A64661:66
The judgement of the late Arch-Bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland 1. Of…
The judgement of the late Arch-Bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland 1. Of the extent of Christs death and satisfaction &c, 2. Of the Sabbath, and observation of the Lords day, 3. Of the ordination in other reformed churches : with a vindication of him from a pretended change of opinion in the first, some advertisements upon the latter, and in prevention of further injuries, a declaration of his judgement in several other subjects / by N. Bernard.
London: printed for John Crook, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Letter: A Vindication of the Primate, from a late change of opinion. A second Letter, of the sa…
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.
That which I find in the conclusion of his Postscript, I must begin with, wherein he doth determine, viz. That whosoever shall appear ⟨p. 51⟩to hold the Negative, That my Lord Primate of Armagh did not declare his rejection of these opinions, which I resist, and which himself formerly embraced, will wrong the memory of the Bishop. As I do not (according to his caveat) take upon me to prove a Negative, so I do not understand the ground of this definitive Sentence, upon whomsoever shall adhere to it. I am sure his meaning is not, because he doth resist them; and less show is there, because the Primate had formerly embraced them; for a changeableness in Doctrine carries in it self a show of dishonour, that with him there should be yea and nay: surely there must be somewhat of gross corruption, or dangerous consequence formerly taught and professed by this good Primate, that should incur this censure; And it is too early a conclusive, while they are yet in Dispute between you, and the matter not heard on the Primates side; Which I expected not from ⟨p. 52⟩a person so ingenuous, as I read Master Pierce to be. And howsoever the whole implies that the Primate had wronged himself, if not his hearers and readers, in preaching and writing of untruths so long; but much more if he had died without retracting them; and that the injury done to him, is already decreed to lye upon that person that shall affirm otherwise of him in either: yet this must not debtor or discourage me in this service of his vindication, leaving it to the judgement of others, Which may be thought less injurious, The averring his constancy, or inconstancy in matters of such weight and moment. I shall be contented he do enjoy his opinion, if he will not censure me for not forsaking my own, viz. That I think I should wrong him and my self, at least do neither right, if I should silently let this belief of him pass without putting it to a stand, by producing those probabilities which have prevailed ⟨p. 53⟩with me to the contrary.
That which I find in the conclusion of his Postscript, I must begin with, wherein he doth determine, viz. That whosoever shall appear ⟨p. 51⟩