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. I.

A briefe Recapitulation of the designe, and contents of the whole Book.

1. DEar Catholique Reader•• though this book was commanded by the unworthy Author to addresse it self, especially to Pro∣testants, to whom the account therein is given; yet since not only it, but whatsoever shall be said by others to its prejudice (as it can scarce be avoided, but that writings of such a nature will find either Contradictors, or at least severe

Interpreters) may perhaps fall into thy hands, and though but for novelties sake be peru∣sed by thee? I judged requisite in this re-im∣pression to bespeak thy candour and charity both in perusing it, and whatsoever thou shalt read or hear concerning it.

2. To dispose thee therefore to exhibit (not to the authors person, but his cause, which is thine also, as thou art a Catholique) the ef∣fects of such candour and charity, thou art ear∣nestly entreated to take into thy consideration that the Authors design was not to publish a book of Controversies, nor to venditate any particular opinion of his own in any point, now in debate between Catholikes and Protestants, but to perform an act of obedience; And being in his own intention then ready to take his fare∣well of the world, (in conformity to the com∣mand of others,) to leave as it were a Yestamen∣tary legacy to all Christians, therein satisfying Catholiques, that his Union with them was not an effect of interest, or any suddain humor of discontent, or inconstancy, but the fruit of as much advisednesse and reason as he was ca∣pable of; and tacitly inviting Protestants, if his proceedings could approve themselves to them, by his example and Method to get a vievv of truth, disintangled and unclouded from preconceived, unjust prejudices, and out of love to that truth and most necessary care of their own safety, in heart at least to forsake the dwelling, which they might feel begin to shake and tremble under their feet.

3. Whosoever therefore shall vouchsafe to read this Book, if he will give a right judgment

of it, must let the Authors meaning be the spirit of it; and then he will look upon it and consider it, as Tabulam Votivam, in which is represented the Authors safety and happinesse procured by a ship wrack, and his liberty effect∣ed by a captivity, and by suffering his hands and feet to be restrained by chaines never, by Gods grace, to be cast off. In a word, he will there for the time, be a witnesse and Auditor to one that ha's been perswaded simply and ingenu∣ously to tell a homely, but most true story of the fortunes, which happened to him in a strange countrey, discovering by what unexpe∣cted means, and with what unseen snares, Di∣vine Catholique Truth (Gods mercifull pro∣vidence so disposing it) did unawares most hap∣pily entangle, arrest and fasten him in the Ca∣tholike Church, at a time, when of all others he least apprehended a captivity from that Coast.

4. The instruments employed by God to ef∣fect this Captivity, were especially these two. 1. The conversation of a worthy, prudent and learned friend, namely Doctor H. Holden, Do∣ctor of the faculty of Paris. And 2. the per∣usall of a little book, entituled, Reigle Genera∣le de la foy Catholique, written in French by Mons. Francois Veron, Doctor of Divinity, and Pastor of the Catholike Congregation at Cha∣renton. These two proceeding in all points almost upon the same grounds, and in the same order, in a short time effected that Conviction in me, which many volumes of Catholique Controver∣tists, formerly used, and a world of Verball disputes had in vain attempted.

5. In brief, the method and proceeding, by

which these two successefully effected their cha∣ritable designs upon me, was this. I was at that time, (more then in their opinion, for they said it was in their certain knowledge) out of the Church; and according to mine own perswa∣sion, in at least a faileable and fallible Church, a Church that could pretend to no authority o∣ver my conscience, as a Christian, but meerly over my externall actions and profession, as an Englishman; And withall, such a Church as in the then present circumstances was become ve∣ry languishing, and in a very doubtfull conditi∣on for subsistence. Herupon I became sollici∣tous (upon an imagined supposition of her fu∣ture defaillance) how to make the least impru∣dent choice, among all other separated Congre∣gations and Sects, in case I should really be put upon such a necessity.

6. Being full of these thoughts, and vexed to the heart, both at my self, and all other Se∣ctartes, that I was become so hard to be pleased, and that none of them could represent them∣selves to me with any qualities fit to invite me to joyn with them, neither could I induce my self to overlook or pardon a world of defects and deformities, which I could not but observe in each of them: In these circumstances, being obliged by many occasions and businesses to frequent the conversation of the foresaid wor∣thy friend, then my neighbour, and not being able to conceal the agitation of my thoughts; he before-hand knowing that, whether the Church of England failed or no, I stood in absolute need of a Church for my Soul, & now perceiving that I was in quest after a treasure,

in places where it was not to be found, he gave me a prospect of the Catholike Church by quite different ligh••s, then I had ever before viewed her: For in his discourses, as likewise in the forementioned book of ••••ed upon her in her pure simp•••• •••• had been no kind of multiplicity of p•••••• among her children; 〈…〉〈…〉 as •••• conspiring in the belief 〈…〉〈…〉 profession of h•••••••• Doctrines 〈…〉〈…〉 those Doctrines 〈…〉〈…〉 to cut off 〈…〉〈…〉 produced such Authors, 〈…〉〈…〉 a∣mong Catholiques, as with the greatest free∣dom from partiality on ime••••sts did interpret those Doctrines, and which imposed no greater burthens, nor streitned the paths in which she would have her children to walk, more then she intended and declared.

7. By this means I found that all the furniture, with which I had for so many years provided my self to combat against Catholikes, or to de∣fend my self from them, was taken out of my hands: I perceived that in the depth and cen∣ter of my spirit, I was really, though unknown to my self, a very Catholike, before I was a Catholique: For all the necessary declared do∣ctrines of Catholike Religion, (as they are expressed in the language of the Church) I found I had never rejected: and as for those points, which I could not digest, and for vvhich I had been averted from the Church, I found that they were particular dogme's either of some popular controvertists or Schoolmen, or affixed to certain Orders, and as freely renoun∣ced

from the notion of necessary Catholike Do∣ctrines by other unsuspected Catholikes, as they had been by my self.

8. Hereupon that inward satisfaction of mind (which attended this discovery) love of unity and a complacence in the security of an established state of mind, made me hasten to professe my self our Lords and his Churches Captive. I was quickly weary of that former licentious freedome, which I enjoyed, to believe what I would, so I would not publikely contra∣dict what the Lawes and interests of particular S••••es and Sects among Protestants thought good to order: whereby it came to passe, that into whatsoever Church amongst them I should ••••••pen to change my residence, I was as much obliged, if not more, (supposing that I would enjoy the priviledges of that Congregation) to change the outward profession of my Creed, as my habits or fashion of life. Having an immor∣tall soule, I was glad to find an immortall faith, to enrich it with; a Faith not fashioned according to the humor and garb of Nations, Cities and Villages; a Faith, the very same in variety of States, well or ill ordered, of Mo∣narchies or Aristocracies, or popular govern∣ments: a Faith, upon which neither the passi∣ons interests, or Tyrannies of Princes & Go∣verners, nor the various mutations of ages had any influence: It was alone unchangeable, when nothing, besides it, was exempted from change.

9. Charity to my selfe obliged me to imbrace this Faith: and charity to others made me, be∣ing required, not unwilling to communicate o•• others the treasure I had found, and to disco∣ver

the wayes how I came to find it. And this I have done, God knowes, imperfectly enough in this Treatise, yet in some sense per∣fectly, because sincerely. In which there is nothing of Doctrine, which I acknowledge to be mine, but what thou (dear Catholique Reader) wilt challenge to be thine by as good a right, it being the Common Faith of all Ca∣tholique Christians, Whatsoever there is, that seems Doctrinall besides this (excepting it may be, some expressions not warily enough cou∣thed) belongs to particular Catholique Au∣thors, mentioned by me, not with intention to shew my self a Proselyte of their opinions, but only to declare the convenience that I reaped by them, in that I found I was not obliged to retard my assent to Catholique Doctrine, contained in essentiall Truths; since by their means I found a world of particular disputes cut off, and, though I was not, I found that I might without danger have been of their O∣pinions.