Truth maintained, or Positions delivered in a sermon at the Savoy: since traduced for dangerous: now asserted for sound and safe. By Thomas Fuller, B.D. late of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge. The particulars are these. I That the doctrine of the impossibility of a churches perfection, in this world, being wel understood, begets not lazinesse but the more industry in wise reformers. II That the Church of England cannot justly be taxed with superstitious innovations. III How farre private Christians, ministers, and subordinate magistrates, are to concurre to the advancing of a publique reformation. IIII What parts therein are only to be acted by the Supreme power. V Of the progresse, and praise of passive obedience. VI That no extraordinary excitations, incitations, or inspirations are bestowed from God, on men in these dayes. VII That it is utterly unlawfull to give any just offence to the papist, or to any men whatsoever. VIII What advantage the Fathers had of us, in learning and religion, and what we have of them. IX That no new light, or new essentiall truths, are, or can be revealed in this age. X That the doctrine of the Churches imperfection, may safely be preached, and cannot honestly be concealed. With severall letters, to cleare the occasion of this book.

TO the Two most Famous VNIVERSITIES OF ENGLAND

I Dare not give you such high Epithites as Master Saltmarsh bestoweth upon the Assembly,* 1.1 to call you the MOST SACRED. Be contented to be Stiled the Two most Famous Vniversities; a Title, which it is no Flattery to give you, but Injury to deny you.

I have the Studies of some whole dayes to spread before you. I am not ashamed to confesse so much, but should be ashamed to present your learned Considerations with lesse. And will ra∣ther runne the hazard of other mens Censure, to have studied so long to no purpose, then to

be guilty to my selfe of so much disrespect to You, as to offer to your Patronage what cost me but sleight studying.

Indeed I examined his Examinations of my Sermon with the same pace that I read them. But I could not confute his Errors so speedily as I could discover them, nor could I so soon make them appeare to others, as they appeared to me; and the Evidencing of his Faults did cost me some Paines, whereof I hope I shall never have just Cause to Repent.

I am altogether out of hope that my Truth should quickly overtake his Error, which had the Advantage of me both at the Starting and in the Speed; And yet I beleeve what I want in the swiftnesse of my Feet, I shall have in the Firmenesse of my footing. And when I overtake it at last, as I am sure I shall, seeing untruths will Tire (as being better at hand then at length) I am confident by Gods Assistance, it will get firme and quiet Possession in spight of opposi∣tion.

It is altogether Improper for mee to com∣pare You being Two in number to the Palme Tree under which the Prophetesse Deborah sate;

But the Analogie will, hold well, if I should re∣semble You to the Two Olive Trees continually dropping oyle in the Presence of God. And me∣thinks Master Saltmarsh his Expression to the Assembly, VNDER SVCH A SHADE AS YOVR SELVES, making them in the Assem∣bly but a Shadow, (and then what is the Sha∣dow of a Shadow worth under which hee desi∣reth to sit?) was but an undervaluing and di∣minutive expressing of their worth.

I honour you as You Deserve, and Counting You a Real and Lasting Substance, so I addresse my Respects unto you:

Humbly requesting you to be pleased to Pa∣tronize and defend this my defence: the rather because what doctrines therein I deliver, not long since I suckt from One of you, and in this respect I beleive both Breasts give Milke alike; And therefore as your Learning is most Able, so your Goodnesse will bee willing to Protect the same, not so much because I had them from you, as because you had them from the Truth.

Some perchance may blame my Choice in Choosing You for my Protection who in these troublesome times are scarce able to defend

your selves▪ The Universities being now Degra∣ded, at least suspended from the degree of their former Honour. And I wonder, Men should now talke of an Extraordinary great Light, when the two Eyes of our Land (so you were ever ac∣compted) are almost put out. However this short Interruption of your Happinesse will but adde the more to your Honour hereafter.

And here, as it were Store of Pride for me to Counsell you, so it were want of duty not to Comfort you. Know, the only Good Token of these Times is, That they are so extreamely Bad they can never last long. God give you a sancti∣fied Impression of your Afflictions, neither to sleight them nor sink under them; and so, for∣bearing to be longer troublesome to your more serious Employments, resteth

The meanest of your Sonnes or Nephewes Thomas Fuller.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Quid amplius praepotenti & immortali Deo tribuimus si quod eius pro∣prium est eripi∣mus? Bodin. de Repub. l. 1 c. ult