Edmund Fortescue
Letter to Edmund Ellis on Cock-Fighting
「1659」Edmund Fortescue, Letter to Edmund Ellis, in The Opinion of Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Bolton, and Others, Concerning the Sport of Cock-Fighting, Published Formerly in their Works, and Now Set Forth to Shew, That It Is Not Recreation Meet for Christians, Though so Commonly Used by Those Who Own that Name, in The Harleian Miscellany: and Entertaining Pamphlets and Tracts,…Interspersed with Historical, Political and Critical Annotations, by Edmund Ellis, edited by William Oldyns (London, 1810; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks) 122-127.
To my most dearly beloved and honoured Friends, Edmund Fortescue, of Fallapit in Devonshire, Esq; and Mr. Dennis Grenvile, younger Son of Sir Bevill Grenvile, Knight. Sirs, I present you these papers, chiefly for the two reason: first, because I know you are sincerely of the same opinion, which, by them, I manifest to the world, that I am of, and therefore they must needs be acceptable unto you. Secondly, because you understand me aright in those actions, which the generality of other men, good and bad, who have occasion to take notice of them, esteem as monstrous and improper for me, not rightly apprehending their symmetry and proportion to such principles, as they themselves must necessarily acknowledge to be good for me to act by; and,whilst there is any sin to be discerned in me (which, alas! must needs be, as long as I continue in this earthly tabernacle) it cannot be otherwise, by reason of the confused notions, men commonly have, of such action as proceed from a soul differently inclined, to wit, by the strength it retains of the old nature, and by what it hath received of the new.
To my honoured Friend, Mr. Edmund Eillis
My dearest Friend,
Since you have given me notice of this your noble design, I think myself obliged to congratulate you in it, and to bless God for it, being so highly obliged unto you for those good instructions, and pious admonitions, which, from time to time, I have received from you; and, although I have not trod so exactly in those ways, which you have directed me to, yet it is my earnest prayer to God, that gentleman would endeavour but as I have done; which if they did, surely such vain sports and bloody recreations, which you treat of, would not longer be pleasing to them. I know (to my grief I speak it) that the generality of the gentlemen are no more capable to apprehend your discourses, than a man, the pores of his head being stopped by the extremity of cold, is able to distinguish betwixt ill and wholesome cents. It has been an experiment, tried through all ages since the creation that the workers of iniquity hate light; that they cannot endure to be told of any sin, which they indulge unto themselves. The more ingenious the men be (unless truly christian, unless they live according to Christ’s gospel, and would rather lose an eye, their right hand, nay, their lives, than wittingly and willingly commit the least sin) the more, you must expect, they will rail at and revile you: Whatever they pretend to your face, they would cut your throat with all their hearts; they play the wolf in the sheep’s cloathing, hide the vulture’s heart under the dove’s breast. What can you expect from such men, but scoffs, &c.? who in corners (not in public, for fear that small rod of justice, which is yet left, might make them smart) laugh at God, and despise what they themselves preach:—a wonder, that God inflicts not some immediate punishment on such notorious offenders, who deride the wisdom of the mystery of the Blesses Trinity. But, alas! what will become of such men? who do not only “neglect, but despise so great Salvation.” Though God’s revenging hand, which is able to grind them to power, does forbear them for some small seasons; yet they shall surely one day most sadly feel it, when coals of fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest, shall be showered down on their heads by the revenging hand of an angry God.
How many thousands of gentlemen are there in this nation, who are more dread the thoughts of a year’s imprisonment, (being by that to be deprived of their jolly companions,) than that sad divorce betwist the soul and body! Their eyes are so dim, by their long persistence in the ways of darkness, that they cannot see the paths of light; and rather than they will pain themselves to pluck off that film, which darkens their sight, they will perish for ever. They will rather be God’s enemies, so they gain a good reputation in the world, being called prudent, discreet, &c. (though that is but a mistake,) than be His faithful stewards, and be backbitten and railed on, by the ignorant of these our days. Did but men practice, as they say they believe, we should not see so great debaucheries, as now there are: they had rather be in their studies, with tears in their eyes, and books in their hands, than at the ale-hose, tossing off cups, and delighting to see the innocent blood of poor creatures. this, your discourse, will try the pureness of men’s hearts, as fire gold. You must expect, that the mouths of those, who continually bark at you, being already open, will not close without some noise; they will try their utmost to affright you from undertaking such noble designs, whereby you do eminently serve God, and satisfy the desires of your brethren.
Well, my dear friend, go on an prosper in all your endeavours, and be sure, that though men do strive to cast aspersions on your candid name; yet, in their hearts, they fear and reverence you. They are afraid to won that in public before men, which, in private chambers, they twattle before boys. I say, my friend, let them be what they will, they are beneath your notice, since, by such opprobrious speeches, they cease from being Christians: they cannot apprehend terrestrial friendship; how then can they heavenly?—It is a general observation, That several men of one profession always discommend and undervalue one the other’s work; and truly this is the same case with you. You and other are all baptized in Christ’s name, and since you own what there you vowed to do, in which they are so defective, they envy and revile you, they hate to see themselves out-done by one of their own calling. Therefore you must expect, that all formal Christians, who will not go to Heaven, unless they might have the world for their companion on their journey; “who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof; who mind earthly things; who are lovers of pleasures more than loves of God; who delight in the creature more than the Creator:” I say, you may be sure, that the greatest part of those, who call themselves Christians, being ignorant of the spirit and life of religion; having religion only in their fancy, and thinking the very acts of it but wild chimeras, make it an ens rationis, or an empty notion, will despise and undervalue your writings. But, blessed be that God, who has and will uphold you against the devilish oppositions of malicious men; who had made that gall, which has been cast in your teeth, to prove “sweeter than honey in your belly.”
I could say more, did I not fear that I have already tired you. I can assure you, that no man can have a more perfect friendship for nay one, than I have for you. You know, that I am, My dearest Friend, Your most affectionate, Edmund Fortescue, March 20, 1659.
