¶1 The first title is this.

Vnder that title is written this posic.

¶ The second title is set downe in these wordes.

A5 briefe of Thomas Cartwright to the printed slaun∣ders of M. doctour Sutcliffe deane of Exeter, so farre as they concerne the same Thomas Cartwright.

¶ The Answere.

ALthough titles of bookes be according to the au∣thors fancies for the most part; and therefore not much to bee regarded: yet forasmuch as there is some matter in them worthy to bee marked, I thought good to beginne with them. The first thing that I obserue is the contrarietie and repugnance that is in the titles: which argueth, that the authors could not well tell, what to make of this treatise. The second is the notorious false∣hood conteined in the titles, which declareth their bad dealing. The last is a plaine confession of the aduersary against himselfe. for if all slanderous accusations be answered, then whatsoeuer M. Cartwright is charged with, and not answered in this treatise, the same is confessed to be no slander.

The repugnance appeareth diuersly: the first title hath apolo∣gie, the second hath briefe. yet neither is euery apologie a briefe, nor euery briefe an apologie. true it is that the written copy hath, a briefe answere. but al commeth to one reckoning. for eue∣ry briefe answere is not an apologie, nor contrarywise. Nay the same maketh much against M. Cartwright. for his friend percei∣uing that his1 briefe conteined no sufficient answere, put out an∣swere, and onely left vs a briefe: as it were a briefe or writte to summone me to looke to their dealing, and craftie cōueyances; or els a briefe or summe of their manifolde folies. the first title doeth pretend that M. Cartwr. is iniuriously loaden with slanderous accusations; the second maketh light of the matter, and complai∣neth not at all. and sure strange it were, if a man should be loa∣den with so fewe lines, and such light paper. the first braggeth that al accusations are answered, but M. Cartwright seemeth more wise; and therefore professeth no such generall answere to be made. The first calleth my bookes pamphlets (no doubt the wri∣ter was angrie with them:) the second hath more gentle and modest termes. is it therefore likely, that M. Cartwright will a∣gree with me, that euen at the first dash is so farre fallen out with his friend?

The falsehood of these titles shall be discouered throughout this whole answere: and may also in part appeare by this, for that they both pretend, that I haue slandred M. Cartwright. and Page  9yet neither he nor his friend that so saucily prateth in the preface shall euer be able to iustifie their pretense. for1 slander is a false imputation of matters criminall. but the matters which M. Cart∣wright taketh on him to answere are either most true, or not cri∣minous. Besides that, it is one thing to charge a man with mat∣ters criminall iudicially, and in his owne defence; another to charge him extradicially; or iudicially, and by way of accusati∣on. but that which I alledge is by way of exception and in my defence, and not with a minde to accuse. Let him therefore that chargeth mee with accusation iustifie his charge, and note the time and place when I committed this fault, and the wordes of my accusation. In deede I mooued certaine questions. but there is great difference betwixt questioning and accusing. the ende of questioning is resolution: the ende of accusing punishment. let him therefore shew whom I haue accused, or prosecuted in iudgement to haue him punished. Last of all the author of the first title complaineth of iniurious dealing. but M Cartwright I thanke him doeth friendly discharge me; and I doubt not, but I shalbe able most clearely to discharge my selfe.

The confession of the aduersary against himselfe is most ap∣parantly set downe in the first title. for if all accusations that sa∣uour of slander, are answered as the title pretendeth, then is M. Cartwright not slandered when (if questions be charges, as hee saith) he is charged with diuers foule and dangerous matters; a briefe of which I will here set downe, to let him either vnder∣stand his fault, or els, if he will not acknowledge it, to prouoke him to frame vs a more sufficient answere.