A triumph of truth. Or Declaration of the doctrine concerning euangelicall counsayles; lately deliuered in Oxford by Humfrey Leech M. of Arts, & minister. With relation of sondry occurrents, and particularly of D. King, the Vicechancellour, his exorbitant proceedings against the sayd H.L. vpon his constant propugnation thereof. Also the peculiar motiues, ensuing therevpon, which perswaded him to renounce the faction of hereticall congregations, & and to embrace the vnity of the Catholique Church

The tvveluth Motiue. The superiour Magistrates amonst the Pro∣testants concurre vvith their subordina∣tes, to suppresse the truth, and to op∣presse the patrones therof, against all equity, and conscience.

THOVGH there be a very nere connexion betwixt the superiour, and inferiour Ma∣gistrate, yet since all Magistracy is ordayned for the conseruation of truth, and iustice as∣well in the Church, as in the commonwealth (nay much more in the first, then in the se∣cond) it is very requisite, that the superiour should yeald redresse, where the inferiour hath done a wrong; and that rather respecting

the cause, then the persons, he should minister equity vnto both with an impartiall hand.

For which consideration, when my petty iudges had oppressed me according to their owne humours, and passions; I appealed vnto my Lord of Canterbury his Grace; in regard of his Academicall soueraignty ouer me, and them (being our honourable Chancellour) and much more in respect of his Archiepiscopall dignity; he being the Primate of our Church; persuading my selfe also, that as he is more high in place, so he would haue bene more equall in iustice; and specially in this cause, since his Grace hath sufficiently manifested himselfe (and hath bene so generally reputed) to be auerse from Caluinisme; & my hope was, that his present place had not changed his for∣mer vnderstanding.

To whom though I truly vnfolded the whole businesse, and acquainted him with all circumstances therunto belonging, yet his Grace seeming to fauour Caluins opiniō (but how cōscionably, it shalbe now referred vnto the iudge of all the world; and he will reueale it in the appointed time) putt me of with con∣tinuall delayes.

But his Grace had iust reason to expect a strong resolution in me; since I did appeale vnto him to do me iustice only, & much more

to giue his verdict vpon the Doctrine it selfe. For, otherwayes, no fauour, nor benefit what soeuer could yeald contētment vnto my grei∣ued soule.

I leaue it vnto others to consider, how his Grace standeth affected vnto truth: as for me, I trust, that I haue giuen a sufficient demon∣stration, on my part, that I would rather loose my liberty of speach, then that shee should want my vttermost defence.

Here the indifferent Reader may also con∣ceiue with me, that if my Doctrine had bene liable vnto a iust censure, then surely his Gra∣ce would haue made no stay to condemne it in solemne manner; especially since it was so publiquely taught, so earnestly defended by me; and since I did now entirely desire him to do me iustice without any fauour.

But since this Doctrine was not subiect vnto his condemnation, why then had his Grace so little reuerence vnto the eternall truth of God, and so small respect of me, that he would suffer it to be so indignely censured by his vicegerent, & leaue me helplesse from such iniurious oppression? his pretenses to the contrary (if he haue any) are nothing but smoaky euaporations.

I am nothing, and worse then nothing. But I pleaded for iustice. In what? In a point

of faith. VVhen? being violently oppressed. Before whom? my most proper iudge, to whom the decision of theis things doth most fitly appertayne. For what end? the honour of God, and his gospells sake; which I truly deliuered, and for which I was shame fully intreated.

The testimonies of the Fathers touching Euangelicall Counsayles.

Notes

• Tempora mutant••r, & nos muta∣mur ini llis.