A15061:13
An answer to a certain book, writtenAn answere to a certeine booke, written
An answer to a certain book, written by Master William Rainolds student of divinity in the English college at Rhemes, and entitled, A refutation of sundry reprehensions, cavils, etc. by William Whitaker ...An answere to a certeine booke, written by Maister William Rainolds student of diuinitie in the English colledge at Rhemes, and entituled, A refutation of sundrie reprehensions, cauils, etc. by William Whitaker ...
Printed at London : For Thomas Chard, 1585
Preface: AN ANSWER TO MASTER RAINOLDS PREFACE.Preface: AN ANSVVER TO MASTER RAINOLDS PREFACE.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
AN ANSWER TO MASTER RAINOLDS PREFACE.
AN ANSVVER TO MASTER RAINOLDS PREFACE.
Whether Master Rainolds were appointed by his governors to make this answer,1 as he saith, or else of his own accord took the matter in hand without commission of any superior authority, I take it to be a thing of small regard, both in respect of himself, and of his work, and also of those his superiors, to whose direction he professeth to have committed himself, and all the gifts he hath. Only this thing I cannot believe., although it be no more material, then the other, that he was so loth to take upon him this business, as he pretendeth. For if we consider not only the manner of his writing, wherein appeareth as great malice against the trueth of God, as shameless railing at Christs gospel, and professors thereof, as notable pride, presumption, and hardness of hart, as ever hath done in any enemy heretofore; but further also how necessary it was for him, being a Renegate, and of a Minister and Pastor of a Church become ⟨p. 2⟩suddenly a seminary Priest, & therefore living in great suspicion▪ mongst his fellows, to approve by some public testimony his unfeigned conversion to their synagogue, we shall not easily be persuaded to think there was in the man such unwillingness in this matter at the first, as he would have us to suppose. But as vain declamors are commonly wont to excuse themselves with pretence of being loth to attempt so weighty a matter, that they may seem somewhat unwilling to do the thing, which in truth they do most willingly and studiously, so Master Rainolds could not devise a more commodious beginning of his declamatory preface, then a protestation of loathness to write that, which any man may casilie judge he went about with all his will, industry, and ability.
WHether Master Rainolds were appointed by his gouernours to make this answere,