76.
The Anatomy of Et cætera. Or the unfolding of that dangerous Oath in the close of the Sixth Canon, As it was contrived by the Bishops and some of the Clergie in their late Oath Ex Officio, cunningly obliging the Consciences of His Majestie's Subjects to observe and obey whatsoever errours they would impose. Condemned and dissected in a passionate Conference betwixt the two zealous Brothers Roger and Ralph, penned at the first injunction of the new Canons, and now publisht since their abolishment. By an Oxfordshire gentleman. London, 1641.
On August 24th, 1641, it was resolved by the House of Commons that Richard Heren should be sent for as a delinquent by the Sergeant at Arms for printing this pamphlet; and also that Thomas Bray, an Oxon scholar, who turned the pamphlet out of poetry into prose should also be sent for as a delinquent.[51]
A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It commences thus:—
"Two of the zealous Tribe being inspired, as they tearmed it, and having a greater parcell of the spirit than at other times, after a great deal of chat, now concerning this thing, and now concerning that thing, at last drew themselves as far as the New Canons, where they read, but yet you must not thinke that it was without rubbes and jarres, but comming to the Sixth Canon that ended with Et cætera, at the very sight of which he swelled as much as Goliah with his weaver's beam, and thus began to break forth in these or the like tearmes.
"Roger. I that have behaved my selfe so well, that now I am in sincerity elected a Zealous Brother, I that having my worth seen am for it rewarded with twenty Nobles per annum, besides what I collect every year from our Female Charity, considering with myselfe what a vile and indiscreet thing these new Oathes and Canons are, I am even wrapt besides my selfe, and with this very word, or letter, or syllable, or whatsoever it is, I must and will dissect it.
"Ralph. Why brother Roger? Art thou of so shallow capacity as thou makest thyselfe to be? Have patience pray, and rather finde fault with the Printer than with the thing printed, or rather with him which set the Printer on worke than with the Printer himselfe, these times are corrupted, for why? corrupt men have ruled us here in this Land.
"Here could Roger hold no longer, but like to a Beardog, he yawnes, and barkes, and bawles, saying,
"Roger. In sincerity brother Ralph, thou doest not know what an urging this is to me, see what a vile mishapen monster it is, this Et cætera, God blesse us! is a Limbe of the Devill;" &c., &c.
And it concludes thus:—