The Appeal of Injured Innocence, Part 2 · Book 10
THE TENTH BOOK. Containing the Reign of King James.
Dr. Heylin.
OUr Author proceeeds. Fol. 5. Watson with William Clark (another of his own profession) having fancied a notional Treason, imparted it to George Brooks.] To these he after adds the Lord Cobham a Protestant, the Lord Gray of Wh…ddon a Puritan, and Sir Walter Rawleigh an able Statseman, and some other Knights.
In the recital of which names our Author hath committed a double fault, the one of omission, and the other of commission. A fault of omission, in leaving out Sir Griffith Markam, as much concerned as any of the principal actors, designed to have been Secretary of Estate, had the Plot succeeded, and finally arraigned and condemned at Winchester, as the others were.
Fuller.
I distinguish betwixt total Omission, express Enumeration, and implicit Inclusion. Sir Griffith Markam cannot be said to be omitted by me, because included in that clause, and some other Knights. Yea this whole treason had not at all sound any mention in my History (not being bound to take cognizance thereof) save for the two Priests, who were engaged therein.
Dr. Heylin.
His fault of commission is, his calling the Lord Gray by the name of the Lord Gray of Whaddon (a fault not easily to be pardoned in so great an Herald) whereas indeed though Whaddon in Buckinghamshire was part of his Estate, yet Wilton in Herefordshire was his Barony and ancient Seat; his Ancestors being call'd LL. Gray of Wilton, to difference them from the Lord Gray of Reuthen, the Lord Gray of Codnor, &c.
Fuller.
A fault not so great neither in an Herauld, seeing I call him not Lord Gray Baron of Whaddon, but of Whaddon; and a noble Person may be additioned either from his Honour or his Habitation. Besides Wilton in Herefordshire, long since being run into ruin, those Lords, some sixscore years agoe, removed their residence to Whaddon in Bucks where some of them lived, died, and are bur…ed.
The Animadvertor made as great an omission in his Short view of K. Charles, when mentioning his Tutor Mr. Murrey, but quite leaving out Sir Iames Fullerton, conjoyned with him in the same charge of the Princes education. And a greater fault of Commission is he guilty of, when taxing Mr. Murrey as disaffected to the English Church, who when made Provost of Eaton ▪ took his oath and therein professed his good liking of our Discipline, as in the Cabala doth appear.
To return to Whaddon the Animadvertor might have spared this his Note, who in the *Pag. 2. li. 14.Postcript annexed to this Book, maketh Edward Lord Montagu created Baron of Broughton in Northamptonshire. Now though the L. Montagu hath the Manor of Broughton (with the appendant Advowson) and other considerable Lands therein; yet is he Baron of Boughton in the same County. A mistake so much the greater in the Animadvertor, because done in his Emendation of his Emendations of the faults of another, so that he cannot hit it right in this his third endeavor. This I had passed over in silence, had not his cruelty on my Pen or Presse-slips occasioned me to take notice thereof.
Dr. Heylin.
Our Author proceeds. Fol. 21. This Conference was partially set forth only by Dr. Barlow Dean of Chester, their professed Adversary, to the great disadvantage of their Divines.] If so, how did it come to passe, that none of their Divines then present, nor any other in their behalf did ever manifest to the world the partialities and falshoods of it. The Book was printed not long after the end of the Conference, publickly passing from one hand to another, and never convicted of any such Crime as it stands charged with, in any one particular passage to this very day, &c.
Fuller.
I only said that some did complain that this Conference was partially set forth. I avowed not that they complained justly, I believe their complaint causlesse, (and let it be remedilesse for me,) seeing I my self professe verbo Sacerdotis, that I have been accused that I have abridged this Conference to the disparagement of Dr. Reynolds, though my Conscience be clear herein.
Dr. Heylin.
However our Author telleth us, that he (viz. Mr. Nicholas Fuller) left behind him the reputation of an honest man. No question of it. It is a thing so incident to the Name, that whatsoever they doe or say, they are honest still.
Fuller.
All his jeering on my Name shall not make me goe to the Heraulds Office to endeavor the altering thereof. I fetcht it from my great-great Grand father, and hope shall leave it to my great-great Grand-child. A Name which no doubt originally was taken from that usefull trade, without which Mankind can neither be warm or cleanly.
The like is frequent in many respectfull Families in England, as the Antiquary hath observed.*Verstegan of decayed intelligence.
From whence came Smith, al be he Knight or Squire,
But from the Smith that forgeth at the fire.
Yet considering the narrownesse of my name, it is inferiour to few, having produced the best of English Pilots T. Fuller, who steered Captain Cavendish round about the World; the best of English Criticks, N. Fuller, so famous in forain parts for his Miscellany's; and none of the worst of English Benefactors, I. Fuller, one of the Judges of the Sheriffs Court in London, who built and *Stow his Survey of London, pag. 97.endowed an Almeshouse for twelve poor men at Stoken-heath, and another at Shorditch for as many poor Women. Besides, he gave his Lands and Tenements of great yearly valuation in the Parishes of S. Bennet, and Peters Pauls Wharf London, to Feoffees in Trust, to release Prisoners in the Hole of both Counters, whose Debts exceeded not twenty shillings eight-pence. Yea it hath at this Day, one Bishop, one Dean, one Doctor, two Batchelour of Divinity, and many Masters of Arts, of no contemptible condition. Pardon Reader this digression done se defendendo against one, by whom my Name is too much undervalued, by Ironical over-valuing thereof.
Dr Heylin.
Before we had the story of Thomas Fuller of Hammersmith condemn'd for felony, but still so honest and so entirely beloved by King Harry the sixth after his decease, that he appeard to him on the top of the Gallows, incourag'd him, and so charm'd the Rope, that it did not strangle him, lib. 4.154.
Afterwards we meet with Iohn Fuller, Doctor of the Laws (a better than he) a Persecutor in Queen Maries dayes, but a pittiful man, as the Index telleth us.
Here we have Nicholas Fuller a Counseller (the best of the three) decrying openly the Authority on the High Commission; and thereby giving a legal advantage to Archbishop Bancroft, by whom imprisoned, and there dying but dying, with the reputation of an honest man.
And then another Thomas Fuller a Minister, (the best of all the company) and an honest man too, so well deserving of the Church▪ and all good Church-men (both alive and dead) by this notable History, as not to doubt of the like favour at their hands (should there be occasion) as Thomas of Hammersmith receiv'd of King Harry the sixth.
Fuller.
Here are four Gradations of Fullers, good, better, best, best of all, which in the language of jeering (speaking alwayes by the contraries, amounteth unto bad, worse, worst, worst of all. As for the first T. Fuller, I answer; First, the tale is not made, but related by me, who have charged my Margin with the Author thereof, *Hist. Ecclesiast. seculo decimo quinto, pag. 646.Harpsfeild, not inconsiderable for Learning & Religion amongst his own party. Secondly, not the least credit is given thereunto in my reporting it, matching it with another miracle, which I call equally true, that is equally untrue in the interpretation of any unpartial Reader. Thirdly, seeing I followed Harpsfeild in relating his Miracles in other places; if here I should have deserted him, probably it would have been by others condemned in me for a sullen omission, as by the Animadvertor for a light Insertion, because T. F. was my Namesake.
The good nature and pittiful disposition of Dr. I. Fuller plainly appeareth in Mr. Fox; and as for his bounty to Iesus Col. in Cambridge, I leave it to some of that foundation to give testimony thereof.
As for the third N. Fuller, be it reported to the *1 Sam. 17.12IESSES of Grayes-Inne, I mean such Benchers as pass amongst them for Old Men, and can distinctly remember him, whether he hath not left a pretious and perfumed memory behinde him, of one pious to God, temperate in himself, able in his Profession, moderate in his Fees, carefull for his Client, faithfull to his Friend, hospital to his Neighbour, pittifull to the Poor, and bountifull to Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge: in a word blamless in all things, save this one Act of Indiscretion, which could not make him forfeit the reputation of his honesty, especially seeing he paid dear for it, and died in durance. Thus though Mr. Stubbs was so obnoxious to the displeasure of Queen Elizabeth, that h…s Right-hand was cut off, for writing a Libel against Her Match with Monseir; yet *In his Elizab. Anno 1581.Mr. Camden does call him Virum famae integerrimae.
For the fourth and last, I will make the Animadvertor the self same Answer which the Servants of Hezekiah returned to Rabsecah; *Esay 36.21.But they held their peace, and answered him not a word.
Dr. Heylin.
The Author saith, and as about this time, some perchance over-valued the Geneva Notes, out of that especial love they bare to the Authors, and place whence it proceeded: So on the other side, same without cause did sleight, or rather without charity did slander the same.] I trowe our Author will not take upon him to condemn all those who approve not of the Genevian Notes upon the Bible, or to appear an Advocate for them, though he tells us not many lines before, that they were printed thirty times over with the general liking of the people.
Fuller.
Had I said two and thirty times, though past the Head Game I had not been out. And now the Reader shall have my full and free sense of the Genevian Notes. I remember the Proverb.
*Plutarchus.foreign.
In Head of Polypus is had
What is good, and what is bad.
Such a mixture is in these Notes, wherein the most, pious and proper to expound their respective places; but some (And those too many, though never so few) false, factious, dangerous, yea destructive to Religion. I could therefore wish some godly and discreet persons, impowred and imployed to purge forth the latter, that the rest may remain without danger, for the profit of plain people. But till this be done, I am (I thank God) old enough to eat fish, feeding on the flesh thereof, and laying by the bones on my Trencher, or casting them down to the Doggs.
Dr. Heylin.
I hope he will not condemn all those who approve not those Notes, for K Iames, who in the Conference at Hampton Court, did first declare that of all the Translation of the Bible into the English tongue, that of Geneva was the worst; And secondly, that the Notes upon it were partial, untrue, seditious, and savouring too much of dangerous and traiterous conceits. For proof whereof his Majesty instanced in two places, the one on Exod. 1. ver. 19. where disobediance to the King is allowed of: The other in 2 Chron. 8.15, 16. where Asa is taxed for deposing his Mother only, and not killing Her: A note, whereof the Scottish Presbyterians made special use, not only deposing Mary their lawfull Queen from the Regal Throne, but prosecuting Her openly, and under hand, till they had took away her life. These instances our Author in his Summary of that Confererence, hath passed over in silence, as loath to have such blemishes appear in the Genevians, or their Annotations: And I hope also that he will not advocate for the rest.
Fuller.
Down with these Bones to the Dogs indeed, which alone are proper for their palate. The Scots are old enough (being reputed by Historians one of the most ancient Nations of Europe;) let them answer for themselves, though (I beleeve) they cannot answer this foul fact, but by penitent confession thereof. But whereas the Animadvertor taxeth me for wilfully omitting those Instances of K. Iames in favour to the Genevians; I protest my integrity therein. It was only because I would have my Summary a Summary, no Abridgement being adequate to the Narration abridged therein.
Dr. Heylin.
For let him tell me what he thinks of that on the second of St. Matthews Gosspel, ver. 12. viz. Promise ought, &c.
Fuller.
Let him shew me what commission he hath to enquire into my thoughts; However, to doe him a pleasure, I will tell him what I think in the point.
Dr. Heylin.
Promise (say the Genevians) in their Note, Matthew 5.12. ought not to be kept where Gods Honour and preaching of his Truth is hindred, or else it ought not to be broken. What a wide gap, think we, doth this open to the breach of all Promises, Oathes, Covenants, Contracts, and Agreements, not only betwixt man and man, but between Kings and their Subjects? What Rebel ever took up Arms without some pretences of that nature? What Tumults and Rebellions have been rais'd in all parts of Christendom, in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and indeed where not? under colour that Gods honour, and the preaching of the truth is hindred? If this once pass for good sound Doctrine, Neither the King nor any of his Good Subjects, in what Realm soever, can live in safety. Gods Honour and the preaching of his Truth are two such pretences, as will make void all Laws, elude all Oaths, and thrust out all Covenants and agreements, be they what they will.
Fuller.
I behold this Note as impertinent to that place, seeing it appears not in the Text, that those wise men made Herod any promise to return unto him. Secondly, Had they made him any promise, yea bound it with an Oath by the living God, such an Oath had not been obligatory, because God (to whom the forfeiture was due) released the Band in an extraordinary Vision, unto them such, that our Age doth not produce.
As the Note is impertinent in that place, so it is dangerous at all times; and mans corruption may take thence too much mischievous advantage, which is partly given, because so perilous a pit is left open (contrary to the Iudicial *Exod. 21.33.Law) and not covered over with due caution requisite thereunto. I concurre therefore with the Animadvertor in the just dislike thereof.
Dr. Heylin.
Next I would have our Author tell me, what he thinks on this Note, on the ninth of the Revelation, vers. 3. where the Locusts which came out of the smoak are said to be false Teachers, Hereticks, and wouldly subtil Prelats, with Monks, Friers, Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, Doctors, Batchelours, and Masters. Does not this Note apparently fasten the Name of Locusts on all the Clergy of this Realm, that is to say, Archbishops, Bishops, and all such as are graduated in the University by the name of Doctors; Batchelours, and Masters? And doth it not as plainly yoke them with Friers, Monks, and Cardinals, &c.
Fuller.
It was in my opinion both indiscretly and uncharitably done, to jumble them together, being of so different (not to say contrary) originations. Sure I am, though they are pleased to match them by force, yet the Parties were never agreed.
They might as well have added Superintendents, Lecturers, Assistants, and whole Classesses; seeing all such, it victous in Life, or Heretical in Doctrine, (notwithstanding their reformed Names) are Locusts ▪ as well (that is, as ill) as any of the other.
But let us return to those my words which first gave the first occasion to these four last Animadversions.
Church-History, 10 Book, Page 59.
And as about this time, some perchance over-valued the Geneva Notes, out of the especial love they bare to the Authors and Place whence they proceeded; soon the other side,*In the Margin this Note Dr H in Oxfo…d causlesly inveyeth against the Geneva Notes. some without cause, did sleight, or rather without charity, did slander the same: For in this or the next year a Doctor in solemn assembly in the University of Oxford publickly in his Sermon at St. Maries, accused them as guilty of mis-interpretation touching the Divinity of Christ; and his Messiah-ship, as if symbolizing with Arrians and Jews against them both. For which he was afterwards suspended by Dr. Robert Abbot propter conciones publicas minus Orthodoxas & offensionis plenas.
Fain would I know first, whether these my words import my inclination to defend all in the Geneva Notes.
Secondly, though I neither can nor will (as by the premisses doth appear) excuse all passages in them, I am confident that neither the Animadvertor, nor all those of all degrees and qualities in both Universities urging him to write against me, are able to finde out any Arianisme or Anti-Mess…anisme in those Notes. And therefore as an Historian I was bound to take notice of the fault and censure of that Doctor, onelyonly expressed in the Margin by the initial letter of his sirname.
Dr. Heylin.
Our Author goeth on. Fol. 77. At this time began the troubles in the Low-Countries about matters of Religion heightned between two opposite parties, Remonstrants, and Contra-Remonstrants; their Controversies being chiefly reducible to five points, &c.] Not at this time, viz. 1618. which our Author speaks of, but some years before.
Fuller.
A causlesse Cavil. I said not absolutely they now began, but now they began heightned. The Animadvertor knows full well that such participles equivale Infinitives.
In Greek, Matth. 1.8. foreign.
In Latin, Virg. En. 2. —Sensit medios delapsus in Hostes, pro delapsum se esse.
The Troubles in the Low-Countries began heightned, that is to heightned. The distemper was bred some years before, which now came to the Paroxism thereof, viz. anno 1618.
Dr. Heylin.
And first it is to be observed, that though he was then Dean of Westminster when the custody of the Great Seal was committed to him; yet was he not then and still Dean of that Church, that is to say, not Dean thereof at such times as our Author writ this part of the History: For fol. 80. speaking of Dr. Halls return from the Synod of Dort, Anno 1618. he adds, that he continued in health till this day, thirty three years after, which falls into the year 1651. And certainly at that time Dr. Williams (then Archbishop of York) was not Dean of Westminster, that place being bestowed by his Majesty on Dr. Steward Clerk of the Closet, Anno 1645. being full six years before the time our Author speaks of.
Fuller.
This I have learnt from the Animadvertor, which I knew not before, and I thank him for it. The great distance of Exeter (where I lived) from Oxford, may partly excuse my ignorance therein; who alwaies beheld Archbishop Williams as the last Dean of Westminster: as indeed he was the last that ever was instauled therein. And Dr. Steward never lived minute in, or gained farthing from his Deanship. So umbratile a Dignity is not worth the contending for.
Dr. Heylin.
Secondly, Whereas our Author tells us, that the place was proper not for the plain but guarded Gown; I would fain know how it should be more proper for the guarded Gown than it was for the plain. There was a time when the Chancellors (as our Author telleth us elsewhere) were alwaies Bishops; and from that time till the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, that Office continued for the most part in the hands of the Prelates: at what time, that great Office was discharged with such a general contentment, that people found more expedition in their Suits, and more ease to their purses than of later times. By which it seems that men who are never bred to know the true grounds and reasons of the Common Law, might and could mitigate the rigor of it in such difficult cases as were brought before them; the Chancery not having in those dayes such a mixture of Law as now it hath, nor being so tyed up to such intricate Rules as now it is.
Fuller.
I have nothing to return in opposition to the Animadvertor in his endeavouring to make a Clergy-man proper to be Lord Chancellor of England, as, as well qualified As any Common-Lawyer for the Place. Nor if I could, would I disprove what tendeth to the Honour of my Profession. The little toe is advanced when the Head is Crowned, as a Member of the same Body; and my meannesse is sensible of some honour, that any of my Calling are put in a capacity of so high a Preferment. OnelyOnly I request, that if the Animadvertor be advanced to the Place, and if I have a cause brought before him, that he would be pleased to hear it cum omni favore on this consideration, that he put me to much trouble in answering his causlesse Cavils against my Church-History.
Give me leave to add, that I suspect the Common-Lawyers will take advantage from the last words of the Animadvertor, confessing the Court of Chancery now more intricated and mingled with Law, than in former Ages. Hence I fear they will infer, that Clergy-men (though they were heretofore) will not hereafter be so able and fit to discharge that Office. But let us proceed.
Dr. Heylin.
But thirdly, whereas our Author in advocating for the Common Lawyers, prescribeth for them a Succession of six Descents, he hath therein confuted himself, and saved me the trouble of an Animadversion, by a Marginal Note; in which he telleth us, that Sir Ch. Hatton was not bred a Lawyer. If so, then neither was the Title so strong, nor the Proscriptions so well grounded as our Author makes it; the interposition of Sir Christopher Hatton between Sir Tho. Bromley and Sir Iohn Puckering, restraining it to three Descents▪ and but thirty years; which is too short a time for a Prescription to be built upon.
Fuller.
I prescribe not for the Common-Lawyers whose words are, the Common-Lawyers (and those I assure you knowing enough in this their own Art) prescribed for six Descents. The Marginal note was entred by me, a little to check, for (say they) it doth not confute their prescription. Alledging that Sir Christopher Hatton, though not bred so professed a Lawyer, as to be called to the Bar, was admitted in one of the Inns of Court, and wore no plain but a guarded Gown in Westminster-Hall, as some still alive doe remember.
Dr. Heylin.
Our Author telleth us folio. 93. how Marcus Antonius de Dominis, He had 14. years been Archbishop of Spalato, &c. Conscience in shew, and Covetousness in deed, caused his coming hither.] This is a very hard saying, a censure which entrenches too much upon the Priviledges of Almighty God, who alone knows the secrets of the heart of man. Interest tenebris, interest cogitationibus nostris, quasi alteris tenebris, as Minutius hath it.
Fuller.
If my saying intrencheth on divine Priviledges, I shall crave pardon from that God, who will more freely forgive me, than the Animadvertor would, had I offended him: besides, it is no encroachment on the Prerogative of the Crown of Heaven, to censure the secrets of mens hearts, when made visible to the World in their actions: And though the thoughts of this Prelate were written in secret Characters, yet are they easily read, as decyphered by the Key of his ensuing Deeds, who left the Print of his covetous claws in all places where he got English preferment.
Dr. Heylin.
The man here mentioned had been in the confession of our Author himself, Archbishop of Spalato in Dalmatia, a dignity of great power and reputation, and consequently of a fair Revenue in proportion to it.
Fuller.
I believe no less; but far short of our English Bishopricks. It may be said of Italian Dignities, (to which Dalmatian may be reduced, as under the Venetian Common-wealth) that generally they have high Racks, but bad Mangers, as being set too thick to burnish about in much breadth and wealth. The Intrado of the Archbishoprick of Spalato consisteth partly in his Iurisdiction, the exercise whereof is much obstructed, partly in Lands, the Revenues whereof are more impaired by the vicinity of the Turk, harraging those parts with his daily Intrusion. *A…a…, p. 334.Mercator tels us, that the Port of Salona (which is hardly an English mile from Spalato) nunc quidem parum Colitur ob Turcarum Viciniam.
A *Dr. C…k…n … disensione Eccles A…g…r pag 3.judicious Writer, valuing his Arch-bishoprick (as it seemeth to advantage) estimateth it annually at 3000 Crowns, which falleth a fourth part short of 1000 pounds sterling, a summe exceeded in most of our middling Bishopricks: Besides the Arch-bishoprick of Spalato was clogged and incumbred with a Pension of 500 Crowns (the sixth part of his Revenues) payable (with the arrears) by the Popes Command, to one Andrutius. The payment of which Sixt part went as much against Spalato's stomach, as the payment of the Fifts now a dayes doth from the present Possessors to sequestred Minister.
Dr. Heylin.
He could not hope to mend his fortunes by his coming hither, or to advance himself to a more liberal entertainment in the Church of England, than what he had attained to in the Church of Rome. Covetousness therefore could not be the motive for leaving his own Estate, of which he had been possessed 14. years in our Authors reckoning, to betake himself to a strange Country, where he could promise himself nothing but protection and the freedome of conscience. Our Author might have said, with more probability, that covetousness, and not conscience, was the cause of his going hence, no bait of profit or preferment being laid before him to invite him hither, as they were both, by those which had the managing of that designe, to allure him hence▪ &c.
Fuller.
Dark men are the best Comment upon themselves, whose precedent are best expounded by their subsequent actions. Who so considereth the rapacity and tenacity of this Prelate in England, will easily believe that a two-handed covetousness moved him to leave his native Country and come over hither; One to save, the other to gain. To save, that is to evade the payment of the aforesaid Pension, with the arrears thereof: To gain, promising himself, as by the future will appear, not only protection, but preferment; not only safety, but more plenty by coming hither. He had Learning enough to deserve, Ambition enough to desire, Boldness enough to beg, and presumed K. Iames had bounty enough to give him the highest and best pr…ferment in England; and he who publickly did beg York, may be presumed privately to have promised the Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury to himself.
Dr. Heylin.
All mens mouths (saith our Author) were now filled with discourse of Prince Charles his Match with Donna Maria, the Infanta of Spain. The Protestants grieved thereat, fearing that his Marriage would be the Funerals of their Religion, &c.] The business of the Match with Spain hath already sufficiently been agitated, between the Author of the History of the Reign of King Charles and his Observator: And yet I must add something to let our Author and his Reader to understand thus much, that the Protestants had no cause to fear such a Funeral.
Fuller.
H…d I said that the Protestants justly feared this Marriage, then the Animadvertor had justly censured; whereas now, grant they feared where no fear was, he findeth fault where no fault is. Historians may and must relate those great and general impressions which are made on the spirits of people, and are not bound to justifie the causes thereof to be sound and sufficient. Ten thousand Persons of quality are still alive, who can …nd will attest, that a pannick fear for that Match invaded the Nation.
Dr. Heylin.
They knew they lived under such a King who loved his Sovereignty too well, to quit any part thereof to the Pope of Rome; especially to part with that Supremacy in Ecclesiastical matters, which he esteemed the fairest flower in the Royal Garland. They knew they lived under such a King, whose interest it was to preserve Religion in the same state in which he found it; and could not fear but that he would sufficiently provide for the safety of it.
Fuller.
Mr. Camden writing of the Match of Q. Elizabeth, with Mounsier, younger Brother to the King of France, hath this presage, that when Mr. Stubs whose hand was cut off, said, God save the Queen, the multitude standing by held their peace, rendring this as one reason thereof:
*Camdens …, Anno 1…81. pag. 346.Ex odio Nuptiarum, quas religione exitiosas futuras praesagierunt.
Out of hatred to that Match, which they presag'd would be destructive to Religion.
Now may not the Animadvertor as well tax Mr. Camden for inserting this needless Note, and tell the world, that no Princess was more skild in Queen craft than Q Elizabeth, and that this presage of her People was falsly fo…de…? I detract not from the policy or piety, head or heart of K. Iames; but this I say, let Sovereigns be never so good, their Subjects under them will have their own Ioyes, Griefs, Loves, Hatreds, Hopes, Fears; sometimes caused, sometimes causless; and Histor…ans have an equal Commission to report both to posterity.
Dr. Heylin.
If any Protestants feared the funeral of their Religion, they were such Protestants as had been frighted out of their wits, as you know who used to call the Puritans; or such who under the name of Protestants had contrived themselves into a Faction not only against Episcopacy, but even Monarchy also.
Fuller.
I profess I know not who used to call Puritans Protestants frighted out of their wits: who ever it was, it was not Michael the Arch-angel, who would not rail on the Devil.
By Protestants, I mean Protestants indeed, or (if you will rather have it) Christians sound in their Iudgement, uncontriv'd into any Faction; so far from being Anti-episcopal, that some of them were Members of the Hierarchy; and so far from destroying Monarchy, that since they endeavoured the preservation thereof, with the destruction of their own Esta…es.
As worthy Doctor Hackwel, Arch-Deacon of Surrey, was outed his Chaplain… place, for his opposing the Match when first tendred to Prince Henry; so many (qualified as aforesaid) concurred with his …udgement, in the resumption of the Match with K. Charles; notwithstanding they were justly and fully possessed of integrity and ability of K. Iames. Their seriously considering the Z…l of the Spanish to promote Popery; the activity of the Romish Priests to gain Proselites; their dexterous sinisterity in seducing Souls; the negligence of two many English Ministers in feeding their Flocks; the pl…usibility o… Popery to vulgar Iudgements ▪ the lushiousness thereof to the pala… of flesh and Blood ▪ the fickleness of our English Nation to embrace Novelties; the wavering of many unsettled minds; the substilty of Satan to advance any mischievous designe; the justice of God to leave a sinful Nation to the Spirit of delusion; feared (whether justly or no, let the Reader judge) that the Spanish Match (as represented, attended with a Tolleration) might prove fatall to the Protestant Religion.
Dr. Heylin.
And to these Puritans, nothing was more terrible than the Match with Spain, fearing (and perhaps justly fearing) that the Kings alliance with that Crown, might arme him both with power and counsel to suppress those Practices which have since prov'd the funeral of the Church of England.
Fuller.
By the Church of England the Animadvertor meaneth (as I believ) the Hierarchy, the Funerals whereof for the present we do behold: However I hope there is still a Church in England alive, or else we were all in a sad, yea in an unsaluable condition. The state of which Church in England I compare to *Acts 20.9.Eutichus. I suspect it hath formerly slept too soundly in case and security. Sure I am, it is since, with him, fallen down from the third Loft; from Honour into Contempt; from Unity into Faction; from Verity into dangerous Errors … Yet I hope (to follow the Allegory) that her life is still left in her; I mean so much soundness left, that persons born, living, and dying therein are capable of salvation. Let such who think the Church of England sick, pray for her wonderfull Recovery; and such as think her dead, pray for her miraculous Resurrection.
Dr. Heylin.
But as it seems they feared where no fear was, our Author telling us, fol. 112. that the Spanish State had no minde or meaning of a Match; and that this was quickly discovered by Prince Charles at his coming thither. How so? Because, saith he, fol. 112. they demanded such unreasonable liberty in education of the Loyal Offspring, and other Priviledges for English Priests, &c.] If this be all, it signifies as much as nothing. For thus the argument seems to stand, viz. The Spaniards were desirous to get as good conditions as they could for themselves and their Party, ergo they had no minde to the match. Or thus, The demands of the Spaniards when the businesse was first in Treaty, seem'd to be unreasonable, ergo they never really intended that it should proceed. Our Author cannot be so great a stranger in the shops of London, as not to know that Trades-men use to ask many times twice as much for a Commodity, as they mean to take; and therefore may conclude as strongly, that they doe not mean to sell those wares for which they ask such an unreasonable price at the first demand. Iniquum petere, ut aequum obtineas, hath been the usual practise (especially in driving State-bargains) or all times and ages. And though the Spaniards at the first spoke big, and stood upon such points, as the King neither could, nor would in honour or conscience consent unto: yet things were after brought to such a temperament, that the Marriage was agreed upon, the Articles by both Kings subscrib'd, a Proxie made by the Prince of Wales to espouse the Infanta, and all things on her part prepared for the day of the Wedding. The breach which followed came not from any aversness in the Court of Spain, though where the …ault was, and by what means occasioned, need not here be said.
Fuller.
I expected when the Animadvertor had knocked away my Bowl, he would have layed a Toucher in the room thereof: but if neither of us have a Bowl in the Alley, we must both begin the Game again.
May the Reader be pleased to know, that living in Exeter, I had many hours private Converse with the Right Honourable Iohn Digby Earl of Bristow, who favoured me so far (much above my desert) that at his last going over into France (where he died) he was earnest with me to goe with him, promising me, to use his own expression, that I should have half a loaf with him, so long as he had a whole one to himself. This I mention to insinuate a probability, that I may be as knowing in the Misteries of the Spanish Match as the Animadvertor.
Double was the Cause of the breach of the Spanish Match; One, such as may with no lesse truth than safety be related, as publickly insisted on in the Parliament, viz. the Spanish Prevarication to restore the Palatinate: The other secret, not so necessary to be known, nor safe to be reported. And I crave the liberty to conceal it, seeing the Animadvertor himself hath his Politick Aposiopaesis, breaking off as abruptly as the Spanish Match with this warie reservation; though where the fault was, and by what Means occasioned, need not here to be said.
Dr. Heylin.
But well fare our Author for all that; who finally hath absolv'd the Spaniard from this breach, and laid the same upon King Iames, despairing of any restitution to be made of the Palatinate by the way of Treaty.
Ibid. Whereupon King James not onelyonly broke off all Treaty with Spain, but also called the great Councel of his Kingdom together.] By which it seems, that the breaking off of the Treaty did precede the Parliament. But multa apparent quae non sunt, every is not as it seems. The Parliament in this case came before, by whose continual importunity and solicitation, the breach of the Treaties followed after. The King lov'd peace too well to lay aside the Treaties, and engage in War before he was desparate of successe any other way than by that of the Sword, as was assur'd both of the hands and hearts of his subjects to assist him in it. And therefore our Author should have said, that the King not onelyonly called together his great Councel, but broke off the Treaty, and not have given us here such an Hysteron Proteron, as neither doth consist with reason, nor the truth of story.
Fuller.
To be foreign, a Covenant-breaker, is a foul fault, as the *Rom 1.31.Apostle accounteth it: Far be it from me to charge it causlesly on any, especially on a dead Christian, especially on a King, especially on King Iames, generally represented over-fond of Peace, and therefore the more improbable first to infringe it.
To prevent exception, in the next Edition, calling the Parliament, shall have the precedency of breaking off the Treaty for the Match.
I suspect that the Animadvertor hath committed a greater transposition, when affirming King *In his short view of the reign of King. Charles.Iames to have designed the Spanish Match in order to the recovery of the Palatinate: Whereas it plainly appears, *In the Cabala, and in the historical observations of Mr. Rushworththat before any suspicion of troubles in the Palatinate (occasioned by P. Fredericks accepting the Crown of Bohemia,) this Match was projected by K. Iames for P. Henry his eldest Son; and after his death, resumed for P. Charles, without the least relation to the regaining of the (not then lost) Palatinate.
I have passed over some additory notes of the Animadvertor in this Kings Reign, partly because I perceive my Book swels beyond the expected proportion, partly that I may have the more scope to answer every particular objected against me in the Reign of K. Charles, in such things which lie level to our own eyes, and are within our own remembrance.