higher wrath They begin carefully to mark the corruptions of every state and calling earnestly recommending to all vnfaigned and timous repentance and for that effect publick humiliations were kept a covenant renewed with God first in the generall Assembly holden at Edinburgh the penult of March 1595 and thereafter in the Provinciall Assemblies Presbyteries and Sessions for stirring up and moving all more carefully to cleaue to their comfortable profession In great plainnesse and zeale sounded the Pulpits against papistry and their resetters The Assemblies of the kirk were frequentlie kept delinquents without respect of persons admonished and censured Residence of Ministers earnestly vrged and all men and meanes as they had grace and place were set a-work for reformation of abuses and defence of the kirk against her bloudy enemies Archip. The holy courage of the ministerie and spirituall happinesse of the kirk in that time puts me in mind of that which is in the Canticle Thou art beautifull O my loue as Tiâ—za comely as Ierusalem terrible as an army with banners Epaph. But while the faithfull servants of God were thus set to cure the wound lately received and to prosecute the reformation of corruptions the persons standing under both civill and ecclesiasticall censure of the unnaturall crimes afore named without shame or feare yea in great boldnes durst presume to shew themselves openly within the countrey Archip. What could be done in that case of so proud contempt and manifest danger Epaph The messengers of God were set with fresh courage as became their holy calling and vigilant care to provide new remedies for that so deadly maladie But as they assayed to cure that disease a more dangerous sore brake out A woefull question was moved about the marches of the kirkes Iurisdiction and certain ministers were pursued before civil Iudges for matters of doctrine By those and other unhappy occasions were the ministers of God taken off the pursute of the enemies of religion intended course for reforming corruptions and constrained to bestow their thoughts and endevours in defence of themselves and libertie of the Kirk but with what successe the event will declare Archip. That policie hath at all times proved pernitious to the Kirk and advantagious to the enemie But my ignorance makes me to marvell more how the kirk having authoritie for her could be forced to take her to the defenders part And therefore I pray you make this part somewhat plaine Epaph. Machiavell will never be plain to a prentise in his craft albeit he were a maister in other Arts. In those dayes there fell out a discontentment amongst Statesmen the Octavians and the Chalmermen went in factions according to the customes of such times The kirk then being somewhat and the credit thereof not a little respected what could curry favour was suggested to chiefe ministers in such measure and by one of them so apprehended for extremitie and present danger as he was then in a high place of the ministerie and now as high in credit but in a new mould was not affraied in great boldnes to affirme in a place of chiefe respect as he repeated himselfe in a publick conference concerning the difficulties then in hand That the Kirk gat but faire promises and words without effect and the enemies gat the deeds It were but sorrow to remember and pittifull to repeat the lamentable broyles of October November and December of the yeare 1596 each one following another like the heads of Hydra stricken off or the abhominations of Ezechiels Temple after the sight of some stil moe By these vnexpected hurly-burlies the vnitie of the faithfull and carefull concurrence for offices due to the necessities of religion was strangely shaken and they by proclamations the terrible trumpets of authoritie scattered like the ships of Tarshis Vpon this untimous distemper of a body whole in appearance and well compacted to the eye but secretly racked in some principall members wittie wickednes quickly began to lay the foundation of a cursed Babell and first to divide Hippocrates twins and then to charge the kirk with sedition insurrection as Archenemie of common peace and likely to disquiet all rankes and persons as indeed the remedies against enemies of the truth and reformation of notorious corruptions if they had been prosecuted as honestie required and without respect of mens persons would have made some sort of sturre amongst the maisters of strange plots But in few dayes the kirk lost the smiling surmises of those discontented or rather dissembled factions These cunning controversies were quickly composed and they set aworke to compasse the way of peace for the excommunicats as did appeare at Fackland and Dumfermeline and thereafter in the processe of their relaxation and many favours secretly insinuated and openly showen in the forme thereof and before and after the same not onely by civill mâ—n but also by some provinciall assemblies and sundry ministers In this vncouth rite and mysticall form of dealing the mouth of the Canon was turned from Babylon the mother citie of force and falshood desperately set to snare the world to her subjection and the generation of the wise found it was high time every man inviting another Come let vs worke wisely with the kirk least that they increase and we decrease for at that time Ierusalem was a strong citie her Motto then was Vnitie strengthens the cause her wall was discipline and her assemblies her sword the sword of the spirit plaine pertinent and powerfull doctrine her glory the favour of God manifested in her manifold deliverances florishing estate and still triumphing over her enemies Then did she constantly hold that such was the crueltie of Rome that she is the second beast thirsting for the Saints bloud Pax cum hareticis este non potest bellum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Catholici non patiuntur in suo grege ullos qui oftendunt ullo signo externo so fauere Lutheranis Bell. de Laicis l. 3. c. 19. Vpon their side As many as wil not worship the image of the beast shall be killed The firie Fathers of Trent All Lutherans Calvinists and such as are of the new religion shall vtterly be rooted out Bellarmine the oracle of Rome The Catholickes suffer none in their societie that by any outward signe giue evidence of their favour to Lutherans And upon our part it should be a great height of vnthankfulnesse in us freed from the Romane bondage not to stand out against the present kirk of Rome but to yeeld ourselves to plots of Reconciliation so long as they cry What care we for the same creed No peace with Rome c. Archip. That Italizing craft of Scottish windings and secret underminings brings me out of the element of my simplicitie into an vncouth world of policie remembers me of the comparison of Epiphanius likening an hereticke to a modiwort or brok working hid under the ground and making the earth aboue her to swell and to moue yet I see
beautie to allure and Ambition an vnresistable power to afray They intend no way to prejudge or extinguish the worthy volumes of the learned but rather to spurre men of good conscience and meet gifts to search and set forth fully and in perfect order these worthy purposes according to their great zeale to a sound religion so long professed and by the blessing of God upon their labours to gain such as respecting their conscience more then their credit with vertues tincture shall blush after the sight of the evill they haue committed with hearty repentance turning their praise of men to the praise of God to their ioy and comfort as Augustines Retractations are the glorie and crowne of all his writings So much the rather as the causes of their yeelding haue been in some lack of acquaintance sight of the matters in question in others simplicity presuming that nothing would be required but that which they might safely yeeld unto in a third sort a desire to be imployed in the service of the kirk thinking it more easie to beare these corruptions then to abide rigour and a fourth sort deceived by policie thinking that their yeelding with protestation should limitate to them the ordinarie forme whereunto others are tied without altering at least in many inconveniences that may ensue upon the obedience required It were a worke of singular loue to help such and many others under the restraints of feare and other infirmities who undoubtedly if they were permitted to use their own libertie without hazarding themselues upon the pikes of the law would with great joy returne to their best beloved profession and by their happy repentance quickly bring to confusion the reioycing of Papists Atheists braving Ministers and professours to their faces and saying plainly that they hope ere it be long to see them all either come to them or come to nothing But feare them not they are lying Prophets evill men and seducers they are and shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but continue thou in the things that thou hast learned and been assured of In this case of good Christians falling by infirmitie proud enemies bragging of their hopes let it not be thought strange that the louers of the primitiue beautie of the reformed kirk earnestly wish to haue it restored againe and for that cause modestly shrink at a new statute standing in the contrary First he breaks the band of obedience sayth one who doth it without cause If the refusers haue not alledged causes iustifiable in the consciences of any who will debate the matter between God and their own soules let them be better taught Authority may crush them it cannot perswade them 2. The first act anâ—nt kneeling wherupon the alledged disobedience is grounded is to be better considered at least in the doctrinall part where by the words of the Psalme as it forceth the text it maketh kneeling necessarie and not indifferent contrarie to the judgement of the most inclinable sort who openly professe that if authoritie would be pleased to favour the former order of the kirk they would gladly return thereunto Againe it is granted that the kirk of Scotland hath used since the reformation of religigion to celebrate the holy communion to the people sitting where the true reason moving them so to do viz. The table of the Lord is then most rightly ministred when it approcheth most neer to Christ his own action but plain it is at that supper Christ Jesus sate with his disciples and therfore do we iudge that sitting at a table as most convenient to that holy action is omitted and another convoyed in to wit by reason of the great abuse of kneeling vsed in the Idolatrous worship of the sacraments by the Papists which indeed should be granted to be a reason of very great weight But how weak a removall of this reason is insert in the act to cast out sitting and bring in kneeling let them declare in the presence of God that haue changed upon such a reason and urge others to doe the like if all memorie of by-past superstition be passed out of Scotland or if it be not rather renued and increased But in these matters for good reasons men must sparingly speak 3. It hath never been neither can be proved by Scripture that the Magistrates commandement simply and nakedly considered without some warrant of the word of God can be reputed a true spirituall guide to lead the conscience of a subject in a matter of religion or action of Gods worship in such assurance that he may say in the presence of God my opinion is sound and action acceptable because the magistrate hath commanded it men being assured that Magistrates may erre in their iniunctions and assemblies convened by the kings maiesties authoritie may command and inact things unlawfull and unprofitable Ask the scripture whether ever the good Kings among the Iewes or else where brought in any speciall action or ceremony into the service of God without some speciall warrant from himself or whether they did devise ought or received the devices of ecclesiasticall assemblies in their dominions and impose the one or the other upon the Levits or upon any bearing office in the sanctuarie restraining them from their publick function without obedience to it or whether ever by any of the messengers of God the people were taught that for the outward form and circumstance of Gods worship a civill statute or constitution of the kirk without further searching of the scriptures might be their ground upon which they might build their obedience unto God without further inquirie 4. It is a received rule of Christian libertie at least should be in reformed kirkes that the ordinances of the kirke are presented unto Pastors and people not with necessitie of beleeving but with libertie of trying according to the rule Try the spirits It is the Lords own priviledge that his iniunctions are to be received without questioning It is likewise permitted by royall provision that where the law was otherwise men may not only content themselues soberly quietly with their owne opinions but also presse by patience and well-grounded reasons either to perswade all the rest to like of their judgements or where they see better grounds to incline thereto It is the part of a temporizing hypocrite of the servant of men and not of the servant of God to frame their actions to that which is coÌ„manded without any coÌ„science of a truth whether they know it or not polluting the world with a brutish obedience whiles without any reason in him that obeyeth and whiles against the knowledge whereby God hath inlightned his own mind In this insuing treatise persons are spared and sundry things hieroglyphically and summarily set down which must bring to readers lesse acquainted with these matters some obscuritie but be not offended Soberly and quietly peace is sought without preiudice of any person or purpose so farre as the clearing of the truth may
on the coÌ„trarie that it would please his Highnesse with advice of his estates in this present Parliament to ratifie againe of new the established goverment and discipline of the Kirke and confirme the cautions made in generall Assemblies namely where his Maiestie was present to save the Kirke and Realme from the most pestilent corruptions of that false Bishoprie that these fearfull dangers and inconveniences being thus prevented the blessing of grace peace and glory may be continued and multiplied upon the kings most excellent Maiestie his most honourable estates and whole realme and the Kirk and kingdome of Iesus Christ may flourish in all quietnes with holines and truth Amen Archip. Let others glory in their audacious conscience as there will ever be a Hiel found to reedifie Iericho although he know that it will cost him and his never so deare for my selfe I had rather in the basest estate abide the bensall of all episcopall authoritie without then the forcible contradiction of these reasons within set vpon the highest top of their ambition especially if the rest of the steppes bee answerable to the first Wearie not to goe through them with me And now shew me which was the second Epaph. It is easier for me to tell you now then it was for them to determine at that time when their preferment was so odious to the whole body of the ministerie yet it was seen at last that Invasio perpetuae dictaturae was viâ— ad imperium Second step of prelacie Perpetuall moderation and therfore let them first be constant moderators which was wrought by this engine First summa papaverum capita demetendi for in the yeare 1606 when this course was in hand the ministers and rulers of the kirk who stood in their watch were dissipate many were drawne out of the Countrey and after that they were long detained at Court for the modest cariage of single ministers in a matter proper for civill and ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as was the convention at Aberdein Some of them as Athanasius like Andrew Melvill and Hilarius like Iames Melvill haue died in exile others were permitted to returne but with restraint Of the rest remaining at home albeit some stand to this day in their owne stedfastnesse yet a great part wanting their former encouragement and loving the world were moved to leaue their long continued opposition Linlithgow Assembly 2 In the time of that absence and dissipation for advancing the Prelats to this second step of dignitie there is appointed at Linlithgow December 12 a convention in profession preparatorie for a generall Assembly but keeped like a generall assembly albeit inspired with another spirit consisting of Noble men Statesmen and such ministers as were readiest to take and give 3. It was pretended that the cause of the weaknesse of the kirk against the Papists was the appearance of the division in the ministerie and alienation of his maiesties minde from some ministers And that the cause of this cause vvas partly a feare of the subversion of the discipline and libertie of the Kirk by removing of Sessions Presbyteries Provinciall and generall Assemblies by some of their owne brethren vsurpation of vnlawfull Iurisdiction in their own persons a griefe for the afflicted case of their well affected brethren And vpon the other side that the charge of the kirk government was committed to men who had not wisedome and experience for keeping the kirk in quietnesse 4. For removing this cause upon the one side there was a declaration made in such generall and ambiguous tearmes as might both gull the simple making them to conceiue that there was no change intended and yet include their owne particular intention in case they should be examined afterward upon their own declaration The words are There is no purpose to subvert the Discipliâ—e of the Kirke of Scotland but rather to augment and strengthen the same so farre as it can serve for the weale of the Gospell and restraint of vice And say the whole Bishops it is not our intention to usurpe and exercise any tyrannous and vnlawfull Iurisdiction over our brethren nor to engyre our selves in any way vnlawfully in the Kirk government c. But for removing the cause upon the other side there was no declaration accepted that the wisest and most experienced men should be chosen thereafter But the Bishops must be constant moderators alwayes restrained by 13 severall cautions and bands not unlike the caveats at Montrose But that they play fast and loose in the end by casting to this provision If either upon his maiesties advice and proposition to the assembly or upon their owne supplication the generall assembly be moved thereafter to grant them any relaxation of any of the caveâ—ts which upon good reason might appeare to the sayd assembly to be over strait that this their promisâ— should make no derogation to their libertie Even as a little before they professed their willingnes to dimit their benefices at the pleasure of the assembly for taking away all offence from their brethren but with proviso that his Maâ— consent and approbation be had thereto Never a more pernitious and plausible assembly in this kirk every one of the Prelats Vatinius-like preventing accusation by confession and protestation And yet no intention but to bee perpetuat in their moderation for atchieving that which they all disclaimed in word Archip. Was the applause so great that there was no opposition Epaph. The opposition could not at the first be so great as at the first step by reason of the dissipation of the opponents the professed qualitie of the convention the faire pretexts the great promises c. By some the plat was embraced as a barre of brasse to hold out Bishops by others as a pathway to their preferment as the event did proue And many blinded before did see immediatly after that convention that the constant moderators were as was sayd at that time the little theeves entring at the narrow windowes to make open the doores to the great theeves In all the quarters of the countrey great disputation of the power of Ecclesiasticall assemblies in choosing their owne mouth and moderator I might produce the reasons that were penned at that time against this second step but that vvere infinite and the particulars were to some of the actors yet living intollerable Archip. I have heard of your adversaries that about these times there were faire offers made of conference and disputation for finall decision of all controverted matters but that they failed ever on your side Epaph. But the truth is another generall assembly but of the new sort consisting of Noble men Statesmen and many Ministers was keeped at Linlithgow Iuly 26 1608 vvhere all the causes of the diseases of the kirk vvhich vvere mightily then aggreged are brought to two heads one was the contempt and discredit of the kirk and of her vvonted government another most speciall cause was the distraction of the ministers
in that day Epaph. The second vvay was as skilfull but not so successefull as the first Vpon some question of place betwixt two Lords of Parliament both lovers of Religion it was apprehended that they would rather loose their votes then perill their dignity And therefore strait commandement was given to Noble men to keep their own places But as that worthy Grecian with his fellow-ambassadour buried their private emulations till their return when the publicke affaires of the common-wealth were exped so they perceiving the snare packed up the controversie for that time and of their Christian discretion and generous affection preferring a substantiall duety to a circumstantial ceremony kept their liberty and so disappointed that policie And as the first policie of this sort perswaded some to leaue the Town so the second vvould haue moved others to leaue their riding But on the other side I vvill tell you by the way that their policie could not make all to be present of vvhose concurrence they assured themselues Divine providence in one example might haue been a sufficient instruction to let them see how easily his Majestie might haue turned all their purposes and counsels to folly if it had beene his pleasure for that which befell one might haue befallen the rest For one of the Commissioners vvhom they had to be a ringleader of the rest of the Commissioners of the Burgesses fell off his horse and gaue place to another And vvho vvas this but that Commissioner of the chiefe Burgh Edinburgh vvho fell that day in the street and was forced to giue place to a craftsman chosen in his roome to be peere to that first kneeling Provest of that Town which was once as another Ierusalem sâ—nding the puritie power and loue of the Gospell through all the corners of the kingdome but now albeit the power of grace remaine in the hearts of many hundreds is as vniversally scandalous through suddenly admitted novations by themselves and their pastors too penitent of their protestation practisers and preachers of contrary conformitie and paternes of change to the whole countrey The Lord give them hearts to remember from whence they are fallen that they may repent and doe their first workes Archip Who knoweth but they who haue done so many things well for their common estate common workes and priviledges of their towne may doe somewhat and the Lord blesse them with an open doore for the libertie and flourishing estate of their kirke to the wonted benefit of the whole realme But proceed in the rest of your policies Epaph. The next degree must be to keep them from voting who had ridden and now entred in the house of Parliament and this vvas also brought about by perswading some Noblemen inwardly warned to vote against the fiue articles but outwardly wrought upon to vote for them to make a mid course and to lurk in the inner house till the kirkes part was acted and Gods vvorship through her sides had received a deadly wound and then to come forth to the stage and in their owne places to play their parts in civill matters It is better to be altogether Christians with Paul then to be almost Christians with Agrippa or not all with Feâ—tus He that loveth father or mother far more he that loveth the woâ—â—â— more then me is not c. Archip. Yee remember Nicodemus and Ioseph of Arimathea But there had been no place left for that policie if the former order kept in the Articles when the kirk was postponed had been now observed in face of Parliament Epaph. To the end that this policie might haue place when it was now made manifest that other matters would not find great opposition the kirk had a pathy pleader for her precedencie in publiâ—ke For after the Lord commissioners speech the Lord Chancellour spake for the kirkes right alleadging that both reason and custome required that the kirk haue the first place and for that cause giveth direction that the Act concerning the kirk meaning the fiue articles and ratification thereof bee first read Archip. What speech meane yee of the Lord Commissioner Epaph. When all were now entred into the house and were set in their owne places after deep silence he had a preface for voting short but vehement partly exhortatorie for yeelding to the fiue Articles of Perâ—â—â—â—artly apologetick for defence of his Ma against surmises of Popish religion partly declaratory attesting that there was nothing under heaven that could be so acceptable to his Majestie as that the Kirk of Scotland would receiue these fiue Articles and partly promissorie that he would ingage his honor saith credit upon that princely word which his Maiesty past to him that if they would receiue these 5 articles at that time his Highnes would never burden them with any more ceremonies during his life time according to a promise uttâ—â—â—ed by the Bishop of Aberdein to the same meaning for casing the way to the articles but without such reply as was made to him by a Noble man that hee was too liberall of his promises having no assurance for his Majesty would not bind himselfe after that sort Archip. That prefaâ—e was a strong cup of digestion Epaph. And was well seconded with the sweet sauce of my Lord Chancellors oration composed of two ingredients loue and learning For after he had pleaded in his Exordium for the Church her dignitie it is saith his L. an evident declaration of his Ma. loue to God and religion that he hath so great care of the Kirk and as for matters proponed they require not much disputation being already concluded by learned Bishops Fathers Doctors Pastors convened at Perth for that effect After this confirmation the Lord Commissioner addeth the confutation for against the apprehension surmise that his Maiestie was resolved to make this kirk in all things conforme to the Church of England he did assume that his Ma. willed him to signifie unto them that these being once concluded he would urge no other rite nor ceremonie and that by their according to these they would give singular declaration of their loyalty and therfore requested to take heed how they voted Archip. Was there no mouth opened at this time to make reply or to offer reason in the contrary Epaph. No place was lâ—â—t for reason onely against that summary form of proceeding the promise made to the Nobility for having the conclusions of the Lords of Articles 24 houres at least before they were voted in publiâ—ke was timously remembred and urged by a Noble man to the effect they might proceed with deliberation according to the worth of matters especially the acts being long and of great consequence and not to give suddain iudgment like as many ciphers as in effect sayd he they were made by that form of dealing I will not trouble you with the answer made to reasonable a motion and bitter repulse of all further deliberation but I will draw now to the conclusion Epaph.
first words of his answer to the Epistle to the reader if the answer be his he denieth that the externall vvorship of God and government of the kirk shall ever die till the vvorld be done how sick soever they be He is either very simple if he think that any man meaneth that in the kirk vniversal the vvorship external shal perish or very sencelesse if he deny that it may die in particular kirks vvhich is the authors meaning as is evident to the barnliest reader by the words immediatly following or most malitious and sycophanticall in abusing his adversarie and the reader against his knowledge through studie of contradiction Who could looke for such a stumble in the threshold Cantherius in porta Archip. I remember of one ground vvhich he beateth vpon continually and many thank him for it as freeing them from the guiltine e of their oath albeit they had done against their former practise before their knowledge of this evasion and bringing the periurie upon you and all their opposites It is taken out of the first confession of faith Art 21. Not that we think that any policie and one order in ceremonies can be appointed for all ages times and places But that they may and ought to be changed c. Of this sort he taketh to be sitting at the communion c. because it is not iudged a necessarie but convenient ceremonie Epaph. There be two sorts of Ecclesiastick ceremonies some are determinable by a generall law throughout the Christian world or vniversal kirk al which are determined in the word therfore are necessarie some again are national temporall local individual c. left to the determination of particular kirks according to the generall rules and therfore changeable as is contained in the article 2. there is a twofold convenience of ceremonies according to the foresaid two kinds of ceremonies the one essentiall the other accidentall the one is internall or intrinsecall from divine institution the other external framed to circumstances Now let him who hath most hardned his heart in that course judge betwixt him and God whether the one conveniencie or the other be meant vvhen sitting is judged to be most convenient seeing it is not sayd most convenient without any further or most convenient to the times or to the present constitution of the kirk as the Bish vvould haue it vvhile he boasteth of this so often saying that which at one time is more convenient at another time may be lesse convenient But it is expresly sayd Most convenient to the institution vvhich in all times places is the same neither can there be any thing most convenient to the institution at one time in one place not most convenient at another time in another place The day is coming wherin thanks given for this sort of evasions shall turne into bitter complaints Archip. I haue holden you so long ye haue sayd so much beyond my expectation in my first greatest difficultie concerning the appearance of the indifferencie of the controverted ceremonies that I am almost at my wits end and I know ye are so wearied that I cannot put you to further paines in the remanent difficulties vvhich are not so materiall Epaph. I would to God that ye and all others were both almost altogether at their wits end by solid resolution The second difficultie answered If my paines can be profitable to that end care ye not for my wearying I remember your second difficultie vvas that the ceremonies are concluded in kirk and parliament upon religious and reasonable pretexts vvhich I cannot deny if ye meane pretexts of religion and reason yee may remember first that the narratiue is onely the pretext but authoritie is the cause of the conclusion In reasoning and voting for the articles no mention of reverence of religion of reason but frequent mention of authoritie In the narratiue of the acts never a word of authority but of reverence religion reason That pastors people vvho either vvere not present or shall succeed hereafter looking upon the acts as they are conceived may think that it was not humane but divine authoritie not violence but reason that caried the conclusion 2. That plausible narratiues are but weak reasons in his eyes vvho can discern betwixt colours and causes substances and shadowes A wittie head never wanted a circumstance to his tale nor a pretext to his purpose Men are more troubled to bring things to passe then to find out pretences When the notary is once resolved to make a false instrument hee knoweth it must begin with In Dei nomine Amen Augustine sayth that in his time theeues going out under night to steale used first to guard themselues with the signe of the crosse Pirats haue their prayers as wel as the honest marchants on whom they prey Nero in slaying his mother and Caracalla in slaying his brother Geta had their owne special pretexts according to Machiavels direction and the tempter could alledge scripture against Christ Archip. These are odious comparisons and answer not to my meaning Epaph. I make no comparison but I answer to your generall of plâ—usible pretences Ye may be any thing that the world will if ye suffer your mind to be casten in that modell The Apostle Col. 2. giveth two notes of will-worship which may easily blind the simple appearance of wisdome and shew of humility But true vvorship is vvise humble indeed because it is the vvisedome obedience of God The vvorldling first layeth downe the conclusion and then finds out the pretext But the godly first seeth the cause and then the conclusion In the one the vvill runneth before the right wit and affection forceth reason In the other inlightned reason leadeth the vvill affections The one is persuaded before he be informed the other first informed and then persuaded And ever the more knowledge and the lesse conscience we find in any age vve may look for the fairer pretences and the fouler conclusions I might soone close your mouth in this matter by examples out of Ecclesiasticall historie But that the recording of some subtill pretexts might perhaps lead unstable soules into great dangers Archip. The danger is greater in suppressing them for I must confesse that the most part for their direction in a matter of religion try not the reasons vvhereupon it is grounded but content themselues vvith any pretext or shift that they may haue for honesties cause when their vvorldly estate or hopes are in hazard Epaph. It may be seen how faire colours haue painted foule errors even of Paganisme it selfe by the Apologies of Christians vvritten against the Gentiles as of Iustinus Clemens Alexandrinus Tertullian Arnobius Minutius Foelix Lactantius Iosephus against Appion Gregorie Nazianzen against Iulian Eusebius c. Symmachus in that one Epistle vvritten to Valentinian Theodosius and Arcadius giveth proofes vvhat may be said in a bad cause Durandi rationale is demonstratiue for Popish practise and how