MY duetie remembed to your Grace and Lordshyp . It is knowen to all the Realme , with what vehemencie and care D.R. labored to proue , that a Concent of Scripture for certaintie of Chronicle coulde not be made . By reason of his former credite , he hath drawen many to deny that , which they alwayes helde : & to be against them selues , to countenance him , and to disgrace mee . I thought small skill might serue in an Apologie for all men : and was so bolde as to pronounce him more grosely deceyued , then euer I knew any man . And content coulde I haue been , to haue tryed by disputation , or by printing : not minding to leaue off , vntil my booke to her Maiestie ( which he laboreth wholly to disgrace ) standeth by open iudgement , or falleth to my continuall disgrace , and last paynes in studie . When he had long read to proue that Mardochai was not of Iechonias captiuitie , and had made many commende his cause ( we both graunt that to ende our strife ) and they being called to reade the text , loathed their owne inconstancie : Yet then this was tolde me , that some Oxforde men required answere of me . Therevpon I wrote to D. Robinson , Prouost of the Q. Colledge , certaine Theses , which might ende the cause : requesting his alowance , or reiection : with this addition , that I thought it iniurious that Oxforde men should require me to defende that , which they euer helde : vnlesse they woulde protest , that eyther their mindes were altered , or that they were vnable : and of D. Reynoldes I wrote , that he was extremely culpable , in blaming me for differing from him : where none euer was , nor wyl be of his iudgement ; and by his owne wordes he is vtterly condemned . Vpon this , D. Reynoldes commeth to London to me , shewing that he was willing to take any iudge : and both we agreed vpon your Grace , & you my L. B. of London , that we might haue the cause fully ended , without partialitie to the credite of either , clearely to the glory of God , and brightnes of his trueth : That whether soeuer hereafter should make any stir in the cause , he shoulde be openly culpable by all censures . My matter is opened in my Booke of Scripture Concent in Gabriels oration Dan. 9. in the Preface , and at the yeere of the worlde 3470. My accusation is , that D. R. vniustly blamed that , as all particulars depending therevpon : which tende through the olde Testament , yea from Moses to our Lord his ascention . To all which courses , I blame him as iniurious . Imoued him to sende to your Grace and Lordship , the booke of his Lectures . I trow , reason wil moue him to do so much , yf he meane to defende him selfe . I haue sent herewithall a briefe in Theses and short declarations , to giue an insight to the matter : a copie whereof I coulde wish D. R. yf he would : as I would gladly giue him any thing for a Booke of his whole Lectures against mee . If these be not sufficient , I am ready by Lecture , Disputation , or Printing , to open any poynt hid in my cause . Thus requesting your Graces and Lordships free report to her Maiestie , and my L. Treasurer , touching my Booke wherefore we striue : after your conuenient leasure : I humbly commende your Grace and Lordship to the spirite of trueth .

LFarned Fathers , you know that I put foorth sundry defences of my doctrine , touching the harmonie of Scripture , to cleare my booke which I wrote to her Maiestie : that I might proue my selfe not vnaduised , in offering that doctrine to her Highnes : but carefull of duetie to the Church and state . And God is my iudge , that I had desire and hope therein , to haue aduanced not a litle the knowledge of Christ , the peace of the Church , and honour of all humane good learning . My defenses I hope , proue my cause to be sounde . And not onely that , but a more playne dealing vsed , then I haue founde from your Studentes . I wyll touch what I wrote : and your mens iniuries : and require your censure . First the treatise of Mardochai , wrytten without open noting any perticuler aduersarie , proouing all Churches and Synagoges , and the natiue iudgement of all playne folke , to be of my syde , myght haue quietly appeased all stryfe , or haue dryuen all you to haue defended your owne cause . Moreouer I , though I stoode in possession of the ancient opinion , and by that onely myght disgrace the replyer , consented to abyde arbitrement , which commonly would part stakes . Besides , I chayned holy testimonies for the seruice of Shemesh , vnto that blessed seruice of redemption , that the cause myght match the Sunnes brightnes in the simplest sight : and the speach of euery part appeare of one tenour in phrase : that he which wold be tropique in one poynt , should be guilty of threatning the lyke to all . Some learned strangers , thought that paynes the best of mine . But some sayd , that your D. disdayned to answere that : being whole the expresse worde of God . Such reuerence holy Euthyphrones gaue Gods worde . Besides , your D. affyrming , that there was not a Chronicle in the Bible , disputed vpon Abrabams tymes , and the Iudges , to proue them vncertayne . I marueyled what he should meane to disturbe the trueth , in that most famous place : where God vpon Terahs death , began a new accumpt from Christes promise . The Sunne differeth not more from the dimmest Starre , then that poynt differeth from obscuritie . And the ancient Grekes saw it so wonderfull a matter , that Moses should tell of Terahs death , telling in the eight aboue onely all their yeeres : that to hide the wonder , they put in eight tymes , and he dyed , S. Stephen and Philo in Abrahams peregrination might haue tolde your D. that antiquitie therein made no doubt . Neyther did euer any Englyshe differ from me for S. Stephens wordes . For the Iudges times , my Booke woulde haue tolde him by perticuler accomptes , where S. Paul bringeth 18. stories to one worde : that no Virginalles were better in tune , then that harmonie of time : though your D. would needes be busie with me for the seauen yeeres of Conquest , and the seauen Iubilees to Samuel : seauen Seauenties to Nebucadnezars warre , the seauenty of Captiuitie , and thence the seauen Seauenties . But for Abrahams Promise , I most labord to reforme him : that he might not preuayle to marre the two most heauenly Promises , and noblest ioyntes of all the Bible : that , and the other to Daniel . In a disputation vpon Melchizedek . I conueyed a redresse of his opinions : which because some litle marked , afterwardes I graued in brasse , by reason of some Pictures , a view of the whole Bible , freendly amending his breaches of all the buylding . This also being vnregarded , directly do I reproue your Studentes , as denying the Redemption by a strong consequent : who holde , that it fell not out in the time properly tolde : whereas men and Angels wyll holde , that otherwise it coulde not be from God : and the Iewes seeke no more colorable defence then to proue , that the proper time cannot be proued to agree with the prophecie . Therein also I founde your Studentes enemies to Gods trueth , as before : and bitter , because I liken them to Nero , harping at their owne cities flames . Hearing of their rage against my cause , and mee for that , I wrote a smoth treatise of the whole time , with fuller handling of euery ioynt , as though I had no aduersary : with a Preface , telling what some others thought of him , whom yours do so much despise : thinking that among indifferent Athenians Eschines must giue leaue to Demosthenes , extreamely accused , to proue how for all his times , others woulde haue made him a garlande . Thus I haue tolde what , and why I haue printed . Now for the next poynt , I thinke it not amisse to call your Studentes dealinges to accompt , and to request , what Christian defence they can make , that the pleasure which they tooke in speaking against the trueth , and the defender , may be bitternes to them in hearing a recompence , I wyll not complayne what hinderances and griefes they wrought me : but call them to accompt barely , for bad dealing .

First , your D. taught in his first speach , that Papistes might haue helpe by my doctrine , Choroebus harnes , in his lecture Cxvj. where al our nation in the Geneua bible are of my minde : and from Choroebus his Olympiades are counted : and they should be Choroebus harnes .

He confuteth mee for that which he no lesse then I writeth : that the 490. yeeres are begunne from Cyrus first , and are complete at our Lordes death , and meaneth to finde me senselesse : not opening to the worlde how through his . xii . monethes paynes , he confuteth himselfe . Quo quid sol vidit vnquam mir abisius ?

He confessed to mee , that he had not studied these matters : yet tooke vpon him to disgrace me in absence , making himselfe accuser and rudge .

He promised me to yeelde , yf he saw reasons . When they are shewed , whose fault is it , yf he wyl not see ?

You know that I charge him of striuing agaynst all men , art , and possibility : that wyll not be disproued .

A D. of yours tolde him thus when I was in Germany 1590. Inibis paruam gratiam a Christianis qui conatus es hanc prophetiam Danielis labefactare . Praeterea qui istic mos est in vebi in absentem : ille cui contradicis iam est in media Germania . Adhaec vis aduersari omnib . Nos omnes sumus in eadem sententia .

Any myght maruayle how euer he durst confute a particuler man for the vniuersall opinion : that in his xij . monethes gaynesaying , he can not bring one sillable faultie againste the graunt , and good of our present Religion , and Diuines . Whether meaneth he to haue his aduersaire and all the Realme senselesse , that cannot marke this ? All men know that he hath made many blaspheme the trueth vnawares : who woulde rather die , then do so willingly . If in warres a man shoulde fight against them who hire him , and giue him autheritie : it would be looke vnto . It is no more lawful in learnyng to confute all the learned , and learnyng of the prsent state : and to do it by stealth , it cannot agree with the corage of a learned Christian . While the Sunne shyneth , herein he can not be defended .

Touching the pretence that antiquitie is of his side , a sincere minde should soone acknowledge , how that is turned against him . Thus it standeta . 1500. yeeres writers are in the generall on his syde ( sauyng that all Ebrewes al their troupes , millions are against him ) but olde Greekes & Latines are once with him , yet turned against him thus : 230. yeeres Iudab was vnder Persia , saith antiquitie . Part the time , say I , by the Iewes common weale : on part from Iudahs returne , or the Persians Monarchie , vnto the building of the Temple by the 49000. returned . What doth antiquitie make that time ? 18. yeeres : very well , I wyll graunt that all , and 14. yeeres more . Now from thence to Alexander the great , the D. cannot complaine that I make it shorter then he doth : and therein antiquitie can helpe him nothing , where he most iustly doth damne it as in particuler other stories : antiquitie damneth the errour of it selfe . Why may not I do so ? Now if I proue that antiquity al euery one man that euer wrote vpon some one sufficient poynt , is of my side : what an iniurie is it to all the worlde , so to set a face vpon defences damnyng of hym , Why woulde not he playnely tell at the first thus : 1500. yeeres wryters are with A. C. for the Temple , that 49000. men at the returne shoulde buylde it , as all the Talmudistes holde at 18. after the returne , and not 107. But yet he wyll confute all ancient preuayling opinions . An oratour of plaine dealing should not enter an action against Ctesipho , where Demosthenes commeth principall .

An other vnhumane par of this kinde he shewed , in saying , that in this phrase Ezra filius Saraiae : the terme Filius , Sonne , deceaued me : where by him it shoulde be Abnepos : the fist from him . I pleade that I am sure so it is : if it were not so , marke how he confuteth all the worlde : Hebrewes , all the millions that folow the Talmudistes in Aboth , and al their consentes in Seder Olam , their common register , and in Rambam , in their succesions , and in Sepher Mitzuoth gadoloth : namely after them I archi , Abrabbaneel , Kimchi . None are to the contrary ( but Zakuto forgetting himselfe , for one discent . ) Ierome is of the same minde : which thing your D. shoulde haue professed : So be our learned men , Bullinger Pellican , Lauater , Lyra , and Stella , with the generall opinion of Rhomistes : and no Diuine of Englande , to my knowledge , euer was of any other mynde . But contrary all helde the fourth of Ezra a witty Booke , wherein Ezra ( as borne where I set him ) is a Prophet 30. after the burnyng of Ierusalem . This was not fayre play , to blame all in deede , and pretende nouelty in one . As he talkyng of Ezra , sayd , that I should do wel to confesse my ouersight : seeing he , not I , is ouerscene , he should remember , Patere legem quam ipse tulenis : And to tell plainely , how all be against him . If Mercerus were aliue , who vpon Aggai maketh Ezra sonne to Saraias , he woulde maruel why any shoulde thinke otherwyse . I asked M. Fra. Iunius , whose sonne he thought Ezra ? He answered , who dare deny him to be sonne to Saraias . Now the confession of M. Iunius is litle lesse agaynst your D. then his owne . And yfall antiquitie make Ezra lyue 50. yeeres more then the Persians raigne : your D. wyl confesse , that by antiquitie my cause standeth , and his falleth .

The vniuersal consent of the French , in their edition 1588. Is fully on my side , and expresly , where Ezra is sonne to Saraias vpon I. Ch. 6. 14. relyed vpon Filius Ezra 7. I. as I tooke it : whom all , he confuted , and agaynst the same his hearers triumphed , when they sought onely my disgrace . If none euer were of his mynde for vncertayntie in Daniels 490. agaynst me , nor for Ezra , why am I onely blamed ? or what reuerence of men , do his wordes beare ? And this one poynt ( where al the worlde is on my side ) Ebrewes al , Greekes al , Latines al , ouerthroweth al his Chronicle and strife : and as he ouerturned al religion , in framing an vncertayntie for the Angels number : So when he feigneth Ezra abnepotem Saraiae : he might as wel giue a new Bible from his authority . S. Augustine sayd that Ezra was borne in Captiuitie . And so he might : but begotten before , as posthumus . And any tyme of the Captiuitie woulde serue my turne . But neuer any was towarde his minde .

When the french heare that al their iudgement is disgraced , their commending of Daniels 490. for a rare iewel , for the certaine time of our Lord his death : & likewise for Ezra , by one that brocheh a new opinion from his owne authority , pretending to confute one man , what wyl they say ? Not Caluin only , and other wholly my partners , nor Iunius and Scaliger , onely his partners once , but al the nation is of him confuted , and al nations of the earth . And I might turne ouer the cause to others , whose hand was in it before mine .

And for my learned friende I must needes confesse this much , that when he hath his owne side , and al the worlde styl against him , and yet hopeth of a victorie , he hath a most valint courge . But I , as one In Homer , would wyshe courage not to exceede safety . So for Mardochai al Churches , and natiue iudgement : for Daniel and Ezra , euery seueral man is agaynst him . Now it wyl be an hard demaunde , whether it were better to haue al Vniuersities with Helice and Bura , or pestered with Studentes , as M. Doctors hearers , who triumph that manifolde testimonies of all the worlde , brought to prooue the Sunnes seruice recorded vnto the Redemption , haue bin confuted among them by their owne authoritie and courage ? The Sonne neuer sawe the lyke dealyng .

But tochyng your D. I woulde gladly shew him all reuerence , not hynderyng fayth .

Iniuries of his hearers must be recorded : whereof one Bacheler of D. meeting ( 1589 ) at Tocester with one H. T. of London , and a Minister of Lancashire , who founde comfort by my paynes : that B. sayd , Qur D. R. hath confuted all that Booke : yet he could tell no one thing , but sayd , that he had that booke , and coulde vnderstande nothing . How diuinely he pleaded ignorance in his owne language and profession , I let other iudge : yet he would be a Bacheler of diuinitie .

I wyll ioyne a late like part . M. Koph told , that of my Apologie all you D D. thought the same , How well , others know . If vntruly , you must blame him . Two of you , one in writing , the other in speach sent me , tell the contrary , that no one argument can be answered . If he haue a desire to winn fame for resistyng the hart of Religion Gabriels lampe of all Scripture , he must be censured as a Iulian or Lucian . But I haue some better hope of goodnes in the man , after that your D. publisheth his recantation . And I trust , he wyll regarde the common trueth , & Gods honour , more then his owne , Neuer any so disgraced Gabriel , as his lectures do .

A like part , hurtfull not to me , but to your Scholers fame , I wyl here ioyne . At his readinges 1589. vpon my going to Germany , by some of your young heades it was blazed ouer all London , Omnibus & lippis notum & tonsoribus , that your Doctors learned reading droue me away . A Damasell put in Bridewell for refusing our Churches assemblies , vpon mention of my iudgement , could reply , that your D. droue me away . Yet I had sent him worde afore by two of New Colledge , that if he were not foylde , I would neuer more handle penne : and a sharper warning by M. Kennel , by which he made him make the tyme 490. yeeres , iust as I did , and dash all his former paynes . Woulde any of you take patiently such sauage iniuries , as to abide opprobrious speches , where the confuter proueth good , the cause of the confuted ?