A Dangerous Plot Discovered, Title page – Dedication
A DANGEROVS PLOT DISCOVERED.
BY A DISCOVRSE, Wherein is proved, That, Mr: RICHARD MOVNTAGVE, in his two Bookes; the one, called A new Gagg; the other, A iuſt Appeale: Laboureth to bring in the faith of Rome, and Arminius: vnderunder the name and pretence of the doctrine and faith of the Church of England.
A Worke very neceſſary for all them which hauehave received the truth of God in louelove, and deſire to eſcape errour.
The Reader ſhall finde:
1. A Catalogue of his erroneous poynts annexed to the Epiſtle to the Reader.
2. A demonſtration of the danger of them. cap. 21. num. 7. &c. pag. 178.
3. A liſt of the heads of all the Chapters contained in this Booke.
IEREM. 5. 31.
The Prophets prophecie lyes, what will you then doe in the end thereof?
The ſonne of the hand-maid, ſhall not▪ inherit with the ſonne of the free Woman.
LONDON, Printed for Nicholas Bourne, at the Exchange. 1626.
TO THE HIGH AND HONORABLE COVRT Of PARLIAMENT▪ The humble ſupplication of the Author.
WHereas, Mr Richard Mountague, hath written two Bookes, the one, called A new Gagge; the other, A iuſt Appeale: Which many eſteemed as dangerous vntounto our Church, and State. I eſteemed it my dutie, to reade them, and to ſatisfie my ſelfe in the poynt; whether they were ſo faultie, as was pretended or not. When I had read, and well conſidered of them; I could not but reſolue, that they were in deed dangerous vntounto our Church. For that he endevoured by them to change our faith, into the faith of Rome, and Arminius. Which deed I could not but deteſt: becauſe that faith of Rome, and Arminius, is falſe and erroneous: And vponupon that deteſtation, I became an humble ſuter vntounto the Lord God, to preſerue our faith in the puritie thereof, ſeing he is the Author of truth, and his eye-lids preſerue pure knowledge. Now, out of the ſame affection, I proſtrate my ſelfe & this Cauſe, before your reverend, honourable, and graue Iudgements, and high authoritie: with all ſubmiſſion, and fervent deſire; Craving
That you will 1. take this Cauſe into your conſideration.
2. Preſerue the faith of our Church in the puritie it hath had hitherto.
3. Endevour to prevent the corrupting of it in time to come.
I doe moſt willingly confeſſe, that I may ſeeme to ſome, to deſerue blame, in that I doe thus preſume, to offer my ſelfe, into your moſt honourable preſence, and Tribunall. Yea, I am ready to giuegive that judgement againſt my ſelfe, when I conſider the meanneſſe of my condition, and the poore talent which I offer vntounto you. But none of thoſe things could diſcourage me in this buſineſſe: when I conſider, 1. Your moſt honourable, and fatherly care, over this Church, and State, of which you are members; receiving with all readineſſe, and mildneſſe, the complaints; yea of the meaneſt ſuters. 2. Your ſervice herein, will be acceptable to God; for, by his Law, The Foxes muſt be taken, that eate vp the Vines, yea, it is an honour, beyond earthly honour, to doe it: for thereby a name is purchaſed, excelling humane titles: even the name, to be called Good ſervants, and faithfull vntounto the Lord God; and they are alſo admitted into their Maiſters ioy. Againe, this office is moſt ſeemly for your moſt high and honourable Court: becauſe, You are (therefore) called together, by his ſacred Maieſtie, our moſt gracious King: That things amiſſe might be redreſſed: And, the redreſſe of evils in the Church, and our faith, is of all other, moſt comely, and gracefull: for, thereby, the Word of God receiveth freer paſſage, and mens ſalvation is furthered. The doctrine of our Church, doth call for your protection againſt all intruders, (even of it ſelfe) though all men ſhould hold their peace: Becauſe, it deſerveth protection, in as much as it was penned, and compoſed, by moſt reverend, learned, and holy Authors, & Fathers of our Church. It is in it ſelfe, moſt agreeable vntounto the divine, and ſacred Revelation: yea, wanting nothing, any kind of wayes, of a ſafe, and fit expreſſion of, and direction vntounto, our Chriſtian faith: ſo as we may truly ſay, the Church of England is not inferiour therein, vntounto any Church in the Chriſtian world. Laſtly, This cauſe does indeed, in a ſpeciall ſort belong vntounto you, for you are poſſeſſed with it (in part) alreadie. This doctrine of our Church received the authoritie it hath, firſt, from that moſt high and honourable Court, whereof you are. By it alſo it hath bin preſerved in that ſtate, till this preſent time. Wherefore I reſt well aſſured, That you will not impute my boldneſſe vntounto me. Now, I might alledge ſome reaſons to moue you, to vndertake the worke: but I will not doe ſo. For that would be very vnſeemely and ill befitting: For what man (well adviſed) would light a ſmall and dimme candle, to further the light of the Sunne in his greateſt ſtrength? And this would be my caſe, if I ſhould moue you by reaſons: For you know more then I can write or ſpeake.
Who would put him forward, that is more ready to doe, then any can be to aske? And this is your caſe, experience doth witneſſe it: In whom we ſee not the ſpirit of Iehu, that was zealous for the Lord of Hoſts, but rather of the Lord of heaven and earth, who is ready to heare before we call vponupon him; yea, to call to vsus, when we are negligent to call vponupon him. And thus would you doe, if it were fit for your place and authoritie: ſo mindfull, willing, & ready are you in Gods ſervice, and the good of your Countrey. Wherfore I hauehave onelyonly this to ſay, Goe on—For the Lord is with you. We your Countrey-men, true lovers of our Church and State, are with you, to helpe you with our prayers vntounto God, to render thanks vntounto God, and our gracious & renowned Soveraigne: and to you, ſaying, in the words (once) ſpoken by King David; Bleſſed be God, and bleſſed be You. And to giuegive his ſacred Majeſty, and You, the honour due vntounto you; ſaying, Many of your Predeceſſors hauehave done well, but You ſurmount them all. Thus I commit You and your Labours, vntounto the protection and favour of the Almightie.
LONDON. This first of Iune. 1626.