The Scholars Purgatory Discovered, Text (2 of 3)
I wil, as the Apostle counsells me, striue and coue… for the best guifts so farr as God shall enable me: but in what place soeuer I make vse of them (I thinke) I may be indifferēt. For, eueryevery good guift of God may be employed with aduantage in any vocation, one tyme or other. A common souldier haueing the experience of a commaunder, may by advising and directing his fellowes in familliarity, and by keep…ing his place with thē as a companion; fynd opportunity perhaps, to instruct them better in some military discipline, then the office of a Captayn will permitt. And soe fares it in the christian warfarr. Yea, euen I my selfe hauehave many tymes found occasion by meanes of my habite and outward fashion of life, to effect some good which I shoulde hardly hauehave brought to passe by a more strict profession. And as some cheerefull laborer, by carying stones & morter (by encouraging his fellowes, and giuing now and then a word of direction) may further the building of a house more then many others, and winn great commendation in that imployment; who would be rather a let (if not the ruin of it) if he should take vponupon him to lay the stones; So, I that hauehave as a cōmon labourer seriously and some way profitably endeuoured; presuming into the place of a master workman, may become lesse …eruiceable, and peraduenture a trouble to the busines which I thought to further.
Let it not therefore, I beseech you, be an imputation vntounto me, that I hauehave performed a better worke thē my calling seems to oblige me vntounto. For, though some hauehave taxed mee for medlinge with that which seemes more properly to belong to their profession; it is odds but they are other while as busie in some employments which would better hauehave beseemed a man of my quallity, then one of their cote; and therfore, let vsus excuse & forgiue one another. That which I hauehave done, when it was my owne; was subiect to any mans censure: but, nowe Authority hath consecrated it, and deliuered the same forth for publike vse; yt is noe more myne, but the worke of Authority which they depraue.
Let al my writings priuatly or publikly dispersed, be examined frō the first Epygrā that euer I cōposed, vntyll the publishing of these Hymnes now traduced by my aduersaries; and if there can be found out one lyne sauouring of such a mynde, as may giuegive cause to suspect I vndertooke that taske, without that true Christian ayme which I ought to hauehave had; or if the performance it selfe shall make it appeare that I proceeded without due preparation; or if you can hauehave any probable testimony that throughout the course of my lyfe, or by any one sāndalous act, I hauehave giuē that cause of offence as may disparage my studis, or trouble their deuotions to whose vse my Hymns are tendered; let those thinges be layde to my charge, vntyll I find meanes to disprooue or wash away such imputations. Sure I am, no man can attempt such a worke with a heart more desireous to be rectified, or more fearefull to offend by a negligent performance; and therefore if I wanted an outward calling thereunto, (which this Reuerent Assēbly may supply) yet I hope I had that inward calling which is beyond the power of any to conferr.
But, obserue the mallice of the Stationers; they are not content to smother my booke as much as may be, by denying to giuegive it vtterance according as the King hath commaunded, and as by their trade they ought to doe; or to disparage it, by striuing to make me seeme vnfitting or insufficient for a worke of that nature: but, to countenance their detractions, they pretend, as I sayde before, that the Lo: Archb: with other of your LLos: hauehave disliked my Hymnes, & that my Lo: of Canterbury would this Parlament take order to suppresse them. I cannot but wonder at the bouldnesse and impudence of these fellowes, that dare publish such improbable vntruthes, to the disparagement of honorable personages. For, many of your Reuerences hauehave receiued those Hymnes at my hands, and returned me that good respect, which hath been my encouragement; and I cannot thinke, any possessing those reuerent places, would hauehave so much forgotten humanity as to hauehave condemned my labors in such fashi… as those giuegive out. It cānot be thought, they censured them vponupon the Stationers reports; seeing that were an inexcusable leuity; and if they examined it, me thinks my paynes, my pyous intention, and the good vse which may be made of that booke, would hauehave mooued them to counsell me how to amend that which was found amisse, rather then to disparage my whole work, for a few ouersights.
Can I suppose they who should encourage men in their pyous studies, (and be glad to see that we are able in any measure to exercise our facultyes towardes the setting forth of Gods prayse) would be so harsh, to giuegive me hard censures for my paynes; because, forsooth, I hauehave not answered their expectations, in some one t…iuiall poynt? Sure, this were not that tendernesse which might be expected in the Fathers of the Church; nor do I beleue that any of your LL…s: would vse that seuerity towards me: for then, if I had no… better comfortes then such critescisme affords, those who w… their tyme altogether in idlenesse, and abuse their facultyes to vainest purposes, are in … …n I.
Now, that they hauehave abused my Lo: Grace of …, by … his dislike of my booke, (to the disparagement thereof) I shal make yt very apparent. For, his Grace tooke notise that my booke was perused and allowed by his Maiestie himselfe; and worthily approued his Royall iudgement both in Diuinity and Poetry, the Stationers beeing present: he was informed likewise, concerning eueryevery perticuler circumstance in the Grant, and how it was his Maiesties pleasure my booke should be anexed to the metricall Psalmes; and thereupon both illustrated the reasonablenesse thereof to the sayd stationers, and gaue them and me incouragment to proceed to composition touching the same: moreouer, the Canonical Hymnes haueing beene allowed by the Lo: Bp: of London (& part of them imprinted for an assay) I deliuered to my L: Archbs: own hands a coppy of them almost fowre yeare agoe; since when (about two yeares after) they, being imprinted altogether, passed without contradiction, euen to the diuvlging of a full impression: and lastly haueing an addition of spirituall Songes, for the obseruable tymes, they came forth altogether, authorised as well by the Kinges perticuler approbation, as by the common allowance appoynted by the State. Yea my Lo: of Canterbury himselfe, receiued one of those bookes from me vponupon Michelmas day last, and, giuing me order to alter one word only, hath permitted al the rest to hauehave free passage without controwle.
Is it likely then, that my Lord will soe iniure the Kinges iudgement and his owne, as to disparage in priuate, what they hauehave publikely allowed; or secretly combine with the stationers to oppose the Kinges royall commaund, in that which he himselfe, hath approoued reasonable? Is it likely his Grace would soe dishonor the reuerent Authority of his place, as to make the stationers or bookebinders his instruments of suppressing my booke, in such a scandalous fashion; consideringe what power hee hath giuen him, to take order and reforme in matters of that nature? or is it likely that his Lp: had soe litle compassion and respect, as not to consider what faultinesse might bee in my Hymnes, or what inconuenience might arise by my Graunt, vntyll I had bestowed (besides my paynes) so much cost in printing them, that he might at one blowe, make frustrate my studies, and quite ouerthrowe my estate both together? Whilst there was hope of a composition betweene me and the stationers▪ the Priueledg was no Greeuāce, neither was there any fault found with my Hymnes; and is it likly that since our disgreement, mallice and detraction should finde out those escapes, which the eye of Authority could not discouer? Is it likely my Lo: would …e soe partiall as to passe ouer all my paynes, and vnquestionable expressions without regard; & finding but one place doubtful, (as easie to bee amended as found fault withall) that he would hauehave sought to cast away my whole endeuour for that ouersighte which I was able and ready, with all humility to reforme? Or is it likly he reputed of so litle cōsequēce, what y• King was pleased to peruse & grāt a priueledg for; that neither his priuate deuotion, nor his publike care, would moue him to consider what good or inconuenience might succeede vponupon the publication thereof, vntill the stationers had for their owne endes awakened him? Or if it were considered; can I thinke he would hauehave beene silent vntill it might be obiected to my publike disgrace?
It cannot be, but that they hauehave abused my Lds: Grace and diuers other reuerend personages in their reports. For, such vsage of me were not answereable to y• reuerēce & pyety of their callings; & if religious endeuours should euer finde such encouragmentes; there were more hope of thrift (to the worldwarde) by makeing Ballades for the company of stationers, then coulde bee by composing of Hymns and spirituall Songes for the honor of God. I hope no man in authority enuies me the honor of my emploimēt▪ nor grudges mee that poore profite which my labors may honestly bring in. For, though it bee no… meane content to a christian, (whose soule is touched with the vnderstanding of spirituall comfortes) to bee an instrument of Gods glory; yet, that which I hauehave attempted, mak… me in regard of one of you, noe better then the meanest seruant attendinge on the outward ceremonies, is in comparison of him, that hath y• most holy mysteries of the Church committed to his dispensation. And as for the benefit likely to arise vntounto me frō that I hauehave done; I know not what it may proue hereafter, but hitherto I hauehave bene acquainted with nothing saue the priuation of it; and hauehave beene so preposterously rewarded for my best labors, that if all those whoe are thought to censure me, had mett with such discouragments as I hauehave done; it is tenn to one, but some of them now (florishing in eminent places) had sate as lowe as I doe at this day.
But, if it shall please my Lo: of Canterbury: to pardon them for abusing his name in the disparagement of my Hymnes; I shal also forgiue them. For, beeing warrantable in themselues, no mans Authority shalbe able to dishonor them: nor cann his eminence excuse them, if they be not iustifyable in their owne nature. I will therefore proceede to answere those two perticulers, which are principally obiected against my booke of Hymnes, by the Stationers, and their Abet…ers.
First; they impudently giuegive out, that the Song of Solomon is not fit to be expressed in Lyricke verse: and that my expression thereof, is in some places obscēe. Which, as I perswad my selfe, I shalbe able to disproue; & shew that (vpō due examinatiō) y• modesty of my Version, with the conueniency of publishing that Song shall appeare so euident, as will make them ashamed of their mallice and ignorance▪ who oppose it.
For, whatsoeuer I am in my outward appearance, I neither consulted with flesh and bloode nor with myne owne fancy. when I medled with that sacred Mistery: and therefore (seeing there bee those who doe not onelyonly cauill against the publycation of the Canticles in Lyticke Verse, but vnciuelly censure also, with what minde I was employed on that subiect) I could wish that, before they passe further in their iudgments vponupon that booke, or me; they would a little iudge themselues, & impartially examine their owne hearts, whether it be not spleene or enuy which hath moued them, to carp at my labours. If it had not beene soe, I should hauehave beene tymely and Christianly admonished, rather then so inhumanly traduced, as I hauehave been, where I was not to make answere for my selfe: yea, I hauing professed so much willingnesse to harken to instruction, some of them would hauehave thought me worthy the speaking vntounto in a matter of that consequence; and there would hauehave beene vsed such sweete mildenesse in the reproofe, with such respect of my labor and expences, and such care to hauehave preserued my credit and Christian patience in the remedy of my ouersight, as would hauehave witnessed from what good spirit it proceeded. And, thus I shall expect to be dealt withall, if: Authority shall please to call into question my Performances.
But, from my Traducers what good vsage can I expect, seeing they hauehave not spared God, but blasphemously termed the expressions of his holy spirit Obscene? For, this some of the most eminent of the stationers hauehave not blushed in publike to affirme, in the most immodest tearmes; whereupon many of the inferiors of their fraternity, doe (insteed of vsing my booke to that Christian vse for which it was published) cary the same about them purposly to disparage it. Yea, at their Tauerne tiplings, and in all companies whereinto they can thrust themselues, they seeke occasion to posses their hearers, that my book is vnworthy to be receiued among good people: And the place (which to their vnderstanding is so offensiue) is in the ninth Canticle, where I render, THE KNITTING OF THE THIGHES, what the Latyne translates, IVNCTVRAE FEMORVM. and our English Version, THE IOINTS of the Thighes.
I beseech you, what Obscenity is in that, more then in the holy Ghosts owne wordes? To the cleane all thinges are cleane. And I protest before God (at whose throne I shal be iudged for it, if I lye) I doe not remēber that I had one immodest thought (so much as cast into me) by meanes of any expression in that holy Song, during the tyme I was busied thereabout. But, with those cleane thoughtes, I contemplated the louelinesse of Gods workemanshipp, in the seuerall parts of the body; and there withall, soe temperately meditated those passions and passages, which are incident to an honest naturall affection; that, by contemplating those materiall obiectes, I raysed my vnderstanding to more then vsuall apprehensions of that vnspeakeable louelove, which is between the Diuine and human nature in generall; and betweene Iesus Christ and my owne soule in perticuler. And, as I hauehave been, more then ordinarily apprehensiue of the contentments & discontentments incident to a naturall louelove, (lymited within the boundes of Chastity) Soe; that heauenly Song, hitherto vndiscreetly neglected (and by the mallice of the Deuill iudged dangerous to be made common) taught me to be much the more affected with those kindnesses, & vnkindnesses, which I felt betwene God and my selfe. Yea, so was I mooued thereby, as it cann neither be exprest by me, nor conceiued by those, who hauehave irreuerent opinions of the meanes God hath prepared to beget those apprehensions in their soules.
Those that acquire their Diuinity, meerly by reading books, will perswade vsus, out of some few weake Authorityes, perhapps, that the Song of Solomon is not to be read of yong men; but by those onelyonly, in whom the carnal affections are quit mortified. which (the scope of the holyghost being well considered) is iust as if they should tell vsus, Fyre were to be made, rather with Ashes then with wood. But, he that hath gayned his humble knowledge, both by hearing the Church, & obseruing the power which Gods word hath showne vponupon him, in his own affections; is perswaded that heauenly Poeme was composed & preserued for the pyous vse of al men; & principally for yong louers, inflamed with a naturall louelove: that by their carnall affections they might ascend, & be made capeable of that which is spiritual. So, other Allegoryes, are chiefly intended to stirr vp those whoe are subiect to other Affections. For, litle would it preuaile with an olde man, whose heart is setled vponupon riches, and such like, to illustrat the pleasure he might receiue in his communion with God, by setting before him the mutual contentments enterchanged between two affectionat Louers; seeing those passages are vsually derided by the elder sort. And lesse would it moue that yong man who is delighted in beauty, and the perfections of his belooued, to expresse vntounto him the spirituall happinesse, by Tytles, Treasures, or the profites and pleasures of a vineyarde; which hee meanely regards.
I humbly desire your RRces, that my Christian labour in prepareing that Song for a more frequent vse, may not be made voyde, or become despised by those who speake euill of that they vnderstand not. The dispisednesse of my person and quallity, may at first appearance, easily drawe a rash censure vponupon my actions (before due consideration) as it hath often done: And their opinion who oppose the publication of the Canticles in Lyricke Verse, carryes such a formall showe of reuerence to that holy Poeme, and hath, at first sight, such a shaddowe of pyous respect (by reason of the spareing vse which the Church hath heretofore seemed to make of those Hymnes) that it may, at a blush, deceiue the vnderstandinges of good and learned men. But if they take leasure to examine the true state of ye Question, they wilbe able to satisfy both themselues and others, against that fruitleesst opinion; which being mayntayned will open passage agayn or their heresie, who deny vntounto the lay people the free vse of holy Scripture.
Those whoe please to obserue with good purpose my generall preface to that Song, and my Argumentes before each perticuler Canto, shall finde how necessary it is to bee presented to an vniuersall consideration; and perceiue whether I hauehave spiritually, or carnally meditated thereon, and whether I hauehave beene guided by the interpretations of the Catholike Church, or by myne owne fancy. If I hauehave any way …rred, I am hartily sory for yt, and (humbly desireing pardon) am ready to giuegive satisfaction, both by publik acknowledgment, of my ouersight, and in takeinge away, or reforming what is amisse. If I hauehave don wel; God forgiue them whose fleshly vnderstandinges hauehave abused my good intentions; and I wish them the spirite of true charitye, that they may beecome more capeable of that celestiall LoueLove Song. For, the sweete contentmentes which I tasted in contemplateinge the mysteryes therein contayned, were somwhat interrupted, through the care I had of them, whose ignorance, or wilfull blindnesse would depriue both themselues and others of those comfortes. And I pray God those that speake irreuerently of that Song, or hinder the publycation thereof (in such wise as may best rouze vp the spiritual affections) may repent thē selues thereof, least they come within danger of that curse those are lieable vntounto, whoe add, or take away from the booke of God. For, though some foolish Verse-haters (who are wise men in their owne opinions) hauehave vndiscreetly passed their censures against translating the Canonicall Hymnes into our English Numbers; I shall bee able not onelyonly to make proofe, vponupon good occasion, that they may be as truely converted into our meeter as into Prose; and that our English measures are capable of expressing them with as much power, and grauity; but to demonstrat also, that Verse was first inuented and vsed altogether in setting forth the prayses of God▪ and that those thinges which were originally penned in measured word…s▪ cannot be so properly nor so vsefully expressed in Prose, as in our Verse.
It would too much …nlarge this hasty discourse if I should deliuer heere all I could inferr to that purpose; or insist vponupon all the reasons which I could giuegive in defence of giuing way to the free vse of the Song of Solomon in our English meeter. But, vnderunder correction, and submitting my opiniōs▪ to your better Iudgmēts, I will in briefe, answere some of those reasons which I hauehave heard brought against the common vse thereof; that it may appeare I am not altogether without consideration, in what I hauehave done.
The principall causes obiected for restrayning of that Song, are three. First, least it should be abused by prophane or indis…reet people; Secondly, because the Iewish Rabbines hauehave restrayned it from their Laicty, as vnfit for the vulger; and lastly, by reason the Christian Church (as they thinke) hath neither by command nor by practise, warranted the same.
It is true, that the Canticles, may be, and are often abused, (yea and the rest of the holy scriptures) euen by those who by restrayning them, seeke to preuent their abuse, as well as by others. But God forbid, that such as would rightly apply them, should be depriued of their most comfortable vse, because sensuall men will turne that grace of God into wantonnesse. By that rule, the vse of most thinges should be taken away: for, many men abuse their liberty in that which is most lawfull: yea, the whole booke of holy scriptures should be sealed vp, because many hauehave heritically applyed them; seeing the same may be alleadged for denyinge the vse of both Testamentes, which is obiected for restrayning the Canticles.
The word of God looseth no worth, by any mans abusing of it; but he that abuseth the same, harmeth himselfe onelyonly, and them whose owne corruptions hauehave made that the sauour of death vntounto thē, which is lyfe in it owne nature: and whose power, if it bee hidden, is hidden to those onelyonly that perish. Seeinge we permitt the rest of Gods booke to be read of all without exception, and euen this songe in the Prose; why should it be more offensiue in the meeter? since Diuinity and the prayses of God, may be prooued (as I hauehave sayd before) to be the most auncient and most proper subiects of Verse. If I hauehave not exprest the meaning of the Originall soe truely, or soe grauely, as the prose hath don; let it be declared in what pertituler, and I cann amend the ouersight, as easily as it may be found. For, whatsoeuer sence is giuen mee in prose, I can as fully and as playnely expresse, againe in measured words. Yea, I doubt not, but I shall be able to iustifie that my Metricall Version of the Canticles, is as proper, as modest, and as perspicuous as most prose Translations; and that those who accuse it of Obscenity (haueing vncleane thoughtes themselues) doe rather accuse God then me, and blasphemously disparage the wisedome of the holy ghost. But, noe wonder: to the fylthy all thinges are filthy; euen the purity of God seemes vncleannes to them; and their preposterous discretion is ashamed of his prudence.
But, some obiect it is vnfitting that Mystery should be exposed to the viewe and perusall of children; and I say also that it is as vnseemely the childrens bread should be deuoured of doggs, or that pearles should be cast before swine Neuerthelesse these thinges do often fall out soe, without remedy: and pitty it were that bread should be kept altogether from the children, because they somtyme spoyle or play childishly with that, which shoulde feede and norrish them. The story of ye incest of that Lot, of Thamer, & diuers other passages in holy scripture, are more subiect to abuse then the Canticles; yet clildren are permitted to reade them, because we knowe not by what warrant wee may diuide them from the booke of God. The best course therefore, is to instruct them with what mynde to pervse them, or to prefixe such warnings before those places, as I set before my Versiō of Solomons song. For, there I hauehave adiured al Readers, vnderunder payne of Gods heauy indignation, to be wary with what mind and to what end, they shall make vse of those excellent Hymns: which I am perswaded, will be a meanes to make them lesse abused hereafter. The truth is, they cannot be more prophaned by children, then the whole Booke of God is by those that peruse it negligently; nor soe much as the most easie and most vsefull passages thereof, are, by those presumptious Libertynes, and scoffing Atheists, who make application of them accordinge to their owne humors. For, though an ignorant simplicity, makes children sometyme misunderstand such thinges as they read▪ or frutlesly passe them ouer, yet they doe not wilfully peruert them to wicked purposes; And therefore, God doth many times giuegive such a blessing euen to that which in their childhood they pervsed without vnderstanding, as that many tymes it is a meanes of bringing it the better into memory (to their great profit and comfort) in riper yeares.
No holy scripture, or canon of our Church, hath commaunded the keepeing of this, or that parte of Gods Booke, from publike vse: and therefore why should any dissallowe free passage to those Hymnes in their proper kinde? seeing noe man knoweth by what portion of his worde, the Diuine prouidence shall please to call his children vntounto a true vnderstanding of their duties? who can tell, but that which is restrayned, may be with held from such as woulde receiue needefull comfortes thereby, as well as from those whoe will▪ abuse it? One tyme or another, wee may be enlightened by what is for a season obscure vntounto vsus; and that sentence which was an occasion of stumbling, may be a meanes of rising againe to more strength being better vnderstood. Yea, (I perswade my selfe) it is lesse inconuenient, that a thousand carnal men should add to their confusion by the abuse of Gods grace, then that one of his children should want any comfort offered in his word.
Much more might be said to this purpose; euen so much, that (if the likelyhood of truth deceiue not) it would make eueryevery good christian fearefull to oppose the commendable vse of any part of Gods word vponupon those weake foundations which fleshlie policy hath laide: but this I hope will suffice in this place. And, as for those exceptions made against the kinde of Measure which I hauehave vsed, and some perticuler expressions; I perceiue they hauehave been flirted out, either in mallice to mee, or vponupon a superficiall viewe, without considering the circumstances, the proprieties of the Languages, Metaphors, or Allegories; and therefore I regard them not: Partlie seeing my Version hath had the approbation of better Iudgementes; and partlie, because I knowe it ordinarie among such as those, to cauell at our most approoued Translations.
Whereas some alleage that the Iewes permitted not the Song of Solomon to be read of the Vulger; what is that to vsus? They being heritikes we ought not to be ledd by their example. They were diuided among themselues, concerning that Songe; some receiuing it among the bookes called Hagiographa, and some reiecting it. And it may be, those whoe reconned it among the holy writings; restrayned the common vse thereof by reason of that scandall, those had giuen, who (accountinge it a prophane writinge) had foolishly applyed the same, to Solomon and Kinge Pharaohs daughter: Or else, because the depth of the Mystery made them vnable to accomodate it to the common capacity. Or it may be (which is most probable) they were moued to restrayne it throughe the mallice of the deuill; that after tymes following their example, the most excellent Mystery therin couched, might be the more obscured from vsus of later Tymes, vntounto whom the reuelation of it would much plainer appeare.
And, their negatiue is hard (if not impossible) to be prooued, who deny that Song to hauehave at any time beene vsed by the christian Congregation in the primatiue ages. For, they practised the singing of Psalms, and Hymnes, and spirituall Songes; and were at lest counselled (if not cōmanded) by Saint Paul thereto▪ Coll: 3. Why therfore, may we not thinke, that Solomons song was one of those which the church then sunge, seeing the holy ghost hath entituled it THE SONG OF SONGS? If it were then sunge, it is likely they sung it in those languages which were vnderstood. For, Saint Paul would sing, not with the spirit only, but with the vnderstanding also. And if yt may bee sunge by the congregation, in the vulger tongue, why not in Verse, the proper language of SONG (and the most moouinge way of expression)?
But, what necessity is there of examples; seeing in lawfull thinges, we may make presidentes, when we please, with good commendations? By what pulike example did we sing Dauids Psalms in English meeter, before the Raigne of King Edward the sixth? Or by what commaund of the Church do we sing them as they are nowe in vse? Verily, by none: but tyme and christian deuotion hauing first brought forth that practise (by the prouidence of God) and custome ripening it; long tolleratiō hath, in a manner, fully authorized the same. And, if our metricall translation of the Psalmes were rectified, and purged from those imperfections and escapes, which the first translators (worthy to be christianly excused) vnwillingly committed in that infancy of Reformation: There was neuer any one accidentall thing in the outward worshipe of God, more helpefull to deuotion (or more powerfully stirring up the affections towardes settinge forth his prayse) then the singinge of Psalmes, Hymnes, and spirituall songes, in such manner as the reformed Churches now vse yt.
I cannot beleeue therefore, but that the singing both of Dauids Psalms and of the song of Solomon was practised in all ages of the Church since Christ, as freely and as frequently, as the strictnes and blindnesse of the tymes would permyt; though not with soe full and in soe publike a Quire as at this present. But, what if the Canticles had not beene ordinarily sung in former tymes? can that prooue the vulger vse of them to be now vnlawfull or inconvenient, more then the vse of y• rest of holy scripture in our mother tongue; is proued inconuenient, because the blindnes of passed ages causeleslye restrayned it? May wee not iudge, it was rather through ignorance, and because they had them not prepared to be sung, as now they are? Or might it not be because the tyme was not then come in which a more publike vse thereof would be most necessary? For, the state of the mysticall body of Iesus Christ (from the creation to the last Iudgment) being expressed Allegorically in that song, with the seuerall appearances it had, and shall hauehave in the seuerall peryods of tyme, together with those admyrable louelove-passages enterchanged beetweene the diuine and human nature; we doubtles, whoe liue in the last Age of the world, (and hauing seene by long experience, and successe of thinges, much more of that propheticall song fulfilled, then those who went before vsus) may without disparagement to their knowledges, vnriddle some darke Aenigmas, heretofore not vnderstood. And the consumation of the LAMBES mariage being neere at hand, may the more properly, sing that Mariage song of his, to the glory of his name, and our owne spirituall comforts.
To that end I fitted the same vntounto our English Lyre, in measures becomming the nature of the subiect, in a playne and vnaffected Phrase: and (if those whoe vnderstand both the scripture Dialect, and the language of an English Muse may be my censurers) in words agreeable to ye meāing of ye holy Text. Yea, I hauehave so well as I was able (in so fewe lynes) opened also according to the Doctrine of the Catholicke Church, the Allegory of eueryevery perticuler Canticle, that God might be the more glorified, and the vnlearned both delighted and profited, in the repetition of those Hymns. And thus much I hauehave deliuered concerning what hath bene obiected touching the song of Solomon; not presuming to leade your opinions towards myne owne endes; but to declare with what know edge and conscience I hauehave proceeded therin. And as this testifies I had some vnderstanding of that I went about; so to giuegive testimony also, how farr I am from being wilfull, in my owne opinions, I doe in all humility submit my selfe to be rectified by your RRces, in whatsoeuer I hauehave done or spoken: which (though offence had beene giuen; will, I hope▪ make me somwhat more excusable, then my aduersaryes pretend. Howsoeuer; I cannot dispayre. For yf those ouersightes which I hauehave vnwillingly committed in that performance, doe bring on me those outward troubles which shall frustrate some of my temporall hopes; yet I am confident, that those christian affections which Gods mercy hath made acceptable in me, shall produce those inward comfortes which will vphould my faith, tyll my contentments are made perfect: and therfore his will be done.
I come now to speake of that imputatiō by which the stationers and their Abetters hauehave don my book and me the greatest iniury: and that is in pretending my Hymnes for the Obseruable tymes, to be furtherances to Popery and superstition. When they cannot bring men to dislyke me and that labor of myne, by disparaging the vsefullnesse thereof; they obiect against the manner or method: when that wil not serue turne, they except against my calling: when that wil not preuaile, they impudently accuse it of obscenity: when that effects not their purpose, they gyue out that it is inclyning to Popery: & when none of these courses will aduantage them, they rayle, and send him that enquires for the booke, to goe and seeke yt where he cann. But, the best of their stratagems hath beene by accusing yt of fauouring superstition. For, it hath not onelyonly made many hundreds (whoe knowe not yet what the Booke treates of) to forbeare the buyeng and perusing of it; but hath giuen them occasion also, to passe their censures on me in so vnchristian a manner, as if I were an Apostate that had fallen from my Religyon; or sought the subuertion of yt, for my outward profitt. Wheresoeuer I come, one gyddy brayne or another, offers to fall into disputation with me about my Hymnes. Yea; Brockers, and Costermongers, and Tapsters, and Pedlers, and Sempsters, and Fydlers, and Feltmakers, and all the Brotherhoods of Amsterdam, hauehave scoffingly passed sentence vponupon me in their conuenticles, at taphouses and Tauernes. So that, insteed of diuvlging my booke that (according to the Kings intēt) yt might further y• reverence & práctise of deuotion, and confirme in his Maiestyes subiectes, obedience to the pyous discipline of our Church; some of the stationers hauehave by traducing it, giuen ignorant people occasion to speake the more in contempt of those Ordinances which they ought reuerently to obey.
If these presumptions shall be suffered without rebuke, neither the Authority of the Church or State will shortly take place, but that onelyonly vvhichwhich makes for the profitt or humor of the Stationers▪ For, some of them dare already tell me to my face, that if the King had not peremptorely commāded the addition of my Hymns to the metricall Psalmbooke, they would hauehave the sooner anexed thē; but by compulsion they will not. And for that cause, one of them (as hee himselfe affirmed) hath sold of those bookes, 500 lesse then hee might hauehave done, in one quarter of a yeare. What is this but to professe wilfull disobedience in contempt of his Majestie & his pious Iniunctio? as if he had not powre to command the publication of a few leaues to the glory of God, without crauing their fauors?
For, though it might be objected that I petitioned the sayd Hymnes might be added to the metricall Psalmes out of a priuate respect, as doubting or foreseeing that the Stationers and others vvould feeke the suppressing of them, if they vvere not compoūded withall to their owne liking. Yet the Kings Maiesty had no such ende; but inioyned the same meerely to this christian purpose, that those Hymnes might be the more conueniently dispersed throughout his Dominions, for the edifying and instructing of his Loyall subiectes: perswading himselfe, that those who hauehave enioyed so many greate Priuiledges by his gratious fauour, would neuer hauehave opposed that authority by which they fub sist, and by vertue wherof they receiue benefit of such Grants as are both of the same & of a higher nature: especially seeing it is probable that none of his louing subjectes, worthy the name of a Christiâ, would hauehave grudged to enlarge his booke the quantity of a fewe leaues (at the ordinary rate) to so pyous an ende as those Hymnes tend vntounto; considering how many poundes are yearly consumed in triuiall Pamphlets and other vayne expences
But why should I onelyonly, complayne against the Stationers, & the inciuillity of those whom they hauehave stirred vp to clamor against the Hymnes for the solemne Dayes, as if I alone suffred in this vproare? Do not your RRces perceaue, that the kings Iudgement & Authority suffers by it? Nay perceaue you not, that while they seeme to aime at me they strike at you, and seeke to ouerthrow or disparage the allowed Discipline of our Church? Verily, that is the white which they seeme to shoote at. And there is not one of them, but if he dare stand to his Objections before this reuerend Assembly, I dare vndertake to prooue him to be little better then a Schismatick in his opinions, & an enimie to the govermēt established in the Church of England. If vpō the review of my Hymnes there may be found either in them, or in their Prefaces, any thing repugnant to the Catholike Verity, or the allowed Discipline, I will recant it, make publike acknowledgment of my error, and vndergoe what punishment shalbe thought deserued. For I had rather be irrecouerably vndon both in my credit & estate, then to be an occasion of preiudice, or scandall to the Church of God. Nay let all my labors be made frustrate and my person be deliuered ouer to be subject to the tyrany of the Stationers, if my Hymnes doe not euidently appeare, vponupon serious viewe, to be instrumēts of Gods glory; helpfull to deuotion; tending to Christian Conformity, and likely to be a meanes of deliuering our Solemnities from being so much traduced and misvnderstood, for reliques of Popery, as heretofore.
I am thus confident thereof, by reason of that blessing which God hath already giuen: For, notwithstanding that great opposition of the Stationers hitherto made, and those vilde imputations which they hauehave layd on my Booke, Many hauehave confessed vntounto me that my Hymnes for the Obseruable Tymes and their Prefaces, hauehave made them more reverently affected towards that Discipline then formerly they were; And hauehave professed, that yt shall for euer hereafter, teach them to be more conscionable in condemning and sleighting the obseruatiō of that which is established in our Church: Yea, some Divines hauehave modestly acknowledged, that they did not so well consider the piety and vsefulnes of those observations as they hauehave since done.
If I were so greedy of temporall aduantages as the Stationers iudge me; or yf I had meereley proiected my own profit in the course of my studies, without making conscience of Religion: I hauehave had many, more easy and more thriuing waies, offred me then the world is a ware of; and needed not to hauehave exprest my selfe in such manner as I hauehave done in my Hymnes (which I was certaine, before I published them would neuer purchase me good opinion from Papist or Schifmatick:) For (beside other waies of these times which I hauehave despised) I hauehave been offred a larger yearely stipend, and more respective entertaynments, to employ my selfe insetting forth hereticall fancies, then I hauehave yet probabilitey to hope for, by professing the Trueth. Yea, I hauehave been wooed to the professiō of theire wilde & ill grounded opinions, by the Sectaries of so many seuerall seperatiōs, that had I listed (or rather, yf God had not been the more mercyfull vntounto me) I might hauehave been Lieutenant, if not Captaine, of some new Band of such Volunteers, long ere this tyme.
But I thanke God, neyther the swelling impostumations of vaineglory, nor the ytchings of singularity; nor the ticklings of selfe louelove, nor the convulsions of Enuy, nor the inflamations of Reuenge, nor the hunger and thirst of Gold, were euer yet so preuayling ouer me, as to mooue me to the prosecution of any thinge against my conscience; especially, if yt seemed any vvay repugnant to Religiō, or the authority of the Church. Nay, those things which I might iustly and lavvfully hauehave done to my great advantage, and without reproofe, I hauehave volūtarily forborne (euen almost to the ruine of my estate) for no other end; but because I feared least the malice of my Adversaries should misinterpret my dooings, eyther to the scandall of Authority, to the offence of ignorant people, or to the troubling of their devotions, vvho are ignorant of the reasonablenesse, and true purpose of my actions.
I therefore beseech your Reuerences, that my Hymnes for the Observable times may be re-examined whether they be not in eueryevery circumstāce agreable to the holy Scriptures and discipline of our Church: And if there be any passage or expression found among them, scandalously faulty, let it not onelyonly be corrected according to the Truth: but let me be commanded also, to make publike acknowledgement of my ouersights: And if Authority thinke it expedient, vndergoe some penalty for my default. But if on the contrary (as I hope it will euidently appeare) those Hymnes and their Prefaces shallbe approoued much tending to the edification of the people, and helpefull to encrease true deuotion and Christian obedience, by explaning the pious and commendable vse of those Ecclesiasticall constitutions, which many people hauehave ignorantly judged vnprofitable, If they shall be found consonant to the Diuine word and conformable to the Cannons and Ordinances of our Church: If they hauehave been lawfully allowed of by those in Authority, and may appeare to aduance the practise of Piety to Gods honour, and to maintaine those Rites only, which were agreed vponupon, and established by our Parliaments, Prouinciall Synodes, Nationall Counsels, and the Authority of the State And yf, moreouer, those who scandalize & oppose the sayd Hymns, may be probably suspected (yf not prooued) to hauehave eyther priuate malice and designes in their opposition, or to be some of those who are trou blesome and ill affected to the gouernment of our Church: Thē let their vnchristian behauiours towards Authoritey, and their vncivell daeling with me, be accordingly considered on.
If those Observatiōs which our Church commandeth were as vnprofitable or superstitions, as some of that ignorant Rable seeme to conceaue: Yet I hauing followed the steps of Authority, & prepared meanes to make those Obseruations the more edifying for the common people, methinks I might hope for better things, then to be abused for my labour and expenses. But seeing the Church hath by those obseruations, wisely and pyously, so distributed the commemoration of the principall mysteries of Religeon, that they may be once throughout eueryevery yeare presented to publike consideration; since the temporall blessings of eueryevery season are therby the better & the oftner tendred to our thankfull Remembrances, as well as those eternall Priueledges which we receaue by the Incarnation, Natiuitie, Passion, Resurrection, and Ascention of our hlessed Redeemer, and the perticuler misteries of his holy-Saintes and Angells: And since I hauehave by Gods assistance found out, & by Authoritie divulged those helpes vvhereby the Churches pious intent in those Ordinances, may be the more vulgerly vnderstood & practised, both to her honour and the glory of God; vvhy should not I be defēded, against the malitious & irreligeous combinations and practises of my Aduersaris? Nay, why am I rather giuen vp into their powre, to be traduced & abused for that, which in the opinion of all good men, ought to hauehave procured me more esteeme?
So farr am I from insinuating any popish Superstitiō among the people, that I hauehave vindicated all our Solemnities f…om those imputatiōs which ignorant men hauehave that way, cast vponupon them; by setting downe their primatiue vse, freed frō the Corruption of the later Ages: and in such manner as they are obserued by the Church of England, who imposeth them, not as essentially pertaining to Religeon, but as accidentally helpefull towarde the performance of those exercises which are necessary to saluation. For, whosoeuer can propose to himselfe any other warrantable meanes, which in his judgement may be more profitable to his perticuler disposition, to stir him vp, and continue him in the practise of his Christian duties: He may (as I beleeue) freely make vse of them, and with good commeodation; prouided▪ he neyther tye the Generality to his private Rules, nor presnmptuously neglect or contemne the alowed Church discipline, to the dishonor of Authority, and the offence of his vveake Brethren. Because (in my vnderstanding) humane Traditions & obseruations discreetly established in the Church, do (in our highway to Heaven) resemble those markes which charitable and skilfull Seam…n hauehave anciently sett vp to discouer dangerous passages, and a safe Channell to vnskilfull Mariners. If any man suppose himselfe so good a Pilot, that by his industry and continuall sounding▪ he can bring his Barke to a safe Roade, without heeding the common obseruations: Or yf his Vessell dravv so little water that by sayling ouer those Barrs (vponupon which others most commonly strike) he can finde a neerer course into the Harbour; hee may steere by his owne Compasse. But, if he shall therevpō deface those auncient Beacons, which meaner Artsmen hauehave neede of, or seeke to make contemptible those helpes which he himselfe was (yt may be) directed and preserued by in his tymes of lesse experience, vvee may justly taxe him of sacriledge and impiety.
And the same taxation are they worthy of, who in their pilgrimage to the spirituall Canaan dispise and seeke to abolish those generall furtherances, which theire vviser Forefathers had prouided, because they hauehave in their owne imagination) found out some discipline fitter for their particuler inclinations. Let them vse vvhat Christian aduantage they can in their priuate practise of pietie; but let them not measure the Church by their cubite, nor judge the profitablenes of her Discipline by the abuses or misinterpretatiōs of ignorāt Detractors. For, if those who fancie most perfection in their priuate rule of life, had at first wanted those helpes, remembrances, and publique meanes of instructiō, which were tendred them by the Church; they had eyther wandred, perhaps, after vncertaine pathes, or neglected to proceed at all in their Spirituall Iourney.
Our holy Mother the Church, hath many Children of diuers tempers and constitutions, and as the Maister of a great Feast prouideth so, that eueryevery Guest may finde some what to agree with his appetite; So Gods Church hath established such discipline for her childrē, that eueryevery one may finde that which accordes vvith their capacities and inclinations. As, therefore, it were madnesse, for a Guest to rayle at his friēds Bāquet, because he saw there many moe varieries thē he listed to seed on; or some wholesome meates, which his stomack loathed through his owne default: And as it were barbarous inhumanity in him that had learned the way through an obscure Desert, by heapes of stone raised by his Predecessours, to pull downe those marks because he imagins that he hath foūd a passage vvithout them. So, it is monstrous impiety in them who seeke either to take away or make contemptible, those Chaistian helpes whereby others may be assisted, & by which they themselues were at first initiated; because forsooth they finde a distast through their owne distemper, or a possibillity of doeing well without them▪ through their owne ouerweening cōceit: And it is the greate mercy of God, if their presumption carry them not into the gyddy and vncertayne pathes of perdition.
I wish hartily that those weake members of our Church, who are ignorantly offended at her Disciplines (because they knowe not the Christian vse of them) would with more sincerity, take those things into their consideration, & weigh how farr our Solemnityes are from that superstitiō wherof their blinde guides accuse them; how differēt from popish Obseruations, & how greate an offence it is to scandalize that Authority whereunto they ought to be obediēt in eueryevery thing, not repugning the sacred word. And if they be not hardned in their malice) I would those Stationers also, who by falsly accusing my Hymnes of blasphemy and superstition (hauehave drawne many of that censorious generation, to help them clamor against what they hauehave not yet perused) would make more consciēce of their actions, & not worke vponupon the credulity of their customers, to the generall disparagmēt of that booke vvhichwhich they ought rather to hauehave aduanced.
But I feare I vvish an impossibility on the Stationers behalfe. For, they hauehave so long, & so vnciuelly, resisted those Himnes vvhichwhich hauehave been published for helpes to deuotion; that it may be doubted they will be now ashamed to speake well of them, how profitable soeuer they be approued▪ Nor will yt be much materiall (I thinke) ere long, whether those who hauehave been my Detractors, praise or discommend. For, I am persvvaded they will make their dispositions so well knowne after a while, that no man of vnderstanding wil regard vvhat they speake.
As yet, their true qualitey is not fully discouered; & therefore yf any should happen to ouer-heare them at their Goose-nest behind Saint Nicholas Shambles; Or vvhen a knot of them hath gotten a Cuntrey-Chapman, Citty-Customer, or nevv flovvne Academick, to some Drincking-schoole, vvithin the compasse of their verge; yt vvould deceaue a common iudgement to obserue vvhat grauitey, zeale, and learning, some of them vvill consume in rayling vponupon my Hymnes. One, as if he had been Register, or Liberary-keeper to all the primitiue Churches, vndertakes to tell his Auditory, that no such thing had been published in the first 300 yeares after Christ: As if that had bene to any purpose. A second, out of his deepe vnderstanding in such language, dares pronounce some of my expressions obsceane. A third, by conuersing with the Titles of Bookes only (for their insides he vvas neuer acquainted vvithall) is become so learned that he …yndes himselfe impudent enough to accuse me of blasphemy. A fourth (iustly suspecting that his owne opinion will add no credit to his foolish invectiues) belyes some Reuerend customer of his. or brings the Authority of some of those Worshipfull censurers, vvho vponupon the Stationers bare credite, vse to condemne Bookes before they reade them. Yea, so shamefully will some of them aver & obiect, whatsoeuer they can imagine vvill disparage my Labour; and vvith such counterfeite shewes of pittying me, and making a Religions conscience of their words, that such as know neyther of vsus, vvould thinke them the very quintessēce of Sincerity, and me some irreligious Scribler, vvho cared not vvhat I published for mine ovvne aduantage.
But, that whereby they hope to work me farthest out of good opinion, is my Hymne for Saint Georges day. Yea, the bare obiecting of that, hath made many (who passe for wiser men then they prooue) to condemne the same before tryall. And (as if that Hymne could hauehave beene to no purpose but to mainetaine a Popish and superstitious obseruation) they rashly make yt an occasion of miscōstering all the rest; and so malitiously vilify my honoring the solēnity of that day with a Hymne, as yf they had been of that Dragons confederacie, for whose ouerthrow yt praiseth God.
I knovv no cause there is giuen of such dislike. For, I hauehave ascribed no Diuine honor to any creature in that Hymne, nor appropriated it to that Martyr ignorātly reputed the tutelary saint of this Kingdome, and by some heretofore superstitiously inuoked in warlike incounters; Nor hauehave I sorted the Festiuall of Saint George among the solemnities appointed by the Church, but mentioned the same as an Obseruatiō set apart by the State onelyonly; as are the first dayes of Kings raignes. And though my Hymne prepared for that Solemnitey▪ is numbred among the Hymnes of the congregation, because it is composed as personating many: Neuerthelesse, euen that & all the rest, were by me intē ded for paterns to assist or direct priuate deuotiōs▪ rather then to be imposed for sett formes which I thought worthy to be vsed in our publike Assemblies.
Were the obseruation of Saint Georges feast, as popish an limpertinēt, as some of my traducers ignorantly and irreuerently conceiue: yet since I neither inuented it nor hauehave power to abolish the same, why should I be blamed, for shewing vvith what meditations it may be the more appleyd to Gods glory, and redound to the greater honor and edification of those vvho are attendants on that solemnity? Seeing that place of Saint Paul which counselleth that vve should direct all our Actions to the glory of God, may be my warrant for so do… ing, without wresting the meaning of the Text.
For, that Hymne together (with a Preface shewing the true vse thereof, & whome we vnderstood by Saint George) I inserted among the rest, for those purposes. First, to giuegive men occasion of spirituall meditations in their ciuill Tryumphs, & to remēber thē to honor God in those Solemnities, wherein he hath honored thē, with place & Title aboue others. Secōdly, that the order of Saint George, being one of the most honorable orders of christiā knighthood throughout the world; Instituted to the prayse of God, & (as I take it) our highest Title of honour, might hauehave more high esteeme then among some it findeth. And lastly, that such whoe are apte to misdeeme of those thinges whose Reasons and true purposes they know not, might be more sparing in their censures, and not conceiue (as many ignorantly doe) that our State acknowledgeth any other Patron, then that champyon of the holy catholike church, by whome the great Dragon and his Angels were ouercome.
Euen those were my christian intentions in publishing that Hymne amōg the rest; which I offer to be censured by your RRces, whether there be iust occasion of scandall giuen thereby to others, or of any such reprooses as my Traducers hauehave bestowed on me. If it be so; let that Hymne bedivorced from the rest in all future impressions. But yf it be otherwise, and that in your opinions it tē deth rather to Gods glory, and the honour of the State; I doubt not but God and that Noble order, (of whose Solemnities I hauehave declared the right vse) will deliuer me from that many-headed monster, which hath Dragon like persecuted the honorer and interpreter of their mistery.
But, Saint George being receaued for a Martyr, and the order called after that Name, being at first founded vponupon a very meane occasion; some are of opinion that there was neyther any such Allegory vnderstood, or to be vnderstood, in the story of Saint George, as I hauehave affirmed, nor any thing directly intended to the glory of God in the so lemnization of that day: And vponupon this false ground, they improperley conclude, that I hauehave neyther warrant for shaddowing the true Cham pion of the Church vnderunder that Name, nor ground for applying that solemnity to so Christian a pur pose.
That there was George a Martyr wee may be leeue, but that euer he slewe a Dragon & delivered a Lady (as the vulger story of saint George relates the same) there is noe probable testimonie: Therefore yt hath bene generally vnderstood as an Allegoricall expression of the churches deliuerāce from the powre of Sathan. And that the Title of saint George may bee allegorically imposed vponupon our spirituall Patron without iust exception, I hauehave declared in my preface before the Hymne of saint George his Day, by an argument drawne from the greater. For, the Father being by the Aevangelist called foreign, that person, doubtles, vvho is inferior touching the māhood may in some respects, be called by the same Name without irreuerence. Or if this be not sufficient, it may be inferred also by an argument from the lesse. For, if Iesus Christ be termed a Lambe, a Lyō, or by the Nams of creatures inferior to those, as a Doue, a Way, a Vine, &c, sure vve may then, vvithout exception, entitle him foreign, and giuegive him such attributes or appellations, as are proper to creatures of a higher nature; if they may with any warrant of the holy Text, serue to expresse him the better to our apprehensions.
Soe ignorantly deuoute were those tymes in which the Order of Saint George vvas first instituted, that it may be some mistook our Patrō. Yet none can peremptorily affirm that it was any created Saint whom our Fore fathers first chose to bee the Gardian of this Kingdome, & honored by the Name of Saint George, much lesse can they affirme that it vvas George the Martyr. For, if they had aymed at a creature for their Patron, it is likely they would hauehave chosen one of the blessed Patriarcks or Apostles, as Scotland, Spaine, & other Nations did; or one of their owne contry Saints, as in Ireland and France; and not hauehave committed themselues to a stranger-saint who, perhaps, neuer heard of this Realme; and of whose being, or holynesse they hauehave no certainty. Otherwise they were either much distrest for a Sainte, or very indifferent to whose patronage they committed themselues.
Our predicessors desiring a tutelary Saint for this kingdome, according to the superstition of their neighboring Cuntrys (as the Children of Israel longed for a King after the manner of other Nations) It may be, that it pleased God, (prouiding better then they themselves desired) to mooue them to make choyce of a Name, long since attributed to God himselfe; which being considered according to that allegoricall story aunciently ascribed therevnto (& vsually interpreted to meane the Champion of the Churcb) could not certainely be applyed to the person of any inferior Saint. And so, they honored in their solemnity the true Deitie, though it were, perhapps, (till the light of the gospell begann to shine clearer) as ignorantly as the Athenians did, when they sacrifized therevnto, vponupon that Alter which they inscribed, TO THE VNKNOWNE GOD. For the vulger history of Saint George, is in the litterall sence so improbable, so hyperboicall, & so voyd of testimony: And in the Allegoricall sence so proper; so auntiently receaued, So aluding to the Victory of Saint Michael; & that name of George, aunciently made the patron of soe many Christian Cuntryes, & Honorable Orders of kingthood, that I am perswaded it siginfied no lesse person then he that is said to make warr with the Dragon in the Revelation of Saint Iohn. But (whomsoeuer former Ages vnderstood by St. George) the Soueraignes of that Order who were since the Reformation of Religeon (& who by the lawes of that fellovvship are to resolue all doubtfull questions concerning their Order) hauehave long since (as I am informed) declared that by Saint George they vnderstand no other Patron then he to whose praise I hauehave directed my Hymne.
Yet some will not allow the Solēnities of that day to be esteemed so reverend, nor the Order of St. George to be so Christian an Institution as I account it, by reason of that occasion wherevpō it is said to hauehave bene first inuēted. As if the almighty prouidēce did neuer turne mens vaine purposes, to become beyond their ovvne meaning the occasion of that which is of great cōsequence. Yes verely. When Pharohs daughter vvent to fetch but an idle vvalke, shee brought home Moses the Deliuerer of his Brethren: vvhen Saul went to seeke Asses, he found a Kingdome; & whē Agrippa heard St. Paul out of curiosity only, he vvas made almost a Christian. So, the first founder of that Honorable Order, did intend a vvhile (it may be) to erect some Title of honor sutable to his first apprehension. But considering better thereupon, & aduising vvith his graue Counsell hovv to establish that vvhichwhich might redound most to his honor; he raised his purposes farr aboue the first designe, & instituted a new Brotherhood of Christiā Knights; which he & his Nobles entred into, & recōmēded to posterity, to be professed & cōtinued to the praise of God almighty; the honor of the holy Church militāt; & the encrease & confirmatiō of brotherly louelove amōg his Peeres: As their Records (& the Divine exercices vsed in the Church belonging to their order) do apparantly shew. Yea, they voluntarily oblige themselues to the obseruation of so many pious Ordinances & Resolutions (vvhichwhich are the conditions of their Order) that it testifies much piety in the first Founders, occasioneth much vertuous emulatiō in the princely Brotherhood, & is for these Reasons become so renouned, that it hath bene desired & receaued, by the greatest Kings & Princes of Christēdome, as one of the most Christean, & most honorable Orders of Kinghthood in the vvorld.
And to shew that those things which are worthy on thēselues are not thought any whitt disparaged among wisemen (because they hauehave sprung from meane occasion) the Soueraigne & fellowshipp of this excellēt Brotherhood (knowing it no shame to retaine the remebrāce of that which first occasioned this institution) hauehave called themselues Knights of S. Georg & of the Garter. Yet as if they foresaw alsoe, that some foolish or malitious detractors would from thence take aduātage, to endeauor how they might disparage, their honorable Fraternitey, they hauehave for their Impreza these words imbroydered vponupon a litle Belt or Garter; HONI SOIT QVI MALY PENSE, which they weare as in reproofe & contempt, of all evill & sinister imaginations.
I am sorry there should hauehave bene any necessity of speaking thus much, in defence of that which is so apparantly commendable; but, since the malice & ignorance of some hath giuen the occasion, I hope, neither the Kings Majestie the Soueraigne of that most Honorable Order here mētioned, nor any member thereof will take it amise, that out of my zeal to their honor I hauehave spoken according to my simple vnderstanding in a matter of such consequence. For, while it is permitted, that divine Mysteryes & those things which concerne euen to the honor of God Almighty, may be defended by the meanest of his servants, when his adversaries hauehave made them disputable; I trust it shalbe excusable for me, to exprese my good opinion of this Mystery of State (which by some is not so rightly conceaued of as in my Iudgmēt it ought to be) especially seeing we hauehave had oftē experience that truth & honorable Actions, become the more confirmed & the more glorious, by being drawne into question.
I hauehave now delieuered vntounto your RRces the reason of those things for which I & my Booke of Hymnes hauehave bene abused & miscensured by the Stationers▪ & their Confederates; humbly desiring your Fatherhoods, that if you perceaue any good in what I hauehave said or done, or any hope of makeing me such a one as I desire to approoue my selfe, that you would be pleased to giuegive your approbation to that which is well; & instruct me wherein I might be made better. If not for my sake, yet for that truthes sake which you your selues professe, & for the honor of that devotion which (for ought you knowe) I hauehave truly sought to advance let not faulse imputations or the scandalls of the malitious (which euen the best men were euer subject vntounto) preiudice that among you, which I hauehave offred vp vntounto God; or loose me any of your good opineons, vntill you shall see more apparant cause to condemne me. For, since God hath bene so mercifull vntounto me, to couer all my transgressions in such manner that none cann iustly accuse me of any scandalous matter, in all my life tyme why should men be so cruell, as to seeke my disparagment by my best endeavor?
Let not my youth (or the want of that calling which I dare not vsurpe) make me or my labors the more contemptable to your Wisdomes; nor let the vniust Rumors which the Deceaver hath provoked my traducers to divulge, make those meditations seeme vnhallowed, which I hauehave prepared for the honor of God. For, if the Devil had not perceaued them somewhat tending to the Almighties praise, doubtles, he & his Instruments would hauehave suffred them to passe as quietly, as those vaine inventions do, which he inspires; & yt would hauehave bene no more disparagment to me, to hauehave bene thought subject to some imperfections, then it is to other men; nor had my Life, my lines, my habit, my vvords, & my very thoughts bene pried into & censured, as they hauehave bene: Which (liuing were I doe, so much knowne as I am, and the vvorld being so malitious as it is) might giuegive occasion to discouer some spotts in a fayrer garment then mine.
I protest before the searcher of all hearts, that I am not carefull to make this Apology, or to beseech your good opiniō, so much to preserue mine owne personall esteeme, as to prouide that virtue and deuotion might not be hindred or scandalized through me or my deprauers. Yet am I neither insensible of my temporall repute, nor so desirous of maintaining it, as if I should droupe without it; or thought the honor of good studyes might not be preserued without mine. For, I know truth shall prevaile though I perish; and to the praise of God (& out of my confidence in his louelove) be it spoken, I am perswaded, for mine owne part, that all the world shall not hauehave powre to turne me out of that course, which he hath set me into: but rather, make me relish my happinesse the better by their disturbance, & enable me in due time to despise, most perfectly those vaine applauses & encouragments, whereby my weakenesse doth, as yet, require to be otherwhile supported. And, it may be those who shall liue in the next Age (howeuer I am now thought of) will wonder how the Deuill could find out a Company shameles enough to oppose and dispaurage me in soe vnchristian a manner, as my Adversaries do.