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.

THE SIXTH BOOK. Containing the History of Abbeys.

Dr. Heylin.

THis Book, containing the History of Abbeys seems but a Supple∣ment to the former, but being made a distinct book by our Author, we must doe so likewise. In which the first thing capable of an Animadversion, is but meerly verbal, viz.

Fol. 266. Cistercians so called from one Robert living in Cister∣cium in Burgundy.] The place in Burgundy from whence these Monks took deno∣mination, though call'd Cirstercium by the Latins, is better known to the French and English by the name Cisteaux; the Monks thereof, the Monks of Cisteaux by the English, and Lesmoines de Cisteaux by the French; and yet our Author hath hit it better in his Cistercians, than Ralph Brook York Herald did in his Sister-senses, for which sufficiently derided by Augustin Vincent, as our Author, being so well studied in Heraldry, cannot chuse but know.

Fuller.

It was equally in my power and pleasure (without the least prejudice to the Truth) whether I would render the place in the French [Cisteaux,] or retain the Latine name Cistercium. I preferred the latter because our English word Cistercians hath most conformity therewith.

What is R. Brooke his Sister-senses, Brother-senses, or Non-senses to me? This spends time in writing, money in buying, pains in reading, makes some more angry, none more knowing.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 268. But be he who he himself or any other pleaseth, brother if they will to St. George on Horseback.] Our Author not satisfying him∣self in that Equitius, who is supposed to be the first Founder of Monks in England, makes him in scorn to be the Brother of St. George on Horse back; that is to say, a meer Chimera, a Legendary Saint, a thing of nothing. The Knights of that most noble Order are beholding to him for putting their Patron in the same Rank with St. Equitius; of whose existence on the Earth he can finde no Constat.

Fuller.

I honour the Knights of that noble Order, as much as the Animadvertor him∣self. Their Ribbands though (now wearing out apace) seem in my eyes as fair and fresh as when first put on. I doe not deny, but much doubt of St. George, as he is presented with his improbable Atchievements; Yet grant the whole History, onely Emblematical, and Allegorical of Christ, rescuing his Church from the might and malice of Satan, no Diminution of Honour at all is thereby to the Fellows of that noble Order.

Dr. Heylin.

But I would have him know, how poorly soever he thinks of St. George on Horseback, that there hath more been said of him, his Noble birth, Atchievements, with his death and Martyrdome, than all the Friends our Author hath, will or can justly say in defence of our present History.

Fuller.

The Animadvertor might have done well, to instanced in that Author which hath been the Champion for this Champion, and hath so substantially asserted him. If in this passage he reflecteth on his own Book on that Subject, he hath lookt so long on St. George, he hath forgot Solomon: Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. For my part I am yet to seek what service he hath done to the Church of God, so busie to make DOWN SAB∣BATH, and UP St. GEORGE.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 270 — So they deserve some commendation for their Orthodox Judgement in maintaining some Controversies in Divinity of im∣portance against the Jesuites.] Our Author speaks this of the Dominicans or preaching Fryers, who though they be the sole active managers of the Inquisiti∣on, deserve notwithstanding to be commended for their Orthodox judgement. How so? Because forsooth in some Controversies of importance, that is to say, Predestination, Grace, Free-will, and the rest of that link, they hold the same opini∣ons against the Iesuites and Fraenciscans, as the Rigid Lutherans doe against the Melanchthonians, and the Rigid or peremptory Calvinists against the Remonstrants. &c.

Fuller.

Two things are considerable in the Dominicans, First their Cruelty in mana∣ging the inquisition, which all must justly condemn. And I doubt not, but God, when he maketh Inquisition for blood, will remember the bloody Inquisition.

Secondly, their Orthodoxnesse in many points, here reckoned up by the Ani∣madvertor, which in the Judgement of many pious and learned Divines, deserve just commendation. And if the Animadvertor dissent from them herein, sure I am, He will close with them in another controversie against the Franciscans, in maintaining that the Virgin Mary was conceived in sin: For although all gene∣rations shall call her BLESSED, yet it followeth not thence, that shee was without sin, Seeing BLESSED is he to whom God imputeth no sin. In a word the Dominicans are the least erronious of all the Monks and Friers.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 300. We will conclude with their observation (as an ominous presage of Abbies ruine) that there was scarse a great Abbey in England, which once at least, was not burnt down with lightning from Heaven.] Our Author may be as well our in this, as he hath been in many things else; it being an ordinary thing to adscribe that to Lightning or fire from Heaven, which happened by the malice or carelesenesse of Knaves on Earth, of which I shall speak more hereafter, on occasion of the firing of St. Pauls steeple in London, lib. 9.

Fuller.

If your Author be out, he told you who were out with your Author, yea, who led him out; viz. the following Authors being all of them authenticall, and of the Romish perswasion, cited in the margent.

• 1. Historia Gervasii.
• 2. Historia Ingulphi.
• 3. Cronicon Petroburg.
• 4. Cronicon S^ti Edmundi.
• 5. Malmsbury
• 6. Hoveden.
• 7. Walter Covenir.
• 8. Fabian.

These may be presumed utterly unlikely to be-libell heaven for the Actions of Earth, or to entitle that an accident of Lightning, which was voluntary from knavish incendiaries.

Dr. Heylin.

Now only noting by the way, that scarce any, and but thirteen (for our Author names no more which were so consumed) hang not well together. If onely thirteen were so burnt (and sure our Author would have nam'd them if they had been more) he should have rather chang'd his style, and said that of so many Re∣ligious Houses as suffered by the decayes of time and the fury of the Danish Wars, or the rage of accidental fires, scarfe any of them had been striken by the hand of Heaven.

Fuller.

He might as well have said, that the Husbandman, who only sheweth a Sample, hath no more corn in his Barn. Or the Draper who presenteth but a Patern, hath no more cloth in his Shop.

I was unwilling to burthen my book with the enumeration of them all, and the Reader may take notice of the thirteen named, nine Mitred Abbies, each 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, eminently worth many meaner Monasteries, whose names follow.

• 1. Canterbury.
• 2. Croyland.
• 3. Peterburrough.
• 4. St. Maries, York.
• 5. Edmondsbury.
• 6. Glocester.
• 7. Cicester.
• 8. Glassenbury.
• 9. Evesham.

If it were worth the while, I could add many more; mean time, it is enough to say, Mr. Fox is the Author wherein this is to be found.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 313. Hence presently arose the Northern Rebel∣lion, wherein all the open undertakers were North of Trent, &c.] Not all the open un∣dertakers▪ I am sure of that, our Author telling us in the words next following, that this commotion began first in Lincolnshire, no part whereof, except the River-Isle of Axholm, lies beyond the Trent, &c.

Fuller.

Almost all Lincolnshire lyeth North (though not of the fall) of the foundation of Trent. However, these words North of Trent shall be altered into, in the North of England.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 316. Where there be many people, there will be ma∣ny Offenders, there being a Cham amongst the eight in the Ark, yea a Cain amongst the four Primitive Persons in the beginning of the world.] In this, our Authors rule is better than his Exemplification. For though there were but eight persons in the Ark. whereof Cham was one, yet in all probability there were more than four persons in the world at the birth of Abel, reckoning him for one. &c.

Fuller.

I passe not whether there were, or were not; I build nothing of consequence thereon, and the matter being no more, I may take it by content without telling it, on the reputation of the generall Opinion.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 340. It was in those dayes conceived highly injuri∣ous, to thrust Monks and Nuns out of House and Home, without assigning them any al∣lowance

for their subsistence.] Our Author sayes very well in this, there being few Religious persons thrust out of their Houses, (except those that suffered by the first act of dissolution) who either were not prefer'd in the Church, (as Wakeman the last Abbot of Tewksbery, was by the King made the first Bishop of Glocester) or otherwise provided of some liberal pension, &c.

Fuller.

The Animadvertor going along with me in this long Note, needeth no answer of mine. Hereupon he taketh occasion to shew how injuriously many sequestred Clergy-men are dealt with in their fift part, that instead thereof but a nineteenth part is but paid in some places; and I am sorry I must concurre with him in so sad a Truth.

But whereas, after his too just complaint, he concludeth with this passage:

Our Author might have saved me the greatest part of this Application, had he been minded to doe the poor Clergy any right, as he seldome doth.

Let me add, The Animadvertor might have saved me all the pains of this Answer, had he not been minded causlesly to cavil, as he often doth. For when I handled the Sub∣ject of the fifth part, first I got the Order for it, (hard to come by) to be inserted. Secondly, I solemnly answered seven subterfuges, pretended by such as either wholy refuse, or defectively pay the fifth part to the sequestred Minister, and then thus conclude.

Church-Hist. Book 11. pag. 230:

I am sorry to see the pitifull and pious intentions of the Parliament so abused and deluded by the indirect dealings of others, so that they cannot attain their in∣tended ends, for the relief of so many poor people, seeing no doubt, therein they desired to be like the best of Beings, who as closely applieth his lenitive as cor∣rasive plaisters, and that his Mercy may take as true effect as his Iustice. Sure if the present Authority (when at leisure from higher imployment) shall be pleased to take the groans of these poor souls into its consideration, the voice of their hungry Bowels will quickly be turned to a more pleasant tune, from barking for food, to the blessing of those who procured it. Now let any censure this a digres∣sion from my History; for though my Estate will not suffer me with * 1.1 Job; to be eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, I will endeavor what I can to be a tongue for the Dumbe.

Let the Reader judge betwixt me and the Animadvertor, whether in this par∣ticular matter controverted, I have not done the poor Clergy as much right, as lay in my power, and more than consisted with my safety.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 357. But this was done without any great cost to the Crown, onely by altering the Property of the place from a late made Cathedral to an Abbey.] Our Author speaks this of the Church of Westminster; which though it suffered many changes, yet had it no such change as our Author speaks of; that is to say, from a Cathedral to an Abbey, without any other alteration which came in between. &c.

Fuller.

I said not, that it was immediatly changed from a Cathedral to an Abbey; but that it was changed, and that without any great cost to the Crown; so my words want nothing but a candid Reader of them.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 359. Nor can I finde in the first year of Queen Eli∣zabeth any particular Statute wherein (as in the reign of King Henry the eight) these Orders are nominatim suppressed, &c.] But first, the several Orders of Religious

Persons were not suppressed nominatim, except that of St. Iohns, by a Statute in the time of King Henry the eighth. Secondly, if there were no such Statute, yet was it not because those Houses had no legal settlement, as it after followeth; Queen Mary being vested with a power of granting Mortmains, and consequently of founding these Religious Houses in a legal way. Thirdly, there might be such a Statute, though our Author never had the good luck to see it; and yet for want of such good luck, I finde him apt enough to think there was no such Statute; Et quod non invenit usquam, esse putat nusquam, in the Poets language &c.

Fuller.

I could not then finde the Statute, and I am not ashamed to confesse it. Let those be censured who pretend to have found what they have no••, and so by their confidence (or impudence rather) abuse Posterity. Since, I have found a Copy thereof in Sr. Thomas Cottons Library, with many Commissions granted there∣upon, for the dissolution of such Marian foundations.

Dr. Heylin.

Our Author proceeds. Fol. 369. Jesuits, the last and newest of all Orders.] The newest if the last, there's doubt of that: But the last they were not, the Oratorians (as they call them) being of a later brood. The Iesuites, founded by Ignatius Loy∣ola, a Spaniard, and confirmed by Pope Paul the third, Anno 1540. The Oratori∣ans founded by Philip Merio a Florentine, and confirmed by Pope Pius the fourth, Anno 1564. By which accompt these Oratorians are younger Brethren to the Ie∣suits, by the space of four and twenty years; and consequently the Iesuites not the last and newest of Religious Orders.

Fuller.

Writing the Church-History of Britain, I herein confined my expression there∣unto. The Iesuites are the last and newest Order, whose over-activity in our Land commends (or condemns them rather) to publick notice.

Idem est non esse, & non apparere. The Oratorians never appeared in England, save an handfull of them, who (at Queen Maries first arrival from France) onely came Hither, to goe hence a few moneths after.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iob. 29.15.