Reflections upon Ireland (Petty 1660)/9
A Letter ofM. H. to a Noble Person.
HAving received a large Letter from Dr. Petty, in answer of mine to him, whereby he seems to have asserted his own innocence (as to the Complaints made by Sir Jerome Sankey, against him) and that with more clearness then I ever yet heard it impugned: I think myself now obliged to crave your Lordships pardon, for my too rude opposing your conjectures in favour of him about the time when Sir Jerome first fired his Morter-piece in the Parliament; and but affrighted (as I now believe) that great Assembly with an empty Bombo: nor is it less my duty, to assure your Lordship, that upon this experiment of your judgement, I will no more, by chawing the wholesome Pills you shall hereafter give me, endanger the bringing of them up without effect; But will always pay a more implicite belief to what your Lordships shall propound: Nor shall I despair obtaining this favour and pardon, forasmuch as your Lordships Candour, will give me leave upon the first hearing, to prefer the Opinion of one (** Sir Hierom's qualifications.who hath spent many years in the University, hath been Proctor of it, is Doctor of the Laws, a practised Teacher of Divinity, and a person pretending to be inspired, who hath had experience of all Governments and Religions, by his own acting in chancing them forward and backward; and who hath run forward and backward also, through several Titles of Honour) before your Lordships: you, my Lord, being a person not of half his Age, and delivering such your Opinion, as a matter besides your care and concernment: Nor could your Lordship expect, that Sir Hierome Haranguing in a Parliament, assaulting (as himself pretended) a very wily Adversary; and attempting a work which many before had been foiled in, should be less careful of what he asserted, then your unconcerned Lordship, in the ordinary entertainments of your Visitants: I say, my Lord, that these Considerations may obtain pardon for me, who was then unhappy in being a stranger to your Lordships vertues, and who had never gathered so large and many fruits from so young a tree; And yet when I recollect your Lordships Arguments, as that you believed the chief end of this Charge, was meerly to take away the Dr. from the Lord Liev. that so some considerable design might run the more smoothly; That it was laid to throw dirt upon his Lordship himself, as one cherishing in his bosom a dangerous Viper, and using a wicked instrument in his greatest affairs, &c. when your Lordship was also pleased to tell me, That my Lord Liev. had often exposed the Dr. to all manner of Tryals: that the poor Persequitato had been often questioned, and as often cleared before the Council, (who were not all of them his friends) That your Lordship had often heard the Dr. (upon reasoning with the particular persons who thought themselves injured) alwaies to convince the indifferent, and silence his Adversaries, how well armed soever they, and how naked and unprovided soever he was for such Encounters; that you having observed in him several signs of integrity and veracity, did seriously ask him, whether, bona fide, such Complainants had wrong or no, which he alwaies denied: when your Lordship told me, that you believed he never got peny by the Lord Henry Cromwels service, besides his love, and the honour of being thought worthy of so much intimacy and trust: when your Lordship also said, that forasmuch as wicked inclinations will manifest themselves one way as well as another; you wondred that my Lord Fleetwood, in three years time, could discover nothing unworthy his great love towards the Dr. nor that in four years more, the Dr. should have put no trick at all upon my Lord Cromwel himself: when your Lordship likewise wondered why the Dr. should so often refuse considerable Fees, as a Physician, from them that were able to spare them, and yet be so addicted to couzen poor men of their whole livelihoods. Your Lordship told me likewise of a certain person (more famous for his Sagacity then Sir Jerome Sankey) who upon some difference between the Dr. and himself, enquiring diligently into the rumours against him, had, notwithstanding his prejudice, profest he never knew so little fire to so much smoak. When your Lordship also wondered why they would not shut the Stable-door, after the steed was stolen, and complain against the Doctor when the injuries he had done were past remedy, as to those that suffered them, and decline the season of impleading him in those Judicatories wherein neither the Doctor nor his patron had much influence, as also in that Parliament which sate since three quarters of the Doctors Administrations were over. I say (my Lord) that when I think upon, and recollect all these and many other Arguments and Probabilities which your Lordship alleadged, being more then I find the Doctor hath since alleadged for himself: and withal, when I consider they were such Reasons as your Lordship was capable of raising from your self, and from the common observation and discourses of the people (your Lordship most wisely forbearing to meddle with any Arguments grounded upon the Quota's, Enhancements, Equalizations, Strings, and other gibbrish) I wonder why I had not faln down before those your Lordships reasonings, your Arguments being so plain and obvious to every capacity, and such as to me do demonstrate the blindness wherewith Envy and prejudice do darken the minds of men.
Whereas on the other side (my Concernment for Dr. Petty carrying me to enquire on both:) It was onely said, that Sir Hierom Sankey knew what he did, That D. Petty had gotten more then 'twas possible for an honest man to do; That hee had kept all in the dark; That many men had very bad Lots; That he was a subtle fellow, &c. All which I confess had signified nothing in comparison of the contrary: wch I heard from your Lordship, had not your Lordship been so young, and as I thought unexperienced, especially speaking (as it seemed to me) so freely & carelesly in the matters, Whereas the others used so much gravity, with so many shrugs and nods, and other suspitious motions of their heads and shoulders, with so many [you will see's;] [have but patience,] [Time is the Mother of Truth,] [The Pitcher comes home at last broken;] With such other reticential and proverbial sayings, as I confess startled me, making me almost despair of the poor Barkes living in such a storme. But, My Lord, hereafter I will begin to believe, that one may be wiser then many; that Judgement and good parts may pierce deeper into the Recesses of truth, then much buzling Industry, and that the serious consideration of one person, does more then the superficiall Chop-logick even of some Committees: I will henceforth admire your Lordships Courage, who, like Athanasius, was Orthodox, when the whole world was Heretick; And that with the gale of your own single reason, you could stem the current of a whole Country. My Lord, I shall ever admire your Justice, that could carry you to right a person whom so many laboured to wrong, and that could be obliged more by the Doctors ordinary respects, then those who defamed him, were by his eminent Services. My Lord, your Charity was very great, In that (although he were guilty) you did with so many handsome Anodyne Reasons on his behalf, temper their fury who inclined to Sir Hierome, and preserve impartiality in them, who were to be the Doctors Judges. My Lord, How could you resist the common contagion of the ayre? or venture to be just when so many durst be otherwise? 'Twas Dr. Petty's happiness that among all the disobliged your Lordship was not one; 'Twas well he never provoked you to silence: For, My Lord, you might without prejudice to your virtue have said nothing for him, though without other cause then yet appears, Neither your Conscience nor your Honour would have permitted you to speak against him: 'Tis a wonder you had not been silent on his behalf, out of fore-sight that men coming to understand the efficacie of your Judgement, would fly in swarmes, unto it for patronage, so as to disquiet you with their importunity, but that I know 'tis as easie for your Lordship to do good, as for the Sun to influence the Earth; Neither is it more pains for you to be well informed, then for a Looking-Glass to receive its Images. My Lord, You are that by nature, which neither Art nor Industry can form others into; And whereas others take as much pains to furnish themselves with languages, discourse, and other accomplishments, as we do to bring up Exoticq Plants in Physick Gardens; Your Lordship has naturally the Seeds of them all within your self, never wanting more then season to bring them forth.
I think t'would very well become Dr. Petty to make it as much his business to magnifie your Lordships virtues, as to diminish the ill opinion some have of himself. There needs nothing to a Panegyrick on your Lordship, but to know you, and to be able to write: A bare Narrative of your natural and acquired parts, as also of the noble effects of both, will outshine the strained Hyperbolies, Allusions, and Epiphonema's of Poets, and will appear like the apparell of the greatest persons, though plain, yet magnificent; What needs there be said more in praise, and as proof of your memory, then that with most contemptible helps you have attained in a trice, the perfection of severall foraign Languages? How can one better set forth the perspicacity of your wit, reason, and fancy? then by averring you are able to understand a Geometrical demonstration at first hearing? and that without the sight of well proportioned Diagrams; having the help onely of Imaginary Delineations made with one's finger upon a table? What needs more be said of your Industry and Observation? But that you are more rich in acquired Knowledge, then could be expected from the Excellency of your Naturals? W.B. And what more is wanting to be rare in any or all things, then to have so much Memory, Judgement, Fancy, and Industry, as I have here attributed to your Lordship? If great words, farre fetcht Comparisons, and the like Artifices of Orators and Poets; or if pumping or raking were necessary for this work, I should not entrust Dr. Petty with it; For his pen being furred with the slime of so many uncouth words & Clerkish phrases brought out of Ireland, is become an unfit Conduit through which to convey the knowledge of your Lordship to the world; I wish I could see this business so performed, that we might say, Materiam superabat opus; As for the Doctor, I would have him think upon the Fable of the Dog and the Ass, the first whereof pleased his Master with Crouches, fawning, and by his sequacity, whereas the other could not do it without labour and substantial Services. Let him therefore put on the saddle of your Lordships Commands, and admit the Bridle of your directions obediently returning back to those practises wherewith he was promoting Art, before he drudg'd, & sophisticated his head with matters less becoming the Muses. 'Twill be his onely way to bestow those Reliques of reason which the Agents of the Army, have left him upon the uses for which I think the whole was given him: If he had went on where he left off, Anno 1647. upon the Naturall and Mechanical History of Trades, I think his work ere this time might have been more glorious then his Survey, and the Books of th'one might deserve as magnificent a Repository as the others have gotten. And if your Lordship can finde that he has gotten any thing superfluous, enjoyn him retribution and moderation, by giving the world such a Map of Ireland, as may be expected from such a survey; And let him institute such an Academick Hospital in Dublin, for the study and administration of Medicine, as himself heretofore did both desire and describe. By this means he may heap Coals of fire upon the heads of his Enemies; He may temper the Feavers, and cure the Dropsie of their Bodies; the pride and anger of whose hearts, and the drought of whose coveteousness he could never allay or quench; he may ease their Bodies, whose minds he could never please. And 'tis possible (My Lord) that when he has been thus new calcined, he may be afterwards wrought up to a capacity of giving your Lordship thanks, becoming the Nobleness of your Patronage, which I also on the behalf of him my old friend shall endeavour, thinking my self extreamly happy, that I can find any occasion to express, how much I am,
My Lord,
Your Lordships, &c.
SIR,
I Take for a great favour your permitting me a sight of your Papers, though I hope it will be but like the first peck of newly ripe Peascods, which shall afterwards become common for satisfying the desires of all; Pray deferre not to publish them, least you prove a greater enemy to your self then your Knight and his Squire: and least what they designedly suggest, you suffer the people to suck in, for want of a certain prevention in telling your own tale: They have no way to be too hard for you, but by your own silence, which if they could by any Stratagem continue you in, they make you of their party: Hitherto they are before-hand with you, but their pre-occupations will soon find dispossession when you are heard to speak for your self. My pleasure in reading of it, is yet to come, which I reckon much upon, having yet but run it over for your sake, there being more delight in hearing the musick, then in observing the descant; It will abundantly please the ingenious, convince the indifferent, and shame those who are prejudiced and prepossest into better apprehensions; putting leaden heels upon the feet of your Adversaries; Moreover it will either prevent their future heats; Or if it cools not their Courage, it will lessen their Auxiliaries; So that I am in some sort glad of your suffering, as rendering you more known, which is your certain advantage, and refin'd likewise from the dross of those diverting Employments, making you more in love with your first more pleasing and useful designments; and though you are in no business Excentrick, yet no man is said properly to move in his own sphere, but where he moves with self-contentation. I may adde that this occasion will give the world a glimpse at least of the vastness of your work of survey, whereof they are now wholly ignorant, looking upon it perhaps as the same, with our trifling and careless Surveys in England; it will likewise beget a longing in the Learned, after your Geographical description of Ireland. I see not any discouragement in your way; Especially, If dealing with two or a few more of the wasps, you draw not the whole Nest about your ears. You may please then upon a review, to advert what may give distaste to the party; For though the Herring in it self be contemptible, yet is not the whole Shoale so, to which even the Leviathan gives way; Neither is there any Faction so inconsiderable, but that time & Change (to which our Country, as all others) is lyable beyond the ken of the most prudent) may render it considerable. And therfore it may be, You will judge it not unnecessary to weigh again your Satyrical part; as also, what you intend of Satyr in a discourse by it self, as not meet for common Ears, but the recreation only of the ingenious, least what the formall gravity of Superstitious and Sectarian Statists miscall Religion, work by it, some advantage against you. If I appear more scrupulous then is convenient, I will not despair your pardon, Since I judge you, think, I can hear and believe much more then you have to relate, there being scarce any body, but has seen some Scenes of their Mock-shew, and my self among the rest; so that my Nicity (if you shall please to term it so) is the fruit of that respect which is due to you from all good men, and which you may ever claim from
Your faithful friend and Servant,
H. B.
The Answer.
SIR,
I Thank you for the great paines you have been pleased to take in perusing my Papers, and for your rational amendments and advertisements upon them: They are the same in general which some other able friends have given mee; and they are like the Corrections which I my self have several times advised unto my abused and provoked friends, when passionately writing or petitioning for their vindication and relief. I am sorry that I cannot take all your wholsom councel, for altering what I have written: for which stubbornness of mine, I give you the following reasons, relating to the several points which they or you except against; viz.
As to sharpness in general.
Whatsoever strangers may think of my sharpness, others who know my Services and Sufferings, and the evenness and tenderness I have used towards all those, commonly called Sectaries, (and that not for other ends then conscience and judgment) with the respects and particular services I have done even unto those who have most wronged me, and whom I have in particular pricked; will acknowledge I have not been sharp according to what I have been whetted unto. As for Sankey and Worsly, you will admire how much matter I have forced myself to suppress concerning them; neither of which two; can receive better from any who have seen through their hollow and fawning practices towards their friends, and the cruelty and baseness they use towards others.
As for Sands and Flower, they will have no reason to complain of their hard usage, if ever I can obtain but a fair hearing of their deserts. I call Major Ormsby my implacable Foe, because he himself hath threatned to spend his whole Estate to ruine me; but I have not in revenge replied, that Estates gotten like his are commonly so spent; nor have I said, that I am (nor am I) such an Enemy to him.
As for Religion, I have not said, much lesse meant irreverently of it, or of the Professors thereof. You cannot think but I may in my several places have observed much abuse of it, and hypocrisie, which are the things I only strike at: As for what querulous persons may think, I trouble not my self with it: The use I have for Religion is to save my soul, which end no misconstructions can frustrate. I do not much covet to be well thought off, by any that use it to other purposes.
And for what you advise me about my Satyre, I accept it; imputing it to your haste, that you have forgotten how I promised not to set it out, till by the future carriage of my Adversaries I had measured the latitude I was to use in it.
As for the Sectaries: I should make as much conscience of offending one of the least of them, were I Leviathan, as of the whole Shoal, being but as I am. Nevertheless, if particular men amongst them stand in my way, they must take what happens: The like to which, I must expect from some particulars amongst them, I know many of them so rationall and square, as I fear nothing unhandsome from them, being such men as I verily believe will rebuke their fellow Church-Members, for what have done against me. You may remember, I have these passages of them.
(c) p. 87.(c) That their design was but to disable me from publique Employment. That they were urged thereunto by the miscariage of some Phaetons, their professed Enemies; and for that they mistook me, for an Engine of their harm: (b) 88.(b) I said I was unconcerned in their unnecessary disputes; equally civill and serviceable to them as to any others. That it was their own rash jealousie and unbelief, which put me at all upon publique business, Me defendendo. I praid God to forgive them. I professed my belief, That many of those I named, page (89) knew not what they did, but were abused by a very few designers whom God would discover. Moreover, page (90) I do not attribute what they have done to their opinion in Religion; I said, (c) p. 92. (c) I believed, that all other new Religionaries in their several like seasons, had done to their respective pre-occupants, as these have done to me. I expresly make it my business, page (92) to excuse them; And I avow the discoursing as I did, to have been by me used as a remedy against my railing or ranting against them. Insomuch as upon the whole matter, I verily hope the respective Churches will censure their particular members for what they have been faulty in towards me, who have been so tender of them; Especially when they shall know, that these Explanations were written after the news of the Cheque given them in Ireland, by the wisdome and vigilancy of Sir Hardress Waller, Sir Charles Coote, Sir Theoph. Jones, and other good Patriots, and when many of the eminent of that party were obscured, and at a time when some others (if used as I have been) would insolently have insulted over all, for the sake of a few.
Striking at whole Authorities, Sects, State-Factions, &c.
If I intended any such thing, I would have done it as a work by it self, and not by a few squinting glances. If I have touch't in any such manner upon one party, I have done the like upon all, intending no spleen in this discourse against either; I hope the ingenuous of each will no more blame me for striking my Enemies through them, then they would do for striking the sleeve which clothes the arme, I would beat. Those Versipelles, Sankey and Worsly, have shrouded themselves under all parties, and have done scurvy acts in order to advance every rising interest; I could not therefore hit these vermin without beating the severall bushes wherein they skulk't.
Moreover, as to some Expressions you find (a) p. 88. fault with, viz. (a) Religion-traders, &c. Is there any thing more abominable then those that make Religion a Trade, living onely upon their turning and winding with this and thother Church?
2ly, Do you think there are not such? Not swarmes of such? Were there not such as made Merchandize of the Gospel in the Apostles time? Were not such condemned then? Where then is my fault, in mentioning such with a kind of contempt? I would have it known I contemn such; and that I do not fear the consequences of declaring it; I have no such guilt as compels me to daube with such persons, Wherefore as to this, I cast my self upon the Judgements of all good men, and therefore I will not expunge it.
Of the Northern Brigades Petition.
page. 153.
I did not censure that Petition one way or other. It being wholly besides my Business, I did onely inferre from it my Knights forwardness to be the Usher of any Innovation, and to shew his obstreporous Eloquence at any tumultuary and distracted Assemblie, and upon any bustle and powther about publick Affairs. I am so charitable for him, as to think he moves eccentrically, so often, for no other ends. I think he promoted the Committee of Safety for little other cause, but to get the Employment of making them a Speech at his delivery of their Instructions; as Sextons and Coffin-makers desire mens deaths, only for the small profit they reap from it. Upon which score I verily believe, that in case hee should be kickt out for a Speech-maker, an Address-carrier, or a Post between jangling parties by the several Interests he hath ran & rode for, and should be assured by C. S. party, That hee should make the Speech at Clonmel, or present the Tipperary Address, or the like. Hee would asmuch (against all expectation) bawle about for his Majesty, as hee took up Baptism upon the very edg of his railing against it. Nor could I ever perceive that his party made other use of him, then as blinde men do of their staves, that is, thrust them into plashes and sloughes before they'l tread themselves, and run them against posts to save knocking their own heads. Sir Hierome is the tallowed lead, hung to the end of a sounding-Line, which the Pilots of his party tosse out, when they would grope out a safe channel, through the shelves of their difficulties. When any works is to be woven, Sir Hierom is the shuttle, which the Cunning-wealth-weavers squirr too and again between England, Ireland and Scotland, or the like, though sometimes only to have him out of the way. When any combustible matter is to be fired, the Petardiers ram it into the Granado shell of our Knights hollow cranium; and having enflamed the fuse of his Tongue, clap him into a Mortarpiece at Clonmell or Woodstock, and so shoot him into a Parliament, where he breaks himself into a thousand pieces, but hurts no body.
About byassed Judges. page. 148.
I have not said my Judges were byassed, but on the contrary have given reasons why they could not be so: but that my Enemies have endeavoured it, is most certain; for why should they stick at that? who have been so impetuously active to draw witnesses to depose that, which may one day make them depose their Eares in the Pillory.
That I would attempt an escape by Wit or Money. page. 150.
There be two sorts of Imprisonment; one serves to oblige a man to his tryal: now I think no man will construe mee to mean an escape out of such a Prison, when I have hunted after a tryal, waved my Priviledge as a Parliament man for that purpose, and was willing to cast my self upon them for Justice, whom the world thought (through the force of impressed prejudices) would have hang'd mee without hearing. As for that other Imprisonment which I might suffer, not only as a punishment for my well-doings, but which might also maliciously, tyranically, and insultingly be executed upon mee, with more rigour then any pretence of Law, or even of my sentence it self could justifie: I conceive I might follow the Law of Nature in that case, in order to attain my liberty, which is as well understood where it is not exprest, as [if it please God] is, when wee say, I will go, I will do; or any other way expresse our future intendments.
Read his Papers like the Eunuch. page. 100.
I cannot imagine what you blame in this Expression, besides the mentioning of a Scripture word upon a lesse important occasion; I do rather acknowledge it for a fault, then trouble you with the abundance I can say to justifie so much as I have done. I have indeed transgrest a rule in Rhetorick, by comparing Sir Hierome to any good man, such as the Eunuch mentioned in the Scripture was: Similitudes are not to run on all four; if they hop well upon one foot, it is well enough. The Eunuch read what hee understood not; so did my Knight: but the Eunuch was willing to learn; whereas Sir Hierome is desperately indocible. The former took the orderly way to understand; my Knight (like an obstinately deaf Adder) hath alwaies stopt his ears. The Eunuch was not baptised till hee understood what he did; Sir Hierome was. The Eunuch was in favour with his Queen, and ventured the loosing of it by his Conversion; whereas Sir Hierome had no other way to answer the Articles which some had prepared against him, nor to get favour with any, but by lifting himself into a new Interest; whether spiritual or temporal I will not say.
There be some who will not understand, that by the Eunuch I mention, I meant Philip named in the Acts of the Apostles, but rather will apprehend my meaning to be, that Sir Hierome read like an Eunuch, that is, in the uncooth voice and tone of Eunuchs; or that I hinted the suspition some had of his being an Eunuch, because his Lady hath not been with childe. But these are errors; for though Sir Hierome speaking in the Parliament used many antick gestures of his body, many vulgar expletives, as [O strange, really Mr. Speaker, &c.] with needless repetitions, as [I have my Papers Mr. Speaker, I say my Papers which I brought from Dublin, from Dublin Mr. Speaker] as also frivolous descriptions where Capt. Sands house stood, and whose was next it, with the like. I say, though all this had hapned, I know no reason for likening him therefore to an Eunuch; there being other names that I could better call him by. And as for the other jealousie of his being an Eunuch, I am perswaded 'tis causless, for Sir Hierome can (nay did) bawle very base-Notes, I say base deep Notes, whereas Eunuchs squeal trebles for the most part; besides, Sir Hierome could not have been a Curate (as hee was in the Bishops time) if hee had been thus emasculated.
I will lay it on with noise and repetition. pag. 148.
That I will repeat my premeditated and carefully worded Arguments; till they be understood, I hold it neither a fault nor imprudence; repetitions of the same words in such cases being (as I think) more honest and effectual then descants and variations: But to have said, I will lay it on with noise, I am ashamed; for there be some things which are turpia dictu, quæ non sunt turpia factu. The poor Widow was not blamed for working the unjust Judg to do her right by importunity: in which unlikely case of unjust Judges, I only fancyed the use of this extravagant remedy, especially having too often known it effectual in more inimpetrable Suits then my own.
Often calling Sir Hierome Knight-Adventurer.
An Adventurer in these times, and by those who relate to Ireland, is one, who 17 years ago lent money to relieve the despoiled Protestants of that nation, and are to be satisfied for it by those Lands duly surveyed and set out unto them by Lot. Now in this sense Sir Hierome cannot be termed a Knight-Adventurer; for 17 years ago hee could be but a Curate-Adventurer: nor is it likely, that out of 8 pounds a year (being a good fellow) he could spare money for such extraordinary occasions. Moreover, though Sir Hierome hath lately purchased the title of Adventurer in that sence, yet I fear 'twill one day appear that Sir Hierom hath degraded himself again by the manner of surveying and setting out the Land he hath grasped: Wherefore the word Adventurer (waving those modern acceptations) is to be understood in the sence of those Classical Authors Amadis de Gaule and the rest, unhappily burnt with Sir Hieromes Predecessors Library: according to which Sir Hierome is a Knight Adventurer, aliàs a Knight Errant.
- That my Company and Conversation is equal to the having an interest in the rich mines of Potosi. pag. 3.
If these Letters be from other men, why should I alter that whereon I have no power? who knows how I have chid my friend for playing upon me with his Hyperbolies? Why may not I receive a Complement in this age, when saying I am your Servant, and promising to live and die is so usual, where nothing lesse is meant? Lastly, how may we be certain these are Hyperbolies and strains? For I believe there be many, who had rather live on their ancient Patrimonies neer home, enjoy their old tryed friends, and suck their native aire, &c. then to crosse Oceans, pass new Climates, and run the hazards incident to the most hopefull Mine-works.
I have now answered the candid Objections of Friends, I must also prepare for the crooked constructions which others will make upon my discourses. Let them come; I expect them with the same cheerfulness that Sir Hierome would carry an Address to some new Authority. Insomuch as I shall conclude all with this Proposal and Declaration.
That although Sir Hierome and Mr Worsly have calumniated me with most monstrous imputations, and have possessed many with a belief of them, yet no man to this day ever taxed me with the least to my face: The which if any person shall think it worth his pains to do hereafter, I shall willingly give a meeting to hear him, or to prove any of the particulars which I have alledged in this Discourse.
And I desire all now in Power, especially such who (as I had) have the dispensing of benefits to multitudes, (by way of Antidote to themselves) to procure a fair hearing of Sir Hieromes Articles, as also of my Services and Sufferings in Ireland, that I or my Adversaries may be repaired or punished, according to our respective demerits. I desire the same also from the curious in general, viz. that they would examine, Whether there must be Fire, that is, Guilt, where there hath been so much smoak of Calumny; or whether what seems to be smoak, be any other then the steam of Sir Hierome and his Complices gross breaths, falling on the cold aire of my dying Interest; or any other then the reeking of those cholerick Animals Excrements, newly dung'd upon the snow of my Innocence; for my Enemies do not hate my Work, but envy my Wages; they labour to confirm the one, and yet to destroy my claim of the other; I suffer not because I sinn'd, but because I would not sin and serve particular Interests.
Non mihi Culpa nocuit sed Invidia.