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THE NOEL DOUGLAS REPLICAS
JOHN MILTON · AREOPAGITICA
Areopagitica WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN
NOVEMBER 1644 · THE COPY OF WHICH
THIS IS A REPRODUCTION FORMS PART OF
A COLLECTION OF TRACTS NOW IN THE
BRITISH MUSEUM MADE BY MILTON'S
FRIEND THOMASON • THOMASON'S AUTO
GRAPH INSCRIPTION ON THE TITLE - PAGE
RECORDS THE FACT THAT MILTON GAVE
HIM THE BOOK AND THE DATE ON
WHICH HE DID SO THE MS. CORREC
TION ON P. 12 THEREFORE IF NOT IN
THE AUTHOR'S HAND MAY HAVE BEEN
MADE WITH HIS AUTHORITY A REVISED
TEXT WITH COMMENTARY AND INTRO
DUCTION BY SIR RICHARD JEBB WAS
PUBLISHED BY THE CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY PRESS
IN 1918

Noel Douglas
38 Great Ormond Street
London
WC
1
 19 2 7
MADE AND PRINTED IN ENGLAND
BY PERCY LUND, HUMPHRIES & CO . LTD .
BRADFORD AND LONDON
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 AREOPAGIT ICA2

SPEECH

OF

M. FOHN MILTON

For che Liberty of VNLICE NCD

PRINTING ,

To the PARLAMENT of ENGLAN D.

Tsa d'Oregu No éxtiro, o tos Birg. To'ng

Xonsáv Bóndey sis námu çipory , ozer.
Kai Jawo o desar, name's, is , ó rend' Ostwy,
Σιγά , η Γίων έςιν επίπον πολη :
Euripid . Hicecid.
Ex dono Authoris

This is true Liberty whenfree born men

Having to adviſe the public maypeak free,
Which We robo can ,andwill, deferu's bigbo praiſe ,
who neither cannor will, may bold bispeace;
What can bejuter in a Stace sben tleis ?
Euripid . Hicetid .

nouemb . 24: LONDON ,

Printed in the Yeare, 1644.
NM

}
 (
)
1
3888888888888006

For the Liberty of unlicencd Printing.

Hey who to States and Governours of the Commonwealth

direet their Speech , High Court of Parlament, or wanting
T ſuch acceſſein a private condition , write that which they
foreſee may advance the publick good ; I ſuppoſe them as
at the beginning of no mcane endeavour , not a little alter'd and
mov'd inwardly in their mindes : Some with doubt of what will be
the fuccefſe , orbers with feare of what will be the cenſure ; fomo
with hope , others with confidence of what they have to ſpeake.
And me perhaps each of theſe diſpofitions , as the fubjce was
whereon I enter'd , may have at other times variouſly affected ; and
likely might in theſe formoſt expreſſions now alſo diſclole which of
them (way'd moſt , but thatthe very attempt of this addreſſe thus
made, and the thought of whom it hath recourle to , bath got the po
wer within me to a paſſion , farre more welcome then incidentall to
a Pretace. Which though I ſtay not to confeffe ere any aske, I ſhall
bo blameleſle , if it be no other , then the joy and gratulation which
it brings to all who wiſh and promote their Countries liberty ;
wbercof this whole Diſcourſe proposºd will be a certaine teſtimony,
if not a Trophey. For this is not the liberty which wee can hope,
that no grievance ever ſhould ariſe in the Commonwealth , that let
no man in this world expect ; but when complaints are freely
heard , deeply conſider'd , and ſpeedily reform’d , then is the utmoft
bound of civill liberty attain'd , ibat wiſe men looke for. To which
if I now manifeſt by the very ſound of this which I ſhall atter , that
wec are already in good part arriv'd , and yet from ſuch a ſteepe
diſadvantage of tyranny and ſuperſtition grounded into our prin
ciples as was beyond the manhood of a Komax recovery , it will bee
attributed firſt, as is moft due to the ſtrong aſſiſtance of God our dea
liverer , next to your faithfull guidance and undaunted Wiſdomc,
Lords and Commons of England." Neither is it in Gods eſteeme the
dimioution ofhis glory, when bonourable things are ipoken of good
merraad worthy Magißrates ; which if I now firſt Thould begin to
A 2 doe,
 ( 3)
dae, etter fo fair a progreſſe of your landable deeds , and ſuch a long
obligement upon the whole Realme to your indefatigable vertues,I
might be juftly recko'd among the tardielt , and the dawillingeſt of
them that praiſe yee. Nevertheleſſe there being three principall
things , without which eil prailing is but Courtſhip and factery
Firſt, when that only is prais'd which is ſolidly worth praiſe : next
wben greateſt likelihoods are brought that ſuch things are truly and
really in thoſe perſons to whom they are aſcrib'd , the other, when
he who praiſes, by Thewing that ſuch bis actuall perſwalion is of
whom he writes , can demonſtrate that he Aatters not; the former
two of theſe I have heretofore endeavour'd , reſcuing the employ
ment from him who went about to impaire your merits with a triviall
and malignant Encomium ; the latter as belonging chiefly to mine
owoc acquittall, that whom I ſo extolld I did not flatter , hath been
refery'd opportanely to this occaſion. For he who freely magnifies
what hath been nobly done , and fears not to declare as freely wbac
might be donebetter, gives yethe beſt cov'nant of his fidelity ; and
that his loyaleſt affection and his hope waits on your proceedings.
His bigbelt praiſing is not fattery , and his plainett advice is a kinde
of praiſing ; for though I ſhould affirme and hold by argument , that
it would fare better with truth , with learning , and the Common
wealth, if one ofyour publiſht Orders which I ſhould name , were
called in , yet at the ſame time it could not but much redound to the
luftre of yourmilde and equall Government, when as private perſons
are hereby animated to thinke ye better pleas’d with publick ad
vice, then other ſtatiſts have been delighted beretofore with publicke
Aattery. And men will then ſee what difference there is between the
magnanimity of a triennial Parlament , and that jealous bautineſſe
of Prelates and cabin Counſellours that uſurpt of late , when as they
Dhall oblerveyce in the midd'It of your Vi& ories and ſucceſſes more
gently brooking writt'n exceptions againſt a voted Order,then other
Courts , which had produc'c notbing worth memory butthe weake
oſtcotation of wealik , would have endur'd the leaſt ſignifi'd diflike
af any ſudden Prociamation. If Iſhould thus farre preſume upon
the meck demeanour of your civil and gentle greatneſſe, Lords and
1
Commons , as whatyour publiſht Order bath directly ſaid , that to
gainſay, I might defead my felfe with cafo , if any ſhould accuſe me
ofbeing new or inlolcot,did they butknow how much better I find
ye cſteem it to imitate the old and clegant bomanity of Greece ,
then 1
 (3 )
then the barbarick pride of a Hrunif and Norwegian ſtatelines. And
out of thoſe ages , to whoſe polite wiſdom and Letters we ow that
we are not yet Gothes and Furlanders, I could namehim who from
his private houſc wrote that diſcourſe to the Parlament of Athens,
that perſwades them to change the forme of Democraty which was
then eſtabliſht. Such honour was done in thoſe dayes to men who
profeſt the ſtudy of wiſdome and eloquence, not only in their own
Country, but in other Lands , that Cities and Siniories bcard them
gladly , and with great reſpect ,iftbey bad oughtin publick to admo
nina the State. Thus did Dion Prufaus a ſtranger and a privat Orator
counſellabe Rbodians againſt a former Edit : and I abound with on
ther like examples , which to ſet heer would be lupeifluous. But if
from the induſtry of a life wbolly dedicated to ſtadious labours , and
thoſe naturall endowments haply not the worſt for two and fifty do
grees of northern latitude , ſo much muſt be derogated , as to count
me not equall to any of thote who had this priviledge , I would ob
tain to be thought not fo inferior, as your felves are ſuperior to
themoſt of them who receiv'd their counſell: and how farre you cxo
cell them , be aſſur’d ,Lordsand Commons,there can nogreater teſti
mony appear , then when your prudent ſpirit acknowledges and on
beyestbe voice of reaſon from what quarter focver it be heard ſpea
king ; and renders ye as willing to repcalany Act of your own ſet .
ting forth, as any ſet forth by your Predcceffärs.
If ye be thus reſolvºd, as it were injury to thinkc ye were not , I
know not what ſhould withbold me from preſenting ye with a fic
inſtance wherein to lhew both that love of truth wbich ye eminent
ly profeſſe, and that uprightneſſc of your judgement which is not
wont to be partiall to your felves; by judging over again that Order
which ye bave ordain'd to regulate Printing .That no-Book,pamplodet,or
paper Ball be benceforth Printed, wuleffe thelamebe firſt approv'd and li
cencºr by fuck,or at leaſt one of ſuch as thall be thereto appointed. For
that part which preſerves juftly every mans Copy to himſelfe,or pro
vides for the poor, I touch not, only wiſh they be not made preten
Les to abuſe and perſecutehoneſt and painfull Men , who offend not
in either of theſe particulars. But that other clauſo of Licencing
i Books , which we thought had dy'd with his brother quadragefimal
and matrimonial when the Prelats cxpir’d I , Naall now attend with
fach a Homily, as (hall lay before ye , firſt theinventors of itto bec
thok whom ye will be loath to own ; next what is to be thought in
 (4)
generall of reading , what cver ſort the Books be; and thatthis Order
avails nothing to the ſuppreſſing of ſcandalous, ſeditious, and libcl
lour Books, which were mainly intended to be ſuppreſt. Laſt , that
it will be primely to the diſcouragement of all learning , and the
ſtop of Truth , not only by diſexerciſing and blunting our abilities
in what we know alrcady , but by hindring and cropping the diſco
very that might bee yet further made both in religious and civill
Wiſdome.
I deny not, but that it is of greateſt concernment in the Church
and Commonwcalth , to bave a vigilant eye how Bookes demcane
themſelves.as well asmenzand thereafter to confineimpriſon,and do
Charpeſt juſtice on them as malcfactors: For Books are not ablolate
ly dead things, but doc contain a potencie of life in them to be as a
tive as that foulc was whoſeprogeny they are ; nay theydo preſerve
as in a violl the pureſt efficacic and extraction of that living intellect
that bred them. I know they are as lively, and as vigorouſly prodor
Aive,as thoſe fabulous Dragons teethşand being ſown up and down,
may chance tofpring up armed men . And yet on the other band'un
letle warineſſe be usd,as good almoſt kill a Man as kill a good Book;
who kills a Man kills a reaſonable crcature , Gods Image ; but hee
who deſtroyes a good Booke, kille reaſon it felfe, kills che Image of
God, as it were in the eyc. Many a man lives a burden to the Earth;
but a good Bookc is the pretiouslife-blood of a maſter ſpirit, imbal
mºd and treatur'd up on purpoſe to a life beyond life. ' Tis true, no
age can reſtore a life, whereof perbaps there is no great loſſc; and re
volutions of ages doe not oft recover the lofſe of a reje&ted truth,
for the want ofwhich whole Nations fare the worſe. We thould
be wary therefore what perſecution we raiſe againſt the living la
bours of publick men , how we ſpill that ſeaſon'd life of man prefer
vd and ſtor'd up in Books ; ſince we ſce a kinde of homicide may
be tbus committed, ſometimes a martyrdomc, and if it extend to be
whole impreſlion, a kinde ofmaſſacre , whercof the execution ends
not in the ſaying of an elementall life,butſtrikes at chat ethereall and
and fift ellence ,the breath of reaſon is felfe ,Maies an immortality rather 1
then a life . But left I ſhould be condemnd of introducing licence ,
while I oppoſc Licencing , I refuſe not the paines to be ſo much Hi
ſtoricall , as will lerve to Thew what hath been done by ancient and
famous Commonwealebs againſt this diſorder, till the very time that
This project of licensing crept out of the Inquiſition , was catcht up
by
 (5 )
by our Prelates, and hatb caught ſome of our Presbyters.
In Athens where Books and Wits were ever buſier then in any o
ther part of Greece, I finde but only two ſorts ofwritings which the
Magiſtrate car'd to take notice of ; thoſe either blaſphemous and
Atheiſticall,or Libellous. Thus the Books of Protagoras were by the
Iudges of Areopagus commanded to be burnt , and himſelfe baniſht
the territory for a diſcourſe begun with his contelling not to know
wberber there were gods, or whether not: And againſt detaming , it was de
creed that none ſhould be traduc'd by name , as was the manner of
Vetus Comædia, whereby we may gueſſe how they ccnfur'd libelling :
And this courſe was quick enough, as Cicero writes, to quell both the
deſperate wits of other Atheiſts , and the open way of defaming,
as the event thew'd . Ofotber fees and opinionsthough tending
to voluptuouſneſſc , and the denying of divine providence they tooke
no hecd. Therefore we do not read that either Epicurus;or tbat liber
tine ſchoolof Cyrene,or what the Cynick impudence utter'd ,was ever
queſtion'd by thc Laws. Neither is it recorded that the writings of
thoſcold Comedians were ſuppreſt, though the acting of them were
forbid ;and that Plato commended the reading of Ariftopbanes the loo
them all, to his royall (chollerDionyſiuss, is commonly known,
ſeſt of
and may be excusºd , it holy Chryfoftome,as is reported , nightly ftu
died ſo much the ſame Author and bad the art to cleanſe a ſcurrilous
vehemence into the file of a roufing Sermon . That other leading
City of Greece, Lacedamon, conſidering that Lycurgus their Law.giver
was ſo addi&ted to elegant learning, as tohave been the firſt that
brought out offonia the ſcatter d workes of Homerand ſent the Poet
Tbales from Crect to prepareand mollifie the Spartan furlineſfe with
his ſmooth ſongs and odes , the better to plant among them law and
civility , it is to be wonder'd how muſeleffe and unboekiſh they
werc , minding nought but the feats of Warrc. There needed no
licencing of Books among them for they dillikºd all , but their owne
Laconick porbegnes , and took a ſlight occaſion to chaſe Archito
shus out oftheir City, perhaps for compoſing in a higher ſtraine then
their owncſouldierly ballats and roundels could reach to : Or if it
were for his broad verſes , they were not therein to cautious , but
they were as diffolate in their promiſcuous converfing; whence Ex
ripides affirmes in indromache , that their women were all unchafte.
Thus much may give us light after what ſort Bookes were prohibited
among the Grecke The Romansalſo for many ages train'd up on
ly
 (6)
ļy to a military roughnes , reſembling moſt the Lacedemoniar guife
knew of learning little but wbat their twelve Tables, and the Ponti
fick College with their Augurs and Flamins taught them in Religion
and Law l , o unacquaintewith
d other learning,that when Carneades
and Critolaus , with the Stoick. Diogenes comming Embaſſadors to
Rome, tooke thereby occafion to give the City a talt of their Philoſo
pby, they were ſuſpected for ſeducers byno leſſc a man then Cato the
Cenſor,wbo mov'd it in the Senat to diſmiſſe them ſpeedily , and to
baniſh all ſuch Attick bablers out of Italy. But Scipio and others of
the pobleft Senators wichltood him and his old Sabin auſterity ; bo
nour'd and admir'd the men ; and the Cenſor himſelf at lart in his
old age fell to the ſtudy of that whereof before hee was ſo ſcru
pulous. And yet at the ſame time Nevius and Plantus the firſt
Latine comedians had fill'd the City with all the borrow'd Scenes of
Menander and Philemon . Then began to be conſider'd there alſo
what was to be don to libellous books and Authors ; for Nevins
was quickly caſt into priſon for his unbridl'd pen , and releas'd by the
Tribunes upon bis recantation : Weread alſo that libels were burnt,
and the makers puniſht by Auguftus. The like leverity no doubt
was us'd it oughtwere impiouſly writt'n againſt their eſteemed gods.
Except in theſc two points, how the world went in Books, the Ma
giſtrat kept no reckning .And therefore Lucretius without impeach
to Memmius,and bad the honourto be ſet
ment verlifies bis Epicuriſm
forth the ſecond time by Cicero lo great a father of the Common
wealtb; although himſelte diſputes againſt that opinion in bis own
writings. Nor was the Satyricall fharpneffe , or naked plainnes of
Lucilins, or Carnlus, or Flaccus, by any order prohibited . And for
matters of Stato , the ſtory of Titus Livius, though it extolled that part
which Pompey held, wasnot therefore luppreſt by Olavius Cæfar of
1
the other Fađion. But that Naſowas by him baniſht in his old age,
for the wanton Poems of his youth , was but a meer covert of State
over ſome ſecret cauſe : and beſides , the Books were ocither baniſht
nor callid in . From bence we ſhall meet with little elſe but tyranny
In the Roman Empire, that we may not marvell,if not ſo often bad,
as good Books were filenc't. I ſhall therefore deem to have bin large
anough in producing what among the ancients was puniſhable to
write, lave only which,all other arguments were free to treat on .
By this timethe Emperors were becomc Chriftians, whoſc diſci
pline in this point I doc not finde to bave bin more ſevere then what
was
 (7 )
was formerly in pratice. The Books of thoſe whom they took to
be grand Hereticks were examin'd , rcfuted , and condemn'd in the
generall Counces ; and not till then were probibited , or turnt by
autority of the Emperor. As for the writings of Heatben authors ,
unleſe they were plaine inveđives againſt Chriſtianity , as thoſe of
Porpbyrius and Proclus, they met with no interdict that can be cited,
till about the year 400.in a Caribaginian Councel, wherein Biſhops
themſelves were forbid to read the Books of Georiles , but Herefies
they might read : while others long before them on the contrary
fcrupłd more theBooks of Hereticks , then of Gentiles. And that
the primitive Councels and Biſhops were wont only to declare wbat
Books were not commendable , paſſing po furder , but leaving it to
each ones conſcience to read or to lay by , till after the ycare 800. is
obſerv'd already by Padre Paolo sbe great unmasker of the Trentime
Councel. After which time the Popes of Rome engroſſing what
they plcas'd of Politicall rule into their owne bands , extended their
dominion over mens cyes, as they had before over their judgements,
burning and prohibiting to be read , what they tanfied pot; yet ſpa
ring in their cenſures, and the Books got many which bey ſo deale
with : till Martin thc s . by his Bull not only prohibited, but was the
firſt that cxcommunicated the reading of hereticall Books; for about
that time wicklef and Hulle growing terrible , were they wbo firſt
drove the Papali Court to a ſtricter policy of prohibiting. Which
cours Leo the 10, and his ſucceſſors follow'd , untill the Councell of
Trent, and the Spaniſh Inquiſition engendring together brought
forth, or perfeted thoſe Catalogucs ,and expurging Indexes that rake
through the cntralls of many anold good Author , with a violation
wors then any could be offer'd to his tomb. Nor did they ſtay in
matters Hereticall, but any fubjc & that wasnot to their palat , they
cither condemnd in a prohibition , or had it ſtrait into the new Pur
gatory ofan Index. To fill up the meaſure of encroachment , their
laftinvcation was
to ordain that noBook, pamphlet, or paper ſhould
be Printed .( as it S.Peter had bequeatb’d them the keys ofthe Preſſe
allo out of Paradiſe ) unlelle it were approv'd and licenc't under the
hands of 2 or 3 glutton Friers. For example :
Let the Chancellor Ciui be plcas d to ſcc if in this prelent work be
contain'd ought that may withſtand the Printing,
Vincent Rabatta Vicar of Florence,

B I have
 ( 8)

I have ſeen this preſent work , and finde nothing athwart theCoo
tholick faith and good manners : Jn witneſſe whercof I have
given , & c .
Nicolò Cixi Chancellor of Florencz .
Attending the precedent relation , it is allowd that this preſent
work of Davanzati may be Printed ,
Vincent Rabatta , &c.
It may be Prioted, July 15 .
Friar Simox Mompei – Amelia Chancellor of the holy office
in Florence.
Sure they have a conceit , if he of the bottomlefſe pit bad not long
ſince broke priſon , that this quadruple exorciſm would barre bim
down. I feare their next deſigne will be to get into their cuſtody
" Quo vc- the licencing of that which they lay * Claudiusintended,but went not
niani da. through with. Voutſafe to ſee another of their forms the Roman
ret Aacum
ſtamp :
crepicum -
que ventris Imprimatur , If it ſeem good to the reverend Maſter of the holy
in convi Palace,
vio emic Belcaftro Vicegercnt.
tendi.Suc .
con . in Imprimatur
Claudio , Friar a colò Rodolpbi Maſter of the holy Palace.
Sometimes s Imprimaturs are leen together dialogue-wiſe in the
Piatza of one Title page , complementing and ducking each to other
with their ſhav’n reverences, whether the Autbor, who ſtands by in
perplexity at the foot of bis Epiſtle , ſhall to the Preſſe or to the
ípunge. Theſe are the prety reſponſories , theſe are the deare An
tiphonies that ſo bewitcht of late our Prelats, and their Chaplaines
with the goodly Eccho they made; and belotted us to the gay imita
tion of a Jordis Imprimatur , one from Lambeth bouſe , another from
the Weltend of Pauls; fo apiſbly Romanizing that the word of com
mand Atill was fet downe in Latinc ; as if the learned Graminaticall
pen that wrote it, would caſt coink without Latinc : or perbaps, as
1
ibey thought, becanie no vulgartongue was worthy to exprelle che
pure conceit of an Imprimarnr; but rather, as i hope , forebat our
Engliſh ,ibc language of men ever famous and formyoft in the archieve
ments of liberty , will not cafily finde lervule letters anow to ſpell
ſuch a dictatorie prefumption Engliſh . And thus ye have the Inven
tors and the originall of Book -liceacing ripr up, and drawn as line
ally as any pedigree. We have it not, that can be heard of,from any
ancient |

1
1
 (9)
ancient State, or politic ,or Church, nor by any Statute left us by our
Anceftors elder or later ; nor from the moderne cuſtom of any retor
1 med Citty ,or Churcb abroad; but from the moſt Aprichriftian Coun
cel,and the moft tyrannous Inquiſition that cver inquir'd. Till then
Books were ever as freely admitted into the World as any other
birth ; tbc ilue of the brain was no more tit'd then the iftue of the
womb : no envious funo ſate crof-leg'd over the nativiiy of any
mans imelleAtuall of Ipring ; bu : if it prov'd a Monſter,who denies,
but that it was juftly burnt, or funk into the Sea . Bue that a Book in
!
wors condition then a peccant foal, ſhould be to ſtand before a Jury
ere it be boroc to the World and undergo yet ia darknefſe the judge
ment of Radamanıb and his Collegues, ere it cap parc the ferry back
werd into light, was never heard before , till chat myſterious iniqnity
provoke and croubl’d at the firſt entrance ofReformation ,fought out
new limbo's and new balls wherein they mighe include our Books
allo within the number of their damned . And this was the rare mor
full ſo officiouſly ſoatcht up, and foilfavourdly imicated by our inqui
fiturient Biſhops, and the attendant minorites their Chaplains. That
ye like not now theſe moſt certain Authors of this licencing order,
and that all finifter intention was farre diſtant from your thoughts,
whep ye were importuo'd the paffing it , all men who know the in
tegrity of your a &tions , and how ye honourTruth , will clear yce
readily
Bue fome will ſay, What though the Inventorswere bad t , he thing
for all that may be good ? It may lo;yet if that thing be no ſuch deep
invention, but obvious,and cafic for any man to lighton , and yet beſt
and wifeſt Commonwealths througb all ages , and occaſions bavc
forborne to uſe it, and falſek ſeducers,and oppreſſors of men were the
firft wbo tooke it up , and to no other purpoſebut to obſtructand hin
derthe firſt approach of Reformation ; Iam ofthoſe who beleeve, it
will be a harder alchymy then Lullius ever knew , co lublimat any good
uſc out ofſuch an invencion . Yet this only is what I requeſt to gain
from this reaſon thatit may be helda dangerous and fulpiciousfruit,
as certainly it deferves, for thetroo that bort it , optill I can diffe &
one by one the properties it bas. But I have firft to finiſh , as was
propounded , wbat is to be thought in generall of reading Books,
whatcver furt they be, and whether bemore the benefit, or the harm
that shence proceeds !

Notto infilt opon the examples of Mofes, Danial & Pawl,whowere

B3 skilfull
 ( 10 )
skilfall in all the learning of the Ægyprians , Caldcans, and Greeks,
wbich could not probably be without reading their Books of all
lorts, in Panl eſpecially, who thought it no defilcment to inſert into
Holy Scripture the ſentences of three Greek Poets , and one of them
a Tragedian, the queſtion was , notwithſtanding ſometimes contro
verted among the Primitive Doctors, but with great odds on that fide
which affirm'd it both lawfull and profitable , as was then evidently
perceiv'd , when Julian the Apoftat, and ſuccleſt enemy to our faith ,
made a decree forbidding Chriſtians the ſtudy of heatben Icarning:
for, ſaid he, they wound us with our own weapons, and with our
owne arts and ſciences they overcome us . And indeed the Chriſti
ans were put ſo to their ſhifts by this crafty mcans , and lo mach in
danger to decline into all ignorance , that the two Apollinarii were
fajn as a man may fay ,to cojn all the ſeven liberall Sciences out of the
Bible, reducing it into divers forms of Orations, Poems, Dialogues,
cv'n to the calculating of a new Chriſtian Grammar. But faith the
Hiſtorian Socrates, The providence of God provided better then the
induſtry of Apollinarius and his lon ,by taking away that illiterat law
with the lite of him who devis'd it. So great an injury they then
held it to be deprivºd of Hellenick learning ; and thought it a perſe
cution more andermining , and lecretly decaying the Church , then
tbcopen cruelty of Decius or Dioclefian. And perhaps it was the ſame
politick drift that the Divell whipe St. ferom in a lenten dream , for
reading Cicero; or elſe it was a fantaſm bred by tbe feaver which bad
then ſeis'd him . For had an Angel bin his diſcipliner,unleſſe it were for
dwelling too much upon Ciceroniapiſms,& iad cbaſtiz'd the reading,
not the vanity , it had bin plainly partiall; firſt co correct him for grave
Cicero , and not for ſcurrill Plantus whom he confeſſes to have bin
reading not long before ; next to correct bim only , and let lo many
inore ancient Fathers wax old in thoſe pleaſant and florid Audies
without the laſh of ſuch a tutoring apparition ; inſomuch that Bafil
teaches how ſome good uſe may be made of Margites a ſportfull
Poem ,not now extant,writ by Homer ;and why not then of Morgante
an Italian Romanze much to the fame purpofc. But if it be agreed
we lball be try'd by viſions , there is a viſion recorded by Exfo
bims far ancienter then this tale of ferom to the Nun Exftochium , and
beſides has nothing of a feavor in it. Dionyfius Alexandrinus was an
bout the year 240,a perſon of great name in theChurch for picty and
learning, who had wontto avail bimníelf ench againk hereticks by
beo
 ( 11)
being converſant in their Books; uneill a certain Presbyter laid ie
ſcrupulouſly to his conſcience, how be durſt venture himſelfe among
thole defiliag volumes. The worthy man loath to give offence fell
into a new debate with himſelfe what was to be thought; when ſud
denly a viſion tent from God ,it is his own Epiſtle that lo averrs it,con
firm'd him in theſe words : Read any books what ever come to thy
hands , for thou art ſufficient both to judge aright , and to examine
each matter. To this revelation he aſſented the ſooner, as he confef
fes, becauſe it was anſwerable to that of the Apoſtle to the Theſſalo
nians, Prove all things , hold faſt that which is good. And he might
have added another remarkable ſaying of thelame Author ; To the
pure all things are pure , not only meats and drinks , but all kinde of
knowledge whether of good or evill ; the knowledge cannot defile ,
nor conſequently the books ifthe will and conſcience be not defiled.
Forbooks are as meats and viands are ; ſome of good, ſome of evill
tubſtance; and yet God in that unapocryphall viſion, laid without ex
ception , Riſc Peter , kill and cat , leaving the choice to each mans
diſcretion.Wholelomemcats to a vitiated Itomack differ little or no
thing from unwholeſome; and beſt books to a naughty mind are not
unappliable to occaſions ofevill. Bad meats will ſcarce breed good
nourilhment in the healthieft concoction ; but herein the difference is
of bad books,thatthey to a diſcreet and judicious Reader ſerve in ma
ny refpe &ts to diſcover, to confute, co forcwarn , and to illuftrate.
Wberot what better witnes can ye expe &t I ſhould produce,then one
ofyour own now fitting in Parlament,the chief of learned men repu
ted in this Land ,Mr.Selden , whoſe volume of naturall & national laws
proves,not only by great autorities brought together,buiby exquiſite
realons and theorems almoſt matben.atically demonſtrative , that all
opinions,yea errors,known, read ,and collated, arc of main lervice &
alliſtance toward the ſpeedy attainment of wbat is trueſt. I con
ceive therefore , that when God did enlarge the univerfalt diet of
mansbody, faving ever the rules oftemperance, he then alto, as be
fore, left arbitrary the dyeting and repaſting of our minds;as where
in every mature man might bave to exerciſe bis owne leading capaci
ty. Howgreat a vertueis temperance ,bow much of moment through
the whole life of man ? yet God committs the managing ſo great a
cruft , without particular Law or prelcriprion, wholly to the demca
nour of every grown man. And therefore when he himſelf tablºd the
Jews from bCrven , that Omar which was every mans daily portion of
B 3 Manna,
Manna , is computed to have bio more then mightbave well fuffic'd
the bcarticat feeder thrice as many meals. For choſe actions which
enter into a man ,rather then iſſue out of bim ,and therefore defile not,
God ulcs not to captivat under a perpetuall coildhood of preſcripti
on , but truſts him with the gift of reaſon to be bis own choofer; there
were but little work lett for preaching, it law and compulſion Ihould
grow ſo faſt upon thoſe things which hettoforo were govern'd only
by exhortatiune Salomon informs us that much reading is a wearioes
to the fleſh ;but neither he,nor other inſoir'd author tells us that ſuch ,
or ſuch reading is unlawfuli : yet certainly bad God thought good to
limit us herein , it had bin much more expedient to have told us what
wasunlawfull , then what was wcarifome. As for ebe burning of
thof Epheſian books by St. Pauls converts , cis reply'd cbc books
were magick, the Syriack lo renders chem . It was a privat ac ,a vo
luntary act , and leaves as to a voluntary imitation : the men in re
morſc burat chole books which were their own; theMagifrat by this 1
cxample is not appointed : theſe men practized thebooks, another
migbe perhaps bave read them in ſome fort uſefully . Good and evill 1
we know in the field of this world grow up together almoſt inſepa
rably ; and the knowledge of good is ſo involvd and interwoven
with the knowledge of evil, and in ſo many cuoning reſemblances
hardly to be dulcern'd, that thote confuled ſeeds which were imposid
on Plycle as an inceſſant labour to call out , and fort aluoder, were
not more intermixt. It was from out the rinde of one apple taſted ,
that the koowledge of good and evill as two twips cleaving together
leape forth into the World. And perhaps this is that doom which
Adam fell into ot knowing good and evill, that is to ſay of kaowing
good by evill. As therefore the ſtatc of man now is ; what wiſdome
con thcra be to chooſe , wbat continence to forbeare without the
knowledge of evill ? He that can apprebend and conſider vice with
all ber baits and lecming pleaſures,and yet abſtain, and yet diftipguiſh ,
and yet prefer that which is truly better , he is the true waffaring
Chriſtian.Icannot praiſe a fugitive and cloiſterd vertue unexercisºd &
unbreacb'd , that never fallies outand ſees ber adverſary ,but linksout
1
of the race, where that immortall garland is to be run for , notwith
out duft and beat. Aluredly we bring not innocence into the world ,
we bring impurity much rather : that which purifies us is triall, aod
triallis by what is contrary . That vertac thorcfore which is but a
youngling in the contemplation of evill , and knows not the utmoſt
that
 ( 13 )
that vice promiſes to her followers, and rejects it, is but a blank ver
tue , not a pure ; her whiteneſſe is but an excrementall whiteneſſe ;
Which was the reaſon why our ſage and ſerious Poet Spencer, whom
I dare be known to think a better teacher then Scotus or Aquinas, del
cribing true temperance under the perſon of Guion ,brings him in with
bis palmer through the cave of Mammon , and the bowr of earthly
bliſſe tbat he might ſce and know,and yet abtain.Since therefore the
knowledge and lurvay of vice is in this world lo neceſſary to the con
fticuting of human vertue,and the ſcanning of error to the confirma
tion of truth , how can we more ſafely , and with leite danger ſcout
into the regions of fin and fallity then by reading all manner of tra
Aats,and hearing all inanner of reaſon ? And this is the benefit which
may be had of books promiſcuouſly read . But of the barm that may re
fule hence three kinds are ufually rockn'd. Firſt,is fear'd the intection
that may ſpread ; but then all buman learning and controverſie in re
ligious points muſt remove out of the world ,yea the Bible it ſelfe; for
that oftimes relates blaſphemy not nicely, it deſcribes the carnall ſenſe
of wicked men not unelegantly, it brings in holieft men paſſionately
murmuring againſt providence through all the arguments of Epick
Yus : in other greatdiſputes it anſwers dubiouſly and darkly to the
common reader : And ask a Talmudiſt what ails the modeſty of his
marginall Keri, that Moſes and all tbc Prophets cannot perſwade bim
to pronounce the textuall Chetiv. For theſe caufts we all know the
Bible it ſelfe put by the Papiſt into the firſt rank ofprobibited books.
The ancienteſt Fathers muſt be nextremov'd , as Clement of Alexan .
dria, and that ewjebian book of Evangelick preparation , tranſmitting
our cars through a hoard of heatheniſh obſcenities to receive the Gol
pel. Who finds notthat Irenaus, Epiphanius, ferom ,and others diſcover
more herefies then they well confute , and that oft for berefie which
is the truer opinion. Nor boots it to ſay for theſe , and all the bea
then Writers ofgreateſt infection ,ifit muſt be thought ſo,with whom
is bound up the life of buman learning,that they writ in an unknown
tongue, ſo long as we are lure thoſe languages are known as well to
the worſt of men, who are both moſt able, and inoſt diligent to inſtill
the poiſon they ſuck , firſt into the Courts of Princes , acquainting
them with thechoiſelt delights and criticiſms of fin . As pernaps did
that Petronins whom Nero call’d his Arbiter , the Maſter of his re
vels; and that notorious ribald of Arezen, dreaded , and yet dear to
the Italian Courtiers. I name not him for poſterities Cake , wbom

Harry
 ( 14)
Harry the 8. nam'd in merriment his Vicar of hell . By which com
pendious way all the contagion that forcine books can infuic , will
finde a paſſage to the peoplc tarrc cafier and ſhorterthen an Indian
voyage , though it could be fail'd either by the North of Carnio Eaſt
ward, or of Canada Welt ward, while ourSpaniſh licencing gagsthe
Engliſh Prefíc never ſo ſeverely. But on theother fide thatinfe&tion
which is from books of controverſie in Religion , is more doubtfull
and dangerous to the learned , then to the ignorant; and yet thoſe
books muſt be permitted untoucht by the licencer. It will be hard to
inſtance where any ignorant man hath bin ever ſeduc't by Papiſticall
book in Engliſh , unleſſe it were commended and expounded to him
by ſome of that Clergy : and indeed all lach tractars whether falſe or
true are as the Prophclic of Ifaiab was to the Eunuch,not to be under .
ſtood without a guide. But of our Prieſts and Doctors how many have
bin corrupted by ſtudyingthe comments of Jeſuits and Sorboniftsand
how faſt ebey could transfuſc that corruption into thepeople, our ex
perience is both late and lad. It is not forgot,fince the acute and di
hinct Arminius was perverted meerly by the peruſing of a nameleſic
diſcours writt'n at Delf,which at firſt he took
in band to confute.See
ing therefore that thoſebooks,& thoſe in great abundance which are
likelieſt to taint both life and doctrinc,cannot be ſuppreſt without the
fall of learning, and of all ability in diſputation, and that theſe books
of either ſort are moſt and ſooneft catching to the learned , from
wbom to the common people whatever is hereticall or diffolute may
quickly be convey'd , and that evill manners are as perfectly learnt
without books a thouſand other ways which cannot be ſtopt, ande
vill doctrine not with books can propagate, except a teacherguide,
which he might alſo doc without writing,and ſo beyond prohibitiog,
I am not able to unfold , how this cautelous enterpriſe of licencing
can be exempted from the number of vain and impoſſible attempts.
And be who were pleaſantly diſposid , could not well avoid to lika
it to the exploit ofthat gallant man who thought to pound up the
crows by ſhutting his Parkgate. Beſides another inconvenience , if
Icarned men be the firſt receivers out of books, & diſpredders both of
vice and crror,bow fball the licencers themſelves be confided in ,un
lefſe we can conferr upon them ,or they affume to themſelves above all
others in the Land , the grace of infallibility , and uncorruptcdncffc ?
And again ifit be true, that a wile man like a good rcfiner can gather
gold out of the droffieft volume , and that a fool will be a fool with
tha
 ( 15 )

1 the beſt book, yea or without book,there is no reaſon that we ſhould

deprive a wiſe man of any advantage to his wiſdome, while we ſeck
to reſtrain from a fool, that which being reſtrain’d will be no bin
drance to his folly. Foritthere ſhould be ſo much exactneſſealways
us'd to keep that from him wbich is unfit forhisreading , we ſhould in
the judgemenr of Ariſtotle not only , but of Salomon , and of our Sa
viour, not voutſafe him good precepts, and by conſequence not wil
lingly admit him to good books; as being certain that a wiſe man
will make better ule ofan idle pamphlet ,then a fool will do of ſacred
Scriptare. ' Tis next allegʻd wemuſt not expole our ſelves to tempta
rions without neceſſity, and next to that, not imploy our time in vain
things. To both theſe objections one anſwer will lerve, out of the
grounds already laid,that to all men fuch books are not temptations,
nor vanities ; but uſefull drugs and materialls wherewith to temper
and compoſe effc &tive and ſtrong med'cins, which mans life canno :
want. Thereft ,as children and childiſh men,who have not the art to
qualifie and prepare thele working mineralls, well may be exhorted
to forbear , but hinder'd forcibly they cannot be by all thelicencing
that Sainted Inquiſition could ever yet contrive ; which is what I
promis'd to deliver next, That this order of licencing conduces no
ibing to the end for which it was fram’d ; and hath alınoſt prevented
me by being clear already while thus much hath bin explaining.See
the ingenuity of Truth , who when ſhe gets a free and willing hand,
opensher ſelf fafter, then the pace of method and diſcours can over
take her. It was the task which I began with , To ſnew that no Na
tion , or well inſtituted State, ifthey valu'd books at all , did ever uſe
this way of licencing : and it might be anſwer'd , that this is a piece
ofprudencelately diſcover'd. To which I return , that as it was a
thing ſlight and obvious to think on , ſo if it had bin difficult to finde
out, there wanted not among them long ſince , who ſuggeſted ſuch
2 cours; which they not following,leave us a pattern oftheir judge
ment , that it was not the not knowing , but the not approving ,
which was the cauſe of their not uſing it. Plato, a man of high auto
rity indeed , but leaſt of all for his Commonwealth , in the book of
his laws , which no City cver yet receivd , fed his fancic with me.
king many cdies to bisayrie Burgomaſters, which they who other
wile admire him , wiſh bad bin rather buried and excus'd in the genial
cups ofan Academick night- fitting. By wbicb laws he ſeems to to.
lerat so kind of Icarning , but by unalterable dccrce , con
C fifting
 ( 16 )
iſting moſt of pra& icall traditions , to the attainment whereof a Li
brary of ſmaller balk then his own dialogues would be abundant.And
there allo enacts that no Poet ſhould ſo much as read to any privat
man ,wbat be had write'n , untill the Judges and Law -keepers had leon
it, and allow'd it : But ebat Plato meant cbis Law peculiarly to that
Commonwcalıb wbich be had imagin’d , and to no other, is evident.
Why was he not elle a Law - giver to bimſelf, but a tranſgreſſor, and
to be expell’d by his own Magiſtrats; both for the wanton epigrams
and dialogaes which he made, and his perpetuall reading of Sapbron
Mimxs, and Ariftophanes, books of groffelt infamy, and alſo for com
mending the latter of them though he were the malicious libeller of
his chict friends, to be read by the Tyrant Dionyfius, who had little
need of ſuch traſh to ſpend his time on ? But that he knew this licen
cing of Poems bad reference and dependence to many other provi.
fo's there fet down in his fancied republic,which in this world could
have no place : and ſo neither he himſelf, nor any Magiftrat, or City
ever imitated that cours,which tak’n apart from thoſe other collate
rall injuncions muſt needs be vain and fruitleſle. For if they fell
upon one kind of ſtri& nelle , untefle their care were equall to regu
lat all other things of like aptnes to corruptthe mind ,that ſingle en.
deavour they knew would be but a fond labour ; to ſhut and fortifie
one gate againſt corruption and be neceſitated to leave others round
about wide open . If wethink to regulat Printing ,thereby to redi.
fie manners, we muſt regulatall recreations and paſtimes, all that is
delightfull to man. No muſick muſt be beard, no long be ſet or fung ,
but what is grave and Dorick. There muſt be licencing dancers ,
that no geſture, motion, or deportment be taught our youth but what
by their allowance ſhall be thought honeft; for ſuch Plato was pro
vided of ; It will ask more then the work of twenty licencers to ex
amin alline lutes, the violins, and che ghierarrs in every houſe ; they
muſt not be ſuffer'd to pratile as they doe, but muſt be licenc'd what
they may ſay. And who ſhall filence all the airs and madrigalls ,that
whiſper ſoftnes in chambers ? The Windows alſo ,and the Balcone's
mut be thought on, there are ſhrewd books, with dangerous Fron
tiſpices ſet to fale ; who ſhall prohibit them , thall twenty licen
cers ? The villages alſo muſt have their viſitors to enquire what lo
Atures the bagpipe and the rebbeck reads ev'o to the ballatry ,and the
gammuth of every municipal fidler , for theſe are the Counciymans
Arcadia's and his Monte Mayors. Next, what more Nationall core
ruption , tor which England bears ill abroad,then houſhold gluttony;
wbo
 ( 17)
who ſhall be the rectors of our daily riotings and what Niall be done
to inhibit the multitudes that frequeat thoſe houſes where drunk'nes
is ſold and harbour'd ? Our garments alſo ſhould be referr'd to the li
cencing of ſomemore fober work -maſters to ſee them cat into alelle
wanton garb. Wbo ſhall regulat all the mixt converſa ion of our
youth, mile and female together , asis tbe faſhion of this Country ,
wbo ſhall ſtill appoint what ſhallbe diſcours d,what prelum'd, and no
furder ? Laftly, who fhall forbid and ſeparat all idle reſort, all evill
company ? Theſe things will be, and muſt be; but how they ſhall be
left burtfull, how leſt enticing, herein conſiſts the grave and gover
ning wiſdom of a State. To requefter out of the world into Atlan .
rick and Extopian policies , which never can be drawn into uſe, will
not mend our condition; but to ordain wiſely as in this world of evill,
in the midd'ſt whereof God hath plac'c us unavoidably . Nor is it
Plato's licencing of books will doe this , which neccflarily pulls a
long with it ſo many other kinds of licencing , as will make us all
both ridiculous and weary, and yet frultrat ; but thoſe unwritt'n , or
atleaſt unconſtraining laws of vertuous education , religious and
civiil nurture,which Plato there mentions ,as the bonds and ligaments
of the Commonwealth, the pillars and the ſuſtainers of every write'n
Statute ; theſe they be which will bear chief ſway in such matters as
thcie,when all licencing will be eaſily cluded . Impunity and remiſle
nes , for certain are the bane ofa Commonwealeb, but here the great
art lyes to diſcern in what the law is to bid reſtraint and puniſhment,
and in what things perſwaſion only is to work. It every action
which is good ,or evill in man at ripe years,were to be under pittance,
and preſcription , and compulſion , what were vertue bat a name,
what praiſc could be then due to well.doing, what grammercy to be
Cober, juſt or continent? many there be that complain of divin Pro
vidence for ſuffering Adam to tranſgreſſc , fooliſh tongues ! when
God gave him reaſon , he gave him freedom to choote , for rea
ſon isbut chooſing : he had bin elle a meer artificiall Adam , ſuch an
Adams as he is in the motions. We our ſelves eſteem not oftbat obc
dience, or love, or gift , which is of force : God therefore left him
free, ſetbefore him a provoking object, cver almoſt in his eyes here
in confifted his merit,berein the right of his reward ,the praiſe of his
abftinence. Wherefore did bc creat paſſionswithin us , pleaſures
round about us , but that thele rightly temper'd are the very ingredi
cots of vertus They are not skilfull conſiderers of human things,who
C 2 im

1
 ( 18 )
imagin to remove ſin by removing the matter of fin ; for, beſides that
it is a huge heap increaſing under the very act of diminiſhing,though
lome part of it may for a time be withdrawn from ſome perlons i ,t
cannot from all,in ſuch a univerfall thing as books are; and when this
is done, yet the fin remains entire. Though ye take from a covetous
man all his trealare;he has yet one jewell left, ye cannotbereave him
of his covetouſneſe. Baniſh all objects of luſt,mut up all youth into
the ſevereſt diſcipline that can be exercis'd in any hermitage,ye can
not make them chaſte, that came not tbither lo : luch great care and
wildom is requir’d to the right managing ofthis point . Suppoſe we
could expell ſin by this means; look how much we thus expell of fin ,
ſo much we expell of vertue : for the matter of them both isthe ſame;
remove that, and ye remove them both alike . This juftifies the high
providence of God ,who though he command us temperance,juſtice,
continence,yet powrs out before us ev'n to a profuſenes all deſirable
things and gives us minds that can wander beyond all limit and ſatic
ty.Why ſhould we then affect a rigor contrary to the manner of God
and of nature, by abridging or (canting thoſe means, which books
freely permitted are , both to the triallofvertue , and the exerciſe of
truth .It would be better done to learn that the law muſt needs be fri
volous which goes to reſtrain things , uncertainly and yet equally
working to good , and to evill. And were I the chooſer, a dram of
well -doing Thould be preferr'd before many times as much the for
cible hindrance of evill-doing. For God ſurc eſteems the growth.
and compleating ofone vertuous perſon , more then thereſtraintof
ten vitious. And albeit what ever thing wehear or ſee, ſitting, wal
king , travelling, or converſing may be fitly callid our book, and is of
the ſame effce that writings are, yet grant the thing to be prohibited
were only books, it appears that this order hisberto is far inſufficient
to the end which it intends. Do we not ſee , not once or oftner , but
weekly that continu'd Court- libell againſt the Parlament and City ,
Printed, as the wet ſhecis can witnes, and diſpers'ı among us, for all
that licencing can doe ? yet this is the prime Service a man would
think , wherein this order ſhould give proof of it ſelf. If it were ex :
ccuted , you'l ſay. But certain, if execution be remiſſe or blindfold
now , and in this particular , what will it be hereafter, and in other
books. If then the order Ihall not be vain and fruſtrat, behold a new
labour, Lords and Commons,ye mult repeal and proſcribe all ſcands
dous and unlicenc'c books already printed and divulg’d ; after yo have
drawn
 ( 19 )
drawn them up into a lift , that all may know whichare condemn d ,
and which not; and ordain that no forrcin books be deliver'd out of
cuſtody , till they have bin read over. This office will require the
wholetime of pota few overſeersand thoſe no vulgar men There be
alſo books which are partly uſefull and excellent,partly culpable and
pernicious ;this work will ask as many more officials to make expur
gacions, and expundions,chat tbc Commonwealth of learning be nos
damniíy'd. In fine,when the multitude ofbooksencreaſe upon their
hands, ye muſt be fain to catalogue all thoſe Printers who are found
frequently offending , and forbidd the importation of their whole
fuſpected typography. In a word, that this your order may be exact,
and not deficient,ye muſt reform it perfc &tly according to the model
of Trent and Sevii,which I know ye abborre to doe . Yet though ye
ſhould condiſcend to this, which God forbid, the order ſtill would be
but fruitleffe and defective to that end whereto ye meant it.Ifto pre
vent ſects and ſchilms , who is ſo unread or ſo uncatechis'd in ſtory ,
that hath not heard of many ſees refuſing books as a hindrance, and
preferving their doctrine unmixt for many ages , only by unwritt'n
traditions. The Chriſtian faith , for thatwasonce a ſchiſm , is not
unknown to bave ipread all over Aſia,cre any Goſpel or Epiſtle was
ſeen in writing. If the amendment of manners be aym'd at, look into
Italy and Spain , whether thoſe places be one ſcruple the better , the
honeſter, the wiſer, che ehalter,fince all the inquiſitionall rigor that
hath bin executed upon books.
Another reaſon ,whereby to make it plain that this order will miſſe
the end it leeks , conlider by the quality wbich ought to be in every
licencer. It cannot be dený'd but that hewho is made judge to lic
upon the birth, or death of books whether they may be wafted into
this world, or not, bad need to be a man above the common meaſure ,
both ſtudious, learned , and judicious ; there may be elſe no mean
miſtakes in the cenſure of what is pafiablc or not ; which is alſo no
mean injury. Ifhe be of ſuch worth as behoovs bim , bere cannot be
a more tedious and unpleaſing Journey -work , a greater loſle of time
levied upon his head,then to be made the perpetual reader of uncho
ſen books and pamphlets, ofrimes huge volumes. There is no book
that is acceptable unlefie at certaio ſeaſons ; but to be enjoyn'd the
reading of thatat all.imes, and in a band ſcars legible,whereof three
pages would not down at any time in the faircſt Print, is an impoſi
iion which I cannot beleeve how he that values time , and bis own
C3 ſtudies
 (10)
Audies , or is but ofa ſenſible noftrill Mhould be able to endure. In this
one thing I crave leave of the preſent licencers to be pardon'd for
ſo thinking: who doublede took this office up,locking on it through
ebeir obedience to the Parlament,whoſe command perhaps made all
things ſeem calie and unlaborious to them ; but that this ſhort triall
bath wearied them out already, their own expreſſions and excuſes to
them who make ſo many journeys to ſollicit their licence , arc telti.
mony anough . Seeing therefore thoſe who now poffefſe the imploy
ment, by alievident ſigns with themlelves well ridd of it, and that no
man of worth, nonethat is not a plain untbrift of his own bours is
ever likely to ſucceed them , except be mean to put him'elf to the fa
lary of a Preſſe - corrector, wemay eaſily foreſce what kind of licen
cers we are to expect hereafter, either ignorant,imperious, and re
mille, or balely pecuniary. This is what I had to ſhew wherein this
order cannot conduce to that end , whercof it bears the intention .
I laſtly proceed from the no good it can do, to the manifeſt hure it
cauſes, in being firſt the greateſt diſcouragement and affront,that can
be offer'd to Icarning and tolcuned men . It was the complaint and
lamentation of Prelats,apon every leaſt breath of a motion to remove
pluralities,and diſtribute more equally Church revennu's, that then all
learning would be for ever dalht and diſcouragʻd. But as for that o
pinion , I never found cauſe to think that the tenth part of learning
ſtood or fell with the Clergy : nor could I ever but hold it for a for
did and upworthy ſpeech of any Churcbanan who had a compettucy
left him . If therefore ye be load to dilhearten utterly and diſcon
tent, not the mercenary crew of fallo preteoders to learning, bar the
free and ingenuous ſort of luch as evidently were born to ltudy, and
love lerning for it tell, not for lucre, or any other end,but the ſervice
of God and of cruth, and perhaps that laſting fame and perpetuity of
praiſe which God and good men have conſented ſhall be the reward
of thoſe whoſe publiſhe labours advance the good of mankind , then
know that ſo far to diftruk the judgement & the honeſty of one who
bath but a common repatc in learning , and never yet offended ,as not
to count him fit to print his mind without a tutor and examiner, leſt
he ſhould drop a ſcilm ,or ſomething of corruption ,is the greateſt diſ
pleaſure and indignity to a free and knowing ſpirie that can be put
upon bim . Whai advantage is it to be a man over it is to be a boy ac
School, if we have only ſcape the forular, to come under the teſcu of
39 Imprimatur ? if ſerions and olaborat writings, as if they were no
more
 (21)
more then the theam of a Grammar lad under bis Pedagogue mult
not be utter'd without the curſory eyes of a temporizing and extem
poriziog licencor. He wbo is not tuled with his own actions , bris
drift not being known to be evill, and Atanding to the bazard of law
and penalty , has no great argument to think himſelf reputed in the
Commonwealth wberin he was born ,for other then a fool or a forei
ner. When a man writes to the world, he lummons up all his reaſon
and deliberation to allilt bim ; he learches, medicats, is indultrious ,
and likely conſults and confcrrswith bis judicious friends; after all
which done be takes himſelf to be inform'd in what he writes , as
well as any that writ before bim; it in this the moſt confummat ad of
his fidelity and ripeneſſe, no years, no induſtry , no former proof of
his abilities can bring him to that ſtate of maturity , as not to be fill
mifruſted and ſuſpected , unlelle be carry all his conſiderat diligence,
all his midnight watchings,and expence of Palladian oyl, to the haſty
view of an unleaſur'd licencer, perhaps much his younger, perhaps
far bis inferiour in judgement, perhaps onewho never knew the la
bour of book-writing, and if he be not repullt, or ſlighted , mult ap
pear in Print like a punic with his guardian , and his cenſors hand on
the back of his title to be bis bayi and lurery, tbat he is no idiot,or ſe
ducer , it cannot be but a diſhonor and derogation to the author ,to the
book to thepriviledge and dignity of Learning. And what ifthe au .
thor ſhall be one lo copious of fancie , as to have many things well
worth the adding ,come into his mind after licencing ,while the book
is yet under the Preſſe, which not ſeldom happ'ns to the beſt and dili
genteſt writers ; and that perhaps a dozen times in one book . The
Printer dares not go beyond his licenc't copy; ſo often then muſt the
author trudge to bis leav - giver, that thoſe his new infertions may be
viewd ;and many a jaunt will be made, ere that licencer,for it mult te
the ſame man ,can either be found ,or found at leiſure;mean while ei.
ther the Preffe muſt ſtand ſtill,wbich is no ſmall damage,orthe author
7
looſe his accuratelt thoughts,& fend the book forth wors then he had
made it , wbish to a diligent writer is the greateſt melancholy and
vexation that can befall. And how can a man teach with autority,
which is the life of teaching , bow can be be a Doctor in his book
as be ought to be, or elſe had better be ſilent , whenas all he teaches,
all he delivers , is but under the tuition , under thecorrection of his
patriarchal licencer to blot or alter what preciſely accords not with
ibe bidebound humor which he calls his judgement. When every a
cute
 ( 22 )
cute reader upon the firſt ſight of a pedantick licence , will be ready 0
withthcle like words to ding the book a cojes diſtance from bim , I
hate a pupil teacher , I endure not an inſtructer that comes to me un
der the wardſhip of an overfeeing fift. I know nothing of the licen
cer, but that I have his own hand here for his arrogance ; who ſhall
warrant me bis judgement? The State Sir, replies the Stationer, but
has a quick return, The State ſhall be my governours,butnot my cri.
tickszthey may be miſtak’n in the choice of a licencer,as eaſily as this
licencer may be miſtak’n in an author : This is ſome common ſtuffc;
and be might adde from Sir Francis Bacon , Thatfucbantboriz’dbooks
are but the language of thetimes. For though a licencer ſhould happ'n 1
to be judicious more then ordaary , which will be a great jeopardy 1
of the next luccellion,yet bis very office,and his commiſſion enjoyns
him to let palle nothing but what is vulgarly receiv'd already. Nay,
which is more lamentable,if the work of any deceaſed author,though
never ſo famous in his life time, and even to this day , come to their
hands for licence to be Printed, or Reprinted , ifthere be found in his
book onc ſentence of a ventrous edge , utter'd in the height of zcal,
and who knows whether it might not be the di &tat of a divine Spirit,
yet not luiting with every low decrepit humor of their own,though
it were Knox bimſelf,tbc Reformer of a Kingdom that ſpake it, they
will not pardon him their dah : the lenſe of that great man ſhall co
all poſterity be loft, for the fearfulneſſe, or the preſumptuous raſh
nelie of a perfunctory licencer. And to what an author chis violence
harb bin lately done, and in what book of greateſt conſequence to
be faithfully publiſht, I could now inſtance, but ſhall forbear till a
more convenient ſeaſon . Yet if theſe things be not reſented ſeriouſly
and timely by them who have the remedy in their power , but that
ſuch iron moulds as theſe ſhall have autority to knaw out the choiſeſt
periods of exquiſiteſt books, and to commit ſuch a trcacherous fraud
againſt the orphan remainders of worthieſt men after death ,cbe more
Torrow will belong to that haples race of men , whoſe misfortunc it
is to have underſtanding. Henceforth let no man care to learn , or 1
care to be more then worldly wiſe; for certainly io higher matters to
be ignorant and Rothfull, to be a common ſtedfal dunce will be the .
only plcalant life, and only in requeſt.
And as it is a particular diſeſteem of cvery knowing perſon alive,
and moſt injurious to the write'n labours and monuments of the dead,
lo to me it ſeems an undervalulog and vilifying of the whole Nacios. I
can 1
 (23)
cannot let fo light by all the invention, the art the wit, the grave and
folid jadgement which is in England,as that it can be comprehended
in any twenty capacities bow good foever , much leſſe that it ſhould
not paffe except their ſuperintendence be over it , except it be lifted
and Itrain'd with their trainers, that it ſhould be uncurrant withour
their manuall ſtamp. Truth and underſtanding are not ſuch wares
as to be monopoliz'd and traded in by tickets and ſtatutes , and
ſtandards. We muſt not think to make a ſtaple commodity of allthe
knowledge in the Land , to mark and licence it like our broad cloath,
and our wooil packs. What is it but a ſervitude like that impos'd by
the Philiſtims, not to be allow'd the ſharpning of our own axes and
coulters,butwe muſt repair from all quarters to ewenty licencing for
ges.Had any one write'n and divulg'd erroneous things & ſcandalous
to honek life , miſuſing and forfeiting theeſteem had of his reaſon a
mong men , if after convi &tion this only cenfu :e were adjadg'd him,
that he hould never henceforth write , but what were firſt examin's
by an appointed officer, whoſe band ſhould be annext to palle bis
credit for bim, that now be mightbe ſafely read , it could not be ap
prebended leſſe then a diſgracefull puniſhment. Whence to include
the whole Nation , and thoſe that never yet thus offended , under ſuch
a diffident and ſuſpe & full probibition , may plainly be underſtood
what a diſparagement it is. ' So much the inorc , when as dettors and
delinquents may walk abroad without a keeper , but unoffenſive
booksmuſt not ſtirre torth without a viſible jaylor in thir title . Nor
is it to the common people lefſe then a reproach ; for if we be fo
ſcalous over them , as that we dare not truſt them with an Engliſh
pamphlet , wbat doe we but cenſure them for a giddy , vitious, and
ungrounded people ; in ſuch a ſick and weak eſtate of faith and dis
cretion,as to be able to take nothing down but through the pipe of a
licencer. That this is care or love of them , we cannot pretend ,
whenas in thoſe Popiſh places where the Laity are moſt bated and
diſpis’d the ſame ſtrictnesis us'd over them . Wiſdom we cannot call
it, becauſe it ſtops but one breach of licence, nor that neither ; when
as thole corruptions which it ſeeks to prevent,break in fafter a ocher
dores wbich cannot be ſhut.
And in conclufion it reflects to the difcepate of our Miniſters allo,
of whoſe labours we ſhould hope better , and of the proficiencie
which thir flock rcaps by them , then that after all this light of the
Goſpel which is, and is to be , and all this continuall preaching , chey,
D Tould
 ( 24 )
ihould be ſtill frequented with ſuch an unprincipl'd , uncdify'd, and
laick rabble , as that the whiffc of every new pamphlet ſhould ſtage
ger them out of thir catechiſm and Chriſtian walking. This may have
much reaſon to diſcourage the Miniſters when ſuch a low conceit is
had of all their exhortations , and the benefiting of their hearers , as
that they are not thought fit to be turn’d looſe to three ſheets of paper
without a licencer, that all the Sermons,allthe Lectures preacht,, prin
ted , venced in ſuch numbers, and luch volumes, as bave now well
nigh made all other books unſalable , ſhould not be armor anough a
gainſt one ſingle enchiridion ,withoutthe caſtle St. Angelo of an Impri.
mainr.
And leſt ſoin ſhuuld perſwade ye , Lords and Commons, that theſe
arguments of lerned mens diſcouragemerit at this your order , are
meer Aourifies , and not reall , I could recount what I have ſeen and
heard in other Countries , where this kind of inquiſition tyrannizes ;
when I have ſat among their lerned men , forthathonor I had , and
bio counted happy to be born in ſuch a place of Philoſophic freedom ,
as they ſuppos's England was , while themſelvs did nothing but be
moan the ſervil condition into which lerning amongſt them was
brought ; that this wasitwhich had dampt the glory of Italian wits ;
that nothing bad bin there writt'n now thcle many years but flattery
and fuſtian . There it was that I found and viſited the famous Galileo
grown old , a priſer to the Inquiſition , fortbinking in Aſtronomy
otherwiſe then the Franciſcan and Dominican licencers thought.
And though I knew that England then was groaning loudeſt under
the Prelaticall yoak,nevertheleſſe I took it as a pledgeof future bap
pines , that other Nations were ſo perſwaded of her liberty. Yet was
it beyond my hope that thole Worthies were then breathing in her
air, who ſhould be her leaders to ſuch a deliverance ,as ſhall never be
forgott'n by any revolution of time that this world bach to finiſh .
When that was once begun , it was as iicele in my fear , that what
words of complaint I heard among lerned men of other parts utter'd
againſt the Inquiſition , the lame ſhould bear by as lerned men at
home utterd in time of Parlament againſt an order of licencing ; and
that ſo generally , that when I had diſclos’d my felf a companion or
their diſcontent, I might ſay, if without envy , that he whom an bc
pelt goeftorfoi had indcar'dto the Sicilians , was not more by them
importun'd againſt Verres, then the favourable opinion which I had
among many who honour ye , and are known and refpected by, ye,
loa
 (25 )
loaded me with entreaties and perſwalions; that I would not defpair
to lay together that which juſt reaſon ſhould bring into my mind , 10
ward the retaovalofan andeſerved thraldom upon lerning. That this
is nos therefore the disburdning of a particular fancie , but the com
mon grievance of all thoſe who had prepard their minds and ſtudies
1 above the vulgar pitch to advance truch in others, and from others to
entertain it , thusmuch may ſatisfie . And in their name I ſhall for
neither friend nor foc conceal what the generall murmur is; tbatific
come to inquiſitioning again , and licencing, and that we are ſo rimo
roas of our ſelvs , and to ſuſpiciousofall men, as to fear cach book ,
and the ſhaking ofcvery leaf, beforewe kaow what the contents
are , if fome who but of late were little better then ſilenc't from pres.
ching , ſhall come now to filence us from reading, except what they
pleale , it cannot be gueſt what is intended by ſom but a ſecond ty
ranny over learning : and will ſoon put it out of controverſic that
Biſhops and Presbyters are the ſame to us both name and thing. That
thoſe evills of Prelaty which before from five or ſix and twenty Sees
were diſtributivly charg'd upon the whole people , willnow light
wholly upon Icarning, isnotobſcure to us : whenas now the Paſtor
of a ſmall unlearned Pariſh , on the fudden ſhall be exalted Arch
biſhop over a large dioces of books , and yet not remove, bat keep
his other cure too , a myſticall pluraliſt. He who but of late cry'&
down the role ordination ofevery novice Batchelor of Art , and de
ny'd lole juriſdi&tion over the ſimpleſt Pariſhioner , ſhall now at
home in his privat chair aſſume both theſe over wortbieſt and excel
lenteſt books and ableft authors that write them . This is not, Yee Cov .
1
nants and Proteſtations that we have made , this is not to put down
Prelacy, this is but to chop an Epiſcopacy , this is but to tranſlate the
Palace Metropolitan from one kind of dominion into another, this is
but an old canonicall Night of commuting our penance. To ſtartlc
chus betimes at a meer unlicenc't pamphlet will after a wbile be a
fraid of every conventicle, and a while after will make a conventicle
of every Chriſtian mecting . But I am certain that a State govern'd
by the rules of juſtice and fortitude , or a Church built and founded
upon the rock of faith and true knowledge, cannot be so puſillads
mous. While things are yet pot conſtituted in Religion , that free
dom of writing tould be reſtrain’d by a diſcipline imitated from the
Prelats , and learnt by them from the Inquiſition to fhut us up all a
gain joto the breſt otá licencer , mult nccds give capic of doubt and
D 2 diſcou .
 (25 )
diſcouragement to all learned and religious ren . Who cannot but
diſcern the finenes of this politic drift , and who are the contrivers ;
that while Biſhops were to be baited down , then all Preſſes might be 3
open; it was the peoples birthright and priviledge in time of Parla
ment, it was the breaking forth oflight. Butnow the Biſhops abro
gated and voided outof the Church , as if our Reformation ſougt: no
more , but to make room for others into their Icats under another
name , the Epiſcopall arts begin to bud again , the crule of truth mult
run no more oyle, libertyof Printing muſt be enthrallid again under a
Prelaticall commiſſion of twenty , the privilege of the people nulli.
fy'd , and which is wors, the freedom of learning muſt groan again,
and to her old fetters ; all this the Parlament yet fitting. Although
their own late arguments and defences againſt the Prelats nigbere.
member them that this obſtructing violence meets for the moſt part
with an event utterly oppoſite to the end which it drives at : inſtcad
of ſuppreſſing leas and ſchiſms, it raiſes them and inveſts them with
a reputation : The puniſhing of wits erbaunces their autority , faith the
Vicount St. Albans, and a forbidden writing is tbosgbt to be a certair.
Park of træth that flies up in the faces of them who ſeeke to tread it out.
This order therefore may prove a nurſing mother to ſecs, but I ſhall
eaſily ſhew how it will be a ſtep -dame to Truth : and firſt by dif.
inabling us to the maintenance of what is known already.
Well knowshe who uſes to conſider thatour faith and knowledge
thrives by exerciſe ,as well as our limbs and complexion . Truch is corr.
par'd in Scripture to a ſtreaming fountain ; if her Waters Auw not in a
perpetuall frogreſſion , they lick’ninto a muddy pool of conformity
and tradition . A man may be a heretick in the truth; and if he beleeve
things only becauſe bis Paltor ſayes ſo, or the Aſſembly ſo determios ,
without knowing other reaſon, though his beliefbe true, yet the very
truth he boids , becomes bis hereſie . There is not any burden that
fom would gladlier poſtoff to another , then the charge and care of
their Religion . There be, who knows not that there be of Prote
Itants and profeffors who live and dye in as arrant an implicit faith,
as any lay Papiſt of Loretto . A wealthy man addieted to his pleaſure
and to his profits, finds Religion to be a traffick fo entangld, and of
ſo many piddling accounts ,thatof allmyiteries he cannot skill to keep
2 ftock going upon that trade. What ſhould he doc ? tain be would
bave the name to be religious, fain he would bear up with bis neigh
bours in that. What does be inerefore, but refolvs to give over toy
lios
 ( 27 )
ling, and to find himſelf out ſom factor , to whoſe carc ard credit he
may commit the whole managing of his religious affairs; fom Divine
of note and eſtimation that muſt be. To him be adheres , reſigns the
whole ware -houſe of his religion , wish all the locks and keyes into
bis cuſtody; and indeed makes the very perlon ct that man bis religi
on ; eſteems his aſſociating with bim a lufficient cridence and com
mendatory of his own piety. So that a map may fay bis religion is
gow no more within himſelf , but is becom a dividuali movable , and
goes and comes neer him ,according as that good man frequents the
houſe. He entertains him , gives him gifts , feaſts him , lodges him ;
his religion comes home at night, praies, is liberally lupt,and lumptu
ouſly laid to feep , riles, is faluted, and atter the malmſey , or ſome
well ſpic't bruage, and better breakfalted then he wboſc morning
appetite would have gladly ted on green figs between Bethany and
lerufalem , bis Religion walks abroad at cight, and leavs his kind en
tertainer in the ſhop trading all day without his religion .
Another Cort there be who when they hear that all things ſhall be
urder'd , all things regulated and feel'd ; nothing write'n but what
paſſes through the cuſtom - houſe of certain Publicans that have the
tunaging and the poundaging of allfrce ſpok’n truth , will ſtrait give
themſelvs up into your hands,mak’em ,& cut'em out what religion ye
pleaſe; there be delights, there be recreations and jolly paſtimes that
will ferch the day about from fun to fun , and rock the tedious year as
in a delightfull dream . What need they tortare their beads with that
which others have takºn lo ſtrictly , and lo unalterably into their own
pourveying. Theſe are the fruits which a dull eate and coffation of
our knowledge will bring forth among the people. How goodly ,
and how to be wilhe were ſuch an obcdicnt unanimity as this,
what a fine conformity would it ſtarch us all into ? doubtles a ſtanch
and ſolid pecce of frame-work , as ady January could freeze toge
ther.

Nor much better will be the confeqaence ev'n among the Clergy
themſelvs; it is no new thing never heard of before, for a parocbiale
Miniſter, who has his reward , and is at bis Hercules pillars in a warm
benefice, to becaſily inclinable, if he have nothing elſe that may
rouſe uphi
s ſtudies , to fioiſha bis circuit in an Engliſh concordance
and a topic folio , the gatherings and ſavings of a lober graduatſhip,
aHarmany and a Catena,treading the conſtantround of certain com
mon doctrinall heads , attended with their uſes, motives, marks and
D 3 mcans ,
 ( 28)
means, out of which as out of an alphabet or fol fa by forming and
transforming , joyning and diſ-joyning variouſly a little book-craft,
and two hours meditation might turniſh bim unſpeakably to the per
formance of more then a weekly charge of ſermoning: not to reck'n
up the infinit helps of interlincaries , breviaries, Synopſes, and other
loitering gear. But as for the multitude of Sermons ready printed
and pildup, on every text that is not difficult , our London trading
St. T hom as in his veftry, and adde to boot St. Martin , and St. Hughin
have not within their ballow'd limits more vendible ware of all foris
ready made : ſo that penury be never need fear of Pulpit proviſion,
having where ſo plenteouſly to refreſh bismagazin. But if his rear
and Aanks be not impal’d , if bis back dore benot ſecur’d by the rigid
licencer,but that a bold book may now and then iſſue forth, and give
the aſſault to lome of his old collections in their trenches, it will con
cern bim then to keep waking,to ſtand in watch, to ſet good guards
and ſentinells about his receiv'd opinions , to walk the round and
counter -round with his fellow inſpectors,tearing left any of his flock
be ſeduc't, who alſo then would be better inſtructed , better exercis'd
and diſciplin'd . And God ſend that the fear of this diligence which
muſt then be us d , doe not make us affect the lazines of a licencing
Church ,
For if webe fure we are in the right, and doe not hold the truth
guiltily, which becomes not, if we our ſelves condemn not our own
weak and frivolous teaching, and the people for an untaught and ir
religious gadding rout, what can be more fair, then when a man ju
dicious, learned , and of a conſcience, for ought we know , as good as
theirs that taught us what we know , ſhall not privily from bouſe to
houſe, which is more dangerous , but openly by writing publiſh to
the world what his opinion is, what bis reaſons, and wherefore that
which is now thoughtcannotbe found . Chriſt urgʻd it as wbere .
with co juſtifie bimlelf , that he preacht in publick ; yet writiog is
more publick then preaching ; and more calic to refutation , if need
be , there being ſomany whoſe buſineſſe and profeſſion meerly it is ,
to be the champions of Truth ; which ifthey negleAt , what can be
imputed bat their Noth, or anability ?
Thus much we are hinder'd and diſ- inur'd by this cours of licen
cing toward the truc knowledge of what we ſeem to know . For
now much it hurts and binders the licencers themſelves in the calling
of their Miniſtery, more than any fecular employment, if they will
dife
 ( 19)
diſcharge that office as they ought, ſo that of neceflity they malt
neglect either the one duty or the other, I iollt not , becauſe it is a
particular,but leave it to their own conſcience , how they will decide
It tbere .
There is yet behind of what I purpos’d to lay open, the incredible
lofſe, and deeriment that this plot oflicencing puts us to morethen if
fon enemy at ſea ſhould ſtop up all our hav'ns and ports, and creeks,
it binders and retards the importation of our richeſt Marchandize,
Truth : nay it was firſt eſtablicht and put in practice by Antichriſtian
malice and myſtery on ſet purpoſe to extinguiſh , if it were poffible,
the light of Rcformation, and to letele falood ; little differing from
that policie wherewith the Turk upholds his Alcoran , by the probi
bition of Printing. ' Tis not denyºd , but gladly confeft, we are to
ſend our thanks and vows to heav'n , louder eben moſt of Nations,for
that grcat meaſure of truth which we cojoy, eſpecially in thoſe main
points between us and ıhe Pope , with bis appertiocnces the Pre
lats : but he who thinks we are to pitch our tent here , and have at
tain’d the utmoſt proſpect of reformation , that the mortall glaſe
wherein we contemplate ,can ſhew us,till we come to bearific viſion,
sbat man by this very opinion declares, that he is yet farre ſhort of
Truth .
Truth indeed came once into the world with her divine Malier ,and
was a perfc & ſhape moft glorious to look on : but when he alcen
ded , and his Apoſtles after bim were laid alleep , then trait aroſe a
wicked racc of deceivers , who as that ſtory goes of the Ægyptian
Typhon with his conſpirators , how they dealtwith the good Oforis,
took the virgin Truth, hewd ber lovely form into a thouſand peeces,
and ſcatter'd them to the four winds. From that time ever ſince the fad
friends of Truth , ſuch as durſt appear , imitating the carefull fearch
that Ifus made for the manglºd body of Osris , went up and down ga
thering op limb by limb ftill as they could find them . We have not
yet found them aú, Lords and Commons, nor ever ſhall doe , till her
Maſters ſecond comming ; he ſhall bring together every j: yot and
tember , and ſhall mould them into an immortall feature of lovelines
and perfection. Suffer not theſe licencing prohibitions to ſtand ate.
very place of opportunity forbidding and diſturbing them that con
iinue ſeeking , that continue to do our obſequies to the tornbody of
ourmartyr'd Saint. We boaſt our light; but ifwelook not wiſely on
? he Sun ie ſelf ,it ſmites us into darknes. Who can diſcern thoſe
pla
 ( 30 )
planets that are oft Combuft , and thoſe Itars of brighteſt magnitude
ibat rile and ſet with the Sun ,until the oppoſite motion of their orbs
bring them to ſuch a place in the firmament, where they may be ſeen
evning or morning. The light which we have gain'd , was given us,
not to be ever (taring on , but by it to diſcover onward things more
remote from our knowledge. It is not the unfrocking of a Prieſt,the
unmitring of a Biſhop,and the removing him from off the Presbyteri
an ſhoulders that will make us a happy Nation, no, if other tbings as
great in the Church , and in the rule oflife both economicall and po
liticall be not lookt into and reform'd , we bave looke ſo long upon
the blaze that Zuinglins and Calvin bath beacon'd up to us, that we
are ſtark blind . There be who perpetually complain of ſchiſms and
[ces, and make it lach a calamity tbat any man diſſents from their
maxims. ' Tis their own pride and ignorance which cauſes the
diſturbing, who neither will hear with mceknes , nor can convince ,
yet all must be luppreſt which is not found in their Syntagma. They
are the troublers, they are thedividersof unity ,whoneglcét and per
mit not others to unite thoſe diffever'd peeces which are yet wanting
to thebody of Truth. To be ſtill ſearching what we know not , by
wbat we know , ſtill cloſing up truth to truth as we find it (for all her
body is homogeneal, and proportionall) this is the golden rule in Theo
logy as well as in Arithmetick , and makes up the beſt harmony in a
Church; not the forc't and outward union of cold, and peatrall, and
inwardly divided minds.
Lords and Commons of England ,confider what Nation it is wherof
ye are andwherof ye are the governours : a Nacion not flow and dull,
but of a quick, ingenious, and piercing ſpirit, acute to invest, ſutele
and Ginewy to diſcours,not bencath the reach of any point the higheſt
that buman capacity cao ſoar to. Therefore the ſtudies of learning
in ber deepeſt Sciences have bin ſo ancient , and ſo eminent among
us, that Writers of good antiquity , and ableſt judgement bave bin
perſwaded thatev'n the ſchool of Pytbagoras , and the Perſian wiſ
dom took beginning from the old Philoſophy of this Iland. And
that wiſe and civil Roman, fulius Agricola, who govern’d once
here for Cafar , preferr'd the naturall wics of Britain , before the la
bour'd ſtudies of the French . Nor is it for nothing that the grave
and frugal Tranſilvanian ſends out yearly from as farre as the mounta
nous borders of Ruffin,and beyond the Hercynian wildernes, not their
youth, but their ſtay'd men , to learn our language , and our sheologic
arts .

1
1
1

1
1
1
 (31 )
arts.Yet that which is above all this,thefavourand the love ofbea
Vo wc bave great argument to think in a peculiar manner propici
olis and propending towards us. Wby clic was this Nation chos'n
before any other, that out of her as out of Sion ſhould be proclaod
and founded forth the firſt tidings and trumpet of Reformation to
all Ewrop. And had it not bin the obſtinat perverſnes of our Prelats a
gainſt the divine and admirable ſpirit ofwicklef ,to fappreffe him as
a fcbiſmatic and innovator, perhaps neither the Bohemian Huſe aod
Jerom ,no nor the name of Lnther ,or of Calvin had bin ever known :
ibe glory of reforming all our neighbours had bin compleatly ours.
But now , as our obdurat Clergy have with violence demean'd the
matter , weare become bitberto the latelt and the backwardelt
Schollers,of whom God offer'd to have made us the teachers .Now
once agaiul by all concurrence of ſigns, and by the generall inſtinct
of holy and devout men , as they daily and folemnly expreſſe their
thoughts, God is decreeing to begin ſome new and greatperiod in
his Church , ev’n to the retorming of Reformation it ſelf : what
does be cben but reveal Himſelt to his ſervants , and as his manner is,
firſt to bis Engliſh -men ; I ſay as his manner is, firſt to us, though
we'mark not the method of his counſels , and are unworthy. Be
bold now this valt City; a City of refuge , the manſion houſe of li
berty , encompaſt and larroanded with hisprotection ; the ſhop of
Warre bath not there more anvils and bammers waking, to falhion
out the plates and inſtruments of armed Jultice in defence of belea
gucr'd Truth , then there be pens and heads there , fitting by their
Kudious lamps ,muſing,ſearcbing, revolving ocw notions and idea's
wberewitb io preſent, as with their homageand their fealty the
approaching Reformation: others as faſt reading, trying all ebings,
aflenting to the force ofreaſon and convincement. What could a
man require more from a Nation ſo pliant and to prone to ſeek after
knowledge. What wants there to fuch a towardly and pregnant
wife and faithfull labourers, to make a knowing people,
foile , but
a Nacion of Prophers , of Sages , and of Warthies . We recka
more then five months yet to barveft;therc oecd not be five wceks,
bad webut cyes to lift up , the fieldsare white already. Where
there is much defire to learn , there of DeceMty willbemuch argu
ing, mict writing , many opinions ; for opinion in good man is
but knowledge in the making. Under theſe fantaſtic terrors of
E
 (32)
fc &t and ſchiſm ,wewrong the carneſt and zealous thirft afrer know
ledge and underſtanding which God bath fire'd up in this Ciry.
1
What ſome lament of, wc rather ſhould rejoyce at, fhould rather
praiſe this piousforwardnes among men , to reaſſume the ill depu
eed care of their Religion into their own bands again. A little ge
nerous prudence, a little forbearance of one another, and ſom grain
of charity might win all theſe diligences to joyn , and upite into
one generall and brotherly ſearch after Truth ; could we but forgoe
This Prelaticall tradition of crowding free conſciences and Chri
ftian liberties into canons and precepts of men. I doubt not , if
ſome great and worthy ſtranger ſhould come among us, wiſe to dilo
cern the mould and temper ofa people, and how to govern it, ob
ſerving the Ligh hopes and aims, the diligent alacrity ofour exten
ded thoughts and reaſonings in the purſuance of truth and free
dom , but that he would cry out as Pirrhus did, admiring the Roman
docility and courage, if ſuch were my Epirots , I would not deſpair
the greateſt deſign that could be attempted to make a Church
or Kingdom happy. Yet theſe are the men cry'd out againſt for
[ cbiſmaticks and fe &taries ; as if, while the Temple of the Lord was
building, ſome cutting, fome quaring the marble, others hewing
the cedars, there ſhould be a ſort of irrationall men who could not
conſider there muſt be many ſchiſms and many diffections made in
the quarry and in the timber , ere the houſe of God can be built .
And when every ſtone is laid artfully together, it cannot be united
into a continuity , it can but be contiguous in this world ; neither
can every pecceof the building be of one form ; nay rather the per
fe &tion conſiſts in chis, that out of many moderat varieties and bro
sherly diffimilitudes that are not vaſtly diſproportionall arifes the
goodly and the gracefull ſymmetry that commends the whole pile
and ftru & ure. Let us therefore be more conſiderat builders, mare
wiſc in Spirituall archite & ure, when great reformation is expected .
For now the time ſeems come , wherein Moſes the great Propbet
may fit in heav’n rejoycing to ſee that memorable and gloriouswith
of his fulfill'd , when not only our ſer’nty Elders, but all the Lords
people are become Prophets. No marvell then thougb fomic men ,
and lome good men too perhaps,but young io goodocfie ,aszalona
then was, envy them . They fret, and out of their owoweaknes
are in agony , left theſe diviſions and ſubdiviſions will andoe us .
The 1
 (33)
The adverſaric again applauis , and waits the hour , when they
have branche themſelves out,laich be,ſmall anoughinto parties and
partitions, then will be our time . Fool ! be ſees not the firm root ,
out ofwbich we all grow , though into branches : nor will be ware
untill be ſee our ſmall divided maniples cutting through at every
angle of his ill united and unweildy brigade . And that we are to
hope better of all theſe ſuppoſed lects and ſchilms, and that we
Thall not need that ſolicitud: honeft perhaps though over timorous
of them tbat vex in this behalf, but thalllaugh in the end , at thoſe
malicious applauders of our differences , I bave theſe reaſons to
perſwade me.
Firſt, when a City ſhall be as it were beſiegʻd and blocke about ,
her navigable river infeſted, inrodes and inccrtions round, defiance
and batcell oft rumor'd to be marching up ev'n to her walls , and
ſubarb trenches , that then the people , or thegreater part, more
then at other times, wholly tak'o up with the ſtudy of bigbeſt and
moſt important matters to be reform'd, ſhould be diſputing, reaſo
ning, reading, inventing, diſcourſing, ev’n to a rarity, and admira
tion, things notbefore diſcourſt or write’n of, argues firſt a ſinga
lar good will contentednefſ and confidence in your prudent fore
fight, and ſafe government, Lords and Commons; and from thence
derives it felt to a gallant bravery and well grounded contempt of
their enemies , as if there were no ſmall number ofasgreat ſpirits
among.wo,as his was,who when Rome was nigh beſieg’d by Hari
bal, being in the City , bought that peece of ground at no cheap
rate, wbereon Hanibal himſelf encamptbis own regiment. Next
it is a lively and cherfull prclage of our bappy ſucceße and victo
ry . For as in a body, when the blood is freſh , the ſpirits pure and
vigorous , not only to vital, but to rationall faculties , and thoſe in
the acateſt, and the perteſt operations ofwit and lurtlety ,it argues
in what good plight and conſtitution the body is , ſo when the
cherfulnefic of the people is ſo sprightly up, as that it has not only
wherewith to guard well its own treedom and ſafety, but to { pare,
and to beſtow upon the ſolideſt and ſublimeſt points of controver
fie, and new invention, it becokºos as not degenerated, nor droo
piog to a fatall decay , but caſting off the old and wrineld skin of
corruption to outlive theſe pangs and wax young again , entring
the glorious waies of Truth and proſperousvertuc deftiod to be
E 2 come
coke great and honourable in theſe latter ages. Methinks I ſce in
my mind a noble and puiſſant Nation rouſing berſelf like a ſtrong
man after ſleep , and ſhaking her invincible locks : Methinks I lec
her as an Eagle muing her mighty youth, and kindling ber undaz [ d
eyes at the full midday beam ; purgingand unſcaling her long abu
led light at the fountain it ſelf of heav’nly radiance; while che
whole noiſe of timorous and flocking birds, with thoſc alſo tbat
love the cwilight, futter about, amaz’d atwbatſhe means , and in
their envious gabble would prognoſticat a year of ſects and ſchilms.
Wbat (hould ye doe then , ſhould ye ſuppreſſe all this flowry
crop of knowledge and new light ſprung up and yet ſpringing
daily in this City , Tould ye ſer an Oligarchy of twenty ingroſiers
over it , to bring a famid upon our minds again . when we ſhall
know nothing but what is meaſur’d to us by ibeir buſhel ? Beleeve
it, Lord and Commons,they who counſell ye to fuch a luppreſſing ,
doe as good as bid ye ſuppreſſe your ſelves ; and I willſoon ſhow
how . If it be delir'd to know the immediat cauſe of all this free
writing and free ſpcaking , there cannot be allign'd a truer then
your own mild, and free, and human government; it is the liberty,
Lords and Commons, which your own valorous and happy coun.
ſels bave purchaſtus , liberty whicb is the nurſe of all great wils ;
this is that which hath rarity'd and enlightn'd our ſpirus like the
influence ofbeav'n ; this is that which hatbentranchis'd , enlarg'd
and lifted up our apprehenſions degrees above themſelves. Ye
cannot make us now leſſe capable,leneknowing,lefſe eagarly pur
kuing of the truth , unleſſe ye firſt make your felves , that made us
fo, lefſe che lovers , leſle she founders of our true liberty . Wecan
grow ignorant again, brutiſh, formall, and Daviſh , as ye found us;
but you then muſt firſt become that which ye cannot be,oppreſſive,
arbitrary , and tyrannous, as they were from whom ye bave free'd
us . That our bearts are now more capacious , our thoughes more
crected to the ſearch and expectation of greateſt and exa & ef
things, is the iſſue of your ownc vertu propagated in us, ye cannot
fupprefle that uolelle ye reinforce an abrogated and mercileſſe law ,
that fatbers niay diſpatch at will their own children , And who
fhall thea ſtick cloſelt to ye,and excitc others ? not be who takes up
armes for corc and conduct, and his tour nobles of Dancgcl . Al
iboogbI diſpraile not the defence of juſt immunities , yet love my
peace
 (35 )

peace better, if thatwere all . Give mo tbe liberty to know , to

nutter, and to argue freely according to conſcience ", above all li
berties.
Wbat would be beſt advis'd then, if it be found fo burtfull and ſo
unequall to luppreſſe opinions for the newnes, or the unfutablenes
to a cuſtomary acceptance ,willnot be my task to ſay ; I only ſhall
repeat what I have learnt from one of your own honourable num
ber, a right noble and pious Lord, who had be not ſacrific'd his life
and fortunes to the Church and Commonwealth , we had not now
milt and bewayld a wortby and undoubted patron of this argu
ment. Ye know him I am ſure ; yet I for bonours ſake , and may it
be eternall to bim , l'all name him , the Lord Brook . He writing of
Epiſcopacy, and by the way treating of ſe & s and ſchiſms, lefe Ye
his vote, or rather now tbc laſt words of his dying charge , which
I know will ever be of dear and honour'd regard with Ye, lo full
of meeknes and breathing charity , that next to his laſt teſtament,
who bequeath'd love and peace to his Diſciples , I cannot call to
mind where I have read or heard words more mild and peacefull.
us to hear with patience and humility thoſe ,how
He there exhorts
ever they be miſcall’d , that deſire to live purely , in ſuch a uſe
of Gods Ordinances, as the beſt guidance of their conſcience gives
them , and to tolerat them , though in ſome diſconformity to our
ſelves. The book it felt will tell as more at large being publiſht to
the world ,and dedicated to the Parlament by bim who boch for his
life and for his death deferves, that what advice be left be not laid
by without perulall.
And now the time in ſpeciall is,by priviledge to write and ſpeak
what may belp to the furder diſcuſſiog of matters in agitation .The
Temple of Janus with his two controverſal faces might now not
unſignificantly be ſet open. And thoughall the windes of doctrin
were let loole to play upon the earth,10 Truth be in the field ,we do
injuriouſly by licencing and probibiting to miſdoubt ber ftrength.
Let her andFallhood grapple ; who ever knew Truth put to the
wors , in a free and open encounter . Her confuting is the beſt
and ſurelt ſuppreſſiog. He who bears what praying there is for
light and clearer knowledge to be ſent down amongus ,would
think of othermatters tobe conſtituted beyond thediſcipline of
Gements fram'd and fabric't already to our hands. Yet wben ebe
E 3 Dew
 ( 36 )
new light which we beg for ſhines in apon as, there be wbo envy ,
and oppole, it it come not firſt in at their caſements. What a col
loſion is this, whenas we are exborced by the wiſe man to uſe dili. 1
gence, to ſeek forwiſdom asfor biddin treaſures early and late, that a
1
nother order ſhall enjoyn us to know nothing but by ſtatute.
When a man bath bin labouring the hardeſt labour in the deep
mines ofknowledge ,bath furniſht out his findings in all their equi
page, drawn forth bis reaſons as it were a baccell raung’d ,ſcatter'd
1
and defeated all objections in his way, calls out his adverſary into
the plain, offers him the advantage of wind and fun , if he pleaſc;
only that he may try the matter by dint of argument, for his oppo.
nents then to Iculk , to lay ambuſhments , to keep a narrow bridge
of licencing where the challenger Tould paffe , though it be
valour anough in ſhouldierſhip , is but weaknes and cowardiſe in
the wars ofTruth . For who knows not that Truth is ſtrong next
to the Almighty ; the needs no policies,nor ſtratagems, nor licen
cings to make her victorious, thoſe are the ſhifts and the defences
that error ales againſt her power :give her but room, & do not bund
her when ſhe ſleeps,for then ſhe ſpeaks not true, as the old Proteus
did, who ſpake oracles only when he was caught & bound ,butthen
rather ſheturns berſelf into all ſhapes , except her own, and per
baps tunes ber voice according to the time, as Micaiah did before
Abab, untill ſhe be adjur'd into her own likenes. Yet is it not im
poſſible that ſhe may have more ſhapes then one. What elſe is all
chat rank of things indifferent , wherein Truth may be on this ſide,
or on the other , without being unlike her felf. What but a vain
Laadow else is the abolition of thoſe ordinances, abas band writing
Marylad to the crolfe , what great purchaſe is this Chriſtian liberty
which Paul ſo often boalts of. His doctrine is, that he who cats or
eats not, regards a day , or regards itnot , may doe either to the
Lord. How many otherthingsmight be tolerated in peace,and left
to conſcieace, had wc but cbarity , and were it not che chiefſtrong
hold of our hypocrific to be ever judging one another . I fear yet 1
this icon yokeof outwardconformity bath left a laviſh print upon 1
our necks; the ghoſt ofa linnen decency yec haunes us. We ſtum
ble and are impatient at the leaſt dividing of one vilible congrega .
tion from anotber, though it be not in fundamentalls; and througb
our forwardaes to fuppreffe, and our backwardnes to recover any
eg
 ( 37)
enthrall d pecce of truth out of the gripe of cuſtom , we care not to
keep truth ſeparated from trutb , which is the fierceſt rent and dif
union of all Wedoe not ſee that while we ftill affect by all means
a rigid externall formality, we may as ſoon fall agaia into a grofic
contarmiog ſtupidity, aſtark and dead congealment of wood and bay
and fubble forc't and frozen together, which is more to the ſudden
degenerating of a Church theo many ſubdichet omies ofpetty ſchiſms.
Not that I can think well of every light ſeparation , or ebar ali io a
Church is to be expeded gold and ſilver and preciousſtones: it is not
poſſible for man to lever the wheat from the tares, the good fiſh
from the other frie ; thatmuſt be the Angels Miniſtery at the end
of moriall chings. Yet it all cannot be ofone mind , as wholooks
they ſhould be this doubtles is more whollome, more prudent,eod
more Chriſtian that many be tolerated , rather then all compelld.
I mean not tolerated Popery , and open fuperftition , which as it
extirpats all religions and civill ſupremacies, ſo it ſelf ſhould be ex
tirpai, provided firſt that all charitable and compaſſionat means be
us'd to win and regain the weak and the miſled : that alſo which is
impious or evil abſolutely either againAt faith or maners no law can
poſſibly permit,tbat intends not to unlaw ie ſelf:but those neighbo
ring differences, or rather indifferences are what I ſpeak of, wbe
ther in ſome point of doctrine or of diſcipline, which though they
may be many, yet need not interrupt the unity of Spirit, if wecould
but find among us the bond of peace. In the mean while if any one
would write, and bring his helpfull hand to the now -moving Re
formation which we labour under, if Truth have ſpok’a to bim be
fore others,or buc teemºd at leaſt to speak ,who hath fo bejeluited us
that we ſhould trouble that man with asking licence to doe ſo
wortby a deed ? and not conlider this,that if itcome to prohibiting,
there is not ought more likely to be prohibited then truth it felt ;
whofe firſt appearance to our eyes bleard and dimm'd with prejo
1
dice and cuſtom , is moreunſighely and unplauſible then many er
rors, ev'o as the perſon is ofmany a great mao Night and contemp
cible to lec to. And what doc they tell us vainly of new opinions,
whcn this very opinion of theirs , that none muſt be beard , but
whom they like, is theworſt and neweſt opinion of all others; and
is the chief cauſewhy Sects and ſchiſms doe ſo much abound , and
suc kaowledge is kept at diſtance from us ; beſides get a greater
danger
 ( 38)
danger which is in it. For when God ſhakes a Kingdome with
ſtrong and healthfull commotionsto a generall reformiog, ' tis not
antruc that many ſectaries and falſe teachers are then buſieſt in ſe .
ducing ;but yet more true it is,that God then raiſes to his own work
men ofrare abilities , and more then common induſtry not only to
look back and reviſc wbat bath bin taught heretofore , but to gain
furder and goe on , ſome new enligbın'd lieps in thediſcovery of
tratb . For ſuch is the order of Gods enlightning bis Church,to dif
penſe and deal out by degrees his bcam, ſo as our eartbly eyes may
beſt ſuſtain it. Neither isGod appointed and confin’d, where and
out of whatplace theſe bis choſen ſhall be firſt heard to ſpeak ; for
be ſees not as man ſecs, chooſes not as man chooſes, leſt we ſhould
1
devote our ſelves again to ſet places, and allemblies, and outward
callings of men ;planting our faith one while in the old Convocati
on bouſc,and another while in the Chappell ac Weſtminſter;when
all the faith and religion that ſhall be there canoniz'd , is not ſuffi
cot without plain convincement, and the charity of patient inftru.
&tion to ſupple the leaſt bruiſof conſcience , to cdifethe meaneſt
Chriſtian , who deſires to walk in the Spirit, and not in the letter
of human truſt,for all the number of voices that can be there made;
no though Harry the 7. himſelfthere,with all bis leigetombs about
bim , ſhould lend them voices from the dead , toſwell their number,
And ifthe men be erroncous who appear to be the leading ichiſ
maticks, what witholds us but our Moth, our ſelf-will, and diſtruſt
in the right cauſe, that we doc not give them gentle meetings and
gentle diſmillions , that we debate not and examio the matter
throughly with liberall aud frequent audiencc ;if not for their ſakes,
yet for our own ſeeing no man wbo hath taſted learning , but
will conteffe the many waics of profiting by thoſe who not con
tented with Atalc receits are able to manage, and ſet forth ocw po
Gitions to the world . And were they but as the dul and cinders of
our feet , ſo long as in that notion they may yetlerve to poliſh and
brighten the armoury ofTruth , ev'n for thatreſpect they were not
utterly to be caſt away . But if they be of thoſe whom God hath
fitted for the ſpeciall aſc of theſe times with eminent and ample
gifts, and thoſe perhaps neither amongthe Prieſts, noramongibe
Phariſees, and we in the baſt of a precipitapt zealtball malec no
diſtinction , but reſolve to ſtop their mouths, becauſe we fear they
come
 ( 39 )
come with new and dangerous opinions a , s we commonly forei
judge them ere we underſtand them , no leſſe chea woc to us,while
ebinking thus to defend the Goſpel, we are found the perſecutors.
There bave bin not a few fince the beginning ofthis Parlament,
both of the Presbytery and others who by their anlicen't books to
ebe contempt of an imprimatur firſt broke that triple ice clung a
bout our bcarts , and taughtthe people to ſee day : I hope that
Donc ofthoſe were the perſwaders to renew upon as this bondage
which they themlelves have wrought ſo much good by contem
ning. But if neither the check that Moſes gave to young fofona ,
nor the countermand which our Saviour gave to young pöbn , who
was ſo ready to probibit thoſe whom he thought unlicenc't, be not
anough to admoniſh our Elders how unacceptable to God their
teſty mood of prohibiting is , it neither their own remembrance
wbat svill bath abounded in the Church by this lett of licencing,
and what good they themſelves have begun by tranlgrelingit be ,
not anough, butthat they will perſwade and
, execute the moſt Doo
minican part of the Inquiſition over us , and are already with one
foot in the ſtirrup fo active at fuppreſſing , it would be no uoequall
diſtribution in the firſt place to fupprefle theſuppreſſors themſelves;
whom the change of their condition bath pufe up , more then their
late experience of harder times hath madewiſe .
And as for regulating the Preffe , let no man thinkto have the
bonour of adviſing ye better then your ſelves have done in ebat
Order publiſht next before this, that no book bc Printed, unleſe
ibe Printers and the Authors name , or at leaſt the Printers be regi
Aer’d. Thoſe which otherwiſe come forth , if they be found mil
chievous and libellous , the fire and the executioner will be the
timelieſt and the moſt effe & ual remedy, that mans prevention can
uſe. For this awebeutic Spaniſh policy oflicencing books,ifI have
faid ought , will prove the moſt unlicenc't book it ſelf within a
ſhort while ; and was the immediat image of a Star- chamber
decree to that purpoſe made in thole very times when that Court
did the reſt of thoſe ber pious works , for which ſhe is now fall'a
from the Starres with Lucifer, Whereby ye may gueſſe what kiode
ofState prudence,wbat love of the people,what careof Religion ,
or goodmanners there was at the contriving, although with ſingu
lar
hypocrific it pretended to bind books to their good behaviour.
F And
 And how it got theupper hand of your precedent Order so well
conltitated beforc, if wemay beleeve thoſe men whole protefion
gives them cauſe to enquirc moſt, it may be doubted there was in it
che fraud of ſome old patenters and monopolizers in the trade of
book- felling ; who aoder pretence of the poor in their Company
not to be defrauded , and the juſt retaining ofeach man his ſeveral
copy , which God forbid (hould be gainſaid, brought divers gloſing
colours to the Houſe, which were indeed but colours, and lerving
to no end except it be to exerciſe a ſuperiority over their neigh
bours, men whodoe not therefore labour in an honeſt profeſſion to
which learning is indetted , that they ſhould be made other mens
vafalls. Another end is thought was aym'd at by ſome of them in
procuring by petition thisOrder,that having power in their hand ,
malignant books might thc cafier ſcape abroad,asthe event thews.
But of theſe Sophiſms and Elenchs of marchandize I skill not : This
I know , that errors in a good government and in a bad are cqually
almoſt incident; for what Magiftratc may not be miſ- inform'd ,and
much the fooncr, if liberty of Printing beredac't into the power of
a few ; but to redreſſe willingly and ſpeedily whathath bin err'd,
and in higheſt autority to eftcem a plain advertiſement more then
others bave done a ſumptuous bribc, is a vercuc( honour'd Lords and
Commons ) anſwerable to Your higheſt actions, and whereof none
cao participat but greateſt and wildlt men .

The End.
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