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. II.

Grounds upon which certain passages in this book have been misunderstood by some Catholiques, and those mista∣kings cleared.

1. WHen I was employed about the first publishing of this Book, the hast of the Printer, and my thoughts then busie about a matter of much greater importance to me, then the printing or

publishing of books, viz. about solliciting an admission and unchangeable abode among the French Carthusians, made me that I could not allow my self the leasure to examine what I had written, nor to qualifie some phrases, which I did almost suspect, might, as it hath proved, be obnoxious to misconstruction. I forgot like∣wise to quote the Authors names, whose parti∣cular interpretations and opinions had been so beneficiall to me, though I had no Obligation nor intention to assent to them. However this neglect of naming them, derived upon my selfe the censures of those, that having been taught otherwise, judged every thing to be Heterodox and unsound, that was not favoured by their particular Masters, or that was delivered in such Phrases and expressions as their ears had not been acquainted with Whereas if the Au∣thors had appeared•• either their authority would have justified what they taught, or at least I should not have been accountable for it.

2. Had it not been for these (••s the case then stood with me) not inexcuseable omissi∣ons, I had doubtlesse avoided some ••igorous imputations and censures, which (as I have been informed) certain, questionlesse, well meaning Catholiques have given of this inconsiderable Book.

3. God forbid I should condemn the Au∣thors of such censures, since I am confident the ground of them was not any passion against me (a stranger to them, and only known by the happinesse befallen me of being a Catholique) but a zeale to the Purity of Catholique truth.

The Method of the book, and the manner of stating controversies in it, was indeed somwhat new in England, and therefore no wonder if some were startled at it. Besides, if I had had the Providence or leasure to have softend some expressions, and to have made it appear, that that latitude in Disputes, which in England will not passe so freely, yet in France and o∣ther Catholique Countryes is very receiveable, they would have seen, that it was not my fault, but my fortune only to displease them.

4. In this Review of my Book, I have en∣deavoured to give them all the satisfaction pos∣sible, I have added the explanation of severall phrases, which were before hard of Digestion, I have quoted the severall Authors, whose larger Opinions I had occasionally made use of; I have protested my disengagement from particular Dogmes; Nay I have not refused to retract and cancell, what I judged fit to be re∣tracted, and more I could not do with a good Conscience. For the generall argument of the book, being a story of what was pass'd, it was not possible for me to alter any thing in the Narration; for God himself cannot make that which ha's been, not to have been: Or if I should publish my self so palpable a lyar; as be∣cause some passages do displease some persons, therefore to say that such things were not such, what good or convenience would proceed from a lye? God is my witnesse, in matters of this nature, I despise credit: Nay more, I know not how, but I find a gust in making a Re∣tractation, whensoever I can conceive it requi∣site, For I count it no vertue to write plausi∣bly,

or eloquently, or learnedly: But I esteem it a great vertue not to persist in an errour, nor because I haue said a thing once, therefore ever after to maintain it, for a false or vain credits sake. If I have not given sufficient proof of this in this second Edition of my book, I do beg of every charitable Catholique Reader to suggest to me what they yet shall judge fit to be altered, and to give me convincing reasons for it, and I promise them a very cheerfull rea∣dinesse to content them, and not great resi∣stence against being convinced.

5. Only this one thing I must professe to them, that it is not a convincing argument to me to hear any say, Other Controvertist's have inwrapped within their treatises many Thoologicall Doctrines beyond what Catholike Religion obliges them to, as concerning the Popes Infallibility, &c. therefore you are ob∣liged to follow their example. For I must needs tell them, that besides it is in it self un∣reasonable to spend time in disputing with Protestants upon Questions in which some Ca∣tholiques will be of their side: I cannot but im∣pute the unsuccessefulnesse in such disputes, and the paucity of Converts, to such a way of ma∣naging Controversies, when Catholiques shew what a number of Doctrines they are able to maintain more then is necessary, and more then concern Protestants to hear of. So that it is to be feared the design of such Catholique writers is not so much to seek the Conversion of Protestants, as to shew their zealous adhe∣sion to the particular Doctrines of their Order or Party. For mine own part, truly I am no

tyed to any peculiar Dogmes; that holy Con∣gregation, to which by Gods providence, I am inserted an unworthy Member, does not exer∣cise that violence over spirits, subject to them, as to force a belief of any unnecessary distin∣ctive Doctrines upon them, or a profession of doctrines, which they do not believe, or would not, if they lived any where else; Conscience and not faction or partiality is the director of our assent, and it is from the Church only, that we receive the Rule of that assent. Now en∣joying this liberty, and having, I thank God, neither hopes nor fears from the world, I will not captivate my own understanding to any but God and his Church, nor my tongue or pen to any particular Schoolman or Controvertist. Now my meaning is, not hereby to imply that I condemn any of these Doctrines, but onely that I desire leave, being to deal with Prote∣stants, to be silent, and take no notice of such questions, wherein they are not concerned, but are (whil'st troubled with those disputes) so much the longer detained from entring into Catholique Communion.

6. Having made this profession of my reso∣lution to offend none, and yet withall of being subject to none, but the Church, to which only, and not any Faction in the Church, my desires and endeavours shall be to invite Protestants; and to which, if by Gods blessing they adjoyn themselves, they shall be equally welcome to me, to whatsoever party in it they shal range them∣selves: If hereafter any Catholique will not content himself with that satisfaction, which I have, and will, as far as reason and conscience

will permit, give him: If he be unlearned, I must desire him to dispense with me for taking Rules from him how to manage Controver∣sies: If he be learned, and especially if him∣selfe be imployed in the Conversion of souls, then I desire him to give me leave with all re∣spect and humility to ask him, is there any such priviledge given to any Rank of English Mis∣sioners, as that souls may not be suffered to be converted, unlesse it be upon the grounds of Suarez, or Scotus, or Becanus, &c.? Is it lawfull in France to propose the churches do∣ctrine pure and unmixed with privat opinions, and is that unlawfull in England? Is the Coun∣cell of Trent a suspected Rule, without such or such a Doctours interpretation? I have been in∣formed that severall persons, and I have known some that have reaped good by so despiseable a Treatise as this; God, whose power is made perfect in weaknesse, giving his blessing to so imperfect, but well meaning work: Can a∣ny charitable Catholique envy this, or be sorry that Protestants should be delivered by any from their errours and Schisme, unlesse the instrument of their conversion devote him∣self to all your particular distinctive Tenets? Truly for my part, if, since my being a Catho∣lique, I have entertained any particular Do∣ctrines, though they should be never so con∣tradictory to yours, yet since with all that difference, we remain both of us firmly united in the beliefe and profession of all Doctrines truly Catholique, I should willingly and cordi∣ally encourage any Protestant to believe you, and condemn me, upon condition that his e∣steem

of you, and prejudice against me, might be an inducement to him the soon∣er to entertaine a good opinion and liking of Catholique Religion it self. If in this Book there be mentioned any opinions in your opinion too large, yet doubtlesse you cannot but know, that they are publiquely and uncon∣troulably asserted by unquestioned Catholique Authors: Or however the Quotations will now inform you so much, and direct you to their particular Treatises. And the principall of these Authors are Salmeron, Bacon, Molina, &c. learned Fathers of the Society; as like∣wise Salmanticensis, Monsieur Veron, Estius, &c. Out of such Authors as these I do quote many passages and opinions, accounted indeed generally of the largest allowance, but yet not condemned by any: On the contrary, their books have been in the highest manner appro∣ved. These opinions I quote, not as mine own, for I professe against espousing any in this Book; but as doctrines and interpretations, though not so generally embraced, yet univer∣sally uncondemned. Now shall these men passe untouched, who asserted, and publi∣shed such opinions, and must I be traduced, as an unsound Catholique, for transcribe∣ing them, and for only saying that they said so.

7. Experience of what is past, obliges me to prevent misconstructions for the fu∣ture: for which purpose this little that hath beene said, shall suffice. And now dear Ca∣tholique Reader, I once more addresse my selfe to thee, and to give thee assurance that

thou maist freely and without suspition read this Book, the Authenticall Approbations an∣nexed to it will secure thee, and withall I pro∣test unto thee, that in my heart I do find a great aversenesse from admitting any noveltyes in opinion, or any suspitious questionable dogmes: and to shew my self a true son of the Catholique church. I do here with an humble clear confidence pronounce, that I do submit, not only my self, but all my writings and words, yea my very thoughts (as far as thoughts can be judged by a humane Tribunal) to the judgement of the holy Catholique Ro∣man church, of his Holinesse, the Head of the church, and of all whatsoever my Superiours therein; declaring, that if there be any thing in this or any other of my writings, which is contrary to piety, good manners, holy Scri∣ptures, or Ecclesiasticall Traditions, or to any verity whatsoever, I do heartily renounce and recall it: NON FACTUM, NON DICTUM, NON COGITATUM ESTO.