason . And besides this , there was one passage in it , at which I my self have been much displeased : which is the very first leaf in the Book : To which also doubtless I had regard when in conversing with the Protestant Expostulator before-mentioned , I complained of injuries done me , being absent in the printng of my Books . For having left the said Answer with a friend in London , who undertook the care of the Impression , certain Friends of his thinking I had begun the Answer too abruptly , they willing to be in ali●no libro ingeniosi , framed an entrance into the Book , full of taunting , and contempt against the Author of the Sermon . And having sent me enclosed in a Letter the first sheet , I was moved with such indignation and shame at the reading of it , that I protested , unless that entrance were taken away , I would in a printed paper publickly disavow the work . For , besides my natural abhorring of uncivil language , especially in Controversies about Religion , I judged that a Writer did himself wrong , who first having contemned , and undervalued a Book , yet thought it necessary to be seriously answered . Upon my resentment of this injury done me , the Authors of that Preface abolished the first leaf , but wanting matter to fill up the void space , they qualified much the former uncivil language , leaving it as it now appears . I took the greater care not to give too much offence no the learned Preacher , because I had been informed by some of his inward Friends , that it was with great unwillingness , and out of necessary obedience to one who had right to command him , that , in a time when a persecution was renewed against Catholicks , he took such a subject for his Sermon at Court. And indeed his unwillingness to pursue such a quarrel , gives testimony hereto , though it is well known , that he is not inferiour to Dr. Stillingfleet , either in learning , language , or any abilities to manage a Controversie to the best advantage . And I assure you● Sir , it is a great comfort , and satisfaction to poor Catholicks , that since they must be persecuted , their Persecutors have not been any English Protestants of the ancient stamp but a new adopted race , who it seems cannot forget that Catholicks have declared themselves Enemies to the Masters , under whom our new Convertists have been bred . 70. One Book yet remains , and but one , which I am concern'd at least to excuse , i● not to justifi● to be free from this crime of reproaching , or reviling the English Church . ( For I suppose my S●ncta Sophia , and likewise my Reflections on the two Oaths , are out of all suspicion at least of this fault . ) That Book is a short Answer to a short Pamphlet , published by Mr. Edward Bagshaw , a too well known troublesome Sectary , in which he undertook to give a deaths-blow to the Infallibity of the Catholick Church . But the weapons used by him were so blunt , and the arm which wielded them so weak , that the stroke was not at all felt . The only Motive therefore inducing me to publish an Answer to so unskilful a Controvertist , was to discover his ignorant mistaking of the Point controverted , and especially his malice against Catholicks , which therefore deserved to be apprehended by us , because to the disgrace of the Church of England , he writes in a sti●e as if he would make the world believe that he had a 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 sh●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 ●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 ●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 guilt● 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 w●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 Wisd●m , and Goodness of God , to give infallible assurance to pers●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 attest● or explain those Writings among Christians . 76. Is such a Church as this , Honoured Sir , securely grounded ? Can you think it a crime in an● 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 Interpreter● 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 all these Books be sure not to miss in collecting all the Texts containing Doctrines necessary to his salvation . 5. And likewise he must be assured by his own light that he conceives the true sence of all these Texts , though he know that there are great quarrels among learned , and pious men about the sense of those Texts . 6. For he must be obliged to believe , that there is not on earth any , either Person or Society , infallible , to which he can be bound in Conscience to submit his judgment , or commit the care of his Soul. 7. Lastly , He must have so firm a memory , as to be able to reject Roman Doctrines because not contained in Scripture . This is Dr. Stillingfleet's Church of England , and so firm is the Rock upon which it is grounde . 77. Now whether that Church of England , wherein we were Christned , and when we were Christned , relied upon such a Foundation as this , may quickly be discovered by reading only her Twentieth Article , which begins thus , The Church ( of England surely ) hath power to decree Rites , or Ceremonies , and Authority in Controversies of Faith. By the Church here she must needs mean the Governours , or Pastours , and authorized Teachers of the Church of England , for none else meddle in prescribing Ceremonies , or determining Controversies of Faith. And these , saith she , have Authority , [ that is , no doubt , in her meaning , not an usurped , but ] lawful Authority . And if so , then she intends that all her Subjects and Disciples should esteem themselves obliged in Conscience to submit to her Decisions both about Ceremonies and Controversies . This submission if any of her Subjects interpret to be only external , or to imply no more than not openly refusing Ceremonies , or opposing Decisions , she will not be contented with it . This appears plainly in her Constitutions , Established , and Published by Regal Authority , under the Great Seal of England : For , from the second Constitution to the tenth , all Impugners of the King's Supremacy , or that affirm that the Church of England is not a true , and Apostolical Church : Likewise all Impugners of her Articles of Religion : of her Ceremonies : of her Government by Bishops : of the Form of Ordinations : Moreover , all Authors of Schisms : and Maintainers of Schismaticks : all these are denounced Excommunicated ipso facto : from which Excommunication they cannot be absolved and restored , till after they have repented , and publickly revoked such their wicked Errours : that is , they must acknowledge themselves to have been in an Errour , a wicked Errour , of which they must repent , and publickly revoke it . 78. This Authority therefore challenged by the Church of England Established by Law ● is manifestly an Authority over the Souls , the Judgment , and Belief of her Subjects : which Authority Dr. Stillingfleet's Church of England does expresly renounce . Therefore his is a meer imaginary Church , which has no subsistence but only in the fancies of a new brood of men , which appeared not in England till Mr. Chillingworth's Book came forth . And of such a Church Mr. Chilingworth stood in need , because he thought he could , with more ease to himself , defend Dr. Potter against his Adversary F. Knott , by depriving the Church of England of her Authority , and laying new Principles of a Church , the same which Dr. Stillingfleet has borrowed , and artificially spread out , and which are greedily embraced by our Young Divines , because they reduce the main Dispute between Catholicks and Protestants to an exercise of wit and fancy , about Adjectives and Participles ending in bilis and dus , and ease them of the same tedious labour of rea●ing and citing Fathers and Councils , which former learned Controvertists , Bishops and Doctors , thought necessary to undergo . 79. Now the reason why the Church of England assumes an Authority obliging her Subjects to a submission of judgment , as well as to external Conformity , ( which other Sects . cannot without a shameless impudence pretend to , and yet do most tyrannically usurp ) seems to me to this : Because she does not look upon her self to be a new-erected Church but as remaining still a Member of the Catholick Church , govern'd by Pastours endowed with Authority received thence , and continuing in a Lineal Succession from St. Peter : And , as supposed a true Member of the Catholick ●hurch , her Clergy National or Provincial , to have right , according to frequent practise in the Ancient Church , to call Synods , and therein reform Discipline , and extirpate such Doctrines as they judge erroneous , how far spread soever they may be : yet in doing this , with the peaceable Spirit of St. Cyprian , [ as to other Churches ] Neminem judicantes , aut à jure Communionis aliquem , si diversum senserit , amoventes ; whereby they conclude themselves free from the guilt of Schism . Neither yet do they assume to themselves an absolute Infallibility in their Ordinances , and Decisions , but ( as your self , Sir , have intimated in your second Question at the end of your Book ) assuring themselves that as long as they remain true Members of the Catholick Church , they have this kind or degree of Infallibility , that they cannot fall into Errours excluding Salvation : and thereupon they judge they may oblige their Subjects to a submission of judgment , and excommunicate Dissenters ; since no danger can follow in case it should happen to be an errour to the belief whereof they submit ; especially considering their constant Profession , that they will all conform to the Determinations of a true , free , and legal General Councill . 80. Such a Notion I conceive all English Protestants had of the Church of England , and her Authority , till Mr. Chillingworth published his Book . Upon such grounds , I am sure , our late worthy and learned Friend Dr. Steward , thought he could sufficiently justifie the Church of England against the Roman Catholick Church her imputing Heresie or Schism to Protestants . And on the same grounds did the most learned among Protestant Bishops proceed in their Controversies : for can you think , Sir , that Bishop Andrews , Bilson , Montague , Laud , Morton , &c. ever entertained a thought , that all Christians whatsoever may with their own Light , both find all points of necessary belief in the Scriptures , and also comprehend the true sence of them ? and that not a Soul in England was obliged to believe a word of the Doctrine established ? 81. Dr. Stillingfleet's Church of England therefore seems to me so far from being that Church which has been Established by Law , that it is the most irrational Church that ever was . The Church of Geneva , or Holland , or other Calvinists , though grounded on this most presumptuous Principle , That they judge of Scripture , and its sence , only by an internal infallible Light of God's Spirit , yet that being once supposed , they proceed rationally thereon , when they oblige all their Subjects to submit their judgments to the Teachings of those respective Churches , or to their Synods of Gap● Dort● &c. Whereas Dr. Stillingfleet exempting all persons from an Obligation of yielding an internal Assent to any Decisions made by Superiours , dissolves the very nature of a Church , and deposes all Superiours . 82. But 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 th●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 Pro●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 opp●sing them , do ground their opposi●ion on the same Spirit . Now it being impossible for any of them by the h●lp of their Spirit to answer a word of s●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 ●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 wise●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 ex●●usion of a Religious Pr●fession , which was nev●r condemned by the Church of England . And the like I affirm with regard to all other p●ssages in my Book , which have rais●d such indignation in you against me : Which indignation , I hop● , 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 , whic● may probably be esteemed a reproachful reviling of the Church or Clergy of England , I do here revoke , and ask pardon for it . ¶ . 7. C●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 th● 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 N●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 Stilling●leet , ho● I presented D'aille his Book [ du vray usage des Peres ] to my Lord Falkland ● which he gave to Mr. ●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. Chillingw●rth ( thanks to D'aille ) being now become a Protestant , and having an intention to defend Dr. Potter against his Adversary F. Kn●tt , was induced , by occasion of a Socinian's Book which he had met withal , to proceed in the Controversie against Cath●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 Omnip●tence to cause that which has been , not to have been . Only as to the determining the precise year , I dare not engage my credit upon an ill memory . 87. Now , Sir , by what Logick do you from this Narration infer , that I aspersed my Lord Falkland with the Character of a Socinian , since he is not so much as ●●med in the second Narrative wh●r● the word Socinian is found ? Truly I pro●●●● on my Conscience , I was so far from that , that I had not a thought of imputing Socinianism to Mr. Chillingworth himself : neit●●r had I any just ground from what I there related . 88. For Mr. Chillingworth having been disheartened by D'aile from appealing to the Holy Fathers of the Church , and being too ingenuous , or rather out of fear of God , not daring to pretend to Divine Il●uminations against his Conscience , and which he could not justifie , gladly made use of the grounds which he found first in a Socinian's Book , who in stead of a private Divine Spirit , substituted common Reason , as the only proper Iudge of the sence of Scripture : And upon these grounds pr●cisely has he proceeded through his whole Book . But , Sir , is this sufficient to make poor Mr. Chillingworth pass for a very Socinian ? Do●s the making private Re●son ●udge of the true sence of Scripture , in●●r● that neither Christ , nor the Holy Gh●●t are God ? that the pains of Hell are not eternal ? tha● separated Souls have no being , or at least no perception ? &c. God ●orbid : for t●en how many innocent persons would be guilty of Blasphemies unawares to themselves ? Then not only Mr. Chillingworth , but Dr. Stillingfleet , and besides them , God knows how many more in London , and in the Vniversities of England , would be Socinians . 89. But as touching my Lord Falkland , I was so far from entertaining a suspicion , and much more from propagating that suspicion to others , that I believe there are in England scarce three persons besides my self , that are so enabled to give a Demonstration of the contrary , which was a solemn protestation made by himself to the greatest Prelate of England , of his aversion from those blasphemous ●lo●●sies which had been most unjustly , by I know not whom , laid to his charge . It could not possibly therefore be , that my having found cr●dit with two or three p●rsons of the Church of England , should have induced them to asperse his Lordship with so foul a stain . But upon whose credit soever they framed such a scandal , so nice a Lover of Veracity and Sincerity that most excellent Lord was , that his serious renouncing of such an imputation , ought to be esteemed by all Persons of Honour or Honesty a more than sufficient eviction of his innocence . And now , though I could not without much inward trouble read my self published a Calumniator of the Noblest Friend and Benefactor that ever I enjoyed , yet having an inward witness of mine own innocence , and an assurance also that no proofs could be made to appear , suff●cient to justifie such an imputation , I took no small pleasure in seeing your most generous Zeal in vindicating his Honour . 90. I beseech you therefore , Honoured Sir , let me no longer remain in your thoughts as a Detractor of that N●ble Lord , who , I perceive , was in a particular manner dear to ●●ur self also , and whose Memory ought to b● pretious to every one who has any est●em of Vertue , Heroical Fidelity to His Master and King , incomparable Learning , and all admirable Endowments . I assure you I was so far from the least intention to bl●● his Memory , that I should judge my self justly liable to be condemned as defective in the Duti●s of Friendship , and Resp●ct to so Noble a Friend , if in case God had ever placed me in a condition capable of doing any considerable good to others , I had contented my self with expressing my aff●ction to him by a few elegant Phrases , and windy Elogies , having means and opportunity to raise his Family out of that narrow condition , in which that most Noble Lord , who had been no skilful Projector of profit to hims●lf , had left it . 91. But having been incapable of this , I yet thank God , that the poor and contemptible condition in which I am , do●s not hinder me from being in a capacity of shewing my Gratitude in a way , I hope , for more advantageous to that admirable Person himself , than by ●●●ry Commendations . For though you , Sir , condemn , as uncharitable , that Position o● Catholicks , That no Salvation is t● be had out of the Communion of the Catholick Church : Yet since all Catholicks grant that this is not necessarily to be understood of an Actual , External Communion , but that many Christians of vertuous devout Lives , and having had a constant preparation of mind to prefer Truth , whensoever effectually discovered to them , before all Temporal Advantages , they dying in this disposition , though not externally joined to the Church , will be esteemed by our merciful Lord as true Members of his Mystical Body the Church . And since it is most certain , that all the Alms Prayers and Sacrifices offer'd to God by and in the Vniversal Church , are intended by her to be beneficial to all Souls departed , as far as they are capable , and according as God shall apply them . And lastly , since I am assur'd that my Lord Falkland l●●ding a vertuous Life , despised all wor●●ly things in comparison of necessary Divine Truth ● and i● being apparent by his Discourse of Infallibility , that he had framed a judgment touching the Catholick Church out of certain Catholick Writers , who ●epresented it too disadvantageously to him , and not with such Qualifications as the Church her self has done : Upon these Considerations who can forbid me to desire , and even hope , that his Soul , though not by name recommended , may receive benefit and comfort , when at the Altar , and elsewhere , all Catholicks join in praying thus , Omnium fidelium defunctorum animae per misericordiam Dei requies●ant in Pace , Amen ? ¶ . 8. Concerning King H●nry the Eighth . 92. ANother Crime ● it seems , of no ordinary heinousness , was my stiling King Henry the Eighth a Tyrant , for with this I am charged once and again . You cannot , Sir , I am sure , believe , that I used that word in the same notion 〈…〉 do wh●n ●hey call Cr●mwel a Tyrant , which imports a Merciless Vsurper . Truly I meant no more thereby than what generally Protestant Historiographers and others write of him , that he was an unjust and Merciless King. I am sure Sir Wal●er ●a●leigh in the Preface to his 〈…〉 Henry was Father of his own most Gr●cious an● Munificent Mistress , yet is bold to say , That if all the Pictures and Pa●terns of a Merciless Prince were 〈◊〉 in the World , they might all again be 〈…〉 the life out of that King's S●ory . 〈…〉 of my ●e●●ioning King Henry 〈…〉 epistle to the English Car 〈…〉 , was his cru●l dealing 〈…〉 , retired , devout Predec●●●●●● 〈…〉 whom he caused to be executed as Traytors , meerly because they dur●t not , simply upon his will , without any previous instruction , debate , or consultation with his Clergy in a National Synod , renounce an Article of their Religion , for many Ages never questioned in England , or any other Catholick Kingdom . This seemed to me an Act in a high degree both unjust , and cruel : and no less cruel , and unjust I dare say does another Act of his appear to Dr. Stillingfleet's Church , I mean not only his beheading , but leaving a perpe●ual foul stain on the memory of his second-first Wife , the now exalted virtuous Lady Anne Bulen , Mother of Queen Elizabeth . 93. But as touching the so highly displeasing term , Tyrant , I do so much , and indeed ●o entirely defer to your Honourable judgment , that though I am unable to give a reason for it , yet I am now perswaded that I ought not to have named that word . For no doubt such persons of high condition , lik● your self , are ex●ct●y skil●ul in what terms w● ought to speak to , and of , Great Princes I wish therefore I could b●●t it out , and if God afford th●●ife and opportunity to ●nd my Church History after the Conqrest ( of which as yet the affairs of little more than two hundred and forty years are dispatched , and which will have its conclusion in the death of the same King ) I will 〈◊〉 heed of that unseemly word ( Tyrant : ) and moreover , I will consult with knowing persons how after the most tender manner , I ought to relate the actions of some of our Kings , which I must not always conceal , and I cannot with a good conscience but condemn . ¶ . 9. Of Archbishop CRANMER . 9● . FOrasmuch as concerns Archbishop Cranmer , whose memory ( you say ) will ●e p●eserved , as of a most worthy Prelate and glorious Martyr , notwithstanding the foul imputations cast by Mr. Cr●ssy upon him [ to wit , Treason . ] For which Crime ( you also affirm ) that unhappy and ill advised Queen Mary rather desired to have hanged him , than to have him burnt for his Religion . But the Law would not extend to serve her turn that way ; If it would , no man would have blamed her for having prosecuted him with the utmost rigour . 95. Honoured Sir , the Crime of Treason , I confess is foul ; but the imputation of so ●oul a crime is not foul , unless it be groundless or false . Now I humbly conceive , how false soever that imputation can be proved to be , you have no reason to suspect me to be the inventer of it , and therefore not answerable for it . And so much confidence I have in your justice , being a person of Honour , that you will absolve m● now that I shall produce Vouchers of that imputation , men of unquestioned credit , even with your self . In the first place therefore Fox your voluminous Martyrologist expresly says , This is certain , that the Archbishop was shortly after cast into the Tower , and within a while condemned of Treason . Again , He appeared before the Lords in the Star-Chamber , where b●ing accused of Treas●n , and sediti●us Papers , they sent him to the Tower. The same Fox moreover produces the Letters which Cranmer among others wrote to Queen Mary , commanding her to acknowledge J●ne Grey to be lawful Queen , and to desist from challenging the Crown . In the next place Hollinshead affirms , that he was arraigned of Treason , not only for giving counsel to disherit Queen Mary , but likewise because he had sent Horse and Men to aid the Duke of Northumberland [ then in manifest Rebellion ] against Queen Mary . My third Voucher is Bishop G●dwin , who writes thus , At first it was thought fit to proceed against Cranmer by Law , as guilty of Treason , because he had subscribed to the Decree touching the promoting Jane Grey to be Queen . Theref●re on the twelfth of November , after he had been some time detained in the Tower , they accused him of Treason , together with the said Jane and some others . And they were all condemned as guilty of that crime . To these I might adjoyn other witnesses to the same effect , as Stow , Speed , Martin , &c. Only indeed I must confess , his kind fr●endly Successo●r Parker tells us , in contradiction to his Iuries and Iudges , that he was evinced ●f Tre●son , in a form of Iustice , without Truth . But you may be pleased to be now one of his Iudges , and deter●ine , Whether a man convicted of dispers●ng sediti●us Papers , of pr●m●ti●g an usurping Queen , of commanding th● law●ul h●ir of the Crown to desist from her Claim , and of sending Horse and Foot to the General ●f ● Rebellious Army , be not legally guilty of Tre●s●n , and cons●q●ently , whether the Law w●uld not have extended to serve Queen Ma●i●s turn to hang y●ur m●st worthy Prelate and gl●ri●us Martyr for th●t Crime . 95. And whereas you reprehend me for saying , that the final judgment both touching Ecclesiastical Government , and Doct●ine was ●eferred by the same Archbishop to a King , of about nine years of a●e , s●nce I cannot but kn●w that in all K●ngd●me ●●redi●ary the Ki●g is n●t less King for being but 〈◊〉 years of age and that all sentences and judgments are as much r●ferred to him then , as when he is at f●●● age . This 〈◊〉 clause I acknowledge : but that which I 〈◊〉 on as a most in●amous act in Cranmer , w●s that he , an ancient Archbishop of Canterbury , in his old age should sh●w such a slavish , ●o●did disposition , as to expect ins●ruct●●●s , and a ●●rections in his belief from a S●●ular Auth●rity . even a Child , and again , that having all his life mad● Prof●ssion of Cath●lick Religion , he should in the end b● 〈◊〉 r●●diness ●o submit himself , an● his Church to a Sacrilegious Protector , whilst , against the express will of K. Hen. who had intrusted him , with others , in the care of his Sons Education , he shamefully abusing the lovely inn●cent Prince , did in his Name , and a● by his Authority utterly abolish the Religion of the Kingdom , professed by all his Ancestors , and entirely change the ●●ame of the Church , both in Doctrine , and Discipline . W●ether by the Laws of the Kingd●m ● the Protector had just power , during the nonage of a King , to act in such a manner the part of [ an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ] a Destroyer , I am n●t able to de●●rmine . You , honoured Sir , I believe can easi●y do it : but withal , you cannot de●y , that your glorious Martyr Archbish●p Cranmer , forasmuch as concern●d his F●ith , made himself a Disciple , to be Ca●ec●is'd in the Principles of his Religi●n by a Child of nine years of Age , who by virtue o● his Fathers lat●ly assumed Title , was become the Head of a Body , w●ich had no resemblance with the ●orm●r , ●ither in Belief or Government . And that it was the Chi●d hims●l● in person whom the grave Archbishop desired , and thought suffi●i●ntly en●bled , to be his Catechiser , we have his o●n acknowledgment in a Letter writ●en to ●h●●k th● young King's Tutor , which Lett●r is deservedly for his honour recorded by Fox , in which we read this passage , Ah Mr. Che●k , you may rejoyce all the days of your life , th●t you have such a Disciple , who has more knowledge in Divinity in his little finger , then we all have in our whole body . The Protector indeed was the great Apostle of the Kingdom , but his Mission he must have receiv●d from his Pupil , both to preach a new Faith , and to consummate former Sacriledge : In the mean time the humble Archbishop remained in expectation what he was to believe , and in an uncertainty whether his Ordination we●e valid , or not . I will end t●is matter with the Character of Cranmer , given by Duditius an emin●nt Protestant , Cranm●r ● says he , seems to have been b●rn and framed for dissimulation , which quality he made use of in all things through his whole life . ¶ . 10. Of the Re-Ordination imputed to Catholicks . 96. THis word , Ordination , puts me in mind of a dangerous Question , which you thought fit to propose , How Mr. Cressy , and the rest who have received Orders in the Church of England , can justifie or excuse their being Re-ordained after they change their Religion , since so many Councils have declared against it , and no one for it ; and since the succession of Bishops is as plainly manifest in one Church , as in the other . And what difference can there be assigned , why such as the Greek Church who come to them , are not Re-ordained , but th●se of the Church of England are compelled to be ? 87. Noble Sir , for any thing that appears in your Animadversions , you may be one of the honourable Iudges , and perhaps possessed of the highest Office of Iudi●●ture , and therefore I humbly take leave in answering this Question to leave out Mr. Cressy's name , since he is loth to write , and publish any thing that may pass absolutely for an evidence under his own hand , against his own life in case he be suspected to be concerned in this matter , as you say absolutely he is . Indefinitely speaking therefore , and without a dangerous refl●ction on any one : those of the English Clergy returning to the Catholick Church are not permitted to exercise the Sacerdotal Office , without being ●as you stile it , Re-ordained ) but in Catholick language , simply Ordained , and of this several reasons are given : I will only name one : but such an one against which I cannot imagine a possible Reply : and that is a consideration how the Form of Ordination , and Consecration was purposely , and studiously changed by the Church of England to shew that she renounced that Function which by the Catholick Church , yea , by the Greekish and all ancient Churches , was esteemed formally essential to Priesthood , which is , Conf●cere● & offerre Corpus Domini . She will have Priests , but she will have no Sacrifice , which two , I believe● have never been divided by any Christian Church before the last A●e . So that though the present new Form considered simply in it self , did not invalidate Ordination ( for the Greek Church also Ordains in a Form different from the Roman ) yet the declaring such to have been the Motive , and ground of the change most certainly does . And that this was the Motive seems to me evidently collected from the 31. Article of the Church of England : The words are these , The Offering of Christ once made● is that perfect Redemption , Propi●iation , and Satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world , both original and actual● and there is none other satisfaction for sin , but that alone . Wherefore the Sacrifices of Masses , in the which it was commonly said that the Priests did offer Christ for the quick and the dead , to have remission of pain or guilt were blasphemous fables , and dangerous deceits . Hence it is plain that the Church of England renounces that Function which the Catholick Church esteems essential to Priesthood , and consequently in England , Priesthood seems to be a new quite different Order , and far from being the same which is con●erred in , and by the Roman Church . Therefore I conceive Sir , you had no● much cause to wonder or blame Catholick Churches for not admitting such persons to exercise the Functions of Priesthood , since neither their Ordainers , nor they themselves , ever had , nor intended to have such Functions or Faculties conferred on them , but on the contrary esteemed them in a high measure injurious to our Saviour's Priesthood . ¶ . 11. Of several speculative P●ints of Controverted Doctrines . Of a State-Religion . And of Professions of Loyalty . ●8 . TH●se , Noble Sir , are the several Crimes laid to my charge , I mean such as personally regard my self alone : And th●se are my respective Answers There may possibly be some more besides these in your Animadversions , which have escaped my Observation : though I think there are none so considerable , as would much oblige me to lengthen this Apology : a work , God willing , which shall be the last of this nature . There is another great Crime far more hainous than all th●se , of which not my self alone , but many others better than my self are eith●r accused by you , or rendred shrewdly susp●cted : which is , a want , or perhaps a disability of giving satisfaction to the State of our Fidelity to his Majesty . This is in several places repeated by you , and most accurately descanted on among your nine Questions near the conclusion of your Book . 99. This is indeed a subject of great concern , and therefore deserves a more serious application , it being also the last ground of reprehension ; with an Answer whereto my purpose is to conclude this Apology . For , honoured Sir , I beseech you not to take it ill , or interpret it a neglect , that I am silent with regard to several passages in your Animadversions , since the whole design of this Apology is the endeavouring to qualifie the Indignation which you have conceived against me ; and I doubt , imprinted in the minds of too many besides . Whereas therefore you have inserted Reflections , and Censures on several speculative Points of Catholick Doctrine , I may justly be dispensed with for interesting my self in such a subject : especially considering , that I do not find that you have a purpose to make Controversie your serious employment . It any professed Protestant Controvertist shall borrow from you any arguments against Catholick Tenents , which he knew no● before , as truly , Doctor Stillingfleet may , from your Discourse touching the nature of a Church , which is far less irrational , than his own , he may then begin to speak de tribus Capellis . 100. The sum of what you write , Sir , on this subject seems to me to be this . 1. You lay a certain new ground of your Discourse , which is , that besides Christian Religion considered according to its essentials ( which are exceedingly few , and which are absolutely unchangeable ) there ought to be acknowledged another Christian State-Religion containing other Doctrines not essential , both regarding belief and discipline , which may be altered , approved , or rejected by a National Church though never so far spread , or never so long continued . 2. In consequence hereunto , you require me to explain what is the full intent of that spiritual Power which we acknowledge in the Pope over England , and whether it be more than is granted by the Sovereign Power , and Municipal Laws of the Kingdom . 3. And from hence , you , being perswaded that it is more , do wish that all English Catholicks ( who you think , have a Religion different from that in other Catholick States ) would give an evidence , and security of and for their Fidelity to his Majesty , by disclaiming all kind of subjection to another ( Spiritual ) Sovereign , as their fellow Subjects do , yea , as hath been done lately , even by Catholick Subjects in France . 101. These , noble Sir , are the Proposals ( at least as many of them as concern me at present ) which you have thought fit to make , to the end to oblige me , by my resolution of them to discover whether the suspicions you seem to have of the defect in Loyalty , not of my self only , but of my Superiours , and Brethren also , be not justly grounded . I am willing to give you herein the best satisfact●on I am able . And truly Sir , were it not for the first Proposal , I should heartily wish , that , as I do not at all doubt but that you are indeed a Person of Honour , I could also be assured that you were of Great Authority in Publick Counsels , for then I might hope that God would make an instrument of his great goodness to us , such a Person who has generously , in such circumstances as we are at the present , declared his judgment , that in case we could justifie our Loyalty , we should not for our dissenting otherways from the Religion of the State , be the only persons excluded from his Majesties gracious Indulgence , and the rights of Free-born Subjects . 102. In order now to the satisfaction I desire to give you , Sir , I will in the first place consider the first proposal , which I conceive you intended for a foundation on which you build a perswasion that we ought to renounce an acknowledgment of any authority at all , though purely spiritual , assumed by the Pope over his Majesties Subjects . 103. Hereto therefore I say , that as to the distinction you have framed between a Religion of State and Christianity considered according to its essentials which last only you seem to affirm to be unalterable , it being a distinction never before heard of by me , and now a●so not perfectly understood . I know not w●ll what Answer to make . In discoursing on this subject you seem to make your State-Religion to regard external discipline , Ceremonies , Solemnities , &c. And for such matters it will be easily granted , that the Sovereign Temporal Prince may if need be , interpose himself in the ordering of them for the convenience of his people , in case this may be done without endangering a Schism from the Body of Christianity . But you extend your State-Religion yet farther , so as to contain Doctrines also , such as are not essential to a Christian Profession , which you say may be altered by the Prince with Advice of his National Clergy , and errors removed how long soever continued , and how largely soever dispersed . This may also pass , upon condition , first , that neither the Prince , nor his Clergy take upon them to judge those Doctrines to be errors , which the Vniversal or Patriarchal Church , of which they are subordinate members , doth teach , and hath Synodically established : And next , that they will submit their decisions to a future judgment of the Vniversal , or Patriarchal Church . For otherwise all Vnity , all Authority Ecclesiastical , and all Order in Gods Church will be utterly dissolved . 104. And whereas you demand of Catholicks , that they explain what is the full extent of that Spiritual Power which they acknowledge in the Pope over England , &c. you must permit me to say , that to give an account exactly of all the several Acts of Spiritual Iurisdiction belonging to the Pope over all within his Patriarchate , would require perhaps several months study . But I suppose the intent of this demand may more easily be satisfied , by saying in the first place , That since even the greatest Princes are not Spiritual Pastors ● but subject , as to their souls , to the Iurisdiction of their lawful Pastors ; an exemption from which would not be a priviledge , but a misery : And again , since the Pope considered but even as a Patriarch , has of right belonging to him a Spiritual Iurisdiction , and power to inflict Spiritual Censures on all persons sub●ect to him , even Princes also , according to their demerits : we therefore , conceiving it an unquestionable Truth , that England is comprehended within the Western Patriarchate , must also affirm , that the Pope's Spiritual Iurisdiction extends to us also . But then in the next place , we also confidently affirm , that by Virtue of this Spiritual Iurisdiction inherent in the Pope , the Temporal Rights , and Power of the King ( or even of the meanest of his Subjects ) are not at all abridged , or prejudiced . This assertion , Sir , you cannot but know has always been maintaine in France , the Pope not contradicting it . Hence it follows , that it is agreeable to Catholick Religion : And why English Catholicks should be suspected not to be as tender of the just Rights , and precious Lives also of their Sovereign , as the Catholick Subjects of any other Kingdom , and why they should be thought to be willing to acknowledge any Temporal power , Direct , or Indirect , to be inherent in the Pope , over the King or Kingdom ; to which not any Catholick Gentleman or Nobleman would submit , I cannot imagine . And truly , Honoured Sir , I do extremely wonder upon what grounds you should suspect any Catholicks disposed to betray the Rights , and Honour of our Sovereign , or our Ecclesiasticks unwilling to touch upon this Point concerning the Popes Temporal Power , which you say , is the Hinge upon which all other Controversies between Protestants , and English Catholicks do so entirely hang and depend that if that only were taken off , all the rest would quickly fall to the ground . 105. Noble Sir , if ever you read this Apology , you will find that it is published permissu Superiorum , and therefore what I shall now write on this special subject you may please to consider , not as the inconsiderable opinion of one particular person only . I do now therefore assure you , that there is not any one Point of Controversie upon which we more earnestly desire to be summoned to give an account before equal Iudges , than this . But withal , permit me , I beseech you , to say , that though in many regards none could be more fit to sit on that Tribunal than your self , yet one Principle you seem to have imbibed , which would undo us all . For you will not be content with our justifying our selves to be Loyal Subjects , unless we will be Herodians also : you will not be content that we should give to Caesar the things which belong to Caesar , unless we give him those things which belong to God too . We do willingly acknowledge , that all Christian Kings ( not of England only ) have in some sense a kind of Spiritual Authority ● that they ought to be Nursing Fathers to God's Church ; that God expects from them that they should promote true Christian Doctrine , both touching Faith and Manners ; that they should employ their Kingly Power when occasion is , to oblige even Ecclesiastical persons to perform their Duties , yea , even Bishops also to govern Christ ●s flock according to the Orders prescribed them ; and all their Subjects to live in all Christian Piety , and Virtue . We sincerely acknowledge all this , and that in executing this they are God's Substitutes : But we dare not acknowledge them to be the Successors of Christ's Apostles . We receive Christian Doctrines , and the Orthodox sence of Scripture , not from Princes , but from such Pastors and Teachers only as God has appointed by a Lineal Succession to continue in his Church to the end of the World , for the perfecting of the Saints , for the work of the Ministry , for the edifying of the Body of Christ : that we be not children tossed to and fro , and carried about with every wind of Doctrine , by the slight of men , &c. These divinely authorized Teachers and Pastors , by the assistance of God's Spirit promised to them , do preserve the Church one Body , consisting of several distinct Members united in the same Catholick and Apostolick Faith and Charity : which Faith is unalterable , both as to the Foundation , and Superstructure . We do not understand your State-Religion . We never till now heard of such a Position as this , That all Churches , in case they preserve entire only the Fundamental Articles of the Creed , though the Supreme Power respectively in them took liberty to change any other Doctrines , were sufficiently Orthodox . And I confess when I had read such a Discourse in your Animadversions , touching a State-Religion , I then exceedingly wondred at the Approbation . 107. But , Sir , does this concern only Roman Catholicks in England ? Are they the only persons obnoxious to a suspicion of Disloyalty , and to all the most horrible punishments threatned in our Laws against Traytors , because they dare not profess the State-Religion ? You seem to be perfectly acquainted with the State of France , and you are well satisfied with the Profession of Fidelity made by the Hugonots . But have they any reverence for the State-Religion there ? Do not they freely justifie their own Religion against it , even that Religion , the Profession whereof they extorted by shedding the blood of many Myriads of their Kings faithful Subjects ? Yet notwithstanding all this , they are now in your opinion very faithful Subjects too ; and no man thinks of obliging them to the State Religion . Doubtless also you know England better than France . How many thousand Dissenters are there from the State Religion , besides Roman Catholicks ? yet the terrible Laws are made only against Roman Catholicks . From Roman Catholicks only , care is taken of exacting Oaths both of Fidelity and Supremacy as being esteemed the only dangerous Subjects in the Kingdom , and this for the Treasonable Actions or scarce one score of persons , abhorred by all the rest . For the discovery and prevention of such personal Treasons , Thanksgivings must solemnly every year be paid to God , and Devotion at such times is expressed by renewing malice against innocent persons . Whereas a delivery of the whole Kingdom and Church from almost an Vniversal Rebellion , designing the extinction of Monarchy , and Prelacy both , yea , and executing the Murder of the lawful Sovereign , is not esteemed a motive for a publick Engagement to pay thanks to God , or to preserve in mens minds a memory of his wonderful Blessing to the Nation : neither it seems is there at all a necessity of requiring from any a Retraction of the Principles of Rebellion , or a promise that it shall never be renewed . Noble Sir , I beseech you not to interpret this to be spoken out of a malignant envy against any , or a desire that others should share in our sufferings . Perhaps there is a necessity , considering the Constitution of the present Age , that some party should remain for ever in a state of suffering : And this being so , it is certainly agreeable to Prudence , that those should suffer whose Religion teaches them to suffer , and who have been so long enured thereto , who most certainly will meekly suffer , without resisting , and who do sincerely profess , that according to their perswasion , it is absolutely unlawful to defend their Religion , persecuted by Sovereign Magistrates , by any other way but suffering . Notwithstanding it is probable that these Statesmen may find small cause to boast , who have thought fit to continue the last Ages policy , when for the gaining of a present advantage , or preventing an inconsiderable incommodity , it was judged expedient to have always in a readiness this mean of giving contentment to the Vulgar , by complying with their clamours , Christian●s ad Le●nes . For they might have done well to have some apprehensions least those Lions , after they had devoured their destined prey , might perhaps next , with more security , and a fi●rcer appetite , turn upon their Masters . 108. It is now at length time to say something to your Principal Proposal , in which I am most nearly concern'd , which is your wish that English Catholicks ' would give an evidence , and security of , and for their Fidelity to His Majesty , &c. that so they may shew themselves as good Subject's as those of France , who by occasion of a seditious Book , have , you say , Sir , in a Declaration of the Sorbon concerning the King's Independency , thus certified their resolution , in the year 1663. ( Qu●d Subd●ri fidem , &c. ) That Sub●ects do so entirely owe Faith and Obedience to their most Christian King , that upon no pretext whatsoever they can be dispenced therefrom . For this you commend the French : But as for English Catholicks , they , in your judgment , do depend on the Pope so entirely , that they have a Religion quite different from that which is professed , and established in any other Cath●lick Country in Europe . 109. Honoured Sir , it cannot indeed be denied , but that English Catholicks ( I mean , Ecclesiasticks ) have a peculiar dependance on the See of Rome , more than Catholicks generally have in other Countries : For without in Authority thence derived , they cannot come into England to sacrifice their lives for the Spiritual assistance which Charity requires from them to their Brethren here . But , Sir , it such a dependance be a crime , to whom 〈◊〉 to be imputed ? It is c●rtain they themselves would much rather live under such Or●inary Superiours as govern in all Catholick Countries . But this will not be allowed them , to their great gri●f . It cannot therefore be help'd , but they must either r●nounce Ch●istian Charity , and suffer their poor Country-men to starve for want of Spiritual Nourishment , or apply themselves to 〈◊〉 , who alone , as the case now stands , can give them a Mission and Authority to die for Faith and Charity . 110. But , Sir , I cannot conceive how such a special dependance as this should move you to think that we are of a Religion quite different from that of other Catholicks abroad . For whatsoever Iurisdiction our Priests do exercise , it is the very same which , in case there were any Catholick Bishops in England , would have been conferred by them : No other Commission have they , no particular engagement to the Pope at all . 111. I might therefore , if I would , contrive a Form of Profession of Loyalty , and such a one as I am confident could not with reason be excepted against . I might do this if I would : but truly I desire to be excus'd , for I will not do it . First , because , as to your self , there is no need : For , Honoured Sir , you have done it your self for us all , and for the whole Kingdom . You are satisfied with the Declaration of the King of France his Independency , lately made by the Sorbon , importing , That Subjects owe to their King such Fidelity and Obedience , as that upon no pretence whatsoever they can be dispensed therefrom . You , Sir , judge this to be a sufficient engagement ; and truly so it is : And can you suspect any English Catholick unwilling to subscribe to such a Declaration , if legally tendred to him ? I would to God you could as easily perswade all the rest of the Kings Subjects to do the like , and with as much sincerity . But by this your easiness to be satisfied in a matter of this nature , me thinks I perceive , that , to my grief , you , Honoured Sir , are not a Counsellour of State , nor a Leading Member in the Great Council of the Kingdom : For such Grandees have not usually had any liking to Professions of Allegiance easie to be understood , sufficient to give reasonable satisfaction , and which generally Catholicks will accept . A second reason why I will not take upon me ( neither would I advise any other Catholick ) to frame a Form of such a Profession , is because it may probably do much harm , and without question will do no good . 112. And this puts me in mind of a Promise I made before to give you a Reason ( quite different from that mentioned by your self ) why I wished that he , who took care of the second Impression of my Exomologesis , had quite left out that form of Profession of Allegiance , ( as by mis-information you , Sir , said he had . ) Now my reason is , because I find by experience that not the least good , but on the contrary very great inconveniences have been caused by the said Form so published . You certainly have heard , Honoured Sir , of the Irish Remonstrance , which one particular officious person proposed , and a Subscription whereto he procured , by Publick Authority , to be imposed on all Catholicks in that Kingdom . It as but too well known what Commotions , Dissentions , and scandalous Invectives on both sides this has occassioned ; and moreover , what dangers to the party which opposed him . Yet doubtless many who had no considerable Objections to make against any clause in the said Form , yet refused to subscribe to it , out of indignation , that one person should , without Commission from them , take upon him to force them to cloath their Conc●p●ions in his Expressions . Others probably there were who did not approve some of his Phrases : ( though in general they were willing enough , in an ordinary way , to give as good testimony of their Fidelity as himself : ) they perhaps thought them unnecessarily rude , undutiful , and dis-respective to the Supreme Pastor : and that alone will be sufficient to cause a publick Condemnation of the whole Profession : by occasion of which Condemnation , many tender conscienced Catholicks cannot avoid the being involved in terrible dangers from the Supreme Magistrate requiring such a Subscription . All these perniciou● Consequences have attended the foresaid Irish Remonstrance : And in the end , please to take notice that this Irish Remonstrance is the very same Form of Profession , without the least alteration , which is to be found in both the Impressions of my Exomologesis . Have I not therefore just reason to wish it had never seen the Light ? and likewise to resolve never , upon mine own judgment , to frame any other Form of the like nature ? 113. But it is very strange , Sir , that you should suspect that in England we should have a Religion different from that of Catholicks abroad , because we do not agree upon a sufficient Form of Profession of Loyalty , since you must needs know that very few , if any at all , would refuse Subscription to that Form prescribed by the State ; in case that unlucky word ( Heretical ) were blotted out . Now , would your Conscience , Sir , permit you to condemn as Traytors all such as are willing sincerely to take that Oath , on condition they might be permitted in repeating it to skip over that single word , a word of no manner of importance to the substance of the Oath ? or it they might change ( Heretical ) into ( Contrary to the Word of God ) which I verily believe was the sence intended by King Iames : for so learned a Prince could not by the word ( Heretical ) intend what Catholicks in the Schools mean by that word , since he knew that the Church in a General Council had never had occasion to publish a Decision upon that subject . But whatever since was intended by King Iames , it is but too certain that other Politicians contrived that word on purpose that the Oath might be refused , as appeared when Secretary Cecill , having been informed that fourteen Catholick Priests meeting in Fleetstreet , had given their judgment , that the Oath , as it lay , might lawfully be taken , in great choler told some other Privy Counsellours , that they might think of contriving a New Oath of Allegiance , since the Papists were resolved to take that which was already made . Now it may reasonably be judged that it was on such grounds as these that the fore-mentioned Fourteen Priests made no scruple to determine the lawfulness of taking the Oath as it lies , ( whose judgment very many others also at that time followed ) understanding the word Heretical in the sence of those who compiled the said Oath ; since common Reason teaches , That all Oaths , Professions and Promises , are to be understood in the sence of those who frame and require them , and not of those upon whom they are imposed . 114. It were madness therefore in us to expect that any Oath contrived by our selves how stringent , and how comprehensive soever , would be admitted , especially in these times . And truly , Sir , it is a very sad case , that upon such a pretence we should be supposed more than all Catholick Subjects in other Nations , to be wanting in Fidelity , and to have renounced the Duty taught us by our Catholick Ancestors , who were so far from acknowledging any Supremacy of the Pope in Temporals , and much less any Authority in him to depose Princes , that even in those times when Church-men had the greatest Power in this Kingdom , Statutes were made with the joint Votes of the Clergy , upon occasion of some Usurpations of the the Roman Court , in which the Penalty was no less than a Praemunire against any one who without the Kings License should make any Appeals to Rome , or submit to a Legats Iurisdiction , or upon the Pope's Summons go out of the Kingdom , or receive any Mandats or Briefs from Rome , or purchase Bulls for Presentments to Churches . And , which is most considerable , the ground of their rejecting Papal Usurpations , is thus expressed : For that the Crown of England is free , and hath been free from Earthly Subjection at all times , being immediately subject to God in all things touching the Regalities of the same , and not subject to the Pope . Moreover , one following additional Clause deserves to be considered in the same Statute , viz. To this all the Bishops present , and all the Procurators of those who were absent , unanimously assented , protesting also against the Popes translating some Bishops , &c. This Act also was confirmed with the Protestation of the Lords , and all the Liege Commons , That they would stand with the King and His ●rown , and His Regalities in the cases aforesaid , and in all other Cases attempted against Him , His Crown and Regality in all points to live and to die . 115. Now after all this , though I am obstinately resolved never to take on me to frame a Form of Profession of Loyalty , nor , without a publick Command , to concur with others to the framing one ; yet since you are pleased , Honoured Sir , so earnestly to demand one , and being also firmly perswaded , that it is from a charitable and compassionate intention towards us , that you demand it , I cannot refuse so far to comply with your curiosi●y , as to shew you a Form , not made in or for England ; yet such an one as perhaps you will judge very easily applicable to our purpose , and ratified by v●ry great Authority . And this I conceive will be more proper , and fit for your view , because therein you will see what judgment a whole great Catholick Kingdom has of the Popes pretended Temporal Authority , and how little prejudice comes to a Sovereign Monarch's Right by admitting the Spiritual Iurisdiction of the Supreme Pastor . But before I set down the said Form , give me leave to relate a short Story regarding it . 116. You may doubtless remember , Noble Sir , that not many years since , the Catholicks being put in hope that the Poenal Laws against them would probably be Repealed , were advised , by some worthy Friends , to prepare a clear and candid Form of Profession of Fidelity : in the framing of which notwithstanding , ( for the causes before mentioned ) they found great difficulty . Whilst Consul●ation was had about this master , it hapned that in a Conv●rsation with my Lord Aubigny , I told him I believed I could propose a F●rm against which no r●●sonable exception could be made on any side ; and accordingly I brought one to him , with which he was very well satisfied . I left him in a resolution to present the said Form ●o a P●r●on of Highest Eminence , and Pow●r in Publick Councils . A few days after , I ●ound that he had not ex●cuted that resolut●on , and truly I remained sati●fied that there was a just reason for it . For the s●id Eminent Person , though H● was really desirous that favour should be extend●d to Cath●licks so far as that the Sa●guinary Laws against them should be abrogated : But in continuance of the ancient P●li●y He thought fit that several other Paenal Laws should be only suspended ; to the end that upon certain occasions they might now and then be executed ; and this not upon the account of their Re●i●ion , but a suspicion of their want of Fidelity to Hi● Majesty : Which Fidelity was ●o b● supposed inconsistent with the Spiritual Iurisdiction which they acknowledged in the Pope . Now in this said Form there were three great faults , very prejudicial to such a design : 〈◊〉 first , no reasonable exception could be made against it , as insufficient . Again , it was confidently believed that the Pope could never be induced to condemn it . And , thirdly , it could not be doubted , but that generally Catholicks would readily subscribe to it . These things considered , it was thought fit , that the said Form should not be presented to the foresaid Great Person , lest in stead of satisfying , it should have incensed Him , and rendred Him our Enemy . After this Preface , I will now subjoin the said Form of Profession of Fidelity . 117. A certain scandalous and seditious Book being published Anno Domini 1626. the Faculty of Paris having appointed certain learned Doctors to peruse it , they collected out of it these following Propositions . 1. That the Pope may punish Kings and Princes with Temporal Punishment : That he may depose them , and deprive them of their Kingdoms and States for the Crime of Heresie , and free their Subjects from their Obedience : And that this hath been always the custom of the Church . 2. That he may do the same for other sins : if it be expedient : if Princes are negligent : if they be incapable or unprofitable . 3. That the Pope hath Power over all things Spiritual , and over all things Temporal : And that he hath such Power by Divine Right . 4. That we ought to believe that a Power hath been given to the Church , and to her Sovereign Pastor , to punish with Temporal Punishment [ Princes ] who sin against Divine and Humane Laws : particularly i● their Crime be Heresie . 5. That the Apostles were indeed de facto subject to Secular Powers , but not de jure : And as soon as the Pontifical Majesty became established , all Princes became subject thereto . 6. That those words of Jesus Christ to his Apostles , Whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth , shall be bound in Heaven , &c. are to be understood , not of a Spiritual Power only , but also of a Temporal . 118. Now the Censure given by the Faculty touching the Doctrine contained in these Propositions , is , That it is new , false , erroneous , and contrary to the Word of God : That it renders the Sovereign Pontifical Dignity odious , and opens a way to Schism : That it derogates from the Sovereign Authority of Kings , which d●pends on God alone : That it hinders the Conversion of Infidel , and Heretical Princes : That it troubles the Publick Peace , and overthrows Kingdoms , States , and Republick : In a word , that it withdraws Subjects from the Obedience which they owe to their Sov●r●igns , and induc●s them to Factio●s , Rebellions , and Seditions , and to attempt on the Lives of their Princes . Moreover , the like Censure was given by eight other Vnivers●ties in France . 119. B● pleased now , H●noured Sir , to judge in case a Subscription to this Censure were required from Catholicks , and performed by them , whether that would not be a testimony of their Fidelity far more full and satisfactory than can be given by taking the Oath of Allegiance ? The enormous Power which some Canonists and flattering Scho●l-men bestow on the Pope , is far more distinctly declared , and the renouncing of it in its whole Latitude more express and emphatical , here is likewise among the Brands given to such detestable Doctrines , not forgotten a term equivalent to what , I am confident , you mean by [ Heretical ] which is [ contrary to the Word of God : ] yet such a Supererogation , I doubt , would not be accepted . And moreover , it is more than probable that scarce any Catholick in England would have a scruple to submit his own private judgment ( in case it were di●●erent ) to a Decision made by the Flow●r of all the Learning of France , to which may be added also , the Sages of the Law there , for the Parliament of Paris at the same time published a like Condemnation of the same Positions . 120. Now in case that two or three serupulous Catholicks , suspecting that the English Catholick Clergy have not been as yet sufficiently instructed in the Fundamental Morality of Christianity , should endeavour to procure a Bull from Rome to Citechize them , it would certainly be in vain , for the Pope is too charitable , and too wise to be tempted to condemn that in England , which he has for the space of almost fifty years permitted in France , without the least pub●ick testimony of his disapprobation . 121. To put an end to this very important subj●ct , give me leave to beseech you , hon●ured Sir , to take this matter somewhat to heart : or rather● since it is a Case of Conscience fitter to be stated by your now acquired friend Dr. Stillingfleet to recommend it to him , who being acknowledged by you to be so every way an accomplish●d Divine , can best resolve it , yea , I think is bound to do it . For certain it is , that his Book , whatever his int●ntion was , has contributed much to the present Calamities of Catholicks , and to more then a renewing all the terrible Laws against th●m . And permit me likewise to add , that your Book , Sir , will prob●bly give a superpondium thereto , since you expresly charge our Priests with non-fidelity to his Majesty , upon the point of Ordination . 122. These things considered , I being now absolutely perswaded , that you cannot possibly judge those to be Traytors who are ready to take the Oath of Allegiance , if they might omit the word ( Heretical : ) and with that , the Oath also mentioned in the 114. Paragraph commended by you ; yea , moreover to subscribe to this Censure of the Faculty of Paris : thereto also adding this consideration , that the Bishops abroad , who confer Orders , would have refused them to any whom they believed so ill principled as to think such Oaths , and such a Subscription unlawful : being farther perswaded , that Dr. Stillingfleet must , in despight of his own reason● be of the same judgment : let me humbly beg of you , for your own better security , to propose this Case to him , Whether Christian Charity does not require from you , to let the world know , that ( upon condition what is here said will be averred generally by English Catholicks ) you do not now think , that by receiving Orders bey●nd Sea , English Priests become justly punishable as Traytors , or Catholicks suspected as wanting in Fidelity to his Majesty . 123. I might likewise propose a like case to him concerning himself , were it not that instead of an Answer , I should provoke him to invent some new jest upon S. Benedict , Sancta Sophia , or poor M●ther Iuliana . But , Honoured Sir , you , who doubtless have now a special interest in him may do a friendly part to desire him to consider ( since it is most certain that Catholicks are able and ready to give far better security of their Fidelity to his Majesty , and their peaceable Conversation , than any of his ancient Friends of what S●ct soever ) what in this case the Office of a Preacher of the Gospel of peace requires from him . 124. H● cannot but acknowledge , that upon a supposition that Ordination abroad does not in the least measure render English Priests defective in their duties to the Civil Magistrate : It will follow , that whatsoever punishment is inflicted on them upon such an account , is not inflicted according to the Rule of Iustice , and by consequence that whatsoever blood shall be shed , the guilt of it before God will be imputed to the whole Kingdom , since it is shed by virtue of the who●e Kingdoms votes , and consent given long since , upon motives long since ceased . Such a supposition now being made , ought not he to employ his best skill , learning , and eloquence in his Sermons , or Writings for the freeing the whole Kingdom from such guilt ? 125. He being therefore obliged to Preach frequently at Court , would it not well suit with his Profession to — but I must not meddle with the Court , or the King's Chappel : a Prophet forbids me . Probably he will have occasion to Preach before the Honourable Court of Parliament : ought not he in such an occasion — but it is dangerous likwise to ask questions in such a case : let Preaching therefore alone : At least he may be put in mind that , I think , within his Parish there are residing some of the Honourable Iudges of the Law , of whom there are scarce any who have not a great esteem of him . There can surely be then no danger , i●●n discharge of a good conscience , he should , in private discourse , desire them to inform themselves exactly of the state of Eng●ish Catho●ick Priests , since it is much to be feared , that the vulgar opinion concerning them is not well grounded ; as he may evidently demonstrate by what hath been here declared . If they reply , There is no remedy ; we have a Law , and by our Law they must die , as Traytors . May it not be answered , The Medes and Persians also had an unchangeable Law , that every one who should ask a petition of any God or Man , within a certain time , except of the King , should be cast into the Den of Lions . The penalty of which Law , in despight of the merciful King's Interc●ssion , was executed on Daniel , Which execution I am consident is condemned as an Act of great Ty●anny , and injustice by our Honourable Iudges themselves . Yet Daniel without any Trans●ression of that Law , or the least danger to himself , might have performed as effectually his duty to God , if he would have contented himself with praying interiourly : this he might have done all day long if he had pleased : for the Law could not judge thoughts . But he scorned to omit , out of fear , his usual practise of praying openly ( perhaps with his Family ) three times every day . But the case of Priests is much diff●rent : for being called by God , and consecrated to that office , they must , notwithstanding any humane Law , or any punishment threatned , daily , and hourly expose themselves for the spiritual good of souls committed to their charge . 126. But after all that can be alledged in defence of Priests , it is certain that Iudges cannot dispence with the Laws , if they have tender Consciences , they may prefer a care of them before gain : but they are not Masters of the Laws . However the charitable Doctor may suggest to them , that though they cannot spare Delinquents legally convicted , yet Charity requireth , that in matters wherein mens lives , and the Iudges souls are deeply concerned , probabilities , and suspicions should not be esteemed legal convictions . The ignorant Iury thinks a person sufficiently conv●ct●d , in case a witness depose , that he has in Confession received Absolution from him ; or that he hath been present at his Mass : yet neither of these are a legal Conviction : for the Church of England prescribes Orders for Confession , and a Form of Priestly Abs●lution : and again , every year in France , and Spain , a thousand times 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 ● This thing alone in England is declared Treason , and by consequence no truly legal Conviction can be , wi●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 themselv●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 proo●s of their Fidelity , and very few in our Nation ●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 ●dvice you think fit to give me toward the l●●ter end of your Animadversions ; and I do also promise conformity to them , to the u●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 ●f the Church of England , and obli●ed t● her for my Education , &c. but n●w out of Conscience separated from her external Communion , at least to live fairly , and civilly towards her , and to all●w some beauty to have been in the Church whi●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 dising●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 , est●blish●d by Law. F●r the ●uture , though Age , and a sharp Infirmi●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 c●se God , by my Superiours , sh●ll engage me in renewing Disputes for defence of his Catholick Truth and ●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 s●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 Parishi●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 possible● ) 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 p●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 natural●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 wr●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 . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A34967-e90 Page 43 , 44. Page 18. 2 Cor. 4● 6. A●t . 22. Pag. 167. Art. 28. Vie S. Bernard , lib. 3. c. 7. Bern. Ep. 240. ad Com. Tholosan . & Se●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. G●●l . in l. di●●● Religiosu . Helg●ld● ap . 〈◊〉 , ad A. D. 1029. C●andia . in vitae S. A●gi● . Page 29.202 . Vid. Apo. Benedict . p. 202. 1. Cor. 2.14 . Terent. Page 84.85 . Act. 4 . 1● Page . 85. Pag. 1● Pag. 21● Page 77● Page 77. Vid. Sect. 111. Pr●ncip . 13. Princip . 15. Art. 20 , Constit. 2 , 3 , &c. Pag. 197 Ob. Sol. Pag. ●●● 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 . Iu●● , 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