CHAP. LIV.

EDWARDS'S ANTAPOLOGIA.

We have seen it stated directly in one place, and perhaps indirectly in another, that an attack was prognosticated by the Apologists, from the pen of him who proved himself the most notorious heresy-hunter of his age, and whose several treatises, one of which we have introduced under the year 1641, are a farrago or "collection of such faults," as, like Epiphanius before him, procured for his works little more notoriety than for being "full of inaccuracies and errors." To subserve the purposes of our undertaking, we shall proceed to avail ourselves of what concerns it in the prognosticated treatise. And, while reflecting on this, and the other antagonist productions which the "Apologetical Narration" gave rise to, we cannot but advert to St. James's exclamation, d Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" Such was, indeed, the case, in relation to the bulky piece intituled "Antapologia: Or, A Full Answer to the 'Apologetical Narration, etc.' Wherein is handled many of the Controversies of these times.-Humbly also submitted to the Honourable Houses of Parliament.-By Thomas Edwards, Minister of the Gospel.-1644." 4to. pp. 367.

66

It will be recollected, that after having recorded the title of the "Narration," we gave also the Licenser's precognition, authorising the printing of that tract. Edwards's treatise has likewise a Licenser's allowance; but, though a divine of the same denomination with Herle, Cranford so far differed from him as to dissent from the commendation which Herle had bestowed so liberally, yet consistently, on the Narrators. As it furnishes another specimen of what was practised in those times, when the press was under restrictions which happily for its future freedom called forth, in this same year, Milton's "Areopagitica," we give the terms of the "Imprimatur," as it stands facing the title-page: Having diligently perused this Antapologia,' I find it so full, and just, and necessary, an examination and discovery of the Apologetical Narration,' both in matters of fact and of opinion, that because I dare not-as too many-have 'the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons,' I approve it to be imprinted; and commend it, Reader, to thy most serious consideration.-Ja. Cranford." He had previously, June 7th, 1644, set his hand to the single word "Imprimatur," before the "Anatomy of Independency." And he will be met with at least once more, in this capacity, in a subsequent page.

Edwards starts with the announcement, that he had drawn up this present Answer to "undeceive" the tender-conscienced, scrupulous, doubting Christian" in the "Apologists, the Apology, and their churchway; and, to satisfy them in their scruples and doubts about Presby

b Ib. P. 354.

See back, p. 246, See Mosheim's Eccles. Hist. Cent. iv. pt. 2. chap. ii. sect. 9. Maclaine's Edit. d Chap. iii. 5.

* Jas. ii. 1.

tery." It appears, however, in the same page of his Epistle to the Reader, that there existed "many prejudices" both against his "person and the book," which he sought to abate by comparing his own 66 sufferings, troubles, patience, and labours," with those of "the exile, patience, etc." of the Apologists; but he tells us, with modesty not very characteristic, that he was deterred, in part, lest he might "become a fool in glorying!" a

b

Besides other grounds calling for his Answer, he writes, "within these few days, just before the Antapology was coming forth, a pamphlet, intituled The Anatomist Anatomised,' was printed, rather to prepossess the reader against the Antapology than to answer the 'Anatomy of Independency;"" against which pamphlet even Edwards's spleen seems unusually excited.

"As for a judiciary proof," he says, "of all matters of fact in my Antapology, I not seeing those Letters writ; and most of my Letters being but copies; and many of the facts being done beyond the seas; considering also, it is possible the relators may mistake in some things, I cannot positively and judicially swear and make out such a kind of proof!" And he expresses his apprehension that Simpson's "book," so far as it concerns the Antapology, "may be a block in the way of it." That this "forthcoming" Antapology is "full of bitterness, malice, reproaches, and railings;" Edwards is sorely vexed at such prepossessions having gone abroad; thus quickly forgetting that he had himself just said, "I conceive Mr. Simpson's guilt and consciousness caused fear; and fear that hastened him to thrust forth something in the way of the Antapology, to blast the credit of it before it was come forth: and the truth of it is, he, of all the Apologists, hath been most faulty both in Holland and England."

The "Apology," Edwards goes on to say, " contains matter of high praise of themselves and their party,—a few inconsiderable persons, comparatively; with many close and dangerous insinuations against all the Reformed Churches, which cannot be answered particularly without some recrimination and charge!" After this, and much more, the following passage may be instanced as a curiosity in one of the works of "Thomas Edwards, Minister of the Gospel :"

"In many passages of this Answer, I do, upon several occasions, give the Apologists a just testimony of that worth for parts and piety which is in them; and speak to them, and of them, as Brethren: so that let but all these things be laid together, considering also the rules of Scripture in such cases, and that I intended a plain particular downright answer; and this Answer will then be accounted candid, moderate, -my pen dipped in oil, and not in vinegar!"

And to add to the interest on behalf of the Apologists, "The truth is," says Edwards, they "have been too much flattered, both in their persons and church-way; and they are undone for want of being dealt with plainly and freely. A candlestick hath been too much held out to them; and I hope this Answer may do much good, even to abate their swellings and confidence!" But our reader's interest and curiosity will be still further excited on perusing the final sentence of this introducSee back, p. 244.

a 2 Cor. xii. 11.

tory portion of the Antapology:-"I conclude this Epistle, as Beza doth his to Duditius, Farewell: The Lord keep thee and all thine from all evil; and especially from noonday devils which walk about in this place, and in these times;' that is, from the errors of Anabaptism, Brownism, Antinomianism; Toleration of Sects and Schisms, under pretence of liberty of conscience!"

Having thus to do with one of the most cavilling and verbose of writers, we shall be compelled to set a more than ordinary restraint on the inclination to illustrate the practices and modes of treatment peculiar to this singular character; who tells us that he had "taken up a fixed resolution, never to give over writing till this Church be settled, and these great Schisms amongst us healed." a Could we, for instance, suppress such a passage, to begin with, as even the second page affords? "Into what remote and far country were you banished? And what were the companions of your exile? Certainly the Reader.. will think, 'Alas, good men, Into what Patmos, Indies, or remote wilderness, were they banished and forced to fly!' and will never imagine that these men were the exiled Ministers, and this their exile, who, in a time of common danger and suffering in their own Land, went with their wives, children, estates, friends, Knights, Gentlemen, and Citizens, over into Holland; where they lived in safety, plenty, pomp, and ease; enjoying their own ways and freedom; and, when the coasts were cleared, came over into England, were entertained and received with all respects and applause, and are now Members of the Assembly of Divines!'"

"As for this Apologetical Narration,'" says Edwards, "The learned Licenser having lived remote, till of late, was strongly deceived to give such a testimony to it." And then, as it were to counterbalance that testimony, Edwards would make the world his debtor, in these terms, "My judgment of it is this, That it is indeed cunningly and advantageously drawn up for to take and deceive good people; to gather, increase, and confirm their party by it; being full of specious and glorious pretences, and all plausible seeming compliance and correspondency with the churches they depart from. And, therefore, my scope in this Answer is the endeavouring to undeceive the people, and to wipe off the paint; and to show the snake under the green grass, and the foul hand under the white glove! And, upon the thorough and full examination of the book, I can bring in this just charge against it, that there is not only fraud in relating part of the story and opinions, and not the whole; holding out the bright side of the cloud, but hiding the black; but there are many manifest untruths in some of their relations, and that even where God and men are called to witness: and I could in most passages of the Apology which are matters of fact, write quite the contrary to what they affirm. Besides that, some passages in the book cross and interfere with others; as also, there is a dealing in generals and in the clouds, with many doubtful and double expressions, like Apollo's oracles; there being few passages of moment either in matter of fact, or opinion, but they are so framed that they may receive a double construction, and that sense which according to grammar and ordinary acceptation they carry, cannot be meant." b

Having shown what is the gravamen of the charge which Edwards brings against the Apologists; he turns shortly to themselves, and accosts them in these terms, "You make the ground and occasion of setting forth this Apologetical Narration now, to be, your ears of late so filled with a sudden and unexpected noise of confused exclamation' interpretatively reflecting' on you." And, taking upon himself to be their interpreter, he affects to ask, "Shall I tell you what is judged to have rather enforced you unto this work?" He then bestows upon them his gratuitous information: "Many of the ministers of the City, not long before, drew up a Letter to the Assembly concerning some Church grievances; and, in particular, that of gathering of churches, and drawing away their people. Which Letter, as it was not directed in particular against you, so it reflected, in the words and sense, upon many others rather than yourselves... Soon after, some Considerations were put forth by the Assembly, to dissuade from gathering churches. To which Considerations your hands were subscribed.-Upon what reasons you complied in that, and whether you could not well avoid it without greater prejudice to your cause, you know best!"-And now, turning from them, he asks more indirectly, "Whether this Apologetical Narration' was not first hastened to follow upon those Considerations, to counterbalance that act of yours against further gathering of churches, that your cause and way might receive no loss and prejudice, and to satisfy your own party;-many of them greatly exclaiming against you for your hands to these Considerations;-and so, thinking by this aftergame, to recover all? I leave the reader to judge! Whether also, you, knowing that the Assembly was upon the borders of the main points in difference, and upon coming to debate presbytery, ordination, excommunication, you put not forth this book to taste and try the spirits of the Assembly and others beforehand? Whether, also, this was not intended to prepossess the people's minds to lay in prejudice against what the Assembly might determine: and, by discovering yourselves so beforehand, and so publicly engaging yourselves, your party might appear, and stand the more by you and with you, for a Toleration; the great design of the men of this way, in these times? Lastly, Whether, as much as you durst, this Apology was not set out just upon the coming in of our brethren of Scotland to our help, to asperse the government and reformation of the Church of Scotland; and, to lessen the esteem of that kingdom and church, so much and so deservedly valued by this kingdom; but looked upon by all the men of the new-church-way, as the great let of the Independent govern

ment ?" a

"That you could not stay a little longer," exclaims this querulous opponent," but in such a time, when we need so much assistance of our brethren of Scotland, and the help of all other Reformed Churches, in the face of the Parliament, Assembly, and the Kingdom, to put ont such a piece and to do such an act as this, is beyond all example!" Anon he writes, "But, however, this is the first discovery' of yourselves, in this way, with all your hands subscribed; yet we have had a discovery of you for some years past, both in your practices of with

drawing from our public assemblies, and in gathering and constituting separated churches." a

But let me ask you, Whose misapprehensions' do you understand you lay under, that you present this Apology to the Parliament, and 'appeal to them?.. What Ministers have had the sun of their favour shining upon them, more than yourselves? You have all been made Members of the Assembly by them, called to preach before them upon their public solemn occasions; and some of you employed in extraordinary services! . . M. S., your new great friend, sets the brand of 'malignancy' on them who are against you."

b

From all this, and more preliminary matter, "before" he descends to "answer," as he says, "all the particulars contained in this Narration,'" Edwards advances with sufficient self-importance to where he breaks forth in this strain, "How dare you affirm, that for your consciences' you were 'deprived at once of whatever was dear to you?.. What great deprivation 'at once' is this, of whatever is 'dear,' for men to take their own times, and to go in summer-time with knights, ladies, and gentlewomen, with all necessaries into Holland; and there to take choice of all the land where to reside; and with wives and children, in the midst of friends and acquaintance, free from the fears and possibilities of vexations of the Spiritual courts and prisons, to enjoy all plenty and freedom as you did? There are many would have been glad, and still would be, of such a deprivation 'at once,' as to be so exiled into Holland, to be able to spend two or three hundred pounds, per annum, there!" f

With subtilty and effrontery almost peculiar to himself, he tells the Apologists, "You had also some 'ends' and interests,' and 'worldly respects' to comply with in your going into Holland rather than New England, which you first intended. And these may fitly be termed 'State-ends' and political interests,' namely, that when some great persons, Lords and others, should be forced, through the badness of the times-as was expected and feared-to seek for shelter in Providence and Hispaniola, you might be there ready to remove with them,.. where you hoped to set up new churches and subdue those countries, and people which should come over, into your mould. Or, if otherwise, things in England should come to have a great turn,—as they had by this Parliament,-then, also, by being in Holland rather than New England, you were nigh hand, and your estates more at command quickly to return to England,.. hoping you might either subdue England into the way of your church-government, or else gain a great party to you in the kingdom; which we see is unhappily fallen out!" g

Knowing the man's disposition, the Apologists might not heed Edwards's pertinacity; but he seemed determined that if they were intituled to any portion of good report, they should not lose the recollection of the evil report which his own party had contributed to raise and

a P. 7, 8.

b" M. S. to A. S., p. 83," altered, in a second edition, to "A Reply of two of the Brethren to A. S., &c. 1644. Chap. v. p. 85. See back, p. 341. e P. 10, 11. P. 28.

d P. 13.

Ap. Nar. p. 3.

f P. 26.