An explanation or enlarging of the ten articles in the supplication of Doctor Iames, lately exhibited to the clergy of England. Or A manifest proofe that they are both reasonable and faisible within the time mentioned.

FIRST CONCERNING THE FIRST POINT OF THE Latine Fathers .

The first Point THat the Latine Fathers works , ( whereof diuers are already done ) the books of Councels , and the body of the Canon Law , may be diligently reviewed , and compared with the best Manuscripts ; and the Collections and needfull obseruations thence-from arising , printed ; together with the pieces and fragments of the Fathers workes ( if any shall be found . ) Explained .

THat all these ten points are necessary and fi● to be enquired into , I take as granted by the confession of all : that they are doubted by some , and plainely affirmed by others , whether within the time mentioned they may be performed , I know : and therefore I as much in me lieth ) endeuour to satisfie the one , and take away all manner of doubting from the other , with breuity and perspicuity ; grounding my selfe vpon good experience for some , and very probable reasons for the rest ; following the order prescribed .

Concerning the Latine Fathers therefore ( the Greeke Fathers being reasonably well done already , Ignatius by a a Geneua . 1623 Vedelius , b b Chrysos● opera G● . cu●n annot. Etonae 1612. Chrysostome by that learned and iudicious Knight , c c Ath●na●ij opera Graec. & Lat. 1600. Athanasius by some , and d d Clem. Alexandrini opera Graece cum annot. 1542. Clemens Alexandrinus , &c. by others ) which doe in a maner implore our best helpe , and as the controuersies are mooued in Relion , doe inforce our labour . There is not onely profession made by e e

Lanfrancus Manuscri●ta SS. Patrum secundum Orthodoxam fidem correx●t , & immutauit , Boston . in Catalogo & Io. Anglicus in hist aurea .

Obserued by Master Rich. Iames , of C. C. C. a kinsman of mine .

Lanfranke of old , but by diuerse of late ; Gregory of the Rome Print , and Augustine of Paris , doe fullie proue the same ; that sundry things are purposely changed , whether for the better or the worse ? who knoweth not that we haue iust cause giuen vs to suspect the worst ? I will instance only in one place , & that a principall one , concerning Transubstantiation , a chiefe pillar of the Popish doctrine . The place is in f f S. Ambros . l 4. de sacram ● . 4. See Paraeus in 1 Cor. Lyd. in annal. p. 172. Hospin . de sacrament . l. 2. p. 69. Juel . in defens p. 249. Ambrose de Sacramentis , the words , Vt sint quae erant , & in aliud mutentur : this corruption is aboue 500 yeares old : but yet not receiued till of late into the g g Ambr. opera Romae . 1580. Roman Edition , and from thence deriued into the Paris , and it may be in the Lye-on Edition , and others : and yet these words now suppressed and dashed cleane out of the Text , are plainly to be found in all our MSS. of what Library , from what Monastery soeuer . Adde hereunto , what sh●ffling and cutting there is betweene the Master of the sacred Palace , and the Printer ; both hired to reforme say they , ( no doubt ) i i I refer t●e Reader to my Vindicia G●e●orianae ▪ ●ow printing at Geneua . to deforme and corrupt the fathers workes . I know it , and can prooue it by k k Romae 1564. Manutius Cyprian , and l l S. Gregorij operu Romae to● 6. 1588. Veterum exem lari●m collatione ( no copie named , no● whence taken ) & pristino suo spendori restituta , aucta & illustrata . In praef. to . 4. Dominicus Basaes Gregory , and Ambrose of h h There are six or seuen copies in my Ecloga , I appeale to them all . Rome . I can make an ocular demonstration of the manifold and manifest corruptions of these Authors : we may easily ghesse at the rest , for all their m m

Accipietis Aug. nostratiu● opera , hoc est Ge●manorum Theol. studio illustratum , ad ●imā & incudem reuocatum : nec solum infinitis p●ope numero erroribus liberati● , sed etiam magna rerum accessione exornatum Ep.

Thom. Gozaeu● Apostolicus ac regius lib. censor per Belgium ope●am nauanit in restit . Aug. ex varijs Bibliothecis : exemplaria plusqua 200. MSS. conquisierat . Concilia edita per Iac. Meclinum 1524. per P. Crabb 1530. & 1531. Col. & Ib. 1531. & Ib. 1538. per Surium 1567. Ven. 1585. per Zllettum . per B●n●um 1606 et 1618. & Pauli 5. auctoritate 1608. & postremo Par. 1623.

See one or two MSS. in the New College . Vide Indicem librorum , qui varij : ex locis sunt habiti . Vide ea●de qui●●● ie●torem , in principio 〈◊〉 est ●●●onere . §. de nomine Paleae Corpus Iuris Canon ▪ Rome 1582.

glorious pretence of two hundred copies , vsed in ●h●●ollation of Saint Augustine , and many in Gregory and Ambrose , I know not how many ; nor doe I , nor any man liuing wor , how many Copies , or from whence taken , they haue vsed in this their double diligence . As for the Councels , I can ( I suppose ) produce , or there may be produced twenty seuerall Editions , all differing from themselues , and from the truth : and ( if there be any one true ) I doe ghesse it is that , whereof I doe heare tidings in a Booke of the Acts of the Councell of Trent , printed by Arnold Brickman , 1565. this was of likelihood a good ●dition . One Celaunus had trauailed farre and neere , to gather all that could be gotten : but either this was neuer printed , or being printed , was purposely suppressed by them .

For the Canon Law the sinke of all Poperie , and fountaine , or puddle rather , of all kinde of Popish corruption , to found the Primaci● , and by necessarie consequence , all points of Popery , out of blinde Councels , and bastard , false , or falsified Fathers : Yet as bad as it is , neither Text nor Glosse is so bad as they haue made it . I speake vpon knowledge , Semeca hath not in the old MSS. Statuimus , id est , abrogamus ; or Dic Romano , id est , Constantinopolitano : these fooleries are of a later stampe , & stamped or printed they are , but I suppose hardly to be found in the written Copies ; for Gratian , questionlesse they haue vsed him ( Nec enim lex iustior vlla est ) as he is knowne to haue vsed others ; they haue chopped and changed , curtailed and clipped his words , and workes ; notwithstanding Gregorie the thirteenths pretence , of I know not how many copies , besides the labours of Faber and Acontius : I will instance onely in their Palea . They haue first plaied with the word , making it a Cardinall , or a man for chaffe , and long for short ; else should it be Palaea , from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and not Pal●a : they haue herein done vs a double wrong ; they haue made that Palea which is not so , because it maketh against them : and on the contrary side , they haue omitted to put the true stampe of Paleaes vpon that , which maketh for them , though they be inuisible and innominable in the old MSS.

We haue examples store , in both kindes : The right of Emperors in making Lawes ,

Gratian corrupted about taking away kingly right .

About Priests marriage .

About Appeales to Rome .

About the Supremacy .

About worshipping of reliques .

About Transubstantiation , besides infinite other deprauations .

Locuple tatum est caput hoc , ex orig●nali & caeteris collectoribas , prater Anselmum qui habet vt antea Gratianus habebat in Annot.

See my answer against A. C. and A. B. &c. when it shall come forth .

and commandements for the Church , is casheered because it liketh them not : nor that of their married Popes , Dist. 96. cap. 2. Osius Papa , Item Decret. Part. 2. cap. 27. q. 2. c. 18. against Priests marriage .

Of the second sort are these : for drawing causes to Rome . Causa 3. q. 6. c. 16. Neminem exhiberi , nisi praelatus sit qui accusetur , is forged , and came in not the right way , to proue appeales to Rome . Causa 24. q. 1. cap. 15. Rogamus vos fratres : we reade these words for to estabblish the Supremacy : Nulla est ( sedes ) quae cius ( i. Romanae ) non sit subiecta ditioni . Againe , Quanto magis non potest ( faemina ) imperare , as it were to strengthen the Salicke Law , Causa 33. Quaest. 5. cap. 17. Mulierem constat , was thrust into the Text by some French man . The solemne swearing vpon the Gospell , and by the Reliques of the Saints , Causa 3 3. Quaest. 6. cap. 9. are found in some blind Charnel house , or Reliquiarie , not in the written Gratian. In de Consecrat. Dist. 2. cap. 1. In Sacramentorum oblationibus , for assuring of their impossible doctrine of Transubstantiation ; we vse it ( say the Papists ) Vt a Patribus accepimus , & ipsa ratio docet , which they haue thrust into the Text violently : Habemus confitentes reos . I could be large in this point , but I must but point at , and not treat de industria of their wilfull corruptions , and make whole Iliads , or Chiliads of them : but that which is expected of me now I haue prooued , that there is good reason , and high time to imploy some to perfit that worke , which was happily begun , and left off ( which I shame to speake of ) for want of paiment . I was ,

My Lord of Canterbury promised & gaue 10l. l. My Lord of Yorke 10l. l. My Lord of Winchester Bilson 10l. l. The Bishop of Durham , Doctor Iames , 10l. and sundry others did willingly promise and pay : others did willingly promise , but failed in payment , whose names I conceale .

All the bookes that were hitherto vsed in our collation , were either at , or according to the Rome print .

See hereafter amongst the Criticall thes. thes. 22.

At that time was ( troubled , I cannot say , ) but subiect to the stone : since that , I haue beene afflicted both with the stone and the Palsie , but recouered by Doctor C●aitons meanes , my worthy friend , and learned brother , Master of Pembroke College , and our publike Professour of Physicke , and Reader of the Anatomie Lecture .

and am willing to be imploied in the painfull reuision of the rest ; but how shall I be able to imbarque others in that businesse ? But. non si male nunc & olu●sic erit : we had then , and I trust shall haue now in some proportion , men as willing and as able to doe the worke ; and I am sure that the world will beare me witnesse , that my labour was treble to any ones : and yet in a yeere and little more , we suruaied all Gregorie , and Cyprian , and all Ambrose of the Rome print : noting both the differences in the Margent , whether materiall , or immateriall ; what Copy each man vsed , when we began , and when we ended , and how farre we proceeded euery day ; neuer ceasing our sixe houres a day , ( Sundaies and Holy daies excepted ) God giuing me a body able , and a minde willing to fit it out : and that I may be thankfull to the Diuine maiesty , my body , as if it had a dispensation for the time , was free from any knowne disease , that did , or might impeach the worke . My body ( I must confesse ) is much impaired since , by much sicknesse ; but on the contrary , my willingnesse and experience in these businesses , are much increased : and therefore I am perswaded , that if Ambrose , Gregorie , and Cyprian , may be , and haue beene done within a yeare and something more : Augustine may be done in another , and Hierome in a third , and all the rest of the Fathers in lesse then a yeare , and the Councels and Gratian in a fift ; whereof one , as I haue said , is happily passed already : I doe purpose to imploy onely sixe persons , foure to the MSS , one to the last of the Protestants , the sixt to the last of the Papists Edition ; which both shall be noted in the Margent , and I will take vpon me as before , to be both Notarie , and Actuarie to the Company , concluding ( as Bellarmine doth ) if he be as true as his word : Si semel inueniar mentitus in uita , omnem mihi in posterum fidem derogent .

The second Point That the Latine Translation of the Greeke Fathers may be collationed by able and fit persons , by reason of diuerse Christophorsons and Iesuits , that haue too-too much abused the ignorant of the tongue . Explained .

TOuching the second Point , for the comparing of the Latine Translation of the Greeke Fathers : I purpose not ( vnlesse it shall be thought fit by my Superiours ) to compare it with MSS. Copies in Greek : we are left destitute of Copies , especially now we are wholly bereft of all hope of helpe from the great Palatine Library : but ( as I haue said ) Vedelius , For a need I can giue them the places to be considered of , that are any wayes controuerted : almost all of them before hand . and that worthy and thrise honoured Knight and others , haue partly preuented , and partly supplied vs herein : that which I intend , is onely to suruay the Translations in places controuerted onely , whether they be fitting and proper . A worke that may well be done , being diuided amongst our Sages of the Greek , whether in , or out of the Vniuersitie , within a yeare : though if they list to follow Vedelius in noting the corrupt Translations , sundring the Bastard Treatises from the true a part by themselues , & answering the places obiected out of the Fathers , with Criticall obseruations , they shall deserue well of the Fathers ; it may , and shall be done for the Latine Fathers : as we may follow Vedelius in the Greeke , so if no other will vndertake the worke in the Latine Fathers , I will doe the like in them , as Master Crompton hath done before in Saint Augustine .

The third Point That the Jndices Expurgatory may be likewise perused , all of them , as many as can be gotten , the places forbidden to be transcribed , of which labour is a third part at the least already taken by me , or my procurement . Explained .

THe third Point concerneth the Indices Expurgatory ,

The first , Index Exporgatrious that we haue , is the knowne one of Junius , printed according to that of Antwerp , Lug● . 1586.

The second , of Madrill , 2582. The third , called Greg. Cappuccini E●chiridion Ecclesiasticum Ven. 1588.

The fourth , by Ge● . Dalme●da , Lat. & Portugal●●cè , Olyss . 1581. The fift , per Io. M●riam Bruschelle●s . 1601. Tom. 1. The sixt and last , by Bern. de Sando●al . Madr. 1612.

which no doubt are many , but all are not to be gotten , and of those we cannot get the Editions mentioned in their bookes , without the which it cannot be done . Neuerthelesse , to facilitate this worke , I haue in a readinesse an Alphabeticall note of all the Editions that are forbidden 〈◊〉 corrigantur : that those that haue them may send them vnto vs . I say onely that I , by my selfe , and others , haue already done a third part of the whole , perhaps it will amount to a second of all the Bookes and Editions that be found , and that men may know how farre I haue proceeded already , these Authors following , with their seuerall bookes , are reseued out of the Papists hands , and restored by me .

The reprinting of that which they commanded to be left out , and in some bookes de facto left out , will keepe one Presse going a yeere . Abulensis or Thostatus P. Aerodius . Leo Bapt. Alb●rti . Amatus Lusitanus . Lud. Ariosto . The Annotations vpon S. Aug. Albertus Argentinensis . Iac. Philippi Berg●mensis . Laurentius Beyerlincke . Biblia Rob. Stephani . Biblia cum duplici Translatione . Bibliotheca SS. Patrum . Io. Bodinus . P. de Boll● . Henr. Breulaus . Guil. Budeus . Ambros . Calepinus . Barth . Cassnaus . Greg. Cappacinu● . Io. Campensis . Index in Ioh. Chrysostomum . Nic. Cle●ardus . Isid. Clarius . P. Crinitus Cyprianus Mon●●hus Cistere . Notae marginales Index & textus Cyrilli Alex. Dantes . I mondi del Doni . Fr. Duarenus . Andr. Eborensis . Notae in Engelbertum . Enchiridion Christianae institutionis . Erasmi opera , almost . Claud. Espencaeus . Eucherius . Iac. Faber Stapulensis . Barth . Ferrariensis . Io. Ferus . Barth . Fumus . Gilb. Genebrardus . Germanicarum rerum scriptores . Tomis varijs . Lilius Greg. Gyraldus . Ant de Gueuara . Claud. Guilliaudus . Adamus Kel●erus . Albertus Krantzius . Iustus Lipsius . Iosephus Luqui●● . Andr. Masius . Christ . Maffaeus . Iac. à S. Mearia . Ianotius de Ma●●●tis . Lucius Marineus siculu● ▪ Marcus Marull●● . Iac. Menochius . Papyrius Massonius . Ben. Arias Montanus . Tho. Marus , Miles . Ioh. N●viza●us . Annot. in Nicephorum . Hieron . ab Oleastre . P. Opm●erus . Claud. Paradinus . Fr. Petrarcha . Fr. Polygranus . Io. Iou. Pontanus . Procopius Gazaeus . Ant. de Rampengolis . Guil. Ranchinus . P. Rebuffus . Eman. Rodericus . Alph. Salmeron . Eman. Sa. Io. de Salas. Iac. Shoepperus . Iul. Caesar Scalig●r . Dimas Serpe . Laur. Schraderus . Raynerus Suoygoudanus . Rob. Stephanus . Did. Stella . Fr. Suuertius . Ale●● Tartagni . Iac. Aug. Thuanus . Beniamin Tudelensis . Tuccius T●ccius . Fr. Vallesius . Laur. Valla. Dan Venatorius . Diego de la Vega. Polyd. Virgilius . Alphonsus Viu●ldus . Lud. Viues . Geo. Wicelius . Theodorus Zuingerus .

All these forenamed Authors , ( vnlesse it be Zuinger and Erasmus workes ) are ( if I may say ) repurged and restored vnto their former integritie , the rest that remaine may be well transcribed in halfe a yeere : As master Casaubon and Master D●usius workes , and Sir Adolphus M●●kerch● book are done already : but for the rest I think we may saue our labours . for I can set at one time a hundred seuerall persons on worke ; it it is a businesse of labour , Et quis ad haec non id●neus . I intend not ( vnlesse it be by commandement of my Superiours ) to meddle with the Expurgation of our Protestant Writers , which they haue vainely attempted ; nor of the Thalmud of the Iewes , or Rabbinicall Writers : but Popish Writers of what sect , sort , language , nation , or facultie whatsoeuer , tag and rag , are the subiectum ad●quatum of this businesse : And so I come vnto the fourth Point , of collation of bookes .

The fourth Point That Lyra and the Glosse , the Great Bibliotheca sanctorum Patrum , Platina , Caietan , Alphonsusde Castro , and sundry others of all sorts of Authors , may be compared with former Editions , and Manuscripts ( if need be to meet with their secret Jndices Expurgatorii , which are the more dangerous , because they print , and leaue our what they list , at pleasure , and yet make no words of it , neither haue any Commission knowne for to doe it . Explained .

Qui Lyrani ope nt ●um Glossa ordinaria , &c Lugd. 1589. ab infinitis mendis p●●gata , &c. per. Fr. Fewardentium ●rd . Minorum , Job . Dadraeum , & Iac. de Cucilly , Theol. Doctores . The booke dedicated to Sixtus S. Patrum interpre●at . ad ipsos fontes reuocatis , ipsis per doctum Lyra●um pestilli● D. Lyrani ad ipsum Autographum , exconuentis Canobij Vermoliensi diligenter collat●s . Biblia SS cum Glossa ordinaria , &c. to . 6. compre●●usa Duaci , 1617. Quid in hac edit . prestitum fit vltra omnes alias editiones ▪ etiam illam quam Parisienses . Theologi exbibuerum quam multa correcta , restituta , sup●leta , quam multa vtiliter ad ecta , opera & studio Theologorum Duace●sum , diligenter eme●data . TOuching this fourth Point , herein giue me leaue to explaine my selfe out of my owne and others obseruations , especially of the learned Bishop of Meth : Lyra and the Gl●sse were reviewed and reuised by Dadr●n● , Cucilly , and Fewardentius : and now lately by three Benedictines : if their former did their best , what needed the second Edition ? if they did not , why doe they pretend such exactnesse , so great paines ? But the truth is , Lyra is somewhat touchy against them , and the Glosse doth thwart their Expositions : and therefore though closely , the three D●wists doe make profession ,

They confesse they haue put forth the testimonies of the Rabb●u●s & others . Posseuine excuseth the former Edition by haste of the Printer , and ciuil wars . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Col ▪ Agr. 1613. to . 14 ▪ and Bibliotheca vet. Patrum sen. Edit. Paris . 1609. to . 8. ex prescripto Indicis Expurgatorij Romae vulgati emendata .

If we compar● Io. Baconthorpes workes in sent. Cremona , 1618. with the former Mad. 1511 Blesensis of M●gunce 1600. put forth by Busaeus , with the ●ormer , 1519 and t●e MS● . whereof we haue store in the Library . Aquinas of Rome 1570. o● Antwerp 1612. with fomer Editions and MSS. Scotu● works , Ven. 1597. with that of Nurembergi . 481. as also Bed●s history I know to be ver● corruptly printed , being a leading Author to all ou● late Historians . Alph de Castro aduersu● haer●ses , is farre different from the latter Editions about the Popes authority , we haue all his Editions . O●●phrius the old doth infinitely disagree with the latter , especially in Iulius the third his life .

that they haue mended diuers things , wherein the former Edition was wanting , according to the prescript of the MSS , and some things they say , they haue thought good to expunge in Thoringis about Lyra : where he is thought delirare from their Trent faith , or common Tenets : a great labour , vndertaken , I am afraid , rather to suppresse the truth , than to expresse any good meaning . Epicharmus precept will here serue , as Doctor Rainold sheweth vs , to distrust their workes of what kinde soeuer ; especially if the Iesuites haue a finger in the setting forth of them : as you may see their notes infarced almost in euery Tome of the Bibliotheca Probabilium Patrum , which hath beene reprinted foure times within these few yeres , and twice within these two or three yeres : Thinke yon that it was for nothing ? Was not the Romane correction sufficient to purge it , according vnto whose correction it was printed carefully at Pa●is ? If the Master of the Sacred Palace be not wise enough to mead it , we are like to haue it well amended . But who knoweth what harme is done in the middle aged Writers ? Bacon or Ba●onthorpius , ( I am perswaded ) is corrupted in the late Editions , Aquinas , and Scotus , Blesensis and others ; Doubt lesse , by that little that I haue seene , they carry the marke of the Beast , and the print of their fingers : but if I may haue my will , no booke of note or worth shall goe vncompared : the worke is very easie , the parties are very many that may well be imploid in this worke , if they haue corrupted them vnder colour of correcting them . There hath beene reprinted of late , A phonsus de Castro , Onuphrius , Sixtus Se●ensis , and last of all , M●●cus de Guadalaiara in Spanish , of the liues of the latter Popes , with the occurrences of those times : Touching the former , the learned haue spoken enough to stirre vs vp to the diligent reuising and comparing of them . See●ilson ●ilson de obed. p. 294. In lib. de haeres . inscript . Paris . ●n fol●o à Iod. Bad. excus● anno 1534. L●el . lat. part. 2. p. 128. Quarta pa●te de la historia P●ntifical Gen● al●y Catholica compuesta 〈◊〉 ordenada por Fr. Marco de Guadalaiara 〈◊〉 Xauier de la Re●igion obseruante de nuestra Sennora del Carmen de Aragon , d●rigida al m●y alto y poderoso monarca de Espanna Filip●● Tertero Rey y Se●●or nuestro , Anno 1612. Con ●cencia y priuilegio J●●gr●ssa en Carago● . por Iuan de Lanai● y Quartane● . Conforme a●● que be●eydo en Gotardo Dantiscano y otros auctores , vna troycion intentada contra el Rey Iacobo , sus huo● y muger , y contra todos les nobles y estado , del ●●yno : y descubierta mibagrosamente per lo que dios sabe , Part. a. lib. 14 cap. 8. This booke is called Vando y l●yes del Rey Iacobo contra la Fe Catholica , consu respuesta , y aduertentia al Letor para la auerigu●cion è intellige● i● de●te caso prouecho●a para el mismo Rey y para ●odos por el D. B. de Cleremond : a booke in the ha●ds of Master Boswell Parson of Saint Laurence in London , they haue craftily concealed the time and yeere wherein it is printed . For Alphonsus de Castro , I leaue you to consider of that which hath beene strucke out of him in latter Editions , in verbo Papa , concerning the Popes infallible authoritie , which true Castro doth deny to be so great as it is made ; or that his person is inerrable , he thinketh no Parasite of the Popes , or flatterer of the world , wil dare to auouch . For Onuphrius & others , I know what the learned iudgment is of that Author & others , & I know and all the world shall know how this Guadalaiara is vsed , or rather abused by the Papists , and forced to say , & vnsay , for seruile feare of the Spanish Sandouall , both against his wil , & the truth : it is the latest , clearest instance of their cunning dealing , to their no small aduantage , to settle a wrong opinion in mens mindes about the powder Treason . In the former Edition , which is but an addition vnto Illes●●● of the Popes liues , hee hath truely reported the story of the Gunpowder treason , out of Gothardus Arthus , and others : laying ( as we say ) the saddle vpon the right horse , the fault vpon certaine Popish male-contents ; but it seemeth in a latter Edition , now extant in the publique Library , they haue mis-reported the treason , and put it as D. B. Clermond had done before vpon the Puritanes ; casting foule aspersions vpon our State , as if they had plotted that which the Papists had acted out of a Ragionamento del Stato , or Trigo del Estado , or as Cleremond saith , to get their goods and lands confisked vnto the Exchequer , to inrich the Kings cofers .

That which I inferre out of these premises , are the iniury done vnto the estate of bookes , and sometimes vnto books of Estate , The very same booke is reprinted thus as if it had been comp●sed by Dr. Lewys de Bauia capell●● del Rey ● . S. en ●● Real capilla de Gra●● da Con priuilegio de Madrid , po● Luy● Sanchez Impressor del Rey nuestro senior . anno de 1613. Both Editions dedicated to the King , made and published within one yeare , the first approued by Maestro Pedro Geronymo Cassiu●n . e , Iuan Perez de Artieda offi●y reg●●te del Vicari●do , Padre Fray Esteuan de Th●us prouincial de los Carnelitas &c. F. Miguel Ripol 〈…〉 , ●uan Munnoz . T●e latter is published , 〈…〉 del Rey nuestro senior : su●scribed Iorge de Toua● , supe●uise● p●● Pedro de Valentia Miguel Vazquez de 〈…〉 Granaca , & Fra● Pedro de Granada . What a change is there here ? 〈…〉 as it were by a M●te● psychos●s changed into Leuys de Bauia , and fiue censors turned into foure , as it were foure Kings warring against fiue . Por el mandad● del Rey , as is said . inuoluing our King and Counsellers within their secret censures . This booke is reprinted as I say , within few yeeres , composed by a man of great note , dedicated to Philip the third , printed at the first with license and priuiledge , approued by diuers kindes of Religious persons , no mention is made of any alterations in the second edition : and it is turned cleane cham . The fact is notorious , the fault inexcusable , say what can be obiected in his defence . He is perhaps liuing , and liuing men ▪ as they may alter their willes , so they may change their words . I admit it , so doe our Masters of Trent : but conditionally , so it be in matters of faith , and not of fact ▪ or if it be in matter of faith , so the Author be conuinced , and his errour shewed : but in questions of fact , volat irreuocabile verbum , the rule must hold , quod scripsi scrips● , all the world cannot helpe it , it cannot be , as Aeneas Syluius sometimes said . But to come to Guad●laia●a was that true that he had written in his former edition , why is it altered in this latter ? if it be not , why is not the contrary shewed ? howsoeuer it be , they should haue told vs so much in the frontisp●ce or first page , that vpon better aduise , and ●ruer rela●ions , Leuys de Bauia , hath altered some things : but I doe verily beleeue , it was not done by him , but mandato Superiorum , by those that do ●yranni●e ouer m●●s books , and lod● it ouer mens consciences : this latter booke is now in the hands of a friend of mine ad facti fidem asserendam , and cannot possibly be denyed , doe they what they can , or el●e I am much deceiued . You see by that which hath bin spoke ▪ how needfull it is that all sorts of bookes as well of Estate , as Religion , should be diligently compared with former Editions : it is to be presumed that all sorts of bookes are depraued by them , especially that come forth with glorious Titles , faire Paper , and chiefly with Iesuiticall Annotations : They know euery p●ny Diuine would shun such Editions that haue this skar-crow title in the forefront of the booke . although they come not forth Iuxta mandatum Indicis expurgatory , or S. Inquisitionis , whether of Spaine or of Rome , Multa Latent , quae non patent ; the truth of this will easily appeare by our labour , the labour will be farre more easie then the former , and if I haue causelesly suspected them , I will cry them mercy , and subscribe vnto the truth ; we may set not a hundred , but a thousand on worke ( if need require ) but I hast vnto the fift Article .

The fift Point That the Authors of the middle age , that wrote in the defence of that Religion , which is now ( thankes be to God ) publikely established in the Church of England , for the substance thereof , may bee faithfully transcribed , diligently collated , & distributed into volumes , whereof many may bee made of orthodoxe writers ; if not so many as of their Bibliotheca Patrum Probabilium : adding hereunto such Writers , as being bred and brought vp in the bosome of the Roman Church saw the disorders , discouered their abuses both in doctrine and manners , and wished almost for the same reformation , that was afterward most happily wrought and brought to passe by Martin Luther and his companions : of the first sort are Wickliffe , Peacocke , Gu●de S. Amore , Jo. P. Minorita , Normannus Anon , Nic. Orem and sundry others : of the Later kinde , Wesselus , Wicelius , P. de Alliaco , Faber , Gerson , Cusanus , and such like . Explained .

THe fift Article concerneth the transcribing Authors of the middle age , a point wherein ( if in any ) wee may seeme to be defectiue . But quaedam videntur & non sunt , store is no sore ; we haue ( thanked be God ) store of these Writers , that haue witnessed the truth of our Religion , both in their worthy and solide writings , and by their glorious deathes . If they failed in any point ( as seldome they doe ) it was the fault and darkene se of those times , the fault & number of those bastardly and beggarly Treatises , which euer since Vincentius Lirine●isis time corrupted the lumpe and body of the true writers : here was no Erasmus then liuing to hold the candle vnto them , no Cookes or Riuets liuing , to vnmaske or vnuaile them . Hence it is that our Magdeburg Writers haue found so many naeuos and errours in the Fathers : but all of them of whom they spake and so sharpely inueigh against are not Fathers , nor true sonnes , but bastard impes , it were well they were well rooted out all , both branch and bowgh , as Spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altas . Would it not trow we bee a glorious sight ,

Of Wi●liffes workes and Peacocks , we ha●e th●se MSS in Oxford and Cambridge .

1 Io. W●clishes Triangle transcribed .

2 His Exposition vpon the Epistles and Gospels .

3 Of the seuen Commendaments .

4 Of the ruines of the Church .

5 Of the Church , and the members thereof .

6 Of the liues of the Priests , and his confession of the Sacrament .

7 Against the Friars Minors . 8 His Com. on the Psalmes ▪ and diuers other works . In Latine these ▪ 1 De v●ritate Scri●turae almost transcribed . 2 De ●o Mandatis . 3 Ded●mini● ciuili contra vnum M●n . in defence of Kingly power , prouing the vnlawfulnesse of K. Iohns Donation ( if any such were ) see the rest in my Ecloga . of Peacocke his Donate of Christian life , and Repressor of ouer much blaming the Cleargy , MSS. Gro. Wicelius works are printed in diuers yeares , from 153● . to 1559 He wrote almost as much as S. Aug & would , if he had liued , haue reduced them into Tomes . Wesselus works are printed at Fas . 1524 and reprinted lately at Marpurg . 1617. Mr. Harding would faine perswade Mr I●ell to recant and apostate from the faith , because one Staphylus , Baldwinus , and Wicelius , had done the like . Iu●ll in his answere to M. Hardings conclusion . Ia● Gretserus in excerptis de vita & moribus Lutheranorum ex Geo. Wicelij libello qui inscribitur . Retectio Lutherismi , &c Lips. 1538. Haec Wicelius olim Lutherus praedicans . Papa lux venit in mundum : fed dilexerunt homines tenebras magis quam lucem : Omnis qui male agit , odit lucem ; Et non venit adlucem vt non arguantur o● era eius i. quia mala sunt , Oratio Cornelij Episcopi Bipontini in Conc. Trid. sub Paulo 3. p. 16. Conc. Trid. Lovan . 1567. The Vniuersity of Oxford in an Epistle to Io. P. 22. about prouisions , haue the very same words in effect , as if Cor. Musse had there read them cut of a MSS. of Mr. Allens before Turgots booke of the Bishops of Duresine .

to see Wicleph and Peacocke reuiued againe out of the dust of their graues , and our Libraries , and to write in defence an Apologie of our Religion , as valiantly and pertinently as Iuel or Morton haue done , both Bishops and glorious Lamps and Ornaments of this Church of England ; and for want of others , we will be bold to craue aide of the Papists , they haue giuen vs a good hent in their seuerall bookes of Prohibition , and Expurgation , and so directed vs , that we need not farre to seeke for witnesses : they though Papists will beare witnesse vnto the Protestant faith and orthodoxe doctrine , or else I do much mistake their writings , or our owne Tenets ; and let Wicelius or Wesselus answere for vs . Wicelius workes are printed , but I suppose his workes are in the hands of few : Wesselus are extant and to be read of all . Wicelius ( as shall be shewed ere long ) was almost wholly ours ; it will not serue their turns to say as Harding doth , that he was first of our Religion , or as Gretser ( that neuer told lie in his life ) sometimes a Lutheran preacher . I doe not absolutely deny it , it may be so , there is little written of , much by him : but in all his writings that I haue seen till of late , there can be nothing gathered wheron they may ground this improbable conceit . But what the ? as for Wesselus , he was not vnworthily called lux mundi , not blasphemously , as certain of their Parasites haue said of some Popes ; Papa lux venit in mundum , &c. But I will call him as the Scripture calleth the righteous , as bright a Starre as any shined in their Horizon . Whose workes are set sorth and published as well by their owne men , as ours , and his death greatly lamented of all .

But why dwell I so long vpon this point ? the worke is as easie and faisible as the two last . We may imploy as many hands as we please , and Authority shall thinke fit . Two Dutchmen of the Palatinate haue tra●elled for me in this businesse , and are able and willing to write out a quire of Paper in a weeke , which would come to an hundred quire in the yeare , able to set two presses or worke . Their hand is legible , though not faire . I haue paid them xx s. for a quire ( their ingenuitie being Schollars , craueth no lesse at my hands . ) Some things I haue of Wicleph both in English and Latine ready for the Presse : especially I haue imploide them in writing out his De verit ●te Scripturae , or his Aletheia ( as Zuinger calleth it ) and I haue begun the rather with this booke , because it was his Master-piece , and ( as was saide ) a good meanes of con●erting the Bobemian Nation , next vnder God . It is not that which is printed . De periculi● nouissim●um temporum , which it seemeth Mr. Fox had seene , where are 25. signes , but a booke with this Title , Collecti● Catholicae & Canonicae Scripturae , dinstructionē & praeparationem simplicium fidelium Christi , contra pericula inuminetia Ecclesiae Generali per hypocritas , Pseudo praedicatores , & penetrantes domes , & otiosos & curios●s & gy●●vagos , which is ready for the Presse vpon a weekes warning . I haue likewise ready done the great and famous worke of Guil. de S. Amore : not that which is printed , but that which exceedet that farre , both in greatnesse and goodnesse : it is or shall be ready for the Presse , and I will account no booke ready till it haue a good Concordance in the Margent , a Table of the Auctors cited , and matter contained therein , after he most exactest manner of an Alphabet .

The sixt Point That the Catalogus testium veritatis , compiled by Illyricus , may be rectified out of the originals , quoting Booke , Chapter , and Edition ; and supplyed out of the vnprinted Manuscripts . Explained :

TOuching Illyricus , the Books printed , whose authorities are vouched , may be reuiewed by many ; but for the Manuscrips ( as I would wish that all that are in Oxford and Cambridge , or else-where , may be viewed , qu●ad hoc ) I haue much in this kinde gathered to the hand , much more hath an industrious kinsman of mine : Of C.C.C. If I had no other imployment but this , wee two would vndertake that businesse , and to doe it as it should bee done , to no small profit of the Church , and increase of Illyricus Catalogue of witnesses of the truth .

The seuenth Point That out of all these an Anticoccius may be framed out of Fathers , and middle-aged Writers , that were in their times esteemed of the Church of Rome , and out of them onely : nothing doubting but we shall be able to match , if not exceed , his two large Volumes , both in greatnesse and goodnesse ; quoting as before , precisely , our Editions , and doing all fide optima & antiqua , religiously and vnpartially , as becommeth Diuines . Explained .

FOr the Anticoccius , it is already performed in a maner : I haue all the testimonies before Luther , and before or since of Papists , that prooued each Point materiall of our Religion , disposed after a double method : the first of time , descending downewardes from Christ and his Apostles : the second Alphabeticall , that I may know and supplie what is wanting , there wants : but comparing of the testimonies with the Originall : though I mis-doubt them not , See Iewels defence and replie against Harding , and Mornayes resp . à l' Euesque d' Eureux Sal●●● . 1602. being all taken out of the worthies amongst our Writers : Namely , Bilson , and Morton , and Abbot , Bishops ; Field , and Francis White , Deanes ; Iohn White , and Beard , Doctors of Diuinity : as also Iewell and Mornay , and who dares suspect ? I know some haue challenged them , but the best is , they haue made their owne Apologies .

The eighth Point That the supposititious and Bastard Workes of the Fathers , noted by Doctor Rivet , or Master Cooke , or any other , may be re-examined ; their exceptions scanned or weighed with indifferency , and other reasons added to their challenge , if any shal be found . Explained .

COncerning the eighth Point of the bastard Fathers : Some are challenged by Protestants , In my ●nchi i●●ion Theologicum MSS. apud me , taken out of the most eminent amongst the Popish or Protestant writers , with quotations of booke , and Chapters . some by Papists , some by both ; by whom , & the places where , I haue a reasonable good direction : the places may be seene , their reasons weighed , and accordingly on Gods name let iudgement be giuen . I know some that are tainted of corruption , which will appeare vpon better iudgement , to be truly their proper workes ; I spare to speake my minde , or to instance and exemplifie in this point , for that it concerneth some greater & wiser men then my selfe : but thought is free , vincat melior sententia , & let that which is spoken by me , be spoken with due submission , & vnder correction , Donec predeant censurae aliorum . The worke doubtlesse is of good moment , the doing of it will be no great labour , nor vnpleasant worke : so much I say before hand , for their and mine owne incouragement .

The ninth Point That the suspected places may be viewed in the true Fathers , which are iustly challenged of corruption , either by our own men , or the aduersary ; with the like indifferencie of mindes , and vnpartialitie of iudgements ▪ being compared with the touchstone of the old Manuscripts , and printed bookes , which are quasi Manuscripts . Explained .

AS concerning the ninth Point , I haue most of the places gathered together in numerate . a matter as worthy as any of our best considerations ; there are a thousand places challenged of corruption , ( I speake within compasse ) most by Protestants , mostly in the question of the Supremacie , and iudge of controuersies , the carrying question : all which may be once well decided , either iudiciously out of the MSS , or coniecturally out of the strength of wit or reason , and there is no third way allowed vs by the Criticks , all that I haue seene , and some of the best , it hath been Gods prouidence that I haue seene in my time , which may appeare by that , which here followeth ; gathered together and disposed into Theses , for the better guiding of me and others , that shall busie themselues in examining or re examining these 1000. places , or more ; suspected or corrupted in the true Fathers .

Theses or Rules concerning the Art Criticke .

1 A Criticke is a man naturally inclined to those kinde of studies , of a sincere iudgement , approued honesty , versed in all kinde of good literature , as a man would a a Non. Steph. l. 1. dissert. de Criticis p. 24. say , a most exquisite and absolute Grammarian .

2. The Art Criticke , is an Art of inquiring into the truth , b b Ib. p. 43. and faith of such as haue written and put foorth bookes , according to certaine rules , examining and reading all maner of bookes , in what faculty soeuer : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Critically , c c H. Steph. dissert. de Criticis p. 247. vpon Coniecture , or vpon Iudgement .

3. Our Coniectures are vncertaine , for the most part grounded onely vpon circumstances : Iudgement proceeds from the MSS , and is for the most part solide and certaine .

4. There are certaine rules and precepts to be obserued in both .

5. Our Coniectures must be made sparingly , discreetly , and warily , d d Parc● Prudenter , Pudenter . and fortified with as many reasons as may be well brought together .

6. And this is a most certaine rule , that we e e Mar. Victor . Annot. in Hieron . Ep. p. 593. must neuer change a reading vpon a bare coniecture onely , against the constant and receiued reading of all the MSS.

f f Lucas Fruterus lib. verisi●● l. p. ●0 . 7. In defect and want of MSS ▪ ( which happeneth too often , God knoweth , and the Criticks know it to their griefe ) The next and best helpe we haue , is from coniecture , it hath the second roome ; but the g g H. Steph l 1. dissert de Criti●● p. 22. first place doth by droict du Canon in the iudgement of our most approued Criticks , beginne , proceed , and end with the MSS , more or lesse .

h h Lucas Brugen . Nouantiq . lect. p. 171. 8. It is a rule in Criticisme , that caeteris paribus , the older the copy is , the better it is .

i i Fr. Luc. Brug . Nouantiq . lect p. 304. 9. There is another rule , that if the copie be old , it hath seldome its explicit , or time noted wherein it was written .

10. Neuerthelesse , there are meanes and wayes left vnto vs , to difference and discerne old copies from new , former from latter , by the Character .

11. Bookes written in the Longobard Character , k k Mar. Victor . Annot. in Com. p. 1. are esteemed to be of great antiquity , and so are bookes written with a bigger letter , or ( as our Antiquaries call it ) Lirera formata , w●th a set hand , and both these as it hath beene iudiciously obserued , l l Angel . Posit . p. 69. haue few or no abbreuiations .

12. Bookes that haue beene transcribed within these 500 or 900 yeares , haue come into our hands very corrupt and false , as rightly obserued Lud. Viues , and others : the corruptions came in , partly by the vnskilfulnesse and multiplied abbreuiations of those that vsually copied out bookes ; partly by the boldnesse and presumption of certaine scioli ; or lastly by the carelesnesse of Writers .

13. All which must be vnderstood with this one exception , vnlesse the said bookes were diligently copied out and collated with the old and best MSS ; for so being carefully done , they may be well nigh of as good credit , and stand vs in as good stead as the old MSS. themselues , whereout they were transcribed .

14. This is to be knowne by these few markes : First , you haue it in some bookes in expresse tearmes , explicit such or such a booke , copied out such a yeare , and collationed the same yeare , or another .

Secondly , you shall finde it blotted and blu●red in certaine places , where the wrong wordes are put forth , and the right set downe , most commonly in the Margent , or written ouer head .

Thirdly and lastly , by certaine prickes or points vnder so many letters or words as are to be expunged : a quaint deuise to preserue the beauty of their bookes , but very subiect to errour and mis-interpretation .

15. Bookes that were printed long since , or at the first , when printing came in ( such as Cyprian 1471. or 1478. ) are sometime in stead , and aequalled with some MSS.

16. In collationing and comparing of old bookes with new , printed with the MSS , ( a worke onely of industry , and properly belonging to our Criticks ) as the antiquitie of the bookes must be regarded , so the number of the copies is to be well considered , and weighed in the libration of bookes .

17. As it is a sure and receiued rule , that there m m Goulart . Annot. in Cypr. p. 582. Fr. Brug . Nouant . lect. p. 124 lieth a kinde of impossibility to mend a booke without any MSS: so to attempt to doe the same , without the aide of two copies at the least , may perchance proue but a fruitlesse , or bootlesse labour .

18. As the elder copies are to be preferred before the latter , so are the more to be regarded before the fewer .

19. If we finde a currant and constant reading in all the MSS , without any varying , no man may be so bold as to change the same , be it neuer so contrary to sense , or repugnant to reason : All that we can doe in such a case , i● to glosse or expound it in the side of the booke , or in the end of the same , by way of Annotation .

20. In variety of MSS , n n Mer Victor . Annot in Com. p. 1. the Reader is left free to choose what copy or reading liketh him best ; no one mans iudgement must preiudice another mans opinion , because neither one man alone , nor all iointly together , doe know all things .

21. There is o o Hen. Steph. lib. schediasm . p. 147. no assurance or infallibility in the Art Criticke : who dares absolutely to take vpon him to mend a booke , so as there shall be no fault or wrinckle in him ? we cannot , we dare not say it : it is sufficient for a Criticke , to doe all that he may , or can , according vnto the rules of his Art , and to vse his best industry , that is to say , if he haue good MSS , to vse them ; if he haue them not ( because they also doe faile vs sometimes ) to vse the best that can be gotten , and when they cannot be gotten , to follow the thred of Coniectures and likelihoods , which sometimes , and in some cases , ( though seldome ) are p p Lu●as Fruteru●verisimilium , l. 7. p. 44. as good as some MSS.

22. The readings in the MSS , q q Luc. Fruter . verisimil . p. 127. whether right or wrong , sound or vnsound , must be needfully , and heedfully preserued , and obserued .

24. Sometimes the r r H. Steph. dissert. de Ca●i● . p. 53 : & 65. inuersion or peruersion of a letter , the mis-pointing , false colon , or comma in a sentence , may ouerthrow the true meaning thereof , and draw it to a cleane contrary sense .

25. There is no fault so small , but must be mended , if it may , but noted it must be howsoeuer : these are but seeming trifles I must confesse , s s H. Steph. dissert. de Criticis p , 71. Luc. Fruter veris . l. 7. p. 20.23 . yet such as with draw men from the true reading , and draw great consequences with them .

26. Therefore our Criticke must approue his honest and faithfull dealing vnto the world , dealing with the MSS , as the MSS dealt with him ; making choise of some good readings rather then other , t t Angel . Poli● . p. 69. but noting both vnto the Reader ; for a false reading many times , hath some footsteps of a truer lection , and what one cannot , another may obserue : These are the Rules which wee intend to follow , till wee know any cause to the contrary .

And for the practise of them , Bilson of obedience p. 583. whereupon D or . Norrice giueth vs this wise note . Master Bilson and Master Field in append. 2 §. ●7 . haue no other shift to trauerse the euidence of this place , then by accusing it of some secret corruption . D.N. p. 47. How truly , the Reader may iudge by that which followeth . I will exemplifie them in two places , taken from one of the profoundest Schollers , and of deepest iudgement that euer England yeelded . The first consisteth vpon iudgement , the other vpon coniecture , the two legs whereupon the Art Criticke standeth : My Author is the famous Bilson Bishop of Winton , whose learning was too great , and himselfe too good , ( as foolishly Norrice said of him ) to be a Protestant , and therefore hee praied for his conuersion after the time of his dissolution , I know not how he will answere this , he is not wont to be so charitable to others . My place ( as I said ) the one out of Aug. de Gen. ad lit . lib. 10. cap. 23. the other taken out of Chrysostomes Ep. ad Innocent . The Papists proue Tradition out of the one , and Norrice following Bellarmine , the Supremacy out of the other , but the Papists faile in both : the Bishops coniectures in neither , and my confirmations ( if any be needfull , or possible after him ) are partly out of the MSS , and partly out of coniecture . Touching the first place , thus we reade , Consuetudo matris Ecclesiae in baptizandis parvulis non credenda , nisi Ecclesiae traditio esset : Whereupon the iudicious Bishop hath these wordes following , they being obiected to him in the person of the Papists by his Philander . The meaning of the Speaker in this place , and the likenesse of the same speech in other places , makes me thinke that a letter too much is crept into these words , as through the iniurie of times , and variety of Scribes , many thousand deprauations , and diuers Le●tions were , and yet are in the works of Saint-Augustine and other Fathers , not only by the iudgment of the learned , but by the very sight of the Mangines :

Cited by him about the place Deu. 17. where the Papists in their vulgar Bible read ex for et . My Ecolga Oxonio-Cantabrig . printed at London 1600 to the benefit of most Protestant writers , and some Papists , as Poss●uin and Pitsius , that haue partly mangled & curtalled my booke . I wonder how they durst keepe it being vtterly forbidden by Io. Maria Master of the sacred Palace . So Costerius & others .

See Bilson . de o●●d . p. 53. Iun. to. 2. p. 730.

Nifi Apostolica traditio esset for esse , is a scape in writing soone committed , but a matter of some moment in altering of the sense . I take not vpon me to correct it , but leaue it to the indifferent Reader . See here an euident Argument of the learned Bishops iudgement , and modestie : iudgement , or rather coniecture in ghessing it to be corrupted , modestie in not presuming to alter the reading vpon his owne coniecture , without furthet warrant from the MSS: for then he is bold to say , as he doth else where ; Know ye that there are sixe MSS. in the New College that reade thus . This place was ( that I may ingeniously professe a truth ) it that drew my studies to the contemplations of the MSS , and made me take a wearisome iourney to Cambridge , and elsewhere , to compile my Ecloga : this fiue and twenty yeeres at the least , I haue beene conuersant more or lesse in these kinde of studies , and some small proficient I haue beene , nothing repenting me of my paines bestowed , if they may profit my selfe and others , to the purpose . Answerable to the Bishops coniectures are most , if not all of our English MSS: Quos Catholici maiores nostri reliquerunt , ( saith Posseuine ) & thought to be as good as any are in the world besides .

The second place suspected by the Bishop of corruption , is taken out of Chrysostomes Ep. ad Innocentium , in these words : The word is printed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , obscre vt scribas , which the wordes precedent and consequent import should bee 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 obscro vt scribatis , and so the other part of the sentence doth plainely conuince where he saith : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : i fore is easily ouer-seene , and yet in the matter the difference is much , though not so much , that it should either helpe them , or hurt vs . And else-where obsecro vt scribas , the print or copie distrusted , the whole lettter goeth on with verbes of the plurall number — the whole petition made to them all . Now whether obsecro ut scribas , can stand with these wordes , libris vestris ▪ firms concedite , or rather obsecro vt scribatis . A verbe of the singular number thrust in amongst verbes of the plurall to claw the Bishop of Rome .

This selfe-same place I sent vnto a friend of mine , a Batchelor learned in Diuinity , to be farther considered of mee , who returned me this note thereupon . Bell. de Rom. Pontif l. 2. c. 15. § Septimo Bellarmines obseruation out of these words is this . Chrysostome was vniuslly deposed by Theophilus Antiochenus , and hereupon writeth to the Bishop of Rome , that he would be pleased by his authoritie to nullifie Theophilus sentence , & to proceed both against him and his fellowes . Therefore ( saith he ) Chrysostome did acknowledge the Bishop of Rome to be chiefe Iudge of Controuersies amongst the Graecians . Thus farre he Baronious is ready to daunce for ioy , that he hath found so pregnant a place for the Popes supremacie , and is of opinion , that God in his Diuine prouidence suffered this breach to happen betweene these two famous Bishops , because there should a Constat as it were remaine vpon record whether we ought to go vpon the like occasions : but by their leaues , both our Cardinals , haue committed many fraudulent deportements in the carrying of this busisinesse .

1 First S. Chysostome wrote not to Innnocentius alone , but ioyntly to him and to his Collegues : This is proued by the tenour of the whole Epistle , which neuer speakes but in the plurall number . Domini maxime , venerandi & pij quam haec ita se habere didiceritis , studium vestrum ad hibete , quo retundatur haec impietas ] Againe , in the very same place aboue mentioned , obsecro vt scribatis , non vt scribas ] This reading is also well warranted by Binius , in both his Editions of the Councels , as well of Anno 1●06 . as the other of the yeare 1618. and in the Greeke Text set forth by Sir Henry Sauill , By Pitsius . not without deserued thankes and commendations of Papists . to . 7. p. 157. We read 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ( non 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : ) Although some Printed Copies , read corruptly scribas , and some Greeke ( if the Iesuite deale with vs fide optima & Romana ) which the learned Knight doth not dissemble , and once more still in the plurall number literis vestris frui concedite ]

2 I was haled and pulled & carried away by maine force , the reason was because forsooth I had appealed vnto the Synode ] vnto the Synode , not vnto the Bishop of Rome .

3 He desireth the charity and fauour of the Easterne Bishops almost in euery place , and wisheth that he might haue the happinesse to come to their goodnesses , and enioy the benefit thereof : ] we haue therefore no acknowledgement of the Popes power of omnipotency .

4 If it shall be lawfull for euery one to breake or rush into another mans Diocesse , though from parts neuer so farre distant , & to determine what they list of their owne authorities , in short time all things will come to nothing ] He doth plainly allude vnto the Canon of the Councell of Nice , wherein each Patriarch ( the Roman and all ) haue certaine bounds and limits , which all men were bound expresly to keepe . Therefore without all peraduenture Innocents authority alone ( which he well knew ) reached no further then his owne Diocesse : Further he could not goe extra regiones suburbicarias : that was not the thing sought after , but the aide of an oecumenicall vniuersall Synode , to determine this Controuersie .

5 Besides , Innocentius himselfe else-where doth plainly shew , and as it were demonstrate vnto vs a way for the composing of such like Controuersies , in his Epistle to the Cleargie of Constantinople , as we may read it in Sozomen , l. 8. cap. 26. Necessaria est inquit , &c. ] It is not onely expedient but necessary , that the Bishops should meet in a Synode , about the determining of these Controuersies — , for these stormes cannot be quieted , nor these tempests allaide , but onely by a sober and temperate meeting of Bishops in a Synode ] by a Synode onely , and not onely by the Sea of Rome .

6 In his 2. Ep. to Innocent , thus writeth S. Chrysostome else where , — I must needs acknowledge , that your Fatherhood hath piously , ( as much as in you lay ) composed all differences , and remoued all scandals . — But they notwithstanding cease not to goe on in their obstinate and wicked courses . ] Therefore Theophilus and his Complices or Copesmates , nothing cared for Innocentius attempts in this very Controuersie : but obstinately went on , and fomented this Schisme ; Nathlesse hee did intercede and mediate to the contrary .

7 The most and the vtmost indeed that Innocent could doe , was ( which was common to him with other Bishops according to the ancient custome of that age ) to deny all manner of Communion and fellowship with Theophilus or his Theophilines : this was not to pronounce him banished from the Catholike Church , or to inualidate , or make his Acts of none effect by his bare authority and onely command . So here you haue a small taste of that fruit in both kindes of Criticisme , which the world is to expect at our hands , if God giue grace and the Bishops leaue : Reasons why we should vndertake the 8th . or 9th . Articles first . and I should not thinke it much amisse or farre out of the way , if we did presently goe in hand with this eighth and ninth Articles : of all others they are the most important , else in comparing the Fathers workes , wee may happily mistake one for the other , or sonnes for Fathers : And againe , who knoweth not but the worke of comparing the Latine Fathers works , the Greekes Translation , are in some sort inuolued and included in one of these two points , and these ( to my seeming ) may be well acted and peracted by , or not long after Michaelmas , only with the helpe of these twelue and some few voluntaries : prouided that we begin before the next , Easter as motus est in instanti , but I submit and pray .

The tenth Point

Tenthly and lastly , the perpetuall Visibility of the Church , more or lesse , and the History of the same Religion that we professe for the substance thereof throughout all ages , may be shewed to the Eye , noting when those Nouelismes and superadditaments of the Church of Rome , came in as neare as may be guessed , the time when , and parties by whom they were opposed .

All which 10 Propositions , ( needfull and important as they are ) I doe willingly commend vnto my deare Mother the Church of England , and from her to the Cleargie and Gentry of this Land , to bee proceeded in , as they shall see it most expedient for the common good ; promising nothing but my paines to bee commanded in these publique seruices . And I make no doubt ( if God will ) but that all this may be effected , within some few yeares , if the Almighty giue grace , the rich whom God hath blessed with this worldly substance , incouragement ; and the rest their prayers . Of the likelihood hereof I am the rather perswaded , because already by my owne meanes , and small endeauours , there is almost a fourth part of the Worke done in all these 10 Articles . If one alone may do so much within such a time , what may a dozen able Scholers ( such as I know and could name ) doe within 5 , 6 , 7 , or 8 yeares , which is the vtmost in my conjecture ?

The approbation of the Worke.

I Approue of the things here proiected , & wish with all my heart they may take good effect .

IO. PRIDEAVX Vicecanc . S.T.D. Prof. Reg. Theol. ROD. KETTELL Praeses Coll. S. Trinit. LEON . HVTTEN Aedis Christi Praebend. GVIL . LANGTON Coll. Magd. Praeses . SEBASTIANVS BENEFIELD Lecturae Margareticae Professor . IO. RAWLINSON Principalis Aulae S. Edmundi . IO. PARKEHVRST Magister Coll. Ball. IO. WILKINSON Aul. Magd. Praep. GVIL . PEIRS Decanus Petriburgensis . RICHARDVS CORBET Aedis Christi Decanus . SAM. FELL Aedis Christi Praebend. THO. ILES Aulae Cervinae Principalis . RIC. ASTELEY Custos Coll. Omnium Animarum . ROB. PINCK Novi Coll. Custos . GV. SMYTH Coll. Wadham . Guard . IO. TOLSON Coll. Oriel . Praepositus . PAVLVS HOOD Coll. Lincoln . Rector . GVIL . IVXON Coll. D. Io. Preses .

I Am now at length , happily ( as I trust ) arriued at the tenth point , which I will call the Cape of good Hope , because I conceiue very good hope that if the former were done , this with some labour formerly taken by me will suddenly follow of it selfe : it is almost done already ( thankes be to God ) and good Mr. Fisher he shall haue his Buttery-booke ere long , Ex malis moribus bonae leges , his iests may perhaps turne to earnests : we will out-Catalogue his fellow Dr. Norrice , who is so mighty a Goliah amongst our Philistius , that he hath defied all the hoste of Israel : as for Field , Shall I here pose Mr. Bilson , shall I pose M. Raynolds S.N. p. 200. & p. 81.91 . & 97. or Bilson , or Abbots , or Raynolds , they are but dwarfes in his hands , he maketh but a push at their writtings , and seemeth to be able to set them to schoole againe , if Generall Norrice had beene no better at his sword , then he is at his Penne , the Low-Countries had been low enough by this time . I say no more but brag is a good dogge : and though I would not willingly fall into the same crime which I finde fault with in another , yet in this place in the vpshot and conclusion of all , I trust I shall finde pardon with the ingenious and discreet Reader , if I speake somewhat of my selfe , and for to excuse my forwardnesse in pressing this worke . As when men shall vnderstand that I was borne of Honest and Religious Parents , that are ( I hope ) now blessed Saints in Heauen , sometimes glorious Confessors here vpon earth , and exiles for Religion ,

My Father , M , Richard Iames was in the house when Marsh was taken , and himselfe forced with his wife and children to liue all Q. Mar●es time beyond the seas .

My petition is printed , and to be seene , that I preferred at that time vnto the Bishops in Convoc●tion . As shall be fully shewed ere long in a booke now in the Presse , to be printed , if God will .

that I haue studied this point more then 25 yeares , and petitioned , as I doe now , the Bishops in the last Parliament of the late Queene , that I haue liued euer since in a place of some eminency for bookes ; where though I could not well study them my selfe , but carried and sometimes broke the bread like Silenus Asse , for others more then for my selfe , yet as one that standeth vpon an high tower , to discry the enemy , may doe good seruice , though hee bee not in the Camp ; so I standing vpon this Pharos of learning , haue seen somewhat that it greeueth me to see , that books in time wil decay if the estate of the Church or Common-wealth , doe not preuent our Papists mischieuous plots & complots , to pull Kings out of their thrones , and the King of Kings out of Heauen , if they may haue their wils , they are cunning Marchants , close workers , all is in the darke , and in the vaut ; I feare more their secret , then their open Indices : the truth is , I feare all , and beleeue none of them , I am so taught by D. Raynold , D. Raynold by Epicharmus : they sow that now , which they meane to reape perhaps 40 or 50 yeares hence . I would gladly redeeme truth out of their hands , which is there not to be vsed , but suppressed , and to preserue Religion entire , as it hath bin left vnto vs , & to preserue it from the iniuries of times and men , & who knoweth whether the great City of Rome be not to be assaulted and battered with these Rams ? & the Man of sin , that Antichrist that exalteth himselfe aboue God , or all that is called God , be not to be ouerthrowne and cast downe to the ground , by this weake paper-shot of ours : I haue in Gods Name begun the battell in a good time , my bellum papale hath made a great and wide breach in their walls , my booke of corruptions hath touched them to the quicke , and drawne blood : but I shall re-enforce the battell ere it be long ; experience hath taught me to vse stronger weapons . I would haue them in Print , that the Aduersary should take no exception against them ; or rather that hee may iustly obiect what he can , and when it is done , what great mastery is it to conquer a poore feeble man , whom age hath made old , and not sickenesse , and God with the meanes of a learned Physition hath made strong , contrary to all humane expectation . I must die when the appointed time shall come , it is good not to be found idle , or abroad out of my vocation . Non omnes possunt esse maximi . Sure I am I haue beene oftentimes buried in the mouthes of some ambitious men . I haue written , spoken , and done somewhat , when I might haue taken my pleasure of the world , ( as too many of my coat doe ) I haue ( thanked be God ) no cure of soules , and yet am not secure or willing to say to my soule , take thy rest : yet if my eyes may be so happy as to see the Epilogue and Catastrophe of this great businesse , I shall sing my Nunc dimittis with great contentednesse of mind , though I haue neuer a penny for my labour : they deserue not ( to my seeming ) a reward for their labours , which labour for a reward . I shall finde some respect amongst my fellow Protestants , and if it be but for my constant and vnfeined zeale : of the Papists , I looke for nothing but contempt and disgrace : I haue tasted of this cup which my blessed Sauiour began vnto me , it is very bitter , saue that the wood of his Crosse hath sweetned it ; I neuer offended any of them willingly : all my reading is in their owne Authors , are they offended for this ? The proofes of my Religion , Truth and Antiquity are taken from them , is this that offendeth them ? Nay I am contented , and fully resolued to stand to the determination of the materiall controuersies by their owne rules , and Iudges of their owne making , or some of their owne appointment .

My bookes are yet vnanswered , those that seemed to be answered ; here a sentence and there a sentence , I haue replied and reioyned vnto them : I am neither idle drone , nor wine bibber , or tipler , nor cutter and mangler , forger or counterfeiter of MSS , I will leaue that to the Papists , Hardings , and Posseuines of those times , I will not offer to take their trade out of their hands . They thinke not so meanly of my selfe , as my selfe doe , yet as Iewell once said to Harding , by the grace of God I am that I am ,

From Io. Zamoscius the Chancellor of Poland , and Generall of his army sent vnto me 23. yeares agoe from my Lo. Mornay from Amandus Polanus , Iunius , Gruterus , Sch l. tetus , Keckermanus , Vossius , Riuet , Goulartius , and others , from beyond the Seas . My small paines haue been approued and in some sort commended by my now Lord of Canterbury , Dr: Sutliffe , Dr. Bull●eley , Dr. Prideaux , Dr. Hakewill , Dr. Beard , Master Perkins and others .

The siege of Troy is said to haue lasted 10 yeeres at the vtmost . I wold not aske longer time to impugne and expugne this New Troy , or Troynouant , I haue it vnder their hands , I haue made the best choice of the best and most able schollers that neuer sued to me : I wil beare them witnesse , but I will attempt nothing but permissu Superiorum .

and that grace is sufficient for me : if I should depend vpon the praise of 〈◊〉 I were not the true seruant of God , it p●ffeth 〈…〉 vp , that I haue receiued priuate let●ers , and open testimonies from beyond the seas , to incourage me to goe on cheerefully in the course of my studies , and these from Papists as well as Protestants , some men of eminent learning , as well as Nobility , from the greatest Bishops within this land , as well as men of fame and name beyond the Seas : all this ( as I say ) puffeth not me vp , and maketh not me neither idle , nor high minded , I thanke them for their good wils , and am thankfull to the Almighty , if any thing be praise worthy in me , or bneficiall to others : but I account all this as nothing , and my selfe lesse then nothing , if I doe not religiously pay my vowes , which I haue solemnly made to God and the Church in this kinde : and for a conclusion of all , to winde vp all , as it were into one clew . If the first Point may be well accomplished in three or foure yeares , the second in one yeare , the third and fourth in halfe a yeare , the fift in a yeare or two , the 6. by two in two yeares , the 7. in a manner in a quarter of a yeare , the eighth and ninth in halfe a yere , the last within lesse then a twelue moneth : when all is done , Quid stamus hic tota die otiosi . Once againe I am ready my selfe , and so are twelue more as willing in some sort , more able then my selfe , to enter the lists , and vpon the worke : if wee shall bee thereunto required by our Superiours , if our sister Vniuersity will ioine hand in hand with vs , we shall march the more confidently , they reuising our labours , and we interchangeably theirs , the worke will the sooner and better be done , within halfe the time , by the rule of proportion . Thus I haue laboured in this Apology to satisfie others ( for if I should not do so much as in me lieth , I should not satisfie my self ) satisfie all I cannot , my Superiours I hope I shal ; if by no other , yet by this , that in the end I may iustly sing my Io Poean , all honour , praise , and glory vnto God , not diuiding my praise as most Papists doe , and Bellarmine is said to diuide his soule betwixt God and the virgine Mary , fowly and shamefully : contradicting his former position , supping vp as it were his owne words . Tutissimum est , &c. The safest way of all is to relie on Gods mercy .

FJNJS .