The appeal of iniured innocence, unto the religious learned and ingenuous reader in a controversie betwixt the animadvertor, Dr. Peter Heylyn, and the author, Thomas Fuller.

Dr. Heilyn's TITLE-PAGE. Examen Historicum: OR A DISCOVERY and EXAMINATION OF THE Mistakes, Falsities, and Defects in some Modern History. Part. I. CONTAINING Necessary ANIMADVERSIONS ON The Church-History of BRITAIN: AND The History of CAMBRIDGE, Publish'd by Thomas Fuller: For Vindication of the Truth, the Church, and the Injured Clergy.

2 CORINTH. 13.8. Non possumus aliquid adversus veritatem: sed pro veritate.

Minut. Foel. in Octavio. Et Veritas quidem obvia est, sed requirentibus.

Fuller.

THe Chalenge, is no part of the Combate; nor the Mountebanks Bill of the Cure. It is answer enough to a Title-page, to return, It is but a Title-page. Whereas the Doctor intituleth his Notes on my Books Animadversions, know, Animadvertere in Latine signifieth, to mark, and observe; but rather, by the way of reproof, than approbation. And in a Secundary Sense, it importeth to correct, chastise, and severely to punish a [reputed] Malefactor, as the Doctor in a Judicatory, of his own Erecting, (without any Commission for the same,) hath herein passed many most heavy Censures on Me, before He heard what I could say in my own just defence.

Whereas the Animadvertor proceedeth, as followeth,

ANIMADVERSIONS ON The Church-History of BRITTAIN: AND The History of CAMBRIDGE, Publish'd by Thomas Fuller: For Vindication of the Truth, the Church, and the Injured Clergy.

He hath done me more—right, than he was aware of, or was willing to do: for those indeed were the three principal Motives of my weak Endea∣vours in my Church-History. However, because he intended those words to relate not to my History, but his own Animadversions thereon, let the Reader Judge, to which of our two Works they bear the best and most proper reference.

The words of St. Paul 2. Cor. 13.8. Non possumus aliquid adversus veritatem sed pro veritate, We can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth; well fitted the mouth of the Apostle, divinely inspired in his writings, only to be a Cham∣pion for the Truth. In one sense I allow them also applicable to the Animad∣vertor, according to the received Rule Illud possumus, quod jure possumus, We can do that which we can lawfully do —. But otherwise, I humbly conceive that St. Paul could not, and the Animadvertor should not, do any thing against the Truth.

All that I will add is this, that although the Doctor be pleased to call his notes Necessary Animadversions, (who can blame the loving Father for giving his own dear Babe a good name) yet upon serious examination it will appear that some of these Animadversions, ought to have been omitted, for the promoting of Piety; and many of them might have been omitted, without any prejudice to the Truth: as in due time and place, God willing, shall be observed.

Dr. Heylyn.

A General PREFACE TO THE WHOLE.

It is affirmed of History by the famous Orator, that it is Testis Temporum, the Witness and Record of Time, by which the Actions of it are transmitted from one Age to another. And therefore it concerns all those who apply themselves to the writing of Histories to take speciall care, that all things be laid down exactly, faithfully, and without Deviation from the Truth in the least particular; For if the Witnesses be suborned, the Record falsified, or the Evidence wrested, neither posterity can Judge rightly of the Actions of this present time; or this time, give a certain Judgement of the Ages past.

Fuller.

Allthough Mr. Sanderson is equally concerned with my Self in this Generall Preface, yet because I am beheld as the principal malefactor, I have here pre∣sented it intire. I look on it thus far as but the flourish or Illumining of a Text and Initial-Letter, signifying nothing in it self: and therefore let him proceed, to something more materiall.

Dr. Heylyn.

It is therefore a good direction which Iosephus the Historian gives us, and which he followed as it seems in his Iewish Antiquities, not only to be care∣full that the Stile be pleasing, but that the whole work be framed by the level and line of Truth, Nam qui Historiam & rerum propter Antiquitatem ob∣scurarum expositionem, &c.

They (saith he) who make profession to write Histories, and to recite such things as are obscured by Antiquitie, ought not only studiously to conform their stile, but also to beautyfie the same with ornaments of Eloq••ence, to the intent the Reader may converse in their Wri∣tings with the more delectation. But above all things they must have an especial care so exactly to set down the truth, that they who know not how those things came to pass, may be the more duely and fitly informed.

Fuller.

I acknowledge that this is the Character of a Complete Historian, to which all in their Writings ought to aspire with their best endeavours; though I believe none ever attained to the height thereof.

But first I would fain know, (seeing these are Necessary Animadversions) what need there was of that long-Latine-Line (staved off at last with an &c.) seeing Io∣sephus did write in Greek. And if the Doctor would have presented us with the Original, it should have been in Greek; if but with a Translation, it might only have been in English.

I behold Iosephus as a worthy Historian, whose memory I deservedly honour; yet herein he might say with the Poet, Monitis sum minor ipse meis. He in his Practise fell far short of his Precepts, witness his inserting of this false passage, opposite to the very Letter of the Old Testament, speaking of Iehojakaim King of Iudah,

2 King. 24.9.

And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his Father had done.

Iosephus Ant. Iud. lib. 10. cap. 9. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This man being merciful and just by his nature. &c.

But because it is not my Work to accuse Iosephus (whom I cannot praise and prize enough) but to defend my self against the Animadvertor, let us proceed.

Dr. Heylyn.

There is another rule which he bound himself to, that is to say, Neither to omit any thing through ignorance, nor to bury any thing in forgetfullness: And all these cautions well observed make a perfect History.

Fuller.

Here is the Elixir indeed of Historical perfection. Let a Glorified Saint write such an History of the Church-Triumphant, that so there may be a just proportion betwixt the Author and his Subject, both being Perfect.

I have met with this Distick made by reverend * 1.1 Bernard Gilpin, upon such Sectaries as require exactness in our Church of England.

Optant ut careat maculis Ecclesia cunctis; Praesens vita negat, vita futura dabit.

Thus Englished by Bishop Carleton.

Men wish our Church no blemish had at all; It cannot be so here, in Heaven it shall.

This is true both of our Church, and all Church-Histories; whereof none without faults, and they the best which have the fewest.

Dr. Heylyn.

But on the contrary, there are some who do spend themselves on the style and dresse, as if their business rather were to delight the ear then inform the judge∣ment; Others so byassed by self-ends and private interesse, that they seem ra∣ther Advocates to plead for some growing party, then true Reporters of affairs as they be before them. Some who endevouring to be copious, clap all together in a huddle which is offered to them, without relation to the Ornaments and Attire of Language; and others with like carelesness as unto themselves, but greater inconvenience as unto the Reader, examine not the truth and certainty of what they write, so they write somewhat which they think may inform the Reader. Betwixt these, Truth is oftentimes irrecoverably lost, the Reader led aside from the wayes of Verity into the crooked lanes of Error; and many times conducted to such dangerous precipices as may prove destructive to himself, and of ill conse∣quence to all those which are guided by him. The Errors of the Understanding, in matters which may possibly be reduced to Practise, are far more mischievous then those which do consist in the niceties of Speculation, and advance no far∣ther; which moved the Orator, not onely to honour History with the Attribute of Testis Temporum, but to style it also by the name of Magistra Vitae.

Fuller.

I remember when the reverend Vice-master of Trinity College in Cambridge was told that one of the Scholars had abused him in an Oration. Did he (said he) name me? Did he name Thomas Harrison? And when it was returned, that he named him not; then said he, I do not believe that he meant me. Although it is very suspicious that I am the mark aimed at in this discourse; yet being not conscious of such faults to my self, and because I am not named by him, I will not understand my self intended, till he toucheth me with more personal par∣ticularities.

Dr. Heylyn.

These things considered as they ought, hath made me wonder many times at the unadvisedness of some late Writers in this kind, whose Histories are com∣posed with so much partiality on the one Side, and so much inadvertency on the Other; that they stand more in need of a Commentator to expound the Truth, and lay it clear and open to the view of the Reader, than either the dark words of Aristotle, or any other obscure Piece of the ancient Writers. I speak of Histories, not Libels; of which last sort, I reckon Weldon's Pamphlet, called The Court of King Iames; and Wilson's most infamous Pasquil of the Reign of that King: in which it is not easie to judge, whether the Matter be more false, or the Stile more reproachful in all parts thereof. Certain I am, we may affirm of them as Cremutius Cordus doth of the Epistles of Antonius, and the Orations of Brutus, Falsa quidem in Augustum probra, sed multa cum acerbitate habent; that is to say, that they contained not only false and disgraceful passages against the honour of Augustus, but were apparelled also in the habit of scurrilous language. With such as these I shall not meddle at the present, leaving their crimes unto the punishment not of an Index, but an Ignis Expurgatorius, as most proper for them.

Fuller.

I am not concerned at all in this Paragraph; Onely let me add this in the honour of the deceased Robert Earl of Warwick, who told me at Beddington,

that when Wilson's Book in Manuscript was brought unto him, he expunged out of it more than an hundred offensive passages. My Lord, said I) you have done well, and you had done better if you had put out one hundred more.

Dr. Heylyn.

But as for those whom either the want of true intelligence or inadvertency in not weighing seriously what they were to do, or the too much indulgence to their own affections have made more capable of being bettered by correction, I have thought it more agreeable to the Rules of justice, to rectifie their mistakes, and reform their Errors, than absolutely to condemn and decry their Writings.

Fuller.

REFORMING of Errors is a specious and glorious Designe, especially when proportionable means are used in order thereunto. But of late the word RE∣FORMATION is grown so thredbare, it hath no nap left it, thereunder to cover foul acts to attain a fair end. I much suspect the Animadvertor will prove such a Deforming-Reformer, as our Age hath produced too many of them.

Dr. Heylyn.

At this time I have Two before me whom I conceive to stand in need of such Observations, by which the truth may be preserved, and the clear face of things presented to the Readers eye; the one of them an Authour of Eccle∣siastical, the other of some Civil Histories.

Fuller.

I commend the valour of the Animadvertor, to combate with Two at once; odds, on which Hercules himself durst not adventure. I also am to deal with two, the Animadvertor and Dr. Cosins, but not as a Challenger, but in the notion of a poor Defendant; and if one be assaulted by two hundred, he may and must guard himself against them as well as he can.

Dr. Heylyn.

In both I find the Truth much injured, and in one the Church. The Errors of the one tend not to the subversion of any publick interesse, but, being Errors, may misguide the Reader in the way of his knowledge and discourse; and therefore I have rectified him with some Advertisements (not taking notice of such passages as have been made the subject of some Observations from another hand) that so he may be read with the greatest profit.

Fuller.

This is meant of Mr. Sanderson. I am not so divellishly minded as to desire all men might be equally faulty with my self, that so being involved with others in a joynt-Guiltiness of the same degree, I might on that account pretend to a mock-Innocence. If Mr. Sanderson's Pen be less peccant than mine, I congratu∣late his condition, and provide to answer to my owne Charge, which followeth.

Dr: Heylyn.

The other (besides Errors of this kind too many) hath intermingled his Discourse with some Positions of a dangerous nature; which being reduced into practise, as they easily may, not only overthrow the whole power of the Church,

as it stands constituted and established by the Laws of the Land, but lay a probable foundation for the like disturbances in the Civil State.

Fuller.

Si satis sit accusâsse, quis Innocens? saith Tertullian. To this double Indictment I plead, not guilty, and put my self on the Trial of God and Goodmen, request∣ing the Reader's patience till the proofs on both sides be produced.

Dr. Heylyn.

And therefore I have fitted him with some Animadversions in the way of an Antidote, that so he may be read if possible without any danger.

Fuller.

Common custome hath oversway'd the word Antidote to signifie a Defensative against, or expulsative of, Poyson; However, the bare notation of the word advanceth no further than to import something given against: in which sense none of our Nation hath been so free of his Antidotes as the Animadvertor; having given them against Mr. Calvin, Archbishop Williams, Archbishop Usher, Dr. Hackwell, Dr. Prideaux, Dr. Barnard, Mr. Le-strange, Mr. Sanderson, and my un∣worthy Self, no shame to follow in the Reere after such a Van and Main-battel.

Sure I am, his pretended Antidote on my Book, hath more of Poyson than Cordial therein, envenoming many plain and true passages, sound and solid sentences,, with his false Glosses, forced Inferences, and pestilent Applications.

Dr. Heylyn.

I know well, how Invidious a Task I have undertaken and that it will be charged upon me at the first apprehensions of it, that I have rather chosen to find fault with the writings of others, than to write any things of this kind, which may be subject to the like partialities, and mistakings. Carpere vel noli nostra, vel ede tua, might come in seasonably here, if I had not somewhat to alledge for my Justification; But when the Reasons which induced me to the first Adventure (mentioned in the Introduction following) be seriously considered, as they ought to be, I hope I shall be capable of excuse, if not of pardon.

Fuller.

The Animadvertor hath here raised up (I assure you) a Strong Spirit against himself, and whether the Spells, here used by him, be able to conjure it down again, others must decide it; mean time, fight Animadvertor, fight Objection of his own making, seeing I have neither Skill, nor Will, to interpose to part them.

Dr. Heylyn.

And for my venturing on the other, I shall say nothing more at the pre∣sent, but that as well my love to Truth, as to do right unto the Author (whom I would willingly look on as a man well principled, and of no ill affectio∣ons to Church or State) hath invited me to it.

Fuller.

Here my credit is more deeply wounded by the glance of a bullet, than if it were directly shot against me; For whereas he saith, that he would willingly look on Mr. Sanderson as a man well principled, and of no ill affections to Church,

or State, he concludes me by plain intimation disaffected to both; But I hope that those who are cleer-sighted, look on me under a better notion.

Dr. Heylyn.

Truth is the Mistris which I serve.

Fuller.

Rough though I am, I have a Mistris too, and her the Self-same, with the Animadvertor's. Be it referred to Her, to Judge betwixt us, which of us hath, doth, or shall do her the better Service; and let him be received, the other rejected.

Dr. Heylyn.

And I presume that none will be offended with me, because I tell them of their Errors in a modest way, and bear witness for them to that Truth, of which they do profess themselves such especiall lovers. In that great Disputation betwixt the Esquires of the Body of King * 1.2 Darius, whether the King, Women, or the Truth, were of greatest Power, the whole Assembly cried out in the behalfe of Truth, Magna est veritas & praevalet, that is to say, Great is Truth, and mighty above all things.

Fuller.

I acknowledge this a Canonical Truth, though written in the Apocrypha. It will soon be seen, who will shout most at the Triumphs of Truth, I or the Animadvertor, corrivall with me to the same Mistris.

Dr. Heylyn.

So that in standing for the Truth, without Consideration of the RECOM∣PENCE of REWARD, I hope though I meet some Adversaries, I shall find more Friends.

Fuller.

Here he soareth so high a flight I cannot follow him; yea, I suspect, that in reaching so high a Note he hath strained (if not broken) his voice. What, no reflexion on a Reward? He might have had an Intuition at it, as the Incouragement though not the Cause of his pains; he might look at, in, through, and beyond the Reward, without the least mixture of any Mercenar inesse: Sure I am, that one of as much Meekness, as some are of Morosness, even upright Moses himself, in his Service of the Essential, and Increated Truth (of higher consequence than the Historical Truth controverted betwixt us) had notwithstanding a * 1.3 respect to the recompence of Reward.

Dr. Heylyn.

If not (for I am at a reasonable pass for that) it shall be no small comfort to me, that the weak Candle of my Studyes hath given light to others, whereby they may discern some Historical Truths even in the darkest mists of Error, which either Partiality or Incogitance hath cast before the eyes of many Readers.

Fuller.

The Reader in due time will Judge, whether his Candle hath by the light

thereof discovered more Truths; or by the Smoke thereof darkned more, or given more just offence by the unsavory Snuff thereof.

Dr. Heylyn.

Which said, I shall now add no more, but that having two Patients under cure of different tempers, it is not to be thought, that I should administer unto both the same kind of Physick, an ordinary purge being sufficient for the one, where∣as the foul body of the other doth require a Fluxing; as some wounds may be healed with Balm, when others more corrupt and putrified do exact a Lancing.

Fuller.

Which said, I shall now add no more but that having two Adversaries, Dr. Heylyn, and Dr. Cosens to encounter, it is not to be thought, that I should pro∣ceed against both alike; Dr. Cosens hath merited much of the Protestant Cause in France, and thereby commands my Pen to pay the Homage of due reverence to the Crown of his old Age, especially when found in the way of Truth. But I am not under any such Obligation of particular respect to Dr Heylyn on the same account.

I could wish he had used a more cleanly Metaphor, and forborn the phrase of Fluxing. Such a cure appears not in Hippocrates, as being a modern remedy, for a modern malady. However, would I were but half so holy as he was, of whom it was said, An evill disease * 1.4 say they (and they did but say it) cleaveth fast unto him.

I will use no harsher Metaphor in relation of my answers to my two Antagonists, than only, That men may meddle with a Mallow with naked hands, but need to put on their Hedging-gloves when to deal with a Thorn or Nettle.

Onely here I shall presume to request the Reader, to take especial notice of those remarkable words of the Animadvertor [tell them of their Errors in a MODEST WAY] and keep them against a rainy-day, I mean such a seasonable Time as we may make use thereof.

Dr. Heylyn.

But so it happeneth many times, that some men are more impatient of the Cure, then sensible of their Diseases; and that, in stead of giving thanks to to the Physitian, for the great pains he took about them, they pay him with nothing but displeasures. Which being the worst that can befall me, I am armed against it.

Fuller.

But so it happeneth many times, that (as in this case) there may be plus periculi à Medico quàm à Morbo, More danger of the Physitian than of the Disease; A good belief and conceit of the Physitian, is more than half a Cure: and I con∣fess I have none of the Animadvertor, whom I behold but as an adventurous Emperick, having seen and marked his practise on other Patients, rather disgrace∣ing their Persons than amending their Errors: Give me a Physitian of my own Election, not of his Intrusion; especially when he usually wrappeth up his best Receipts in Poysoned Papers.

Dr. Heylyn.

If by the hazard of my Peace I shall procure this benefit to the present and succeeding times, that men may prove more careful of what they write, and

not obtrude upon the Reader (either through Ignorance, inadvertency, or somewhat worse) such and so many falsities, mistakes, and errors, as have been lately put upon him in some modern Histories; It is that I aimed at, and having gained that point, I have gained my purpose.

Fuller.

But what if on the contrary (which is more probable) it commeth to pass, that some having commendable Inclinations, and proportionable Qualifications to write Histories, perceiving their Books, Damnatos antequam natos, baned before born, by the prejudice which this Animadvertor bears their Parents; who is ready as soon as their Books shall peep out of the Press, to assault them with causless cavills: What I say if such persons on the tender resentment of the premises shall quit all their Intentions to write; the Animadvertor can little com••ort himself, and others will less commend him, for this his over-activity, so destru∣ctive to the publick Good. But there are some, who when they can no longer bewitch with their Beauty, endevour to doe it with their Malice, thereby to render themselves in any sort considerable; to be feared, when they are no more loved. All I will add is this, He who already having one of his feet in the Grave, will spurn his brother with the other; will find few to pitty him, if falling all a∣long for his pains.

Dr. Heylyn.

Non Partis Studiis agimur, sed Sumpsimus Arma Consiliis Inimica tuis, Ignavia fallax.

Peter Heylyn.

Fuller.

This Distick, whereof the Animadvertor, (by the immediate subscription of his name thereunto▪ may to some seem the Author, is frequently cited by Mr. Selden, and may thus be Englished,

We serve no Sides, nor Parties seek to please, But do defie, Sloth, thy deceiving Ease.

However I humbly conceive, that (what faults soever I am guilty of) the sin of Sloth cannot justly, especially in my Church-History, be laid to my charge.

1. All passages of Church-concernment from the Reign of Henry the third, untill King Henry the sixth, I got exactly written and attested out of the Records in the Tower.

2. The most material transactions in all Convocations since the Reformation till the time of Queen Elizabeth (save that sometimes the Journals be very defective, which was no fault of mine,) I transcribed out of the Registers of Canterbury.

3. I have by much labour procured many Letters and other Rarities (which formerly never did see the light) out of the Library of Sir Thomas Cotton and others.

4. The learned Mr. Selden (on his own desire) honoured my first four Centuries with reading, and returned them unto me some weeks after; without any considerable alterations.

5. The best Antiquaries of England (amongst whom the Arch-Bishop of Armagh, it being not then my happiness to be known to the Learned and religious Sir R. Twisden,) I consulted with; These now I forbear to name, lest I remove and derive the Animadvertors anger on them from my self, who am (though not the most able) the best prepared to endure his displeasure.

Give me leave to add, that a greater volume of general Church-Historie might

be made with less time, pains, and cost: for in the making thereof, I had Straw provided me to burn my Brick; I mean, could find what I needed, in printed Books. Whereas in this Brittish Church-History, I must (as well as I could) provide my own Straw, and my pains have been scattered all over the Land, by riding, writing, going, sending, chiding, begging, praying, and sometimes pay∣ing too, to procure manuscript materials.

These particulars seriously considered, I hope it will appear, that the Animad∣vertor unjustly chargeth Sloth on my account, and Tyrannically crieth out with Pharoah, * 1.5 Ye are idle, Idle are you. Yea I hope, I may alter the property of the Animadvertors Distick, and turn his Sword into my Shield after this manner.

Non Partis Studiis agimur, sed sumpsimus arma Consiliis peramica tuis, Industria Doctrix.

Thomas Fuller.

Notes

• * 1.1

  in his Life Page, 103.
• * 1.2

  Esdr. 4.41.
• * 1.3

  Heb. 11.26.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 41.8.
• * 1.5

  Exod. 5.17.