Mr. Travers had also a particular hope to set up this government in the Temple, and to that end used his most zealous endeavours to be Master of it; and his being disappointed by Mr. Hooker’s admittance, proved the occasion of a public opposition betwixt them in their Sermons:  many of which were concerning the doctrine and ceremonies of this Church:  insomuch that, as St. Paul withstood St. Peter to his face, so did they withstand each other in their Sermons:  for, as one hath pleasantly expressed it, “The forenoon Sermon spake Canterbury; and the afternoon Geneva.”

[Sidenote:  His petition]

In these Sermons there was little of bitterness, but each party brought all the reasons he was able to prove his adversary’s opinion erroneous.  And thus it continued a long time, till the oppositions became so visible, and the consequences so dangerous, especially in that place, that the prudent Archbishop put a stop to Mr. Travers his preaching, by a positive prohibition.  Against which Mr. Travers appealed, and petitioned her Majesty’s Privy Council to have it recalled; where, besides his patron, the Earl of Leicester, he met also with many assisting friends:  but they were not able to prevail with, or against the Archbishop, whom the Queen had intrusted with all Church-power; and he had received so fair a testimony of Mr. Hooker’s principles, and of his learning and moderation, that he withstood all solicitations.  But the denying this petition of Mr. Travers, was unpleasant to divers of his party; and the reasonableness of it became at last to be so publicly magnified by them, and many others of that party, as never to be answered:  so that, intending the Bishop’s and Mr. Hooker’s disgrace, they procured it to be privately printed and scattered abroad; and then Mr. Hooker was forced to appear, and make as public an Answer; which he did, and dedicated it to the Archbishop; and it proved so full an answer, an answer that had in it so much of clear reason, and writ with so much meekness and majesty of style, that the Bishop began to have him in admiration, and to rejoice that he had appeared in his cause, and disdained not earnestly to beg his friendship; even a familiar friendship with a man of so much quiet learning and humility.

[Sidenote:  Points at issue]

To enumerate the many particular points in issue which Mr. Hooker and Mr. Travers dissented,—­all, or most of which I have seen written,—­would prove at least tedious:  and therefore I shall impose upon my Reader no more than two, which shall immediately follow, and by which he may judge of the rest.

Mr. Travers excepted against Mr. Hooker, for that in one of his Sermons he declared, “That the assurance of what we believe by the Word of God is not to us so certain as that which we perceive by sense.”  And Mr. Hooker confesseth he said so, and endeavours to justify it by the reasons following.