A summarie ansvvere to al the material points in any of Master Darel his bookes More especiallie to that one booke of his, intituled, the Doctrine of the possession and dispossession of demoniaks out of the word of God. By Iohn Deacon. Iohn Walker. Preachers.

TO THE CHRISTIAN AND WELL AFFECTED REA∣DERS, WHO EXPECT THE COM∣ming of the Lorde Iesus to their immortalitie: I.D. and I.W. doe wish the necessarie graces of the spirit, with a sauing knowledge in Iesus Christ: So be it.

GOod Christian Reader, when we dulie considered Maister Darel and his complices their lately dis∣persed pamphlets, concerning their new-found trade of Diuillitie, as also their vndutifull manner of imprinting and publishing the same to the world: we could not but call to remembrance a most pestilent practise, which Cardi∣nall Benno reporteth of Hildebrand.* 1.1 Who (hauing killed Alexander the second, for that he refused to sit at his speciall appointment in the Apostolike Sea, without the good Em∣perours licence) was (by the ayde of his souldiours) forth∣with enthronized into the Popedome himselfe: not ha∣uing therein the consent either of Cleargie or people. The which his prowd vsurpation, when Abbas Cassi∣nensis was come to redresse, Hildebrand that insolent V∣surper very scornefullie sayth vnto him thus, Frater, nimium tardasti, Brother, you haue beene somewhat too slowe: to whome Cassinensis very boldly replyed saying, & tu Hildebrande nimium festinasti, and thou O Hil∣debrand, thou hast beene ouer-hastie by much, both in kil∣ling

thy good predecessour, & in procuring the Popedome by such prowd vsurpation.

Euen thus (surely) it falles forth with vs at this present, concerning especiallie the matters controuerted betweene our selues and those our Antagonists. For they, not only giuing the Canuisado of late to her Maiesties high Commissi∣on, but hauing withall (by the venemous infection of their viperous pennes) verie vncharitablie endeuoured to wound S. H. vnto death, for that (by meanes of the sayd S. H. his dutifull discouerie of those their vndutifull dea∣lings) they might not be permitted to vsurp (in our English Church) a new Apostolicall power at their pleasures, without any her Maiesties authenticall licence. Maister Darel the principall agent (partly by the inherent pride of his insolent spirit, and partly by the prowde support of many his vnder-hand fauorits) is very prowdlie enthro∣nized into a new Popedome forsooth. And by priuiledge thereof he hath very peremptorily imprinted and publi∣shed sundrie seditious pamphlets, hauing thereunto nei∣ther warrant from God, nor dispensation from Prince, nor testimonie of sound conscience, no nor so much as the holie approbation of any good christian subiect.

Notwithstanding all this, he hath for a season (though feare and shame enforceth him now to pluck in his head) very prowdlie ietted from countrie to countrie like a pettie new Pope among his owne Cardinals; yea and that also in his pontificalities, portrayed and contriued after the new-found popelike cut. The which their vnbridled insolencie, when we indeuoured to encounter, by publishing (as we verily beleeue) the infallible truth of these intricate matters in a treatise at large, and had signified so much to themselues by word and by letters in an only desire of doing them good, they labored by letters and otherwaies to inter∣cept our said enterprise a time at the least. And in the meane time (by printing and publishing the trifling toyes of

that their new found trifling trade) they haue sought to forestall our former good purpose, and laboured to calme our carefull endeuours for doing them good. Yea, and by these their preuenting practises, they do (in effect) but disdainefullie say vnto vs, with Pope Hildebrand their prowd copartner, Deere brethren, you haue bin some∣what too slow in publishing those your dialogicall Discourses concerning Spirits and Diuels. Howbeit, we (by these our subsequent labours and second encoun∣ters) may with Cassinensis very conscionablie replie vpon them thus: and you, oh counterfeit Exorcistes, you haue bin ouer-hastie by much, not only in killing your good predecessour by your poysoned penne, but also in broa∣ching a fond triall abroade, without any triall of truth: in designing a Doctrine, so opposite to the Doctrine of Christ: and in discouering a Detection, to detect your great follie, and shame to the world.

The truth of the premisses (good christian Reader) may be made more apparantlie euident, if thou wilt proui∣dently examine, first, the pamphlets themselues: and then next, the spirit it selfe which may be supposed to endight the same.

The pamphlets themselues (notwithstanding any their outward florishing shewes) they are inwardlie faultie (we verily thinke) both in matter and manner.

That they are ouermuch faultie in matter, is more then may be denyed, being euery of them fraught full of vnsound, and absurd positions, as shall be shewed hereafter in a short Catalogue prefixed before this booke.

Moreouer, that they be likewise faultie in their manner or forme, may easily appeare vnto such as are not vtterlie ignorant of methode: or, do any thing know what belongs to an orderlie manner of writing.

For first, their manner of writing, it seemes to be some∣thing Schismaticall, and very shrewdlie to sauour of a Ser∣pentine

subtiltie,* 1.2 because (whatsoeuer their pamphlets pretend) they proceede not by a plaine course of teaching, but do rather incedere tortuosè, goe wrigginglie to worke, and walke this way and that way, like to the hunted Hare, which knoweth not whereon to resolue for a certaine.

Besides that, their manner of writing, it is also verie enigmaticall, obscure, and cloudie: their sentences or pe∣riods they are (in effect) no better then riddles, and for the most part so vncertaine, so variable, so flitting, and so chan∣ging, as none but themselues may possiblie spell, or spie forth their meaning.

Briefely, the very frame itselfe of their whole proceeding resembleth fitlie a paire of tarriours, or tyring yrons, and serueth to no other purpose at all, but to hold men occupied all the day long about a new nothing to hang on their sleeues. Or they may well be compared to an intricate La∣byrinth, or maskaring maze, from whence (when a man is once entred into them) he wots not which waies to winde himselfe forth, as may plainely appeare vnto such as careful∣lie consider the same, and this in effect for the Pamphlets themselues.

The spirit which may be supposed to indite those pamphlets,* 1.3 should make wise men beware how they doe rashlie entertaine them for truths, before they haue soundly tried the same with the touchstone of truth. This sacred triall being dulie obserued herein, it may greatly be feared, that the spirit inditing those pamphlets,* 1.4 will hardly be found to sauour of that wisedome which is from aboue, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie and good fruites, without grudging, without hypocrisie:* 1.5 but rather to tast of that wisedome which descendeth not from aboue, but is earthlie, sen∣suall, and diuellish.* 1.6 And howsoeuer no man knoweth the secrets of man, saue only the spirit of man which is in him, and therefore may iudge nothing too rashly of

man,* 1.7 before the time: yet when the Lord himselfe is come, and hath lightned things which were hid in darknes, and made manifest the counsels of the hart to all mens eyes, then, I see no reason at all, but that (by the out-goings of the spirit) a man may as easily discerne the nature of the spirit it selfe,* 1.8 as iudge of a tree by the fruites. And therefore, when we behold men caried head∣long with selfe conceits, vaunting very prowdlie with the Anabaptists, and saying, Quod volumus, sanctum est: quod nolumus, id iniquum & iniustum. Whatso∣euer we will or affect, that same is holie; whatsoeuer we nil, or affect not, that same is vniust & vnholie. Briefly, when we do heare M. Darel and his vnderhand fauorits (in sundrie places of their published pamphlets) to cry out and confesse, that all the learned men in the land are of a contrarie iudgement to them, and yet notwithstan∣ding, do prowdlie oppose themselues to all the learned men in the land,* 1.9 as though the word of truth came out only from them, or came only vnto themselues: what should set them agog in such a glorious vaunt, but only a prowd and insolent spirit?

* 1.10Againe, when we heare how these vnrulie spirits doe nothing else in effect but rayle vpon men, reuile their per∣sons, yea, and euen vtterlie disable the iudgements of such and so reuerend personages, as they themselues (in compa∣rison of true learning in deede, of sound knowledge, and of all good gifts and graces of the spirit) are vtterlie vn∣worthie to be named the seauenth day after the meanest of those, whom they so deepely disable: what may we imagine should hale them headlong an end in such a disgracing course, but only some phrentike, some furious, or some carnall spirit? sith the holie spirit of truth hath told vs for truth,* 1.11 that where there is nothing but enuying, but strife and diuisions, there the men themselues are yet carnall, and walke but as men.

Againe, when as their published pamphlets are peste∣red full of apparant contradictions, the one very cruellie giuing a countercheck, and cutting the throate of the other, as hereafter appeareth:* 1.12 how may we iustlie imagine that any other then an erronious and a lying spirit should be the primarie inditor thereof:* 1.13 seeing the holie spirit of God, is the spirit of truth, euermore but one and the same, and leadeth men alwayes into all soundnes of truth and Religion.

Againe, when as they do nothing in effect, but accuse and sclaunder throughout their seuerall pamphlets they care not whome:* 1.14 what drawes them thereto, but a diuellish satanicall spirit? sith the Diuell (you know) hath euer∣more beene the accuser of our brethren.

If they haplie imagine, that those whom they accuse or slaunder, are but beasts and no brethren at all: we an∣swere, that is much more then they are able to know, and we hold them no competent Iudges, concerning such cases especially as the Lord hath purposely reserued to his proper Consistorie,* 1.15 and appropriated wholly to his owne iudge∣ment seate.

Neither shall it suffice to say, that (howsoeuer they be thought to accuse, or to slaunder) they speake but the truth of euery of them: because, if that were so indeede, yet they do it vntrulie, in as much as they do it only to reproch, and to slaunder the persons of men, and not to reforme their supposed disorders. For, neither do they proceede therein by a iudiciall course,* 1.16 neither yet are they iudici∣allie called to testifie against them: and so, not only they breake the ninth commaundement, but (which more is) they do very daungerouslie scandalize the minds of so many in the land, as (being but ignorant before of those their falslie supposed crimes) are now (by their clamorous accusations) vncharitablie drawne into an hard conceit against their persons.* 1.17 Whether this be not a diuellish Satanicall

spirit, let M. Darel himselfe determine: who doth very confidently affirme, that so many as are giuen to cursing and lying, to speake euill of persons which are in au∣thoritie, to rayling, reuiling, sclaundering, hatred, and such like, they are vndoubtedlie the childrē of the Diuel, who himselfe was a liar,* 1.18 and a murderer from the be∣ginning.

Briefly, when we behold them throughout their whole pamphlets, not only to impugne her Maiesties high Com∣mission concerning ecclesiasticall persons and causes, but (which more is) by toong, by penne, by practize, and such other apparant shewes of vndutifull subiects, to resist her highnesse authoritie, and (which is worst of all) euen then to accomplish euerie of these, when they were by God forbidden, by her highnesse restrayned, by due order of lawe conuented, conuicted, apprehended, impriso∣ned, by the sentence of Iustice definitiuely condemned for grosse malefactors, adiudged to prison; and so conse∣quentlie by God himselfe, by her excellent Maiestie, by course of lawe, by all good conscience, and by the appro∣ued practise of all holie Martyrs, enioined eftsoones to a dutifull silence: whence come these vnrulie procee∣dings I pray you, but from such a rebellious spirit, as nei∣ther for feare,* 1.19 nor for conscience can be made to subiect it selfe to Gods sacred ordinance, but prowdlie resisteth the same,* 1.20 and so procureth the sword of Iustice to be vn∣sheathed against themselues, and to take vengeance on them, as vnrulie and turbulent spirits?

Thus then, the truth of the premisses, is verie apparant you see, as well by the seuerall pamphlets, as by the spirit it selfe, which may well be supposed to be the indighter thereof. And therefore we would to God (good christian Readers) you could suffer vs a little in our foolishnes:* 1.21 and in very deede you do suffer vs. For, we are iealous ouer you with a godlie iealousie, because we labour

to prepare you for one husband, and to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. Howbeit, we feare, least as the Serpent beguiled Euah through his subtiltie, so your minds should be corrupt from the simplicitie that is in Christ. For, if these men do preach another Iesus then him whom others haue preached before, or, if you receiue another spirit then that which you haue receiued; either yet an other Gospell then that which was taught you be∣fore: you might well haue admired their persons, approued their practises, and so desirouslie haue entertained their factious pamphlets. Notwithstanding, when there are no such matters at all as you haplie imagine, why haue they so stronglie bewitched your minds,* 1.22 that you should not obey the truth, to whom Iesus Christ hath bin de∣scribed in your sight, and among you crucified? They do ring in your eares, and would beare you in hand, that they only but display that authenticall power of the Lord, which others doe darken: as though all other saue onely themselues did daylie obscure the glorious scepter of Christ; and herein also (by the preposterous approbation of their vnderhand fauourets) they haue gotten a popular applause. But wherein will they not very fitlie resemble Sulpitius,* 1.23 a man fearefully confect in all kind of mischiefe? who hauing (by the voyce of the vulgar sort) very peremp∣torilie passed a Decree, that no Senatour should borow a∣boue two hundred Crownes at the most, was found at his death to owe thirtie thousand himselfe. So surely, these men do seeme with the vulgar sort to dislike that any should dar∣ken the glorious power of the Lord: whereas they them selues do obscure it the most of all others. For (how∣soeuer they wholie pretend to vphold the kingdome of Christ) what do they else by those their iollie pretences, but couer themselues (as we say) with a wet sack? For, it will euidentlie appeare by the following discourses, that none haue more dangerouslie trampled downe the dig∣nitie

of Christ then themselues: and yet (as if the Crow had engendred the Swanne) these men forsooth, they will seeme now to build vp the dignitie they destroyed before.

Perhaps thou wilt say or surmize at the least, that we our selues (by omitting, and taking what part of their pamph∣lets might make most for our owne purpose) haue therein euen purposely maymed their writings, and foyled the very force of their cause. Our answer is this, we haue care∣fullie quoted the page it selfe, from whence we do drawe our seuerall collections: and therefore, let the learned determine, whether we haue any where abstracted their pamphlets besides their purposed scope, or haue other∣wise pretermitted any thing materiall, which might but (in shew) either mannage or further their cause: and God forbid, but that we should very willinglie acknowledge and redresse the offred wrong. In deede, we haue purposelie pre∣termitted many impertinent vagaries, extrauagant speeches, idle excursions, needles dilatations, friuo∣lous amplifications, and humorous illustrations, which (like vnto vglie botches, and swelling tumours) do fil∣thilie disfigure the bodie it selfe, and are nothing mate∣riall, but meerely superfluous, because the very ground∣worke it selfe whereon they seeme to be builded, is ouer∣sandie or weake to support such a combersome frame: very confidentlie concluding withall, that for vs to an∣swere their nothing, with something, would be (in the iudgement of the learned) a labour worth nothing. For, what do they (by such their clamorous outcryes) but deale with their ignorant Readers, as the foolish huntsman deales with his hounds, who by his crying so, ho, before the game it selfe be on foote, or, first found at the least: do but set the vnskilfull hounds at an idle gaze. Our An∣tagonists in deede, they do keepe a clamorous coyle against the impugnings of any their pestilent practises, and tels i••

in the eares of all the world, that (do the aduersaries what they are able) their wisedome forsooth,* 1.24 it must and shall be iustified of all her children: as though they thought it but an easie matter to breake an Eele with their knee, or to build vp the roofe without a foundation. Howbeit, they haue herein verie earnestlie solicited sundrie of our honorable Iudges and Magistrates, and presumed to prescribe them their seuerall courses, concerning anie their iudiciall proceedings against their persons: for∣getting belike that they who take in hand to limit autho∣ritie, are like vnto such as seeke to stay the course of the Sunne. They should rather acknowledge with Plutarch, that it is vnfitting for him who falleth, to lift vp: who knoweth nothing, to teach: who is disordered, to order: who is vnrulie, to rule: or, who cannot him∣selfe obey, to commaund obedience to others. It had beene much better for them to haue trulie learned their dutie to God and their Prince, before they had so prowdly presumed to pester the Church with such vndutifull and disordered Pamphlets. Howbeit, because they haue publisht abroade such perilous points without any respect of Princes authoritie, or due regard of the Churches peace: it shall not be amisse to tell to their faces, that they haue therefore iustlie deserued the selfesame recompence, which Alexander Seuerus gaue to his friend Vetronius Turmius: namely, vt fumo pereant, qui fumum ven∣dunt, that they perish with smoake, who sell forth smoake. For what other thing else do they set forth to sale, but such fuming smoke, as is readie to breake forth into dange∣rous firie flames?

Beware therefore good christian Reader, that thou in∣crease not the fire alreadie kindled, by blowing a popu∣lar applause into the wide open eares of any those tur∣bulent spirits. Be not too credulous or rash in intertayning their Bookes as the approued oracles of Apollo Pythius

at Delphos.* 1.25 Know this for a certaine, that euerie light beliefe is none other thing else but a foolish docu∣ment. Therefore, try all things, and keepe that which is good: abstayne from all appearance of euill.

Now the verie God of peace sanctifie you through∣out; and we pray God that your whole spirit, and soule and bodie may be kept blameles vnto the com∣ming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Faithfull is he which calleth you, who also will do it: Amen.

* 1.26And now brethren, wee beseech you for our Lord Iesus Christs sake, and for the loue of the spirit, that you would striue together with vs, by prayers to God for vs: that we may be deliuered from them which are disobedient in Iudea,* 1.27 and, that our ser∣uice which we haue to do at Ierusalem may be acceptable among the Saints of God. Thus the God of peace be with you all, Amen.

Your louing brethren assuredly in the Lord, and the Lord his vnworthiest on earth,

• IOHN DEACON.
• IOHN WALKER.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Benno Cardinal. in vita Alex∣andri. 2.
• * 1.2

  2. Cor. 11.3.4.
• * 1.3

  Deut. 13.1.2.3▪ Matth. 7.15.16▪ 1. Ioh. 4.1.3.
• * 1.4

  Iam. 3.17.
• * 1.5

  Iam. 3.15.
• * 1.6

  1. Cor. 2.11.
• * 1.7

  1. Cor. 4.5. Heb. 4.12.13.
• * 1.8

  Matth. 7.16.17
• * 1.9

  1. Cor. 14.36.
• * 1.10

  Iude. 9.10. 3. Ioh. 10.
• * 1.11

  1. Cor. 3.3.
• * 1.12

  1. King. 22.22. Ioh. 8.44.
• * 1.13

  Ioh. 14.17.
• * 1.14

  Reuel. 12.10.
• * 1.15

  Deut. 29.29.
• * 1.16

  Exod. 20.16.
• * 1.17

  D. Doctrine, pag. 86.
• * 1.18

  Ioh. 8.44.
• * 1.19

  Rom. 13.5.
• * 1.20

  Rom. 13.2.3.4.
• * 1.21

  2. Cor. 11.1.2.3.4.
• * 1.22

  Gal. 3.1.
• * 1.23

  Plutarch. in Silla.
• * 1.24

  Math. 11.19.
• * 1.25

  Seneca. 1. Thes. 5.21.22.23.24.
• * 1.26

  Rom. 15.30.31.
• * 1.27

  Isa. 9.6. Rom. 15.33.