Short and Plain Animadversions, Postscript
A Post-script, Vindicating the Author from many unjust aspersions cast upon him.
MAster Dell in his Epistle to the Honourable house of Commons, reports that I preacht against the Articles at Oxford; which I did not, for when I desired the Honourable Worthies of Parliament to cast their eyes upon the Universitie to reform it I did Premise this, that in what I should say I would no wayes reflect on the Articles at Oxford? which being made (as I said) stands with the honour and justice of the Parliament to have them kept; was this to preach against the Articles?
2. Mr Dell in his Epistle also chargeth me that I called the Parliament a mongrill Parliament, which I did not; Indeed I said because errours and heresies spread, and the promoters thereof are not punisht therefore others accuse them to be so, but I never did.
3. It is reported that Mr Dell should shew me his notes before he preacht, and that I did approve the matter, yet spent time in study to gain-say what he delivered: the originall of this report I finde to be one Mr Ireton in Pater-Noster Row; who saith that his Brother Commissary Ireton did affirm this to be true, which indeed is utterly false; I never saw Mr Dels face untill the munday before the Fast, nor had I any more words with him then to put to his choyce what part of the day he would chuse to preach on; I never knew one word of his Sermon untill I heard him preach it.
4. I am aspersed for gain-saying what was preacht, and that so suddenly and publickely; the truth is, had I consulted with flesh and blood, to consider the greatnesse of the Assembly, the scantling minute I had for meditation and recollection of what he preacht; if I had considered also whom I should likely displease, what censures I should incur, I should have been silent; but overlooking this and well weighing that I could not be true unto my own Principles, nor my inward peace, nor to the truth it selfe, I was constrained in Spirit to shew my dislike in giving some innocent touches on severall unsound passages in the Sermon; presuming if one man dare be so bold to publish Error, another may take boldnesse to Vindicate the truth.
5. I am censured for not Printing my Sermon, as if I were ashamed or recanted of what I said (which I professe I do not;) well I had rather lye under this censure then run into Mr Dells error, to Print a Sermon preached before the Parliament, without their Order.
FINIS.
End of the text · Christopher Love, Short and Plain Animadversions (1647)