An answer to Mr. Dodwell and Dr. Sherlock, confuting an universal humane church-supremacy aristocratical…An answer to Mr. Dodwell and Dr. Sherlocke, confuting an universal humane church-supremacy aristocratical…

But I have more diligently studied, since I was twenty years of age, the chiefest on the other side, Saravia, Bilson, Downham, Hooker, Burges, Covel, Bridge, Bancroft, Whitgift, Spalatensis, and since Petavius, Hammond, and multitudes more. And I have now, as you desired, read over all yours, that I might see the end, before I past my judgment on the beginning. But our apprehensions are various, as our preconceptions are; I find that we are all forestalled, and readiest to learn of our selves, who are not always the happiest Teachers of our selves. What we have first laid in, is usually made the standard of all that followeth; and all must be reduced into a due Conformity and subserviency to our former sentiments. You have showed great learning, ingenuity and piety, and in a very fluent stile expressed what was in your mind; and made me remember what one answereth him that said, Hooker was yet unanswered, viz. Reduce what you would have answered, to Argument, and it will soon be done. I find, that it had been much better to have said nothing, than to have begun in such a manner of dispute, in which the further we go, the less we understand one another, and make each other molestation, instead of edification: For plainly I find, that (though much may be learned out of so rare a discourse as you have vouchsafed me, yet) it doth very little at all to any dispatch of our present controversy, but might easily deceive me by avocation, if I would forget what it is that I dispute about: For I perceive, 1. That we agree not in our sense of the terms which we make use of: And from thence you infer some great and dangerous errors in my judgment. 2. We agree least of all in common and obvious matters of fact, which are before our eyes, and the things of which I have had almost an Ages experience. 3. I find, that a very great part, if not the far greatest of all your discourse, is written upon a mis-understanding of my Words and judgment. And if one were to publish such kind of Writings, how tiresome would it be to the Reader, should I set down ⟨p. 92⟩a particular account of all your passages that are besides the question, and all that proceed from such misunderstanding? I speak not by way of blaming you; for we are not competent Judges of other mens actions, till we know the Reasons of them: that may be laudable, which crosseth our desires.

But I have more diligently studied, since I was twenty years of age, the chiefest on the other side, Saravia, Bilson, Downham, Hooker, Burges, Covel, Bridg, Bancroft, VVhitgift, Spalatensis, and since Petavius, Hammond, and multitudes more. And I have now, as you desired, read over all yours, that I might see the end, before I past my judgment on the beginning. But our apprehensions are various, as our preconceptions are; I find that we are all forestalled, and readiest to learn of our selves, who are not always the happiest Teachers of our selves. What we have first laid in, is usually made the standard of all that followeth; and all must be reduced into a due Conformity and subserviency to our former sentiments. You have shewed great learning, ingenuity and piety, and in a very fluent stile expressed what was in your mind; and made me remember what one answereth him that said, Hooker was yet unanswered, viz. Reduce what you would have answered, to Argument, and it will soon be done. I find, that it had been much better to have said nothing, than to have begun in such a manner of dispute, in which the further we go, the less we understand one another, and make each other molestation, instead of edification: For plainly I find, that (though much may be learned out of so rare a discourse as you have vouchsafed me, yet) it doth very little at all to any dispatch of our presnt controversie, but might easily deceive me by avocation, if I would forget what it is that I dispute about: For I perceive, 1. That we agree not in our sense of the terms which we make use of: And from thence you infer some great and dangerous errors in my judgment. 2. We agree least of all in common and obvious matters of fact, which are before our eyes, and the things of which I have had almost an Ages experience. 3. I find, that a very great part, if not the far greatest of all your discourse, is written upon a mis-understanding of my Words and judgment. And if one were to publish such kind of Writings, how tiresome would it be to the Reader, should I set down