The Appeal of Injured Innocence, Letter 1 – Letter 2
To the Reverend, and his Worthy Friend, Dr. Iohn Cosin, Dean of Peter-burgh.
SIR,
You may be pleased to remember that some two years since being informed by our friend Mr. Davenport, that you took some exceptions at what I had written concerning you, in my Church-History, I returned you an Answer to this Effect.
That I would make you just reparation, either in the next Edition of my History, or in another Book which I was about to set forth Of the Worthies of England: choosing therein the most proper and conspicuous place, which might render it most visible to the Reader.
This last Book had since been printed, had not the unhappy difference between Dr. Heylyn, and me, retarded it.
What I wrote concerning your Accusation in the House of Commons, I transcribed out of the Manuscript journalls of that House. As for your purgation in the House of Lords, I knew not thereof: which maketh such my omssion the more excusable.
I am now right glad, that you did so clearly vindicate your innocence. In my next Edition, I will do you all possile right (with improvement) that my Pen can perform: as also, God Willing, when I come to treat, in my intended Book, of the Cathedrall of Durham.
In the mean time, joyning with Hundreds more of my Profession, in thanks to you for your worthy Work on the Apocrypha, and desiring the Continuation and increase of Gods blessing on your studies, who do abide the Champion for our Religion in forraign parts, know that amongst your many honourers, you have none more affectionate than
Your humble Servant, Thomas Fuller.
To the Religious, Learned and Ingenuous Reader.
EPistles to the Reader by way of Preparation are properly placed in the front of a Book; but those by way of Recollection follow best in the Reare thereof. If you have had the Leisure and Patience to peruse this Book, you deserve the Name of a Reader indeed; and I do as heartily wish, as charitably hope Thee Qualified with those three Epithets wherewith I have intitled thee. I must now accost thee, in the Language of the Levite to the Tribes of Israell.
CONSULT, CONSIDER, and GIVE SENTENCE.
Deal truly and unpartially betwixt me and the Animadvertor, please thine owne Conscience, though thou displeasest us, and adjudge in thy selfe, where neither of Us, where both of Us, where one of Us, which one of Us, is in the right. OnelyOnly this I will add, for my Comfort, and thy better Confidence in reading my Book, that, according to the received Rule in Law, Exceptio firmat Regulam in non-Exceptis, it followeth proportionably, that, Animadversio firmat Regulam in non-Animadversis. And if so, by the Tacite Consent of my Adversary himselfe, all other passages in my Book, are allowed Sound and True, save these few, which fall under his reproof; and how justly, I submit my Cause to thy Censure, and thy Person to Gods keeping, remaining
Thine in Jesus Christ. Thomas Fuller. Cranford Moate-House.
To my Loving Friend, Doctor Peter Heylyn.
I Hope, Sir, that we are not mutually Un-friended by this Difference which hath happened betwixt us. And now, as Duellers, when they are Both out of breath, may stand still and Parley, before they have a Second passe, let us in cold Blood exchange a Word, and, mean time, let us depose, at least suspend, our Animosities.
Death hath crept into both our Clay-Cottages through the Windows; your Eyes being Bad, mine not Good, God mend them both. And Sanctifie unto us these Monitors of Mortality, and however it fareth with our Corporeall sight, send our Souls that Collyrium, and Heavenly Eye-salve, mentioned in Scripture. But indeed Sir, I conceive our Time, Pains, and Parts, may be better expended to Gods Glory, and the Churches Good, than in these needlesse Contentions. Why should Peter fall out with Thomas, both being Disciples to the same Lord and Master. I assure you, Sir, (whatever you conceive to the contrary) I am Cordiall to the cause of the English Church, and my Hoary Ha…res will go down to the Grave in sorrow for her Sufferings.
You well remember the passage in54. Homer, how wise Nestor bemoaned the unhappy difference betwixt Agamemnon and Achilles.
foreign,
foreign,
foreign
foreign.
O gods! how great the grief of Greece the while,
And Priams selfe, and Sons do sweetly smile,
Yea all the Trojan party swell with Laughter,
That Greeks with Greeks fall out, and fight to Slaughter.
Let me therefore tender unto you an Expedient in Tendency to our mutuall Agreement. You know full well Sir, how in Heraldry, two Lioncells Rampant endorsed, are said to be the Embleme of two Valiant Men, keeping appointment and meeting in the Field, but, either forbidden fight by their Prince, or departing on Tearms of Equallity agreed betwixt themselves. Whereupon turning Back to Back, neither Conquerors nor Conquered, they depart the Field severall wayes, (their Stout Stomacks not suffering them both to go the same way) left it be accounted an I…jury, one to precede the other.
In like manner, I know you disdain to allow me your Equall in this Controversie betwixt us, and I will not allow you my Superiour. To prevent future Tro…ble, let it be a Drawn Battle, and let both of us abound in our owne sense, severally perswaded in the Truth of what we have written. Thus, parting and going out Back to Back here, (to cut off all Contest about Precedency), I hope we shall meet in Heaven, Face to Face, hereafter. In Order whereunto, God Willing, I will give you a meeting, when, and where, you shall be pleased to appoint, that we, who have Tilted Pens, may shake Hands together.
St. Paul writing to Philemon concerning Onesimus, saith, For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou mightest receive him for ever. To avoid exceptions, you shall be the good Philemon, I the fugitive Onesimus. W…o knoweth but that God in his providence permitted, yea ordered this difference to happen betwixt us, not onelyonly to occasion a reconciliation, but to consolidate a mutuall friendship betwixt us, during our Lives; and that the surviver (in Gods pleasure onelyonly to appoint) may make favourable and respectfull mention of him, who goeth first to his grave. The desire of him who remaines.
SIR, A Lover of your Parts, and an Honourer of your Person. THO. FULLER.
FINIS.