Truth Maintained, Commentary · Part 2
Sermon Paragraffe 10.
Withall we falſly deny that Queene Elizabeth left the duſt behind the doore, which ſhe caſt on the dunghill, whence this uncivill expreſſion is raked up. The Doctrine by her eſtabliſhed, and by her Succeſſors maintained in the 39. Articles if declared, explained and aſſerted from falſe gloſſes, hath all gold, no duſt or droſſe in them.
Examiner.
I will not detract from the Religious huſwifry of ſuch a Queene of famous memory, but we know her Reformation is talk'd of now in a Politicke R Reverence, and we are commended backe into her times onelyonly to hinder us from going forward in our owne; for I am ſure till this Engine was contrived, Shee was not ſuch a Saint in the Prelates S Calender.
Treatiſe.
R. If there be any ſo baſe that they now make Queene Elizabeths Reformation their protection, which formerly they diſdained (running in raine to that buſh for ſhelter, which they meane to burne in faire weather) ſhame light on them for their hypocriſie. Let ſuch be ſtript naked to their utter diſgrate, who onelyonly weare the Memory of that worthy Queene to cloke and cover them in their neceſſity, whoſe Reformation was ſigned with ſucceſſe from Heaven; our Nation in her time being as famous for forreigne Atchivements as now it is infamous for home-bred diſſentions. Yet God forbid our eyes ſhould be ſo dazled with the luſtre of her days as not to goe forward to amend the faults thereof, if any ſuch be juſtly complained of.
S. Shee was not ſuch a Saint in the Prelates Calender.) I never ſaw the Prelates Calender, but in the late reformed Almanacks, I find neither Her nor any other for Saints.
EXAMINER.
For the Doctrine establiſhed from Queen Elizabeths times, though it be not the buſineſſe ſo much of our Reformation as the 39. Articles where it dwels; yet this we know, either the light of the Doctrine was very dimme, or the eyes Biſhop Montague, Franciſcus, Secta Clara.of our Biſhops T and Jeſuits, for one of them would needs ſpy Arminianiſme, and the Jeſuit Popery. And ſome will make it a Probleme; yet whether their gloſſe may accuſe the Articles, or the Article their gloſſe, ſuch Caſſanders found ſo much Latitude in our Doctrine as to attempt a V Reconciliation of their Articles and ours together.
TREATIS.
T. I expect (and ever may expect) that you would have produced ſome droſſe in our Articles, inſtancing in ſome falſe place or point contained in them, and then I muſt either have yeelded to you with diſgrace, or oppoſed you with diſadvantage. But inſtead of this, you only tell us how ſome have ſeene Arminianiſme and Popery in them. I anſwer: So the Papiſts doe read every point of Popery where you will ſay it was never written in the Scripture. Thoſe who bring the jaundies in their eyes doe find yellowneſſe in every object they behold; and nothing can be ſo cautiouſly pen'd, but ingaged perſons will conſtrue it to favour their opinions.
V. As to attempt a reconciliation of their Articles and ours together.) Thus many Egyptian Ks. attempted to let the red ſea into the Mediterranian. A project at firſt ſeeming eaſie to ſuch as meaſured their neerneſſe by the eye and at laſt found impoſſible by thoſe who ſurveyed their diſtance by their judgment; ſeeing art & induſtry can never marry thoſe things whoſe bands Nature doth forbid. And I am confident that with the ſame ſucces, any ſhal undertak the Accommodating of Engliſh and Romiſh Articles. Nor can the wiſeſt Church in ſuch a Caſe provide againſt the boldneſſe of mens attempting, though they may prevent their endeavours from taking effect. For my owne Opinion, as on the one ſide, I ſhould be loath that the Bels ſhould be taken downe out of the ſteeple and new-caſt every time that unwiſe people tune them to their Thinke: So on the other ſide, I would not have any juſt advantage given in our Articles to our Adverſaries. However, what you ſay confutes not, but confirmes my words in my Sermon, that the 39. Articles need declaring, explaining and aſſerting from falſe gloſſes. And ſeeing it is the peculiar Priviledge of Gods Word to be perfect at once and for ever, on Gods bleſſing let the darke words in our Articles be expounded by cleerer, doubtfull expreſſed in plainer, improper exchanged for fitter, what is ſuperfluous be removed wanting ſupplyed too large contracted, too ſhort enlarged, alwayes provided that this be done by thoſe who have calling, knowledge and diſcretion to doe it.