Apology of Henry Airay, Title page – To the reader
THE IVST AND NECESSARY APOLOGIE of HENRIE AIRAY the late reuerend Prouost of Queenes Colledge in Oxford, Touching his suite in Law for the Rectorie of Charleton.
LONDON, Printed MDC XXI.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
ALthough the rule be true, Convicia spreta exolescunt, si irascâre adgnita videntur, Iniurious accusations are best answered by silence and neglect; yet then to be silent when the imputation is verie grieuous and most vniust, were both to wrong the truth, and wilfully to betray a good name. Besides, not to be sensible of deepe wounds inflicted vponupon our reputation, is not patience, but dull stupiditie. How much the licentious tongues of some, and vncharitable conceits of others hauehave wronged this reuerend and worthy man (now with the Lord) will appeare by this his owne Treatise; which containes a plaine and naked declaration of that intricate controuersie, and acquaints the ignorant or scrupulous in this case vponupon what grounds of Law, but especially of conscience, be first vndertooke the suite: quitting eueryevery obiection with such a sufficient answer, as, I doubt not, will giuegive good satisfaction to the indifferent and impartiall. His maine purpose in composing this Treatise, was to cleare his owne innocencie (without any offence, I hope, to others,) and to auoide the rash constructions of some, who are wont first to censure, and then to enquire. Hitherto I hauehave suppressed it, hoping that his eminent credit in the Church of God, would quickly (of it selfe) consume the envie and vanitie of this weake exception, and so with honour outliue it. But seeing (as by many his religious friends I vnderstand) he cannot yet rest quietly in his graue, this cauill being often (vponupon occasion) and odiously renewed, cast in like a dead flie to corrupt the sweete ointment of his blessed memorie, and raised as a thicke vapour to obscure the lustre of his good name: I cannot (without palpable and irreparable iniurie) any longer forbeare to put forth his owne shield for protection of his guiltlesse fame, which lyes bleeding vnderunder the mercilesse strokes of intemperate tongues, whereof some (I feare) through his sides aime at the disgrace of religion. His worthy fauourers eueryevery where see it with commiseration, but know not how to remedie it: it is high time therefore to let him speake for himselfe. For where calumnious accusations are so loud and vocall, it were more then pittie that iust Apologies should be dumbe and smothered. I hauehave therefore published it in his owne words, without the least alteration, and do commend it to Gods blessing and thy louing acceptation. Peruse it without passion, and then (I doubt not) thou wilt in iudgement acquit the Author, who for his integritie was generally and iustly reuerenced.
C. P.