Page [unnumbered]
To Dr. Cornelius Burges.
SIR,
I could have wished, that in your book entituled, a Case concerning the buying of Bishops Lands, with the lawfullnesse thereof, &c. you had forborn this following expression against me.
Part. 1. pag. 7.As that flashy jeering Author of the late published History of the Church (upon hear-say onely, and out of Resolution calumniari fortiter) hath falsely re∣ported him.
Let us go back to the occasion of these words. When Dr. Hacket, May the 11th. 1641. made a Speech, in behalfe of the Deans, and Chapters of England, for the preventing of the alienation of their Lands and revenues, you returned an Answer thereunto; and about the conclusive Result thereof, is our present contest.
You say, you onely concluded those things unalienable from the Church, which were setled upon it by Divine Right.
I Report, you concluded Deans and Chapters lands alienable without sin of Sacriledge, from that particular Use; yet so as that they ought still to be pre∣served to the Church in generall.
I confesse, I neither was, (nor might be) present in the Parliament: and therefore must take it on Hear-say. However I distinguish on hear-say which is double,
- Common.
- Credible.
I conceive mine to be of the latter and better sort. And I have no other way to defend my selfe, than by appealing to many members of the House then pre∣sent, still alive, and firmly remembring that transaction.
Surely, Sir, the Parliament never brought into question, Whether things might be alienated from the Church, which by Divine Right were setled there∣on. It was inconsistent with their prudence, amounting in effect to this que∣stion, Whether Gods, or their power were the highest. And, Sir, if you con∣cluded no more than what you say, you concluded what was never controver∣ted by any Christian.
Whereas you call me a FLASHY WRITER, God forbid that in all my Books such a flash of folly and falshood should be found, as falls from your Pen in your own praise.
Part. 1. pag. 32. lin. 30, 31.Albeit Dr. Burges performeth more service in that Church, than any Bishop that ever sat there.
I read, Act. 10.2. of a Cornelius praised by God for his Prayers and Alms: but you are the first of the name, which, publickly in print, commendeth him∣selfe.
And as for the Bishops of that See;* 1.1 Have you forgotten William Barlow, who in the Marian dayes, exul in Germania inopem vitam, ut potuit, toleravit, Preach∣ing