Melius inquirendum, or, A sober inquirie into the reasonings of the Serious inquirie wherein the inquirers cavils against the principles, his calumnies against the preachings and practises of the non-conformists are examined, and refelled, and St. Augustine, the synod of Dort and the Articles of the Church of England in the Quinquarticular points, vindicated.

CHAP. IX.

Wherein the Enquirers insinuated Detractions are refelled, some little Artifices discovered, Calvin vindicated, and the whole concluded.

DEtraction differs from Contumely, just as Theft from Robbery by the Highway.

The Slaunderer is but a Pickpoket; the Reviler a Padder: the one can dexterously do the feat, and carry of his prize with a cast of cleanly conveyance, but the soulmouth'd Rayler attacques the repute of the innocent •…•…i, & Armis, and pleads his Commission to plunder.

The Serious Enquirer, in some of his former Chapters, has with downright Oblequy assaulted the credit of Dissenters, but in this he proceeds more discreetly, undermining their Reputa∣tions by oblique infinuations and indirect suggestions: whereby he has gained this singular advantage, that whilst he lays before the Malicious sufficient matter to seed, and furnish their malice, yet lyes close under the covert of this excuse, that he affirms nothing positively, at once taking from the aggrieved party all possibility of just defence, and sheltring himself under the Politick plea of not being Dog∣matical.

The design of all which, (as of his whole elaborate discourse) he could not more fully instruct us in, then in those few words of his, pag. 221. It was an effectual course Haman took. Esth. 3. 8. When he designing to ruine the whole Church of the Iews, first undermines the Reputation of their Prosession, delates their Religion as not fit for the Protection of the Prince, and that it did contain Laws contrary to all people, and that they would not obey the Kings Laws. So solemn and sacred is that practise to love the Trea∣son, and hate the Traytor, to imitate the Policy, and yet decry the Politician. But sure our Enquirer is quite out in one thing; for though Haman's Policy was subtle, yet it proved not effectual, unless he account a pair of Gallows such great success: and therefore I hope the Enquirer will accept it as a specimen of my Charity, if I pray that he may never take an effectual course. Examples indeed are numerous, and obvious which prove that wicked Counsels have most perniciously recoiled upon their Authors; and Phaleris (in this one thing most just) taught Pe∣rillus the sweetness of his own Brazen Bull, by giving the Arti∣ficer the first handsale of his ingenicus contrivance.

—Nec lex est justior ulla, Quàm necis Artific•…•…s arte perire suâ.

§. 1. Now his first ins•…•…nuation is, that the N. C. stand out only upon a Point of Honour.

I cannot see (says he) what should be able to perpetuate our Distra∣ctions, unless, it be a point of Honour, that some men think themselves obliged to persevere, because they have begun: which sly Method of Detraction, as it may safely be contemned by the innocent, so as easily retorted by the confident: for others perhaps cannot see what should be able to perpetuate their persecutions, unless it be a point of Honour, that some men think themselves obliged to persevere in their rigorous impositions, because they have begun, and had rather justify an errour, then have it thought they have been in one so long: It's a most unrighteous procedure to charge any man with base and unworthy designs, further then pregnant overtures will justify such a charge, and yet A. B. Whitguift has given the world too great occasion for such a jealousy, that it was a Point of honour that obstracted a Reformation, when his great Argu∣ment, to defeat the Pious intentions of the Parliament, was, that it would tend to the slaunder of the Church, as having hetherto maintained an errour. Nay I have read in the Grand Debate Sect. 6. That the Reverend Prelates authorized to Reform the Liturgy▪ insist upon this as one Reason of their non-condescension to more alterations: That it would be a virtual Concession, that the Liturgy was an intolerable burden to tender Consciences.

But a few considerations would rout a Legion of such un∣grounded suggestions.

As. 1. That the applause of inconsiderable persons must needs be very inconsiderable: and that credit small, which is gained amongst those who are of small credit in the World. Ad 2ly, That the temptation lyes visibly on the other side: He that would drive a gainful Trade for Credit, and Honour, must settle his Factory where such Commodities are native, and staple: He may gape for Dignities, and Honours till he is Chap fallen, whose Con∣science shall cast his lot amongst the Dissenters, and when he has Angled all day., may come home with a Diverbe, I have fight fair, and caught a Frog. And. 3. Sure no wise man would purchase honourable scars, with mortal wounds; nor incur the displeasure of Armed power, only to wear the Cognizance of foolish valour in Black, and Blew. 'Tis a slender alleviation of those loads of reproach which they feel, besides those greater severities which they may fear, to wear a Feather in their Caps, and the aiery plume of popu∣lar applause. Nay. 4. Let this Gentleman make it his own case, and learn to judge more moderately: Suppose it were enacted by Law. That to practise the Ceremonies should be punisht with suspension ab officio, & beneficio, would he upon a point of Honour espouse their quarrel? or would the waxen wings of Fame support his courage under those penalties? Why then should he judge that corruption colodge in the breast of another, which he would not harbour in his own?

And yet I must needs say, that the good name, and moderate Repute of every Christian, much more of every Minister of the Gospel, ought to be of that value to him, as not to prostitute it to every three half penny temptation, nor to render it cheap by Levity, and inconstancy, when no more cogent Reasons are offer'd for an alteration, then meer will, and pleasure: nor has any one thing more debased the honour of Christianity, nor weakened the success of the Ministry, then that some of those who wear those glorious Liveries, have either fullied them in the dirt, or turned them wrong s•…•…de outwards, wheeling about like Weathercocks, with the smallest breath of flattering prefer∣ments, or however, with the more violent gusts of threatned persecutions.

A good man is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one of a cubical figure, that falls upon his Basis of Conscierce, which way soever the provi∣dence of God shall throw him; though some mens practise would make us believe, that the plain English of that hard word is to fall on his legs like a Cat: which an old hyperbolical proverbe tells us, will wriggle her self into her true perpendi∣cular, though shot out of a Canons mouth.

Such persons, I consess, do not want their specious argu∣ments, to prove themselves constant, under the greatest de∣monstrations of inconstancy. For (say they) we have setled our ultimate end, and fixed our main design, which is to assecurate our Revenews, our ease, our splendour, and if the Terms of enjoying them vary, yet we n•…•…ver vary from the ecliptick line of preferments; let contingencies appear in multiform shapes, we can press all Accidents into the service of our unum neces∣sarium. Such was that Quadrangular Doctor, a zealous Prote∣stant in Edw. 6th dayes, a Papist in Q. Maries, and upon the advancement of Qu Elix faced about, and read the Ser∣vice in English: O come let us sing a new Song! Thus let the exteriour face of Religion receive more shapes then Proteus, yet, he abides constant to his principles, and resolves to continue Vicar of Bray.

Yet that we may not prove sturdy Okes, but flexible Willows, the Enquirer has two waighty things to say to us.

(1) That it's no real dishonour, but a manly generosity, and a Christian virtue to change our minds upon mature deliberation, and the evidence of better Reason. Very orthodox! I hope then he will allow it to be a manly generosity, and a Christian virtue to keep our minds unchanged, to assert our own convictions, till those evi∣dences of better reason shall appear which may change them, and that it would be a childish pusillanimity. to change our practise, till better reason shall oblige us to change our minds: but I am fearful, though upon mature deliberation we fix our minds accord∣ing to the dictates of the best reason we can get, yet shall we not avoid trouble till we conform them to the publick reason. But (says he) the very temper which our Saviour requires of his Disciples, and which is the great preparatory disposition to the en∣tertainment

of Christianity, especially consists in a simplicity of mind, and an indifferency to comply with whatsoever shall best recommend it self to our faculties. Well! Dissenters say they have already complied with that which has best recommended it self to their faculties, shall they be secured from vexation upon such complyance? They resolve never to be Non-conformists to their own faculties! Still I doubt that they who have invented a publick wisdom, a publick reason, a publick Conscience, will set their wits on work once more to contrive a publick faculty wherein those publick powers may reside, for it's but congruous that the publick Treasure should be deposited in a publick Treasury.

I am all this while at a loss where our Saviour has required this same indifferency, unless perhaps where he says, He that will be my Disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. An indifferency of spirit towards every thing is an excellent preparatory towards just nothing. And the best temper (〈◊〉〈◊〉 seems) to entertain the Christian Religion, is to be of no Re∣•…•…. As the eye is the better prepar'd to receive the species of all Colours, because it's of none; and the imaginary first matter is therefore capable of all forms, because it's tinctur'd with no form.

Such has been the Policy of our Romish Emissaries; To endea∣vour to reduce the dissenting world to Atheism, that they might be prepared to receive the impressions of their Catho∣licism; and upon this Maxime was the Counsel founded their great Boverius gave to a greater person fortified with more grace then to take it. Ut quoniam v•…•…ra Religio tibi inquirenda est, antequam ad eam investigandam accedas, omnem prius Religionem suspectam habeas, lubeatque tamdiu a Protestantium Fide, & Reli∣gione animum, & voluntatem suspendere quamdiu in veri investi∣gatione versaris.

That seeing your Majesty is now going to search for the true Religion, before you fall upon the work, you would first suspect every Religion: and that you would be pleased so long to suspend your assent, and consent to the Faith, and Religion of the Protestants, as you are engaged in the disquisition of the Truth.

(2) The second thing he has to say to us is, That the Honour of our Religion is of more value then our personal Reputation, Still orthodox! but the Honour of Religion is very little secured by the Professors adapting themselves to that which has the vogue, and carries no other advantage but that of power to se∣cond, and back it: Christianity will shine with it's own native beams, without sinful complyances: Nor need we fear but that Christian Magistrates will cast a benign aspect upon the Religious, though the Religion was never of their Composure: They like it the better, because their Saviour made it, and not they: And how high soever God has set them above their subjects, it's their greatest glory to stoop as low to a Redeemer, as the meanest Peasant. Christianity in it's naked simplicity, and most modest attire disturbes no forms of Government, but is admi∣rably

suited by the wisdom of Christ to all modes of Civil Policy: And if we may speak according to the best evidences of the reason, and own that which recommends it self to our faculties, a Monatch may be as absolute without the Ce∣remonies, and other unnecessary Additions, as with them:

§. 2. A second insinuation is, That Non-conformists are turbulent, unperswadable, ungovernable; That their princi∣ples have a malignant influence upon Government; And for the more dexterous management of this suspicion he tells us, That it's a great blot in the writings of Calvin, that after he had discoursed rarely well of the power of Princes, and the duty of Subjects, he undoes all again with an unhap∣py exception in these words: De privatis hominibus semper loquor. I see if Calvin has but one blot, the Enquirer will hit it, so quicksighted he is, that none must Hope to take him with a why not? I meet indeed with an Eagle-eyed Jesuite, who to palliate the villanies of their own Society, would gladly pick a hole in Calvins Coat, but the Reverend, and Protestant Bishop Bilson roundly takes him up thus: Calvin is so well known to those that be learned, and wise for his great pains, and good labours in the Church of God, that a few suarling Fryers cannot impeach his good Name, though you never so wretchedly pervert his words. And yet the Bishops book came sorth cum Privilegio, and was dedicated to Q. Elizabeth, by one very tender in the point of Supremacy, and Prerogative. Dialog. p. 509. But Calvins greatest crime was his Syncretism with the Doctrine of the Church, and not his enmity to the Civil Government. And because a shred cut of from the whole piece of his Discourse may easily through ignorance be misconstrued, or through malice misrepresented to his prejudice. I shall present his words at large to the Reader.

Institut. lib. 4. cap. 20. parag. 31. Nobis autem interim summoperè cavendum, ne illam ple∣nam venerandae Majestatis Magistratuum authoritatem, quam Deus gravissimis edictis sanxit, (Etiamsi apud indignissimos resideat, & qui eam suâ nequitiâ, quantum in se est pollu∣ant) spernamus, aut violemus: Neque enim, si ultio Domi∣ni, est efraenatae dominationis correctio, ideo protinùs nobis demandatam arbitremur; quibus nullum aliud quam parendi. & patiendi, datum est Mandatum. De privatis hominibus semper loquor; Nam siqui nunc sint populares Magistratus ad moderandam Regum Libidinem constituti (quales olim erant qui Lacedaemoniis Regibus oppositi erant, Ephori; aut Romanis Consulibus, Tribuni plebis; aut Atheniensium Senatui, Demarchi; & quâ etiam fortè potestate, ut nunc res habent sunguntur in singulis regnis tres Ordines, quum primarios conventûs peragunt) adeo illos, serocienti Regum Licentiae pro officio intercedere

non veto; ut si, Regibus impotenter grassantibus, & humili plebeculae insultantibus, conniveant, eorum dissimulatio∣nem nefariâ perfidiâ non carere, affirmem; quià populi Liber∣tatem cujus se Dei ordinatione tutores positos, norunt, frau∣dulenter produnt.

I think we may safely venture to translate them: In the me•…•… while we ought studiously to beware that we neither despise, nor oppose the Authority of Magistrates, so full of Dread and Majesty, which God himself has established by most severe Decrees, (although possibly it should reside in persons most unworthy; and such as by their personal wickedness do defile it, as much as in them lyes.) For though the Divine vengeance be the Restrainer of unbridled Empire, yet must we not the•…•…e imagine that the Management thereof is committed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. I speak always of private persons: For if there should be any such popular Magistrates Constituted to Moderate the Arbitrariness of Princes, (such as of old were the Ephori, who ballanced the Lacedaemonian Kings. The Tribunes of the people, who moderated the Roman Consuls, or the Demarchi, who were the same to the Senate of Athens; And which power (as things go now) the three Estates in each Kingdom, when they are con∣vened in full Parliament, do peradventure enjoy, I am so far from forbidding them to intercede according to their duty, with the furious Licenciousness of Kings, that if they shall connive at them when they passionately harrasse, and trample upon the poor Comonalty, I may affirm that their silence cannot be excused of sinful breach of trust, s•…•…ing they falsly betray the peoples Liberty, whereof they knew themselves to be the Guardians by Gods institution. Reader! These are those dismal lines which have raised the clamour against poor Calvin, wherein thou wilt observe these particulars. 1. That private persons have no warrant from God to restrain the exorbitances of Governours, but are left to the only Remedy parendi, & patiendi, of submis∣sion, and patience. 2. Yet he supposes that some Magi∣strates may possibly have a larger power then bare suffer∣ing, or passive obedience. 3. This power which he sup∣poses may possibly be entrusted with them, is but serocienti Regum licentia pro. officio intercedere: duti∣fully to intercede with the Prince to redress grie∣vances, humbly to represent the invasions made upon propriety, or perhaps (if called) to counsel and advise a Redresse: which is a power far greater then that of bare suffering, and enduring the evil, and yet infinitely short of Rebellion against deposing, banishing, or murdering Princes. 4. This is only upon a supposition that there be such persons so qualified, and entrusted by the constitution of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Government, and known Laws of the Land, si qui sint populares Magistrat•…•…s Constituti. Such he supposes indeed the Ephori at Lacedaemon, the Tribunes at Rome, the

Demarchi at Athens to have been; but he's not sure, 'tis but a peradventure, there were any such in his time, quá etiam fortè potestate (ut nunc res habent) sunguntur in singulis Regnis tres ordines. For he knew pretty well how their own little Com∣monwealth at Geneva was Governed, but the Models of France, Spain, and other Soveraign Monarchies he had but a guess at; he had heard perhaps of Les Etats Generaux in France, but he was not very certain whether they had any such interceding Authority, or no; however or whatsoever it was, it could not be exerted but in full Convention of the Estates in a general Dyet. Cùm primarios Conventûs peragunt, and then was the time to petition, to make addresses in a submissive way for the redress of grievances. And 5. the guilt he charges upon these popular Magistrates for betraying their trust, arises from this alone, that they connived at the miserable harassings of the Comonalty, they took no notice at all of the invasions upon the Subjects Rights, and proprieties: which they might have done, and never have mingled heaven and earth together with civil broyles. And what can an ordinary eye espy hence, that should justify the Enquirers out-cry a passage (says he) of that ill Aspect upon Government, that it is suspected by some, and not altogether without cause, that most of the Confusions of Kingdoms, that have happen'd since, and especially the troubles of this Nation, have received encouragement, if not taken rise from hence.

If this Enquirer (or any other) has formerly contributed to the confusions and troubles of this, or any other Nation, and received encouragement from this place of Calvin, he ought first to be deeply humbled before God, that he should draw such desperate conclusions as those of Rebellion out of an innocent sentence, and give more essential proofs, and signal marks of repentance, then accepting a benefice of three or four hundred per annum; and secondly, be ashamed that he ventur'd to read Calvin, before he could well construe a piece of plain Latin, for I cannot understand that Calvin, though he was bound to write true Latin, was also bound to help every one to a construing book; no no, God obliged to prevent all the evil consequences which an evil heart, and base lusts might draw out of the most inoffensive expressions.

He that will give scope to suspicions, may easily conjecture where the Enquirer might drink in those principles which have such an ill aspect upon Government; he needed not have tra∣velled to the Lake Lemane; his own incomparable Hugo could have furnisht him with Maximes of that Tendency: Ignatius Loyola himself might have been Scholler to such a Master: I shall refer the Reader only to his famous piece de Iure Belli, & Pacis. Lib. 1. Cap. 4. §. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. A place con∣taining many passages of that ill aspect upon Government, that it's suspected by some, and upon good grounds that most of the Civil War which have happen'd since in Europe, have received encouragement if not taken rise from thence: Let him try if he can find in Calvin,

such a passage as this: Potest Rex etiam suam Imperii partem am•…•…tters: or this: Regi in partem non suam involanti, vis justae opponi potest. Or this other: Qui Principes sub populo sunt, sive ab initio talem acceperunt potestatem, sive postea ita convenit, ut Lacedaemone, si peccent in Leges, ac Rempublicam, non tantum vi repelli possunt, sed si opus sit, morte puniri. But I shall spare loyal ears, and only leave this Caution. Quiescat porr•…•… mone•…•…, & desinat Lacessere, malefacta ne noscat sua.

I had almost forgot his creaking triumph, what glorious exploits he has atchieved in his former adventures: but the Author of the Ecclesiastical Policy will doubtless be as civil to him, as he was to the Author of the Friendly Debate (not that between Sir Satan, and Master Skerlock) and take some handsome occasion to claw him with a Congratulatory Epistle, and rejoyce with him in his great successes. Having (says he) as I think (that was an useful, and modest parenthesis) demonstrated the sin, and mischiefs of separation, and evacuated all the excuses, and palliations of it from the plea of Christian Liberty, and pretence of Tender Conscience, I cannot see what should remain able to perpetuate our Distractions, &c. Wherein I can thus far agree with him, that he has evacu∣ated all the excuses of Schism from the pretence of tender Conscience; for none will be very forward to pretend a tender Conscience (of his making,) least he be beg'd for an Idiot, and sent to the Colledge of all Fools: But for his boast of evacuating excuses and pallia∣tions, it's but the Rodomontado of Seignior di Medico Campo. He that fetcht Prester Iohns Head from China, after it had been a fortnight burried, and set it on his shoulders again; He that Cured Shirley in the Grand Sophies Court, when he had been twice shot through with Ordnance, and had two Canon-bullets in each thigh; He that gather'd up the vomited fragments of his friend, eaten by the Canibals, placed them together, and re∣stored him to a perfect Man again; But I shall leave the Enquirer to the pleasing Dream of his heroick Victories.

His Argument from the danger of introducing Popery by our Divisions is seasonable, and his Counsel thereupon grateful, only we could wish he would prescribe it to those whose Circumstan∣ces enable them to remove our differance, by removing their true and proper causes. And let me remind him for a farewel; That whosoever shall deny us the Liberty to judge of the Law∣fulness of our own Acts, or shall teach us the Art to rub on with a doubting Conscience, has paved a broad Causway for, and rear'd a triumphant Arch to entertain his Holiness, if the wisdom of our Superiours (not imposed upon by such tri•…•…ling declama∣tions) did not obstruct his entrance.