PROTESTANT or Papist , English or Romish Catholique , Christian if thou be , though to all or any , I intend what I write , yet I will not presse thee ●o peruse the Treatise ensuing , for I am indifferent whether thou doe or no. Nor would I haue so much as troubled thy Patience with a Preface , it being not tanti , which the Gagger hath grated vpon , but that being put vpon such a copesmate , I was of conueniency to acquaint thee first with three things : My vndertaking : then my performing : and the motiue of the Second , his deseruing . What moued mee to meddle with this Gagger : In what sort I thought fit to arrest him : wherefore I haue dealt with him in such sort . And first for the first , be pleased to know

That I coped not with him voluntarily : nor thrust my self forward of my own accord , out of a desire to be doing . I haue other employments , of much more behoof , to better purpose , & my greater benefit euery way ; or , if I had none , pater Turrian has h●r as non sic per dere , I professe , I would neuer be so idle , but could more pleasingly and profitably spend my time , then in catching or killing of Flyes . But be pleased to heare a story , Reader , which put me on this posture , and performing . And thus it was .

About some two yeares since , as I remember , some of our Catholique Limitors , had beene roming and rambling in the Countrey , and brake into my pale secretly , at my Parish of Standford-Riuers in Essex : and according as commonly their custome is , ( that you may know of what companions Saint Paul entended , his Leading silly women captiues ) fell in with some , one at least , of the subordinate and weaker sexe : indeauouring to make Proselytes of my neighbours wiues . Now you know their ordinary onsets , with great Out-cries of Damned Heretickes , out of the Church . No Seruice : no Sacraments : no Ministery : no Faith : no Christ : no Saluation . Terrible Shawe-fowles to skarre poore Soules , that haue not the facultie of discerning Cheese from Chalk . Horrible affrights and mormolyceues , to put young children out of their wits , that cannot distinguish a visnomie indeed from a visour .

So it fell out , that a neighbour of mine , with whom in this sort they had beene tampering , became not a little dismayed , and perplexed with these bug-beares of great names and thunderings in her eares ; till it came at length vnto my knowledge what was done . I let her know , they were but scarr-crowes : meere words and wind , bragges and boastings , and so setled her disquieted thoughts againe . But yet it seemeth , they left not so . The Diuell hath a name , Belzebub , the God of flyes , expressing his nature , like a flye , insolent , importune , pressing on ; though he fall off to day , hee will re-enforcce to morrow , though he faile to day , he will assay to morrow , and still hope to preuaile at last . So These , as He , came on againe , though euer by owle-light . For they came to steale , and therefore feared blaunchers . I could not come to God-speed , nor to confront them .

But this I did : When next you meete with these Romish Rangers , commend me to them , said I vnto my neighbour . Tell them , I much desire to bee acquainted with them . I was borne , & bred , and brought vp , & professed in the Religion of the Church of England : which I hitherto haue thought to be the truth : held and taught as the truth : if I haue beene deceiued , and haue deceiued others , I am sorry for it : my desire is to know and professe the Truth , to waue heresie , to quit error , to goe out of schisme , to finde out the true Church of Christ , and become a member of it ; and so consequently , by all possible meanes to saue my Soule . If then their intention be such sincerely , as they pretend it is , To saue Soules ; they may doe a meritorious deed to come and saue mine , the rather , because they may goe compendiously to worke , in gaining mee to the side , who am like enough to draw you , my Parishioners , with me , at least to make you more seasable , then otherwise you would be for them .

But it seemed canebam sur dis , & I beleeue , if the relation was made , as I think it was , they gaue no great credit to my words , or had lesse hope of their performance . For the truth is , the most of these Limitors are but poore Ignaroes : take them out of their beaten paths , they cannot hold pace . ) Wherefore , seeing I could not tell where to finde them , and they would not finde me , where they might haue me : I thought to send after them to know their mindes , to vnderstand their opinions , and see what they would say , to winne mee vnto their Catholiqne faith . So I tooke pen and paper , and wrote , as I thought fit , three Propositions , promising conformity vpon resolution , to this effect , and I suppose , in these tearmes .

1 If any Papist lining , or all the Papists liuing , can proue vnto me , that the present Roman Church , is eyther the Catholique Church , or a sound member of the Catholique Church , I will subscribe .

2 If any Papist liuing , or all the Papists liuing , can proue vnto me , that the present Church of England is not a true member of the Catholique Church , I will subscribe .

3 If any Papist , &c. can proue vnto mee , that all those points , or any one of those points which the Church of Rome maintaineth against the Church of England , were or was , the perpetuall Doctrine of the Catholique Church : the concluded Doctrine of the representatine Church in any generall Councell , or Nationall approued by a Generall : or the dogmaticall resolution of any one Father , for 500. yeares after Christ , I will subscribe .

And to these seuerally I set my name , which I did to try their sufficiencies : or abate their insolencies : and to settle the wauering vpon those goodly pretenses of Antiquity , Vniuersality , and Conformity . I am sure I come home to them , and touch them in their freehold , as they claime it : I giue them scope enough to insist vpon . If they can performe this , I will not eate my words . I make it now publicke , which I then said in priuate , let them performe it , I will subscribe .

These three Propositions , thus conceiued , & signed , I then deliuered vnto my neighbour , the partie that should haue beene proselyted : intreating her , to deliuer them vnto those her perswaders , if they came again , as she thought they would . This she promised , and at their next meeting , accordingly performed , within few dayes . I expected , I confesse , some great vndertaker , and some mighty opposition , to purpose , in points of that Nature , which touched them so neere , and came vp to the head of their Catholique cause ; and so began to compose my selfe against expected aduersaries of some performance at least . But many weekes , many months passed , eighteene at least , and I heard no noise of those Hereticke-quellers , my great Masters , who cease not yet to call for disputation . At length , after much expectation , vpon the fifth of October last , the same partie premised , presenteth mee at once with two seuerall presents . The one , two sheets of Paper , written in haste , not fully out , with two seuerall hands . The Scribe was some puny-nouice in euery point of Scrib-ship . For neither could hee tell how to vse or dispose his points : nor yet how to spell his words . I haue the Originall by mee , to shew . Any man that readeth it , will many times be to seeke , to make sense , or English of it . The Dictator , ( if yet the Author and writer were diuided ) subscribed himselfe yours in Christ Iesus , A. P. a silly man God knoweth as euer talked idly of the Catholique Church : the head of the Church : the Masse , Confession , and Purgatory . For his discourse ( beside some ●●urrility without wit or ●artnesse , of my Worship , Doctorship , &c. ) smattered a little , but very poorely , and at randome , vpon these points : but concerning , or vnto , my Propositions ; 〈◊〉 my quidem Lucilianum ? the Innocent meant mee no hurt , therefore , he bit not .

Marry he had a cleanly put-off for that , thus . Hee desireth me at my going to London , to repaire vnto Master May his house ( these are my friend A. P. s own words ) in Holburne , in Partridge-alley . A man , that I neuer knew , nor saw , nor heard of , albus an ater , I cold not tell , nor happily should haue knowne in hast , but by his relation . From him I haue it : that , Hee was not long since a Minister , but is now become a Catholique . In good time : through discontent perhaps , or ambition ; or some such ordinarie motiue of such Turne-coates . My imployment thither , was for Satisfaction : if yet I had beene sure thereof . For I had some cause of doubt , in that which followeth . If hee will not satisfie you , at least he will procure some body else . If he will not : but what if he cannot ? Then from Partridge-ally , I might happily bee posted to Woodcocke-walke : and thence flushed to Fooles-wharfe : and so returne home , as wise as I went out .

But secondly , to preuent or supply the worst , beside , and with his two sheets of Paper , my good friend A. Pe. out of Curtefie , addressed vnto me , for my better Edification , a pretty little whip-iacke , of lesse then ordinary assise , in a blew iacket ; marked in the fore-head , with A Gagge , for the new Gospell : whose worship , vntill then , was as little knowne to me de nomine , as was Master M●● . He was sent with this Elogium and Inuitation at least : If you please to answere this little booke , and so explicate all the places of Scriptures and Fathers ; which are cited in it , it will be a good worke fit for a Doctor of Diuinity ( here my friend shot at rouers , I am not the man ; for Doctor of Diuinity I am none . ) And I doubt not but by searching out of these points , you wil be of another minde , as many of your coate haue beene , when they went sincerely , and for the loue of God , and their own soules ( adde , and somewhat else ) vnto their studies . So hee , in his missi●es of October , vnto me .

Thus briefly , as I could , I haue related the occasion of my engagement , in this gagling , with the Gagger . Those Papers I answered presently as I thought fit , and left the answere to be returned vnto A. P. who promised to call for it within three dayes ; but came not within threescore , as I am informed , & if yet he haue come for it , I cannot tell . The Gagge I tooke to taske , vpon my returne vnto my bookes , at Windsor : as meere a gaggler as euer grased vpon a greene . Many idle Pamphlets in this very kinde , haue I seene in my dayes ; but a verrier idiota saw I neuer any . With a strange opinion of their owne worth , are these Catholicks possessed . This poore silly Creature thought Himselfe somebody , and his Performings no ordinary Aduenture : else sure hee would not so haue proscribed his pamphlet , the Gagge of the new Gospell : which necessarily implyeth thus much , Hee hath stopped the months of all Protestants for euer : the proudest of them dare not hiscere hereafter against Himselfe , or any one of his Lagg : but , as geese , when they goe in at a barne dore , or are driuen on by night , a long staffe or pole being held ouer them , goe without noise or reluctancy , holding downe their heads : so the appalled Protestants , being crest-fallen , and cast downe for euer , must goe as this Gagger will dispose of them . My friend A. P. sic mulus mulum scabit , was well perswaded of this mans performance , and irresistable ability , when hee sent him to me to conuert me , being assured I could say little to him , no not so much as bough to a Goose , as for , Answere him , it went beyond my possibility . For this , set the iury consider : but for Conuersion , no such matter I assure him : his assurance hath failed here . I am more confirmed , then euer I was in my Protestant profession , through his insufficiency . Nay , had I not been a Protestant , he would haue made me one through his poore performing of what he had vndertooke , vpon view .

Whatsoeuer he intended , whatsoeuer he hath said , was by Him , and His , addressed , not against Iohn a Noke , and Iohn a Style , this man and that man of the Protestant partie : not against priuate tenents , and peculiar opinions . For what hath the world to doe to take publique notice of them ? as they are singular , so let them stand or fall : Salus Ecclestae , non vertitur in istis , the Church will stand and subsist without them : but hee driued directly at the Church of England , that moate in the eyes of Romish Priests and Iesuites . For though he set his booke to saile , with generall commendations , A briefe abridgement of the errors of the Protestants of our times : and so may seeme to enclose our neighbours abroad : yet his drift was directly against vs at home : against the Doctrine and Discipline of o●● Church . Therfore he wrote in the English tongue alone . Therefore his addresse is to The Protestants that are in England onely . Therefore he talketh of our English translations , and in precise words instituteth his Refutation , by Expresse words of our owne English Bibles : which confine his Gagge to vs alone , that are of that Church for , English Bibles , belong to English men : Strangers haue their owne , in their owne Mothers tongue : they vnderstand not ours , which concerne them not at all .

Now in point of carriage against the Church of England : in his Refutation of our Churches errors : in gagging vp our mouthes for defence thereof for euer ; see the small honesty , little sincerity , and petty performing of this Gagler . In all Churches that are , or haue beene vnder heauen : euen in the Chutch of Rome it selfe at this day , notwithstanding the conclusions of the Councell of Trent : the Decisions and Edicts of Popes : the inquisitors of Heresie , and such like inhibitions to the contrary . There are publique Resolutions held of all , and priuate opinions maintained by some , by men particular in their owne Conceits : and Societies in a more generall agreement in things indifferent , not de fide , or if yet of a looser and lower tye , and alloy . As those are proposed , resolued , maintained , tendred and commanded : So the other are free , and disputed and questioned , not enioyned as de fide , or Subscribed , because Problematicall , and no more . If a man should collect the priuate opinions of priuate men , which are differences in Schooles among Schollers : nay , of the Master of Controuersies , or of sentences , and impute them vnto the Church of Rome , the Faith of Rome , this Gagger ( if hee know what to doe ) and his gagle , would refuse them , disclaime them , thinke themselues wronged , proclaime themselues belied , as Bellarmine doth often in the like case . Ex aequo & bono , and more maiorum , we may doe the like . Yet see the honesty of this Imposter against vs in this his poore pamphlet .

He hath collected together , out of C. W. B. and such companions : and disposed as it hapned , without order or method xlvii . seuerall propositions . All pretended errours of the Church of England : because all contrary to expresse words of our owne Bibles : and repugnant to Antiquity , in the Writings of the Fathers : so to fasten Noueltie , and Heresie , and Impietie vpon our Church . Of these xlvii . onely viii . or ix . are the Doctrines of our Church . 6. 13. 15. 18. 30. 36. 42. 44. and yet not all these , as they are by him abused , embeasted , confounded , and circumscribed . The rest are partly left at libertie by the Church : not determined for doctrines either way . Many imposed by him on the Church , are directly disclaimed , abandoned , oppugned by the Church , and the flat contrary to them commended and commanded . And accordingly belieued , practised , and maintained against oppugners . A maior part are the meere opinions , priuate fancies , peculiar propositions of priuate men : many of them disclaimed by the very Authors : some falsely imputed to their Authors : some raked together out of the lay-stals of deepest Puritanisme , as much opposing the Church of England , as the Church of Rome . So that whatsoeuer is in this Gagger , is , or childishly fancied , or ridiculously mistaken , or wilfully peruerted , or slanderously imputed , or maliciously proposed , or ambiguously conceiued , or not iustified any way : as may euidently appeare in the particulars in my answere ensuing : In which ,

Whatsoeuer is to be owned by the Church ; as resolued , and tendred , and subscribed in the authorised Doctrine or Practise thereof , is by mee iustified fully against him , and shall be maintained against his betters , as not contrary to Antiquitie , in the Tradition of the Church , much lesse vnto Scriptures in our owne Bibles . What is inuolued by him malitiously , to procure enuy to the side , is explicated and asserted to the proper tenents , and termes , it is shewed how farre the Church of England resolueth , where , and what things are left free and vndetermined , for men to hold with them or against them . Priuate opinions , are left vnto their Authors , and Abettors , olde enough , and able enough to speake for themselues : In a publique cause ( as is , the Faith of Gods Church ) peculiar interests , that I know , haue no such share , at least ouer-awing , as to commaund vndertaking against opponents .

In answering of whom , to come vnto my course obserued with him , which I thought fit in conueniency to let the Reader vnderstand , for my owne excuse , and iustification , I haue gone along with him , cap apee , and point per point : first , for his Scriptures , both expresse and to be seene ; then , for his Fathers , that affirme the same , that is nothing to purpose , as little as his Scriptures did , as I could finde them quoted , or could guesse at them , by imagining where they mought be probably spoken withall , or where I could remember to haue some time left them . For our Catholiques Romish , secure no question of the goodnes of their cause , or rather relying vpon the tractablenesse of their patient Proselytes , so they can make a dumbe shew with scoring vp Fathers , doe not much trouble themselues with caring , where or what they say . So this Gagger stood affected it is more than apparant . For I was often left to goe blowe the seeke , for his Fathers . For , poore man , he tooke them vp as hee could finde them by tale , without weight or triall . Some few peraduenture , in the country abroad : but the maior part by farre , out of C. W. B. What he is , I cannot tell : and as hee hath them , truely or falsly quoted , rightly registred , or mistaken , so in euery poynt are they in the Gagge , vnlesse worse . Such supine negligence , secure discoursing , childish disputing in such a Master in Israel . Such infant-like performance in such a Goliah , vpon whose head the Philistines haue set vp their rest ( I speake no more in effect , than I haue heard of him since I vndertooke him ) who can beare ? Beside the scurrilous fellow , according to his breeding , and education it seemeth , sure I am fitting enough his disposition commeth in with Coblers , and Bakers , and Tinkers , and Tapsters : and Hosts and Hostesses , and bottles , and bottle-ale . Insulteth vpon poore Protestants , Out of their wits , sicke in their wits . Prateth of Horses and Asses praying , and such like stuffe , out of his Coblersshop , or Hostesses ale-bench no doubt . And who is able to possesse his Soule , or containe his pen in patience : that hath to doe with such Impostors , Mountebankes , and Buffones ? such rake-shames , and rakehels , as these ramblers are ? I confesse , that subiects of this nature , should , aboue all , be moderately , calmely , and quietly handled : but so , if wee meete with moderate men , with quiet men , with temperate , honest , and discreet men : with men not proiected , prostituted , and giuen ouer , vnto lying , calumniating , traducing of all that concurre not with them ; as this companion , and his comerades are : who haue no intent to make vp any ruines or decayed places in the Church : to heale the sores , cure the wounds , mollifie the swellings , cleanse out the empostumations in the mysticall body of Christ : that ayme not at peace , nor would procure vnity , nor any way indeauour that those who professe Gods holy name , may agree in the truth of his holy word , and liue in vnity and godly loue , but make their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , their whole indeauour their speciall study day and night , by all kinde of iniquity , to keepe a faction on foot , and maintaine opposition , euen where it needeth not . Such are to be curryed in their kinde : and to be rubbed as they deserue : in no case to be smoothed or sleeked ouer , lest they please themselues too well in their impiety .

It was euer held lawfull to call a spade a spade . Saint Paul gaue not Elimas any gentle termes : nor did Saint Peter speake butter and hony vnto Simon Magus . Our Sauiour himselfe , that man of meekenesse , called Herod a Fox , and Iudas a Deuil , when they deserued it . I confesse , I haue dealt with this man , as I would not haue dealt with euery one , nor so as happely , my person and calling would in some mens opinion require : but sure , as he , and such as he deserue to be dealt withall . For shall I suffer him , to rayle vpon to blaspheme , to calumniate , to belye so impudently the Church of England , as he doth , beside his Tapster-like phrases of Ale , and Hostesses , and not make him heare of it on both his eares , but guild him ouer with good language ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Let himselfe , or his companions , or any Papist in the packe , goe honestly , sincerely , soberly , scholler-like to worke : Let him set affection , faction , partiallity , sinister ends apart : Let him come home to the poynts controuerted , without rowling , rambling , rauing : ioyne issue instantly with the Question where it lyeth . I am for him , no man more ready , more willing , more submisse , more desirous to goe calmely and sedate to worke , for Gods glory , the Churches tranquilitie , the good and benefit of my selfe and others . To learne , to heare , to be aduised , to yeeld to euidence , and conuicting proofe , out of Scriptures , out of Fathers , the totall Tradition of the Church : No otherwise willing to deale with moderate men , then I haue and doe , with that worthie Baronius , in his kinde . But for this man , those that thinke otherwise must pardon me ; As a wise man is to be heard with attention , so a foole must be answered according to his folly . And so haue I answered this goodly Gagger .

Thus Curteous Reader , hauing giuen thee an account of my comming vpon this employment , and secondly of my carriage of it , with the reason of my demeanure in it , I come to the Gagger , to cope with him , leauing thee to the Protection of the Almighty .