ALthough , Sir , many of your good friends and folowers haue both long looked , and much desired to heare from you : yet , I doe assure my selfe , they looked for nothing lesse then to receiue from you such a slender and trifling pamphlet as this , which goeth vnder the name of your apologie . they expected rather to see those famous obseruations of yours , which you haue written against the Rhemish annotations vpon the new Testament , which they esteeme so highly , or els some such like notable learned , & laborious worke against the common enemie . I , for my part , when I first heard , that your name was once againe come in print , and that ye had now at length broken your long kept silence , looked ( at the least ) for some 1 1 Tanquam elephanti partum . great and learned volume in defence of that cause , for which you haue so much practised , and so long and vehemently contended ; and which you were wont so highly to magnifie . I did well remember how you promised , that for 2 2 In the front of his first reply . Syons sake you would not holde your peace , nor for Hierusalems sake take any rest . as if this matter of your forged discipline were your onely Syon , and that holy Hierusalem , for which you contended . you tolde vs further , and that ( I thinke ) in very good sadnesse , that 3 3 1. reply . if euery haire of your head were a life , you ought to afford them al for the defence of your cause . You affirmed also that your discipline 1 1 Preface 1. reply . is a great part of the Gospell : that it is a 2 2 1. and 2. reply . matter of faith , and an essentiall note of the Church : that the Church without it , is like a garden 3 3 Pref. 1. reply . without a hedge : nay finally 4 4 M. Cartwr . table . that it is Christes kingdome vpon the earth . I could not therefore thinke otherwise , but that now you had vndertaken the defence and accomplishment of that most glorious and necessary worke . Neither could I imagine , that 5 5 1. Thess. 2. contrary to the Apostles example , you would seeke for glory at mens handes ; or els like the princes of the Iewes , 6 6 Iohn 12. esteeme more the praise of men , then the glory of God : and to come neerer you , that you would abandon the defence of your Syon , yea and of your holy citie Hierusalem , and would suffer your hedge to go downe , and your Church to lye waste , and plainely would renounce a great part of the Gospell , and of your new faith , and all this to talke 7 7 The argument of M. Cartwrights booke . of the vse of money , and purchases of land , and Hackets and Copingers matters , and your owne fancifull opinions , and vaine praises .

Yea , and all that haue heard of your fame , expected farre other matters , then this short pamphlet like two ballades stitched together at your handes : and not only expected , but also desired and wished , that if needes you would take penne in hand , you would trauaile in your former cause , rather then in this priuate quarrell betwixt your selfe and me . and that also was my earnest desire . not that I would haue that fire stirred , which once you had kindled , and is now either quenched or well couered ; but that I hoped , that by your defence all men should clearely see , first the nakednesse and weakenesse of your cause , which with no eloquent gloses you could couer , nor with pretence defend ; and next , that the same is not ouerborne by authoritie , as some beare men in hand , but reiected , repelled , and despised , as a new forged deuise , repugnant to al antiquitie , to all iustice , to al reason , and trueth .

As for this your apologie or briefe answere , as you call it , it satisfieth no mans expectation , or desire , as I thinke . if you respect the principall cause ; it is altogether impertinent , if you seeke to iustifie and cleare your selfe , you haue done iust nothing . that is apparent by these particulers . You deny , that you did execute any part of your brother Stubbes his last will . an vnkinde part ( you must needes confesse ) especially if he requested you , or meant to put you in trust . but what is that to the matter ? that you haue dealt in the execution of my Lord of Leycesters will concerning the stocke of his Hospital , you cannot deny . Likewise most apparent it is , that you haue dealt ( how wel , I know not ) in diuers other ciuil causes . which is sufficient to make that cause good , for which I alledged that argument . You say also , that you haue not three or foure mannours ; and percase you are sorie for it . but what apperteineth that to your eldership ? I trust you meane not , if you had them to conuey them ouer to some friends in trust for maintenance of a learned ministery , for want of which your consorts pretend to bee so much offended . Neither is the want of land or fee any blemish to your credit . for many very honest , and learned men haue not so much as one quarter of your reuenues . you tell vs that you leant not 300. li. to Francis Michel , but only 200. pound . and yet neither is greatly material , whether it be . rather then you would loose either 200. or one hundred pounds , you would percase wish you had neuer spoken worde for your consistorie . you take it in euill part , that I should cal the Hospital , whereof you are master , your Hospitall ; and yet is the speach common , and no harme meant , not is it any aduantage to your cause , whether it be called my Lord of Leycesters Hospital , or your hospitall . if so be you might haue had your foolish course , many learned men would not haue bene so wel mainteined , as the poore of your Hospital . Such like be your complaints , where you take your selfe charged to be a man that hath strange conceites concerning extemporall prayers , and working of miracles . neither of these matters apperteine to your consistorial gouernment , nor greatly touch you in reputation . Your acquaintance with Copingers causes , and allowance of Martins libels , I confesse , are foule matters , and touch you in your reputation ; yet doe they concerne the consistoriall cause , but litle .

Besides this , albeit your principall drift in this your apologie was to cleare your selfe of all notes of disloyaltie , and lewd opinions , and lewd practises ; yet haue you done none of these . nay in those matters that concerne Stubbs his will , the purchase of lands , and lending of money , wherin you seeme to haue most aduantage , you do but trifle . all this now I wil briefly note , but the proofes you shall see largely deduced in the discourse ensuing . First where I doe make diuers questions , and some that touch you very nerely , you passe the most of them ouer with silence . but if you would haue iustified your selfe , you should haue answered them al , and that in direct and plaine termes . I 1 1 Answere to the petit . p. 186. aske you whether Fenners booke which he entitleth sacram Theologiam , and which you seeme to allow , conteine not strange diuinitie : and gladly would I know , if you mislike any thing in that booke , what the points are you mislike . you answere nothing . I 2 2 Ibid. p. 189. demaund of you whether Barowes erroneous conclusions doe not folow of your assertions . And what say you to it ? forsooth nothing . I aske if the Prince refuse to reforme the Church , how far inferior magistrates , and the people may proceed therein ; and thereto your answere is 1 1 Ibid p. 194. & 195. silence . I demaund of you , if you and your consorts do not thinke the practises of Geneua and Scotland for the setting vp of their discipline lawfull , and worthy to be folowed : and to this you say 2 2 Ibidem p. 195. nothing . I demaund further , whether you and your fellowes haue not assembled in synodes and conuenticles , and there decreed and enacted certeine Ecclesiastical canons and rules , & subscribed and practsed them contrary to her Maiesties lawes , and the statutes of the Realme : and you also answer , as to other matters . I desired to be resolued , whether you had disgraced her Maiesties Ecclesiastical lawes , reformation , & gouernment , & you respect my desires nothing . Diuers other matters likewise I demaunded of you , vnto which you answere nothing . nay in the matters concerning Hackets practise , and Martines libels , and her Maiesties supremacie , you answere imperfectly and vnsufficiently . you dare not set downe my whole question , nor confesse al was done concerning Copinger and Martin . nor wil you answere directly to those particuler points of her Maiesties supremacie , which the statutes and lawes giue her . and doe you thinke , that this kinde of answering is sufficient to cleare you . Why , then let Sanders , Allen , and those Papists and traitors which confesse so much in termes , as plainely and openly as you do as yet , be cleared . concerning Stubbs his wil , and your dealing with Francis Michel , and others , you haue also peruerted my meaning , and altered my words , and maner of writing . who then seeth not how litle meanes you had to cleare your selfe , being put to these hard shifts , and not daring to set downe his words , whom you pretend to answere ? but this we shall see more euidently when wee come to the examination of the particulers of your briefe .

Further , your answer is altogether vnsufficient . you do still cry out in your tragicall maner , slander , slander : and yet you doe not vnderstand what is slander . you ought therefore to vnderstand that slander is , 1 1 L. 1. ff. ad S. C. Turpil . when matters criminal are purposely , and falsly obiected . but those things , of which you go about to purge your selfe , are either not criminal , or els most true , & in part by your selfe confessed . your selfe confesse , that some things obiected to you are in their owne nature indifferent . how then are they slanderous ? that you were acquainted with Hackets and Copingers practises , and disliked not Martines courses , shal be proued . that you would not at the first answere to certaine points concerning the Queenes supreme authoritie in causes ecclesiastical , you 2 2 In this booke and in the question concerning that matter . confesse . how then can you say , you are slandered ? because forsooth , as you would insinuate , you did afterwards acknowledge it , & now offer to sweare it . and yet you wil be taken halting , when you come to the particuler points of that authoritie . You deny that you allowed M. Fenners strange diuinitie concerning ouerruling and deposing of Princes by inferior magistrates ; yet haue not I said more then your own words wil proue and iustifie . That which I say concerning working of Miracles and extemporal prayers , you wittingly , as it seemeth , mistake , and answere not : which argueth , that your conscience tolde you , that I said nothing therein but trueth , & trueth whereof you are ashamed . the execution of wills and purchase of lands is not criminall . beside that , what I said either concerning such matters , or els your maner of employment of your money , in effect and substance shal be proued sufficiently . what reason then had you so vnaduisedly to challenge me , and so deeply to charge me with this hainous matter of slandering ? nay what meant you , or howe durst you once talke of slanders hauing your selfe slandered the ecclesiasticall policie of the Church as vniust ; the reformation thereof , as prophane and impure ; the authoritie of Bishops practised in this Church , as antichristian and contrary to Gods worde ; the clergie of England as destitute of an ordinary and lawful calling , you hauing no other order then Deacon , that I know ; the people of this land 1 1 Cartwr . table . as refusing Christ to reigne ouer them ; the preaching of the word , as not orderly ; the administration of the Sacraments in this Church , as not pure nor sincere ? neither haue you so good reason to charge me , as I haue to charge you with slandering me , hauing without cause imputed this vnto mee , and charged me with shifting , and I know not what vnchristian dealing , and hauing put foorth and excited your friend to raile on me , and charge me with diuers odious matters in the preface to your booke . matters , which I do the lesse regard , for that as hee hath rashly charged me ; so he hath wickedly blasphemed God , saying that God hath blasted my penne with a lying spirit , attributing therein the wicked act of lying to God himselfe , which is the Spirit of trueth ; and not only to me , which confesse my selfe to be subiect to many errors . of this , M. Cartwright , me thinks , you should haue had more care , and vsed therein more diligence , and not suffered such blasphemies to passe in the forefront of your booke .

But , may you say , if you haue not slandered me ; yet you haue wronged me . as if it were wrong to deale against the troubler of our peace , the chiefe authour of your schisme , the disturber & slanderer of this Church and state . and yet haue I done nothing otherwise , then beseemed mee . In my first bookes I dealt with you no further , then the cause constreined me , & your importunitie , that first began to oppugne the Church , prouoked me . In my answere to a certaine petition in the behalfe of your selfe , and your side , I do confesse , I dealt with you more particulerly . but I was drawen to it by the authors odious questions and courses . When the petitioner said , Quaere of Matth. Sutcliffe , who is euer carping at M. Cartwrights purchases , why he may not sel his fathers lands , and buy others with the money : how could I satisfie the man , vnlesse I touched you particulerly . blame therefore him that began the braule , if you finde your selfe therewith agreeued ; and not mee , that did nothing but defend my selfe , and answere .

What should I speake of the harshnesse , and roughnesse of your stile ? your booke it selfe , albeit I say nothing , will herein say sufficient . against so megre and wretched a discourse , what neede I say any thing ?

Yet partly least you should enter into presumption , as if you had triumphed ouer me , and sufficiently iustified your selfe ; and partly also to represse that hautines of spirit that possesseth you , and maketh you so impatient of due reproofe ; and partly to cure your followers of that mad humor , that maketh them suppose you to be a man without blame and error ; I haue vndertaken to examine , & to looke into this treatise of yours more particulerly , although otherwise most vnworthy to be refuted , or looked vpon . and the rather for that your friend that hath made the preface before your booke , doeth make such great brags of this defence , and standeth so confidently vpon your innocencie , and would haue all my writings esteemed and iudged according to this rule .

I haue also added such questions as you omitted , praying your answer for my satisfaction . if you mislike this course , blame your selfe , that drew me forth to iustifie my doings , and would not giue mee any rest by your importunitie . but if you doe still like it , and will further proceede to charge mee with slandering you ; then for your owne credite , if not at my request , set downe my wordes truely and wholy , and forbeare to forge and deuise matters calumniously . I haue shewed you both in this booke and in my answere to M. Throkmorton a precedent . deale not worse with mee , then I haue done with you . but percase all this request is needlesse . for I trust his example , ( who now is silent , as it seemeth , for ought he dare auowe ) wil teach you not to stirre coles well couered too rashly , nor to prate of needlesse matters foolishly , nor to runne wilfully into danger , when no man driueth you .

This my answere , albeit you looke not for it , I dedicate to your owne selfe , and not without iust cause . challenges they say require answer , and 1 1 Iueunda rerum verissitudo . one good turne requireth another . all men that haue good minds yeld 2 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . like for like , and pay home 3 3 Quod a se allatum est , id sibi relatum puter . Terent. in prol. phorm . as much as they haue receiued . yea gratefull mindes 4 4 Vberiore mensura quam acceperis . Cicer. ex Hesiod . pay all with ouerflowing measure . I doe not looke for any thankes at your hands . I know it is an vngratefull world . yet if you will patronize this booke and vouchsafe to stay the vnbridled tongues of your disciples , that in their Bacchanall banquettes and disciplinarian feastes degorge their malice , and speake their pleasures of whom they list , I wil accept it at your hands as a fauour , and put it into the reckening of your good doings .

More I haue to say vnto you : but the rest you shall receiue in my answere to your challenge , praying you to thinke nothing ouermuch , nor lightly to condemne any thing , before you haue talked with your friend Master Throkmorton , to whom , I doubt not , but you will discommend me , and therefore I desire not to be commended to him . and so committing , and commending you both to your sober thoughts , I bid you , a dieu .

This , certes , is the cause that specially mooued me to looke into this newe matter , although both for the basenesse of the subiect , and vnsufficiencie of the handling of the cause most vnworthy to bee answered , read , or regarded . for ( I pray ) what doeth it concerne , but M. Cartwrights priuate causes , with which , were I not drawne to it , I am most vnwilling to meddle ? yea , and in this cause of his owne , how doeth he be haue himselfe ? doeth hee not forbeare to answere the greatest and most of those questions which are demaunded of him ? the examination of particulers , and the reading of this treatise will declare it . To come to the argument of this pamphlet , let vs see how he handleth it . he saith and in great wordes giueth out , that I haue slaundred him , and that , forsooth , in two diuers pointes , whereof the first ( as hee saith ) concerneth common maners , the second toucheth his owne estate . but when hee descendeth from the toppe of his high stile to talke of particulers , either hee doeth not rightly alledge my wordes , and so faileth in his ground ; or els frankly confesseth as much as I say ; or els the matters wherewith he taketh himselfe to be charged , are not criminall . but suppose I had spoken somewhat , that might offend him ; yet I trust his estate is not so high , but that it may be touched . I doe not thinke hee desireth any royallestate , as some haue done ; neither any priuiledged place , such as licencious persons seeke . for mine owne part , I must needes say , that I haue not read a more fond and friuolous dispute .

Like to M. Cartwrights booke is that preface which beareth a great roume in this small treatise . like lippes like lettise : both vaine , both deuoyde of wit and learning . yet of the two the preface is more fond , aduancing M. Cartwright to the state of innocencie ; and more odious , being fraught with diuers rayling reproches . the authour seemeth to Master Iob Throkmorton an olde friend of mine , who by commending of M. Cartwright sought to be reuenged on mee . And what he could not winne by commending him , that he seeketh by rayling and 1 1 Inter hypocritas faceros sanniones faceti trendentes contra me dentibus suis . Psalm. 35. gnashing his teeth vpon me . such mery malicious fellowes well doeth the Prophete describe in his 35. Psalme . and such dealing is not strange in that gentleman , to whom I wish no other paine , then that for his scorning and rayling , for which his owne friendes call him gibing Iob , he doe not in the ende weepe full bitterly . I had thought the euill speede and successe hee had in his last letter would haue admonished him to surcease writing either of letters , or prefaces . But he is of the number of those whom no harme will make wise , and percase is content especially for M. Cartwrights sake , to suffer some fewe gentle blowes in deduction of those paines , which otherwise he hath deserued .

Against both the preface , and M. Cartwrights briefe challenge I haue published this briefe answere . by which I trust ( by Gods grace ) to defend my rightfull cause . thou thereby shalt reape this profite . thou shalt see , that these men , so they could reteine their old credit , could be content to see the cause of their discipline deserted , yea , and M. Cartwright and M. Throkmorton will I trust make so good vse of it , as to learne to master their affections , and to tame their hauty minde , and to rest when they are in the wrong , and to forbeare to drawe men into quarrels that wisheth them all humilitie , and meekenesse that should bee in men of their sort . I woulde to God , that these that so eagerly pursue mee for supposed matter against themselues , would in the ende come home , and make an amends for that publike slaunder and disgrace they haue offered to the state . But what do I wish that , which will not bee had ? such men as are settled in their wicked purposes and courses , wil not lightly giue ouer , that which once though vnaduisedly they haue begun . I would therefore if their heades will not bee aduised , yet wish their followers to take heed , how they be abused by them , and to looke for better ground , then such froward leaders strange conceits .

This answere I pray thee read with patience , and looke not for any great learning in it . for it was deuised on the sudden , and beside that , it is framed vpon a base subiect , and a light matter of fact , and very needlesse , if M. Carwright could so haue bene contented . Is it possible to draw water out of flint , or likely that wee shall gather grapes on thistles ? M. Cartwright doeth not boast of miracles as hee saith , and I neuer professed that I could worke them . what fruite then is to bee expected out of this rockie soile ? Well , such as it is , I pray thee accept this discourse . and I would it were better for thy sake . The best is , it shall not be long , nor I hope tedious : and therefore leauing all other preambles , I come now to the examination of the booke it selfe . But first a few wordes concerning the two diuers titles , that this petit pamphlet hath in two seuer all places put before it .