The Fisher Catched in his Own Net, Part 1
THE FISHER CATCHED IN HIS OWNE NET.
M.DC.XXIII.
THE OCCASION AND ISSVE OF THE LATE CONFERENCE HAD BETWEEN Dr. White Deane of Carleil, and Dr. Featly, with Mr. Fisher and Mr. Sweet, Iesuites, was this as followeth.
EDward Buggs Esquire, about the age of 70 yeares, being lately sick was solicited by some Papists then about him to forsake the Protestant faith, telling him there was no hope of saluation without the Church, there was no Catholik Church but theirs, and to beleeue the Catholike Church was the Article of his Creed, and by it could no other Church be meant but the Church of Rome, because it could not be proued by all the Protestants in the kingdome, that they had any Church before Luther.
This Gentleman being much troubled in his mind with these and the like suggestions, who all his life time had bin and professed himselfe a religious Protestant, became now more sicke in minde then body; and if by Gods mercifull goodnesse he had not recouered of this sicknesse, it is to be feared hee had falne both from his Mother Church and his former faith, as some of the nearest of his owne blood (to his great griefe) hauehave lately been seduced by like inticements.
After his recouery, being much troubled in mind with these former suggestions of the popish Priests, he repaired to Sir Humfrey Lynde Knight, who by reason of his alliance and long acquaintance vvith him, gaue the best satisfaction he could to his said cousin Mr. Buggs, who seemed to take content in such his conference, and to be well satisfied by him in all points.
But the Popish Priests and Iesuites not desisting to creepe in further where they had once made a breach, perseuering still in questioning him, where his Church was before Luther. Whereupon he repaired againe to Sir Humfrey Lynde, and required some further satisfaction of him concerning that demand. And thereupon Sir Humfrey Lynde tolde him, it was first in Christ and the Apostles, consequently also conspicuous in the primitiue Church for 600 yeares after Christ, after which time some errors crept into the Church, as diseases into a mans body; so that the Church which Luther and we acknowledge, was in generall the same Christian Church, as his body was the same substantiall body, being now well, and lately sicke, though different in the qualities.
And for the better strengthening of his mind, the said Sir Humfrey Lynde inuited him to his house in the countrey, thereby the better to preuent the daily sollicitation of those dangerous seducers. And after his returne to London, the said Sir Humfrey Lynde going to Mr. Buggs his house in Drury lane to visite him, found Mr. Fisher the Iesuite there, where after some debates about Religion and the visibilitie of the Church, Mr. Fisher called for pen and inke, and set downe this question in terminis; thereby adding vnderunder his hand, that he would answer vponupon it negatiuely, as chalenging and expecting opposers, deliuering also the paper into the hands of the said Sir Humfrey Lynde, who vponupon view of it, answered, that it was an historicall question, and not so proper for disputation. But Mr. Fisher. vrging it, Sir Humfrey told him, if he would go to Dr. Whites, where formerly he had been, the said Doctor would easily resolue those doubts. Which being refused by the Iesuite, the said Sir Humfrey did then returne him his paper againe, and so left him.
About two dayes after, Mr. Buggs repaired to Sir Humfrey Lynd, and intreated him (for his satisfaction) to giuegive Mr. Fisher a meeting, saying, that Mr. Fisher had againe told him, that he would maintaine what he had set downe, and that our Diuines could not proue our Church visible before Luthers time. Whereupon Sir Humfrey told him, that Dr. White and Dr. Featly were to dine with him on Friday following; and if after dinner Mr. Fisher would come thither with foure or six at the most, they should be admitted for his sake and his wifes, who (by reason of such sollicitation) were troubled in their minds, and satisfaction should be giuen as occasion required. And these were the true causes of the meeting, as is before declared. VponUpon which Friday, being the 27 of Iune 1623. Mr. Fisher, Mr. Sweet, Iesuites, and some others with them, came to Sir Humfrey Lynds house, into a little dining roome, where they found the aforesaid Mr. Buggs, his wife and children, and others of Sir Humfreys friends that had then dined with him, together with some others also; whose comming in, as the said Sir Humfrey did not expect, so he could not with ciuilitie put them forth his house, but did instantly cause his doores to be locked vp, that no more might enter in; notwithstanding which his command, some others also came in scatteringly after the Conference began.