Answer to Walkers Vindication, Treatise (2 of 2)
And for the latter position, that Christs righteousnes is not imputed in the act of justification; if by Christs righteousnesse be understood his habituall holinesse, or his actuall righteousnesse consisting in the perfect observation of the Law morall: here also two of M. Walkers Authours must of necessity leave him, unlesse they will condemne themselves for blasphemous heretickes. For both Pareus and Lubbe…tus, going Ursines and Piscators way, hold justification to consist wholly in remission of sinnes. For so Pareus expresly (besides what out of him vRelat. Postscript. p. 58.elsewhere) in his Commentaries before mentioned; uApostolus justificationem in solâ remissione peccatorum constituit. P…ran Rom. 4. 7. Dub. 5.The Apostle placeth justification in the Remission of sinnes alone. Nor doth *Manifestum est, non imputar… peccatum, poni pro justificare, Lub. ad Socin. l. 2. c. 2. p. 124. col. 2. Saepe ostendimus justificationem contineri gratuitâ peccatorum remissione. Ibid. l. 4. c. 10. p. 551. col. 2.Lubbertus herein depart from him. And both therefore also herein concurre; that they ground our justification, not upon the Righteousnesse of Christ, so understood, as hath been said; but on the merit of, and satisfaction made by his sufferings. That which, as for Pareus, by a whole xDe justitiâ Christi Activâ, & Passiva Epist. ad Com. Lud. Witgen.Treatise written of purpose by him about that Argument, doth most evidently appeere; so for Lubbertus is also cleere enough, by divers yIn foreign est justitia duplex, divina & humana. Humana est inhaerens, & acquisita, illam vocant habitualem; hanc meritoriam. de illa loquitur Apus. Heb. 7. 26. & 1 Pet. 3. 18. de hac Rom. 5. 9. per unam satisfactionem. v. 19. Lubb. c…ntr. Socin. l. 3. c. 5. Sanguine, srve obedientiâ Christi justificamur formalite…; fide instrumentaliter. Ibid. c. 2. p. 355. Duo ad justificationem reqiruntur; unum, ut Christus pro peccatis nostris mortuus sit, atque ita pro eis satisfaciat: alterum, ut nos hanc Christi solutionem five satisfactionem vera fide recipiamus. Ibid. l. 4. c. 9 p. 547. Haec justitia, s…ve obedientia, iive foreign Christi, sive denique sacrificium, sive sanguis Christi, sive solutio pretii redemptionis nostrae à Christo sacta, absolvit nos … reatu, constituit nos justos, justificat nos, &c. Ibid. c. 1. p. 445, 44…. Christi enim obedientia, quam Patri in morte pro nobis praestitit, est vera illa justitia, quâ Patri reconciliamur. Ibid. c. 4. p 472.passages, even in those works which were written by him professedly against the errors of Socinus. Yea so far doth Pareus proceed herein, that he sticketh not to avow that, zQui obedientiae activae, aut sanctitati nativae, meritum justitiae ascribunt, mortem Christi sine dubio inanem reddunt. Par. de justit. Christi activ. & pass. pofit. 5. p. 181.Those that ascribe the merit of righteousnesse unto Christs active obedience or his native holinesse, cM…rti Christi justificationem contra Scripturas derogant. Ibid. p 182.do thereby derogate from the death of Christ, and do undoubtedly make it vain, or superfluous. Now I would gladly understand from M. Walker what he thinketh of Pareus, and whether he count not him a blasphemous heretike, as well as M. Wotton. As for me & my fellows, as in scorn now he calleth them, (tho peradventure as good men as M. Walker himselfe) I hold it no disgrace to me, to be yoaked with such; and to have deemed rather as they, then as M. Walker either then did, or now doth. Mean while how little cause M. Walker hath to crake so much of these Authors, by what hath been said, may easily be deemed; and muchlesse to affirm, what so confidently *Letter to M. Wotton. p. 15.elsewhere he doth, that he hath all learned Divines agreeing with him in what he holds: and that “Pag. 6, 7.the whole stream of learned Orthodox Divines hold the same Doctrine with him concerning justification by Christs righteousnesse imputed to beleevers. Which in such sense and manner as he maintaines it, he cannot but know to be most untru…; unlesse he will expunge Pareus, Piscator, and I know not how many more, generally so esteemed, on… of the List of learned and Orthodox Divines.
3. Yea but M. Wotton▪ … M. W…lker, is *Pag. 3, 4.proved a blasphemous … by h… …onf…ssion. I answer in a word. How M. … …th the deniall of Christs righteousnesse imp… to be here…icall and blasphemous; he plainely ex…resseth himselfe in his aAnswer to error 1. Relat. p. 22.defence; whence M. Walker produceth it. To which therefore, and M. Bradshawes Preface to his English Treatise of justification, I referre the Reader: yet so, that of the one, and out of the other, somewhat hereafter also shall be said.
4. How farre forth M. Walker hath Gods Word for his warrant, in condemning M. Wotton, not of errour (for that neither was, nor is the question) but of heresie and blasphemy (for that was the point in controversie, when time was) he hath not yet made to appeare, no more then he did. For what here fondly and ridiculously in that kind he presumeth, by the sentence of his owne delegates, he was not then able to make good.
What else is bPag. 5.here ferced in, concerning the cariage of the businesse at that meeting, shall in its due place (by Gods assistance) be discussed.
The other doubt he moveth concerning the cause of my proclaiming so bitterly against him, and being so highly offended with him, is, cIbid.Whether it be, because he calleth M. Wotton by the name of Anthony Wotton. And if that be the cause, he telleth me, that dSic scil. beare solet ami…os.therein he did him a favour. For that under that obscure t…le, his person might have been hid, and not made known to any but those, who are acquainted with all the passages between him and M. Walker. But M. Gataker is the man, that hath exposed his person to much shame, and stained his name and memory with the brand of heresie, &c.
Sure he must be some, not merry, but very sad person, not grave and sage onelyonly, that can read this passage without laughing, or smiling at least.
Which to shew, let me entreat M. Walker to make M. Wottons case a while here his owne. M. Walker, as by his Parallell plainly appeares, eRelat. Paral. error 2. p. 13.denieth Faith to be a condition on mans part required unto the attaining of justification. Now suppose that some one of his own spirit should thereby take occasion, in a Treatise of his published many yeeres after M. Walkers decease, to traduce him for the same, by the name of George Walker, as the first publisher in this Land of a most pestil…t heresie; and thereby charge him to have made himselfe fSee Relat. p 54.guilty of Paganisme, Ind…is… and Mahumetanism. Would it not be ridiculous, for the party having so dealt with him, to demand of one that should write in his defence, Why he is so highly offended with him, and whether it be for this cause or no, because he calleth him George Walker? &c. For were it not all o…, as if some rude fellow, having c…st a shovell of du…t or two upon a man, as he passeth in the street, should aske the party so misused, contesting with him about it, what he aileth to be so offended with him; and whether it be, because he did not make him a legge, or give him, as we use to say, the time of the day. He might as well have moved question, whether I were not so offended, because he stileth him barely Anthony Wotton, and not Mr. A. Wotton: Or whether because he calleth him Anthony and not Antonie, as he usually and rightly wrote his name, save that by the Printers correction, or corruption rather, he found it so also in my relation.
But that that followeth, is yet more ridiculous, that herein he did M. Wotton a singular favour. For under that obscure title he had lien hid and unknown to any, but those alone that had been acquainted with all that had passed between M. Walker and him.
Is the name of Antonie Wotton then so obscure a title? or are there so many of note so named, that this our A Wotton may lie hid in the heap, among the multitude of them, unlesse be be by some speciall notes and marks otherwise deciphered? And yet any man, not utterly crackt-brained, would have thought, that gM. Walkers Socinianism discovered and confuted. p. 6.Anthony Wotton, one that some 28. yeeres agoe lived in London, and there in Manuscript Pamphlets and Printed bookes dispersed his opinions concerning justification, and hIbid. Epist. p. 2.by the fame and opinion, which men had of his great learning and no lesse piety, drew many zealous professours into the liking of his errors; and afterward iSocin. disc. p. 7.…rought a booke De Reconciliati…e, in Latine, &c. Any man would thinke, I say, unlesse he wanted his …its that thus much were sufficient to discover, who the man were, that M. Walker meant, though they that read him were not privy to all M. Walkers either revilings of him in publique, or baitings of him in private. Suppose M. Walkers adversary before assigned him, had onelyonly stiled him, George Walker, one that so many yeeres agoe had in the City of London out of the Pulpit inveighed and declamed oft against M. Wottons writings and M. Bradshaws works, as containing much heretical and blaspemous matter, &c. were it not enough to let men know who the man were that be meant (notwithstanding I suppose there be and have been about the City more Walkers then Wottons) unlesse they had been acquainted with all things, that either at the solemne meeting of Ministers, or in private otherwise, had passed between him and M. Wotton.
But that, which herein exceedeth all the rest; is, that iPag. 5.M. Gataker by his relation of the businesse that passed between them, and thereby blasoning his Armes, hath exposed him to sh…me, and stained his name with the brand of here…ie.
I never knew that I had any skill in Heraldry before; nor have heard of staining with brands till now. Two new trades M. Walker hath here put upon me, both which I must needs professe my selfe utterly unskilfull in. But to let these things passe; whether of the two, staine a mans name, and expose him to shame; he that publikely chargeth him with heresie and blasphemy; or he that publisheth his acquitall from such horrid imputations, by the verdict, and under the hands of those, whom the same party appellant himselfe had made therein his Judges; I am well content that any, not wholly in kNec saui esse …is non… nus jaret Orestes Pers. sat 3.Orestes his mood, whatsoever else he be, determine.
After this Preamble thus premised, M. VValker proceeds to his Narration. lPag. 5 9.The former part whereof is spent in such stories, as M. Walker is pleased to entertain his Reader withall, of matters foregoing the Meeting of the Ministers before mentioned, concerning mPag. 5, 6.himselfe and his reading and preaching, nPag. 6.M. Richardson and his approbation of M. Walkers censures passed upon M. Wottons opinion; oPag. 6, 7.M. Wottons dealing, and pPag. 8.the cariage of some of his followers.
All which yet I suppose no man is bound to make any part of his Creed. Such of them especially as are grounded upon other mens reports; as the frivolous and ridiculous tale, that qPag. 8, 9.his Clarke, he saith, told him, concerning some of M. Wottons Disciples and himselfe; and may the rather be questioned, because in the ensuing Discourse are found some very palpable untruths; and such as were to be charged upon M. Walker himselfe, were they not salved with a some say. And what he reporteth rPag. 7.of M. VVottons jugling repeated againe sPag. 13.in his Epistle, and *Epist. before his discovery p. 5.elsewhere, is by M. VVotton very confidently and peremptorily denied, as shall hereafter be related.
As for that he relateth of M. Richardsons censure, both tPag. 6.here, and uPag. 25, 26.hereafter, be it true or no; I say only thus much to it: that if M. Richardson shall condemne all those for blasphemous heretiks, who deny the imputation of Christs righteousnesse consisting in the perfect observation of the Law Morall unto justification; and hold justification to consist wholly in remission of sinnes: (which I conceive to be M. VVottons principall error, and wherein I dissent both from him and them) he shall together with M. Wotton exclude from life eternall Olevian, Piscator, Ursinus, Pareus, Scultetus, Altingius, Cameron, and many other Worthies, who were as famons and bright lights in the Church of God here, as ever M. Richardson was, while he lived; and (if the Prophet xDan. 12. 3.Daniel may be believed) doe now shine as Starres in the Kingdome of heaven, and so shall doe for ever and ever; whatsoever doom M. Richardson, or M. Walker shall passe on them. For my part I deem this their censure not unlike that other conceit, that I remember to have heard M. Walker sometime maintain, and is fathered likewise upon the same party, (concerning whom, I forbeare to speake my mind, lest I undergoe the lash of M. Walkers tongue) that, The fall of our first parents proceeded not from the mutability of their will: and that all that hold it to have thence proceeded, by so holding, make God the Autour of sinne. By which censure all the Divines in the World (for ought I know, M. Walker, and M. Richardson, if he at least so also held, only excepted) are condemned of extream impiety; yea of Atheisme, or worse, (if ySee Vindicat. p. 34. 35.M. Walkers manner of arguing by deduction may go for currant) since that zQuid interest Deos neges, an infames? Senec. …p. 133. foreign Plut. de. supers…it. foreign. Porphyr. de abstin. l. 2. foreign. Epiphani aneor. §. 9.it is much at one, to hold God to be wicked, and to hold him no God at all.
But this former part of M. Walkers Narration, be it what it will, nothing at all concerneth me, who begin my Relation at M. Walkers Letter, and the meeting that thereupon ensued.
Out of his Letter, wherewith he beginneth the latter part of it, I aRelat. p. 4. 5.relate only M. Walkers charge and his challenge. Which that they are there found, among much other lavish and menacing language, in as many words as I relate them; by M. Walkers owne bVindic. p. 9. 18.Transcript of it may evidently appeare.
With the main substance whereof, (being such as sufficiently discovereth by what spirit it was endited) I shall not much meddle; but shall only relate what I find written in the margent of a copie of it (testified to be a true copy by the attestation of M. Stephen Egerton, and M William Gouge thereunto annexed) with M. Wottons own hand.
Against those words, cVindic. p. 10.If you had not refused to joyn with me in a Christian Conference, &c.
I never had any such offer made me from you.
Against those words, dPag. 12.You in scorn sent me to one Spencer, &c.
The party will be deposed, that this is altogether false,
Against those words, ePag. 12.This your doing when I complained to you of face to face, you excused as done in ignorance of mine intent and desire.
This is most false.
Against those words, fPag. 13.Did I not then shew both patience, love, and all good affection?
How true the report of this conference is, they that were by can witnesse: and to them I appeale.
Upon gPag. 13.that passage, before hPag. 7.also mentioned, and yet before that at large related and pressed, in his Epistle prefixed before his Socinianisme discovered and confuted, concerning a place of Luther, that M. Wotton should alledge, covering with his fingers some part of it in the same page, that made against him, against those words, iPag. 13.If you deny this, God is my witnesse, and mine own conscience.
God is my witnesse against you, that this is most falsely reported by you.
Against those words, kPag. 14.They and you were so far from amendement, that you made me amends with all railing and reviling language.
If you speake of me, it is most untrue: for others I cannot answer.
Against those words, related as M. Wottons, concerning the Bishop of London, lPag. 15.You dare not co…it your selfe to him, because he is a wicked Iudge, and will respect persons in judgement: my friends are too potent with him.
The Lord let me find no mercy with him, if ever I said so, or thought so of the Bishop of London.
Other notes I let passe, being lesse materiall, or concerning other men rather then M. Wotton him selfe. But for the further and fuller clearing of this last clause, I shall subjoyne out of a letter of M. Egertons written to M. Wotton, dated May 23. 1614 under his own hand, the very words that M. Wotton used concerning the Bishop.
*M. Eg…rtons Letter to M. Wotton.Among some other passages, you had this speech in effect, that you thought that my Lord of London would not willingly do any thing, that might impeach M Walker, because (as you had heard) his brother of Cheswick was very gracious with my Lo…d. Thus much in effect, and not a jot more, did I signifie to M. Walker onelyonly by way of demand, &c. How soundly and charitably M. Walker collected hereupon, that you either said or intimated, that you durst not commit your selfe to the Bishop of London, because he is a wicked man, &c. I leave it to others to determine. This I professe, that neither when I received it from you, nor when I told it to his eare, I did so much as conceive or imagine, that you had any such conceit of my Lord of London.
Thus that reverend Divine, now with the Lord: by whose testimony may appeare, how prone M. Walker is to tenter out mens words, beyond all, not charitable onelyonly, but even reasonable, construction.
From his Letter, M. Walker proceedeth to the Meeting or Conference therein required; which he saith is nVindic. p. 9.the subject of mine invective against him.
In relating whereof yet I use no Invective at all. I report onelyonly what was done and exhibited on both parts: & what resolved by the parties on either side deputed to heare and decide. Neither of which M. Walker either doth or can deny.
But M. Walker must give me leave, to deale here a little more freely with him; and to tell him in plainer tearmes, that many things delivered in this part of his Narration, are either utterly untrue, or such as may justly be suspected of untruth.
1. He maketh his very entrance into it with a manifest untruth, tho a matter of no great moment. He saith, that oPag. 19.Upon the receit and reading of that his Letter, M. Wotton sent him a Letter of defiance, and therein professed his scorn and disdaine of his threatnings: but the next day he sent him another, wherein he promised to yeeld to his motion. Which, tho not much materiall, whether so or no, yet is not true. For M. Wotton sent him but one Letter with a Postscript of diverse date added thereunto: which must needs therefore come to M. Walkers hands both at once; and not the one this day, and the other the next, as M. Walker here relates it. M. Wotton had indeed begun and gone on a good way in a large Answer to M. Walkers whole Letter; which is yet to be seen; and I could well have been content to afford it room here, save that I found it unfinished, and withall was loath to make this discourse overlong. But therein it seems he altered his mind, and sent him this shorter. Which, if but to shew the difference of these two mens spirits, I have thought good here to insert.