I Thank you for the confidence you reposed in my integrity and affection to your self , and your cause , that you would permit me to read your Treatise , in ●…heets , before it went to the press ; which I found so well digested in method , so full of ingenuity , 〈◊〉 variety of Learning , so perspicuous , acute and elegant , that I should seem to derogate from your worth , if I added ought to the commendations of your writing .

I may boldly say , you have laid your Adversary flat on his back , you have drest him to the purpose : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as the Greek proverb runs in Suidas : When they have caught the Polypus , they ply him with bastinadoes , cudgel his dissembling coat lustily , to make him ta●…e , feed , and grow fat .

Yet I am afraid your Noble Instructions will produce no great effect upon that man : Parce labori Nicopompe : non ignorant se errare , nec moniti emendationem promittunt , saith Antenorius to the Author of Argenis in that Book : You might have spared your pains ( good Mr. Watson ) they know they are wrong as well as you can tell them ; but all the earth shall never make them confess an errour , or amend it .

And you 'le pardon me that I quote Argenis in so weighty a cause : Similes labra lactucas ; they are more fabulous , and greater liars , then Argenis : and some sleight , prating , finical Nicopompus , I hold a far more proper Antagonist to deal with these men , then you , or any learned grave Divine : For they will say what they please , and maintain what they say , not by strength of reason , but by wilfulness , hate , malice , revenge , and blood : Crede , aut jug●…lum dabis , is their motto , Believe , or I 'le cut thy throat . And were those holy aud primitive Saints now alive , and did read the practises of those men , compared with the innocent passages of Argenis , that draw no bloud , they would infinitely far prefer that airy well-penn'd Fancy before the Acts of their Assemblies , nay even in point of truth : And perhaps posterity , after a while , may be brought to the same degree of understanding and judgement .

They are a perverse generation ; and you have took a Wolf by the ears , which you must make account to hold till dooms-day : you must never hope to be free from Bailey's replies , and janglings : They are like the Indian Dogs in Strabo , presented to Alexander the Great , so fierce and pertinacious , that when they once catch hold , Archimedes's Instrument will hardly pull them off , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they will stick and tear , till their eyes turn round in their eye-holes or sockets , and drop out of their heads .

And I never yet knew any man go beyond your Adversary Bailey , in sti●…ness , pride , and arrogance : It is much about a dozen years , since he first published his Canterburian self-conviction ; The man had seen some Visions in Trophonius's Den , raptures , and embryo's of his own addled brain , and out he comes to vent them , like Aesop's Ass , jetting in purple : He was now high set in pursuit of same , and , like a valiant Combatant , he enters the field , brandishes his sword , and looks about whom he may dare to take up the bucklers against him ; and scorning to cope with a Pigmee , he challenges no less men then my Lord's Grace of Canterbury , and all the Learned Divines of England ; and much grieved he was in mind , that my Lord's Grace himself would not vouchsafe him the honour to confute him : as if a skie-towring Eagle , or Gyre-falcon , should have stoopt to a Kite or Carrion : I dare say , the least line of that incomparable profound Conference with Fisher , written by that peerless glorious Martyr for the Church of England , is of more weight and worth , then all that ever Bailey did , or shall , compose , to the worlds end , could he live Methusalem's age over and over , and spew out yearly whole Vaticans of Books .

And you may see , Sir , to your comfort , he is no changeling ; He is Crimson died in grain : Hyaena follicat , & non mutat pellem ; the Hyaena will double , and falter , this way , and that , yet still continue an Hyaena .

He had done with my Lord's Grace of Canterbury long ago , and it was time , when he and his complices had brought him to a scaffold : But no sooner had my Lord of London-Derry appeared in publick , though with some short avisoes to beware their villanies , but Bailey will have at him : Who but Baily ? the great Kill-cow of the North ? that unappall'd Champion ? that Goliath of brass ? that confounder of Bishops in England , Scotland , and Ireland ? He startles , and stares about , at the very name of a Bishop reels , frets and fumes ; it is more odious to him then a Turkish Mufti , it rides him like an Incubus , or Night-mare , he cannot rest or sleep for it .

I could not choose but smile , though with much indignation , to mark his saucy impertinent haughtiness : In the very Frontispice of his Book , how unreverently he calls my Lord Bishop , Dr. Bramble , Late Bishop ; as if his Lordship were not now what before he was ; as if his Order could be cancelled by popular suffrages , ●…s the waspish Puritan thinks fit to rise in Arms , and teach their mis-led rabble to cry No Bishops , no Bishops ; as if they could be pulled down , and set up , at mens pleasure , as in King Iames's minority , like a Weather-cock in the wind , to wave on the loose hinges of State-Interests ; to rise and fall with ebbs and tides of popular insurrections . Dr. Bramble , late Bishop ? How late , Bailey ? What hath the Bramble scratcht you by the face , that you so wilfully mistake his name ? You impudence ! And who made you Priest , good Nehemiah ? Had you imposition of hands ? Episcopal benediction ? And when I pray began his Lordship to be no Bishop ? from the General Assembly at Glasgow , Novemb. 38 ? Indeed from Christ , to the holy Vigils of that Assembly , the whole Christian world held it a sacred Order ; the next day after that Assembly , they proclaimed it Antichristian , and annull'd it . And who gave you or them that Authority ? Mercy God! in one night to blast that Order , and turn it Antichristian , which over all the world had stood Christian 1600 years before ! O nox quam longaes ! It is madness to imagine it . I am persuaded in my Conscience , and will live and die in that Faith , let all the Puritans in Christendome prate , and preach , and scribble what they please to the contrary , That all the Kings , and Princes , and Parliaments , and Assemblies in the world , have no jus●… power to abrogate that Order . Bishops are the Apostles immediate Successors ; have a Divine Right in Christ's Church , from Christ's Apostles , as great as Christ's Apostles could give them , or Christ give his Apostles , or God the Father give Christ : Sicut me mi●…it Pater , sic ego mitto vos .

And where had Priests been all this while ? how had they appeared ? how been distinguished ? how known from Hereticks and Schismaticks , down through so many ages , if they had wanted Bishops in a clear Succession still to regulate and ordain them ?

But things are turned topsie-turvie in these barbarous tumults and combustions ; the Son hath supplanted the Father who begat him ; the Priest unthroned the Bishop who made him , and mounting his saddle , like a proud Usurper , furiously spurs on , to make good that Proverb , Set a Beggar on Horseback , and he 'l ride to the Devil .

What blood and murder ? what treasons and rebellions have overflowed the World since these tenets were first broached ?

These , these , Sir , have been the bane of Christianity , and ruine of the Church of England : And though , to our great grief , these have took fire in our times , and produced more sad an desperate effects then heretofore , because the Prince of the Air is more powerfull , and vigilant to increase his Kingdome now , toward the near approaching consummation of the World ; yet formerly extravagancies have been maintained as pernicious as these : Iohn Wickliff was a far more dangerous and sturdy Traytour then he . Many have raised paradoxes of di●…efull consequence ; but never did any attempt , by an universal defection , to dissolve all bond of Loyalty and Obedience to God and Man , as Wickliff did .

I Am necessarilie to advertise you , That if you be notvery conversant in the Rd Bishops Warning and his adversaries Review before you enter upon my replie , you will in the end be as unsatisfied about the true state of the controversie , as all the way offended at the incohaerence of the paragraphs or periods in the booke , there being , to ease the Printer , not much to advantage me , very litle inserted that mine relates to , which notwithstanding is penned as if you had the other perpetuallie in your sight . The credit I claime to have given to several historical circumstances of a Countrey , which I yet never saw , wherewith I could not be furnished from printed bookes , is upon the sufficient assurance I have of the fidelitie and abilitie in such persons as are natives , whom I consulted as oracles in many cases , and received their answer in no darke ambiguitie of words ; But layd downe positivelie in their papers , which if their indifference had been the same with mine : I should have published with their names , whereby to put out the envious mans eye and keep curiositie from a troublesome impertinencie in enquirie . I shall make no apologie at all to you for my engagement in the dispute , having allreadie done it where more due . I shall brieflie this for some tantologie , much indecencie and levitie in my language , Desiring the first may be imputed to some necessitie I was cast upon by the Reviewers frequent repetitions , and some difficultie to recollect what expressions had passed from me with the sheetes , most of which I was to part with successivelie as I pennd them at several distances of time and place reteining no perfect copie in my hands . The second is that dirt which did sticke like pitch unto my fingars while I was handling the fowle Review , and so hath defild my booke . The third came from no affectation to be facetious , for which I am litle fitted , yet thought I might as well sport it as a Divinitie Professour in his chaire , who having it seemes , made hast to the second infancie of his age , or reassumd his first , would never , it may be , have been at quiet , unlesse I had rocked him in his cradle , or play'd a litle with his rattle . The strange misse-takes many times introduced by his ignorance of our tongue that in my absence praepared all for the presse are rectified with references to the pages where . Which amendments in favour of your selfe aswell as justice unto me should be at first transplanted to their several colonies by your pen. The Greeke leters that have lost their grace by the Latin habits wherein they are constrained to appeare , being crowded here and there out of all significancie and order , & so left at large , have their authoritie made good to the full sense of the commission they brought with them , every where by the English Interpreter or Paraphrast when you meet them . Which intimated , I have no greater courtesie to crave from you , if one the Revievers impartial and aequitable comparers , then to hearken to truth and reason , and to signifie what you finde here dissonant from either , which I promise you shall be acknowledged or amended Adieu .

HAd Mr. Baylie contein'd himselfe within the limits My reason for refuting his Epistle . of an Epistle , I had there left him to canonize his Living Lord & all his familie , & with what dexteritie he pleas'd to rubb his honourable head piece into a good conceit of his Review . But since the great Diana in his booke , so gloriouslie bespangled with the counterfeit Alchy●…ie of the late Scotish Storie , is lead hither to be magnified by any superstitious inadvertent reader , & his Lordships hand made use of onely to hold the candle , by the false light of his name & pretended vertues the better to commend Her Godesse-ship to publike view ; I can not passe by without looking in to see the sight , & spend my verdict upon the motions that attend it .

And that His Lordship may not be mistaken to stand altogether for a shadow , The Rewiewers vanitie in giving titles inconsistent with the praesent condition & practice of his Lord . I first cast my eye upon the potent Lord Iohn , & must plainly tell his admirer Mr. Baylie , he had better deserved the honour of this title , if he had imploy'd his power , as he was in dutie & by oath oblig'd , in the vindication of His Majestie , & His Royal Father , of ever blessed memorie , as he hath most dishonourablie & impotentlie against them both . Nor is it much for his credit in the head of this Epistle to be styled one of His Majesties Privie Councel , & in the heart of His Kingdome to be one of the publike conspiracie against him , of a Lord justice general to become a special Injusticiarie in his countrey .

The Reviewers long experience of his sincere zeale , &c. argues him to be none of the late illuminates , & gives us some hopes the he hath proceeded upon the dictates of his conscience , though unhappilie erroneous : long habits The Earle of Cassils no late Illuminate . though at first contracted by the perversenesse of the will , by perpetuitie becoming very efficacious in imposing fallacies upon the understanding , so that he which doth ill may hereby be aswell perswaded that what he doth is good , as he that often tells a lie hath at length himselfe believ'dit to be a truth .

His rigid adhaerence to the praetended rights & priviledges of his Countrey being professed haereditarie , takes off some what from the personal imputation , No credit for his familie to be commended by Buchanan . yet with all demonstrates that it is not all bloud Royal which runnes in His Lordships veines , nor it may be all bloud Noble , having so ample testimonie from him , who had allwayes some dregs of the Common shoare in his inke & whose power is cankerd with envious invectives against them , that have not layd their honour in the vulgar dust , & levell'd Majestie as well as Nobilitie with the people . Whose Ghost will not thanke the Reviewer for calling him , Prince of Historians , being so litle enamourd with titles of that nature , Very Improper to style Buchanan Prince . that he accounted them , where they were more properlie due , a a Legitimi regni gravissima pestis . Praet . ad Dial. de jur . Reg. the filth of flaterie , & the plague of all legitimate praerogative .

His exemplarie practice in publike-private duties is indeed some what singular , my selfe having seen him very zealouslie penning downe such slender ( to omit what I might call in the Reviewers language praeter b b The Reviewers sermon divinitie . & anti-scripturall ) divinitie , as was not fitting for any Novice or Catechumen in Religion to owne , much lesse for so grave a Theologue to preach , & so well exerciz'd an adultist to register for his use . I commend beter the exemplarie practice of the Reviewers brother Presbyter , who seem'd to take a sound nap in the meane time , hoping , it may be , to be better inspired in his dreame .

This c c He may well count it an advantage to have the E. Cassils his Judge . potent Lord , thus qualified & brought up to his hand , I can not blame Mr. Baylie for chusing him to be his patron , ( who discernes with his eyes & decernes by his dictates ) who being judge & partie , both will quaestionlesse doe right like a Lord Justice in the businesse .

The d d An honour for the Bp. to be calld by the Rev: unpardonable incendiaire . praejudice the Reviewer would here at first cast upon the person of the Bishop will advance his owne reputation but a litle in high way Rhetorike , not advantage him one whit with any of those judicious & aequitable comparers he expects ; who being able to instruct themselves , upon these many late yeares experience , that what Mr. Baylie calls that Church & Kingdome is onely a praevalent partie of Schismatikes & Rebells , what adhaerence to the sacred truth of God an obstinate perseverance in an execrable covenant , which hath tied up the hands of many a poor subject from the enjoyment of all the just liberties the established Iawes of Scotland hold out to him ; will looke upon the Bishop as a couragious assertour of Gods truth , the Churches puritie , the Kings supremacie , the subjects libertie , & if for that condemned by an unanimous faction in both Kingdomes , will commend his zeale , reverence his name , and ranke him with the prime Fathers of the Church , who so soon endeavoured to stop that deluge of miserie wherewith Britanie & Ireland have been most unhapilie overwhelmed .

For the dirtie language he useth here & otherwhere extreme sawcie spirit , stigmatiz'd incendiarie , &c. I desire the Reader to take notice I shall sweep it The Rev's uncleanlie language . out of his & my way , yet if he thinkes it may serve his turne , as well as the Aristoph . Plut. garlike heads did Cario & his master in the Comoedie , the Printers boy shall throw it by itselfe at the backe side of my replie in a piece of white paper , that he may not fowle his fingers . The active boldnesse of the Scotish Presbyterians in Holland , &c ,

What the Reviewer calls Boldnesse was prudence & seasonable caution in the Bishop to praesent his booke to the eminent personages & in this place , observing the indefatigable industrie of Mr. Baylie & his brethren of the mission , very frequentlie in their persons , perpetuallie by many subtile & active instruments they imploy'd before & after their coming hither , insinuating into the hearts & affections of all people here , of what sexe or condition soever , in Courts , Townes , Vniversities , Countrey , praepossessing them with the Justice of their cause , the innocencie of their proceedings , the moderation of their demands , the conformitie of their practice & designe to the praesent discipline & Government of the Church & presbyterie in these Provinces . And great pitie it is that all people , nations & languages have it not translated into their owne dialect , that a discoverie of this grand imposture may be made to them who are so insolentlie summon'd to fall downe & worship this wooden idol of the discipline , & threatned the aeternal fierie furnace if they refuse it .

In the next Paragraph the Reviewer drawes Cerberus like his threeheaded monster out of hell , a a The three headed monster in controversie Discipline , Covenant , & unkindne's to our late soveraigne .

HIs c c The Scotish Discipline vrey different from that in Holland & France . Apologie for the first , being the conformitie I mentioned principally with the Brethren of Holland & France , whom he would very faine flater into his partie , & make the Bishop whether he will or no fall foule upon them , whom His Lordship : hath scarce mentioned in all his tract : And I having no reason nor desire to enlarge the breach shall say no more then this , ( because some what he will have sayd ) That if their discipline harmoniouslie be the same particularlie in those extravagancies His Lordship mentions , ( which to my knowledge they denie ) & for alleging which , they are litle beholding to Mr. Baylie , they are all alike concerned , yet having as learned Apologists of their owne , when they finde themselves agriev'd , will in their owne case very likely speake their pleasure . d d No Reformed Church calls regular Episcopacie Antichristian . In the interim I must require his instance where any Reformed Church hath declared regular Episcopacie which we call Apostolical , Antichristian .

What particular persons of Mr. Baylies temper may have publish'd must not passe for an Ecclesiastical decree . And if all , even in those Churches he mentions , might freelie speake their minde , I believe that order would have their Christian approbation as it is in any reformed Countreys established . e e Many eminent persons in those Churches have approv'd of it Vindic : of K. Ch. p. 125. Apost. Instit. of Episcopacie . some such relation was made not long since about certain Divines of the Religion in France , & some that came from other parts to the Synod of Dort . And I can acquaint the Reviewer with the like piece of charitie bestowed by P. M●…lin in the letters , that passed from him to Bishop Andrewes , beside what Mr. Chillingworth ( as I take it ) hath collected out of him & Beza in favour both of name & thing , though not to the same latitude we extend them . And ( which will not be alltogether impertinent to adde ) I doe not remember I have heard that Causabon & Vossius , no obscure men in the French & Dutch Churches , were at any time by their presbyterie excommunicate for becoming limbes of the English Antichrist , Praebendaries of the Archiepiscopall Church of Canterburie with us . But if the Reviewer here begin to cant , & distinguish Episcopal declinations different from Episcopacie . between Episcopacie & Episcopal declinations , ( for that indeed is the expression that he useth ▪ I must ingenuouslie acknowledge that there may be some practicall declinations in Episcopacie which may be Antiapostolical & Antichristian , beside & against the line of the Word , the institution of Christ & his Apostles ; but I know none such in the Churches of England , Scotland , or Ireland , if there have been any they are not our rule , & by his owne then must not be stated to be the controversie between us . The Presbyterian aberrations which Presbyteriâ aberrations . the same with Presbyterie . the Bishop hath observed , are for the most part taken from the crookenesse of the Discipline it selfe , which in the very Acts of their Assemblies , he findes not so straight as to run parallel with the word of God , or practice of the true Catholike Church , & whether what His Lordship cites to that purpose be calumnious imputations or no will best appeare in the procedure of our discourse .

But the Reviewer takes it ill that Didoclave , Gerson , Bucer , Salmasius & The praesent concernment greater to reveale the Scotish Discipline , then refute old adversaries of Episcopacie . Blondel were not rather replied to , then the mysteries of the Kirke Discipline revealed . This poor tricke of diversion will not take . If what hath been writ in the behalfe of Episcopacie stand firme notwithstanding these or any other stormes that passe over , it requires no such frequent reparations . The holie cause indeed will shortlie need such auxiliaries as these . He doth well therefore to call for them in time . a a Sr. Claud Somays likelie to be no great friend to the Discipline . And yet it may be the imcomparable knight will not be charm'd by a litle mercenarie breath into the reare of a distressed beggarlie engagement . He hath been since better informed of many fraudulent practices in the Kirke , & so well satisfied about the state of our affaires , that Mr. Baylie is litle pleased ( for all his sugar candi'd commendations ) with the earnest he hath allreadie given to imploy his pen & paines about a better subject for the future . And 't is a mere fiction , what he so confidentlie averres , of b b He offered no dispute with the Kings Chaplaines about Episcopacie . Sr. Claud Somayi's offering to dispute with the Divines by a Person of honour about the King , a person of reverence , then not farre from him having told me that His Majestie knowes not any thing of the buisinesse , nor did the Divines about him heare of any thing to that purpose . Therfore let his person of honour come out from behind the curtaine , & vouch his credit to be such as quolibet contradicente we must believe him : when he appeares in his colours & makes good any such offer as is mention'd , I presume I may say that no apprehensions of trouble & hazard will de●…erre such judicious and learned Champions from entring upon any just & reasonable vindication of truth . In the meane time they doe but the dutie of their places in their Royal attendance They transgresse not the dutie of their place by informing the Kings conscience about . ( which the Reviewer calls the Court artifice & their trade ) if they watch the seasons & distribute the houres of the Kings opportunities , wherein priva●…elie ( to avoyd the importune intervention of other civil●… businesse , not to decline I know not what contradiction , which they are not in that case reasonablie to expect from their modest fellow servants of the laitie , & I hope there are no Clerical Disciplinarians there about ▪ to instill into His Majesties tender mind how unsafe it is for his soul , & how litle for his honour , to desert the Holie Church , that is the Episcopal doctrine & government which came into the world with Christianitie it selfe , hath for 1500 yeares enjoy'd a joint haereditarie succession , The Primi●…ive Doctrine & Discipline . & aequi-universall diffusion with the same , to joyne with a crew in a Northerne corner of rebellious Covenanters , if yow will have it so , for ought hitherto can be judg'd enemies to God , to his Father , & to Monarchie it selfe , if he will take it upon his Father or Grandfathers word . To put him farther Eikôn Basilikè cap. 14. Praeservation of the Church . in mind that his Martyr'd Father sayd , There are wayes enough to repair the breaches of the state without the ruine of the Church , ( it is the Episcopal Church that he meanes ) To instruct him that he may as conscientiouslie pardon the Irish as the a a Pardoning the Irish & toierating their Religion . Scots , & reward with a limited libertie of their Religion ; & what other gracious encouragements he pleaseth , the first fruits of their voluntarie submission to his government , without imposing the slaverie of any covenant , or conditioning for a toleration in his other Kingdomes . And this to be ( as it is ) in reference to a Parliament to be conven'd so soon as the state of that Kingdome will admit . To assure him that this is very consistent with conscience , honour , b b Eikôn . Basilikè . conscience , honour , reason , law . & all Good reason , & for ought they know , repugnant to no law , yea , to linke the soul of the most sweet & ingenuous of Princes ( too sweet , too ingenuous indeed to have to deale with the rough-hev'd Covenanters of the mission ) with those c c Inclining his mind to the Counsels of his Father . Golden chaines let downe from heaven , & reached out by the hand of a tender hearted father to his sonne , in those peerlesse Counsels which the most prudent advice in the last Testaments of all his praedecessours can not parallel . To tell him then , That his necke d d Cant. 4 4. is like the ●…ower of David , builded for an armourie , whercon there hang a thousand bucklers , all shields of mightie men .