To Princess Elizabeth, Letter 1
An Epiſtle ſent vntounto the Archb. of C. and D. Elmer then B. of London, choſen vmpires touching the D. that read againſt the Concent of Scripture, and the Author of that Concent.
MY duetie remembed to your Grace and Lordſhyp. It is knowen to all the Realme, with what vehemencie and care D.R. labored to proue, that a Concent of Scripture for certaintie of Chronicle coulde not be made. By reaſon of his former credite, he hath drawen many to deny that, which they alwayes helde: & to be againſt them ſelues, to countenance him, and to diſgrace mee. I thought ſmall skill might ſerue in an Apologie for all men: and was ſo bolde as to pronounce him more groſely deceyued, then euer I knew any man. And content coulde I hauehave been, to hauehave tryed by diſputation, or by printing: not minding to leaue off, vntil my booke to her Maieſtie (which he laboreth wholly to diſgrace) ſtandeth by open iudgement, or falleth to my continuall diſgrace, and laſt paynes in ſtudie. When he had long read to proue that Mardochai was not of Iechonias captiuitie, and had made many commende his cauſe (we both graunt that to ende our ſtrife) and they being called to reade the text, loathed their owne inconſtancie: Yet then this was tolde me, that ſome Oxforde men required anſwere of me. Therevpon I wrote to D. Robinſon, Prouoſt of the Q. Colledge, certaine Theſes, which might ende the cauſe: requeſting his alowance, or reiection: with this addition, that I thought it iniurious that Oxforde men ſhould require me to defende that, which they euer helde: vnleſſe they woulde proteſt, that eyther their mindes were altered, or that they were vnable: and of D. Reynoldes I wrote, that he was extremely culpable, in blaming me for differing frō him: where none euer was, nor wylbe of his iudgement; and by his owne wordes he is vtterly condemned. VponUpon this, D. Reynoldes commeth to London to me, ſhewing that he was willing to take any iudge: and both we agreed vponupon your Grace, & you my L. B. of London, that we might hauehave the cauſe fully ended, without partialitie to the credite of either, clearely to the glory of God, and brightnes of his trueth: That whether ſoeuer hereafter ſhould make any ſtir in the cauſe, he ſhoulde be openly culpable by all cenſures. My matter is opened in my Booke of Scripture Concent in Gabriels oration Dan. 9. in the Preface, and at the yeere of the worlde 3470. My accuſation is, that D. R. vniuſtly blamed that, as all particulars depending therevpon: which tende through the olde Teſtament, yea from Moſes to our Lord his aſcention. To all which courſes, I blame him as iniurious. Imoued him to ſende to your Grace and Lordſhip, the booke of his Lectures. I trow, reaſon wil moue him to do ſo much, yf he meane to defende him ſelfe. I hauehave ſent herewithall a briefe in Theſes and ſhort declarations, to giuegive an inſight to the matter: a copie whereof I coulde wiſh D. R. yf he would: as I would gladly giuegive him any thing for a Booke of his whole Lectures againſt mee. If theſe be not ſufficient, I am ready by Lecture, Diſputation, or Printing, to open any poynt hid in my cauſe. Thus requeſting your Graces and Lordſhips free report to her Maieſtie, and my L. Treaſurer, touching my Booke wherefore we ſtriue: after your conuenient leaſure: I humbly commende your Grace and Lordſhip to the ſpirite of trueth.
London. Nou. 4. 1591.