The observator observed, or, Animadversions upon observations on the history of King Charles wherein that history is vindicated, partly illustrated, and severall other things tending to the rectification of some publique mistakes, are inserted : to which is added, at the latter end, the observators rejoinder.

Page. 39. (Book p. 39)

Fol. Ibid. The Lord Keeper Williams was displaced, and his place disposed of to Sr. Thomas Coventry] Observator. Our Au∣thor is here out again in his Temporalities; for the great Seal was taken from him in October, three months before. The like mi∣stake he proves in his Temporalities, touching Bishop Laud whom

he make Bishop of Bath and Welles; who was then Bishop of St. Davids.

Answer. The fall of Lord Keeper Williams, I never say'd or intended to be in that moment of time, to which that Pa∣ragraph relates; but principally purposing to deliver therein his and others exclusion from the Parliament, I mentioned also his fall as a thing preceding, and no way concurring with the other. So I was not out in this Temporality; but if I was not, I am afraid I know who is, in affirming [the great Seal was taken from him in October] whereas he parted with it in August, as Mr. Howel in his familiar letters, Sect. 4. l. 23. re∣lates. But in making Dr. Laud Bishop of Bath and Welles at that time, I confesse I was mistaken, and this is grande nefas, an horrid crime no doubt. But, this is not all; for rather then he will not find another, the Observator fetcheth a running leap to Fol. 96. where speaking of the Articles of Lambeth, it is said [they were first sent to the Synod of Dort, and after that to the Convocation of Ireland; a very strange Hysteron Pro∣teron, Setting the Convocation of Ireland after the Synod of Dort, which preceded it three years; and this is somewhat more then superannuating in his Temporalities] Answer. I write the History of the Reign of King Charles, and then what I said of that superannuating, was by me intended (nor can it be ratio∣nally interpreted otherwaies) of such things and actions as have reference to the sixteen years whereof I treat in that Hi∣story, not of such things as antecedently occurr'd, & are taken in by the By: for I have oft occasion to mention things of pre∣ceding date, as in the case of the Scottish Presbytery, wherein though I am guided by the best informers I had, yet will I not, nor did ever so mean, to warrant the truth thereof, as to every particular year. So it fareth in this errour, in point of precedency between a Convocation and a Synod; whereof to raise a question is only to strive de Lana Caprina, and is at worst 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but a meer laps of memory; a thing as obvious, so withal excusable in the best Authors in point of circumstance; in such an one especially as this, wherein (as being extravagant, and out of the bounds of the Principal Narrative) curiosity was lesse concerned. And this is I hope e∣nough to keep this errour within the bounds of my confidence of not superannuating, were the errour infallibly mine own. But if now▪ after all this ranting triumph, upon a melius inqui∣rendum, and better search, the errour should prove none of mine, would not the Observator, think you Reader, be won∣drous blank at his Ridiculus Mus. Resort to, and Review the place; then tell me, whither or not in your unbyast sense, That Paragraph with the former, and three subsequent to it, do

not, or were not so intended, to compleat the report of the Committee for Religion. If so, then my information hath wronged me, or I my information. Now for my wronging my information (for I must walk circumspectly, so many snares being laid to entrap me) take this ingenuous account. As for this report, it being very long, I thought fit to contract it into a narrow scantling, not minding the words, so I secured the substance. And if I have fail'd in this, if I have delivered any thing material, which those Journals will not own, let me suffer; and to speak here to the purpose, I appeal to Mr. Pym his speech Jan. the 27. in those Journals, where my Coppy (though erroneously I grant) presents these Articles sent to Dort, before Ireland; so much in defence of my not superan∣nuating in this particular. Now I come to relieve my Preface out of the Observators Purgatory, which hath tortured it sufficiently, by saying I am confident I stand secure, not only from substantial falshoods, but from circumstantial also; whereas this is his Preface, not mine; for male dum recitat, the property is al∣ter'd saith the Epigrammatist, my words being expresly these, Confident I am, I stand secure against any substantial falshoods; and I hope (now that 'tis no more then I hope) against circumstan∣tial also. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Phy impudent Observator, relish it as you please; for cum dixeris quod vis, audies quod non vis, if you will take upon you thus, garrire per angulos & de mundo ferre sententiam, to sneak behind noon, and there give judgment upon all the world, you must look when you fail and forge so fouly, to be told of it to your teeth.