A RETECTION , OR DISCOVERIE OF A FALSE DETECTION :

Containing a true defence of two bookes , intituled , Synopsis Papismi , and Tetrastylon Papisticum , together with the author of them , against diuers pretended vntruths , contradictions , falsifications of authors , corruptions of Scripture , obiected against the said bookes in a certaine Libell lately published .

Wherein the vniust accusations of the Libeller , his sophisticall cauils , and vncharitable slaunders are displayed .

AT LONDON Printed by FELIX KYNGSTON , for Thomas Man . 1603.

SAint Paul both as a Prophet foreseeing the state of Christs Church , and as an Apostle teaching how we should behaue our selues , saith , There must bee heresies , that they , which are approued among you , may be knowne , 1. Cor. 11. 19. For though it be possible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . to finde a countrie without wilde beasts , as they doe write of Creete : yet a commonwealth without enemies , a religion without gain sayers , a Church without heresies , is not to be found : Euen Creta , which was freed from wilde beasts , was pestered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . with brutish beastly men , liers , euil beasts , slow bellies , Tit. 1. 12. The Church of England likewise wanteth not priuie whisperers and carpers at religion , maligners of the present state , and professed enemies to all that loue the truth : which as heretofore hath diuersly appeared to be most true ; so the flames of this fire of malice priuilie kindled , haue of late burs●●●orth in a certaine slaunderous Libell or inuectiue , especially directed and intended against two particular persons , one of excellent learning and singular industrie , Master D. Sutcliffe : the other , though not worthie to be ioyned with him in that quarrell , a well willer likewise of religion , and to his vtmost power a defender of the same . These two need not take it to be a disgrace , that they are singled out , and made markes to shoote at : but rather as Eudamidas said concerning the Thebanes , whom Alexander onely excepted , proclaiming libertie to depart to the rest of the Grecians : This decree though it seeme hard , yet is glorious to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . you , because Alexander onely feareth you : which though it cannot be said alike of both these defenders , yet as it appeareth , the one is feared of them ; so the other hath no cause to feare them .

The Libeller hauing first discharged vpon that learned writer before named , doth renew his second battaile against the other , laying siege to two of his fortresses , I meane his two bookes , Synopsis Papismi , and Tetrastylon : in which enterprise he promiseth himselfe a notable victorie , not remembring that saying : Let not him that girdeth his harnesse , boast himselfe , as he that putteth it off , 1. King . 20. 11. Augustine saith , Facile est , vt quisque Augustinum vincat , videris vtrum veritate , an clamore : It is an easie matter to ouercome Augustine , but see it be not rather with crying and outfacing , then in truth , epist. 174. So may we say to this boasting and bragging Thraso : I doubt not but his imagined victorie will fall out to be such , as Pyrrhus was against the Romanes : If we ouercome but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . once more ( saith he ) wee are vndone . It had been much better , in mine opinion , if the Libeller had harkened to S. Paul , to haue auoyded oppositions of science falsely so called , 1. Tim. 6. vers. 20. that is , not to haue opposed himselfe and his small skill and false knowledge against the truth . But this their opposition redoundeth much to the benefit of the Church of Christ : first , by this meanes they discouer the nakednes of their cause , that cannot be maintained but by railing , and slaunders : as Hierome saith : Istae machinae haereticorum , vt conuicti de perfidia ad maledicta Apol. 3. aduers . Ruffin . se conferant : These are the engines of heretikes , that being conuicted of their faithlesse doctrine , turne themselues to railing . So that one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . reading their mad writings and furious stile , may say of them as Diogenes to a phrantike and witlesse yong man : Thy father was drunke when he begat thee . But , as the saying is , Like lippes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . like lettice , like religion , such writing , like authors , like bookes : Like to Demonides slippers , which were euil fauoured , yet fit for his lame feete .

Secondly , by these barking fits and hollow ecchoes , I trust others will be awakened from their sleepe , and bend themselues to defend the truth by them defaced , and maintaine religion by them diminished , and hereby be put in remembrance 2. Tim. 1. 6. to stirre vp the gift of God , which is in them . For ( as the Apostle saith ) God hath not giuen vs the spirit of feare , but of power & of loue , and of a sound minde ; that they may say with Hierome : Breuiter respondeo , nunquam me Dialog. 1. aduers. Pelagian . haereticis pepercisse , sed omni egisse studio , vt hostes ecclesiae mei quoque hostes fierent : I answere briefly , that I neuer spared heretikes , but did wholy studie , that the enemies of the Church should also become mine enemies . Onomademus gaue counsell , in a certaine sedition and commotion in Chius , that all the enemies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . should not be expelled , least we should then begin to fall out with our friends , saith he . Nasica , when Carthage was destroyed , vsed to say , that the Romane state was daungerous , because now they had none left , whom they needed to feare . And Antigonus , when he heard that Zeno the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Philosopher was dead , said , That the theater of his exploits was taken away . In like manner , if Religion had no forren enemies , we should haue cause more to feare domesticall contention : and if superstition found no patrones to fauour it , the truth would haue fewer friends to vphold it : the opposition therefore of gainsayers doth make the defence of the truth more glorious : and the diligence of the aduersarie to offend , should make vs more readie to defend the truth : and as the Oracle answered the Cirrheans , to fight night and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . day in the maintenance of the truth . Like as , when a fire is kindled in a citie , it is not fit that the standers by should looke on and doe nothing , but euery one in that case ought to set to his helping hand to quench the flames : so should wee seeke to put out those sparks of superstition , which begin to be blowne from the coales of Popery and false religion . And in this respect , that law of Solon is not much to be misliked : who decreed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . him to be infamous , that in the commotion of the citie , would ioyne to neither part . So neither is he to be commended , that in this dissension of religion , standeth as indifferent and a Neuter .

Thirdly , a peculiar benefit may arise to the partie impugned and traduced , to profit by the admonition of his aduersarie : for as it were no shame for him , wherein he hath slipped , to confesse an error , if he found himselfe guiltie : as Augustine disdained not to retract diuers things in his workes : and Hierome saith , Imitati estis errantem , imitamini correctum : Ye haue imitated me , while I erred , imitate me also now being corrected , Hieron . Ocean . Hippocrates that learned Physition did acknowledge his error about the sutures or seames of the head , and committed the same to writing , least others might by his example be deceiued : So this further vse one may Plutarch . lib. de ▪ pr●fect . virtut. sent. make of an enemies reprehension , thereby to become more cautelous , and to walke more circumspectly : as the Prophet Dauid saith , I will keepe my mouth bridled , while the wicked is in my sight , Psal. 39. 1. Ambrose saith , Laqueus aduersarij In Psal. 91. sermo noster ; loquimur plerumque , quod excipiat inimicus , & quasi nostro gladio nos vulnerat : Our speech is the aduersaries snare ; we often vtter that , which the enemie catcheth at , and so woundeth vs with our owne weapon . Antisthenes vsed this saying , that he which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . desired to be sound , had need to haue either louing friends , or angrie enemies : for the one would instruct , the other correct him . For though one be not guiltie of that , which the enemie reproueth , yet he may be more warie not to commit that , which offendeth . As Chrysippus answered one that told him that he was euill spoken of by some : But I wil so leade my life , that no man shall giue credite-vnto them . In like manner Philip was wont to say , that he was beholding to his backbiters , for they made him better . And so this carping of the aduersarie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . will minister occasion of greater circumspection .

But now to come a little neerer , to take a generall view of this Libellers proceedings : I doe note foure grosse ouersights by him committed : I finde his affection to be malicious ; his matter friuolous ; his manner of handling scandalous ; his obiections to himself contumelious , being guiltie of the same crimes , wherewith he vpbraideth others .

First , if he had espied any such faults in his brother , charitie would that he should haue been first by priuate writing or conference admonished to amend them , not at the first by publike libelling to seeke to defame him . This is our Sauiours rule , Matth. 18. 15. If thy brother trespasse against thee , go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone , &c. Vpon which words Origen saith : Non vult continuò te euolare in publicum , &c. Hee will not haue thee straight to flie out into publike censure , &c. Ruffinus saith well to Hierome : Si ebrietas mihialiqua obrepens sicut patriarchae nudau●rat turpitudinem , lcui palliolo rescripti tui cōtexisses opprobrium , & velasset epistola vigilantis , quem stilus nudauerat dormitantis : If some ouersight , as of the Patriarke , had vncouered my nakednes , you should haue hidden my shame with the cloake of your priuate writing , that your waking epistle might haue couered that , which the sleepic penne had vnfoulded . And Plato had good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; reason thus to say to Socrates , reprouing sharply one of his friends in a publike feast : Had it not been better to haue spoken these things priuately ? And Socrates againe to Plato : Might you not also much better haue told me of this priuately ?

Secondly , the whole discourse of this Libeller is superfluous and impertinent : for what is this to the truth of religion , or what preiudice to the common cause , if some few places should by some ouersight be mistaken ? For as Augustine saith : Sine his dici potest , quod volumus : Take them away , and yet we are able to confirme , what we say , cont. Petilian . 3. 20. But it falleth out vnto them , as the Apostle saith : They would be Doctors of the law , not knowing what they speake , nor whereof they affirme , 1. Timoth. 1. 7. So this challenger taketh vpon him to be a great Rabbin in popish learning , and yet leauing the discussing of matters of religion in question , brauleth about words and syllables . Hierome saith , Quis omissa causa in criminum obiectione versatus est : Who leauing the cause would spend the time in obiecting of crimes ? aut quid refert si causa cadas , & crimine superes : Or what great matter is it , if you faile in the cause , and preuaile in crimes ? Apolog. 3. aduers . Ruffin . And what if this cauiller had his will vpon the defender ( which he is neuer like to haue ) the cause of religion neither standeth nor falleth with him ? I say vnto him , as Augustine did to his aduersarie : Noli attendere quomodo vincatur Augustinus qualiscunque vnus homo , sed attende potius vtrum vinei poss●● * * Homousion . veritas : Doe not marke how Augustine , howsoeuer but one man may be ouercome , but whether the truth may be ouercome . And as Callicratides said to the Southsayer , that foretold victorie to the armie , but death to the Captaine : That the Spartane affaires depended not vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . one man . Neither doth the defence of the truth relie vpon any one mans credit . But as Ioseph said to Pharaoh , so may I in this case , Without me God shall answere , Gen. 41. 16.

Now in the third place let vs see the manner of his stile : which is powdred ( I warrant you ) with such sawcie termes and popish Rhetorike , euery page of the Libell so garnished with railing , slaundering giuing the lie , that he cannot be deemed to haue a religious heart , that so prophanely and vncharitably handleth his tongue . S. Peter saith , If any man speake , let him speake as the words of God , 1. Pet. 4. 11. Now whether the Libeller do speake the words of God , it shall euen now appeare in the rehearsing of some of his phrases : wherin as Hierome complained of his aduersaries : It a nomen meum frequenter assumitur , carpitur , Ad Theoph. aduers. Ioan . Hierosolym . ac si de libro viuentium deletus essem : My poore name is so often abused and carped at , as though I were rased out of the booke of life . Phocion did compare Leosthenes oration to the Cypres tree , that was faire and tall , but bare no fruite : so his speech was eloquent and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pleasing , yet not profitable . But this Romane Rhetor , neither bringeth good speech nor good matter : yet were his sharpnes somewhat to be borne withall , if he had any colour or iust cause so to do : as Hyperides the Rhetorician desired the Athenians to consider not onely if he were bitter , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but if hee were bitter vniustlie without cause .

Will not any man now thinke , that this fellow hath well profited in Zoilus Rhetorike ? but such is the manner of popish writers : railing and cursing is one of their common weapons . They shew themselues not to fight of Michaels side , that durst not giue railing sentence against the diuell , Iud. 9. nor yet to be of Pauls spirit , that when he called Ananias painted wall , excused it by his ignorance , Act. 23. 5. But this hath alwaies been the guise of heretikes and other aduersaries to the trueth , with euill and slaunderous words to assaile the professors thereof . Thus did the Pelagians call Augustine , Cultorem daemonum , A worshipper of diuels , cont. Iulian. 3. 18 ▪ Petilian the Donatist obiected against him sinne against the holy Ghost , libr. 3. cap. 62. He said further , that he had damnabile ingenium Carneadis , the damnable wit of Carneades , lib. 3. 20. Thus Celsus behaued himselfe against Origen : whose words we may well vse in this case against our aduersaries : Si grauiter & modestius haec tractaret plus forsitan suasionis sunt habitura , &c. If he handled these things grauely and modestly , he might perswade more : but seeing now he scoffingly and scurrilously vttereth many things , dicturi sumus eum elegantium verborum inopia , vt quae nec nactus esset , nec ●●●●et in tantam incidisse garrulitatem : we may say , that for want of good words , which hee was vnskilfull of , he hath fallen into such a vaine of brabling . Origen . cont. Cels. lib. 6. It is said that the Troians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . went to warre with great noyse and outcries , the Grecians in silence : But how sped they ? the stilnes of the Grecians preuailed against the Troians outcries . Neither must these bragging fellowes thinke to carrie all away with great words . They are like to the pratling Pie , that chattereth vpon euery occasion : or rather to the Vultures and Kites , that follow the smell of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . stinking carrions , but haue no sense and delight in holesome flesh . So is this Libeller readie to take the least occasion to speake euill , and seemeth to sport himselfe with great delight in filthie and vncleane words : That like as Melanthius said of Diogenes tragedie , that he could not see it , because the strange words did hinder the sight thereof : So his vncouth termes , and vnseemely speeches , as a stinking mist and gloomie clowde doe couer and hide his slender stuffe .

Augustine would not giue the lie to Pascentius the Arrian , though he were worthily detected thereof , but thus saith vnto him : If you say those things , which are reported , not to bee so done , either your memorie faileth you ; Non audeo enim dicere te mentiri ; aut ●go & fallor & mentior : For I dare not say you lie , or els I am both deceiued & do lie , epist. 174. But nothing is more common in the Libellers mouth , then you lie , you belie him , a notable lier , a shamelesse lie : who herein representeth vnto vs another Stoical Antipater , who writing and railing against Carneades , was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , one that rored or raued with his pen : or like vnto Salmoneus , that counterfeited Iuppiters thunder : as Hierome saith , Tu alter nobis Salmoneus omnia per quae incedis illustras , tu flammeus , immo fulmineus , qui in Apolog. 3. aduers. Ruffin . loquendo fulminas , &c. You are another Salmoneus , which fire all the way where you goe , flashing out lightning , and spitting foorth fire in your speech . But like as men vse to alay the heate of wine , with coole water ; and so , as Plato saith , Deum insanum alio sobrio castigare , To correct a furious spirit with a tame and sober spirit : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . So I trust to qualifie this railers furious heate , with a true and modest defence : and not as Heraclitus diseased with the dropsie , desired the Physition to turne the abundance of showers into drought ; but to alay his intemperate heate and drought with the pleasant dew of the truth .

I am not purposed to answere him in his owne vaine : for the Scripture teacheth vs , that wee should recompence no man euill for euill , Rom. 12. 17. Augustine saith to Petilian the Donatist : Si ego tibi vellem maledicta pro maledictis rependere , quid aliud , quam duo maledici essemus , vt ij , qui nos legerent , alij detestatos abijcerent sana grauitate , alij suauiter haurirent maleuola voluntate : If I would render euillwords for euill , what els should we be , but two railers , that they which reade vs , should either of a graue iudgement reiect vs , or els of a corrupt fancie affect vs ? It is a sufficient defence against a false accuser not to be guiltie . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The heathen Philosopher could say , To be without fault is not the least comfort : Crantor . That saying also of Diogenes is much celebrated , who being asked how he might be reuenged 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . of his enemie : If thou thy selfe ( saith he ) become a good and an honest man .

Fourthly , it remaineth to be shewed how the Libeller iustly incurreth the same offence , which vntruly he obiecteth to others : as first he is guiltie of many vntruths : as that none of them reade obtulit , he offered , for protulit , he brought foorth , Genes. 14. pag. 123. that no author can be cited , that saith the fathers of the Inquisition Diuers apparant vntruths vttered by the Libeller . cannot erre , pag. 117. that women are allowed by the Communion booke to be ministers of the Sacrament , Libel . p. 129. which is vntrue : for neither is the baptizing by women collected out of the booke , neither yet is it practised , that I know , in our Church : as a most reuerend Prelate hath auouched in these words : For common practise I can say little , but for mine owne experience this I dare affirme , that I haue not knowne one childe so baptized in places , where I haue had to doe , no not since the beginning of her Maiesties raigne , &c. And in the same place : I thinke if the circumstances of the booke be well considered , it will appeare that the meaning is , that priuate baptisme is rather to be ministred by some Minister ( which in time of necessitie may soonest be come by ) then by any woman : Defence of the answere to the admon . pag. 794. This graue testimonie , omitted in the answere , I thought good here to insert , which is sufficient to deliuer us from the vntruth obiected , and to rebound it vpon the accusers head . See the answere more at large to the 7. Slaunder .

Besides , a great vntruth it is , which he vttereth , pag. 164. contradict . 5. that Luther confesseth , he was stirred vp by the diuell against the Masse : for in the places which he quoteth in the margin , libr. de Miss. angular . tom. 6. fol. 28. tom . 7. Wittemberg . fol. 443. no such thing is to be found , in the edition printed at Wittemberg anno 1558. neither hath Luther any such title , de Miss. angular . in the 6. tome .

The matter which the Libeller aimeth at , by other mens reading ( as it seemeth ) rather then his owne , is in Luthers booke , de Miss. priuat . A slaunder of Luther , that hee should confesse hee was stirred vp of the diuell , to write against the Masse . tom. 7. where Luther indeede reporteth , in the beginning of that treatise , how the diuell tempted him in the night , and set before him his hypocrisie , in the celebrating of priuate Masses , contrary to the institution of Christ , and that therein he committed most grosse idolatrie , in worshipping bread and wine in steed of the bodie and bloud of Christ . And whereas it might be said vnto him , that the diuell is a lier , he answereth : Ipse sic adoritur : The diuell so setteth vpon a man , that first he apprehendeth some solide truth , that cannot bee denied , & so doth turne and tosse it , and doth cast such goodly shew vpon a lie , that hee may deceiue the most circumspect : as that thought , that stroke Iudas heart , was true , I haue betrayed innocent bloud : But this was a lie : Ergo , you must despayre of the mercie of God .

So Luther saith , The diuell lieth not , when he vrgeth a mans sinne : Confessus quidem sum , &c. I confessed being ouercome by the law of God , before the diuell , that I had sinned , and was damned as Iudas : sed verto me ad Christum cum Petro : but I turne my selfe vnto Christ with Peter .

This is the summe of the whole narration , there set downe by Luther of this temptation .

Any man may now see the cauilling spirits of Papists : Luther onely reporteth how Sathan displayed his hypocrisie and idolatrie , while he was a Masse priest , not to stirre him vp against the Masse , but to bring him into despayre ; but that God deliuered him with Peter .

They may say as well that when Sathan sifted Peter , and set before him his sinne , which drew such bitter teares from Peter , that Sathan moued him to repentance : or that when Paul felt the pricke of his flesh , the messenger of Sathan sent to buffet him , whereupon he betooke him to prayer , that Sathan also stirred the Apostle to prayer . So then Luthers conuersion and opposition against the Masse was a sequell , but no effect of Sathans temptation : the diuell intended his confusion , God thereby wrought his conuersion .

The like cauill against Luther is vttered by Bellarmine , and vented againe by the Libeller , pag. 167. that Luther thinketh that if the diuell himself should minister the Sacraments , that they might bee fruitfull and effectuall : whereas Luther saith not if the diuell himselfe , that is in his owne person , as the diuell : but these are his words , ego pono , but I set downe this , Demiss . priuat . tom. 7. p. fol. 243 p. 2. that if I should afterward know , the diuell irrepsisse , to haue crept into the office of a pastor of the church , & in the shape of a man to be called to preach and baptize , &c. that the Sacraments therefore are not without efficacie . Thus they curtall and mangle his words , and alter his meaning at their pleasure .

Vntrue also it is , that the Apocalypse hath no more ancient authoritie , then the Councell of Carthage , p. 130. That Leo confirmed not , that the bloud issuing out of a certaine Crucifixe , was the bloud of Christ , pag. 131. That Gregorie 7. was not a sorcerer and adulterer . pag. 159. That it is a fabulous tale of the taking vp of diuers thousands heads of children in Gregories mote , pag. 160. That father Fox is belied , whereas he is truly alleaged contradict . 5. pag. 166. That it is a lie , that Nectarius abrogated priuate confession , contradict. 6. pag. 169. That the ancient fathers are called heretikes , contradict . 8. p. 177. That we should hold , that adulterie , murther , idolatrie , in the regenerate are no sinnes , contrad . 11. pag. 202. These apparant vntruths the Libeller vttereth , as more at large may be seene in the seuerall answers : and therefore he is worthie of Esops reward , who being asked what liers gained : That they , when they speake the truth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ( saith he ) be not beleeued .

Secondly , this Libeller is not free from contradictions : he affirmeth , that Saul was elected , and yet damned , pag. 191. contrarie to the opinion of Contradictions . the most learned of his side , who though they hold that a man cannot be certaine of his election , yet dare not , neither doe affirme , that election before God may be lost : nay Bellarmine writeth the contrarie , that the elect , per infallibilia media , by infallible meanes , are directed to eternall ▪ life : lib. 2. de grat . cap. 9.

Likewise he seemeth to affirme , that Martyrs are not to be inuocated in the sacrifice of the bodie of Christ , falsific . 10. pag. 251. contrarie to the common practise of the Popish Church , which in the canon of the Masse prayeth to be defended by the merits and prayers of the Saints : see the answere .

Thirdly , the Libeller himselfe is full of falsifications : Falsifications . as pag. 209. contradict . 13. lin. 24. according to his doctrine of originall and eternall sanctification : where not the eternall sanctification , but externall rather and ecclesiasticall of the faithfuls children is spoken of . pag. 244. falsific . 9. he himself leaueth out diuers materiall words in Augustine , as is noted in the answere . He doth the like , pag. 247. falsific . 10. as is declared also in the defence , pag. 226. falsific . 5. in alleaging a canon of the Councell of Colen , in these words , to heare Masse , he addeth Masse , of his owne . Pag. 268. corrup . 7. he misreporteth the words inferring thus : He maketh S. Paul to affirme absolutely that faith worketh by loue . See the correction of that corruption .

Fourthly , he is found to be a corrupter of scripture : as pag. 123. vntruth 1. the scripture saith it was Samuel , whereas the scripture saith only , Saul knew it was Samuel . Pag. 141. vntruth 11. he readeth , Saul an elect and good man , 1. Samuel 9. 2. for , Saul was a goodly young man and faire .

Thus it is euident how the Libellers eyes were blinded , and hoodwinked with selfeloue toward himselfe , and hatred toward others , that while he prieth to finde faults abroad , he forgetteth his owne at home . He should haue remembred our Sauiours words to the Iewes , Ioh. 8. Si quis vestrum peccatum non habet mittat primum lapidem : He that of you is without fault , cast the first stone at her . He should haue taken the beame out of his owne eye , before he had assaied to pull a moate out of his brothers . It falleth out now to him , as Ruffinus saith : Quasi siquis furti alium incusans , id ipsum vnde alium arguit in sinu suo contegat furtum : As if a man should accuse another of theft , and hide a stollen thing in his owne bosome : Inuectiu . in Hieron . Plato , when he saw any vncomely thing to be done by others , would thus say to himselfe apart , Whether I my selfe were not such an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . one . Thus this carper of others , should first haue examined himselfe : whereas now the reproch , which he would fasten vpon others , of vntruths , contradiction , falsification , corruption , is cast vpon himselfe . Like as Melanthius said to Gorgias the Orator , perswading concord to the Grecians : This man ( saith he ) counselleth vs to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . peace , being not able to perswade himselfe , his wife , and maide three priuate persons to haue peace at home . And so this detector of others , is detected himselfe , of vntruths , falsifications , corruptions , and that not once or twice , but often : whereas in writing , as in warring , as Lamachus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . said to a souldier crauing pardon of his offence , It is not lawfull in warre to offend twice .