Historia quinqu-articularis: or, A declaration of the judgement of the Western Churches, and more particularly of the Church of England, in the five controverted points, reproched in these last times by the name of Arminianism. Collected in the way of an historicall narration, out of the publick acts and monuments, and most approved authors of those severall churches. By Peter Heylyn.

TO THE READER.

IT is well known to some in London and elsewhere, that these Papers were finished for the Presse, before August last. But the first breaking out in Cheshire, and the un∣setledness of affairs which ensued upon it, proved such discouragements to all Engagings of this kinde, that Michaelmas was past, before the undertakers would adventure on it. And what distractions have since followed in the Publick Government (sufficient to retard a work of greater consequence) is unknown to none. But long looked for comes at last, as the saying is, though why it should come out at all may be made a question; And I shall also give the Reader some ac∣count of that, but in so doing must make use of some∣what which was said elsewhere.

It was more then half against my will, and rather through the indiscretion of others, then any forward∣ness of my own, that I was drawn to shew my self in these present Controversies. But being unseasonably

brought upon the stage by Dr. Bernard, impertinently enough by Mr. Baxter, and with more then ordinary Petulancy by the Man of Scorne; the Occasion was laid hold on by some very able and discerning men, for pressing me to search into the History of these disputes, so far forth as the Church of England was concerned in them, and to make publick what I found upon that inquiry. To which request I made such an∣swer at the present, as the consideration of my many unfitnesses for an employment of that nature, might sug∣gest unto me. But coming to me from so many hands, that it could not fairly be denyed, I was prevailed with in the end, to apply my self to the undertaking, as soon as I had dispatched such other businesses as lay then up∣on me.

In the mean time I thought I might comply suffici∣ently with all expectations, by fashioning some short Animadversions on the principal passages, relating to the Doctrine of the Church of England; which had been purloyned for the most part out of Mr. Prinnes book of Anti-arminianism, by a late Compiler. By which name the old Criticks and Grammarians, used to call those men, who pilfering their materials out of other mens writings, did use to lay them close together as their own, to avoid discovery. * 1.1 And so the word is took by Horace in his Compilasse, Serm. 1. verse ult. as is observed on that verse by the learned Scoliasts. So that a Compilator and a Plagiary, are but two terms of one signification. And he that would behold a Plagacy in his proper colours, may finde him painted to the life in the Appendix to Mr. Pierce his Vindication of the learned Grotius; to which for further satisfaction I re∣fer the Reader.

That preamble having led the way, and my other busi∣nesses being over, I prepared my self unto that search, to which I was so earnestly moved, and so affectionately in∣treated. My helps were very few and weak, which might sufficiently have deterred me from the undertaking. But a good cause will help to carry on it self, and truth will finde the way to shine, though darkned for a time with the clouds of Errour; as the Sun breaking from an Eclips, doth appear more glorious, though a while obscured; Delitere videtur sol, non delitet, as in the like case the Father hath it. The Five disputed Points which in these last times are Reproached by the name of Arminianisme, had more or lesse exerci∣sed the Church in all times and ages; especially after the breaking out of the Pelagian Heresies; when all the Niceties thereof were more thoroughly canvassed. Neither the piety and sobriety of the Primity times, nor the authority of the Popes, nor the commanding spirit of Luther, nor the more powerful name of Calvin, have prevailed so far; but that the Church and every broken fragment of it hath found some subdivision a∣bout these Debates. So that it can be no great wonder if the Church of England be divided also on the same occasion; or that a Deviation should be made from her publick Rules, as well as in all other Churches, and all former times.

Which way the general vote had passed in the elder ages, hath been abundantly set forth by John Ger∣rard Vossius, in his Historia Pelagiana: But he de∣scended not so low as these latter times, conceiving he had done enough in shewing to which of the conten∣ding parties, the general current of the Fathers did most encline. And if Turtullians rule be good, that

those opinious have most truth which have most an∣tiquity, (id verum est quod primum, as his own words are) the truth must run most cleerly in that part of the Controversie which hath least in it of the Zuinglian or Calvinian Doctrines. And so far I shall follow his me∣thod, or example rather, in the pursuit of that designe which I have before me. For though it be my principal purpose to search into the Doctrine of the Church of England; yet I shall preface my Discourse by laying down The Judgement of the rest of the Western Churches, before I come to that of our first Reformers. By means whereof it may be seen what guides they followed, or rather with what parties they concurred in judgement; since in those times the Church was generally so di∣stracted about these disputes, that with the whole the aggregate body of believers, there could be no agree∣ment hoped for, no compliance possible.

In the pursuance of this work I have exemplified so much of the Debates and Artifices in the Councel of Trent, as concerns these points, and may be parallel'd with the like proceedings, in the Synod of Dort: I have consulted also tho Confessions, the Synodals, and other publick Monuments, and Records of the several parties, and so many of the best and most approved Authors of this Church of England, as either were within my power, or could be advised with at a further distance: One whole discourse I have transcribed about Freewill, not obvious to be met withall in Shops or Libraries. The like I have done also with one whole Homily, though the book be easie to be found by those that seek it, knowing full well how unwilling most Readers are to take more pains in turning over several books, and ex∣amining all quotations which are brought before them,

then of necessity they must. Nor have I purposely con∣cealed or subducted any thing considerable which may seem to make for the advantage of the opposite party: And have therefore brought in a discourse of the Mar∣tyrologist in favour of the Calvinian Doctrine. I have also given a just account of the first breaking out of the Predestinarians in Queen MARIES time, and of the stirs in Cambridge, in Queen ELIZABETHS; not pretermitting such particulars as may be thought to make for them, in the course of this Narrative, even to the Articles of Ireland, and the harsh expressions of King JAMES against Arminius. And therefore I may say in the words of Curtius, Plura equidem tran∣scribo quam credo; nec enim affirmare aufuge sum, quae dubito; nec subducere sustinco quae accepi. I have related many things, which I cannot approve, though I have not let them passe without some censure; that so I may impose nothing on the Readers belief, without good grounds; nor defraud him of any thing conducible to his Information.

I was not to be told how much my first engageing in this business might offend those men who loved to countenance their extravagancy by the name of the Church, and what loud clamours they had raised against the most Reverend Dr. Whitgift, for encountring with T. C. in behalf of the Liturgy; against Dr. John Bridges Dean of Sarisbury, for standing in defence of the sacred Hirarchy; against the most learned Bishop Bilson for crossing Calvins new device about Christs descent; a∣gainst Dr. Barce for opposing the Genevian Rigors in the points before us; against Mr. Richard Mountague for separating the opinions of private men from the Churches Doctrins; and finally against the late Re∣nouned

Archb. for labouring to restore this Church to its primitive Lustre. And though I could not hope to be more favorably dealt withall in this ••ase, then my Letters were; yet I might reasonably expect to be used no worse. But on the contrary. I have lately seen a Scurrilous Pamphlet, the Author ••hereof hath licked up all the filth of for•• 〈…〉〈…〉els, to vomit it at once upon me; without ••es••••ct to that civility which beseems a Scholar, or that sobriety and mo∣desty which adorns a Christian; so Cocks are dieted sometimes with Garlick before they fight, that they may rather overcome their Adversaries, by the stinck of their breath, then by the sharpeness of their spurs, or the strength of their blows.

But I have been so long accustomed to the noise of this Rayling Rhetorick, that I am now no more troubled at it, then were the Catadupi at the Ro∣rings of the River Nilus, or Socrates to see him∣self derided and exposed to scorn on the publick Theatre; Or could I be exasperated to a Retaliati∣on, that saying of St. Cyprian would recall me to my wonted temper; who being bitterly railed at by some of his Presbyters, retruned this Answer, Non Oportet me paria cum illis facere; that it becomes not me to answer them with the like revilings. And yet I cannot but take notice of a mischievious project, for throwing a Ball of discord betwixt me and some friends of mine, Doctors in title and degree, and by the Libeller declared to be of my own perswasion, one of which is affirmed to say, That I was an un∣happy Writer, and marred every thing which I med∣led with; and for the finding of this one I have

nothing but a blinde direction of Hist. in the mar∣gin; placed there of purpose, as it seemeth, to put me into a suspition of all eminent persons, whose names begin with those two Letters.

It is recorded in the History of Amianus Marcel∣linus, that certain men informed the Emperour Va∣lence, by their Devilish Arts, that one whose name began with THEO should succeed in the Empire. Which put the Jealous Prince into such a generall distrust of all whose Names had that beginning (Theodoret, Theodosius, Theopulos, Theodulos, Theo∣dore) that he caused many of them, though men of eminent worth, and most exemplary Loyalty, to be made the subjects of his fear and cruelty. And such a Devillish Art is this of T. C. the younger (by which two Letters he affects to disguise his name) to work me into a suspition of some eminent persons, and such as must be also of my own perswa∣sions. But I have no such jealousies as Valence had▪ and therefore shall create no trouble to my self or others, upon that temptation. For first, I know the parties pointed to in those two letters, to be the masters of so much Candor and Ingenuity, that I am confident they rather would excuse my infelici∣ties, or insufficiencies (be they which they will) then bring me under the reproach of any such cen∣sure, as none of different judgement ever laid upon me. And secondly, so much they have descended be∣neath themselves, as of their own accord to certifie me both by Letters and Messages, how free they were from giving any ground to that base suspiti∣on, which was contrived with so much malice and

design, to divide between us. And so Autorem Scelus repetet, the Calumny must be left at the Au∣thors dore, as the natural parent of it, till he can find out more distinctly upon whom to charge it. In the mean time I leave him to the mercy of the Laws, as a common Barrator,

"Drenched over head and ears in the waters of strife, a sower of discord and discention amongst faithful friends."

But I have wasted too much time on this piece of impertinency, and might perhaps have better studied my own fame, if I had took no notice of the Libell, or the Author either, but that to have been silent al∣together, in so just a grievance▪ might possibly be ta∣ken for an argument of insensibility. For otherwise as there is nothing in the Author, but the stolne name of Theophilus Churchman, which descries my Pen, so there is nothing argumentative in the Pamphlet, either, which was not b••th foreseen and satisfied in the fol∣lowing papers, before it came unto my hands. I return therefore to my Post, which if I can make good by Records and Evidence, (the fittest weapons for this Warfare) I shall not easily be forced from it by Reproach and Clamors, as were the Ancient Gauls from surprising the Capitol, by the noise and gagling of the Geese. But whether I have made it good or not, must be left to the Reader; to whom I hope it will appear, that Calvinism was not the native and original Doctrin of the Church of England, though in short time it over▪ spread a great part thereof, as Arrianism did the Eastern Churches in the elder times; Ubi ingemuit orbis, as St. Hierom hath it, when the world groaned and trem∣bled under the calamity of that dangerous Heresie.

And I hope too it will appear by this discourse, that I am not yet so far reduced ad secundam pueritiam (as the Scorner taunts it) as that my venerable back and but∣tocks (pardon me for repeating such unmannerly lan∣guage) should be intituled to the Rod of this proud Orbilius. Or if I be, I doubt not but that God Almighty, who ordaineth praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, will raise some glory to his Name from that second Childhood. To which great God, and his un∣speakable mercies in Jesus Christ, our common Savi∣our, I do most heartily recommend this Church, and all them that love it.

Lacies Court in Abington, De∣cember, 26. 1659.

Peter Heylyn.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••ompilo, i. e. Sur••••pi••, quia quae fares ause∣ruat ••a pr••ssim colligunt, quod est compi••are.