Concerning the Right Use of the Fathers in Controversies, Foreword
The Teſtimonies of the Lord Faulkland, Lord Digby, Doctor Taylor, Doctor Rivet, concerning this learned Book.
Reader,
THE Tranſlation of this Tract hath been oft attempted, and oftner de…ed by many Noble Perſonages of this and other Nations: among others by Sir Lucius Cary, late Lord Viſcount Faulkland, who with his dear Friend Mr. Chillingworth made very much uſe of it in all their Writings againſt the Romaniſts. But the Papers of that learned Nobleman, wherein this Tranſlation was half finiſht, were long ſince involved in the common loſs. Thoſe few which have eſcaped it and the preſs, make a very honourable mention of this Monſieur, whoſe acquaintance the ſaid Lord was wont to ſay was worth a Voyage to Paris. Pag. 202. of his Reply he hath theſe words, This obſervation of mine hath been confirmed by conſideration of what hath been ſo temperately, learnedly, and judiciouſly written by Monſieur Daille, our Proteſtan-Perron. And what the ſame Lord in a Treatiſe, which will ſhortly be publiſht ſaith concerning the Popiſh Perron, viz. Him I can ſcarce ever laudare in one ſenſe, that is quote, but I muſt laudare in the other, that is praiſe, who hath helpt the Church to all the advantages which wit, learning, induſtry, judgment, and eloquence could add unto her, is as true of this our Proteſtant. I ſhall add but one Lords Teſtimony more, viz. the Lord George Digbies in his late Letters concerning Religion in theſe words, p. 27, 28. The reaſons prevalent with me whereon an inquiring and judicious perſon ſhould be obliged to rely and acquieſce are ſo amply and ſo learnedly ſet down by Monſieur Daillé in his Employ des Pe…s that I think little, which is material or weighty can be ſaid on this ſubject, that his rare and piercing obſervation hath not anticipated. Were it needful to wander to Foreigners for Teſtimonies I could tell you how highly this Author is eſteemed by the Learned and Famous Doctor Andr. Rivet, upon whole importunity his Book des Images and other Tracts have been tranſlated: but writing to Engliſhmen I will only name the judicious Doctor Jer. Taylor Libert. of Proph. Sect. 8. n. 4. in theſe words, I ſhall chuſe ſuch a topick as makes no invaſion upon the great reputation of the Fathers, which I deſire ſhould be preſerved ſacred as it ought. For other things let who pleaſe read Mr. Daillé du vrai uſage des Peres.
Et ſiquis eueulo locus inter Oſcines, I muſt ingenuouſly profeſs, that it was the reading of this rational Book which firſt convinced me that my ſtudy in the French Language was not ill employed, which hath alſo enabled me to commend this to the World, as faithfully tranſlated by a judicious hand. And that if there were no other uſe of the Fathers, there is very much, while, Teſtem quem quis adducit pro ſe, tenetur accipere contra ſe, is a rule in reaſon, as well as Civil Law: and that the works of Cord. Perron. (for whoſe monſtrous underſtanding [they are the words of Viſcount Faulkland p. 59.] Bellarmine and Bironius might, with moſt advantage to their party, and no diſgrace to them, have been employed in ſeeking citations) being built upon the principle. That whatever the Fathers witneſs to be tradition and the doctrine of the Church muſt be received of all for ſuch and ſo relied on. And this principle being here throughly examined. You have here as ſufficient a conſtitation of Perrons Book againſt K. J. and by conſequence of the Marqueſs of Worceſters againſt K. C. and Dr. Vanes, and other Epitonizers of the Cardinal, as you have of Mr. Creſſys in the Preface to the Lord Faulkland, by the learned I. P.
Chr. Coll. Aug. 1. 1651. T. S.