THree principall causes ( Right Reuerend ) haue moued me to offer this small Labour to your Graces view : First , the iust respect of my particular dutie , which challengeth al parts of my labor , as a most thankefull acknowledgement of that seruice which I owe vnto you . Secondly , the forme of our Church gouernment , which imposeth a submitting of our labours , to the censure and allowance of those , to whom by right that charge belongeth ; wherein seeing your authoritie and care , next vnto our dread Soueraigne , is , and is to bee esteemed greatest , I desire you to vouchsafe to giue that allowance , which your Grace in your wisdome shall thinke fit . The last reason , is the person of him , who ( whilest he liued ) was aduanced , honoured , and esteemed by you ; and now being dead , his learning , and sinceritie , against the false accusations of others , challengeth a defence at your Graces hand : For doubtlesse it is more right to vertue , to defend the deceased , then to aduance those that are liuing . This as reason , euer expecteth at the hands of vertue ; so especially then , when men of worth , of desert , of learning , are mistaken and accused , by those that doe want all . I craue to the rest of all your Graces fauours , that this last may be added ; That whatsoeuer my imperfections are , in this iust and temperate Defence , they may no way diminish the honourable remembrance of him , whom I doe defend : all allowance is his due ; the faults are mine ; for which in all humilitie , I craue pardon .

SEeing we are all bound , in the dutifull respect of a common iust cause , euen to defend those who are strangers to vs ; it cannot seeme vnfit to any , if we affoord them so much fauour , whose persons , and deserts are verie well knowne . There is no better contentment for our labour past , then in the assurance from our conscience , that it is well imployed : for doubtlesse the spurning at vertue , giueth a greater stroke to the doer , then to him that suffereth ; & yet euen that religion , that commandeth patience , forbiddeth not the iust defence of our selues in a good cause ; especially then , when by wronging a particular man , there may be some hazard of the truth it selfe . Our Church hath had some enemies , more openly discontent in the case of Discipline , then they now appeare ; whom to satisfie with reason , Maister Hooker indeuoured with much paines ; that which might haue contented all , was in diuers , a spurre to a more violent choler : for medicines how profitable soeuer , worke not equally in all humours . From hence proceeded a desire in some , to make question of things , whereof there was no doubt , and a request for resolution , of some points , where in there was no danger : to this end a Letter ( which heere is answered ) was published by certaine Protestants ( as they tearme themselues ) which I heare ( how true I know not ) is translated into other tongues ; this they presume hath giuen that wound , to that reuerend and learned man , that it was not the least cause to procure his death . But it is farre otherwise ; for he contemned it in his wisdome ( as it was fit ) and yet in his humilitie would haue answered it , if he had liued . Surely for mine owne part , I neuer thought it conuenient that the grauity of this present businesse , and the reuerend worthinesse of him that is accused , should not be answered with grauitie both of person and speech ; and my witnesses are both in heauen and earth , how iustly I can excuse my selfe , as Elihu did : Behold , I did wait vpon the word of the ancient , and harkened for their knowledge : Iob. 32. I stayed the time , and a long time , vntill some elder and of viper iudgement , might haue acquited me from all opinion of presumption in this cause ; which being not done by them , whom many reasons might haue induced to this Defence , I could not for that part which I beare in that Church , whose gouernment was defended by Maister Hooker , with patience endure so weake a Letter anie longer to remaine vnanswered . And herein I haue dealt as with men ( although to me vnknown ) of some learning and grauitie , to whom peraduenture in manie respects I am farre inferiour ; and yet for anie thing that I know , or appeareth in this Letter , they may bee clothed with the same infirmities that I am . But if this had beene by himselfe performed ( which I heare he hath done , and I desire thee to expect it ) thy satisfaction ( gentle Reader ) would haue beene much more , yet vouchsafe in thy kindnesse , to accept this .

LIttle hath labour done , to make any man excellent , if vertue haue not as much power to make it continue : neither were it anie honour , to deserue well , if our memories might die with our names ●or our names be buried , as often ●s malice , or enuie doth seeke to hide them . Fewe things are eminently good , which are indured amongst distempered iudgements without bitter reprehension ; for where weakenesse hath not strength enough to imitate , and reuerence that vertue which it feareth ; it hath violence and malice sufficient to detract from that vertue which it hateth . Amongst euill persons , as there be fewe things that are good , in themselues ; so there be not manie things which they are willing should appeare good in others ; for vertue , where it is not followed , must either be dispraised , or our negligence shall want excuse . And whatsoeuer hath the power to conuince , must suffer reproofe , where the heart of man wanteth humilitie to giue obedience . The worlds greatest errour , is in esteeming , when our corruptions making vs ambitious to seeme , whilest we are carelesse to be , winneth allowance from a fond opinion , which the streame of violent fancies , denieth to rest vpon those that are truly vertuous . Because for anie man to oppose himselfe , against that euill which is growne heady , either by custome , or patience , is to hazard much of himselfe , if he be strong ; and in the opinion of many vndoubtedly to perish , if he be weake . And therefore as vice hath euer had mo that did dislike it , then durst dispraise it ; so vertue wil euer haue mo that are willing to allow it in their iudgements , then dare aduenture to interpose themselues , for the defence of that which they do allow . Iealousie making those to depraue , euen the very defence of that , which their owne iudgements did thinke worthy , and their wishes desired , might be defended . For to do that which euerie man accounteth his own duty , as it argueth oftentimes more strength then courage ; so amongst many , it reapeth little else but an opinion of singularitie . From this corrupt fountaine ( a fountaine poisoned by malicious ignorance ) haue flowed these bitter , but small streames , which the importunitie of some mens commendations ( arising out of a blind loue ) haue made for power and greatnesse , like the red sea , to drown ( as they say ) Pharaoh and all his host . Let them perish in it without helpe , beaten downe with that hand , that striketh from aboue , who seeke to hold Israel a seruant in Egypt , or captiue in the house of bondage : but let them passe through without harme , who couragiously haue freed the posterity of Iacob , and led Israel to the land of promise . I doubt not but without a miracle , a man of small stature may goe through these waters and not bee drowned ; yet sometimes the most righteous , may say with Dauid , the ouerflowing of vngodlinesse made me afraid . Deceit vsually couereth with a mask ( better then the face ) that euill which it desireth should kill vnseene and vnpreuented : but errour cannot more easily fall , then when it is built vpon such a foundation ; nor weaker opinions sooner vanish , then when they are bred , nourished , & supported , onely with the strength of fancie . It is of small vse in the church ( though a thing practised in al ages ) for men ouer-curiously to labour to remoue those staines , which like an impure breath , darken the glasse of steele , whilest it is warme , but slide off through their owne weakenesse , hauing no power to make any deeper impression , then onely aire . Any cloth in a hand of no skill , or strength , is able to wipe off , with ease , those blots , or marks , that are stained with no greater force , or vertue , but a hote breath . But seeing the reputation that vertue challengeth , and industrious labour seasoned with discretion doth merit , seeketh rather to gaine an approbation , from the iudgement of the wise , then recompence or reward , from the mightie hand of the rich ; men of vertuous desert in all ages ( euen from the lowest step of humilitie & obedience ) haue with confidence , and truth , taught the world a far better iudgment , by their wise apologies ; and haue gained as much honour in remouing euill , as they haue gotten vertue vnto their names , in doing wel . The malice of enuie out of impatient ignorance , doing vertue this benefit , that that which was cleare before , by a few , light , trifling spots , gaineth a wiping , to make it clearer . desert and goodnesse , being effects of a first motion ; perfection and excellencie the worke of a second maker . It must needs seeme strange to many , and be vnpleasing to all , that are of any sober , indifferent , or vertuous disposition , that the iust defence of a present , religious , Ecclesiasticall policie , vndertaken without bitternesse of spirit , in a graue moderation to reforme presumption , and informe ignorance , should so farre taste , of the eagernesse of some vnlearned pennes ; that iudgement , should be thought too weake , to answer idle wordes ; or vertue not strong enough to withstand malice ; or lastly , that he could want a defence , whose endeuour ( as himselfe professeth ) was not so much to ouerthrow them , with whom he contended , as to yeeld them iust , and reasonable causes , of those things , which for want of due consideration , heretofore they haue misconceiued ; sometimes accusing lawes , for mens ouersights ; sometimes imputing euils growne , through personall defects , to that which is not euill ; framing to some sores vnwholsome plaisters ; and applying remedies sometimes where no sores were . It is much easier to answer those shadowes of reason , wherein these Admonishers do please themselues ; then by their silence to make them confesse , that they are fully answered . For as they know not ( for the most part ) well how to speake , sauing only tinkers musick , like sounding brasse , because they want charitie ; so do they lesse know how to hold their peace , like clamorous Frogs , because they want humilitie . Holy pretences haue euer beene the strongest motiues that pride hath ; and Zeale , how preposterous and ignorant so euer , hath beene deemed reason sufficient to some men , in the opinion of their followers , to warrant & defend whatsoeuer they haue done . Vpon this ground , was published , some few Articles in manner of a letter , in the yeare 1599. requiring resolution in matters of doctrine , concerning some points , which either they misconceiue , or list not to vnderstand , vttered by M. Hooker , in those fiue learned , and graue books of Ecclesiasticall policie ; wherin , it must needs appeare , that their ignorant malice , hath done him great honour ; who in an argument so distasted by them , and comming with a proud confidence to reprehend , haue only carped sillily , at some few things , neither of moment , nor importance , whereof humilitie , and charitie , would haue craued no answer . But these being willing , and desirous , to find somewhat to oppose , haue onely discouered ▪ his great , mature , and graue iudgement , and their owne small , vndigested , and shallow learning . For there is nothing , that can better , both excuse , and commend a workman , them to see enuie desirous to reprehend , and reprehension to vanish in his owne smoke . For ( saith the Wiseman ) * * Wisd. 10.8 . all such as regarded not wisedome , had not onely this hurt , that they knew not the things that were good , but also left behind them , vnto men a memoriall of their foolishnesse ; so that in the things wherein they sinned , they could not lie hid ; yet the people see and vnderstand it not , and consider no such things , in their hearts , * * Wis. 4.15 . how that grace and mercie is vpon his Saints , and his prouidence ouer the elect . For as he himselfe well noted ; as to the best , and wisest ( while they liue ) the world is continually a froward opposite , a curious obseruer of their defects , and imperfections ; so their vertues , it afterwards as much admireth . Those , whom we must make aduersaries in this cause , are men , not knowne either by name , religion or learning ; yet such as would seem , in zeale to the present state , to desire a resolution in some points that might otherwise giue offence . It may be peraduenture the worke of some one , who desirous to gaine an opinion amongst his followers , vndertaketh to speake as from the minds of many , hoping those demaunds ( how idle soeuer ) will gaine answer , being to satisfie a multitude , which no doubt M. Hooker in his wisdome , patience , and grauity , would easily haue contemned , if they had but beene the priuate cauils , and obiections of some one . For there is no man but thinketh , manie , how light so euer , in themselues , being vnited , may haue that weight , to chalenge euen by a ciuill right , a direct answer , from one euerie way farre better then had beene fitting , for their modestie , & weaknesse to prouoke . Well ; whosoeuer they are , as I cannot easily coniecture , so I am not curious to knowe ; this age hath affoorded an infinite number , whom superstitious feare , for want of true vnderstanding , and an ignorant zeale , not directed with discretion , haue made violent in matters of Religion , vsing the razor in steed of a knife , and for hatred of tares oftentimes pulling vp good corne . But with these we will deale , with that temperate moderation , as may serue , to giue true worthinesse , a iust defence ; and impatient and furious spirits ( vnlesse desperately violent ) no iust cause to find themselues to be grieued with vs .

This which wee are to answer , is tearmed by them , A Christian letter of certaine English Protestants , The title of the Booke . vnfained fauorers of the present state of religion , authorised , and professed in England ; vnto that reuerend , and learned man , M. Richard Hooker . Thus the humilitie , and mild temper of their superscription , may peraduenture gaine the reading at some mens hands , through an opinion , that Protestants ; and manie ; and in a Christian letter ; would hardly be caried with violence so far , to make demaunds , seasoned with so little modestie , learning , or vnderstanding . These men , they may be ( as we take the word largely ) Protestants for anie thing that I know ; that is , men outwardly of the Christian religion ; who liue and professe a doctrine , for the most part opposite to the Church of Rome ; but I can hardly be perswaded , that the Letter being wholy an vnciuill Ironie , is either Christian , or that themselues , are vnfained fauourers of the present state of religion ; or that they thinke M. Hooker to be either reuerend , or learned in their opinions . For whatsoeuer they may pretend , in vrging the reuerend Bishops of our Church against his assertions ; as though they ascribed much vnto them ; yet their desire is , to make an opposition appeare , and in that shewe of contradiction , to make themselues sport , & in the end proudly and maliciously to contemne both . But Saint Iames telleth these , that if anie man seeme religious , and refraine not his tongue , but deceiueth his owne heart , this mans religion is vain . And in this I appeale to the censure of the most modest and discreet amongst themselues , by what shew of reason , they could tearme that Letter to bee Christian , wherein were contained so many vnseasoned and intemperate speeches ? or that man to be either reuerend , or learned , whom they haue vsed with so little respect , and accused of so manie defects ? But doubtlesse , as they neuer thought him to be either reuerend , or learned ( whom all that knew him , whilest he liued knew to be both ) so they little desired , that their Letter should be such a one , as might worthily be accounted Christian. * * in the Letter Pag. 1. Else what meane these accusations , to account his goodly promises , meere formall , and great offers to serue only , to hoodwink such , as mean wel ; as though by excellency of words , and intising speeches , of mans wisedome , he ment a a Ibid. as they say to beguile , and bewitch the Church , of God . A little after b b pag. 2. they call him a goodly Champion , and by the sweet sound , of your melodious stile , almost cast into a dreaming sleepe ; which stile notwithstanding afterwards , they account not c c Pag. 45. vsual , but long , and tedious ; far differing from the simplicity of holy scripture ; and a d d Pag. 3. Lin. 10 hard , and harsh stile : for the manner of the stile , we shall make our defence , when we answere that Article . But in that , you scoffingly account him a goodly Champion , giue me leaue to tell you , that if our Church were throughly furnished with such men , the holy function of our calling , had not growne in contempt by ignorant and vnlearned ministers ; our peace had not bin troubled with furious and violent spirits : worldly men , had not seazed vpon the Church , with such eagernes , through an opinion of the vnworthines of the clergie : they of the Church of Rome , had not thus long remained obstinate , through the violent proceedings of vndiscreet men , whose remedies were worse then the disease it selfe : nor last of all , the generall amendment of life ( the fruite of our preaching ) had not bin so small , if these turbulent heads , had not more desired , to make Hypocrits , then truely religious . It is much safer to praise the dead , then the liuing , hauing seene the period of their dayes expired ; a a Quando nec laudantem mouet adulatio , nec laudatum tentat elatio . when neither he that is praised , can be puffed vp , nor he that doth praise can be thought to flatter , hee was , as Saint Austine sayd of Saint Cyprian * * Tanti meriti , tanti pectoris , tanti oris , tantae virtutis . , of such desert , of such a courage , of such a grace , of such a vertue , that as Theodosius sayd of S. Ambrose , I haue known Ambrose , who alone is worthy to be called a Bishop ▪ of whom I dare giue that iudgement ( though he were in true estimation great already ) which Antigoras , gaue of Pirrhus , that he would haue bin a very great man , if he had bin old . Great in his own vertues , of great vse in the Church , & in al app●rance , ( though these times be vnthankefull ) of great authoritie . I let passe those other tearmes , which shew your letter to bee vnchristian , vntill we come to their particular answers ; and thus much for the title .

It hath bin , no new thing in all ages , that reprehension hath waited vpon those books , The preface of the letter answeared : when men dreame they are a sleep &c. which zeale ▪ from a vertuous minde , hath written to support the truth ; for the nature of man is much apter to reproue others , then reforme it selfe ; seeing to see faults in others , is an act of the vnderstanding if they bee ; and of a frowardnes of the will if they be not : but to rectifie them in ourselues must be the worke of a cleare vnderstanding and a reformed will ; therfore vsually men practise themselues , what they punish in others ; so that no man can directly conclude , a a Vt argumen●o non sit propter quod alios accusant has ipsas odisse . Dio. Cass. lib. 36. hist. that all men hate what they do accuse . Therefore Saint b b Epist. ad Asellam virg. in prolog super los. Hierom , of whome saith S. Austin ( no man knew that whereof S. Hierom was ignorant ) oftentimes complaineth of the detractions , slaunders , and vntrue accusations of euill men . These , for the most part , are vnstaid , violently caried with the current of the present time , sometimes bitterly either vpon discontentments , or to please others , inueighing against those , whom themselues before out of flattery , not iudgement , haue highly praised . Thus c c Nicephor . Calixtus lib. 10. hist. cap. 36. Libanius the sophister , who was eloquent against the Christians , to please Iulian , was noted with this marke of leuity , for writing Panegyricks , or orations of praise , to commend Constantius , while he liued , against whome afterward he wrote most bitter inuectiues when he was dead . Thus some small discontentment serued to turne the heart , and open the mouth of Porphyry against the Christians : what cause of griefe these zealous professours haue I know not , but in my opinion , the whole tenor of that vncharitable and vnchristian letter , argueth some inward discontent , either enuious that other men should be excellent , or that themselues being excellent , are not more regarded . Wherein though they dislike , the dim eie of gouernment , that loketh not cleerely into mens vertues , and the niggardly hand , that doth not bountifully reward such , as deserue well ; yet they mighte out of patience , and charity , worthily haue forborne , to haue inueied against his honour , which consisted in no other wealth , but in his religious contentment , and in that true commendation , which was the due merit of his own vertues . For b b In obit. Humber●i . Ber , the world had not much to take from him , because hee had not taken much from the world ; for he neuer affected , flatteringly to please her , nor she neuer cared fauninglie to please him . For as c c Nihil ex ea quod meum diceretur praeter cognomen retuli . Val. Max. all that Scipio brought ▪ from Africa , after his danger , and trauell , to be called his , was only a Surname ; so the greatest recompense , that his labours had , was the iust commendation , that he was a very reuerend , learned and graue man . For his iudgement taught him out of a Christian patience , the resolution of Cato , if d d Si quid est quo vtar , vt●r ; si 〈◊〉 , ego sum . I haue anie thing to vse , I vse it ; if not , I know who I am . And seeking to profit in knowledge , and that this knowledge might profit the Church ; he shewed that hee was borne for the good of many , and few to bee borne for the good of him . For as S. Hierom speaketh of Nepotian , e e Nepotianus noster aurum calcans schedulas consectatus . despising gold , he followed learning , the greatest riches . But peraduenture his learning had puft him vp ; and his pride had made his writings , impatient , and full of bitternes ; and this moued you , to vndertake , this vncharitable and vnchristian letter ; for you say if we beleeue them ( meaning the Bishops ) we must thinke , that Master Hooker is verie arrogant , Pag. 19. lin. 16 and presumptuous , to make himselfe the onely Rabbi . That you had no cause , to prouoke him , in these tearmes , all men know that do reade his writings ; for dealing in an argument of that kinde , with aduersaries , of that nature ; and in a time growne insolent by sufferance ; hee hath written with that temperat moderation , rather like a graue father to reforme the vnstayed errors , of hot , young , violent spirits , then seuerelie correcting them with the vntemperat bitternes of their owne stile ; and sighing at the scurrilous and more then satyricall immodesty of Martinisme , Lege Carol. mag. fol. 421. he feared with a true sorrow , least that honourable calling of Priesthood , which was ruinated by slaunder amongst ourselues , could not long continue firme in the opinion of others . Well , for all this the gouernment of his passions , was in his owne power , as a a Ira eius in manu eius . Ber. Saint Bernard speaketh of Malachie the Bishop . And he was able to rule them ; for he was truly of a milde spirit , and an humble hart , and abounding in all other vertues ; yet he specially excelled in the grace of meekenes : for the grauity of his lookes , as b b Sereneb at vultum suum assidentium gratia , no ●ieret ●nerosus , sed visum integrum si bene recolitis non admisit . Ber. Saint Bernard speaketh of Humbers , was cleered by those that did sit , or conuerse with him ; least he should be burdensome vnto them ; but a ful laughter , few euer discerned in him . Some such our Church hath had in all ages ; a few now aliue , which are her ornament , if shee can vse them well ; but moe that are dead , whome she ought to praise . For Eccl. 44.7 8. v●●s . 11 12.13.14.15 . all those were honourable men , in their generations , and were well reported of , in their times ; there are of them , that haue left a name behind them , so that their praise shall be spoken of , for whose posterity , a good inheritance is reserued , and their seede is conteined in the couenant ; their bodise are buried in peace , but their name liueth for euermore ; the people speake of their wisedome , and the congregation talke of their praise . In this number vertue hath placed him , whom you accuse ; and are not afraid , being now awaked out of a dreame , to account a deceiuer . As though in his labours he had meant by intising speech , to deceiue the Church ; or as though by a colourable defence of the Church discipline , he purposed ( as you say ) to make questionable , Pag. 2. and to bring in contempt the doctrine , and faith it selfe ; beating against the heart of all true Christian doctrine , professed by her Maiestie , and the whole state of this realme . Therfore you haue made choice of the principall things conteined in his bookes ; wishing him to free himselfe from all suspicion of falshoode and trechery ; accounting your selues to rest contented , if he will shew himselfe , either all one in iudgement , with the Church of England , or else freely and ingenuously acknowledge ; his vnwilling ouersight ; or at the least shew plainely by good demonstration , that al our reuerend Fathers haue hitherto bin deceiued ▪ To this you craue a charitable , direct , plaine , sincere , and speedy answeare ; this is the summe of the preface to your Christian letter . It is too true that al ages haue had deceiuers ; and that the most dangerous deceiuers , haue strongly preuailed vnder pretence of Religion ; and therefore whereas all bodies are subiect to dissolution , there are vndoubtedly mo estates ouerthrown , through diseases within themselues , which familiarly do steale vpon them , then through violence from abroade . Because the maner is alwaies , to cast a doubtfull , and a more suspicious eie , towards that , ouer which men know they haue least power ; & therfore the feare of apparant dangers , causeth their forces to be more vnited ; it is to all sorts a kind of bridle ; it maketh vertuous minds watchful ; it holdeth contrary dispositions in suspence ; and imployeth the power of all wits ; and the wits of all men , with a greater care . Whereas deceits couered with good pretenses , are so willingly interteyned , so little feared , & so long suffered , vntill their cruelty burst forth , when it is too late , to cure them ▪ vice hath not a better meanes to disperse it selfe , nor to gaine intartainment , and fauour , then by borrowing the counterfeit name , and habit , of seeming vertue . a a Iustin. lib. 15. ex Trogo . Thus that rebellious Sandracot vnder pretence of liberty , mooued the Indians , against the officers of Alexander the Great ; which when they had slaine , he that was the author of their liberty , turned that into a more cruell bondage , oppressing the people whom he had freed from strangers , vnder the cruell tyranny of his owne gouernment . But of all deceits , there is none more dangerous , then when the name of God , or religion is pretended , to countenance out heinous crimes . And howsoeuer euen in this kinde , this age hath not wanted examples , who beeing dangerous vnder holy pretenses , the hand of Iustice hath cut off ; yet the imputation of this fault , can in no reason cleaue to him , who hath so far hazarded himselfe , for the iust defence of religion , and Church gouernement . If hee had broched any new fancies , or proudly opposed the wise established discipline ; there had bin some reason to haue suspected , that by intising speech he had meant to deceiue the Church . But seeing hee hath laboured in a waighty cause , with reasons , against those , whom the Magistrats seuerity could not easily suppresse ; seeing he hath vndertaken it by appointment ; and performed it with allowance ; and seeing he hath made no other shew of supporting popery , but only by resisting Puritans ; the slaunder must needs be too light , and the accusation without color , to say that he hath beaten against the heart of al true Christian doctrine , professed by her Maiestie , & the whole state of this Realme : as though ( which you desire the world might beleeue ) the hart of Christian religion , were only amongst such , whom the affectation of singularity hath tearmed by the name of Puritans : And that the rest who are not of that temper , are dangerous , and close hereticks . Thus Appollinarius the yonger , Sixt Sin . lib. 4. bibliothecae . who wrote so much in defence of the Christian faith , that Saint Basil said of him , that with his volumes he had filled the whole world ; and wrote against rauing and frantick Porphury , thirty bookes , more excellent then any other of his workes ; was afterward accused that he held the error of the Millenaries , that into the trinity he had brought , Great , greater , and greatest of all ; that he thought not right of the incarnation of Christ : but seeing Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria , who was an enemy vnto him , & diuers other Authors besides , report that he was vehement , to confute the Arrians , Eunomians , Origenists , and many other hereticks , in many volumes , Epiphanius in 3. pannarii . it may be thought whatsoeuer his other errors were , the malice of his aduersaries had forged this , to diminish the authority of those bookes , which hee had written against them . So that this practise is no new thing , to diminish the soundnes of their religion , whose iudgements , and reasons we are vnable to withstand . But I doubt not by that which followeth , but it shall easily bee made to appeare , that he is of the same iudgement with the Church of England ; that he hath not committed any ouersight ; nor that he goeth not about to contradict , the reuerend fathers of our Church ; which things ( in al likeliehood ) are matters by al you much desired ; and therefore I hope you will accept ( as you desire ) this charitable , direct , plaine , and sincere answere ; which no doubt of it , from himselfe had bin far more learned and more speedy , if he could either haue resolued to haue don it , or after he had resolued could haue liued , to haue seene it finished . But first of all , he was loth to entermeddle with so weake aduersaries ; thinking it vnfit ( as himselfe said ) that a man that hath a long iourney , should turne backe to beate euerie barking curre ; and hauing taken it in hand , his vrgent and greater affaires , together with the want of strength , weakened with much labour , would not giue him time to see it finished . Yet a a Erat animus victor annor●m , & cedere nesciens infirmitati : Ber. in vita Humberti . his mind was stronger then his yeares , and knew not well how to yeeld to infirmitie . Wherein if hee had , somewhat fauoured himselfe , he might peraduenture , haue liued to haue answered you ; to the benefite of the Church , and the comfort of a great number . But b b Mors fecit quantum potuit , occidit carnem , & ecce recondita est in corde terr● ; separauit à nobis dulcem amicum , prudent● Consiliarium , Auxiliarium fortem . Ber. death hath done what hee could ; it hath killed his bodie , and it is laid vp in the heart of the earth ; it hath taken from vs , and from the Church of God , a sweete friend , a wise counsellour , and a strong Champion : so that I may say , as it was sometimes said of Demosthenes : Demosthenes is meete for Athens , Demades ouergreat . Others fit enough to liue in the midst of errour , vanitie , vnthankfulnesse , and deceit , but hee too good . For he was as the morning starre , in the middest of a cloud , and as the Moone when it is full ; and as the Sunne shining vpon the Temple of the most High , and as the rainebowe that is bright in the faire cloudes ; when he put on the garment of honour , and was clothed with all beautie , Eccles. 50.6.7.11 . Wis. 3.1.2.3 . hee went vp to the holy Altar ; and made the garment of holinesse honourable . But this ought to content vs , that the soules of the righteous , are in the hand of God , and no torment shall touch them : In the sight of the vnwise they appeared to die , and their end was thought grieuous , and their departing from vs destruction , but they are in peace .