The first Point
THat the Latine Fathers works, (where­of diuers are already done) the books of Councels, and the body of the Canon Law, may be diligently reviewed, and compared with the best Manuscripts; and the Collecti­ons and needfull obseruations thence-from arising, printed; together with the pieces and fragments of the Fathers workes (if any shall be found.)
Explained.

THat all these ten points are necessary and fi [...] to be enquired into, I take as granted by the confession of all: that they are doubted by some, and plainely affirmed by others, whether within the time mentioned they may be performed, I know: and therefore I [Page 2] as much in me lieth) endeuour to satisfie the one, and take away all manner of doubting from the other, with breuity and perspicuity; grounding my selfe vpon good experience for some, and very probable reasons for the rest; follow­ing the order prescribed.

Concerning the Latine Fathers therefore (the Greeke Fathers being reasonably well done already, Ignatius by Geneua. 1623 Ʋedelius, Chrysos [...] opera G [...]. cu [...]n annot. Etonae 1612. Chrysostome by that learned and iudicious Knight, Ath [...]na [...]ij o­pera Graec. & Lat. 1600. Athanasius by some, and Clem. Alex­andrini opera Graece cum an­not. 1542. Clemens Alexandri­nus, &c. by others) which doe in a maner implore our best helpe, and as the controuersies are mooued in Reli­on, doe inforce our labour. There is not onely profession made by Lanfrancus Manuscri [...]ta SS. Patrum se­cundum Ortho­doxam fidem correx [...]t, & im­mutauit, Boston. in Catalogo & Io. Anglicus in hist aurea. Obserued by Master Rich. Iames, of C. C. C. a kins­man of mine. Lanfranke of old, but by diuerse of late; Gre­gory of the Rome Print, and Augustine of Paris, doe ful­lie proue the same; that sundry things are purposely chan­ged, whether for the better or the worse? who knoweth not that we haue iust cause giuen vs to suspect the worst? I will instance only in one place, & that a principall one, con­cerning Transubstantiation, a chiefe pillar of the Popish do­ctrine. The place is in S. Ambros. l 4. de sacram [...]. 4. See Paraeus in 1 Cor. Lyd. in annal. p. 172. Hospin. de sacrament. l. 2. p. 69. Juel. in defens p. 249. Ambrose de Sacramentis, the words, Ʋt sint quae erant, & in aliud mutentur: this corruption is aboue 500 yeares old: but yet not receiued till of late in­to the Ambr. opera Romae. 1580. Roman Edition, and from thence deriued into the Paris, and it may be in the Lye-on Edition, and others: and yet these words now suppressed and dashed cleane out of the Text, are plainly to be found in all our MSS. of what Library, frō what Monastery soeuer. Adde hereunto, what sh [...]ffling and cutting there is betweene the Master of the sacred Palace, and the Printer; both hired to reforme say they, (no doubt) I refer t [...]e Reader to my Vindicia G [...]e [...]orianae ▪ [...]ow printing at Geneua. to deforme and corrupt the fathers workes. I know it, and can prooue it by Romae 1564. Manutius Cy­prian, and S. Gregorij operu Romae to [...] 6. 1588. Veterum exem lari [...]m collatione (no copie na­med, no [...] whence taken) & pristino suo spendori restituta, aucta & illustrata. In praef. to. 4. Dominicus Basaes Gregory, and Ambrose of There are six or seuen copies in my Ecloga, I appeale to them all. [Page 3] Rome. I can make an ocular demonstration of the mani­fold and manifest corruptions of these Authors: we may easily ghesse at the rest, for all their Accipietis Aug. nostratiu [...] opera, hoc est Ge [...]manorum Theol. studio il­lustratū, ad [...]imā & incudem re­uocatum: nec solum infinitis p [...]ope numero er­roribus liberati [...], sed etiam mag­na rerum acces­sione exornatum Ep. Thom. Gozaeu [...] Apostolicus ac re­gius lib. censor per Belgium ope [...]am nauanit in restit. Aug. ex varijs Bibliothecis: ex­emplaria plus­qua 200. MSS. conquisierat. Concilia edita per Iac. Mecli­num 1524. per P. Crabb 1530. & 1531. Col. & Ib. 1531. & Ib. 1538. per Surium 1567. Ven. 1585. per Zllettum. per B [...]n [...]um 1606 et 1618. & Pau­li 5. auctori­tate 1608. & postremo Par. 1623. See one or two MSS. in the New College. Vide Indicem librorum, qui varij: ex locis sunt habiti. Vide ea [...]de qui [...] ie [...]torem, in principio [...] est [...]onere. §. de nomine Paleae Corpus Iuris Canon▪ Rome 1582. glorious pretence of two hundred copies, vsed in [...]h [...] [...]ollation of Saint Au­gustine, and many in Gregory and Ambrose, I know not how many; nor doe I, nor any man liuing wor, how ma­ny Copies, or from whence taken, they haue vsed in this their double diligence. As for the Councels, I can (I sup­pose) produce, or there may be produced twenty seuerall Editions, all differing from themselues, and from the truth: and (if there be any one true) I doe ghesse it is that, where­of I doe heare tidings in a Booke of the Acts of the Councell of Trent, printed by Arnold Brickman, 1565. this was of likelihood a good [...]dition. One Celaunus had trauailed farre and neere, to gather all that could be gotten: but either this was neuer printed, or being printed, was pur­posely suppressed by them.

For the Canon Law the sinke of all Poperie, and foun­taine, or puddle rather, of all kinde of Popish corruption, to found the Primaci [...], and by necessarie consequence, all points of Popery, out of blinde Councels, and bastard, false, or falsified Fathers: Yet as bad as it is, neither Text nor Glosse is so bad as they haue made it. I speake vpon know­ledge, Semeca hath not in the old MSS. Statuimus, id est, ab­rogamus; or Dic Romano, id est, Constantinopolitano: these fooleries are of a later stampe, & stamped or printed they are, but I suppose hardly to be found in the written Copies; for Gratian, questionlesse they haue vsed him ( Nec enim lex iustior vlla est) as he is knowne to haue vsed others; they haue chopped and changed, curtailed and clipped his words, and workes; notwithstanding Gregorie the thir­teenths pretence, of I know not how many copies, besides the labours of Faber and Acontius: I will instance onely in their Palea. They haue first plaied with the word, making [Page 4] it a Cardinall, or a man for chaffe, and long for short; else should it be Palaea, from [...], and not Pal [...]a: they haue herein done vs a double wrong; they haue made that Palea which is not so, because it maketh against them: and on the contrary side, they haue omitted to put the true stampe of Paleaes vpon that, which maketh for them, though they be inuisible and innominable in the old MSS.

We haue examples store, in both kindes: The right of Emperors in making Lawes, Gratian cor­rupted about taking away kingly right. About Priests marriage. About Ap­peales to Rome. About the Su­premacy. About wor­shipping of reliques. About Tran­substantiation, besides infinite other depraua­tions. Locuple tatum est caput hoc, ex orig [...]nali & cae­teris collectori­bas, prater An­selmū qui habet vt antea Gra­tianus habebat in Annot. See my answer against A. C. and A. B. &c. when it shall come forth. and commandements for the Church, is casheered because it liketh them not: nor that of their married Popes, Dist. 96. cap. 2. Osius Papa, Item Decret. Part. 2. cap. 27. q. 2. c. 18. against Priests mar­riage.

Of the second sort are these: for drawing causes to Rome. Causa 3. q. 6. c. 16. Neminem exhiberi, nisi prae­latus sit qui accusetur, is forged, and came in not the right way, to proue appeales to Rome. Causa 24. q. 1. cap. 15. Rogamus vos fratres: we reade these words for to estab­blish the Supremacy: Nulla est (sedes) quae cius (i. Roma­nae) non sit subiecta ditioni. Againe, Quanto magis non potest (faemina) imperare, as it were to strengthen the Salicke Law, Causa 33. Quaest. 5. cap. 17. Mulierem constat, was thrust into the Text by some French man. The solemne swearing vpon the Gospell, and by the Reliques of the Saints, Causa 3 3. Quaest. 6. cap. 9. are found in some blind Charnel house, or Reliquiarie, not in the written Gratian. In de Consecrat. Dist. 2. cap. 1. In Sacramentorum oblatio­nibus, for assuring of their impossible doctrine of Transub­stantiation; we vse it (say the Papists) Vt a Patribus accepi­mus, & ipsa ratio docet, which they haue thrust into the Text violently: Habemus confitentes reos. I could be large in this point, but I must but point at, and not treat de industria of their wilfull corruptions, and make whole Iliads, or Chili­ads of them: but that which is expected of me now I haue prooued, that there is good reason, and high time to im­ploy some to perfit that worke, which was happily be­gun, and left off (which I shame to speake of) for want [Page 5] of paiment. I was, My Lord of Canterbury pro­mised & gaue 10 ^l. My Lord of Yorke 10 ^l. My Lord of Winchester Bil­son 10 ^l. The Bishop of Dur­ham, Doctor Iames, 10 ^l. and sundry others did willingly promise and pay: others did willingly promise, but failed in pay­ment, whose names I con­ceale. All the bookes that were hi­therto vsed in our collation, were either at, or according to the Rome print. See hereafter amongst the Criticall thes. thes. 22. At that time was (troubled, I cannot say,) but subiect to the stone: since that, I haue beene afflicted both with the stone and the Palsie, but recouered by Doctor C [...]aitons meanes, my worthy friend, and learned brother, Master of Pembroke College, and our publike Professour of Physicke, and Reader of the Anatomie Lecture. and am willing to be imploied in the painfull reuision of the rest; but how shall I be able to im­barque others in that businesse? But. non si male nunc & o­lu [...]sic erit: we had then, and I trust shall haue now in some proportion, men as willing and as able to doe the worke; and I am sure that the world will beare me witnesse, that my labour was treble to any ones: and yet in a yeere and little more, we suruaied all Gregorie, and Cyprian, and all Ambrose of the Rome print: noting both the differences in the Margent, whether materiall, or immateriall; what Copy each man vsed, when we began, and when we ended, and how farre we proceeded euery day; neuer ceasing our sixe houres a day, (Sundaies and Holy daies excepted) God giuing me a body able, and a minde willing to fit it out: and that I may be thankfull to the Diuine maiesty, my bo­dy, as if it had a dispensation for the time, was free from a­ny knowne disease, that did, or might impeach the worke. My body (I must confesse) is much impaired since, by much sicknesse; but on the contrary, my willingnesse and expe­rience in these businesses, are much increased: and therefore I am perswaded, that if Ambrose, Gregorie, and Cyprian, may be, and haue beene done within a yeare and something more: Augustine may be done in another, and Hierome in a third, and all the rest of the Fathers in lesse then a yeare, and the Councels and Gratian in a fift; whereof one, as I haue said, is happily passed already: I doe purpose to im­ploy onely sixe persons, foure to the MSS, one to the last of the Protestants, the sixt to the last of the Papists Edition; which both shall be noted in the Margent, and I will take vpon me as before, to be both Notarie, and Actuarie to the Company, concluding (as Bellarmine doth) if he be as true as his word: Si semel inueniar mentitus in uita, omnem mihi in posterum fidem derogent.

The second Point
That the Latine Translation of the Greeke Fa­thers may be collationed by able and fit persons, by reason of diuerse Christophor­sons and Iesuits, that haue too-too much abused the ignorant of the tongue.
Explained.

TOuching the second Point, for the comparing of the Latine Translation of the Greeke Fathers: I purpose not (vnlesse it shall be thought fit by my Superiours) to compare it with MSS. Copies in Greek: we are left destitute of Copies, especially now we are wholly bereft of all hope of helpe from the great Palatine Library: but (as I haue said) Ʋedelius, For a need I can giue them the places to be considered of, that are a­ny wayes con­trouerted: al­most all of thē before hand. and that worthy and thrise honoured Knight and others, haue partly preuented, and partly sup­plied vs herein: that which I intend, is onely to suruay the Translations in places controuerted onely, whether they be fitting and proper. A worke that may well be done, being diuided amongst our Sages of the Greek, whether in, or out of the Vniuersitie, within a yeare: though if they list to fol­low Ʋedelius in noting the corrupt Translations, sundring the Bastard Treatises from the true a part by themselues, & answering the places obiected out of the Fathers, with Cri­ticall obseruations, they shall deserue well of the Fathers; it may, and shall be done for the Latine Fathers: as vve may follow Vedelius in the Greeke, so if no other will vnder­take the worke in the Latine Fathers, I will doe the like in them, as Master Crompton hath done before in Saint Au­gustine.

The third Point
That the Jndices Expurgatory may be like­wise perused, all of them, as many as can be gotten, the places forbidden to be transcribed, of which labour is a third part at the least already taken by me, or my procurement.
Explained.

THe third Point concerneth the Indices Expurgatory, The first, Index Exporgatrious that we haue, is the knowne one of Junius, printed accor­ding to that of Antwerp, Lug [...]. 1586. The second, of Madrill, 2582. The third, cal­led Greg. Cap­puccini E [...]chi­ridion Ecclesi­asticum Ven. 1588. The fourth, by Ge [...]. Dalme [...]da, Lat. & Portugal [...]cè, Olyss. 1581. The fift, per Io. M [...]riam Bruschelle [...]s. 1601. Tom. 1. The sixt and last, by Bern. de Sando [...]al. Madr. 1612. which no doubt are many, but all are not to be got­ten, and of those we cannot get the Editions mentioned in their bookes, without the which it cannot be done. Ne­uerthelesse, to facilitate this worke, I haue in a readinesse an Alphabeticall note of all the Editions that are forbidden [...] corrigantur: that those that haue them may send them vnto vs. I say onely that I, by my selfe, and others, haue already done a third part of the whole, perhaps it will amount to a second of all the Bookes and Editions that be found, and that men may know how farre I haue pro­ceeded already, these Authors following, with their seue­rall bookes, are reseued out of the Papists hands, and re­stored by me.

• [Page 8]
  The reprin­ting of that which they commanded to be left out, and in some bookes de fa­cto left out, will keepe one Presse going a yeere.
  Abulensis or Thostatus
• P. Aerodius.
• Leo Bapt. Alb [...]rti.
• Amatus Lusitanus.
• Lud. Ariosto.
• The Annotations vpon S. Aug.
• Albertus Argentinensis.
• Iac. Philippi Berg [...]mensis.
• Laurentius Beyerlincke.
• Biblia Rob. Stephani.
• Biblia cum duplici Transla­tione.
• Bibliotheca SS. Patrum.
• Io. Bodinus.
• P. de Boll [...].
• Henr. Breulaus.
• Guil. Budeus.
• Ambros. Calepinus.
• Barth. Cassnaus.
• Greg. Cappacinu [...].
• Io. Campensis.
• Index in Ioh. Chrysostomum.
• Nic. Cle [...]ardus.
• Isid. Clarius.
• P. Crinitus
• Cyprianus Mon [...]hus Ci­stere.
• Notae marginales Index & textus Cyrilli Alex.
• Dantes.
• I mondi del Doni.
• Fr. Duarenus.
• Andr. Eborensis.
• Notae in Engelbertum.
• Enchiridion Christianae insti­tutionis.
• Erasmi opera, almost.
• Claud. Espencaeus.
• Eucherius.
• Iac. Faber Stapulensis.
• Barth. Ferrariensis.
• Io. Ferus.
• Barth. Fumus.
• Gilb. Genebrardus.
• Germanicarum rerum scrip­tores. Tomis varijs.
• Lilius Greg. Gyraldus.
• Ant de Gueuara.
• Claud. Guilliaudus.
• Adamus Kel [...]erus.
• Albertus Krantzius.
• Iustus Lipsius.
• Iosephus Luqui [...].
• Andr. Masius.
• Christ. Maffaeus.
• Iac. à S. Mearia.
• Ianotius de Ma [...]tis.
• Lucius Marineus siculu [...] ▪
• Marcus Marull [...].
• Iac. Menochius.
• Papyrius Massonius.
• Ben. Arias Montanus.
• Tho. Marus, Miles.
• Ioh. N [...]viza [...]us.
• Annot. in Nicephorum.
• Hieron. ab Oleastre.
• P. Opm [...]erus.
• Claud. Paradinus.
• Fr. Petrarcha.
• Fr. Polygranus.
• Io. Iou. Pontanus.
• Procopius Gazaeus.
• Ant. de Rampengolis.
• [Page 9]Guil. Ranchinus.
• P. Rebuffus.
• Eman. Rodericus.
• Alph. Salmeron.
• Eman. Sa.
• Io. de Salas.
• Iac. Shoepperus.
• Iul. Caesar Scalig [...]r.
• Dimas Serpe.
• Laur. Schraderus.
• Raynerus Suoygoudanus.
• Rob. Stephanus.
• Did. Stella.
• Fr. Suuertius.
• Ale [...] Tartagni.
• Iac. Aug. Thuanus.
• Beniamin Tudelensis.
• Tuccius T [...]ccius.
• Fr. Vallesius.
• Laur. Valla.
• Dan Venatorius.
• Diego de la Vega.
• Polyd. Virgilius.
• Alphonsus Viu [...]ldus.
• Lud. Ʋiues.
• Geo. Wicelius.
• Theodorus Zuingerus.

All these forenamed Authors, (vnlesse it be Zuinger and Erasmus workes) are (if I may say) repurged and restored vnto their former integritie, the rest that remaine may be well transcribed in halfe a yeere: As master Ca­saubon and Ma­ster D [...]usius workes, and Sir Adolphus M [...]kerch [...] book are done al­ready: but for the rest I think we may saue our la­bours. for I can set at one time a hundred seuerall persons on worke; it it is a businesse of labour, Et quis ad haec non id [...]neus. I intend not (vnlesse it be by commandement of my Superiours) to meddle with the Expurgation of our Protestant Writers, which they haue vainely attempted; nor of the Thalmud of the Iewes, or Rabbinicall Writers: but Popish Writers of what sect, sort, language, nation, or facultie whatsoeuer, tag and rag, are the subiectum ad [...]quatum of this businesse: And so I come vnto the fourth Point, of collation of bookes.

The fourth Point
That Lyra and the Glosse, the Great Bibliothe­ca sanctorum Patrum, Platina, Caietan, Al­phonsusde Castro, and sundry others of all sorts of Authors, may be compared with former Editions, and Manuscripts (if need be to meet with their secret Jndi­ces Expurgatorii, which are the more dangerous, because they print, and leaue our what they list, at pleasure, and yet make no words of it, neither haue any Commission knowne for to doe it.
Explained.

Qui Lyrani o­pent [...]um Glos­sa ordinaria, &c Lugd. 1589. ab infinitis mē ­dis p [...]gata, &c. per. Fr. Fewar­dentium [...]rd. Minorum, Job. Dadraeum, & Iac. de Cucilly, Theol. Doctores. The booke de­dicated to Sixtus S. Patrum interpre [...]at. ad ipsos fontes reuocatis, ipsis per doctum Lyra [...]um pe­stilli [...] D. Lyrani ad ipsum Autographum, exconuentis Canobij Vermoliensi diligenter collat [...]s. Biblia SS cum Glossa ordinaria, &c. to. 6. compre [...]usa Duaci, 1617. Quid in hac edit. presti­tum fit vltra omnes alias editiones▪ etiam illam quam Parisienses. Theologi exbibuerum quam mul­ta correcta, restituta, sup [...]leta, quam multa vtiliter ad ecta, opera & studio Theologorum Dua­ce [...]sum, diligenter eme [...]data.TOuching this fourth Point, herein giue me leaue to explaine my selfe out of my owne and others obser­uations, especially of the learned Bishop of Meth: Lyra and the Gl [...]sse were reviewed and reuised by Dadr [...]n [...], Cu­cilly, and Fewardentius: and now lately by three Benedi­ctines: if their former did their best, what needed the se­cond Edition? if they did not, why doe they pretend such exactnesse, so great paines? But the truth is, Lyra is some­what touchy against them, and the Glosse doth thwart their Expositions: and therefore though closely, the three [Page 11] D [...]wists doe make profession, They confesse they haue put forth the testi­monies of the Rabb [...]u [...]s & o­thers. Posse­uine excuseth the former E­dition by haste of the Printer, and ciuil wars. [...]. Col▪ Agr. 1613. to. 14▪ and Bi­bliotheca vet. Patrum sen. Edit. Paris. 1609. to. 8. ex prescripto Indi­cis Expurgatorij Romae vulgati emendata. If we compar [...] Io. Baconthorpes workes in sent. Cremona, 1618. with the for­mer Mad. 1511 Blesensis of M [...] ­gunce 1600. put forth by Busaeus, with the [...]ormer, 1519 and t [...]e MS [...]. whereof we haue store in the Library. Aquinas of Rome 1570. o [...] Antwerp 1612. with fomer Editions and MSS. Scotu [...] works, Ven. 1597. with that of Nurembergi. 481. as also Bed [...]s history I know to be ver [...] cor­ruptly printed, being a leading Author to all ou [...] late Historians. Alph de Castro aduer­su [...] haer [...]ses, is farre different from the latter Editions about the Popes authority, we haue all his Editions. O [...]phrius the old doth infinitely disagree with the latter, espe­cially in Iulius the third his life. that they haue mended di­uers things, wherein the former Edition was wanting, ac­cording to the prescript of the MSS, and some things they say, they haue thought good to expunge in Thoringis about Lyra: where he is thought delirare from their Trent faith, or common Tenets: a great labour, vndertaken, I am afraid, rather to suppresse the truth, than to expresse a­ny good meaning. Epicharmus precept will here serue, as Doctor Rainold sheweth vs, to distrust their workes of what kinde soeuer; especially if the Iesuites haue a finger in the setting forth of them: as you may see their notes in­farced almost in euery Tome of the Bibliotheca Probabilium Patrum, which hath beene reprinted foure times within these few yeres, and twice within these two or three yeres: Thinke yon that it was for nothing? Was not the Romane correction sufficient to purge it, according vnto whose correction it was printed carefully at Pa [...]is? If the Master of the Sacred Palace be not wise enough to mead it, we are like to haue it well amended. But who knoweth what harme is done in the middle aged Writers? Bacon or Ba­ [...]onthorpius, (I am perswaded) is corrupted in the late E­ditions, Aquinas, and Scotus, Blesensis and others; Doubt lesse, by that little that I haue seene, they carry the marke of the Beast, and the print of their fingers: but if I may haue my will, no booke of note or worth shall goe vncompa­red: the worke is very easie, the parties are very many that may well be imploid in this worke, if they haue corrupted them vnder colour of correcting them. There hath beene reprinted of late, A phonsus de Castro, Onuphrius, Sixtus Se [...]ensis, and last of all, M [...]cus de Guadalaiara in Spanish, of the liues of the latter Popes, with the occurrences of [Page 12] those times: Touching the former, the learned haue spo­ken enough to stirre vs vp to the diligent reuising and com­paring of them. See [...]ilson de o­bed. p. 294. In lib. de haeres. in­script. Paris. [...]n fol [...]o à Iod. Bad. excus [...] anno 1534. L [...]el. lat. part. 2. p. 128. Quarta pa [...]te de la historia P [...]ntifical Ge­n [...] al [...]y Catholica compuesta [...] or­denada por Fr. Marco de Gua­dalaiara [...] Xa­uier de la Re [...]i­gion obseruante de nuestra Sen­nora del Carmen de Aragon, d [...]ri­gida al m [...]y alto y poderoso mo­narca de Es­panna Filip [...] Tertero Rey y Se [...]or nuestro, Anno 1612. Con [...]cencia y priuilegio J [...] ­gr [...]ssa en Cara­go [...]. por Iuan de Lanai [...] y Quartane [...]. Conforme a [...] que be [...]eydo en Gotardo Dantiscano y otros auctores, vna troycion intentada contra el Rey Iacobo, sus huo [...] y muger, y contra todos les nobles y estado, del [...]yno: y descubierta mi­bagrosamente per lo que dios sabe, Part. a. lib. 14 cap. 8. This booke is called Vando y l [...]yes del Rey Iacobo contra la Fe Catholica, consu respuesta, y aduertentia al Letor para la auerigu [...]ci­on è intellige [...] i [...] de [...]te caso prouecho [...]a para el mismo Rey y para [...]odos por el D. B. de Cleremond: a booke in the ha [...]ds of Master Boswell Parson of Saint Laurence in London, they haue craftily concealed the time and yeere wherein it is printed. For Alphonsus de Castro, I leaue you to consider of that which hath beene strucke out of him in latter Editions, in verbo Papa, concerning the Popes in­fallible authoritie, which true Castro doth deny to be so great as it is made; or that his person is inerrable, he thin­keth no Parasite of the Popes, or flatterer of the world, wil dare to auouch. For Onuphrius & others, I know what the learned iudgment is of that Author & others, & I know and all the world shall know how this Guadalaiara is vsed, or rather abused by the Papists, and forced to say, & vnsay, for seruile feare of the Spanish Sandouall, both against his wil, & the truth: it is the latest, clearest instance of their cun­ning dealing, to their no small aduantage, to settle a wrong opinion in mens mindes about the powder Treason. In the former Edition, which is but an addition vnto Illes [...] of the Popes liues, hee hath truely reported the story of the Gunpowder treason, out of Gothardus Arthus, and o­thers: laying (as we say) the saddle vpon the right horse, the fault vpon certaine Popish male-contents; but it see­meth in a latter Edition, now extant in the publique Li­brary, they haue mis-reported the treason, and put it as D. B. Clermond had done before vpon the Puritanes; ca­sting foule aspersions vpon our State, as if they had plot­ted that which the Papists had acted out of a Ragionamen­to del Stato, or Trigo del Estado, or as Cleremond saith, to get their goods and lands confisked vnto the Exchequer, to inrich the Kings cofers.

That which I inferre out of these premises, are the iniury [Page 13]done vnto the estate of bookes, and sometimes vnto books of Estate, The very same booke is reprinted thus as if it had been comp [...]sed by D ^r. Lewys de Bauia capell [...] del Rey [...]. S. en [...] Real ca­pilla de Gra [...] da Con priui­legio de Ma­drid, po [...] Luy [...] Sanchez Im­pressor del Rey nuestro senior. anno de 1613. Both Editions dedicated to the King, made and published within one yeare, the first approued by Maestro Pedro Geronymo Cas­siu [...]n. e, Iuan Perez de Ar­tieda offi [...]y re­g [...]te del Vica­ri [...]do, Padre Fray Esteuā de Th [...]us prouin­cial de los Car­nelitas &c.F. Miguel Ripol [...], [...]uan Munnoz. T [...]e latter is published, [...] del Rey nuestro se­nior: su [...]scribed Iorge de Toua [...], supe [...]uise [...] p [...] Pedro de Valentia Miguel Vazquez de [...] Granaca, & Fra [...] Pedro de Granada. What a change is there here? [...] as it were by a M [...]te [...] psychos [...]s changed into Leuys de Bauia, and fiue cen­sors turned into foure, as it were foure Kings warring against fiue. Por el mandad [...] del Rey, as is said. inuoluing our King and Counsellers within their secret censures. This booke is reprinted as I say, within few yeeres, composed by a man of great note, dedicated to Philip the third, printed at the first with license and priui­ledge, approued by diuers kindes of Religious persons, no mention is made of any alterations in the second edition: and it is turned cleane cham. The fact is notorious, the fault inexcusable, say what can be obiected in his defence. He is perhaps liuing, and liuing men▪ as they may alter their willes, so they may change their words. I admit it, so doe our Masters of Trent: but conditionally, so it be in matters of faith, and not of fact ▪ or if it be in matter of faith, so the Author be conuinced, and his errour shewed: but in questi­ons of fact, volat irreuocabile verbum, the rule must hold, quod scripsi scrips [...], all the world cannot helpe it, it cannot be, as Aeneas Syluius sometimes said. But to come to Guad [...]laia [...]a was that true that he had written in his former edition, why is it altered in this latter? if it be not, why is not the contrary shewed? howsoeuer it be, they should haue told vs so much in the frontisp [...]ce or first page, that vpon better aduise, and [...]ruer rela [...]ions, Leuys de Bauia, hath altered some things: but I doe verily beleeue, it was not done by him, but mandato Superiorum, by those that do [...]yranni [...]e ouer m [...]s books, and lod [...] it ouer mens conscien­ces: this latter booke is now in the hands of a friend of mine ad facti fidem asserendam, and cannot possibly be de­nyed, doe they what they can, or el [...]e I am much deceiued. You see by that w ^ch hath bin spoke▪ how needfull it is that all sorts of bookes as well of Estate, as Religion, should be diligently cōpared with former Editions: it is to be presu­med that all sorts of bookes are depraued by them, especi­ally [Page 14] that come forth with glorious Titles, faire Paper, and chiefly with Iesuiticall Annotations: They know euery p [...]ny Diuine would shun such Editions that haue this skar­crow title in the fore­front of the booke. although they come not forth Iuxta mandatum Indicis expurgatory, or S. In­quisitionis, whether of Spaine or of Rome, Multa Latent, quae non patent; the truth of this will easily appeare by our la­bour, the labour will be farre more easie then the former, and if I haue causelesly suspected them, I will cry them mercy, and subscribe vnto the truth; we may set not a hun­dred, but a thousand on worke (if need require) but I hast vnto the fift Article.

The fift Point
That the Authors of the middle age, that wrote in the defence of that Religion, which is now (thankes be to God) pub­likely established in the Church of Eng­land, for the substance thereof, may bee faithfully transcribed, diligently colla­ted, & distributed into volumes, where­of many may bee made of orthodoxe writers; if not so many as of their Bi­bliotheca Patrum Probabilium: adding hereunto such Writers, as being bred and brought vp in the bosome of the Roman Church saw the disorders, dis­couered their abuses both in doctrine and manners, and wished almost for the [Page 15] same reformation, that was afterward most happily wrought and brought to passe by Martin Luther and his compa­nions: of the first sort are Wickliffe, Pea­cocke, Gu [...]de S. Amore, Jo. P. Minorita, Normannus Anon, Nic. Orem and sundry others: of the Later kinde, Wesselus, Wicelius, P. de Alliaco, Faber, Gerson, Cu­sanus, and such like.
Explained.

THe fift Article concerneth the transcribing Authors of the middle age, a point wherein (if in any) wee may seeme to be defectiue. But quaedam videntur & non sunt, store is no sore; we haue (thanked be God) store of these Writers, that haue witnessed the truth of our Religi­on, both in their worthy and solide writings, and by their glorious deathes. If they failed in any point (as seldome they doe) it was the fault and darkene se of those times, the fault & number of those bastardly and beggarly Trea­tises, which euer since Vincentius Lirine [...]isis time corrupted the lumpe and body of the true writers: here was no Eras­mus then liuing to hold the candle vnto them, no Cookes or Riuets liuing, to vnmaske or vnuaile them. Hence it is that our Magdeburg Writers haue found so many naeuos and errours in the Fathers: but all of them of whom they spake and so sharpely inueigh against are not Fathers, nor true sonnes, but bastard impes, it were well they were well roo­ted out all, both branch and bowgh, as Spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altas. Would it not trow we bee a [Page 16] glorious sight, Of Wi [...]liffes workes and Peacocks, we ha [...]e th [...]se MSS in Ox­ford and Cam­bridge. 1 Io. W [...]clishes Triangle tran­scribed. 2 His Expo­sition vpon the Epistles and Gospels. 3 Of the seuen Commenda­ments. 4 Of the ru­ines of the Church. 5 Of the Church, and the members thereof. 6 Of the liues of the Priests, and his con­fession of the Sacrament. 7 Against the Friars Minors. 8 His Com. on the Psalmes▪ and diuers other works. In Latine these▪ 1 De v [...]ritate Scri [...]turae almost transcribed. 2 De [...]o Mandatis. 3 Ded [...]mini [...] ciuili contra vnum M [...]n. in defence of Kingly power, prouing the vnlaw­fulnesse of K. Iohns Donation (if any such were) see the rest in my Ecloga. of Peacocke his Donate of Christian life, and Repressor of ouer much blaming the Cleargy, MSS. Gro. Wicelius works are printed in diuers yeares, from 153 [...]. to 1559 He wrote almost as much as S. Aug & would, if he had liued, haue reduced thē into Tomes. Wesselus works are printed at Fas. 1524 and reprinted lately at Marpurg. 1617. M ^r. Harding would faine perswade M ^r I [...]ell to recant and apostate from the faith, because one Staphylus, Baldwinus, and Wicelius, had done the like. Iu [...]ll in his answere to M. Hardings conclusi­on. Ia [...] Gretserus in excerptis de vita & moribus Lutheranorum ex Geo. Wicelij libello qui inscribitur. Retectio Lutherismi, &c Lips. 1538. Haec Wicelius olim Lutherus praedicans. Papa lux venit in mundum: fed dilexerunt homines tenebras magis quam lucem: Omnis qui male agit, odit lucem; Et non venit adlucem vt non arguantur o [...] era eius i. quia mala sunt, Oratio Cornelij Episcopi Bipontini in Conc. Trid. sub Paulo 3. p. 16. Conc. Trid. Lovan. 1567. The Vniuersity of Oxford in an Epistle to Io. P. 22. about prouisions, haue the very same words in effect, as if Cor. Musse had there read them cut of a MSS. of M ^r. Allens be­fore Turgots booke of the Bishops of Duresine. to see Wicleph and Peacocke reuiued againe out of the dust of their graues, and our Libraries, and to write in defence an Apologie of our Religion, as valiantly and pertinently as Iuel or Morton haue done, both Bi­shops and glorious Lamps and Ornaments of this Church of England; and for want of others, we will be bold to craue aide of the Papists, they haue giuen vs a good hent in their seuerall bookes of Prohibition, and Expurgati­on, and so directed vs, that we need not farre to seeke for witnesses: they though Papists will beare witnesse vnto the Protestant faith and orthodoxe doctrine, or else I do much mistake their writings, or our owne Tenets; and let Wicelius or Wesselus answere for vs. Wicelius workes are printed, but I suppose his workes are in the hands of few: Wesselus are extant and to be read of all. Wicelius (as shall be shew­ed ere long) was almost wholly ours; it will not serue their turns to say as Harding doth, that he was first of our Religion, or as Gretser (that neuer told lie in his life) some­times a Lutheran preacher. I doe not absolutely deny it, it may be so, there is little written of, much by him: but in all his writings that I haue seen till of late, there cā be nothing gathered wheron they may ground this improbable cōceit. But what the? as for Wesselus, he was not vnworthily called [Page 17] lux mundi, not blasphemously, as certain of their Parasites haue said of some Popes; Papa lux venit in mundum, &c. But I will call him as the Scripture calleth the righteous, as bright a Starre as any shined in their Horizon. Whose workes are set sorth and published as well by their owne men, as ours, and his death greatly lamented of all.

But why dwell I so long vpon this point? the worke is as easie and faisible as the two last. We may imploy as many hands as we please, and Authority shall thinke fit. Two Dutchmen of the Palatinate haue tra [...]elled for me in this businesse, and are able and willing to write out a quire of Paper in a weeke, which would come to an hundred quire in the yeare, able to set two presses or worke. Their hand is legible, though not faire. I haue paid them xx s. for a quire (their ingenuitie being Schollars, craueth no lesse at my hands.) Some things I haue of Wicleph both in English and Latine ready for the Presse: especially I haue imploide them in writing out his De verit [...]te Scripturae, or his Aletheia (as Zuinger calleth it) and I haue begun the rather with this booke, because it was his Master-piece, and (as was saide) a good meanes of con [...]erting the Bobe­mian Nation, next vnder God. It is not that which is prin­ted. De periculi [...] nouissim [...]um temporum, which it see­meth M ^r. Fox had seene, where are 25. signes, but a booke with this Title, Collecti [...] Catholicae & Canonicae Scripturae, dinstructionē & praeparationē simplicium fidelium Christi, contra pericula inuminetia Ecclesiae Generali per hypocritas, Pseudo praedicato­res, & penetrantes domes, & otiosos & curios [...]s & gy [...]vagos, which is ready for the Presse vpon a weekes warning. I haue likewise ready done the great and famous worke of Guil. de S. Amore: not that which is printed, but that which exceedet that farre, both in greatnesse and goodnesse: it is or shall be ready for the Presse, and I will account no booke ready till it haue a good Concordance in the Margent, a Table of the Auctors cited, and matter contained therein, after he most exactest manner of an Alphabet.

The sixt Point
That the Catalogus testium veritatis, compi­led by Illyricus, may be rectified out of the originals, quoting Booke, Chapter, and Edition; and supplyed out of the vnprinted Manuscripts.
Explained:

TOuching Illyricus, the Books printed, whose authori­ties are vouched, may be reuiewed by many; but for the Manuscrips (as I would wish that all that are in Ox­ford and Cambridge, or else-where, may be viewed, qu [...] ­ad hoc) I haue much in this kinde gathered to the hand, much more hath an industrious kinsman of mine: Of C.C.C. If I had no other imployment but this, wee two would vndertake that businesse, and to doe it as it should bee done, to no small profit of the Church, and increase of Illyricus Cata­logue of witnesses of the truth.

The seuenth Point
That out of all these an Anticoccius may be framed out of Fathers, and middle-aged Writers, that were in their times estee­med of the Church of Rome, and out of them onely: nothing doubting but we shall be able to match, if not exceed, his [Page 19] two large Volumes, both in greatnesse and goodnesse; quoting as before, pre­cisely, our Editions, and doing all fide optima & antiqua, religiously and vnpar­tially, as becommeth Diuines.
Explained.

FOr the Anticoccius, it is already performed in a maner: I haue all the testimonies before Luther, and before or since of Papists, that prooued each Point materiall of our Religion, disposed after a double method: the first of time, descending downewardes from Christ and his Apostles: the second Alphabeticall, that I may know and supplie what is wanting, there wants: but comparing of the testi­monies with the Originall: though I mis-doubt them not, See Iewels de­fence and re­plie against Harding, and Mornayes resp. à l' Eues (que) d' Eu­reux Sal [...]. 1602. being all taken out of the worthies amongst our Writers: Namely, Bilson, and Morton, and Abbot, Bishops; Field, and Francis White, Deanes; Iohn White, and Beard, Do­ctors of Diuinity: as also Iewell and Mornay, and who dares suspect? I know some haue challenged them, but the best is, they haue made their owne Apologies.

The eighth Point
That the supposititious and Bastard Workes of the Fathers, noted by Doctor Rivet, or Master Cooke, or any other, may be re-ex­amined; their exceptions scanned or weighed with indifferency, and other reasons added to their challenge, if any shal be found.
Explained.

COncerning the eighth Point of the bastard Fathers: Some are challenged by Protestants, In my [...]nchi i­ [...]ion Theologicū MSS. apud me, taken out of the most emi­nent amongst the Popish or Protestant writers, with quotations of booke, and Chapters. some by Papists, some by both; by whom, & the places where, I haue a reaso­nable good direction: the places may be seene, their reasons weighed, and accordingly on Gods name let iudgement be giuen. I know some that are tainted of corruption, which will appeare vpon better iudgement, to be truly their pro­per workes; I spare to speake my minde, or to instance and exemplifie in this point, for that it concerneth some greater & wiser men then my selfe: but thought is free, vincat melior sententia, & let that which is spoken by me, be spoken with due submission, & vnder correction, Donec predeant censurae aliorum. The worke doubtlesse is of good moment, the doing of it will be no great labour, nor vnpleasant worke: so much I say before hand, for their and mine owne incou­ragement.

The ninth Point
That the suspected places may be viewed in the true Fathers, which are iustly chal­lenged of corruption, either by our own men, or the aduersary; with the like indif­ferencie of mindes, and vnpartialitie of iudgements▪ being compared with the touchstone of the old Manuscripts, and printed bookes, which are quasi Manu­scripts.
Explained.

AS concerning the ninth Point, I haue most of the places ga­thered toge­ther in nume­rate. a matter as worthy as any of our best considerations; there are a thousand places challenged of corruption, (I speake within com­passe) most by Protestants, mostly in the question of the Supremacie, and iudge of controuersies, the carrying que­stion: all which may be once well decided, either iudicious­ly out of the MSS, or coniecturally out of the strength of wit or reason, and there is no third way allowed vs by the Criticks, all that I haue seene, and some of the best, it hath been Gods prouidence that I haue seene in my time, which may appeare by that, which here followeth; gathered to­gether and disposed into Theses, for the better guiding of me and others, that shall busie themselues in examining or re examining these 1000. places, or more; suspected or corrupted in the true Fathers.

The tenth Point

Tenthly and lastly, the perpetuall Visibility of the Church, more or lesse, and the Hi­story of the same Religion that we pro­fesse for the substance thereof through­out all ages, may be shewed to the Eye, noting whē those Nouelismes and super­additaments of the Church of Rome, came in as neare as may be guessed, the time when, and parties by whom they vvere opposed.

All vvhich 10 Propositions, (needfull and im­portant as they are) I doe vvillingly commend vnto my deare Mother the Church of England, and from her to the Cleargie and Gentry of this Land, to bee proceeded in, as they shall see it most expedient for the common good; pro­mising nothing but my paines to bee commanded in these publique seruices. And I make no doubt (if God vvill) but that all this may be effected, vvithin some few yeares, if the Almighty giue grace, the rich whom God hath bles­sed with this worldly substance, incou­ragement; [Page 31] and the rest their prayers. Of the likelihood hereof I am the rather perswaded, because already by my ovvne meanes, and small endeauours, there is almost a fourth part of the Worke done in all these 10 Articles. If one alone may do so much vvithin such a time, vvhat may a dozen able Schol­ers (such as I knovv and could name) doe vvithin 5, 6, 7, or 8 yeares, vvhich is the vtmost in my conjecture?