Exomologesis, or, A faithfull narration of the occaision and motives of the conversion unto Catholick unity of Hugh-Paulin de Cressy, lately Deane of Laghlin &c. in Ireland and Prebend of Windsore in England now a second time printed with additions and explications by the same author who now calls himself B. Serenus Cressy, religious priest of the holy order of S. Benedict in the convent of S. Gregory in Doway.

CHAP. VIII.

A Reflection upon severall Sects.

And first upon the Socinians.

1. NOw in pursuing this inquiry, it scarce entred into my thoughts to admit into

debate the Roman Church, because the maine foundation thereof, namely infallibility, I veri∣ly beleeved I could (powerfully arm'd with Mr. Chillingworths reason) evidently and de∣monstratively destroy.

2. Of Sects in separation from the Catholique Church, those which I thought most considera∣ble, and therefore represented them to my un∣derstanding, to examine which of them would best approve it selfe to my choyce, were 1. the Lutheran, 2. the Calvinist, 3. the Socinian. For as for those fanaticall Sects of Auabaptists, Fa∣mulists, &c. they being only confused troops of ignorant dreaming spirits, which hitherto have never been able to convert one Parish or Village entirely to themselves, and the very dregs of all other Sects, where those that were discontented or craised in their understanding ordinarily setled; I could not obtaine from my selfe the patience to examine seriously their grounds, or to put it to the question, whether I should adjoyne my selfe unto them or no. Adde hereto that I could not hitherto under∣stand all their grounds distinctly, by reason that I could never meet with any of their writings, so obscure they are, and afraid of the light.

3. Concerning the other three Sects, the temper and morallity of the Socinians was much more agreeable to mee then that of the other two. But their inexcusable boldnesse of tramp∣ling under foot all authority of Fathers and Councells, and their licentious introducing blasphemous and long-since-buried Heresies against the fundamentall Mysteries of Faith was to me intollerable. Besides, neither France

nor Italy being able to afford me bookes of Socinian doctrines, I was forced to content my selfe with that curiosity, which I had had a few yeares before in England (where such bookes were but too frequent, notwithstanding the care of the late Archbishop of Cant. to hinder the im∣porting them) at which time I read over almost all the considerable treatises of that Sect, both of controversy, and exposition of Scripture. The effect of which my curiosity was only an esteeme of the excellency of their naturall parts both for the subtilty, and clearnesse of disputa∣tion, and an acknowledgment that though their principles were of all others most fallacious, and their peculiar distinctive doctrines most horri∣ble and intollerable to Christian eares, yet they were far more constant to such their prin∣ciples, and lesse incumbred with difficulties and contradictions then the other two: In a word, that the frame of their building was with all its deformity more uniforme, then that of other H••∣retiques of these times, & as strong as a building could be that had no better foundation then the moving sand of naturall reason: Whereas the other two Sects of Calvinists and Lutherans (to whom I had some jealousie that the English Protestants might be joyned) relying princi∣pally indeed upon private interpretation of Scripture, but challenging likewise the suff••ages of the Ancient Fathers, (especially in some do∣ctrines of meere Tradition, as Baptising of Infants, &c.) by reason of the inequality in the foundation, the building could not choose but have many rents and declinations in the walls, some parts continuing stable, and others sinking

by reason of the yeilding of the Foundation: which difformities and inequalities the Socinans avoyded. This was all the change that the rea∣ding of those Haereticall blasphemies wrought in me, none of their subtile wrestings, and Chymicall extractions of new sences from fundamentall Texts of Scripture prevai∣ling against the constant universall authority of Gods Church interpreting the same Texts.

4. I conceive it unnecessary, if not very in∣convenient to set downe here the exceptions I had against the severall peculiar doctrines proper to the Socinians, for feare lest by undertaking to confute I should endanger to distill the in∣fectious poyson of them in a countrey, where, God be blessed, they are utterly unknowne: re∣membring how subtilly and maliciously the Schollars of Sibrandus Lubbertus in Holland are reported to have abnsed their unwary Master: for they having an extreame itch of reading one of the most pernicious Treatises of Socinus, which was forbidden to be dispersed, knew no better a meanes to satisfy their unlawfull and dangerous curiosity then by perswading their cred••lous Master that it was expected from his eminent abilities to confute so pernicious a booke; which he having, as he thought suffi∣ciently performed; they further told him that it would be injustice, and a kind of confession of guilt to publish his confutation without the adversaries Text, and by that meanes they made their Master a sower of Haeresy, for every one almost bought up the booke for Socinus his sake only, scarce any vouchsafing to cast their eyes upon the heavy unskillful confutation.

5. Thus I make but a small stay upon the Socinians, on whom I looked rather with pitty then resentment: Considering withall that they were the almost only Sect which made professi∣on against violence, and active disobedience, condemning warre absolutely and upon what∣soever pretences. Notwithstanding observing that one essentiall marke of that Sect was reso∣lutely to hold no opinion, but in every Synod to give leave to the questioning or altering of whatsoever Articles of Faith had been before decided, I found that seemingly calm and quiet spirit of theirs lesse alluring; because from their owne peculiar complexion and grounds, I thus Argued; Who can tell whether (if they encrease in numbers and power) they may not thinke fit to begin with the alteration of that doctrine? For I have known when even the Calvinists in Holland and the Puritans in England, being in low estate, have preached liberty of Prophesying, & pretended only to desire a freedome of injoy∣ing their Consciences in particular, promising never to molest any others; As by their first published writings, and by severall Remonstrances and Petitions by Q. Eliz. to K. Iames, in the beginning of hisreigne, and to Parliaments in those times; And yet the same men being after∣wards become numerous & powerfull enough to gaine the effect of their Petitions by force, never yet allowed any moderate qualification or tolle∣ration to any other.