ETIST. L A Evt· llill his affimltis llrongdt where is weakell rdi(lance, Simon M•gtuhad hi> Htltn•:Ni<hlla< the Deacon had his <how{ll!minw,(as Hiero'?tealsthem)M.r<ion had his Fafroidle at R•mt; Apptlits his Philumtna,MontanttJ h1s Prifta and Mnximi/lia; llrrlu< his C•»Jiantints fi(lcr, D1n.tw his L.cilla; Elpidius h1s Agapt, PriftiUiantM his GaUa:and our Jefuiccshave theit painted Lodies(not dcad,bm li_ving)both for objeCts, and inllruments. When they faw they could not blow up rchg10n wtch French powderinto Heaven,they now try by this Moabici!h plot m finke it downe ro Hdl.Thote filly women, which are laden with fins, and divers lulls, mufl: now be the fl:aks of their fpirituall fornications : But for that thcfe encerpn(cs wa~t not danger, that both parrs may fecurely fucceed, behold publique libcrry ofdifpenf<~rions, whether for diffembled religion, or not unprofitable filthtne'J!'c. Thefc mcanes a!e (like the B Authors) di!hoodt, and godleffi. Adde (•fyou plca(e) hereto, thofe whtch pretend more innocent polici • their common aependances upon one Comm:inder, their intelligences given, their char~es received, thdr rewards and honours (perhaps of the Calender, perhaps of a red Hat)duly conferred. Neither may the leaf} hclpe be afcribed to the conference oflludies; (the conjoyned labours ofwhole Societies direCted to one end, and !hrowded under the title ofone Author) to large mainrenances raifcd from the death-beds offomc guilty benefoetors: from whence flow both infi~ite numbers, and incomparoblc helps, ofStudents. Under which head, for the time pafl:, not a few arc moved by the remembrance ofthe bounteous hofpitaliry of the religious; who having ingroffcd the world to themfdves, fccmed l•b<rall in giving lomc thino; like unto fomc vain-glorious theeves, which having robbed weal. c thy Merchanu:bellow fomcpence upon beggers. Further, rhefmotheriog, ifnot compofingoftheir frequent llrifes, and confining ofbrawles 1vithin thcirowne rhre- !holds, with the nice managing oftheir know ne oppofirions, liath won many ignorant fnends. Lallly, the excellent corrcfpondence oftheir dotl:rines unto natcre,hath beco their bel\ folliciror. Wc have examined particulors in a former Epillle: wherein we have made it evident, that Popery affetls nothing but to make N 1ture either proud, orwanton: it offers difficulties, but carnall ; and fuch as the greatclllo\·cr of hitnfelfc would eafily embrace for an ad-.antage. That we may therefore fumme uo ali;I need notoccufc our carelefnes,iodifferency,idlenelfe,loofecarri3ge;inall which would God we had not aided them, and wronged our felvcs; nor yet t~eir zealcand forwardnes, worfe meanes are guilty ofthcirgainc. In a10rt, the faire outfide which D they fct upon Religion, which furc is the bell they have, ifnot all ; theirprctcAded mirules,wilfull umruths,llrait prohibitions,bloody and l<cret inquifirions, deprovations ofancient witoeffes, expurgation o/ their owne, gay and gari!h fights, glorious titles, crofty changes of names, lhapes, habits, conditions; infinuations tot he great, oppugnation oftheweaker fex; fala1ood of anfwers, and oathes, difpenfations for finnes, uniting offorces, concealing ofdifferences, largcncffe of contributions,multitude ofat!ors, and mcanes, accordances to mens naturalt difpofitions : Where we on thccootrary care not to feeme, buc to be, difclaime miracks, dare not favc the tile ofReligioo with a lie; give free fcope to all pens, to all tongue;, to all eyes: !hed no blood tor Religion: fuffer all Writers to lpeake like themfclves; a1ew nothing bm poorc fimplicitic io our devotions; goe ever, and looke, as we are; te:!ch rhe E truth right-downe in an honell plainneffe, take no vantage of imbecillirie; fwe3re true, though we die; give no hope of indulgence for evill; lludy each wired to himfelfe, aod the Mufes 1 publia1 our quarrels, and aggravate them 1 anger nature and conquer it. Such gaine fiull be gravel! in their throats : fuch loffcs to us (in our not doring to finne) a,.ll be happy and vi~orious 1 in all other regards ore both blame-worthy, and recoverable. What dulncflc is this~ Have we fuch aKing, "'i11 thcfc!ills ofcontroverfic,moy dare to gropple with that great infallible Vicar, for his triple Crowoc; fuch Bi!hops,asmay jullly chalkngcthe whole Confillory of Romt; fo many learned Dollars, and Divines, as no Nation under heaven, morc1 fo Aouri- !hingUnivcrfities, as Chrilleodomc hath none; fuch bleffed opportunities, li.1ch incouragements; and now when we wane nothing clfc, !hall we be want in~ to our felves ~ Yea,above all thefe,the God ofheaven favours us; zitd doewe langm!h!The Ff3 ~u~
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=