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. V.

An Answer to the Remainder of the Preface.

1. THe rest of the Preface of I. P. touches my self onely, and pretends to shew what success the writings of those great De∣fenders of the Church of England have had against me in particular, forcing me to con∣fess, That Infallibility is an unfortunate word: That Mr. Chillingworth hath combated it with too great success; so that I would wish the word were forgotten, or at least laid by, &c. Now since the Church is not at all concern'd in this, but my self onely, who am charged with writing an incongruous impertinent Book, a Book that deserves no answer, but answers it self, since it maintains that which its Ad∣versary did not combat, &c. Truly, were it not for I. P. and his friends sake more then mine own, I would not answer for my self: But since I perceive, that the word Infallibi∣lity is as unfortunate a word to them as it was to me, I will endeavour to take order that it shall be so no more.

2. First therfore I say with Mr. Veron, that the word Infallibility has been found out by the Schools, that love to find out as short waies to express their noti∣ons, as possibly can be. And the world finds very great convenience by it: Therefore with reference to the Church, Schoolmen, and from them Controvertists, (desi∣rous to express the great veracity of the Church, con∣sidered as a Judge, or witness of Divine Truths, deposed by God with her, and withal the utmost obligation, that all Christians have to beleeve truths so de∣termined and witnessed by her) found out this single word Infallibility, to express both these

by: But yet the Church her self hath not as yet assumed or borrowed this word in any of her Decisions from the Schools: and therefore being none of the Churches word, we are not oblig'd to make her to speak it: and the truth is, though it comprehends al that they intend by it; yet it is no adaequate measure of those conceptions, because Infallibility may com∣prehend a great deal more; for truth and our obligation to beleeve it, is yet in a higher degree in Scripture, then in the Deci∣sions of the Church, as Bellarmine acknow∣ledges; For the Scripture in all points, both of Doctrine and Story, and all circumstances is infallibly true: not so the Decisions of the Church, in which the simple conclusion de∣cided, is onely accounted infallibly true; not so the principles upon which it depends, or reasons by which it is proved, and much less are orders made by Councels, which de∣pend upon information; yet notwithstanding we cannot finde a more energetical word to ex∣press the unquestionable, and unappealable authority of the Church, then Infallibility. We may proceed further, and say, that Di∣vine truths, revealed internally after a superna∣tural manner to the Prophets, Apostles, &c. and by intellectual images, are yet more infallible, then the same truths revealed by words; becaus words being but the Images of Images, are further removed from that prime Exem∣plar of truth, which is God; and besides are in themselves unavoidably ambiguous, and so do not convey truth so infallibly, as Internal il∣lustrations, yet what can we say more of these,

then that they are Infallible? Lastly, there is no Image so perfect, but in as much as it is an Image, it comes short of the Exemplar, which is truth it self, that is God; and by consequence differs from it: yet the supre∣mest title that we can give to God himself, in this regard, is Infallibility.

But to instance more familiar examples of the several degrees of Infallibility, I am in∣fallibly assured, that I cannot repeat all the words I have spoken this last year; and yet I am more infallibly assured, that I cannot say over again, all I have spoken in my whole life. I am infallibly assured, that if I threw a thousand dice, they will not be all sixes; and yet I am more infallibly assured, that the same cast upon so many dice cannot be a thousand times successively repeated: Of all these impossibilities I have several de∣grees of assurance, and every degree in a cer∣tain sense infallible, but in a severe accepti∣on of that word, the very highest is not ri∣gorously infallible, because none of the cases alledged are absolutely impossible, if we speak of the highest degree of impossibility; for such imply a flat contradiction, as that a part should be equal to its whole, or any thing be and not be at once, a kinde of cer∣tainty that is appliable even to very few Demonstrations: we are not so sure that the light of the Moon is borrowed from the Sun, or her Eclips by the interposition of the Earth, yet these are reckoned amongst de∣monstrations in Astronomy, and no man in his wits ever doubted of either. Methinks,

if God have furnisht his divine and super∣natural truth, with evidence equal to this, that the Sun will shine to morrow, or that there will be a spring and harvest next year, we are infinitely obliged to bless his provi∣dence, and justly condemned, if we refuse to beleeve the least of such truths, as shew∣ing less affection to save our souls, then the dull Plowmen to sow their corn, who cer∣tainly, have far less evidence for their harvest, then Catholicks for their faith, they insist not peevishly upon every caprichious objection, nor exact an infallible security of a plentiful reaping next Summer, but notwithstanding all difficulties and contingencies proceed chearfully in their painful husbandry; and here I shall beg leave to ask the Reader this serious question, supposing (not granting) that the greatest assurance the Church can give, (abstracting from the promises of Christ) be of no higher infallibility, then the lowest degree we have mentioned: would you venture your soul, that a thousand dice, being thrown out of a box would come forth all sixes? Do you not see by this argument, that it is a thousand to one the Catholick is in the right, and consequently a thousand to one the Protestant is in the wrong, and this will necessarily follow; for in Religion we cannot stand by and look on, but we must absolutely engage on one side, and therefore it is a desperate shift of such Protestants, as think, that because they see not a clear demonstration of the Churches Infallibility in the severest importance of that word, they

may therefore safely continue in their schism, unless they be hardy enough to ven∣ture their souls in a way, where it is at least a thousand to one they lose them. So that, though humane wit should by captious obje∣ctions seem to trouble the clearness of the In∣fallibility of the Catholick Church (which is in it self really impossible to be endangered) yet are the motives of adherence to that Com∣munion, so highly credible (even in a ratio∣nal & natural consideration) that it were an absolute madness, to prefer any other separa∣ted Church or Congregation, which cannot pretend to the least credibility to support it.

3. These things being thus premis'd, since there are so many degrees of truth, or vera∣city and Infallibility, and yet the same word Infallibility applied to them all, it may be very reasonable, that great Caution should be used in the application of it, that is, that it should be expressed in what sense and degree the word is taken before it be urged or di∣sputed upon So that if it be advanced to a more sublime degree then the matter re∣quires, no wonder if there be misunderstan∣ding between Disputants, and not only a pro∣longing of Disputations, but also an impossibi∣lity of ending them: Now whether it is the fault of Catholick Controvertists for want of explication and clearing of the sense of this word Infallibility, that hath given an advan∣tage to Protestants, I examine not; but sure I am Protestants have taken advantage from the ambiguousness of this word Infallibility, to embroile the controversie of the Churches

authority, and to spin it out endlessly: inso∣much, as there is not one Author of them I ever met with, that (treating of this contro∣versy) disputes to the point, or so much as aimes to combat against the Churches Autho∣rity, but against an image of Infallibility, crea∣ted onely by their own fancies.

4. For proof of this, (to omit the ordi∣nary Polemical writings of Protestants, who wast paper and time onely in combating par∣ticular unnecessary points controverted by Catholicks themselves) I shall desire any inge∣nuous Protestant to examine the proceedings of Mr. Chillingworth, and even my noble Lord too, in this little Treatise, and he wil acknow∣ledge what I say to be true; yet certainly no English writers ever professed to come closer to the point, then they.

5. First for Mr. Chillingworth, what a brand •• shing and flourishing doth he keep with his pen, and what a great proportion of his book is spent in Discourses, by which he would p••etend to enervate the Churches Infallibility, which do not so much as approach to∣wards it? For suppose a Pope were Simoniacally ele∣cted, or a Bishop unlawfully consecrated, or a Priest not baptized, or that any of these had a per∣verse intention in administring the Sacraments, would the Church for all this fail in being an Infallible Guide? or would all Christians be turned out of their way to salvation? Did not, or might not he easily have been informed, that excepting in Infants, even Baptism it self, and much less any other Sacrament unlawfully and invalidly administred, do not to such a degree prejudice the persons, but that the Votum Baptismi will suffice them? And Simony does not wipe out the Character, though the Church in detestation of that crime does in validate the Popes acts, and destine him, when the crime is proved, to a Deposition.

And as for my Lord Falkland, upon what a mistaken notion of Infallibility he proceeds in this discourse, let the 27th. and 28th. Pa∣ragraphs of that Treatise (according to a more exact impression, 1646) witness, where enveighing against Catholicks for putting He∣reticks to death; and preventing a Recrimina∣tion, for Calvin's burning of Servetus. And the Church of England executing Catholick Priests: He concludes that passage with these words. The Church of England, con∣fessing she may erre, is not so chargeable with any fault, as those which pretend they cannot, and so wil be sure never to mend it: And besides, I will be bound to defend no more then I have undertaken; which is to give reason, why the Church of Rome is not Infallible. Whereby his Lordship shews clearly, that in his opinion, an argu∣ment from any, supposed, erronious opinion, or faulty practice in the Church, was of force to disprove the Churches Infallibility, al∣though such an errour or ill practice was ne∣ver authorised by any decision of a General Councel, nor universally spred through the whole Church, as this example, mentioned by him, apparently never was.

6. It was from the like disapprehension that my self formerly had of the notion of Infallibility, and misapplication of it to points controverted by Catholicks, in which the Church it self is entirely untouch'd, that I conceived Mr. Chillingworth's book unan∣swerable, and by consequence was so long kept at a distance, and disheartned from so much as taking into debate, whether the

Catholick Church was to be considered by me, when I was in quest of a new one; had I not reason then to say, that the word Infal∣libility was (not as I. P. quotes me simply, an unfortunate word, but) to me an unfortunate word: not for any fault that was in the word it self, but for my misinformation and mistake of the true sense and inportance of the word? and was it a betraying of the cause or a confession of guilt, when I said, that Mr. Chillingworth had combatted against that word with too great success? Success, I mean, not against the Church, but against his own soul, and the souls of his fellow-English-Protestants, (if I may lawfully call them his fellows) who conspiring with him in the mistake of the word, were, and are, God knows, with him frighted from the Church, which is pla∣ced out of the reach of all the shot and noise that he makes against it. It was therefore not without cause that I wished that the word might be forgotten, or at least laid by, that is, as long as Protestants do, and will persist in a wilful mistaking of its sense and notion. And that this was my meaning, and no thought of finding fault with the word In∣fallibility it self, which I acknowledged to be as fit a word to express the Authority of the Church by, as could be found in one single tearm, does evidently appear in many passa∣ges of my book: and therefore, notwith∣standing that wish of mine, and seeming ad∣vice to others; yet I my self unawares in all this discourse till I came to this point, made use of the same word, but it was with a re∣solution

to say, what I have now said, to prevent any more mistaking of it. I. P. therfore, if he well consider it, will finde little ground to please himself with those o∣ther words of mine, That Protestants have in∣deed very much to say for themselves, when they are press'd unnecessarily with it; and therefore I desired that they might never be invited to com∣bat the Church under that Notion. It was pure pitty to them that I said thus, and not the least apprehension for Catholicks. They have indeed much to say for themselves, when they are press'd unnecessarily with it, and the occasions of their mistaking it not ta∣ken away; for they will run into endless di∣sputes, and such disputes, as Catholicks will furnish them with armes to defend them∣selves; whereas, if they be urg'd to produce what they have to say for themselves, when the Authority of the Church, speaking in a lawful Oecumenical Councel is objected to them, they are dumb and ashamed to name the new, and quickly decrepite Church of England, and its Authority, which vanishes at the very sight of the Authority of the Universal Church; yea, and as silent will they be, when they are invited to combat the Authority of the Church, under the notion of Infallibility, so that that notion be first clear'd, and warning given them to abstain from mis∣applying it to questions, in which onely par∣ticular Catholicks, and not the Church it self is concerned: but indeed, I should not have said, They have much to say for themselves, for, alas, it is miserably against themselves, in the

highest degree, when they either unfortu∣nately, or wilfully shroud themselves under ambiguities of words, or when they change the state of that question, which should end all questions, either devising or catching at all advantages to keep them out of Gods Church.

7. Upon these considerations, if I said, that Infallibility was (to me) an unfortunate word, had not I reason to say so, since it in∣dangered my loss, and caused my delay of at∣taining to the fundamental happiness of this and the next world, which is to become a member of the Church of Christ? This might have been spoken without any preju∣dice or disparagement to the word it self: as it may be truly said, that Homousion (the Churches own word) was an unfortunate word to the Arians, as likewise that Theotokos was an unfortunate word to the Nestorians, since they would not accept heaven, unless they might have it without being oblig'd to receive those words. Therefore I. P. must pardon me, and give me leave to say more, that is, that Infallibility was an unfortunate word, not to me onely, but to Mr. Chilling∣worth likewise, and to my lord Falkland, and to I. P. himself, and indeed to all Protestants, since they will needs, to their own great dis∣advantage, make advantage of it, to em∣broil Controversies, to multiply objections, and to exclude themselves from the Church: and this they do, because they will neither use nor accept of any other word; And this word which is in it self, and confined to the

present acception, very expressive and pro∣per) they will needs understand in a far more sublime and comprehensive Notion, then Catholicks intend, thinking, that if they could shew that any particular personal opi∣nions of Catholicks, or any practise in the Church did swerve from that rectitude, which they imagine to be imported by that word that they had reason to renounce the Churches Infallibility and authority, though (by being in the Church) they would have no obligation to joyn in such opinions or pra∣ctises. What Protestant would have the con∣fidence to say, that it doth not belong to the Church to be the interpreter of Scripture, or that acknowledged lawful General Councels are not obliging under the penalty of mani∣fest Schism, that is, damnation? And again, on the otherside, what one Protestant is there, who will not protest against the Infal∣libility of the Church: and yet this Infallibili∣ty in the meaning of the Church, neither dose nor must comprehend more then is imported by the other expressions? Is it not apparent therefore, Since no such word as Infallibility is to be found in any Councel, and since the Church did never enlarge her authority •••• so vast a wideness, as Protestants will needs hither to collect from the word Infallibility; but rather that she does deliver the victory into our hands, when we urge her Decisions, that any Catholick, that had any charity in disputing with Protestants, would either wholly abstain from the word it self, or since it is become so common, and with all so convenient (for no

other single word can be imagined so pro∣per) would, in using of it confine it to its necessary acception in the present matter, and so prevent Protestants, that they should not, if they would, make use of it to their most disadvantagious advantage; And this latter expedient I have in this review made use of, keeping the word Infallibility (in it self good and innocent;) yet withal using caution, that it should not be mi∣staken.

8. What is now become of your excla∣mations, my good unknown friend, I. P. how impertinent are they, and how harshly and inharmoniously do they sound? O the strength of reason rightly managed by the Great Defendors of the English Church! O the power of truth clearly declared! That it should force an eminent member of the Church of Rome (alas, eminent in nothing but in miserable imperfections) to retract so necessary, so funda∣mental a doctrine, to desert all their Schools, and contradict all their controvertists? For is it not apparent, even from the first impression of my Book, that it was so far from being true, that the strength of reason rightly managed by you, or the power of truth clearly de∣clared by you, compelled me to use such expressions; that on the contrary, it was your manifest unreasonableness, and your wilful mistake of Truth, that forced me out of compassion and charity to you [not to re∣tract any doctrine of the Church, nor to de∣sert any community in it, but] to temper what the Church and the Schooles, and

Controvertists, likewise say, to your too much depraved palats.

9: Having been so large hitherto, I may the better dispence with my self to be brief in what follows. Therefore, whereas in the sixth Paragraph I. P. says, That it is not the name or word (Infallibility) that is deserted by Mr. Cressy, but the whole importance and sum of it; since he does not except against the word, but to receive it in the sense of Cardinal Bellar∣mine; that is, Infallibilis est qui nullo casu er∣rare potest, &c. To this I must needs say, that truly I. P. is mistaken, for it is onely the word Infallibility that is in controversie, and that protestants (I do now except Mr. Chillingworth, &c. who are far from being truly English Protestants) do make meer nominal controversie of this great fundamen∣tal one: for no argument that ever I saw, is so much as intended by them to disprove this truth, That it belongs to the Church to be the interpreter of Scripture, and not to any private spirit, or natural reason, or this, That the Decisions of the Catholick Church in lawful approved General Councels are not obliging under pain of Anathema, incurring of schism, and by consequence damnation: and it is this, I say principally this, that the Church under∣stands by the notion of Infallibility: There∣fore it is in your own sense onely, and not Bellarmines, that you will understand those words of his, Infallibilis est qui nullo casu erra∣••e potest: for Bellarmine himself, as I have shewed in my book, acknowledges a General Councel to be infallible, yet not Infallible, as

the Scripture, that is, Quod in nullo casu er∣rare potest, for the Scripture is Infallible, not onely in Essential Doctrines, but even in all circumstantial, historical passages, phrases and and words: whereas Councels are onely In∣fallible in the substance of their Decisions, the which Decisions, as Salmanticensis saith, are likewise to be extended no further, then the latitude of the Heresies, which they in∣tend to condemn: but as for other passages in Decrees or decisions, as the grounds, princi∣ples, and reasons, from which a Councel dedu∣ces its conclusive Decisions, &c. In those it may be deceived, and much more in orders and reformations, which depend upon pru∣dence or information. It is therefore a ve∣ry great apparent mistake, when you say, that Mr. Cressy retracts (either the word Infalli∣bility it self, which he often makes use of, or or much less) the full importance and sense of that word, unless you will mean, that he will not use it in your full importance and sense; for that he acknowledges he will not; he is too charitable to you, to justifie or en∣courage you in your mistakes. As for Mr. Chillingworth, my lord Falkland, and if there be any other that proceed upon their grounds, whom you ought to have called, not the Great Defenders, but the great Destroy∣ers of the Church of England) though they do indeed mistake the word Infallibility, ex∣tending it to too comprehensive a sense, yet, that does not hinder them in their way, for by making every ones personal reason to be judge and interpreters of Scripture, they

do thereby destroy all obliging authority, whether fallible or infallible.

10. In the seventh Paragraph the Author, I. P. very rationally, that is, very conse∣quently to his most irrational mistaking me. First imputes unreasonableness to me, in ma∣king any answer to the arguments, made a∣gainst that which he confesses himself cannot be maintained. Hereto, I answer, That 1. Since it was Mr. Chillingworth's book, and not any Prelatical Protestants argument a∣gainst the Catholick Churches authority, that perplexed and entangled me. And 2. since I knew that Mr. Chillingworth beleeved his arguments unanswerable, not onely by his Adversary, and such as proceeded upon his Adversarie's. special grounds, but by any Ca∣tholick upon what grounds soever; and that the onely grounds upon which Catholick au∣thority could be destroyed, were not such as my Lord of Canterbury, &c. proceeded on. viz. To set up a little authority, and seemingly to contradict an universal one; but onely such as Mr. Chillingworth used, viz. To dis∣oblige every Christian from all authority whatsoever, as obliging the conscience to the beleeving of any thing, and making private reason the judge: where was this unreasona∣bleness of mine, when I attempted to shew the world how I came to be undeceived, and upon what grounds I ceased to think, what before not I onely, but very many Protestants besides my self, thought; namely, that Mr. Chil∣lingworths book did wholly destroy, not only his mistaken Infallibility, but the true real

Infallibility or Authority of the Church. I am most assured, if the reasons given by me a∣gainst M. Chillingworth be indeed concluding, and my answers to his objections satisfacto∣ry, that if Mr. Chillingworth had been alive to read my book, and had thought so too, he would not have made that poor shift that I. P. hath done, and have said that Mr. Cressy did unreasonably to impugne him.

11. In the next place forasmuch as con∣cerns the manner of my Answer, which I. P. in the eighth Paragraph, says is yet more un∣reasonable, In that I, deserting the Infallibility, answer onely to the authority of the Church, so making this authority answer for that Infallibi∣lity. I answer, that it was onely a mistaken notion, that both I and Mr. Chillingworth, and all Protestants have of the word Infallibi∣lity, that I deserted, and desire I. P. likewise to desert with me, but as for the true Infalli∣bility, which is in effect al one with the Autho∣rity of the Church, it could never enter in∣to my thoughts to desert it, and it proving to be the very same thing with the Authority of the Church, obliging under damnation, it is very reasonable, that this Authority should answer for that Infallibility, and that Infallibility for this Authority.

12. As to the three Absurdities in the opini∣on of I. P. following from the unreasona∣bleness of my answer; of which the 1. is, That after all I have said to Mr. Chilling∣worth's arguments, I must still acknowledge them unanswerable, as they were intended by him that made them. 2. That my Answer must be to

no purpose, because I pretend to answer his argu∣ments as against the Authority of the Church, simply considered, without Relation to such an In∣fallibity, which were never made against an Au∣thority so qualified. And 3. That if I intend to refute all opposition made to the Infallibility of the Church, by an assertion of its bare authority, then must I assert that authority which is fallible, to be as great and as convincing, as that which is Infallible, &c.

Here I answer, that there is no need of a∣ny further answer, for that which is already said, demonstrates all these consequences to be meer mistakes, grounded upon mistakes Yet, because for good I. P. sake, I am content to take the pains to say more then absolute necessity requires; therefore that which is already said, being presupposed; to the first pretended Absurdity, I answer. 1. That Mr. Chillingworth did esteem both the Rhetorick and Logick of his Book prevalent, not onely against Dr. Potters sin∣gle Adversary and his grounds, but against the very foundations of all Catholick Authori∣ty; insomuch, as he challenges all Catho∣licks whatsoever, protesting, that if they be able to answer, but a very few leaves of his Book, he will submit and go to Mass pre∣sently. And 2. The truth is, if his posi∣tive grounds of The Bible, and nothing but the Bible, interpreted casually by private reason, be the onely Rule, not Infallibility onely, but all Authority is destroyed: Therefore his in∣tention was, that his arguments should have heir force, not onely against that notion,

which he thought his Adversary had of Infal∣libility, but against the thing it self, whether you will call it Authority or Infallibility. And by consequence, 3. I have no obligation to think still (for it never concerned me to think) his arguments to be unanswerable, as they were intended by himself.

13. To the second pretended Absurdity, I further answer, that it is true, Mr. Chilling∣worth very often mistakes, even his Adversary in his acception of the word Infallibility: And this I said in general in the Book, and much more that he mistakes in his applicati∣on of this mistaken notion to the Churches Authority, or qualified Infallibility. But though I said this in general, you will finde, that when I come to a particular answer of passa∣ges and grounds quoted out of him, they are such as concern the positive fundamental grounds of his whole book, and destroy not onely all Infallibility, but all Authority, yea, the very being of a Church, whether Catholick or Schismatick. And where I an∣swer particular objections against the Church, I have no recourse to his mistake of Infalli∣bility; Therefore my answer is to some pur∣pose, though many of his objections be to none, as to Catholicks in general.

14. To the third supposed Absurdity, I an∣swer, that I had rather think I. P. did read my Book negligently, then that he would censure it malitiously, and against his con∣science, if he did read it with care. For it is evident through my whole book, that my own thoughts were, &c I have clearly signified

those thoughts to have been, that Infallibili∣ty and Authority are in effect all one, as applyed to the Church: For to say that the Church has authority in a General Councel to propose Doctrines of Faith, and to oblige all Christi∣ans under penalty of damnation to receive and beleeve the said Doctrines, and withal to say that she is fallible, and may deceive and propose falsities for truths, and so propose them, as that there can be no appeal from her, would be the extremity of injustice, and the exalting of a Tyranny more grievous then Sicily ever felt, a Tyranny upon Souls. I wonder therefore what art it was that I. P. used, when he extracted out of my book, that because of the ill use that Mr. Chillingworth, &c. made of the Scholastical word Infal∣libility, exalting it to the supremest degree that the word could import, that is, to a degree not at all pretended to by the Church, no nor scarce by the Scripture it self, and therefore I declared my willingness, not to serve my self of that word, which was none of the Churches own, and desired others also, either to abstain from it, or at least to ad∣joyn such necessary qualifications to it, as were allowed by the Church, to the end, that Protestants might see, what it is that they combat, and ought to submit to. viz. The just and lawful Authority of the Church, in in∣terpreting of Scriptures Authoritatively, and proposing of Doctrines with absolute obliga∣tion of beleeving: I wonder, I say, by what new art he extracted this consequence, that I must assert, that that Authority is as great, and

convincing, which is fallible, as that which is In∣fallible. Did I ever deny, or give the least ground of suspition, that it was in my heart to deny, the Authority of the Church to be In∣fallible in Decisions propounded by her, as tra∣ditionary? Is it to say the Church is fallible, or a Guide that may lead a soul out of the way, or a Judge capable of mistaking, be∣cause there may be spread in some places of the Church some Opinions (no Decisions) or some practises, which Protestants may account unwarrantable? No, no, it is meer guilt in I. P. that made him draw such an inference; he is loath to see the truth appearing out of clouds. I may more truly call the word (In∣fallibility) the Darling of Protestants, then, as he does, of Catholicks, a Darling to them, be∣cause they can (under the ambiguousness of it) shelter themselves from truth, obedience, and salvation.

15. Now, whereas I. P. in his ninth Pa∣ragraph professes, that, having considered the inconsiderableness of Mr. Cressy's answers, and indeed whole discourse; he changed his resolution to answer it, as judging it not to deserve an an∣swer: I have nothing to say but this, that truly I neither did, nor can commend the Book to him, as a writing considerable, or that might deserve his labour to consure it; but yet if I thought there were no other imper∣fections to make it inconsiderable, besides those that he hath taken notice of in his Preface, I fear I should be tempted to think well of it. However, this I can say confi∣dently,

that notwithstanding any objections as yet made by him against it, he may, if he please, resume his resolution to answer it, without apprehending any guilt, but onely the choosing so weak an Adversary. But yet insteed of that, I would rather advise and be∣seech him to read such a Fundamental Contro∣versie, as this, concerning the Churches In∣fallibility, with other eyes and heart then he has done mine; that is, with a minde dis-in¦teressed and willing to finde the truth by whomsoever proposed. It is impossible but that education must needs have given a great Bi••s one way: therefore when he reads any thing, upon the truth or falsehood whereof his souls depends, he should rather strain himself to give a weight to objections made against any of his settled preconceived opi∣nions, then catch at circumstantial advan∣tages to elude them: if there be any reasons weakly urged by me, he ought to exercise his own wit to press them more efficatiously against himself: but above all things he ought to pray to God (as God willing, I shall not fail to do both for him, and all his, and my friends) that he would increase in his heart a diffidence of his own judgement, and an humble pliableness to submit to truth and authority.

16. Lastly, Where he concludes with his testimony of the invincibleness of my Lord Falkland's Discourses, especially the Reply: I have no more to say, then what I said in the beginning, excepting this,

that for the Reply, he to whom is was made is concerned in it: and as for the Discouse of Infallibility, if the noble Au∣thour were alive, I would have presumed to have had his leave to have answe∣red it.