Works, Book 4 · Letter 80
EPISTLE LXXX.
Another Letter of Mr. Mede's to Mr. Hartlib, shewing his Reasons why he refused to declare himself concerning the Acta Lipsiaca.
Worthy Mr. Hartlib,
—IT grieves me not a little, yea perplexes me, to hear that Mr. Dury is come off with no better success from my L.—I am loth malè augurari; but I like it not. I fear it is mali ominis, and that our State and Church have no mind to put their hand to this Work: Deus avertat omen. But our Church, you know, goes upon differing Principles from the rest of the Reformed, and so steers her course by another Rule than they do. We look after the Form, Rites and Discipline of Antiquity, and endeavour to bring our own as near as we can to that Pattern. We suppose the Reformed Churches have departed farther there-from than needed, and so we are not very solicitous to comply with them; yea we are jealous of such of our own as we see over-zealously addicted to them, lest it be a sign they prefer them before their Mother. This, I suppose, you have observ'd, and that this disposition in our Church is of late very much increased. Well then; If this Union sought after be like to further and advantage us in the way we affect, we shall listen to it. If it be like to be prejudicial, as namely to give strength and authority to those amongst us who are enamour'd with the foreign Platform, or bring a yoke upon our own by limiting and making us obnoxious; we'l stand aloof and not meddle with it, lest, we infringe our liberty. This I have always feared would be no small Remora on our part, and I pray God it may fall out beyond my expectation.—
Now for my self; The Acta Lipsiaca I never saw, nor did I find the Extract you mentioned in your Letter: I suppose it was forgotten when you seal'd.
But I am afraid you have made Mr. Dury take me for another man than I am: I pray therefore, let him know that I am a private man, one that the Church never took notice of, having no place or dignity in the same, nor any condition or means of living but a poor Fellowship, not known to any of the greater Clergy, nor acquainted with those that are of note in any special manner; in a word, one of the foreign foreign, as*1 Cor. 6… 4. S. Paul speaks: and therefore see not how my verdict should be of any moment in this cause.
2. I live in the University, where we move only ad motum Primi mobilis; and that discretion is expected at our hands, who are of the inferior Orbs, as not to move without our Superiors. If any one transgress this rule, and offer to meddle in ought that concerns the Publick, before the State and those in place declare themselves, he is taken notice of for Factious and a Busie-body; and if he be once thus branded, all the water of the Thames will not wash him clean, if it be objected to his prejudice, though many years after: as we see by daily experience, and of late in the business of—College, if some body say true. For this cause, I am afraid, Mr. Dury will find our University-men more shy and nice than others, now—hath refused to declare himself, and—to give such encouragement to the business as was expected.
3. That for my self, I am so far inclinable to Peace, that I can yield to a Christian Communion at as great a distance of Opinions as any Protestant whatsoever. For I hold Communion is not to be broken but for Fundamentals: of which kind I take none of the differences between the Calvinists and Lutherans to be. Yet am I not so well versed in the subtilties of those Controversies, as I think fit to adventure my judgment to the publick view by an examination and censure of particulars, wherein my unskilfulness would too soon appear. Nor do I think this Union, which every true Christian ought so much to desire, will ever be brought to pass by a full decision of the Controversies; but only by abating of that vast distance which contention hath made, and approching the differences so near, as either party may be induced to tolerate the other, and acknowledge them for Brethren and Members of the same Body.
To Mr. Dury's request therefore I answer, That if Mr. Dr. Ward here, or Mr. Dr. Potter at Oxford think fit to declare themselves concerning the Acta Lipsiaca, when I have seen either, I shall not be unwilling to give my general suffrage with reference unto theirs. But to go farther than thus, the Reasons above-mentioned will deter me.
Thus hoping to receive the Extract you mention with your next, and praying Almighty God to remove all obstacles, and to afford Mr. Dury all means of success in this so holy a business, I rest
Your assured Friend, Ios. Mede. Christ's College, April 9.