Answer to a Popish Pamphlet of Christs Descent to Hell, Title page – Dedication
LIMBO'S BATTERIE, OR, An Answere, to a Popish Pamphlet, OF Christs descense to Hell: Where-in what can bee alleadged, for the locall descending of His Soule thither, after His Suffering, to liberate the PATRIARCHES, out of anie LIMBVS, is clearlie refuted: Extorted at last, to a more publicke view, BY WILLIAM GVILD.
Aug. Tom. 7. lib. 2. de Nuptiis & Concup. c. 2.
Verba recta ac veritatis luce fulgentia, tortuosis interpretationibus obscurare & depravare moliuntur.
Hieronymus Advers. Pelag.
Ingemui, fateor, nobis minus inesse voluntatis ad propagandam veritatem, quam illis inest invidentia ad inculcandum mendacium.
ANNO 1630.
ABERDENE, Printed by Edward Raban.
BON. ACCORD
Insignia Vrbis abredoniae;
TO THE TRVELIE NOBLE, Right Honourable, and Religious Lord, IAMES, LORD DESKFORD.
MY LORD,
ABoue three Yeares agoe, this Popish Demaund, in the Iesuite's owne Hand-wryting, being given to that moste Religious Gentleman, and hopefull Branch, of that Noble Stocke, FRANCIS HAY, Sonne to the Earle of ERROLL; with no lesse bragging, than that all the Ministers were not able to answere it: Amongst the meanest of whome, it having pleased that worthie Gentle-man, to imploy my Paynes; I drew vp an Answere, at that tyme, more to giuegive him-selfe contentment, (whose constancie they would hauehave brangled) than any-wayes to satisfie those, who by the more learned Travels of others, could never yet bee made sensible, in anie poynt of their erronius Giddinesse, by that inebriating Cup of their whorish Mother. Alwayes, since that tyme, how-so-ever, I never heard more of that purpose, and that the Demander rested silent; yet the busie Surmises of late, and causlesse brags, of some of that Popish Crew, comming to myne Eares; alleadging in their vaunting and wanton humour, that a Demand had long a-goe beene made to some Ministers, concerning their BIBLES translation, and a mayne Article of the CREED; where-vntounto they were never, hither-to, able to reply: Together with the earnest desire of others, well-affected, hath made mee to revise my Paynes, and of new to put Pen to Paper; and so to bring foorth, to more publicke view, and more common benefite, what other-wyse was onlie intended for a private vse: Wherby anie, of indifferent judgement, may see, how justlie they beltch foorth their boysterous Brags, and heaue with the stile of Invincible, (as they did a-before their Spanish Armado) what-so-ever commeth from the Finger-tops of their ghostlie Fathers: as if their Brayne could hatch nothing, but a perfect Pallas: tho with a-lyke successe of disappoyntment, that preparation, and their paynes, are seene to symbolize. The LORD grant, that still HIS CHVRCHES Foes, may be as a rolling Wheele, and as Stubble before the Wynde; whom He may persecute,Psal. 83.13. with His Tempest, and make afraid, with His Storme.
These Paynes, then, Most Noble, and Religious Lord, I hauehave for this cause dedicated to your learned Patronage; as One, both in Blood, and Affection, most neare, and entirelie linked with that Noble Gentleman, who instigated mee, first, to the taking of the same. And in respect your fervent louelove to RELIGION, is not onelie evident; but also your zealous and judicious Defence of the TRVETH, at all fit occasions is not our, (to all those that know Your Honour) never to bee wanting: And who is able, therefore, sufficientlie, by Skill and Arte, to mayntayne against all Opposers, This, and what poynt so-ever else of sacred VERITIE, which sheltereth it selfe vnderunder the Shield of Your learned Patrocinie. Wishing, also, that This may receyue such acceptation, according to Your Lordships imbred courteous and gentle Disposition, that it may bee reputed, and remayne, as a small, but sincere Testimonie, of the most respectiue duetie, and entire affection of one, who with the apprecation of all Happinesse, shall ever continue
Your Lordships devoted, WILLIAM GVILD.