An essay in defence of the good old cause, or A discourse concerning the rise and extent of the power of the civil magistrate in reference to spiritual affairs.: With a præface concerning [brace] the name of the good old cause. An equal common-wealth. A co-ordinate synod. The holy common-wealth published lately by Mr. Richard Baxter. And a vindication of the honourable Sir Henry Vane from the false aspersions of Mr. Baxter. / By Henry Stubbe of Ch. Ch. in Oxon.

A premonition to the Reader.

BEing unexpectedly called to this worke by the good providence of God in our late changes: I must begge thy pardon, of what judgment soever thou art, for severall imperfections that may have happend in the attempt. If thou art a friend to the Good old cause, I be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee to excuse the defects of a person whose reall inclinations thou canst not question without wronging the greatest innocence in the World: I have hast'ned the work, that so my forwardness might recompense all other miscarryages, what is now but an Essay, may hereafter grow up to a just defence: If thou art one who dissentest any way from me, I must further ac∣quaint thee, that excepting the preface, I never saw three of these sheets together:

they were never transcribed, and in the writing, as new passages did occurre to my memory, so I pasted them on, some∣times not where they should have come in, but where I could conveniently place the labells: so that if there be any lapses of Memory, small incoherences, trans∣positions or other errours, as are the pro∣ducts of unusuall haste, I must either en∣treat thy pardon, or submit to what seve∣rity thou canst make use of, after this ac∣knowledgment in any part, which is but as it were the fringe of the ensuing dis∣course. I assure thee I have not imposed upon thee any citation, but for the Truth of them thou must have recourse to their originals, and not to versions, which may deceive my adversary, but have not me. That Mallela, whom I quote, is a Greeke manuscript in Oxford library. I think I have deserved moderation from all men, unlesse Mr. Baxter quarrell with me, whom I have dealt more roughly with,

then other wise I should, because he seem∣ed (and I am informed was) instigated by the Courtiers to revile, in so opprobr∣ous a manner, the abettours of a Com∣mon-wealth: if I am too confident a∣gainst him and some others, whom I name not; I throw my self at the feet of the more learned and judicious Episcopari∣ans: if they convince me, I shall lay my hand upon my mouth, and willingly be∣come a proselyte to Truth. It is upon this account, that as I professe my self to pub∣lish my own opinions, without inte∣resting any other in the debate; so I have chosen no dedicitour, being loath to en∣gage any into the patronage of what up∣on a sober refutation I my self shall re∣tract as solemnly as I do now d••vulge it: I aime at nothing but Truth; nor do I write to serve any party or designes of a∣ny men. If any shall think me worthy of being their convert, they shall not need to print against me; I shall do them as much

justice who (being loath to write against a book with this Title) may advise me by Letter, as any who shall appear in print: and I onely further adde, that I desire they would calmly argue, and not disquiet me 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••opular harangues and preach∣•••• such as conclude nothing: and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••nall reflections, since I know 〈…〉〈…〉 it is for men to say that he, 〈…〉〈…〉 a Toleration of all opinions, is himself 〈◊〉〈◊〉; I do declare that there is no necessity of that, and my history of Toleration will evince it; and moreover I owne entirely Perkin's doctrine in the chaine of Salvation; and if I differ from Beza about punishing hereticks, I know not how I am bound up to call any man Master. I must also desire the errata of the printer may be excused, for I have not had any opportunity to revise any proofes.

From my Study in Ch. Ch. Oxon. July 4. 1659.

Henry Stubbe.