I HAVE obserued this ordinary Tapinosis , or phrase of degradation , very frequent in Protestant writers against the Catholique : but if withall they haue Christned it a Popish Pamphlet , I dare say , t' is more then halfe the confutation . Now faine would I know how many rhemes of paper may vindicate a Booke from the contempt of a Pamphlet ? In my opinion a large volume in folio may be a Pamphlet in substance , and a Manuall booke of a very few sheets may contain the waight & worth of an ample volume . True , if Glouers and Grossers be made iudges , your swelling volumes are more vsefull for such occasions . They should do well to send them thither , where they shall be valued according to there bulke , — Ad vicum vendentem thus & odores Et piper , & quicquid chartis amicitur ineptis .

But the Printer will be paied according to the number of sheetes , and good reason . Therefore you haue purchased with your purse a title of Honour to your Worke aboue a Pamphlet ; therefore he will not call it Pamplet , but I may , who take by waight of wit , and substance , that of inke and paper . And to deale plainly and seriously with the man , if all the Parerga's , or impertinences of his booke were culled out , and the solid remaines bound vp by themselues , this would be a very Pamphlet indeed , much lesse then either of the two so termed by him , M. C. or by his Patron D. P. Howsoeuer if a Golias chance to be defeated by a little Dauid , had it not beene more credit for him to haue called him a Giant then a dwarf ? Thus much for the Pamphlet .

Preface . I came ( sayth he ) with such a mind to the reading of it ( Charity Maintayned , ) as S. Austin before he was a setled Catholique brought to his conference with Faustus the Manichee .

Answere . He could not compare himselfe amisse with any thing vnsettled . Neither in my iudgment , could he stand by S. Austin in comparison with any decorum otherwise then as inuested with this formality , not setled .

Pref. For as he thought , that if any thing more then ordinary might be said in defence of the Manichean doctrine , Faustus was the man from whome it was to be expected ; so my persuasion concerning you was , — si Pergama dextrâ Defendi possunt , certè hac defensa videbo .

Ans. And why so ? behold his Rhetorique in his witty gradation .

Pref. For I conceaued , that among the Champions of the Roman Church , the English in reason must be the best , or equall to the best . as being by most expert maisters trained vp purposely for this warre , and perpetually practised in it .

Ans. Now Syr , if you withdraw this base , or corner stone , will not all this imaginary structure of discourse , this aëry conceit fall flat to the ground ? I deny then , then in reason the English must be the best , or equall to the best ; their training-maisters are the same , their practise for this war , that is , disputes of Controuersy concerning fayth , lesse then others haue . For the Catholique cause hath the same Aduersaries in some other Countries , and those very many , and ( as the opinion of most men is ) more able Champions for Protestancy then the English ; with these the encounters of Catholiques of those Countries are more frequent , more publique , because more secure and free ; all which considerations make this first Assumpt & Fundamentall conceipt incredible .

Secondly , that ( purposely , and perpetually practised ) if I deny , how will he proue it ? which the Roman Orator accountes great weaknes of discourse to bring in for proofe that which is either confuted , or silenced with a Nego , a direct deniall .

Pref. Among the English , I saw the Iesuits would yield the first place to none .

Ans. I deny that he saw this ; or if he did , it was a false vision : he saw it with eyes of a deluded imagination , not of true Iudgment ; well he deserues to be numbred with those , for ought I see , of whom the Prophet Ierem. Thren . 2. Prophetae tui viderunt tibi falsa , & stulta : thy Prophets haue seene false & foolish things . Concerning the viderunt tibi assumptiones falsas , this is one of the number of false Assumpts which this Prophet saw , that the Iesuits would yield the first place to none .

Pref. And men so wise in their generation as the Iesuites are , if they had any Achilles among them , I presum'd would make choyse of him for this seruice .

Answ. In which wordes , as likewise in the former , though I find but little salt , yet I discouer not a little gall : he would haue you take notice of the Iesuites arrogancy , and their presumed or pretended wisedome . Now , a man would wonder how he became so inwardly acquainted with the Iesuites . Sure this man is not he of whom t' is said , Sapientis oculi in capite su● , a wisemans eyes are in his owne head ; but his eyes seeme to dwell in other mens hartes , where they are so busy , that they are blind at home . And would any man thinke that this man was neuer Catholique aboue two months at once , who knowes the Iesuites so well ? or is this some end of an old song which he singes by rote , and thinkes not what he singes ?

Or how knowes he the Iesuites conceaued any such difficulty in answering D. P. that some Achilles was to be sought forth , to encounter him ? Was he such a Hector ? O but haue patience to ascend step by step to the top of this gradation , there shall you find M. C. himselfe enthroned in the cloudes : for if with so much adoe , an Achylles were to be found for such a Hector , who shall be the man , that after much enquiry , shall be supposed an equall match at least for this Achylles ? Now what Don Q — is this , who hauing raised an imaginary Castle in the ayre , will goe fight against it himselfe and batter it ? or become another Paris in conceit , shoot at his aëry Achylles , hit him in the heele , and , if his hart be there , kill him . But see , I pray you , see him building his castle , and fortifying it with strong assistants , and how he backs his Achylles with his many bandes of Myrmidons before he will vouchsafe to encounter him .

Pref. I had good assurance , that in framing this building , though you were the only architect , yet you wanted not many diligent handes to bring you in choyce materialls towardes it : nor of many carefull and watchfull eyes to correct the errors of your worke .

Answ. If he had indeed so many watchfull eyes employed in correcting his errors the more happy he ; and he , this Aduocate , the more vnhappy , who of so many eyes as surueyed his worke , had not one Watchfull ; as may appeare by the innumerable errors which haue escaped their corrections , that a man would wonder what Mercury had pip't them all a sleeep . But what of all this ? Marry that which followes , out of this presumption or preimagination of such a castle , or such an Achylles , with his so many bandes of Myrmidones , and watchfull eyes comming against him , he had great reason to expect the vtmost that could be done or said in defence of the Roman .

Pref. And to assure himselfe , that if his resolution not to belieue it , were not built vpon the rocke of euident grounds and reasons &c. now the wynd , and stormes , and floodes were comming which would vndoubtedly ouerthrow it .

Ans. Note his Rhetoricall and graue exaggeration ; that no small matter , not wind alone , nor wind and stormes , no not wyndes and stormes and floodes could be able to ouerthrow this rocke of Resolution M. Ch. Now if you would say notwithstanding all this , this rocke of resolution hath beene shaken at the least , and that againe and againe , and againe and againe , for euery wynd once , or perhaps as many times as there are collaterall wyndes too , or stormes and tydes in the yeare ; for if he be the man he is thought to be , a new Academique or so , he may alter his resolution as often as he list , so he follow only what seemes more probable , for the time , the day , the hower &c. O , but now his Resolution if become rocke , neither is this so incredible a thing but that an Academique in Religion may belieue it , as verily as he belieues any point of Christian Fayth . For both Pliny and other good authors tell vs , of some certaine thinges of a soft and fluide nature , which in tyme , yea and often on a suddaine , become hard , yea very stone & rock : which for the greater confirmation you shall heare out of Ouides Metamorphosis , who had he liued till now , might haue added this rocke of Resolution to the number of his changes .

I pray good after so much rocking and reeling he be not rock't a sleep , & become as deafe as a rocke , nor by any wynd or storme of diuine threats or floods of reasons and persuasions any whit more moueable , towards Religion , Quàm si dura silex , aut stet Marpesia cautes .

So that now to question his constancy of resolution in this kind , were to question the constancy of the Moone which changeth so constantly euery moneth . Notwithstanding I would haue you to take notice of the constancy of his discourse , and how easily he falles of from his rocke within three lynes ( I know he may do so , and yet be constant and true inough to his new Academiques : ) for hauing immediatly before professed his rocky resolution vpon euident reasons , not to belieue the Roman Doctrine , he adioynes forthwith .

Pref. Neither truly , were you more willing to effect such an alteration in me , then I was to haue it effected .

Answ. How standes this rocke of resolution vpon euident groundes not to belieue , that is , not to be altered with willingnes , yea so much willingnes to be altered , especially that euidence supposed by him to be such as no wynd &c. no force of reason , or persuasion could ouerthrow ? Vnles in saying his Aduersary was not more willing to effect such an alteration , then himselfe to haue it effected , he thought perhaps that his aduersary had no will at all to effect any such alteration , as of one so often altered already , that to alter him againe would not quit the cost ; conceauing that after another alteration , he would be still more easy to be altered then euer to be setled ; who goes about to settle the wynd , or fasten it to any one corner of the world , or any thing else gouerned by the wyndes , windmils , or weather rocks , or the like .

Pref. Yet because he makes shew of some desire to goe the right way to eternall happines , though whether this way lye on the right hand or the left , or straight forward , to him it is indifferent .

Answ. I will tell him my opinion ; which is , that his way lyes neither on the left hand , nor the right , nor straight forward , no nor backward ( though this last was not well omitted by him in his distribution , as lying nearest to the right way ) but rather indeed straight downward : as if you would settle a wether-cock in one constant positure , the readiest way wil be to take it downe , and place it on the ground .

This was the way S. Paul was put into ( though his alteration by the way , is no Apology for this Atturneyes so often iterated & reiterated alterations : ) he changed with the change of the whole world . Ecce ego noua facio omnia ; in Christo neque praputium , neque circumcisio est aliquid , sed nona creatura : and t' was his fault he changed no sooner ; nor was it yet indeed a change . For who will say he is changed , who conuertes with him , who is neuer changed , in quo non est mutatio nec vicissitudinis adumbratio ? But this way , Act. 9. I say , was downeward ; Cadens in terram audiuit vocem &c. Falling flat vpon the proued , lying now eauen with himselfe , that is , with dust , earth , and nothing , there he hard the voyce of his direction ; which eauenesse of place , and center of truth he euer after kept , both in life and doctrine ; qui existimat se aliquid esse , cum nihil sit , ipse se seducit ; he who thinks he is something , being indeed nothing , he beguiles himselfe . At what tyme also he became blind , that he might see . For he was rather indeed shew'n then made blind : he regained his sight by the imposition of handes of Ananias , without further dispute ; who if he would haue disputed with him , he could haue done it , and remained blind still , with a resolution built vpon a rocke of more euident groundes , then any M. Aduocate hath to build vpon .

He would if he had beene of his humor , haue questioned the credit of all those visions , as being perhaps ( he would say ) illusions , or at the least not infallibly true ; and then what could flow from those Principles more strong and infallible then the Principles themselues ? And suppose they were of infallible authority ; well then he was to persequute no more ; or if he were to be a Christian too , yet why was Baptisme necessary ? why Circumcision not sufficient ? why such a Christian as Peter or Iohn ? See ( would he say ) how many Syllogismes you are short of the Conclusion you would infer . Thus might he haue vanish't away 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in his disputes , and haue proued rather a Vessel of Contention , then Election . And yet after all , might haue returned with this or the like glory , that he was now more confirmed in his beliefe of Iudaisme then euer ; or with somwhat like to this , Ego exprobraui agminibus Israël hodie ; date mihi virum vt ineat mecum singulare certamen : I haue braued the hostes of Israël this day , challenging the best man among then to single combat of dispute with me . I haue heard of some such Braues of the new Academy , who had little cause of any such glory , and who haue found their match more then once : but they are so wise as to make their Aduersaries silence , or secrecy their aduantage .

And yet I verily thinke you need not goe far to match this Goliath , this Pythagorique Transmigration : do but match him with himselfe ; if he fight not with himselfe , yea if be not to hard for himselfe , almost in euery page , & in some oftner then once or twice , I dare be bound to answere the forfait . As euen namely in this place , hauing boasted his resolution built vpon a rock , not to belieue the Roman Doctrine , very soone after he professeth he retaines a Trauailer's indifference , which way of religion to take of so many way 's as are now in the world . When will this indifferent Trauailer come to his iourneys end , who is not yet resolued of his way , nor know's yet whether he be in it or no ? Yea , and if he proue true to his principles , will alwayes be thus indifferent . So that if he haue gone twenty miles to day on the left hand of truth , he wil goe to morrow as many on the right , if he meete with a more apparent , or howsoeuer more preuailing reason , which may be nothing else perhaps but a better friend , or some greater commodity , or the like . The third day you shall haue him gone as far a third way ; the fourth , a fourth way , and so forth : and a thousand to one after many yeares , you shall find him very litle aduanced in his way ; Inue Academiâ vmbriferâ , nitidoue Lyceo ; In some Colledge-groue , or Cloyster , there you shall haue my indifferent Trauailer , disputing of Religion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

But where is now that inuincible Resolution ? Was it only a negatiue Resolution not to belieue the Catholique doctrine ? And hath that of all others deserued so ill of him ? Indeed he lost his fellowship by it ; but I presume the Catholique would haue giuen him a better , had he but held out his yeares probation . Yet now it seeme's he is resolued vpon euident grounds to be an indifferent Trauailer to all other Professions , but neuer to belieue himselfe againe , whatsoeuer he can obiect for the Catholique . No , he hath belieued himselfe that way twice already , and hath deceaued himselfe : therefore now he will neuer more dispute that question with himselfe againe , but with this resolution before hand , either to confute , or not to belieue himselfe .

But to returne to that expected Achylles which this Aduocate had fancied , Electum ex millibus , the choyce Champion of thousand 's , what becomes of him ? Marry this , ( which we may suppose to haue beene the drift of this Chymerique discourse ) he hath met with this Aduocate , a stronger Giant then he , who hath despoyled him of all his confidence , shew'n him his weakenes .

Pref. True , some snares he found and colour's , which might deceaue the simple , but nothing that might persuade , and very litle that might moue an vnderstanding man , and one that can discerne betwixt Discourse and Sophistry .

Answ. Now to shew this weaknes in his aduersary , is indeed to vanquish him ; and himselfe must need 's be supposed this Vnderstanding-man who hath discouered it : so that he hath made his aduersary an Achylles to great purpose , to make himselfe a greater Achylles . in defeating him . Which successe that he nothing doubted , heare his words .

Pref. In short I was verily persuaded that I plainly saw , and could make it appeare to all dispassionate and vnpreiudicate Iudges , that a veyne of Sophistry and Calumny did runne cleane through his booke from the beginning to the end .