A collection of several treatises concerning the reasons and occasions of the penal laws. Viz. I. The execution of justice, in England, not for religion, but for treason: 17 Dec. 1583. II. Important considerations, by the secular priests: printed A.D. 1601. III. The Jesuits reasons unreasonable: 1662.

1678

A COLLECTION OF SEVE …

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A COLLECTION OF SEVERAL TREATISES CONCERNING The Reasons and Occasions OF THE PENAL LAWS. VIZ.

I. The Execution of JUSTICE, in England, not for Religion, but for Treason: 17 Dec. 1583.
II. Important Considerations, by the Secular Priests: Printed A.D. 1601.
III. The Jesuits Reasons Unreasonable: 1662.

LONDON, Printed for Richard Royston, Bookseller to His Most Sacred Majesty. M.DC.LXXVIII.

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THE PREFACE.

THE design of publishing these Treatises, is to vindicate the Honour and Justice of our Laws from the rude aspersions, which have been lately cast upon them, by such who are better versed in Hollinshead and Stow, than in the true Reasons and Occasions of those Laws. This is the present method of dealing with our Church and Laws, when our Adversaries have been quite tired with scolding, they betake themselves to throw dirt in the face of them; and I am sorry the weakness or imprudence of any late Historians among us should furnish them with dunghils for this purpose. But since we have to deal with such who have no advantage, but what the weakness and mistakes of their Adversaries give them, it were heartily to be wished, that some effectual course were taken, that the History of our Church since the Reformation, might be delivered to Posterity with greater care and sincerity than hath yet been used about it.

It hath been thought the wisdom of some of the [Page]best governed Nations in the World, to take a great care of their Histories, by whom and in what manner they were written. Josephus saith, That none but the High-Priests and the Prophets were allowed to write the Histories of the Jewish Nation; the like others say of the Chaldeans, Egyptians, and Persians, who all looked upon the History of their Country as a Sacred thing, and which none ought to presume to meddle with, but such as were appointed for it, and whose imployment was supposed to free them from the suspicion of flattery or falshood. But above all Nations, the Chineses, as they were most remarkable for Political Wisdom, were the most punctual in this matter; no man durst attempt any thing of History among them besides him whose publick Office it was, which he was bound to perform with all sidelity, for his own time; but not to call in question, or correct any thing before him; by which means, the History of that mighty Empire, though written by multitudes of Authors, is one continued and entire Story without any variety or contradiction. It is very well known, that the old Romans suffered none but the Pontifex Maximus to make up the Annals of every Year; which himself was only intrusted with the keeping of, that the People might, upon resort to his house, have full satisfaction in all their doubts; and these were called the Annals Maximi; and although some make this custom as old as the foundation of that Government, yet Vopiscus more probably makes it to be one of the wise Constitutions of Numa. Dion saith. That while the Roman Senate continued its Authority, the Actions of every year [Page]were solemnly read out of the Publick Commentaries to the Senate and People; and although particular persons would write Histories according to their own inclinations, yet the Truth might be discerned out of the Publick Records: And although he very much laments the uncertainty of their Histories afterwards, when the Emperours would not endure the Truth to be written; yet there were persons who would write, though they died for it, which was the case of Cremutius Cordus and Titus Labienus; which made Seneca say, Res nova & insueta, supplicia de studiis sumi: but it seems by what follows in him, the World may bear the loss of such Writings; for, rejoycing that this Persecution of Wits began after Cicero's time, he saith, Dii melius, quòd eo seculo ista ingeniorum supplicia coeperunt, quo ingenia desierunt. And it appears by Tacitus, that the custom of Publick Annals was preserved to his time for the greater Affairs, and the Diurna Acta Urbis for lesser occurrences: and Tertullian frequently appeals to the Archives and Publick Commentaries. Which custom of preserving publick Records of History, did likewise obtain in most well-governed Cities; as Plutarch often quotes the Delphick and Laconick Commentaries. These things I only mention, that it may not be thought below the wisdom of a Nation to take care of the History of it; and not to suffer it to be profaned or corrupted, by every mean, peevish, or indiscreet Writer, that hath so little wit and judgment, as to think himself fit to write the History, either of his own or former times None are fit for such a work but persons of great judgment [Page]and capacity, and such who have had the best opportunities of understanding Affairs, and have the greatest reputation for integrity to report them. And we want not some such as these, who are so well known, that I need not name them, but they are but few in comparison with others. It was complained of among the Romans, that L. Octacilius being but a Libertine, though he were Pompey's Master, should presume to write a History, that being a Work proper for the wisest Senators; and Learned men have long wished for a perpetual Edict against scribbling Historians, as great debauchers of Truth, and corrupters of the Faith of History. I wish it were as easie to remedy as to complain of these things; but those of us who are concerned for the Honour of our Church and Nation, find the continual and growing inconveniences of this mischief; when we see all the false or indiscreet passages of the worst Historians picked up, and upon all occasions made use of as the best Weapons against our Church. But thanks be to God, things are not yet so bad with us, but we have sufficient evidence left to clear our selves of these reproaches, without being put to defend the weaknesses of every trifling Historian. What if Hollinshead, or Stow, or Speed, or any later men have let fall some passages, which the Enemies of our Church make use of to its disadvantage? Must things presently be concluded to be just as such men have said, without searching farther? Must we be judged by them, rather than by such who were in the top of business, and knew all the first Grounds and Reasons of Things? rather than by those, who were as much concerned to have found out all reproaches [Page]against our Penal Laws; and yet acknowledge them to have had such Reasons for them, that no Government in the World, but upon the same provocations, would have done the same things? This is that particular part of our History, which I have endeavoured to clear by these following Treatises, which have these advantages to recommend them to the Reader's Consideration.

1. That the first of them was penned by the direction of one of the Greatest Statesmen of his Age, and one of the Wisest Persons this Nation hath ever bred, viz. the Lord Treasurer Burleigh. For when the Jesuits and their Party had filled the Courts of the Princes in Christendom with their noise and clamours of the dreadful Persecutions in England, that Great man thought it not below him to write this Apology for the Execution of Justice here, and to shew how reasonable, just, and moderate the Proceedings of the State were, considering the height and insolence of the provocations; and this was published in several Languages, and dispersed in the Courts of Princes to undeceive them as to all the false reports of the Romish Emissaries, who have taken upon them that publick Character of the Popes Ambassadors to lye abroad for his and their own advantage.

2. But after that by the means of Cardinal Allen and others, they had endeavoured to blast the reputation of that Apology; and after the death of that great Minister of State, the Secular Priests did publish their Important Considerations, wherein they assert the Truth of what was said in the Apologie, and vindicate the Honour and Justice of the [Page]Penal Laws: which is the second Treatise here published and printed according to their own Copy; and which hath been so much concealed, or bought up by those of that Religion, that it hath been heard of by few, and seen by fewer Protestants.

3. And lest any should say, that all those dangerous Principles to Government are since his Majesties happy Restauration utterly disowned by them, I have added a third Treatise, printed by one of their own Religion 1662. which charges the Jesuitical Party so deep with those Principles and Practices as to make them uncapable of any Favour.

If other persons will pursue the same method in retrieving such considerable Treatises as these are, they may do more service to our Church and Nation than by writing Histories themselves; and I shall desire the late Apologist to set these Authors of his own Church, against the petty Historians he so punctually quotes on all occasions: And we have so much the more reason to consider these things, since in a very late Treatise called the Bleeding Iphigenia, the Irish Rebellion is defended by one of the Titular Bishops to be a just and holy War; and seeing they still think it lawful, what can we imagine then that they want, but another occasion to do the same things?

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THE EXECƲTION OF JUSTICE IN ENGLAND, For maintenance of Publick and Christian Peace, &c.

IT hath been in all Ages and in all Countries, All Offenders cover their faults with contrary causes. a common usage of all offenders for the most part, both great and small, to make defence of their lewd and unlawful facts by untruths, and by colouring and covering their deeds (were they never so vile) with pretences of some other causes of contrary operations or effects: to the intent not only to avoid punishment or shame, but to continue, uphold, and prosecute their wicked attempts, to the full satisfaction of their disordered and malicious appetites. Rebels do most dangerously cover their faults. And though such hath been the use of all Offenders, [Page 2]yet of none with more danger than of Rebels and Traytors to their lawful Princes, Kings, and Countries. Of which sort of late years, are specially to be noted certain persons naturally born Subjects in the Realm of England, and Ireland, who having for some good time professed outwardly their obedience to their Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth, have nevertheless afterward been stirred up and seduced by wicked Spirits, Rebellion in England, and Ireland. first in England sundry years past, and secondly, and of latter time in Ireland, to enter into open Rebellion, taking Arms and coming into the Field against her Majesty and her Lieutenants, with their Forces under Banners displayed, inducing by notable untruths many simple people to follow and assist them in their Traitorous actions. And though it is very well known, that both their intentions and manifest actions were bent, to have deposed the Queens Majesty from her Crown, and to have traiterously set in her place some other whom they liked, whereby if they had not been speedily resisted, they would have committed great bloodsheds and slaughters of her Majesties faithful Subjects, and ruined their native Country: The Rebels vanquished by the Queens Power. Yet by Gods power given unto her Majesty, they were so speedily vanquished, as some few of them suffered by order of Law according to their deserts, many and the greatest part upon Confession of their faults were pardoned, Some of the Rebels fled into other Countries. the rest (but they not many of the principal, escaped into Foreign Countries, and there because in none or few places Rebels and Traitors to their natural Princes and Countries: dare for their Treasons challenge at their first muster [Page 3]open comfort or succour, these notable Traitors and Rebels, have falsly informed many Kings, Princes, and States, and specially the Bishop of Rome, commonly called the Pope, (from whom they all had secretly their first comfort to Rebell) that the cause of their flying from their Countries was for the Religion of Rome, Rebels pretend Religion for their defence. and for maintenance of the said Popes Authority. Whereas divers of them before their Rebellion lived so notoriously, the most part of their lives, out of all good rule, either for honest manners, or for any sense in Religion, as they might have been rather familiar with Catalin, or Favourers to Sardanapalus, than accounted good Subjects under any Christian Princes.

As for some examples of the heads of these Rebellions, out of England, fled Charles Nevill Earl of Westmerland, a person utterly wasted by looseness of life, and by Gods punishment even in the time of his Rebellion, bereaved of his Children that should have succeeded him in the Earldom: and how his Body is now eaten with Ulcers of lewd causes, all his Companions do see, that no Enemy he had can wish him a viler punishment. And out of Ireland ran away one Thomas Stukeley, a defamed person almost through all Christendom, and a faithless Beast rather than a Man, fleeing first out of England for notable Piracies, and out of Ireland for treacheries not pardonable, Ringleaders of Rebels, Charls Nevill Earl of Westmerland, and Thomas Stukeley. which two were the first Ringleaders of the rest of the Rebels; the one for England, the other for Ireland. But notwithstanding the notorious evil and wicked lives of these and others their Confederates, [Page 4]void of all Christian Religion, it liked the Bishop of Rome, as in favour of their Treasons, not to colour their offences as themselves openly pretend to do, for avoiding of common shame of the World, but flatly to animate them to continue their former wicked purposes, that is, to take Arms against their lawful Queen, to invade her Realm with Foreign Forces, to pursue all her good Subjects and their Native Countries with Fire and Sword: for maintenance whereof there had some years before, at sundry times, proceeded in a thundring sort, The effect of the Popes Bull against the Queen of England. Bulls, Excommunications, and other publick Writings, denouncing her Majesty, being the lawful Queen, and Gods anointed Servant, not to be the Queen of the Realm, charging and upon pains of Excommunication, commanding all her Subjects, to depart from their natural Allegiances, whereto by birth and by Oath they were bound. Provoking also and authorising all persons of all degrees within both the Realms to Rebell, and upon this Antichristian Warrant, being contrary to all the Laws of God and Man, and nothing agreeable to a pastural Officer, not only all the rabble of the foresaid Traitors that were before fled, but also all other persons that had forsaken their Native Countries, being of divers conditions and qualities, some not able to live at home but in beggery, some discontented for lack of preferments, which they gaped for unworthily in Universities and other places, some Bankrupt Merchants, some in a sort learned to contentions, being not contented to learn to obey the Laws of the Land, have many years running up and down, from [Page 5]Country to Country, practised some in one Corner, The practises of the Traitors, Rebels, and Fugitives, to execute the Bull. some in another, some with seeking to gather Forces and money for Forces, some with instigation of Princes by untruths to make War upon their natural Country, some with inward practises to murder the Greatest, some with seditious Writings, and very many of late with publick infamous Libels, full of despiteful, vile terms, and poisoned lies, altogether to uphold the foresaid Antichristian and Tyrannous Warrant of the Popes Bull.

And yet also by some other means, to further these intentions, because they could not readily prevail by way of Force, finding Foreign Princes of better consideration and not readily inclined to their wicked purposes, it was devised to erect up certain Schools which they called Seminaries, Seminaries erected to nurse seditions Fugitives. to nourish and bring up persons disposed naturally to Sedition, to continue their race and trade, and to become Seedmen in their Tillage of Sedition, and them to send secretly into these the Queens Majesties Realms of England and Ireland under secret Masks, some of Priesthood, some of other inferior Orders, with Titles of Seminaries for some of the meaner sort, and of Jesuits for the stagers and ranker sort and such like; but yet so warily they crept into the Land, as none brought the marks of their Priesthood with them, but in divers Corners of her Majesties Dominions, these Seminaries, or Seedmen, and Jesuits, bringing with them certain Romish trash, as of their hallowed Wax, their Agnus Dei, many kind of Beads, and such like, have as Tillage-men, [Page 6]laboured secretly to perswade the people to allow of the Popes foresaid Bulls and Warrants, The Seminary Fugitives come secretly into the Realm to induce the people to obey the Popes Bull. and of his absolute Authority over all Princes and Countries, and striking many with pricks of Conscience to obey the same; whereby in Process of small time, if this wicked and dangerous, traitorous and crafty course, had not been by Gods goodness espied and stayed, there had followed imminent danger of horrible uprores in the Realms, and a manifest bloody destruction of great multitudes of Christians.

For it cannot be denied, but that so many as should have been induced, and throughly perswaded to have obeyed that wicked Warrant of the Popes, and the Contents thereof, should have been forthwith in their hearts and Consciences, secret Traitors, and for to be indeed errant and open Traitors, there should have wanted nothing but opportunity to feel their strength, and to assemble themselves in such numbers, with Armour and Weapons, as they might have presumed to have been the greater part, and so by open civil War, to have come to their wicked purposes. But Gods goodness by whom Kings do Rule, and by whose blast Traitors are commonly wasted and confounded, hath otherwise given to her Majesty, as to his Handmaid and dear Servant, ruling under him, the spirit of Wisdom and Power, Sowers of sedition taken, convented, and executed for Treason. whereby she hath caused some of these seditious Seedmen, and Sowers of Rebellion, to be discovered, for all their secret lurkings, and to be taken and charged with these former points of High Treason, not being [Page 7]dealt withal upon questions of Religion, but justly condemned as Traitors. At which times, notwithstanding all manner of gentle ways of perswasions used, to move them to desist from such manifest traitorous courses and opinions, yet was the Canker of their Rebellious humours so deeply entred and graven into the hearts of many of them, as they would not be removed from their traiterous determinations. And therefore as manifest Traitors in maintaining and adhearing to the capital Enemy of her Majesty and her Crown, who hath not only been the cause of two Rebellions already passed in England and Ireland, but in that of Ireland did manifestly wage and maintain his own people Captains and Souldiers under the Banner of Rome, against her Majesty (so as no Enemy could do more:) These I say have justly suffered Death, not by force or form of any new Laws established, either for Religion, or against the Popes Supremacy, as the slanderous Libellers would have it seem to be, The sediticus Traitors Condemned by the antient Laws of the Realm, made 200. years past. but by the antient temporal Laws of the Realm, and namely by the Laws of Parliament made in King Edward the Thirds time, about the year of our Lord, 1330. which is above 200. years and more past, when the Bishops of Rome, and Popes, were suffered to have their Authority Ecclesiastical in this Realm as they had in many other Countries.

But yet of this kind of Offenders, as many of them, as after their Condemnations were contented to renounce their former traiterous assertions, so many were spared from Execution, and do live [Page 8]still at this day; Persons Condemned, spared from Execution, upon refusal of their treasonable opinions. such was the unwillingness in her Majesty to have any blood spilt, without this very just and necessary cause, proceeding from themselves. And yet nevertheless, such of the rest of the Traitors as remain in Foreign parts, continuing still their Rebellious minds, and craftily keeping themselves aloof off from dangers, The Foreign Traitors continue sending of persons to move sedition in the Realm. cease not to provoke sundry other inferiour seditious persons, newly to steal secretly into the Realm, to revive the former seditious practises, to the Execution of the Popes foresaid Bulls against her Majesty and the Realm, pretending when they are apprehended, that they came only into the Realm, by the commandment of their Superiours, the Heads of the Jesuits, to whom they are bound (as they say) by Oath, against either King or Country, and here to inform or reform Mens Consciences from errors in some points of Religion, as they shall think meet: but yet in very truth the whole scope of their secret labours is manifestly proved, to be secretly to win all people, with whom they dare deal, so to allow of the Popes said Bulls, and of his Authority without exception, as in obeying thereof, they take themselves fully discharged of their Allegiance, and Obedience to their lawful Prince and Country, yea, and to be well warranted to take Arms to Rebell against her Majesty when they shall be thereunto called, and to be ready secretly to join with any Foreign Force that can be procured to invade the Realm, whereof also they have a long time given, and yet do for their advantage, no small comfort of success: and so consequently the effect of their [Page 9]labours is to bring the Realm not only into a dangerous War against the Forces of Strangers (from which it hath been free above 23. or 24. years, The Seditious Fugitives labour to bring the Realm into a War external and domestical. a Case very memorable and hard to be matched with an example of the like:) but into a War Domestical and Civil, wherein no blood is usually spared, nor mercy yielded, and wherein neither the Vanqueror nor the vanquished, have cause of triumph.

And forasmuch as these are the most evident perils that necessarily should follow, if these kind of Vermine were suffered to creep by stealth into the Realm, and to spread their poyson within the same, howsoever when they are taken, like Hypocrites, they colour and counterfeit the same with profession of devotion in Religion: it is of all persons to be yielded in reason, The duty of the Queen and all her Governours to God and their Country, is to repel practices of Rebellion. that her Majesty and all her Governours and Magistrates of Justice, having care to maintain the peace of the Realm (which God hath given in her time, to continue longer than ever in any time of her Progenitors) ought of duty to Almighty God the Author of Peace, and according to the natural love and charge due to their Country, and for avoiding of the Floods of blood, which in Civil Wars are seen to run and flow, by all lawful means possible, as well by the Sword as by Law, in their several seasons to impeach and repel, these so manifest and dangerous colourable practices, and works of Sedition and Rebellion. And though there are many Subjects known in the Realm, that differ in some opinions of Religion from the Church of England, and that do also not forbear to profess the same, yet in that they do also profess Loyalty and Obedience [Page 10]to her Majesty, None charged with capital Crimes, being of a contrary Religion, and professing to withstand Foreign Forces. and offer readily in her Majesties defence to impugn and resist any Foreign Force, though it should come or be procured from the Pope himself, none of these sort are for their contrary opinions in Religion prosecuted or charged with any crimes or pains of Treason, nor yet willingly searched in their Consciences for their contrary opinions, that savour not of Treason.

And of these sorts, there are a number of persons, not of such base and vulgar note as those were which of late have been executed, as in particular, some by name are well known, and not unfit to be remembred. The first and chiefest by Office was Dr. Heth, that was Archbishop of York, and Lord Chancellor of England in Queen Maries time, who at the first coming of her Majesty to the Crown, shewing himself a faithful and quiet Subject, continued in both the said Offices, though in Religion then manifestly differing, and yet was he not restrained of his liberty, nor deprived of his proper lands and goods, but leaving willingly both his Offices, lived in his own House, and injoyed all his purchased Lands during all his natural life, until by very age he departed this World, and then left his House and living to his Friends: an example of gentleness never matched in Queen Maries time. The like did one Dr. Pool that had been Bishop of Peterborough, an ancient grave person, and a very quiet Subject. There were also others that had been Bishops and in great estimation, as Dr. Tunstal Bishop of Duresm, a person [Page 11]also of very quiet behaviour. Names of divers Ecclesiastical persons professing contrary Religion, never charged with capital Crimes. There were also other, Dr. White, and Dr. Oglethorp, one of Winchester, the other of Carlisle, Bishops: and Dr. Thurleby, and Dr. Watson yet living, one of Ely, the other of Lincoln, Bishops: not pressed with any capital pain, though they maintained the Popes Authority against the Laws of the Realm: and some Abbots, as Mr. Fecknam yet living, a person also of quiet and courteous behaviour for a great time. Some also were Deans, as Dr. Boxall Dean of Windsore, a person of great modesty and knowledge: Dr. Cole Dean of Pauls, a person more earnest than wise: Dr. Reynolds Dean of Exeter, and many such others having born Office and Dignities in the Church, and had made profession against the Pope, which they began in Queen Maries time to change, yet were they never to this day burdened with capital pains, nor yet deprived of any their goods or proper livelyhoods, but only removed from their Ecclesiastical Offices, which they would not exercise according to the Laws. And most of them for a great time ere retained in Bishops Houses in very civil and courteous manner, without charge to themselves or their friends, until the time that the Pope began by his Bulls and Messages, to offer trouble to the Realm by stirring of Rebellion: about which time only, some of these aforenamed being found busier in matters of state tending to stir troubles, than was meet for the common quiet of the Realm, were removed to other more private places, where such other wanderers as were men known to move sedition, might be restrained from common resorting to them to [Page 12]increase trouble, as the Popes Bull gave man fest occasion: and yet without charging them in their Consciences or otherwise, by any inquisition to bring them into danger of any capital Law, so as no one was called to any capital or bloody question upon matters of Religion, but have all injoyed their life as the course of nature would: and such of them as yet remain, may, if they will not be Authors or Instruments of Rebellion or Sedition, injoy the time that God and nature shall yield them without danger of life or member.

And yet it is worthy to be well marked, The late Favourers of the Popes Authority, were the chief Adversaries of the same, by their Doctrines and Writings. that the chiefest of all these, and the most of them, had in the time of King Henry the Eight, and King Edward the Sixth, either by Preaching, Writing, reading or arguing, taught all people to condemn and abhor the Authority of the Pope: yea they had many times given their Oaths publickly, against the Popes Authority, and had also yielded to both the said Kings, the Title of supream head of the Church of England next under Christ, which title the Adversaries do most falsly write and affirm, that the Queens Majesty doth now use: a manifest lie and untruth. And for proof that these foresaid Bishops and learned men had so long time disavowed the Popes Authority, many of their Books and Sermons against the Popes Authority remain printed to be seen in these times, to their great shame and reproof to change so often, and specially in persecuting such as themselves have taught and established to hold the contrary.

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There were also and yet be a great number of others, A great number of Lay persons of livelyhood, being of a contrary Religion, never charged with capital Crime. being Lay-men of good possessions and Lands, men of good credit in their Countries, manifestly of late times seduced to hold contrary opinions in Religion for the Popes Authority, and yet none of them have been sought hitherto to be impeached in any point or quarrel of Treason, or of loss of Life, Member, or Inheritance, so as it may plainly appear, that it is not, nor hath been for contrarious opinions in Religion, or for the Popes Authority, as the Adversaries do boldly and falsly publish, that any persons have suffered Death since her Majesties Reign, and yet some of these sort are well known to hold opinion, that the Pope ought by Authority of Gods word to be Supream and only Head of the Catholick Church, and only to rule in all causes Ecclesiastical, and that the Queens Majesty ought not to be the Governour over all her Subjects in her Realm being persons Ecclesiastical: which opinions are nevertheless in some part by the Laws of the Realm punishable in some degrees, No person charged with capital Crime for the only maintenance of the Popes Supremacy. and yet for none of these points have any persons been prosecuted with the charge of Treason, or in danger of life. And if then it be inquired, for what cause these others have of late suffered Death, it is truly to be answered as afore is often remembred, that none at all are impeached for Treason to the danger of their Life, but such as do obstinately maintain the contents of the Popes Bull afore-mentioned, which do import, that her Majesty is not the lawful Queen of England, the first and highest point of Treason: and that all her Subjects are discharged [Page 14]of their Oaths and Obedience, Such Condemned only for Treason, as maintain the effects of the Popes Bull against her Majesty and the Realm. another high point of Treason: and all warranted to disobey her and her Laws, a third and a very large point of Treason.

And thereto is to be added a fourth point most manifest, in hat they would not disallow the Popes hostile proceedings in open Wars against her Majesty in her Realm of Ireland, where one of their Company Dr. Sanders, a lewd Scholar and Subject of England, a Fugitive and a principal Companion and Conspirator with the Traitors and Rebels at Rome, was by the Popes special Commission a Commander, as in form of a Legate, and sometime a Treasurer or Pay-Master for those Wars, which Dr. Sanders in his Book of his Church Monarchy, did afore his passing into Ireland openly by Writing, Dr. Sanders maintenance of the Popes Bull. gloriously avow the foresaid Bull of Pius Quintus against her Majesty, to be lawful, and affirmeth that by vertue thereof one Dr. Mooreton, an old English Fugitive and Conspirator, was sent from Rome into the North parts of England, to stir up the first Rebellion there, whereof Charles, Nevill the late Earl of Westmerland was a Head Captain. And thereby it may manifestly appear to all men, how this Bull was the ground of the Rebellions both in England and Ireland, and how for maintenance thereof, and for sowing of Sedition by Warrant and allowance of the same, these persons were justly condemned of Treason, The persons that suffered Death, were Condemned for Treason, and not for Religion. and lawfully Executed by the ancient Laws temporal of the Realm, without any other matter than for their practices and Conspiracies both abroad and at home against the Queen and the Realm, and for [Page 15]maintaining of the Popes foresaid Authority and Bull published to deprive her Majesty of her Crown, and for withdrawing and reconciling of her Subjects from their natural allegiance due to her Majesty and to their Country, and for moving them to Sedition: and for no other causes or questions of Religion were these persons condemned: although true it is, that when they were charged and convinced of these points of Conspiracies and Treasons, they would still in their answers colourably pretend their actions to have been for Religion: but in deed and truth they were manifest for the procurement and mainenance of the Rebellions and Wars against her Majesty and her Realm.

And herein is now the manifest diversity to be seen and well considered, betwixt the truth of her Majesties actions, and the falshood of the blasphemous Adversaries: that where the factious party of the Pope the principal Author of the Invasions of her Majesties Dominions, do falsly alledge, that a number of persons, whom they term as Martyrs, have died for defence of the Catholick Religion, the same in very truth may manifestly appear to have died (if they so will have it) as Martyrs for the Pope, and Traitors against their Soveraign and Queen in adhering to him, being the notable and only open hostile Enemy in all actions of War against her Majesty, A full proof that the maintainers of the Bull are directly guilty of Treason. her Kingdoms and People: and that this is the meaning of all these that have so obstinately maintained the Authority and contents of this Bull, the very words [Page 16]of the Bull do declare in this sort, as Dr. Sanders reporteth them.

PIus Quintus Pontifex Maximus, de Apostolicae potestatis plenitudine, declaravit Elizabetham praetenso Regni jue, necnon omni & quocun (que) dominio, dignitate, privilegio (que) privatam: Item (que) Proceres, subditos & populos dicti regni, ac caeteros omnes qui illi quomodocun (que) juraverunt, à juramento hujusmodi ac omni fidelitatis debito, perpetuo absolutos: That is to say, Pius Quintus the greatest Bishop, of the fulness of the Apostolick Power, declared Elizabeth to be bereaved or deprived of her pretended right of her Kingdom, and also of all and whatsoever Dominion, Dignity, and Priviledge: and also the Nobles, Subjects, and People of the said Kingdom, and all others which had sworn to her any manner of ways, to be absolved for ever from such Oath, and from all debt or duty of fealty, and so forth, with many threatning Cursings, to all that durst obey her or her Laws. And for Execution hereof, to prove, that the effect of the Popes Bull and Message was a flat Rebellion, it is not amiss to hear what Dr. Sanders the Popes firebrand in Ireland also writeth in his visible Church Monarchy, which is thus.

Pius Quintus Pontifex Maximus, Dr. Mortons secret Ambassage from Rome to stir the Rebellion in the North. Anno Domini 1569. reverendum presbyterum Nicolaum Mortonum Anglum in Angliam misit, ut certis illustribus viris authoritate Apostolica denunciaret, Elizabetham quae tunc rerum potiebatur, haereticam esse: of eam (que) causam, omni Dominio & potestate excidisse, [Page 17]impune (que) ab illis velut ethnicam haberi posse, nec eos illius legibus aut mandatis deinceps obedire cogi: That is to say, Pius Quintus the greatest Bishop, in the year of our Lord 1569. sent the reverend Priest Nicholas Morton an Englishman into England, that he should denounce or declare by the Apostolick Authority to certain Noblemen, Elizabeth, who then was in possession, to be an Heretick: and for that cause, to have fallen from all Dominion and Power, and that she may be had or reputed of them as an Ethnick, and that they are not to be compelled to obey her Laws or Commandments, &c.

Thus you see an Ambassage of Rebellion from the Popes Holiness, the Ambassadour an old doting English Priest, a Fugitive and Conspirator, sent as he saith to some Noblemen, and those were the two Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland, Head of the Rebellion.

And after this, he followeth to declare the success thereof, which I dare say he was sorry it was so evil, with these words.

Qua denuntiatione multi nobiles viri adducti sunt, ut de fratribus liberandis cogitare auderent, ac sperabant illi quidem Catholicos omnes summis viribus affuturos esse: verùm etsi aliter quàm illi expectabant res evenit, quià Cathelici omnes nondum probè cognoverant, Elizabetham haereticam esse declaratam, tamen laudanda illorum Nobilium consilia erant. That is, By which denuntiation, many [Page 18]Noblemen were induced or led, that they were boldned to think of the freeing of their Brethren, and they hoped certainly that all the Catholicks would have assisted them with all their strength: but although the matter happened otherwise than they hoped for, because all the Catholicks knew not that Elizabeth was declared to be an Heretick, yet the Counsels and intents of those Noblemen were to be praised. A Rebellion and a vanquishing of Rebels very smoothly described.

This noble fact here mentioned, was the Rebellion in the North: the Noblemen were the Earls of Westmerland and Northumberland: the lack of the event or success, was that the Traitors were vanquished, and the Queens Majesty and her Subjects had by Gods Ordinance the Victory: and the cause why the Rebels prevailed not, was because all the Catholicks had not been duly informed that the Queens Majesty was declared to be (as they term it) an Heretick: which want of information, to the intent to make the Rebels mightier in number and power, was diligently and cunningly supplyed by the sending into the Realm of a great multitude of the Seminaries and Jesuits, whose special charge was to inform the people thereof, as by their actions hath manifestly appeared.

And though Dr. Sanders hath thus written, yet it may be said by such as favoured the two notable Jesuits, one named Robert Persons (who yet hideth himself in Corners to continue his Travterous [Page 19]practice) the other named Edmond Campion (that was found out being disguised like a Royster, and suffered for his Treasons) that Dr. Sanders Treason is his proper Treason in allowing of the said Bull, Persons and Campion are offenders as Dr. Sanders is for allowance of the Bull. but not to be imputed to Persons and Campion. Therefore to make it plain that these two by special Authority had charge to execute the sentence of this Bull, these Acts in Writing following shall make manifest, which are not feigned or imagined, but are the very Writings taken about one of their Complices, immediately after Campions Death.

Facultates concessae pp. Roberto Personio, & Edmundo Campiano, pro Anglia, die 14. APrilis 1580.

PEtatur à summo Domino nostro, explicatio Bullae declaratoriae per Pium Quintum contra Elizabetham & ei adbaerentes, quam Catholici cupiunt intelligi hoc modo, ut obliget semper illam & haereticos, catholicos vero nullo modo obliet rebus sic stantibus, sed tum demum quando publica ejusdem bullae executio fieri poterit. Then followed many other Petitions of faculties for their further Authorities, which are not needful for this purpose to be recited: but in the end followeth this Sentence as an answer of the Popes, Has praedictas gratias concessit Summus Pontifex patri Roberto Personio, & Edmundo Campiano in Angliam profecturis, die 14. Aprilis 1580. Praesente patre [Page 20]Oliverio Manarco assistente. The English of which Latin Sentences is, as followeth.

Faculties granted to the two Fathers, Robert Persons, and Edmond Campion for England, the 14 day of April, 1580.

LET it be asked or required of our most holy Lord, Faculties granted to Persons and Campion, by Pope Gregory 3. Anno 1580. the explication or meaning of the Bull declaratory made by Pius the Fifth against Elizabeth, and such as do adhere or obey her, which Bull the Catholicks desire to be understood in this manner, that the same Bull shall always bind her and the Hereticks, but the Catholicks it shall by no means bind, as matters or things do now stand or be, but hereafter, when the publick execution of that Bull may be had or made.

Then in the end the conclusion was thus added.

The highest Pontiff or Bishop, granted these foresaid graces to Father Robert Persons, and Edmond Campion, who are now to take their Journeys into England, the fourteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1580. Being present, the Father Oliverius Manarke assistant.

Hereby is it manifest, what Authority Campion had to impart the contents of the Bull against the Queens Majesty, howsoever he himself denied the same.

And though it be manifest that these two Jesuits, [Page 21] Persons and Campion, not only required to have the Popes mind declared for the Bull, but also in their own Petitions, shewed how they and other Catholicks did desire to have the said Bull to be understood against the Queen of England: yet to make the matter more plain how all other Jesuits and Seminaries, yea how all Papists naming themselves Catholicks, do and are warranted to interpret the said Bull against her Majesty and her good Subjects, you shall see what one of their fellows, named Hart, who was condemned with Campion, did amongst many other things declare his knowledge thereof the last of December, in the same year, 1580. in these words following.

The Bull of Pius Quintus (for so much as it is against the Queen) is holden among the English Catholicks for a lawful sentence, Harts Confession of the interpretation of the Bull of Pius Quintus. and a sufficient discharge of her Subjects fidelity, and so remaineth in force, but in some points touching the Subjects, it is altered by the present Pope. For where in that Bull all her Subjects are commanded not to obey her, and she being excommunicate and deposed, all that do obey her are likewise innodate and accursed, which point is perillous to the Catholicks: for if they obey her, they be in the Popes Curse, and if they disobey her, they are in the Queens danger: therefore the present Pope to relieve them hath altered that part of the Bull, and dispenced with them to obey and serve her, without peril of excommunication: which dispensation is to endure but till it please the Pope otherwise to determine.

[Page 22]

Wherefore to make some conclusion of the matters before-mentioned, A Conclusion that all the infamous Books against the Queen and the Realm, are false. all persons both within the Realm and abroad, may plainly perceive that all the infamous Libels lately published abroad in sundry languages, and the slanderous reports made in other Princes Courts of a multitude of persons, to have been of late put to torments and Death, only for profession of the Catholick Religion, and not for matters of state against the Queens Majesty, are false and shameless, and published to the maintenance of Traitors and Rebels. And to make the matter seem more horrible or lamentable, they recite the particular names of all the persons, which by their own Catalogue exceed not for these twenty five years space, Difference of the small numbers that have been executed in the space of five and twenty years, from the great numbers in five years of Queen Maries Reign. above the number of threescore, forgetting or rather with their stony and sensless hearts not regarding, in what cruel sort in the time of Queen Mary, which little exceeded the space of five years, the Queens Majesties Raign being five times as many, there were by Imprisonment, Torments, Famine and Fire, of Men, Women, Maidens and Children, almost the number of four hundred: and of that number, above twenty that had been Archbishops, Bishops, and principal Prelates or Officers in the Church lamentably destroyed, and of Women above threescore, and of Children above forty, and amongst the Women, some great with Child, out of whose bodies the Child, by fire was expelled alive, and yet also cruelly burned: examples beyond all heathen Cruelty. And most of the youth that then suffered cruel Death, both Men. Women, and Children [Page 23](which is to be noted) were such, as had never by the Sacrament of Baptism, or by Confirmation, professed, nor were ever taught or instructed, or ever had heard of any other kind of Religion, but only of that which by their blood and death in the fire they did as true Martyrs testifie. A matter of another sort to be lamented with simplicity of words, and not with puffed Eloquence, than the execution in this time of a very few Traytors, who also in their time, if they exceeded thirty years of Age, had in their Baptism professed, and in their youth had learned the same Religion, which they now so bitterly oppugned. And beside that, in their opinions they differ much from the Martyrs of Queen Maries time: for though they continued in the profession of the Religion wherein they were Christened, yet they never at their death denied their lawful Queen, nor maintained any of her open and Foreign Enemies, nor procured any Rebellion or Civil War, nor did sow any Sedition in secret Corners, nor withdrew any Subjects from their Obedience, as these sworn Servants of the Pope have continually done.

And therefore all these things well considered, there is no doubt, but all good Subjects within the Realm do manifestly see, and all wavering persons (not being led clean out of the way by the seditious) will hereafter perceive, how they have been abused to go astray. And all strangers, An Advertisement to all Princes of Countries abroad. but especially all Christian Potentates, as Emperours, Kings, Princes, and such like, having their Soveraign Estate, either in succession hereditary, or [Page 24]by consent of their people, being acquainted with the very truth of these her Majesties late just and necessary actions, only for defence of her Self, her Crown, and People, against open Invaders, and for eschewing of Civil Wars, stirred up by Rebellion, will allow in their own like Cases, for a truth and rule (as it is not to be doubted but they will) that it belongeth not to a Bishop of Rome as Successor of Saint Peter, and therein a Pastor spiritual, or if he were the Bishop of all Christendom, as by the name of Pope he claimeth, first by his Bulls or Excommunications, in this sort at his will in favour of Traytors and Rebels, to depose any Soveraign Princes, being lawfully invested in their Crowns, by succession in blood, or by lawful Election, and then to Arm Subjects against their natural Lords, to make Wars, and to dispense with them for their Oaths in so doing, or to excommunicate faithful Subjects, for obeying of their natural Princes, and lastly himself to make open War, with his own Souldiers, against Princes moving no Force against him.

For if these powers should be permitted to him to exercise, then should no Empire, no Kingdom, no Country, no City or Town, be possessed by any lawful title, longer than one such only an earthly man, sitting (as he saith) in St. Peters Chair at Rome, The Authority claimed by the Pope not warranted by Christ, or by the two Apostles, Peter and Paul. should for his will and appetite (without Warrant from God or Man) think meet and determine: An Authority never challenged by the Lord of Lords the Son of God, Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour, and the only [Page 25]Head of his Church, whilst he was in his Humanity upon the Earth, nor yet delivered by any Writing or certain Tradition from Saint Peter, from whom the Pope pretendeth to derive all his Authority, nor yet from St. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles; but contrariwise by all Preachings, Precepts, and Writings, contained in the Gospel and other Scriptures of the Apostles, obedience is expresly commanded to all earthly Princes, yea, even to Kings by special name, and that so generally, as no person is exempted from such duty of obedience, as by the sentence of St. Paul even to the Romans, appeareth, Omnis anima sublimioribus potestatibus sit subdita; That is, Let every soul be subject to the higher Powers: within the compass of which Law or Precept, St. Chrysostom being Bishop of Constantinople, writeth, that even Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Monks are comprehended. And for proof of St. Peters mind herein, from whom these Popes claim their Authority, it cannot be plainlier expressed, than when he writeth thus: Proinde subjecti estote cuivis humanae ordinationi, propter Dominum, sive Regi, ut qui superemineat, sive Praesidibus ab eo missis: That is, Therefore be you subject to every humane ordinance or creature, for the Lord, whether it be to the King, as to him that is supereminent, or above the rest, or to his Presidents sent by him. By which two principal Apostles of Christ, these Popes the pretended Successors, but chiefly by that which Christ the Son of God, the only Master of Truth, said to Peter and his fellow-Apostles, Reges gentium dominantur, vos autem non sic: That is, The Kings of the [Page 26]Gentiles have rule over them, but you not so, may learn to forsake their arrogant and tyrannous Authorities in earthly and temporal causes over Kings and Princes, and exercise their Pastoral Office, as St. Peter was charged thrice at one time by his Lord and Master, Pasce oves meas, Feed my sheep, and peremptorily forbidden to use a Sword, in saying to him, Converte gladium tuum in locum suum, or mitte gladium tuum in vaginam: That is, Turn thy Sword into his place, or, Put thy Sword into the scabbard.

All which Precepts of Christ and his Apostles, were duly followed and observed many hundred years after their death, by the faithful and godly Bishops of Rome, that duly followed the doctrine and humility of the Apostles, and the doctrine of Christ, and thereby dilated the limits of Christs Church and the Faith, more in the compass of an hundred years, than the latter Popes have done with their Swords and Curses these five hundred years, Pope Hildebrand the first that made War against the Emperor. An. Dom. 1074. and so continued untill the time of one Pope Hildebrand, otherwise called Gregory the Seventh, about the year of our Lord, 1074. who first began to usurp that kind of Tyranny, which of late the Pope called Pius Quintus, and since that time, Gregory now the Thirteenth hath followed, for some example as it seemeth, that is: Where Gregory the Seventh, in the year of our Lord 1074. or thereabout, presumed to depose Henry the Fourth, a noble Emperour then being, Gregory the Thirteenth now at this time, would attempt the like against King Henry the Eighth's Daughter and [Page 27]Heir, Queen Elizabeth, a Soveraign Queen, holding her Crown immediately of God. And to the end it may appear to Princes, or to their good Counsellors in one example, what was the fortunate success that God gave to this good Christian Emperour Henry against the proud Pope Hildebrand, it is to be noted, that when the Pope Gregory attempted to depose this noble Emperour Henry, there was one Rodulph a Noble man, by some named the Count of Reenfield, that by the Popes procurement, usurped the name of the Emperour, The Judgement of God against the Popes false erected Emperour. who was overcome by the said Henry the lawful Emperour, and in fight having lost his right hand, he, the said Rodulph, lamented his case to certain Bishops, who in the Popes name had erected him up, and to them he said, that the self-same right hand which he had lost, was the hand wherewith he had before sworn obedience to his Lord and Master the Emperour Henry, and that in following their ungodly Counsels, he had brought upon him Gods heavy and just Judgments. And so Henry the Emperour prevailing by Gods power, Pope Gregory the Seventh deposed by Henry IV. caused Gregory the Pope by a Synod in Italy to be deposed, as in like times before him his Predecessor Otho the Emperour had deposed one Pope John for many hainous crimes: and so were also within a short time, three other Popes, namely, Sylvester, Bennet, and Gregory the Sixth, used by the Emperour Henry the Third, about the year of our Lord 1047. for their like presumptuous attempts in temporal actions against the said Emperours. Many other examples might be shewed to the Emperours Majesty, and the Princes of the holy Empire [Page 28]now being, after the time of Henry the Fourth: as of Henry the Fifth Henry 5. Frederick 1. Frederick 3. Lewis of Banar, Emperours. and after him, of Frederick the First, and Frederick the Second, and then of Lewis of Bavar, all Emperours, cruelly and tyrannously persecuted by the Popes, and by their Bulls, Curses, and by open Wars, and likewise to many other the great Kings and Monarchs of Christendom, of their noble Progenitors, Kings of their several Dominions: whereby they may see how this kind of tyrannous Authority in Popes to make Wars upon Emperours and Kings, and to command them to be deprived, took hold at the first by Pope Hildebrand, though the same never had any lawful example or warrant from the Laws of God of the Old or New Testament, but yet the successes of their tyrannies were by Gods goodness for the most part made frustrate, as by Gods goodness there is no doubt, but the like will follow to their confusions at all times to come.

And therefore, as there is no doubt, but the like violent tyrannous proceedings by any Pope in maintenance of Traiters and Rebels, would be withstood by every Soveraign Prince in Christendom in defence of their Persons and Crowns, and maintenance of their Subjects in Peace: so is there at this present a like just cause that the Emperours Majesty, with the Princes of the holy Empire, Whatsoever is lawful for other Princes Soveraigns, is lawful for the Queen and Crown of England. and all other Soveraign Kings and Princes in Christendom, should judge the same to be lawful for her Majesty being a Queen, and holding the very place of a King and a Prince Soveraign over divers Kingdoms and Nations, she being also most lawfull, invested [Page 29]in her Crown, and as for good governing of her People, with such applause and general allowance, loved, and obeyed of them, saving a few ragged Traiters or Rebels, or persons discontented, whereof no other Realm is free, as continually for these twenty five years past hath been notably seen and so publickly marked, even by strangers repairing into this Realm, as it were no cause of disgrace to any Monarchy and King in Christendom to have her Majesties felicity compared with any of theirs whatsoever: and it may be, there are many Kings and Princes could be well contented with the fruition of some proportion of her felicity. And though the Popes be now suffered by the Emperor, in the Lands of his own peculiar Patrimony, and by the two great Monarchs the French King and the King of Spain, in their Dominions and Territories (although by other Kings not so allowed) to continue his Authority in sundry cases, and his glorious Title to be the universal Bishop of the World, The Title of universal Bishop is a Preamble of Antichrist. which Title Gregory the Great above nine hundred years past, called a profane Title, full of Sacriledge, and a Preamble of Antichrist: yet in all their Dominions and Kingdoms, as also in the Realm of England, most notably by many ancient Laws it is well known, how many ways the tyrannous Power of this his excessive Authority hath been and still is restrained, checked, and limited by Laws and Pragmatiques, both ancient and new: a very large field for the Lawyers of those Countries to walk in and discourse. And howsoever the Popes Canonists being as his Bombarders, do make, his Excommunications and Curses appear [Page 30]fearful to the multitude and simple people: yet all great Emperours and Kings aforetime, in their own cases, of their Rights and Royal Preheminences, though the same concerned but a City or a poor Town, and sometime but the not allowance of some unworthy Person to a Bishoprick or to an Abbey, never refrained to despise all Popes Curses or Forces, but attempted always, either by their Swords to compel them to desist from their furious actions, or without any fear of themselves, in body, soul, or conscience, stoutly to withstand their Curses, and that sometime by force, sometime by Ordinances and Laws: the ancient Histories whereof are too many to be repeated, and of none more frequent and effectual than of the Kings of France.

But leaving those that are ancient, we may remember how in this our own present or late Age, it hath been manifestly seen, how the Army of the late noble Emperour Charles the Fifth, Father to King Philip that now reigneth, was not afraid of his Curses, when in the year of our Lord 1527. Rome it self was besieged and sacked, and the Pope then called Clement, Rome sacked, and the Pope Clement taken Prisoner by the Emperors Army. and his Cardinals, to the number of about thirty three in his Mount Adrian or Castle S. Angelo, taken Prisoners and detained seven months or more, and after ransomed by Don Ʋgo di Moncada a Spaniard, and the Marquess of Grasto, at about four hundred M. Duckats, besides the ransoms of his Cardinals which was very great, having not long before-time been also notwithstanding his Curses, besieged in the same Castle by the [Page 31]Family of the Colonesi and their Fautors his next Neighbours being then Imperialists, and forced to yield to all their demands. 1550. King Henry the Second of France his Edicts against the Pope and his Courts of Rome. Neither did King Henry the Second of France, Father to Henry now King of France, about the year 1550. fear or regard the Pope or his Court of Rome, when he made several straight Edicts against many parts of the Popes Claims in prejudice of the Crown and Clergy of France, retracting the Authority of the Court of Rome, greatly to the hinderance of the Popes former profits. Neither was the Army of King Philip now of Spain, The besieging of Rome and the Pope by the Duke of Alva with King Philips Army. whereof the Duke of Alva was General, stricken with any fear of cursing, when it was brought afore Rome against the Pope, in the year of our Lord 1555. where great destruction was made by the said Army, and all the delicate Buildings, Gardens, and Orchards next to Rome-Walls overthrown, wherewith his Holiness was more terrified, than he was able to remove with any his Curses. Queen Mary and Cardinal Pool resisted the Pope. Neither was Queen Mary the Queens Majesties late Sister, a person not a little devoted to the Roman Religion, so afraid of the Popes cursings, but that both she and her whole Council, and that with the assent of all the Judges of the Realm, according to the ancient Laws, in favour of Cardinal Pool her Kinsman, did forbid the entry of his Bulls, and of a Cardinal Hat at Callis, that was sent from the Pope for one Fryer Peyto, whom the Pope had assigned to be a Cardinal in disgrace of Cardinal Pool; neither did Cardinal Pool himself at the same time obey the Popes commandments, nor shewed himself afraid, being assisted by the Queen, when the Pope did threaten him [Page 32]with pain of Excommunication, but did still oppose himself against the Popes commandment for the said pretended Cardinal Peyto: who notwithstanding all the threatnings of the Pope, was forced to go up and down in the streets of London like a begging Fryer: D. Peyto a begging Fryer a stout resistance in a Queen for a poor Cardinals Hat, wherein she followed the example of her grandfather King Henry the Seventh, for a matter of Allum. So as howsoever the Christian Kings for some respects in Policy can endure the Pope to command where no harm nor disadvantage groweth to themselves, yet sure it is, and the Popes are not ignorant, The Kings of Christendom never suffer the Popes to abridge their Titles or Rights, though they suffer them to have rule over their People. but where they shall in any sort attempt to take from Christian Princes any part of their Dominions, or shall give aid to their Enemies, or to any other their Rebels, in those cases, their Bulls, their Curses, their Excommunications, their Sentences, and most solemn Anathematicals, no nor their Cross-keys, or double edged Sword, will serve their turns to compass their intentions.

And now, where the Pope hath manifestly by his Bulls and Excommunications attempted as much as he could, to deprive her Majesty of her Kingdoms, to withdraw from her the obedience of her Subjects, to procure Rebellions in her Realms, yea, to make both Rebellions and open Wars, with his own Captains, Souldiers, Banners, Ensigns, and all other things belonging to War: shall this Pope, or any other Pope after him, think that a Soveraign Queen, possessed of the two Realms of England and Ireland, stablished so many years in her Kingdoms as three or four Popes have sit in their Chair at [Page 33] Rome, fortified with so much duty, love, and strength of her Subjects, acknowledging no Superiour over her Realms, but the mighty hand of God: shall she forbear, or fear to withstand and make frustrate his unlawful attempts, either by her Sword or by her Laws, or to put his Souldiers Invaders of her Realm to the Sword martially, The Queen of England may not suffer the Pope by any means to make Rebellions in her Realm. or to execute her Laws upon her own rebellious Subjects civilly, that are proved to be his chief Instruments for Rebellion, and for his open War? This is sure, that howsoever either he sitting in his Chair with a triple Crown at Rome, or any other his Proctors in any part of Christendom, shall renew these unlawful attempts, Almighty God, whom her Majesty only honoureth and acknowledgeth to be her only Soveraign Lord and Protector, and whose Laws and Gospel of his Son Jesus Christ she seeketh to defend, will no doubt but deliver sufficient power into his Maidens hand his Servant Queen Elizabeth, to withstand and confound them all.

And where the seditious Trumpetters of infamies and lies, Additaments to the Popes Marty rologe. have sounded forth and entituled certain that have suffered for Treason, to be Martyrs for Religion: so may they also at this time, if they list, add to their forged Catalogue, the headless body of the late miserable Earl of Desmond, who of late, secretly wandring without succour, as a miserable Begger, was taken by one of the Irishry in his Cabin, and in an Irish sort after his own accustomed savage manner, his head cut off from his body: an end due to such an Arch-rebel. And herewith to remember the end [Page 34]of his chief Confederates, may be noted for example to others, The strange ends of James Earl of Desmond. D. Saurders. James Fitzmorice. John of Desmond. the strange manner of the death of Dr. Sanders the Popes Irissh Legat, who also wandring in the Mountains in Ireland without succor, dyed raving in a Phrensie. And before him, one James Fits-Morice the first Traiter of Ireland next to Stukely the Rakehel, a man not unknown in the Popes Palace for a wicked crafty Traiter, was slain at one blow by an Irish noble young Gentleman, in defence of his Fathers Country which the Traiter sought to burn. A fourth man of singular Note was John of Desmond, Brother to the Earl, a very bloody faithless Traiter, and a notable Murderer of his familiar friends, who also wandring to seek some prey like a Wolf in the Woods, was taken and beheaded after his own usage, being as he thought sufficiently armed with the Popes Bulls and certain Agnus Dei, and one notable Ring about his neck sent from the Popes finger (as it was said:) but these he saw saved not his life. And such were the fatal ends of all these, being the principal heads of the Irish War and Rebellion, so as no one person remaineth at this day in Ireland a known Traiter. To this number, they may if they seek number, also add a furious young Man of Warwickshire, by name Somervile, John Somervile. to increase their Kalender of the Popes Martyrs, who of late was discovered and taken in his way, coming with a full intent to have killed her Majesty (whose life God always have in his custody.) The attempt not denied by the Traiter himself, but confessed, and that he was moved thereto in his wicked spirit, by inticements of certain seditious and traiterous persons his Kinsmen [Page 35]and Allies, and also by often reading of sundry seditious vile Books lately published against her Majesty. But as God of his goodness hath of long time hitherto preserved her Majesty from these and the like Treacheries: so hath she no cause to fear being under his Protection, she saying with King David in the Psalm, My God is my helper and I will trust in him, he is my protection, and the strength of the power of my salvation. And for the comfort of all good Subjects against the shadows of the Popes Bulls, it is manifest to the World, that from the beginning of her Majesties Reign, by Gods singular goodness, her Kingdom hath enjoyed more universal Peace, her People increased in more numbers, in more strength, The Prosperity of England, during the Popes curses. and with greater riches, the earth of her Kingdoms hath yielded more fruits, and generally all kind of worldly felicity hath more abounded since and during the time of the Popes Thunders, Bulls, Curses, and Maledictions, than in any other long times before, when the Popes Pardons and Blessings came yearly into the Realm: so as his Curses and Maledictions have turned back to himself and his Fautors, that it may be said to the fortunate Queen of England and her People, as was said in Deuteronomy of Balaam, The Lord thy God would not hear Balaam, but did turn his Maledictions or curses into Benedictions or blessings: the reason is, for because thy God loved thee.

Although these former reasons are sufficient to perswade all kind of reasonable persons to allow of her Majesties actions to be good, reasonable, [Page 36]lawful, and necessary: yet because it may be, that such as have by frequent reading of false artificial Libels, and by giving credit to them, upon a prejudice or forejudgment afore grouned, by their rooted opinions in favour of the Pope, will rest unsatisfied: therefore as much as may be, to satisfie all persons as far forth as common reason may warrant, that her Majesties late action in executing of certain seditious Traiters, hath not proceeded for the holding of opinions, Reasons to perswade by reason the Favourers of the Pope, that none hath bin executed for Religion, but for Treason. either for the Popes Supemacy, or against her Majesties Regality, but for the very Crimes of Sedition and Treason, it shall suffice briefly, in a manner of a repetition of the former reasons, to remember these things following.

First, The first reason. it cannot be denied, but that her Majesty did for many years, suffer quietly the Popes Bulls and Excommunications without punishment of the Fautors thereof, accounting of them but as of words or wind, or of Writings in Parchment weighed down with lead, or as of water-bubbles, commonly called in Latine Bullae and such like: but yet after some proof that courage was taken thereof by some bold and bad Subjects, she could not but then esteem them to be very Preambles, or as forerunners of greater danger: and therefore, with what reason could any mislike, that her Majesty did for a bare defence against them, without other action or force, use the help of reviving of former Laws, to prohibit the Publication or Execution of such kind of Bulls within her Realm?

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Secondly, when notwithstanding the prohibition by her Laws, The second reason. the same Bulls were plentifully (but in secret sort) brought into the Realm, and at length arrogantly set upon the Gates of the Bishop of Londons Palace near to the Cathedral Church of Pauls, the principal City of the Realm, The Bull of Pius Quintus set up at Pauls. by a lewd person, using the same like a Herald sent from the Pope: who can in any common reason mislike, that her Majesty finding this kind of denunciation of War, as a defiance to be made in her principal City by one of her Subjects, avowing and obstinately maintaining the same, should according to justice, cause the offender to have the reward due to such a fact? and this was the first action of any capital punishment inflicted for matter sent from Rome to move Rebellion, The first punishment for the Bull. which was after her Majesty had reigned about the space of twelve years or more.

Thirdly, when the Pope had risen up out of his Chair in his wrath, from words and writings to actions, The third reason. and had contrary to the advice given by S. Barnard to his Predecessor, that is, when by his Messages he left Verbum and took Ferrum, that is, left to feed by the Word, and began to strike with the Sword, and stirred her Noble men and People directly to disobedience and to open Rebellion, Rebellion in the North. and that her lewd Subjects by his commandment had executed the same with all the Forces which they could make or bring into the field: who with common reason can disallow that her Majesty used her principal Authority, and by her Forces lawful [Page 38]subdued Rebels Forces unlawful, and punished the Authors thereof no otherwise than the Pope himself useth to do with his own Rebellious Subjects, in the Patrimony of his Church? And if any Prince of People in the World, would otherwise neglect his Office, and suffer his Rebels to have their wills, none ought to pity him, if for want of resistance and courage, he lost both his Crown, his Head, his Life, and his Kingdom.

Fourthly, The fourth reason. when her Majesty beheld a further increase of the Popes malice, notwithstanding that the first Rebellion was in her North parts vanquished, in that he entertained abroad out of this Realm, the Traiters and Rebels that fled for the Rebellion, and all the Rabble of other the Fugitives of the Realm, and that he sent a number of the same in sorts disguised into both the Realms of England and Ireland, who there secretly allured her People to new Rebellions, The Invasion of Ireland by the Pope. and at the same time spared not his charges to send also out of Italy by Sea, certain Ships with Captains of his own, with their Bands of Souldiers, furnished with Treasure, Munition, Victuals, Ensigns, Banners, and all other things requisite to the War, into her Realm of Ireland, where the same Forces with other auxiliar Companies out of Spain landed, and fortified themselves very strongly in the Sea-side, and proclaimed open War, erecting the Popes Banner against her Majesty: may it be now asked of these persons, Favourers of the Romish Authority, what in reason should have been done by her Majesty otherwise, than first to apprehend all such Figitives so [Page 39]stollen into the Realm, and dispersed in disguising habits to sow Sedition, as some Priests in their secret Profession, but all in their apparel, as Roisters or Ruffins, some Scholars, like to the basest Common people, and them to commit to Prisons, and upon their examinations of their Trades and Haunts, to convince them of their Conspiracies abroad, by testimony of their own Companions, and of sowing Sedition secretly at home in the Realm? What may be reasonably thought was meet to be done with such seditious persons, but by the Laws of the Realm to try, condemn, and execute them? and especially having regard to the dangerous time, The Popes Forces vanquished in Ireland. when the Popes Forces were in the Realm of Ireland, and more in preparation to follow as well into England as into Ireland, to the resistance whereof, her Majesty and her Realm was forced to be at greater charges, than ever she had been, since she was Queen thereof. And so by Gods power, which he gave to her on the one part, she did by her Laws suppress the seditious stirrers of Rebellion in her Realm of England, and by her Sword vanquished all the Popes Forces in her Realm of Ireland, excepting certain Captains of mark that were saved from the Sword, as persons that did renounce their quarrel, and seemed to curse or to blame such as sent them to so unfortunate and desperate a Voyage.

But though these reasons, grounded upon rules of natural reason, The Politick Adversaries satisfied. shall fatisfie a great number of the Adversaries (who will yield that by good order of Civil and Christian Policy and Government, [Page 40]her Majesty could nor can do no less than she hath done, first to subdue with her Forces her Rebels and Traiters, and next by order of her Laws to correcdt the Aiders and Abettors, and lastly to put also to the Sword such Forces as the Pope sent into her Dominions) yet there are certain other persons, Objection of the Papists, that the persons executed are but Scholars and unarmed. more nicely addicted to the Pope, that will yet seem to be unsatisfied, for that, as they will term the matter, a number of silly poor Wretches were put to death as Traiters, being but in profession Scholars or Priests, by the names of Seminaries, Jesuits, or simple School-masters, that came not into the Realm with any Armor or Weapon, by force to aid the Rebels and Traiters, either in England or in Ireland in their Rebellions or Wars: of which sort of Wretches the commiseration is made, as though for their contrary opinions in Religion, or for teaching of the people to disobey the Laws of the Realm, they might have been otherwise punished and corrected, and yet not with capital punishment. These kinds of defences, tend only to find fault rather with the severity of their punishments, than to acquit them as Innocents or quiet Subjects. But for answer to the better satisfaction of these nice and scrupulous Favourers of Traiters, it must be with reason demanded of them (if at least they will open their ears to reason) whether they think that when a King being stablished in his Realm, hath a Rebellion first secretly practised, and afterward openly raised in his Realm by his own seditious Subjects, and when by a Foreign Potentate or Enemy, the same Rebellion is maintained, and the Rebels by messages and promises comforted to continue, [Page 41]and their Treasons against their natural Prince avowed, Many are Traiters, though they have no Armor nor Weapon. and consequently when the same Potentate and Enemy, being Author of the said Rebellion, shall with his own proper Forces invade the Realm and Subjects of the Prince that is so lawfully and peaceably possessed: in these cases, shall no Subject favouring these Rebels, and yielding obedience to the Enemy the Invador, be committed or punished as a Traiter, but only such of them, as shall be found openly to carry Armor and Weapon? Shall no Subject, that is a spial and an explorer for the Rebel or Enemy, against his natural Prince, be taken and punished as a Traiter, because he is not found with Armor or Weapon, but yet is taken in his disguised apparel, with writings, or other manifest tokens, to prove him a Spy for Traiters, after he hath wandered secretly in his Soveraigns Camp, Region, Court, or City? Shall no Subject be counted a Traiter, that will secretly give earnesty and prest money to persons to be Rebels or Enemies, or that will attempt to poyson the Victual, or the Fountains, or secretly set on fire the Ships or Munition, or that will secretly search and sound the Havens and Creeks for landing, or measure the depth of Ditches, or height of Towers and Walls, because these offenders are not found with armor or Weapon? The answer I think must needs be yielded (if reason and experience shall have rule with these Adversaries) that all these and such like are to be punished as Traiters: and the principal reason is, because the actions of all these are necessary accessaries, and adherents proper, to further and continue all Rebellions [Page 34]and Wars. But if they will deny, that none are Traiters that are not armed, they will make Judas no Traiter, that came to Christ without Armor, colouring his treason with a kiss.

Now therefore it resteth to apply the Facts of these late Malefactors that are pretended to have offended but as Scholars, The Application of the Scholastical Traiters, to others, that are Traiters without Armor. or Book-men, or at the most but as persons that only in words and doctrine, and not with Armor did favour and help the Rebels and the Enemies. For which purpose let these persons be termed as they list, Scholars, School-masters, Book-men, Seminaries, Priests, Jesuits, Fryers, Bead-men, Romanists, Pardoners, or what else you will, neither their titles, nor their apparel doth make them Traiters, but their traiterous secret motions and practices: their persons make not the War, but their directions and counsels have set up the Rebellions. The very causes final of these Rebellions and Wars, have been to depose her Majesty from her Crown: the causes instrumental, are these kind of Seminaries and Seed-men of Sedition: the fruits and effects thereof, are by Rebellion to shed the blood of all her faithful Subjects: the rewards of the Invaders (if they could prevail) should be the disinheriting of all the Nobility, the Clergy, and the whole Commonalty, that would (as they are bound by the Laws of God, by their Birth and Oaths) defend their natural gracious Queen, their native Country, their Wives, their Children, their Family, and their Houses. And now examine these which you call your unarmed Scholars and Priests, wherefore they [Page 35]lied and were conversant in company of the principal Rebels and Traiters at Rome, and in other places, where it is proved that they were partakers of their Conspiracies? Let it be answered why they came thus by stealth into the Realm? why they have wandered up and down in corners in disguised sort, changing their titles, names, and manner of apparel? Why they have enticed and sought to perswade by their secret false reasons, the people to allow and believe all the actions and attempts whatsoever the Pope hath done or shall do, to be lawful? Why they have reconciled and withdrawn so many people in corners from the Laws of the Realm to the obedience of the Pope, a Foreign Potentate and open Enemy, whom they know to have already declared the Queen to be no lawful Queen, to have maintained the known Rebels and Traiters, to have invaded her Majesties Dominions with open War? Examine further, how these vagrant disguised unarmed Spies have answered, when they were taken and demanded what they thought of the Bull of Pope Pius Quintus, Six Questions to try Traiters from Scholars. which was published to deprive the Queens Majesty, and to warrant her Subjects to disobey her: whether they thought that all Subjects ought to obey the same Bull, and so to rebel? Secondly, whether they thought her Majesty to be the lawful Queen of the realm, notwithstanding the said Bull or any other Bull of the Pope? Thirdly, whether the Pope might give such licence as he did to the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland, and other her Majesties Subjects to rebel as they did? or give power to D. Sanders a natural born Subject [Page 44]but an unnatural worn Priest, to take Arms and move Wars as he did in Ireland. Fourthly, whether the Pope may discharge the Subjects of her Majesty, or of any other Princes Christened, of their Oaths of obedience? Fifthly, whether the said traiterous Priest D. Sanders or one Bristow a rebellious Figitive, did in their Books write truly or falsely, in approving the said Bull of Pius Quintus, and the Contents thereof? Lastly, what were to be done, if the Pope or any other assigned by him, would invade the Realm of England, and what part they would take, or what part any faithful Subject of her Majesties ought to take? To these questions very apt to try the truth or falsehood of any such seditious persons, being justly before condemned for their disloyalty, these lewd unarmed Traiters I say would no wise answer directly hereto, as all other faithful Subjects to any Prince Christian ought to do. And as they upon refusal to answer directly to these questions only, might have been justly convinced as guilty of Treason, so yet were they not thereupon condemned, The offenders executed for Treason, not [...]or Religion. but upon all their other former actions committed both abroad and in her Realm, which were no less traiterous than the actions of all other the Spies and Traiters, and of Judas himself afore remembred which had no Armor nor Weapon, and yet at all times ought to be adjudged Traiters. For these disguised persons (called Scholars or Priests) having been first conversant of long time with the Traiters beyond the Sea in all their Conspiracies, came hither by stealth in time of War and Rebellion by commandment of the Capital Enemy the Pope or [Page 45]his Legates, to be secret Espials and Explorers in the Realm for the Pope, to deliver by secret, Romish tokens, as it were an earnest or prest, to them that should be in readiness to joyn with Rebels or open Enemies, and in like sort with their hallowed baggages from Rome to poyson the senses of the Subjects, pouring into their hearts malicious and pastilent opinions against her Majesty and the Laws of the Realm: and also to kindle and set on fire the hearts of discontented Subjects with the flames of Rebellion, and to search and sound the depths and secrets of all mens inward intentions, either against her Majesty, or for her: and finally to bring into a Bead-roll, or as it were into a Muster-roll, the names and powers with the dwellings of all that should be ready to rebel and to aid the Foreign Invasion. These kinds of seditious actions for the service of the Pope, and the Traiters and Rebels abroad, have made them Traiters: not their Books, nor their Beads, no nor their Cakes of Wax which they call Agnus Dei, nor other their Reliques, nor yet their Opinions for the ceremonies or Rites of the Church of Rome: and therefore it is to be certainly concluded that these did justly deserve their capital punishments as Traiters, though they were not apprehended with open Armor or Weapon.

Now if this latter repetition, as it were of all the former causes & reasons afore-recited, may not serve to stop the boisterous mouths, and the pestiferous tongues, and venemous breaths of these that are infected with so gross errors, as to defend seditious [Page 38]Subjects, stirrers of Rebellion against their natural Prince and Country: Unreasonable and obstinate persons are left to Gods Judgment. then are they to be left without any further argument, to the Judgment of the Almighty God, as persons that have covered their eyes against the Suns light, stopped their ears against the sound of Justice, and oppressed their hearts against the force of reason, and as the Psalmist saith, They speak lyes, they are as venemous as the poyson of a Serpent, even like the deaf Adder that stoppeth his ears.

Wherefore with charity to conclude, if these Rebels and Traiters, and their Fautors would yet take some remorse and compassion of their natural Country, and would consider how vain their attempts have been so many years, and how many of their Confederates are wasted by miseries and calamities, and would desist from their unnatural practices abroad: and if these Seminaries, secret Wanderers, and Explorators in the dark would imploy their travels in the works of Light and Doctrine according to the usage of their Schools, and content themselves with their Profession and Devotion: and that the remnant of the wicked flock of the Seed-men of Sedition would ease from their rebellious, false, and infamous railings and libellings: there is no doubt by Gods grace (her Majesty being so much given to Mercy and devoted to Peace) but all colour and occasion of shedding the blood of any more of her natural Subjects of this Land, should utterly cease. Against whose malices, if they shall not desist, Almighty God continue her Majesty with his Spirit and Power long [Page 39]to reign and live in his fear, and to be able to vanquish them and all Gods Enemies, and her Rebels and Traiters both at home and abroad, and to maintain and preserve all her natural good loving Subjects, to the true service of the same Almighty God according to his holy Word and Will.

Many other things might be remembred for defence of other her Majesties Princely, honourable, and godly actions in sundry other things, wherein also these and the like seditious Railers have of late time without all shame, by feigned and false Libels sought to discredit her Majesty and her Government: but at this time, these former causes and reasons alledged by way of advertisements, are sufficient to justifie her Majesties actions to the whole World in the cases remembred.

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Important Considerations
Which ought to move all true and sound Catholicks, who are not wholly Jesuited, to acknowledge without all Equivocations, Ambiguities, or Shiftings, that the Proceedings of her Majesty, and of the State with them, since the beginning of her Highness Reign, have been both mild and merciful.

RIght Worshipful and our dear Friends. We your ancient Teachers and spiritual Fathers, the secular Priests in England, that sundry years for your sakes, have endured many calamities, but cannot frame our selves to the new Jesuitical Faction, that beareth so great a sway with you: are every where amongst you accounted simple persons: men destitute of the Spirit of Government: without all Policy and Providence, ignorant Pilots, how to cast about with our Ships in sudden gusts or storms: not trained up in the managing of great Affairs, and far unmeet (God wot) to take upon us the guiding of Souls. All which disgraces, in the sense they are imputed unto us, we take in good part, whether they proceed from your selves, or from your Spanish Statists, that can work wonders, [Page 50]or from you both: and we must acknowledge, that if their courses, either formerly taken, or still intended for the re-establishing of the Catholick Faith in this Kingdom, be good, ours do come far short of that pitch: and well you may think; as already you have (in your wisdoms) censured our weakness, and judged of us. Howbeit, as yet by your good patience, we must be bold to rejoyce in our simplicity, and to confess in direct terms, and so tell you plainly, and wish you all to mark it well: that, posteriores cogitationes solent esse sapientiores. Experience is said to be the Mistress of Fools: but she is no foolish Misress. The Jesuitical Plots for the restoring of Religion in this Land, by Treasons or Invasions, are not sanctified or blessed by the hand of God. Some of us the ancienter sort of Priests, have ever misliked their courses herein: and many other we know are of the same Judgment. The old approved paths of our Forefathers, (when men have beaten their brains to the uttermost) will always prove the best, Novelties and sine devices of busie and unquiet heads, are, but as May-flowers that are gone in June; they may carry a fair shew, but they will not continue. The ancient manner of planting the Catholick Faith, hath been by Preaching, Prayers, private Instructions, Confessions, Absolutions, and by the exercising of other Priestly Functions, given ad aedificationem non ad destructionem, to teach Obedience, not Rebellion: to fill mens hearts with joy and peace, by the inward working of the Holy Ghost; and not to feed them with hopes of Invasions and Treacheries, with the Moon-shine in [Page 51]the water, and follies, or with preposterous cogitations, to think they may expect for figs from thistles, or that men may do evil, that good may come of it. As simple Priests as you esteem us, yet this we tell you, that we are not ignorant of the Machiavilian Rules, which your Rabbies practise: nor of their Wild-geese Races, wherein they have run themselves out of all honest breath. But we know them, not to embrace them (we thank God) but to disclose them, or rather to acknowledge them for wicked (being disclosed too apparently already to our hands:) that you in time might eschew them, (if you will be advised by us) and all the World at the lengh may bear us witness, how much we detest them from our hearts, and abhor them. Whilst we had any hope, that these Political Fathers (as they joy to be termed) would at the last have reclaimed themselves, and grown more tractable and moderate in their designments against our Soveraign and Native Country: we were silent in respect of the common Cause, and very well content to undergo many inconveniences and miseries, which we might have avoided (as we are perswaded) if we had sooner opened our selves, and professed our said detestation of such their, no way Priestly, but very irreligious courses: whereby the State hath been most justly irritated and provoked against us. For when we consider on the one side, what we know our selves, concerning the Laws made of later years, with the occasions of them, and likewise as touching the proceedings of the State here, since the beginning of her Majesties Reign, as well against us that are [Page 52]Priests, as also against other Catholicks of the Laity: and do find on the other side, what practices, under the pretence of Religion, have been set on foot, for the utter subversion both of the Queen and of her Kingdom: and herewith further call to mind, what sundry Jesuits and men (wholly for the time or altogether) addicted to Jesuitism, have written and published to the World in sundry Treatises, not only against the said Laws and course of Justice, but in like sort against her chief Counsellors, (and which exceedeth all the rest) against the Royal person of her Majesty, her Honour, Crown, and most Princely Scepter: it may in our opinions be rather wondred, that so many Catholicks of both sorts, are left alive in the Realm to speak of the Catholick Faith, than that the State hath proceeded with us from time to time, as it hath done. It may seem strange to some, that these things should proceed from us that are Priests: but divers of you can bear us witness, that they are no new conceits, bred in us, by reason of the opposition we have with the Jesuits: and besides, no small number of Catholicks (as we are perswaded) have long expected this duty at your hands: that thereby our Allegiance and Fidelity to our Queen and Country might be the better testified, the hard opinion of us mitigated, our actions and profession of duty better credited: the cause we stand for, more regarded: and we our selves 9for our plain dealing, and for the good of the Church) might be the better reputed of, and esteemed, or at the least in some sort born with and tolerated, as men that do distinguish between Religion and Treason.

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We wish with all our hearts, (and groan every day at the contrary) that her Majesty had continued in her obedience to the See Apostolick, as Queen Mary her Sister of famous memory, had left her a worthy Example: but seeing that God for our sins would have it otherwise, we ought to have carried our selves in another manner of course towards her, our true and lawful Queen, and towards our Country, than hath been taken and pursued by many Catholicks, but especially by the Jesuits. And therefore (as well to discharge our own consciences, as to satisfie many of you of the moderater sort of Catholicks, according to the old saying, Better late than never) we have thought it our parts, (being her Highness natural born Subjects) to acknowledge the truth of the carriage of matters against us, and the apparent causes of it: that the blame may indeed, from point to point, light and lie where it ought to do, and both sides bear no other than their own burthens, as the Laws both of God and man do require. If hereby her Majesty may in any sort be appeased, and the State satisfied, our own former courses bettered, and the Realm secured, that the like shall never hereafter be attempted or favoured by any of us, but be revealed, if we know them, and withstood, if they be enterprised, with all our goods and our lives, even to our uttermost ability, be their pretences never so fair, for Religion, or what else can be devised: we shall think our selves happy, and will not regard what all the malice and spite of the Jesuits can work or effect against us.

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It cannot be denied, but that for the first ten years of her Majesties Reign, the state of Catholicks in England was tolerable, and after a sort in some good quietness. Such as for their consciences were imprisoned in the beginning of her coming to the Crown, were very kindly and mercifully used, the state of things then considered. Some of them were appointed to remain with such their friends, as they themselves made choice of. Others were placed, some with Bishops; some with Deans; and had their diet at their Tables, with such convenient Lodgings and Walks for their recreation, as did well content them. They that were in the ordinary Prisons, had such liberty and other commodities, as the places would afford, not inconvenient for men that were in their cases. But that our Brethren of the more fiery and Jesuitical humour may not snuff hereat: we have thought it meet to cool their heat, with some of Master Parsons, and his Fellow Master Creswels more gentle delays, (than are usual with them:) who in one of their Books, do confess as much in effect, as here we have set down, if not more: thus these great Emperour-like Jesuits do speak to her Majesty. In the beginning of thy Kingdom thou didst deal somthing more gently with Catholicks: none were then urged by thee, or pressed either to thy Sect, or to the denial of their Faith. All things (indeed) did seem to proceed in a far milder course: no great complaints were heard of: there were seen no extraordinary contentions or repugnancies: Some there were that to please and gratifie you, went to [Page 55]your Churches. But when afterwards thou didst begin to wrong them, &c. And hen was that our great Monseigneurs? Surely whensoever it was: (to answer for you) we our selves (certain Catholicks of all sorts) were the true causes of it. For whilst her Majesty and the State dealt with the Catholicks, as you have heard, (which was full eleven years, no one Catholick beging called in question of his life, for his conscience, all that time:) consider with us, how some of our profession proceeded with them. Her Highness had scarcely felt the Crown warm upon her head, but it was challenged from her, by some of her Neighbours, as Master Saunders noteth. The French were sent into Scotland to do somewhat, you may be sure: which concerned her Majesty (the circumstances consisidered) to look unto. Afterwards certain matters were undertaken by her Majesty in France: and the Affairs in Scotland did so proceed, as that the Queen there was compelled 1567. to flie into England, where for a great time, she was very honourably entertained, her liberty only excepted. But with these matters, what had we to do, that were either Priests or private men? If either France or Scotland, had cause to repine or complain, some of those Nations might have done, written, and spoken as it had pleased them. If little became either Master Saunders (otherwise an excellent man) or Master Parsons, or any other of our own Nation, to have intermedled with those matters, or to write as they have very offensively done in divers of their Books and Treatises; to what purpose we know not: except it were to shew their [Page 56]malice, to dishonour their own Country, as much as lay in them, and to move a greater dislike in the State of all that be Catholicks, than before they had. Kings ever have had, and will have their plots and practices for their own safeties: it being as inconvenient to their Policy, for one Prince by his Might to over-top another, as it is amongst the principal members of our natural bodies, for one member to swell or grow too great above his due proportion. Happy had we Catholicks been at this day, if these men being Priests, had never troubled themselves with State-matters, which they have managed, as Phaeton did his Fathers Chariot: very greatly to our prejudice. Let them pretend never so great skill in their disposing of Kingdoms ordine ad Deum: they have certainly dealt with ours ordine ad Gehennam.

But this is not all which the State may justly challenge us for. In the time of our said Peace, and upon the coming into England of the Queen of Scots, whilst her Majesty of England and the State were busied, as partly you have heard before: it pitieth our hearts, to see and read, what hath been printed and published out of Italy in the life of Pius Quintus concerning his Holiness endeavors, stirred up by false suggestions to joyn with the King of Spain: for the utter ruine and overthrow both of our Prince and Country. Would to God such things had never been enterprised: and most of all, that they had never been printed. We that have some skill with our Pens, presume too much a great deal, upon our own Wits. What good [Page 57]the mentioning of these points can bring to the Church, we see not: but sure we are, it hath done much hurt, and given our common Enemies very great advantage against us. For now it is usually objected unto us, by every one of any reach, when we complain of some hard dealings towards us: Yea, say they (very well good Masters) were you not in quiet? Who then gave the cause that you were troubled? When her Majesty used you kindly: how treacherously was she dealt with by you? Did not Pius Quintus practise her Majesties subversion: she (good Lady) never dreaming of any such mischief? Was not one Robert Ridolphi, a Gentleman of Florence sent hither by the Pope (under colour of Merchandize) to sollicite a Rebellion? Did not Pius Quintus move the King of Spain to joyn in this Exploit, for the better securing of his own Dominions in the Low Countries? Was not the Bull denounced against her Majesty, that carrieth so fair a Preface of zeal, and pastoral duty: devised purposely, to further the intended Rebellion, for the depriving of her Majesty from her Kingdom? Had not the Pope and King of Spain assigned the Duke of Norfolk, to be the Head of this Rebellion? Did not the Pope give order to Ridolphi, to take 150000 Crows to set forward this attempt? Was not some of that Money sent for Scotland: and some delivered to the said Duke? Did not King Philip at the Popes instance, determine to send the Duke of Alva into England with all his Forces in the Low Counries, to assist the Duke of Norfolk? Are all these things true, and were they not then in hand, whilst her Majesty dealt so mercifully [Page 58]with you? How can you excuse these designments: so unchristian, so unpriestly, so treacherous, and therefore so un-prince-like? When we first heard these particulars, we did not believe them: but would have laid our lives they had been false: but when we saw the Book, and found them there, God is our witness, we were much amazed: and can say no more, but that his Holiness was misinformed, and indirectly drawn to these courses.

But to proceed: it being unknown to the State what secret matters were in hand against them, both at home and beyond the Seas: the Catholicks here continued in sort, as before you have heard, till the said Rebellion brake forth in the North, 1569. a little before Christimas: and that it was known that the Pope had excommunicated the Queen, and thereby freed her Subjects (as the Bull importeth) from their subjection. And then there followed a great restraint of the said Prisoners: but none of them were put to death upon that occasion: the Sword being then only drawn against such Catholicks, as had risen up actually into open Rebellion. Wherein we cannot see what her Majesty did, that any Prince in Christendom in such a case, would not have done. And as touching the said Bull, many both Priests and Lay Catholicks have greatly wished, that it had never been decreed, denounced, published, or heard of. For we are perswaded, that the Pope was drawn thereunto, by false suggestions of certain undiscreet turbulent persons: who pretending to him [Page 59]one thing, had another drift in their heads for their own advancement. And therefore we have ever accounted of it, as a sentence procured by surreption: knowing it to be no unusual thing with the Pope, through indirect means and factious heads, to be often deceived in matters of Fact: as we now find it, in the setting up of our new Arch-Priest.

Now upon all these occasions, her Majesty being moved with great displeasure, called a Parliament in the thirteenth year of her Reign 1571. wherein a Law was made containing many branches, against the bringing into this Land, after that time, of any Bulls from Rome, any Agnus Dei, Crosses or Pardons: and against all manner of persons, that should procure them to be so brought hither, with many other particularities thereunto appertaining. Which Law, although we hold it to be too rigorous, and that the pretended remedy exceeded the measure of the offence, either undutifully given, or in justice to have been taken: yet we cannot but confess, as reasonable men, that the State had great cause to make some Laws against us, except they should have shewed themselves careless for the continuance of it. But be the Law, as any would have it never so extreme: yet surely it must be granted, that the occasions of it were most outragious: and likewise, that the execution of it was not so tragical, as many since have written and reported of it. For whatsoever was done against us, either upon the pretence of that Law, or of any other, would never we think have been [Page 60]attempted, had not divers other preposterous occasions (besides the causes of that Law) daily fallen out amongst us: which procured matters to be urged more severely against us.

In the year 1572. out cometh Master Saunders Book, de visibili Monarchia; wherein he taketh upon him to set down, how the Pope had sent one Master Morton and Master Web two Priests, before the said Rebellion, to the Lords and Gentlemen in the North: to excite them with their Followers to take up Arms. And the rather to perswade them thereunto, they signified unto them by the Popes commandment, that her Majesty was excommunicated, her Subjects were released from their obedience, and much more to that purpose. Likewise the said Mr. Saunders doth justifie the said commotion, and ascribeth the evil success it had, to the over-late publishing of the said Bull (it being not generally known of till the year after, when Master Felton had set it upon the Bishop of Londons Gate:) affirming that if it had been published the year before, or when they were in Arms, the Catholicks would undoubtedly so have assisted tem (the said Rebels) as that they must (no question of it) have prevailed against the Queen, and had certainly executed the said sentence at that time, for her deposition from the Crown. Besides, whereas the State in the said Parliament, had confirmed the attainder of the chief persons by name, that were as heads in the said Rebellion: and had been in the field against her Highness, Mr. Saunders (building Castles in the Air amongst his Books) [Page 61]doth too much magnifie the said Rebels, to the great discredit of the Church of Rome, and his Holiness actions in such matters, they being men arraigned, condemned, and executed by the ancient Laws of our Country for high Treason. This intolerable and very uncatholick course thus held by divers, to the great offence of many good Catholicks of the graver and discreeter sort, and to the great hinderance of our common Cause; hath been since followed by Mr. Parsons, and some of his sort, with no good discretion or foresight (God he knoweth) brag these great States-men of their impregnable Wisdom and Policy never so proudly.

Furthermore, about the coming out of the said Book of Mr. Saunders, the whole Plot before mentioned, of the Pope and the King of Spain with the Duke of Norfolk for the disinheriting of her Majesty, and other intended mischiefs, fell out to be fully disclosed. Afterwards within some four or five years, it was also commonly known to the Realm, what attempts were in hand by Mr. Stukeley (assisted with Mr. Saunders and other Catholicks both English, Irish, and Italian) for an Enterprise by force in Ireland, under pretence to advance the Catholick Religion: which for that time (through some defects) succeeding not, the Pope himself in the year 1579. (abused still by false pretences) did set forward that course, and sending thither certain Forces, Mr. Saunders (too much Jesuited) did thrust himself in person into that action, as a chief Ring-leader, and to perswade the Catholicks, when he should come into Ireland, to joyn with [Page 62]the Popes said Forces, for the better assisting of certain Rebels, then in Arms against their Soveraign. Now whilst these practices were in hand in Ireland, Gregory the Thirteenth reneweth the said Bull of Pius Quintus: and denounceth her Majesty to be excommunicated, with intimation of all other particulars in the former Bull mentioned, which was procured (we doubt not) by surreption: the false Jesuits (our Country-men) daring to attempt any thing, by untrue suggestions, and any lewd surmises, that may serve their turns. This Stratagem accomplished, and ground laid, whereupon they imagined to work great matters: these good Fathers (as the Devil would have it) come into England, and intruded themselves into our harvest, being the men in our consciences (we mean both them and others of that Society, with some of their adherents) who have been the chief Instruments of all the mischiefs that have been intended against her Majesty, since the beginning of her Reign, and of the miseries, which we, or any other Catholicks, have upon these occasions sustained. Their first repair hither was Anno 1580. when the Realm of Ireland was in great combustion, and then they entred, ( viz. Mr. Campion the Subject, and Mr. Parsons the Provincial) like a tempest, with sundry such great brags and challenges, as divers of the gravest Clergy then living in England (Doctor Watson Bishop of Lincoln and others) did greatly dislike them, and plainly foretold, that (as things then stood) their proceedings after that fashion, would certainly urge the State, to make some sharper Laws, which should not only [Page 63]touch them, but likewise all others, both Priests and Catholicks. Upon their arrival, and after the said brags, Mr. Parsons presently fell to his Jesuitical courses: and so belaboured both himself and others in matters of State, how he might set her Majesties Crown upon another head (as appeareth by a Letter of his own to a certain Earl) that the Catholicks themselves threatned to deliver him into the hands of the Civil Magistrate, except he desisted from such kind of practices.

In these tumultuous and rebellious proceedings by sundry Catholicks, both in England and Ireland, it could not be expected but that the Queen and the State would be greatly incensed with indignation against us. We had (some of us) greatly approved the said Rebellion: highly extolled the Rebels, and pitifully bewailed their ruine and overthrow. Many of our affections were knit to the Spaniard: and for our obedience to the Pope, we all do profess it. The attempts both of the Pope and Spaniard failing in England, his Holiness, as a temporal Prince, displayed his Banner in Ireland. The Plot was to deprive her Highness first from that Kingdom (if they could:) and then by degrees to depose her from this. In all these Plots none were more forward, than many of us that were Priests. The Laity, if we had opposed our selves to these designments, would (out of doubt) have been overruled by us. Saunders, Morten, Web, &c. How many men of our calling were addicted to these courses, the State knew not. In which case (the premises discreetly considered) there is no King, or Prince in [Page 64]the World, disgusting the See of Rome, and having either force or metal in him, that would have endured us, if possibly he could have been revenged, but rather (as we think) have utterly rooted us out of his Territories, as Traiters and Rebels both to him and his Country. And therefore we may rejoyce unfeignedly, that God hath blessed this Kingdom with so gracious and merciful a Soveraign, who hath not dealt in this sort with us. Assuredly if she were a Catholick, she might be accounted the Mirror of the World: but as she is, both we and all other Catholicks her natural Subjects, deserve no longer to live, than we hereafter shall honour her from our hearts, obey her in all things (so far as possibly we may) pray for her prosperous Reign and long life: and to our powers defend and protect both her and our Country against any whatsoever, that shall by force of Arms attempt to damnifie either of them. For in the said Garboils, and very undutiful proceedings, how hath her Highness dealt with us? From the time of the said Rebellion and Parliament, there were few above twelve, that in ten years had been executed for their consciences (as we hold, although our Adversaries say for Treason:) and of those twelve some perhaps can hardly be drawn within our account, having been tainted with matters of Rebellion. The most of the said number were Seminary Priests, who if they had come over into England with the like intents, that some others have done, might very worthily have been used as they were. But in our consciences, nay some of us do know it, that they were far from those [Page 65]seditious humors: being men that intended nothing else but simply the good of our Country, and the conversion of Souls. Marry to say the truth, as we have confessed before, how could either her Majesty or the State know so much? They had great cause, as Politick persons, to suspect the worst.

Besides to the further honour of her Majesty we may not omit, that the States of the whole Realm assembled in Parliament Anno 1576. were pleased to pass us over, and made no Laws at that time against us. The ancient Prisoners that had been restrained more narrowly in the year 1570. were (notwithstanding the said enterprises in Ireland) again restored to their former liberty, to continue with their friends as they had done before. Such as were not suspected to have been dealers or abettors in the said treasonable actions, were used with that humanity, which could well be expected. But when the Jesuits were come, and that the State had notice of the said Excommunication, there was then within a while a great alteration. For such were the Jesuits proceedings, and with so great boldness, as though all had been theirs, and that the State should presently have been changed.

Her Majesty had seen what followed in her Kingdom upon the first Excommunication: and was therefore in all worldly Policy to prevent the like by the second. The jealousie also of the State was much incresed by Mr. Sherwins answers upon [Page 66]his examination, above eight months before the apprehension of Mr. Campion. For being asked, whether the Queen was his lawful Soveraign, notwithstanding any sentence of the Popes, he prayed that no such question might be demanded of him, and would not further thereunto answer. Two or three other questions much to the same effect, were likewise propounded unto him, which he also refused to answer. Matters now sorting on this fashion, there was a greater restraint of Catholicks, than at any time before. Many both Priests and Gentlemen were sent into the Isle of Ely and other places, there to be more safely kept and looked unto. In January following 1581. (according to the general computation,) a Proclamantion was made for the calling home of her Majesties Subjects beyond the Seas: (such especially as were trained up in the Seminaries) pretending that they learned little there, but disloyalty: and that none after that time should harbor or relieve them, with sundry other points of very hard intendment towards us. The same month also a Parliament ensued, wherein a Law was made agreeable in effect to the said Proclamation, but with a more severe punishment annexed. For it was a penalty of death, for any Jesuit or Seminary Priest to repair into England, and for any to receive and entertain them, which fell our according to Bishop Watsons former speeches or prediction, what mischief the Jesuits would bring upon us. We could here as well as some others have done, shew our dislike with some bitterness of the said Law and penalty. But to what purpose should we do so? It had been [Page 67]a good point of wisdom in two or three persons, that have taken that course, to have been silent: and rather have sought by gentleness and sweet carriage of themselves to have prevented the more sharp execution of that Law, than by exclaiming against it when it was too late, to have provoked the State to a greater severity against us. And to confess something to our own disadvantage, and to excuse the said Parliament: if all the Seminary Priests then in England, or which should after that time have come hither, had been of Mr. Mortons and Mr. Saunders mind before mentioned (when the first Excommunication came out,) or of Mr. Saunders his second resolution, (being then in Arms against her Majesty in Ireland:) or of Mr. Parsons traiterous disposition, both to our Queen and Country: the said Law (no doubt) had carried with it a far greater shew of Justice. But that was the error of the State: and yet not altogether (for ought they knew) improbable, those times being so full of many dangerous designments and Jesuitical practices.

In this year also, divers other things fell out unhappily towards us poor Priests, and other the graver sort of Catholicks, who had all of us single hearts, and disliked (no men more) of all such factious enterprises. For notwithstanding the said Proclamation and Law, Mr. Heywood a Jesuit came then into England, and took so much upon him, that Father Parsons fell out exceedingly with him: and great troubles grew amongst Catholicks, by their brablings and quarrels. A Synod was held [Page 68]by him the said Mr. Heywood, and sundry ancient Customs were therein abrogated, to the offence of very many. These courses being understood (after a sort) by the State: the Catholicks and Priests in Norfolk felt the smart of it. This Summer also in July, Mr. Campion and other Priests were apprehended: whose answers upon their examinations, agreeing in effect with Mr. Sherwins before mentioned, did greatly incense the State. For amongst other questions that were propounded unto them, this being one, viz. If the Pope do by his Bull or Sentence pronounce her her Majesty to be deprived, and no lawful Queen, and her Subjects to be discharged of their allegiance and obedience unto her; and after, and Pope or any other by his appointment and authority do invade this Realm: which part would you take, or which part ought a good Subject of England to take? some answered, that when the case should happen, they would then take counsel, what were best for them to do: Another, that when that case should happen he would answer, and not before: Another, that for the present, he was not resolved what to do in such a cafe: Another, that when the case happeneth, then he will answer: Another, that if such deprivation and invasion should be made for any matter of his faith, he thinketh he were then bound to take part with the Pope.

Now, what King in the world, being in doubt to be invaded by his enemies, and fearing that some of his own Subjects were by indirect means drawn, rather to adhere unto them than to himself: would [Page 69]not make the best tryal of them he could for his better satisfaction, whom he might trust to? In which tryal, if he found any, that either should make doubtful answers, or peremptorily affirm, that (as the case stood betwixt him and his enemies) they would leave him their Prince and take part with them: might he not justly repute them for Traitors, and deal with them accordingly? Sure we are, that no King or Prince in Christendom, would like or tolerate any such Subjects within their Dominions, if possibly they could be rid of them.

The duty we owe to our Soveraigns, doth not consist in taciturnity or keeping close within our selves such Allegiance as we think sufficient to afford them: but we are (especially when we are requited thereunto) to make open profession of it, that we may appear unto them to be such Subjects as we ought to be, and as they may rely upon, if either their Kingdoms or saferies be in hazard or danger. And we greatly marvel, that any Jesuits should be so hard laced (concerning the performance of their duties, towards the Fathers and Kings of those Countries where they were born, and whose Vassals they are) considering unto what obedience they tye themselves toward their own general, provincial, and other Governors: unto whom they were no way tied, but by their own consents, and for that it hath pleased them voluntarily to submit themselves unto them. If a quarrel should fall out, for example, betwixt the Jesuits and the Dominicans, it would seem a very strange matter to the Provincial [Page 70]or General of that Society, to be driven to be demanded of a Jesuit, which part he would take. But therewith we have not to intermeddle: only we wish, that whilst they look for so great subjection at those mens hands that be under them, they do not forget their own Allegiance towards their Soveraigns: or at the least so demean themselves as we poor men (every way their equals, and as sound Catholicks as themselves, that we go no further) may not be brought into hatred with her Majesty, unto whom we profess all duty and true alleiance: let other men qualisie the same as they list.

About the time of the overthrow of the Popes Forces in Ireland: his Holiness (by the false instigations of the Jesuits) plotted with the King of Spain, for the assistance of the Duke of Guise, to enterprise upon the sudden, a very desperate designment against her Majesty: and for the delivery and advancement to the Crown of the Queen of Scotland. For the better effecting whereof, Mendoza the Jesuit and Ledger for the King of Spain in England, set on work (a worthy Gentleman otherwise) one Mr. Francis Throckmorton and divers others. And whilst the same was in contriving (as afterwards Mr. Throckmorton himself confessed 1584.) the said Jesuitical humor had so possessed the hearts of sundry Catholicks, as we do unfeignedly rue in our hearts the remembrance of it, and are greatly ashamed that any person so intituled, should ever have been so extremely bewitched. Two Gentlemen about that time also, [Page 71] viz. Anno 1583. Mr. Arden and Mr. Somervile were convicted by the Laws of the Realm, to have purposed and contrived how they might have laid violent hands upon her Majesties sacred person. Mr. Somerviles confession therein, was so notorious, as it may not be either qualified or denied. And Doctor Parry the very same year, was plotting with Jesuits beyond the Seas, how he might have effected the like villany. How the worthy Earl of Northumberland, was about this time brought into the said Plot of the Duke of Guise (then still in hand) we will pretermit. Mr. Parsons that was an Actor in it, could tell the story very roundly at Rome: It wrought the noble Earls overthrow 1585. which may justly be ascribed to the Jesuitical practices of the Jesuit Mendoza and others of that crew. Hereunto we might add the notable Treasons of Mr. Anthony Babington and his Complices in the year 1586. which were so apparent, as we were greatly abashed at the shameless boldness of a young Jesuit, who to excuse the said Traiters, and qualifie their offences, presumed in a kind of supplication to her Majesty, to ascribe the plotting of all that mischief to Mr. Secretary Walsingham. The treachery also of Sir William Standley the year following 1587. in falsifying his faith to her Majesty, and in betraying the trust committed unto him by the Earl of Leicester, who had given him the honourable Title of Knighthood: as it was greatly prejudicial to us, that were Catholicks, at home, so was the defence of that disloyalty (made by a worthy man, but by the perswasions (as they think) of Parsons) greatly [Page 72]disliked of many both wise and learned. And especially it was wondred at a while (until the drift thereof appeared more manifestly in the year 1588.) that the said worthy person by the said lewd Jesuits, laid down this for a ground, in justifying of the said Standley: viz. That in all Wars, which may happen for Religion, every Catholick man is bound in conscience to imploy his person and forces by the Popes direction: viz. How for, when, and where, either at home or abroad, he may and must break with his temporal Soveraign. These things we would not have touched, had they not been known in effect to this part of the World: and that we thought it our duties to shew our own dislike of them: and to clear her Majesty (so far as we may) from such imputations of more than barbarous cruelty towards us, as the Jesuits in their writings, have cast by heaps upon her: they themselves (as we still think in our consciences and before God) having been from time to time the very causes of all the calamities, which any of us have endured in England since her Majesties reign. Which we do not write, simply to excuse her Highness, although we must confess, we can be contented to endure much, rather than to seek her dishonour: but for that we think few Princes living, being perswaded in Religion as her Majesty is, and to provoked as she hath been, would have dealt more mildly with such their Subjects (all circumstances considered) than she hath done with us.

But now we are come to the year 1588. and to [Page 73]that most bloody attempt, not only against her Majesty and our common Enemies, but against our selves, all Catholicks: nay against this flourishing Kingdom and our own native Country. The memory of which attempt will be (as we trust) an everlasting Monument of Jesuitical Treason and Cruelty. For it is apparent in a Treatise penned by the advice of Father Parsons altogether, (as we do verily think) that the King of Spain was especially moved and drawn to that intended mischief against us, by the long and daily solicitations of the Jesuits, and other English Catholicks beyond the Seas, affected and altogether given to Jesuitism. And whereas it is well known, that the Duke of Medina Sidonia had given it out directly, that if once he might land in England, both Catholicks and Hereticks that came in his way should be all one to him: his Sword could not discern them, so he might make way for his Master, all was one to him: yet the said Father Parsons (for so we will ever charge him, though another man by his crafty perswasion took upon him to be the Author of that Book) did labour with all the Rhetorick he had to have perswaded us, upon the supposed arrival of the Spaniard, to have joyned with him to our own detructions: telling us many fair tales, and alluring us with sundry great promises, all of them meer illusions, falshoods, and most traiterous instigations and juglings. He ascribeth it to error of Conscience, and want of courage, terming the same an effeminate dastardy: that we had then suffered her Majesty almost thirty years to reign over us. He threatned [Page 74]us with Excommunication, and utter ruine both of our selves and all our Posterity, if we did then any longer obey, abet, or aid, defend or acknowledge her Highness to be our Queen, or Superiour: and did not forthwith joyn our selves with all our Forces to the Spaniards. The good Cardinal (by Parsons means) is drawn to say, That the Pope had made him Cardinal, intending to send him as his Legat, for the sweeter managing of this (forsooth) godly and great Affair: and to affirm upon his honour and in the word of a Cardinal, that in the fury of the Spaniards intended Conquest, there should be as great care had of every Catholick and penitent person, as possibly could be. And to allure the Nobility of this Realm, he promised them to become an humble Suiter on their behalfs, that ( so as they shew themselves valiant in assisting the King of Spain 's Forces) they might continue their noble Names and Families. Surely they had been wise men, that should have relyed much either upon his promise, or the Spaniards courtesie. This Jesuit also telleth all Catholicks, the better to comfort them (but indeed to the great scandal for ever of all Priesthood,) and to shew how just and holy the cause was they had in hand: that there were divers Priests in the Kings Army, ready to serve every mans spiritual necessity, by Confession, Counsel, and all consolation in Christ Jesus. Also he so advanceth the Forces of the Enemies, & extenuateth her Majesties abilities to withstand them, as he accounted the Victory obtained in effect before they were landed, telling us, That besides the said great Forces, we should so he assisted [Page 75]by the blessed Patrons both of Heaven and Earth, with the guard of all Gods holy Angels, with our blessed Saviour himself in the soveraign Sacrament, and with the daily most holy oblation of Christs own dear body and blood, as it could not fall out otherwise, but that we must needs prevail. Which kind of perswasions, some of them being ridiculous, the most very traiterous, and these last most blasphemous, as tending so greatly to the dishonour of Religion, we detest and abhor. And in all these Jesuitical and disloyal practices, this is our comfort, that albeit we doubt not, but that the Pope as a temporal Prince did joyn and contribute towards this intended Invasion: yet we sind Father Parsons declaration of Xistus Quintus sentence of deposition of her Majesty at that time, and of his admonition thereunto adjoyned, as in the Popes name, to have no warrant at al [...] besides his own bare affirmation, either of Breve or of any other publick Instrument, as in such cases had been most necessary, otherwise than that he told us, it was the Popes pleasure that we should take notice thereof by his Book which was then printed, and to have been scattered amongst us. By warrant whereof (as we are perswaded) it was not lawful for us to have killed a Goose, if her Majesty had forbidden us so to do.

Of these matters (to return still to our former Apologies) we would have said nothing, were hey not objected unto us, and shewed us out of the Books themselves, as notes and arguments of our traiterous hearts: our Adversaries pressing [Page 76]the same upon us, as if they did belong unto us, and we were as guilty of them, as either they that plotted or published them. Which conceit, if it should take root in those that be in Authority, how could we hope for any favour, but were rather to expect the greatest extremity that might be? So as still we may say, that the proceedings held against her Majesty well weighed, these foreign Jesuitical practices, have been the cause of all our troubles.

When it had pleased God to deliver her Majesty and this Kindom from the said intended Invasion, Mr. Parsons whether ashamed of the foil, (for the success whereof he was so peremptory) or for that he thought matters would be better managed in Spain, if he were there to give his advice, departed from Rome (as we take it) and became a Courtier to attend King Philip: where by Mendoza his fellow Jesuit's means, he grew shortly into so great estimation (not for any goodness in him towards this Realm, you may be sure, but rather in respect of his deadly hatred against it) that he procured a Seminary to be erected at Valledolyd 1589. But we will leave his proceedings in Spain a while.

In these ten years last mentioned from 1580. till 1590. or but little before we find her Majesty to be excommunicated by Gregory the Thitteenth: Mr. Sherwin and the rest of our Brethren too much Jesuited, refuse to answer, whether they will take the Queens part or the Popes, if he [Page 77]should come by force of Arms to assail her in her own Kingdom: Parsons and Heywood are found to be Practitioners, but especially Parsons. The intention of the Duke of Guise is entertained here and prosecuted: Her Majesties life is sought by treachery: Babington and his Companions shoot at the Crown: Stanley is a Treacherer, breaketh his faith, and is defended for so doing. Then followed the Invasion: and lastly, Parsons plottings in Spain, and the erection of new Seminaries there. Now let us consider, how we our selves all this while have been dealt with. Such of us as remained in Prison at Wisbich (and were committed thither 1580. and others not long after committed also thither, to the number of about thirty three or thirty four) continued still in the several times of all the said most wicked designments, as we were before: and were never brought into any trouble for them, but lived there, Colledge-like, without any want, and in good reputation with our Neighbours that were Catholicks about us. It is true that towards the number of fifty (as our memory serveth us) Priests and Catholicks of all sorts, within the compass of the said ten years were put to death: we say upon our knowledges (concerning the most of them) for their consciences: but out Adversaries (as they think) do still affirm for Treason. Such Priests as in their examination were found any thing moderate, were not so hardly proceeded with: insomuch as fifty five (to our remembrance) that by the Laws (we acknowledge) might likewise have been put to death, were in one year, viz. 1585. (what [Page 78]time great mischiefs were in hand) spared from that extremity, and only banished. Which fact, howsoever some have written of it, the parties themselves accounted it for a great benefit, and so would they also have done (we doubt not of it) if they had been hen of that number. Whereas therefore Mr. Parsons (as we think) exclaimeth in a Pamphlet set out shortly after, saying, Where are now the old Tyrants of the World, Nero, Decius, Dioclesian, Maxentius, and the rest of the great Persecutors of the Christians? Where is Genserick and Hunricus with their Arrian Hereticks? alluding to the State here: we think both him, and divers others that have written to the same effect, very greatly to blame. Sure we are, that the general causeof Religion, for the which both we and they contend (as oft we have said) gerteth no good but hurt by it: and contrary to the old saying, (be he never so bad, yet let him have justice) though some hard courses have been taken by the State against us; yet hath it not by many degrees been so extreme, as the Jesuits and that crew have falsely written and reported of it.

But to return to Father Parsons in Spain, and to proceed in the course of things which have happened since 1590. The said Father Parons so managed the said Seminary erected in Valledolyd, as within three years, viz. 1591. twelve or thirteen Priests were sent hither from thence. Also he procured some other Seminaries to be erected in Spain, and furnished them with such Students as he thought sit, which (for our parts) we greatly [Page 79]commend in him, if he took this pains, and imployed his favour with the King to a good end: whereof we have some doubt, knowing the Jesuits fetches: but the State here did utterly condemn him for it, finding that both he and some others were plotting and labouring by all the means they could for a new Invasion. Whereupon a Proclamation was set out 1591. as well for an inquity or search for all such Seminary Priests, as either were, or should hereafter come from Spain, as also from any other Seminaries beyond the Seas, upon suspicion, that they were sent hither for no other end, but to prepare a way for the said Invasion. Whereas we are verily perswaded in our consciences, and do know it for many, that the Priests themselves had no such intention, whatsoever the Jesuits had that sent them. Against the said Proclamation, three or four have whet their Pens: but still, whilst they seek to disgrace and gall the State, they have ever thereby wounded and beaten us, being themselves in the mean time void of all danger. One of them, Mr. Parsons by name, (as we suppose) writing in his said Pamphlet of the new intended Invasion, mentioned in the said Proclamation, telleth us, That the King hath just cause to attempt again that enterprise. And again he saith, That the King is so interessed (together with the Pope) to seck (as he termeth it) her Majesties reformation, that he the said King is bound in Justice to do it, and cannot without prejudice of his high estimation and greatness refuse at the sconest opportunity to attempt it. Mary withal to comfort us, he writeth, That the [Page 80]King intendeth no rigorous dealing with our Nation, in the prosecution of his Invasion, when he cometh hither. Which great favour of the King towards us, we are to ascribe to good Father Parsons, if we may believe his dutiful Subject Mr. Southwell the Jesuit. For thus he telleth us, If ever, saith he, the King should prevail in that designment (of his new Invasion) Father Parsons assisted with Cardinal Alanes Authority hath done that in our Countries behalf, for which his most bitter enemies, and generally all her Majesties Subjects shall have cause to thank him for his serviceable endeavours, so far hath he inclined fury to clemency; and rage to compassion. Sure we are greatly beholding to this good Father, that hath had so kind a remembrance of us. But we wish that he had rather imployed himself as a religious man in the service of God, and his private meditations, than thus to have busied himself in setting forward and qualifying it, when he hath done so outragious a designment: and do pray with all our hearts, that neither we nor this Kingdom do ever fall into the hands of the Spaniards, whose unspeakable cruelties in other Countries, a worthy Catholick the Bishop hath notably described to all posterity. The same Mr. Parsons also, together with his fellow Jesuit Mr. Creswell (as men that pretend extraordinary love to their Country) have written a large Volume against the said Proclamation, wherein what malice and contempt can devise, that might provoke her Majesty to indignation against us, is there set out very skilfully, they themselves well knowing that no other fruit or benefit could [Page 81]come unto us by that discourse, except it were still to plague us.

Whilst the said Invasion was thus talked of, and in preparation in Spain, a shorter course was thought of, if it might have had success. Mr. Hesket was set on by the Jesuits 1592. or thereabouts, with Father Parsons consent or knowledge, to have stirred up the Earl of Derby to rebellion against her Highness.

Not long after good Father Holt and others with him, perswaded an Irish man one Patrick Collen (as he himself confessed) to attempt the laying of his violent and villanous hands upon her Majesty. Shortly after in the year 1593. that notable Stratagem was plotted (the whole State knoweth by whom,) for Doctor Lopez the Queens Physician to have poysoned her, for the which he was executed the year after. This wicked designment being thus prevented by Gods providence, the said traiterous Jesuit, Holt and others, did allure and animate one Yorke and Williams, to have accomplished that with their bloody hands, that the other purposed to have done with his poyson: we mean her Majestie destruction. Hereunto we might add the late villanous attempt 1599. of Edward Squire, animated and drawn thereunto (as he confessed) by Walpole that pernicious Jesuit. But we must turn again to Father Parsons, whose turnings and doublings are such as would trouble a right good Hound to trace him. For in the mean time, that the said [Page 82]Traiters one after another, were plotting and studying, how best they might compass her Majesties death they cared not how, nor by what means, he the said Father Parsons so prevailed with the King, as he attempted twice in two sundry years, his new Invasion, meaning to have proceeded therein, not with such great preparation as he did at the first, but only to have begun the same, by taking some Port Westward, toward which he came so far onward as Silley with his Fleet. At both which times, God, who still hath fought for her Majesty and this Realm, did notably prevent him, by such winds and tempests, as the most of his Ships and men perished in the Sea, as they were coming hitherward. Furthermore the said good Father in the midst of all the said traiterous enterprises both at home and abroad (devised and set forward by him and his Companions) was plodding amongst his Papers, and playing the Herald: how, if all his said wicked designments failed, he might at the least, intitle the King of Spain and consequently the Infanta his Daughter to the Crown and Kingdom of England. To which purpose he framed, and afterwards published a Book, wherewith he acquainted the Students in those Seminaries in Spain: and laboured nothing more, than to have their subscriptions to the said Infantaes title, therein promising unto her their present Allegiance, as unto their lawful Soveraign: and that when they should be sent into their Country, they should perswade the Catholicks there to do the like, without any further expectation of the Queen of England's death, as Mr. Charles Paget [Page 83]affirmeth in his Book against Parsons.

We spake of the Seminaries in Spain before, somewhat suspiciously: and now you see the reason that moved us so to do. Besides we do not doubt, but that in the perusing of this our discourse, you will be assaulted with many strange cogitations, concerning our full intent and meaning therein. Which although it cannot chuse, but that it doth already in part appear unto you; yet now we come to a more clear and plain declaration of our purpose. You see into what hatred the wicked attempts of the Jesuits against her Majesty and the State, hath brought not only all Catholicks in general, but more especially us that are secular Priests, although we did ever dislike and blame them, nay detest and hate them, no men more. For any of us to have been brought up in the Seminaries beyond the Seas, hath been, and still is (as you know) a matter here very odious, and to us full of danger. But by Father Parsons courses with the Seminaries in Spain, and now that he is Rector of the English Seminary in Rome, and so taketh upon him by his favour there to direct and command all the rest: what will the State here think of the Priests, that shall come from any of those Seminaries hereafter, where they must be brought up, according to the Jesuitical humor, and sent hither with such directions as shall be thereunto agreeable? The said Book of Titles compiled by Parsons, is here very well known, almost to the whole Realm: and Mr. Charles Paget hath not been silent as touching the Infanta, and the bringing up of Students to be [Page 84]sent hither, as Priests to promote her title. Sundry sharp courses have been taken already with us, and many Laws are made against us. But now, what may we expect, but all the cruelty that ever was devised against any man, if the State should think both us, and all other Catholicks to be either addicted, or any way inclined to the advancement of any foreign Title against her Majesty, or her lawful Successors.

And it cannot chuse, but that we should thereof be the rather suspected, because at this time it is well known, that the infection of Jesuitism doth bear great sway in England amongst us, whilst our Archpriest (who taketh upon him to rule all) is himself over-ruled by Garnet the Jesuit, who as a most base Vassal, is in every thing at the beck and command of Father Parsons.

For the avoiding therefore of all the further mischiefs that may ensue, we first profess (as before we have often done) that we do utterly dislike and condemn in our consciences, all the said slanderous Writings and Pamphlets, which have been published to the slander of her Majesty and this Realm, protesting that the Jesuitical designments beyond the Seas, together with certain rebellious and traiterous attempts of some Catholicks at home, have been the causes of such calamities and troubles, as have happened unto us: great (we confess) in themselves, but far less (we think) than any Prince living in her Majesties case, and so provoked would have inflicted upon us. Some of [Page 85]us have said many a time, when we have read and heard speeches of her Majesties supposed cruelty. Why my Masters? what would you have her to do, being resolved as she is in matters of Religion, except she should willingly cast off the care, not only of her State and Kingdom, but of her life also and Princely estimation? Yea, there have been amongst us of our own calling, who have likewise said, That they themselves, knowing what they do know, how under pretence of Religion, the life of her Majesty, and the subversion of the Kingdom is aimed at: if they had been of her Highnesses Council, they would have given their consent, for the making of very strait and rigorous Laws to the better suppressing and preventing of all such Jesuitical and wicked designments. Secondly, we do all of us acknowledge, that by our Learning (secluding all Machiavilian Maxims) Ecclesiastical persons by virtue of their calling are only to meddle with praying, preaching, and administring the Sacraments, and such other like spiritual Functions, and not to study how to murder Princes, nor to licitate Kingdoms, nor to intrude themselves into matters of State, Successions, and Invasions, as Fryer George did in Pannonia, to the utter ruine of that beautiful Realm. Thirdly, we profess our selves, with all godly courage and boldness, to be as sound and true Catholick Priests, as any Jesuits, or men living in the world, and that we do not desire to draw breath any longer upon the earth, than that we shall so continue; but yet therewith we being born her Majesties Subjects, do plainly affirm and resolutely acknowledge it, without all [Page 86]Jesuitical equivocation, that if the Pope himsef (as some of the Apostles did) do come into this Land; or if he do send hither some Fugatius and Damianus, as Eleutherus did, or some Augustine, Laurence or Jestus, as Saint Gregory did, we will to do them service, go unto them, and lye down at their feet, and defend with them the Catholick faith by the sacred Scriptures, and authority of the Church, though it cost us our lives. But if he come or send hither an Army, under pretence to establish the said Catholick Religion, by force, and with the Sword, we will ever be most ready, as native born and true Subjects to her Highness, with the hazard of our lives, and with all our might, to withstand and oppose our selves against him, and to spend the best blood in our bodies in defence of the Queen and our Country. For we are throughly perswaded, that Priests of what order soever, ought not by force of Arms, to plant or water the Catholick faith, but in spiritu lenitatis & mansuetudinis to propagate and defend it. So it was planted in the Primitive Church, over all the World: & crescit & fruct ificat sicut & in nobis est, ex quo die recepimus. The ancient godly Christians, though they had sufficient forces, did not oppose themselves in Arms against their Lords the Emperours, though of another Religion. But our purpose is not to dispute this point.

And now lastly, we commend unto you all (our very right dear and beloved Brethren) this our most humble Suit. First, that you will interpret [Page 87]the whole premises no otherwise than we our selves have expounded our own meaning. Secondly, we intreat you to remember, how dear we have been unto you, and that we continue our unfeigned affection towards you still: assuring you, that howsoever you are changed, we do affect you still, with a true and jealous love in Christ Jesu.

Thirdly, we desire you by the mercies of God, to take heed of Novelties and Jesuitism: for it is nothing but treacher, dissimulation, ambition, and a very vizard of most deep hypocrisie. When other Kingdoms begin to loath them, why should you so far debase your selves, as to admire them? Give us not occasion to say with the blessed Apostle: You foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you?

Fourthly, never give ear to any private Whisperers, or Jesuitical perswasions, that shall tend to allure you from your duties and allegiance unto her Majesty, or your native Country. All arguments, that can be brought to corrupt you in either, assure your selves, are false and unlearned sophistications. The Catholick faith, for her stability and continuance hath no need of any treachery or rebellion. The promise made to S. Peter, is her sure ground, and is more dishonoured with treasons, and wicked policies of carnal men, than any way furthered or advanced. The word of the spirit, and not the sword of the flesh, or any arm of man is that, which giveth life and beauty to the Catholick Church. We are fully perswaded [Page 88]in our consciences, and as men besides our Learning, who have some experience, that if the Catholicks had never sought by indirect means to have vexed her Majesty with their designments against her Crown: if the Pope and King of Spain had never plotted with the Duke of Norfolk: if the Rebels in the North had never been heard of: if the Bull of Pius Quintus had never been known: if the said Rebellion had never been justified: if neither Stukeley nor the Pope had attempted any thing against Ireland: if Gregory the Thirteenth had not renewed the said Excommunication: if the Jesuits had never come into England: if the Pope and King of Spain had not practised with the Duke of Guise for his attempt against her Majesty: if Parsons and the rest of the Jesuits, with other our Country-men beyond the Seas, had never been Agents in those traiterous and bloody designments of Throckmorton, Parry, Collen, York, Williams, Squire and such like: If they had not by their Treatises and Writings endeavoured to defame their Soveraign, and their own Country, labouring to have many of their Books to be translated into divers languages, thereby to shew more their own disloyalty: if Cardinal Alane and Parsons had not published the renovation of the said Bull by Xistus Quintus: if thereunto they had not added their scurrilous and unmanly admonition, or rather most prophane Libel against her Majesty: if they had not sought by false perswasions, and ungodly arguments, to have allured the hearts of all Catholicks from their Allegiance: if the Pope had never been urged by them to have thrust the [Page 89]King of Spain into that barbarous action against the Realm: if they themselves with all the rest of that generation, had not laboured greatly with the said King for the Conquest and Invasion of this Land by the Spaniards, who are known to be the cruellest Tyrants that live upon the earth: if in all their proceedings, they had not from time to time depraved, irritated, and provoked both her Majesty and the State, with these and many other such like their most ungodly and unchristian practices: but on the contrary, if the Popes from time to time had sought her Majesty, by kind offices and gentle perswasions, never ceasing the prosecution of those and such like courses of humanity and gentleness: if the Catholicks and Priests beyond the Seas had laboured continually the furtherance of those most Priest-like and divine allurements, and had framed their own proceedings in all their works and writings accordingly: if we at home all of us, both Priests and people had possessed our souls in meekness and humility, honoured her Majesty, born with the infirmities of the State, suffered all things, and dealt as true Catholick Priests: if all of us (we say) had thus done, most assuredly the State would have loved us, or at least born with us: where there is one Catholick, there would have been ten: there had been no speeches amongst us of Racks and Tortures, nor any cause to have used them; for none were ever vexed that way simply, for that he was either Priest or Catholick, but because they were suspected to have had their hands in some of the said most craiterous designments: none of her Majesties [Page 90]enemies durst so readily have attempted her State and Kingdom: we had been in better friendship with those that seek now most to oppose themselves against us, and to all men (as we are perswaded) bonus odor Christi, odor vitae ad vitam: whereas by following the said new violent Spirits, quasi turbae impellentes parietem, we are become odor mortis ad mortem, non solum iis qui pereunt, sed etiam iis qui salvi fiunt. And therefore let us all turn over the leaf, and take another course, than hitherto we have done.

To conclude, we do also further intreat and beseec you, to consider with your selves, the state of the Seminaries beyond the Seas, as now they stand at the disposition of the Jesuits, and joyn together with us, that the said Jesuits may be removed from the government and direction of them. It is too well known, how hotly they are addicted to the pursuing of a Spanish Monarchy: for the advancement whereof, (because it tendeth to their own glory, being altogether Hispaniated and transported into those humors, the better to tesemble and imitate their Founder and Father Ignatius Loyola a Spaniard) they will certainly never cease to put in practice all the mischief, they can either devise themselves, or learn amongst their company: which is, as they consort themselves, the very School of Machiavellism. In the which our joynt suit, if we cannot prevail, it remaineth then, that you would be pleased to be intreated by us, not to send or suffer your children or friends to go beyond the Seas unto them, that so [Page 91]they may be driven, if needs they will train up Youths to make them Traiters, to gather them up in other Countries, whereby they shall not be able so much to infect or endanger us. Besides, we are fully perswaded, that by this course, although at the first we be not heard, by reason of the might that the Jesuitical faction are grown unto: yet his Holiness, when he shall perceive it, and in the depth of his singular wisdom consider, what inconvenience may come thereof, will easily be drawn to hearken unto us. Or howsoever (as our Saviour Christ saith in another case) potens est Deus de lapidibus istis suscitare filios Abrahae: though you never send your Sons or Friends beyond the Seas, to the ruinating both of your selves, and of your Country, if the Jesuits shall still have the direction of them: so say we that the Church lived before they were born, and needeth not for the advancement of her glory, any of their traiterous practices: but is able of her self by the assistance of God, to raise up Priests out of our own Universities, and from among the Ministers themselves, remain they as yet never so stiff or hard against us. And thus commending both you and our cause to God, and our selves to your good favours, and charitable prayers, we take our leaves, and end this tedious discourse, more profitable and pleasing to God (we trust) than acceptable or grateful to many, which we can be but sorry for.

Your true Friends the secular Priests.

Whatsoever is written or contained in these Books, we submit all to the censure and judgment of our holy Mother the Catholick Church.

FINIS.

THE JESUITS REASONS …

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THE JESUITS REASONS Unreasonable: OR, DOUBTS Proposed to the JESUITS Upon their Paper presented to divers Persons of Honour, for Non-Exception from the Common Favour Voted to CATHOLICKS.

JON. 1.12. Tollite me, & mittite in mare, & cessabit mare à vobis: scio enim ego quoniam propter me tempestas haec grandis venit super vos.

LONDON, Printed Anno Dom. MDCLXII.

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REASONS why the Jesuits hope that they should partake of the favor shewed to other Priests, in taking away the Sanguinary Laws.

THE same Reasons, which moved the Peers to take away the Sanguinary Laws from other Priests, may move them also, to take them away in respect of the Jesuits, for the Jesuits are free born Subjects as well as others; they have been as faithful to His Majesty as others; they are of tender Consciences as well as others. The Jesuits all along have been furtherers of the King, and Actors also as far as their Fanction beareth; that is, they were in the Camp where some of them were killed, others imprisoned, most of them lost their nearest Relations in the War, and in a manner, all had their Friends undone for the King. All those that depended on the Jesuits stood constant for the King, even to death: amongst these were some signal persons, as Sir Henry Gage, Sir John Smith, Sir John Digby, and others, who having been formerly Scholars of the Jesuits, were actually, when they dyed, Penitents of the Jesuits, [Page]and Mr. Peter Wright who was executed at Tyburn, for a Jesuit, was particularly maligned because he was Sir Henry Gage his Priest. As for Noble persons who lost great Estates, and endured much bardship for his Majesty, the late Duchess of Buckingham, the late Marquests of Worcester, the late Earl of Shrewsbury, were Penitents of the Society, as other prime Nobility yet in being.

Now whereas two things are objected against the Jesuits, they are both easily answered; First, it is objected that the Jesuits teach the Doctrine of the Pope deposing Kings. It is answered, That no Community can be less accused of that Doctrine, than the Jesuits. It's true, four or five Jesuits did many years ago teach that Dectrine, as they had found it taught by others, ancienter than their Order. But since the first of January 1616. the General of the Jesuits forbade any of his to teach, preach, or dispute for that Doctrine, or print any thing for it, to take away the aspersion which the Writings of some few have brought upon the Society. And now actually all Jesuits are obliged under pain of damnation, not to teach that Doctrine either in word, writing, or print, which none in the Church but they only are.

Secondly, 'Tis objected that the Jesuits do particularly depend on the Pope. It is answered, That they are obliged by a particular Vow to be ready to go even to the utmost bounds of the Earth, to preach the Gospel to Insidels, when the Pope shall think it fit to send them; and they have no other Vow, which doth particularly oblige them but this, which can prejudice no Kingdom. On the other [Page]side, speaking of their dependence (which my byass their affections) they have the least dependence of the Pope, of any Church-men, for they are by special Vow excluded from al Benefices, and Dignities, by which the Pope may win the affection of other Church-men.

As for which is said of the Venetians, and French banishing the Jesuits, it is answered that both those Estates have repealed their Acts.

Lastly, That the Jesuits being willing to submit to whatsoever all other Catholick Priests shall agree to, and offering all the security which others offer, they hope they may be partakers of the same favurs which shall be granted to others; that so, that mercy may extend to all, and the World may see that the Sanguinary Laws are truly taken away.

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PREFACE.

I Expect Censures and Clamours as loud as can be against me, of uncharitable, uncatholick, unchristian, &c. for seeming to lay load upon the already oppressed, and contribute to, and even provoke a persecution against our Fellow Cathlicks. I think I have said my worst against my self: let me see how I can justifie my action. Premising therefore that the case of you Jesuits is apprehended by your selves, and your Abettors already desperate, and your Exclusion remediless, and so cannot be said to spring from this paper of mine; I address to my Defence, and offer my Motives why I publish this little Treatise against you.

My first is, To wipe off the aspersion laid upon Gods Church by some Tenets of yours; and strongly fastened on it by your haughty calling only your selves the Catholick Church, and all dissenters from your Tenets, Hereticks.

My second, Because I understand you are about to make the Common good stoop to the Particular one of your Order: as is your constant practice; contrary to the Law of Nature, and Principles of Christianity. For I have been informed that you in a boasting manner affirm, the Parliament will proceed no farther about taking away the Sanguinary Laws: [Page]and that some friends of yours endeavour to make it believed that it is not for his Majesties interest to make good his solemn promise from Breda, of having regard to tender Consciences.

My third is, Your stomachful frustrating my expectation. For I was really glad when I heard you had published Apologetical Reasons why you should not be excepted; hoping you would sincerely renounce the criminal Doctrines and Actions of your Predecessors, and free Religion from scandal. But finding no such thing, per verba de praesenti, but on the contrary, a comparing and preferring your selves before others: I thought my self obliged to do right to the Common Cause.

My fourth, To oblige you to repentance, and a hearty retractation of your unlawful Tenets and Practices; that so you may deserve and have as much favour as others; which is the worst I wish you: and not to wrong your own Credits and Consciences, and fool others with dissembling shews of loyalty, which every one may see to be mere hypocrisie.

My fifth, Because I owe that duty to the Civil Magistrate, whose hearty Subject I am, to resent a mockery put upon him (as this your paper will appear to be) under colour of offering satisfaction: Every true hearted Subject owing his best endeavour to his King and Country, that none lurk among them, unless their faltring Principles of Aequivocation and disloyalty be purged out.

My sixth, To offer even your selves an advantage, if your courage and cause will stretch to improve it. For the following Doubts are, many of [Page]them, such as Protestants themselves urge against your Reasons: and are communicated here to you, partly on purpose that you may provide better satisfaction.

My last (to satisfie even the passionate too) is, Because your unchristian spirit of Calumny is still as unquiet as ever; having, of late, most unjustly aspersed Principal Persons of almost every Body but your own; which comportment of yours makes it but fit, if Truth and the Common Good favour you not, neither should I. To think and declare thus much satisfies me; if it do not others, I cannot help it. Only I wish your favourers to beware of doing any thing that may be interpreted an abetment of you, till you approve your selves heartily loyal; lest they discover themselves too deeply tainted with your Principles and temper.

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DOƲBTS.

TO begin then. My first Doubt shall be, Whether you Jesuits have ground to hope the same favour with others. For, if you, by your unjust and wicked practices provoked the Magistrates to enact those Laws: if the rest of Priests and Catholicks were by you plunged in such miseries, upon discovery of your Negotiations, which were imputed to the whole Body of them, how can you be thought to deserve remission, whose seditious Principles are too deeply guilty of the Blood of Priests and Catholicks shed in the Kingdom ever since you first came into it? Those who know your practices in the Countries, where you, by the means, ordinarily, of deluded Wives, govern the Great Ones, know this to be your Maxime, to manage Religion, not by perswasion, but by command and force. This Principle did your chief Apostle of England, Robert Parsons, bring in with him. His first endeavours were to make a List of Catholicks, which, under the conduct of the Duke of Guise, should have changed the state of the Kingdom, using for it the pretence of the Title of Queen Mary of Scotland. But, her Council at Paris, which understood business better, were so sensible of his boldness, that they took from him the Queens Cypher which he had purloyned, and commanded him never more to meddle in Her affairs. Poor Edmund Campian, who is generally accounted an [Page 102]innocent and learned man, and others suffered for such practices of his.

Parson's endeavours being suppressed by this Queen, he turned himself to the Spaniard, and, with all his might, fostered the Invasion of Eighty eight, which is known to have been another occasion of Sanguinary Laws. He wrote, on that occasion, his Dolman, to justifie the Spaniards Title to England, degrading the Scottish succession and Title of our Soveraign. He wrote also Leicester's Common-wealth (at that time called commonly Blewcoat, because it was sent into England bound in blew paper) which extremely exasperated the State, and augmented its indignation against Cathlicks. The same man, at Queen Elizabeths death, pocured a Bull from the Pope to the Catholicks in England against King James; to hinder his coming to the Crown, unless he would give liberty of Conscience, and, as his friends gave out, had twenty thousand men listed for that effect, had not his Majesty prevented the danger with sweet words.

Next followed that detestable Machination of blowing up that Royal Race, and the whole Nobility, which the House of Commons, which was the occasion of the Oath of Allegiance, and all the Persecution of Catholicks following upon it: King James professing, not to persecute for Religion, but for Treason. This you alledge not to be, originally, your Invention; but, is it no guilt to follow another mans wickedness, when it leads to so horrid a crime? For, without doubt, both by prayers before-hand, and by publick testifications [Page 103]after the Fact was discovered, you were highly accessary to it: nay, many years after you did, and peradventure to this very day still do pertinaciously adhere to it. I could urge great and manifest instances of this, were it not to lose time. That monstrous Straw, of which all Christendom rung so long, and the Pictures of Garnet and Oldcorne cannot be denied, nor want they evidence of your inward minds.

After these came out the ridiculous and satyrical Books against King James, the Corona Regia, and the Quaeries. And yet your so well affected spirits could not be at rest, till your Patriarch Parsons was shamefully turned out of Rome by Monsieur Bethunes, the French Ambassador, and order from the King of France; being discovered to plot a new Treason against his Country to introduce the Duke of Parma. Thus you followed King James to his death.

Direct Treason against King Charles, of glorious memory, before the Wars, I cannot accuse you of: but, how refractory you were to the Queens desires and orders at Rome, for his late Majesties assistance, is well known; and what you have done since the beginning of the Wars, and how you have behaved your selves, both in and out of England, is fitter for me to remit to his Majesty, and the Courts Informations, than to engage my pen in far fewer and weaker which I could produce. Only I shall add this word; If Colonel Hutchinson were well examined and pressed, he would perhaps discover strange secrets, about your treating with Cromwel, no doubt much [Page 104]to his Majesties advantage. So that, leaving you this Doubt to ruminate upon, whether the condition of them, who have guiltily provoked and deserved the Sanguinary Laws, be the same with theirs who have suffered for being mistaken to be their Fellows; I proceed to

2. My Second Doubt, about your first Reason. That the Jesuits are free-born Subjects as well as others. In which, methinks, I find one of your usual sleights of Equivocation. For, a Jesuit may signifie the man who is a Jesuit; and may signifie, with the complexion of being a Jesuit. In the former sense there is no difference between any other Priest, Regular or Secular, and a Jesuit, as to free-born; but, in the second, there's a wide one. For, the others have nothing against them, but such Laws as had their beginning from difference in Religion: their degrees and communities having been accepted by the Laws of the Kingdom; in virtue of which they are free-born Subjects and parts of the Common-wealth, as far as difference of Religion permits.

Now, it being the Law of England that no Ecclesiastical Community may settle here, unless admitted by the Civil Power, (as we see in proportion, practised in all Catholick Estates) and Jesuits never having participated of this favour, all your practices of usurping Jurisdiction, making Colledges and Provinces in or for England, possessing your selves of great sums of monies for such ends, and the like actions, have been hitherto all usurpations, unlawful both in respect of the Donors and Acceptors. 'Tis unlawful for any man [Page 105](even according to the sense and practice of Catholick times) by virtue of your priviledges, to live, or preach in England, or any of his Majesties Dominions; and whoever entertains you in such quality, is subject to the penalties ordained by the Ancient Laws. Neither, without some main Reason which might force the aforesaid Statute, ought you to hope or attempt any further stay in England, in way of a Body, till first you have obtained particular grace from the Civil Magistrate.

3. My Third Doubt is, Whether you have been as faithful to His Majesty as others; Which is your second Reason. For which I must note a Maxim or Practice found among you Jesuits, and acknowledged by all who look into your ways; which is, in quarrels of Princes and Great Men, to have some of your Fathers on one part, and others for the contrary. Which as I no ways deny to be very politickly done, and to shew that you are Wiser than the Children of light; so, on the other side, I affirm 'tis a manifest sign you are faithful to neither. I speak not this as to single men, (if there be any among you who prefer your loyalty to your Prince before obedience to your Superiour) but as to the Community or Superiours, who give this direction or connivence to their single Subjects, to act on both sides; by which they are convinced of acknowledging duty to neither, but to work for their own interests. Nor can the like be imputed to other Communities, whose obedience is more rational and free; without obligation to follow their Superiours [Page 110]Judgments further than to the observation of Canons and Rules.

4. My Fourth Doubt is, Whether you are (as you say) of tender Consciences as well as others: (your third Reason) for which I remit him who desires a further information, to The Mystery of Jesuitism, translated some years since out of French: The Author whereof is both learned in your Divinity, and an upright and scrupulous Roman Catholick, as his Book manifests. Where every indifferent Reader may see, as clear as noon-day, that your Conscience is so tender as to stretch to all kind of Villanies, by the award of that Theological Bawd, commonly called Probability, by which whatever three Divines hold (or, perhaps, one) is accounted Probable and lawful to be practised: and whoever understands any whit of the world, knows your General can, with a whistle, raise whole Legions of Divines to speak what he has a mind should pass for probble; nay, every Provincial can raise about three to make it de fide. The World has seen the experience, about Deposing Princes, Equivocations, mental Reservations, and divers other juggles.

Although this seems enough for this point, yet it is not amiss to add a Maxime of obedience which you have among you, viz. That the Subject ought blindly to obey his Superiour without examination, whenever it is probable there's no sin in the action. Out of which perswasion, if three Divines at the most, say a thing may be done, which the Superiour will have done; 'tis not in a Subjects power, under pain of damnation, to refuse [Page 111]to do it. Whereby 'tis plain, the tenderness of your Consciences is only about doing or not doing what your Superiour orders you.

5. My Fifth Doubt, concerning your Fourth Reason, is, whether all you say proves any heartiness for his Majesty. For, I question not the truth of all this, but the Quaere remains, whether you Jesuits were the first movers, or the Gentry which did the King service, to whom you adhered for not losing your places, and interest you had in the parties. Had you pleaded that any of this Gentry which you name, was unwilling of himself, and his Jesuit had induced him, or made him constant, when he would have relented, this reason had been somewhat strong: now, 'tis one of the probable Arguments which are subject to be turned to what pleases the Orator.

But to speak somewhat to particulars; 'Tis known Col. Gage's relations were to others more than to you; and I could name by whose solicitation he took arms for the King, who was not of your Coat. As for Sir John Digby, there are alive who know by whom he was armed, and sent to the Kings Party, in whom you had not so great interest. Concerning the Noble Persons you name, though you had the industry to make your selves their Ordinaries, yet were they not, for the most part, so addicted to you, that they had not great Relations to other Ecclesiastical Bodies. So that it may appear, their own inclinations, and not your perswasions (as far as is clear) were their motives to follow the Kings Party. I could say more, were it fitting to enter upon private mens [Page 112]particular actions. And so much to your Reasons.

6. My Sixth Doubt concerns the Answer to the first Objection, Whether Jesuits teach the Doctrine of the Popes deposing Kings. My Doubt is, what your Answer is, whether I or no? for I can find neither. First, you compare your Body to others, which is no Answer t the Question, but a spiteful and envious diversion, to examine others actions, who are sufficiently cleared, because not questioned. Secondly, you tell us that some Jesuits did teach it; but that, since the first of January 1616. your General has forbidden any of his, to teach, preach, or dispute for that Doctrine; which answers not the Question, and is a thing I am prone to believe. For I have been informed, that 'tis a known practice of your Society, that your Generals should forbid some actions, which they are not unwilling their Subjects should practise, to the end that they may reject weak men, by saying it cannot be true, because they have a Rule against it; and to more understanding Parties they may excuse the fault, by laying the defect on Particulars, who will not obey their commands.

But, I must farther note a cunning in this Answer. For true it is, the Parliament of Paris ordered the principal Jesuits to get such an order from their General, for France; upon which I suppose, you build your answer: not explicating whether it reaches to other Countries, as particularly to England, which I never heard so much as pretended: and therefore it answers nothing to [Page 113]the real Question, unless you produce the extension to the whole World; which you cannot do, since 'tis plain, Santarellus's Book was printed in Rome about ten years after 1616. teaching the power of Deposing in all latitude. Wherefore either Santarellus's fact was a manifest disobedience to the nose of his General, or the answer given, an open Imposture, making a special Decree for France a general one, and so your answer fallacious and none. No more than your fair inference, that all Jesuits are bound under pain of Damnation, not to teach that Doctrine; which is a pure slur you use to put upon men unaccustomed to your ways: whereas 'tis a known position of yours, that none of your Rules bind under so much as a Venial sin, much less under Damnation.

And it seems you think there's no Mortal sin, but Disobedience, or you esteem the Doctrine good, though forbidden you, else you would not have added that Clause, that None in the Church but you, were bound under pain of Damnation, not to teach that Doctrine: whereas all good Christians think it damnable to teach any wicked Doctrine, such as this is declared to be by all France. I wish to God you would instance in what Sermons or serious Discourses any of you have argued against this Doctrine; out of which it might be gathered, that in your hearts you dislike it. I hear you and yours have much exclaimed against some even late Pamphlets that touch the Oath of Allegiance; though none of those Books (as far as I understand) press the taking of the Oath it self, in its present terms, but only oppose this King-dethroning [Page 114]Doctrine. Surely, unless you declare your selves farther, this must cause a main suspicion, that you dislike the Oath, not as Moderate Catholicks do, for the ambiguity of the expression, but because the Doctrine of Deposition pleases you.

And why should the Peace of Kingdoms, and the quiet of all Christendom depend upon your Generals Order, for that's all the security I can find your Paper gives us? who will assure us your Generals Order may not alter to morrow, and that which you call now a mortal sin to do, becomes then as mortal a sin not to do? and has not then the World reason to fear that, where and when the interest of your Body will either dispense with your obedience to your General, or prevail so far with him as to revoke the Prohibition you speak of, you will be ready again to maintain the same Deposing Power with as much fierceness as those few whom you now seem to disowne?

For, who are those few? Bellarmine, of whom one of your Society (though in Prison when he spake it) said, King James was no more to be compared to Bellarmine, than Balaams Ass to Balaam: Suarez, whom you esteem the Master of the World: Lessius, under the name of Singleton: Fitzherbert the chief, in his time, of your English Writers: Patriarch Parsons, Mariana, Salmeron, Becanus, Vasquez; Omnes Capita alta ferentes, and of whom you will renounce none for less than being frightned to lose a Province; as when, in France, you were threatned to be put out, if you had not condemned Suarez and Santarellus: With [Page 115]these deserves to be ranked, for his Merits in the same kind, F. Symonds, of a far later date, who procured to be condemned at Rome those three Propositions (expressed in the Christian Moderator) of which the first was expresly made to disclaim the Popes power in absolving Subjects from their Obedience to the Civil Government. Are all these but four or five? Nay, I could reckon above four or five besides all these: so that, there is no farther security of your not preaching this Doctrine, than until the Pope please to attempt again the Deposition of some King of England: for then no doubt but your Generals Decree will be released, and the Interest of your Order to preach this Doctrine again.

As to that perverse and unseasonable insinuation, that Others, too, have defended the Popes deposing power, as well as you: I answer, perhaps Flattery or Errours may have prevailed so far with some others besides Jesuits: yet, with this difference in the point we now treat: some persons of other Communities have written for that exorbitant power in the Pope, and very many, and far more against it: not only the faculties of Paris and Sorbonne, but seven or eight whole Universities in France, have unanimously and solemnly condemned it: All this while, what single Jesuit has spoken one unkind word against it? though both particularly suspected, and highly concerned to clear themselves. Cry you mercy! you there subscribed also their Condemnation of it. But why find I not that alledged here, if there be not some juggle in't? Sure you would not have waved urging [Page 116]it among your best Reasons, did not your hearts disavow that forced compliance then, and so hate the Medium for the Conclusions sake. Your Generals Prohibition (as your Reasons seem to express it) is, Not to teach, &c. that Doctrine; and then you are free, at least to teach, &c. the contrary; which who of you ever did so much as in a private Conference? Nor will it help you, if your Generals Prohibition be to speak either for or against that Opinion (which I believe is the truth, though your Reasons craftily dissemble it;) since then, you neither have hitherto given, nor can hereafter give the least satisfaction to Princes, without disobeying your General.

Let any one but cast his eye upon F. Lloyd (or Fisher) a famous man in his generation, and consider what he writes in his Answer to the Nine Points. That he omitted the discussion of the Ninth Point, about the Pope's Authority to depose Kings; for, being bound by the command of his General given to the whole Order, not to publish any thing, of that Argument, without sending the same first to Rome, to be reviewed and approved; his Answer to that Point could not have been performed without very long expectation and delay. And so goes on; referring His Majesty and the Reader in general, to the Treatises lately written on that Subject, to which, said he, 'Tis not needful any thing should be added. And, I ask, first, is not this Jesuits proceeding with his King extremely, both uncivil and disloyal too? his Majesty commands an English Jesuit to write concerning the Opinion of deposing Kings, and giving away their Kingdoms [Page 117]by Papal power, whether directly or indirectly: What says the Jesuit to this important question, wherein all Princes, and particularly his Majesty was so nearly concerned? He could not answer it without sending it first to Rome to be approved, &c. and so excused himself, and made no answer at all; which now of these two will you guess was the Jesuits supreme Soveraign, the King or his General? Nor should I have stayed so long upon the example of one particular Jesuit, though never so eminent among them, but that by these their Reasons, I see they all cleave to the same Principle, of not meddling with this point, whatever it costs them, without leave of their General.

Secondly, I ask concerning those late Treatises here mentioned by the Jesuit; were they not those very Books which Paris and so many whole Universities of France publickly condemned? I have this motive to think so; F. Fisher wrote this Book 1626. these Treatises were that very year condemned, and some of them, as Santarellus, printed but the year before. But, that F. Fisher adhered to the affirmative of the Popes deposing power, is clearly evident by his other excuse, that commonly Kings are not willing to hear the proofs of coercive Authority over them, &c. As also, when his Adversary objected, that Suarez's Book was burnt by the Hangman, he answers (far from disliking his Brother Jesuit) in these peremptory words; I likewise demand of you, says Fisher, if Jesuit Suarez his Book be prejudicial to Princely Authority, why is the same allowed in all other Catholick Kingdoms, &c? Does this sound, as if the [Page 118] Jesuits had changed their inclination to that Doctrine; whilst one of their eminentest Writers strives thus to defend, nay, applaud, even Suarez, one of the most offensive and extragavant, even, Jesuits, that ever medled with that Subject?

7. May Seventh Doubt, is about your dependence on the Pope, which you gloriously explicate to consist in this, that The Jesuits are obliged by a particular Vow, to be ready to go even unto the utmost Bounds of the Earth, to preach the Gospel to Infidels. I desire to know, by what virtue you explicate your Vow in these words? the terms of your Vow are these, Insuper promitto specialem Obedientiam summo Pontifici circa missiones: which, by the tenour of the words, signifies to go whither he shall send you, and do what he shall command you in your Missions. First, there's never a word of preaching the Gospel, nor of Infidels; and your Missions may be as well to Caholicks as to Infidels; as we see the Peres de la Mission, in France, for the most part, are imployed among Catholicks: and I would demand whether your Mission into England be not as well to Catholicks as to Protestants? Wherefore, by this Vow, you are bound to do whatever the Pope commands you: as for example, if the Pope should excommunicate or depose the Prince, and command you to move the Catholicks to take Arms; you were bound by your Vow to do it. And, therefore, 'tis no wonder if you give the Pope a Catalogue of these men, and their qualities, (for they are, generally speaking, those who are eminentest in your Order) and brag to him how great an Army [Page 119]of Pens and Tongues you bring devoted to him, to further any attempt or design he shall command.

Besides, is it not well known, that none of your Order go into Infidels Countries, but such as desire it, whereof no small part do it for discontentment they find in your Colledges? and that the Pope may as well send one of the Pillars of St. Peter's Church in Rome, to preach to Infidels, as one of your professed Fathers, if it be against your General's, and his own will? Therefore, this special obedience is but a flash of vanity above others; by which the Pope has a Chimerical power over you; such as your subtilty in Divinity will call potentia remota, which, without your own wills, shall never come into Act.

Yet do I not think that His Majesty will quarrel with you for this Vow, as you explicate it: though, to tell you my sence of it, I do not know how it stands with His Prerogative, that the Pope shall have power over his Subjects, which may be useful to him, to send them, without his leave, to Japan and China; But, this Authoity you assume to your selves, and further: For, you do not only oblige your Subjects to come in, or go out of the Kingdom, when you command them; but play the Judges of life and death, upon the Kings natural Subjects, without his leave, or any crime that, according to Civil Laws, deserves punishment. You presume by your power, to send them to Watten, or some such place, wherein either your selves have high Justice, or the high Justice is at your Devotion, there frame Process against [Page 120]them, and execute them, without making account to His Majesty of the life of his Subject, for pretended crimes committed in England.

This (taking the whole story together) I conceive to be no less than making your selves Soveraigns over His Majesties Subjects, that is, to be an Act of high Treason. Yet, all parts of this Action are evidently in your hands, in virtue of your obedience, and your having such places of high Justice in your Command: so that your Subjects have other Soveraigns than the King's Majesty, whom, by consequence, they ought to fear more than him, since their power is more immediate, and pressing and pressed on their Consciences. As for the Practice, 'tis said to have been used upon one Thomas Barton, an eminent Scholar among you, who wrote a Book called The agreement of Faith and Reason. How true it is, I undertake not to justifie; but if you'l justifie your selves from High Treason, it behoves you to produce the man. And so you have my seventh Doubt.

8. My Eighth Doubt is, that you equivocate with us in this word Dependence: for you turn it to be dependence by Vow, whereas more likely it means dependence of Interest, and signifies, that 'tis your interest to ingage the Pope to you, by maintaining all height of Supreme Authority in him, though it be ever so irrational and against Gods Law. For, by so doing, you also can use it all for your own Interest, in procuring for your selves and friends whatever lies either in the Popes Authority or Grace, as Exemptions, Priviledges, [Page 121]Benefices, &c. For, men look not on your Body as on others, whose Generals have no other power than according to their Rules, to look to their Discipline: But on you they look as on an Army managed by one man; whose Weapons are Pens and Tongues; and the Arts of Negotiation, and all plausible means of commending your selves to the World. Which you exercise in such a height, as to have had the boldness to threaten the Pope with a Schism; to tell the King of Spain your Tongues and Pens had gotten him more Dominions than his Armies; to attempt breaking the Liberties of Venice; to be able to raise Seditions in most Countries; and to be dreadful to the very Kings and Princes. And all this, because, as Christ proposed to his Disciples the love of one another, for the Badge of Christianity; so, your Generals propose to you blind obedience for the Badge of a Jesuit; that is, by cooperating with them, to make them powerful and great Lords and your selves invincible, and terrible to all that oppose you.

For this end you exalt the Popes Infallibility; that you may get your Opponents condemned in Rome, and then cry them down for Hereticks. For this reason you teach, the Pope to have all Authority in the Church, and other Bishops to be but his Deputies, (so joyning with your Brother-Presbyters in really destroying the Hierarchy) that, when you, by Grace or surreption, have purloyn'd a Command from that Court, you may treat all that resist you, as Schismaticks and Rebels to the Church. Yet if we believe Mr. White (acknowledged [Page 221]an able man) they are both damnable Heresies, and destructive of Faith and Church: and many others also of our most learned, dislike them, though their courage, &c. reaches not to brand them so severely. In this complication of Interests, then, and not in your glorious Vow, consists the dependence you have so specially on the Pope, in a matter not of Religion, but of Temporal profit and greatness.

9. My Ninth Doubt is, about the comparison you make between your selves and others; telling us how you are by special Vow, excluded from all Benefices and Dignities, by which the Pope may win the affection of other Church-men. Concerning which I first inquire, whether this be roundly true? I doubt you'd be loth to reject all the Abbeys and Benefices annexed to your Colledges, to verifie this Vow, as you have set it down in your Paper: and therefore the effect of your Vow is only, that private men may not be alienated from your Order, with hope of quiet lives in such Benefices; and not the contempt of the Power, and Honour following it; as is sufficiently testified by another Vow of yours; which is, that, if any of yours, for special reasons, be made Bishop, he shall be bound to be subject to the Provincial, or Rector of the place of his Residence, and to take their advice in the government of his Church; which you extend as far as to Cardinals, to a capacity of which Eminent Dignity, notwithstanding your special Vow, your Dispensations easily reach. So that your Vow is no Religious one, of despising Honours; but a politick abuse, mask'd [Page 123]under the veil of Religion, that the abler men of your Order may not be separated from it, and so the Body may remain the stronger, and your General more potent to resist the Pope himself.

Neither does this any way diminish, but increase your dependence on the Pope; both, because 'tis by him your Houses are furnisht with Benefices, and those never to return to the Popes Donation; as because you oblige your Friends, by procuring others for them, you being at his elbow, to suggest this or that friend, on whom all his Benefices may be conferred: by which means you get the endearment due to the Pope from those Friends, to the increase of your own power and riches; and your selves still find out new pretended necessities to beg more: So that this Holy Vow of yours no ways makes you less subject to the Pope, but to suck his paps the harder: as those know, who have seen what passed in France and Flanders these late years; especially under the Archduke Leopold.

10. Yet have I another Doubt concerning this Vow of yours, viz. Whether it does not make you as refractory to Kings and Princes, as to the Pope? For to speak truth, whatever the Right is in other Countries, in England, where the Canons and Concordates with the Pope have been out of use a hundred years, and by consequence, have no force, even in your own Doctors opinions; and therefore things are to be governed by Nature and Reason: at least, in England, I say, all such Benefices and Collations belong more to the King than to the Pope. For, it being clear, that the Offices [Page 124]to which Benefices are annexed, are to be provided of able men; and who are able men one can tell that understand not the Office: 'tis plain, that Secular Clergy-men ought to be the chusers of Officers of their kind, Regulars of Regular Superiors; and by consequence, the Donors of such Benefices.

But, the people first got an influence on the chusing of Bishops, because 'twas rationally believed those would be able to do most good, who were in the peoples good liking. But, when Bishops grew to have great Revenues, and to be esteemed men of so high Quality in the Common-wealth, the Emperors and Kings began to cast an eye on their Election; and not without reason: for it concerns them that none be in eminent places, but such as they are secured of will breed no disturbance in the Common-wealth. After this, if any Clergy-man had done the King service, he found in the best way of recompence to cause him to be chosen into a place of Authority and Eminency. The Popes title to the giving of Benefices began by his Office of Patriach of the West; which, since the Council of Nice, he more narrowly looked to the government of; exhorting and correcting by Letters such Bishops and Churches there, as did not their duties. And this held, till Pepin found how efficacious the reverence of the Pope was to make him obeyed, and accepted for King of France. Since which time, whether for Ambition, or for security sake, men began to think no Act firm, unless it were ratified at Rome.

In times following, the Popes began to have [Page 127]need of Christian Princes: and these found it the sweetest way to help the Popes, by granting imposition upon the Clergy. So came the first-fruits to the Popes; and, to assure those Incomes, the custom of having Bulls from Rome to confirm the Elections of the Clergy, was likewise introduced. So that, this Authority of the Popes comes from the Princes Agreements with them, and not from any Superiority or Power of the Popes. Wherefore, these Agreements being, by time and essential changes, annulled; all giving of Benefices belong to the Chusers and the King.

I come now to the close. If your renouncing of Benefices make you less subject to the Pope, as you pretend; it makes you in England less subject to the King. And, if it makes you more hardly rewardable, and more pressing on the Pope, it will make you the like to Kings. As, in Leopold's time, you were so wholly the means for coming to Benefices, that hardly a command from Spain could take place for any that was not your Confident.

11. My Eleventh Doubt is, how you answer your banishment out of France and Venice, viz. that Both these States have repealed their Acts. Which answer makes nothing to this, that you either did not deserve the sentence, or deserved to have it released; one of which any judicious man would have expected at your hands. Now, to come to particulars; the Venetians were so resolute against you, that they made it Treason for any of their State so much as to motion your return, and refused divers Princes intercessions for [Page 126]you. Till their case reducing them to fear the slavery of the Turk, if they had not the Popes assistance, promised them largely if they would re-admit you: they rather chose to struggle with your Treasons at home, than admit the Barbarians conquest of their Dominions. Whether they have cause to repent, or not, I know not; But, the current news at this present is, that the Pope, who procured your admittance, has; having found you so unfaithful to him, notwithstanding all his love to you, insomuch that he's about question you, by what means you are so suddenly raised to so great wealth: wherein, I fear, he'l not find obedience so ready as he found flattery, when he was to pleasure you.

Your measure in France was, indeed, hard; the fault being not proved to be universal but particular; and so, in divers places, was never executed, and easie to be repealed, having proceeded more out of presumption than proof. But, your case in England is far different; your whole English Congregation following their Head, Parsons, and maintaining his Acts even since his Death.

12. My Twelfth Doubt is, concerning your conclusion, Whether you intend to mend what, hitherto, you have done amiss; or rather to persist in your Equivocations and Dissimulations. For, first, whereas you being the chiefly or only suspected Body, are therefore bound to offer more satisfaction than others; you make your Proposition to submit to whatever all other Catholick Priests shall agree to: which sounds as much as, if [Page 127]any disagree, you will adhere to them; or, in plain terms, that you'l agree to no more than by shame you shall be forced to, for not plainly appearing the worst of Priests and Enemies to the Catholick Cause.

13. My Thirteenth Doubt is, why you, pretending to be the greatest Divines among Catholicks, remit your selves to the determinations of others, and not, as good Subjects ought, examine what satisfaction is necessary and fit to be given the State; and both offer it your selves, and provoke others to do it, not standing so scrupulously upon your generals decree, which surely should not be thought to bind in such extreme cases: even the Laws of the Church, and of general Councils we know oblige not, where our obedience would ruine us; and will you still more precisely observe your own By-Laws, than the sacred Canons of the Universal Church? Methinks therefore, in due satisfaction concerning the pretences of the Pope against the King; whatever Catholick Doctors hold favourable to Princes, in these differences, should by you be gathered together, and subscribed, and promised to be maintained with all your power. As, first, the Doctrine, which denies that the Pope has any Authority in any case to depose, or temporally molest the King, or any of His Majesties Subjects. Likewise that he has no Authority to release any lawfully made Oath of Allegiance, or other promise to his Majesty, or any of his Subjects. And, because none of these, or the like assertions can be strong and firm in the mouth of him that holds the Pope's Infallibility in determining [Page 128]points of Faith; but, whenever the Pope shall determine the contrary, he must renounce what before he held for good: therefore you should do the like in respect of the Pope's Infallibility.

Moreover, because, if the Pope, by his own, or any others Authority, may force his Majesties Subjects to go into Countries where they cannot enjoy the protection of their Prince, the Subjects are not free to maintain these assertions: therefore, this Position, also, that a Subject to England is bound to appear before any foreign Tribunal, without His Majesties consent, is also to be condemned. Nor is it less necessary you should expresly renounce the Doctrines of Equivocation and Mental Reservation; without which all the rest afford very little security; And I could wish you would find some way how to assure us, that, when you solemnly make your disclaim of these last Opinions, you do not practise them even while you renounce them. Unless such Tenets be stubbed out of the heads and tongues of your Preachers, there cannot be expected any hearty Allegiance in the Jesuited Party, whose consciences are governed by you; but such a one as shall waver with every blast from Rome.

Neither can any Priest exempt himself from subscribing the condemnation of all these. For, Ignorance of necessary truths is not to be allowed in Teachers. And, supposing that every one knows the Propositions are now Articles of Catholick Faith, the manifest Inconveniences that follow them, will evidently convince they are to be [Page 129]condemned. For, temporal subjection to Princes is the main ground of the peace and good government of the Common-wealth; and what is against that, is against the Law of God and Nature.

I should think it, therefore, not so much your best, as your only way, to lay aside your private Interests with the Pope, and declare your selves not the last, but the forwardest in your Allegiance to His Majesty, that you may cancel your former proceedings, and blot out the setled Opinion of your Dissimulation. You can do it, if you will; for you teach men to depose their own private consciences on the Opinions of others. You cannot deny but the contrary Opinions are asserted by Catholick Doctors; and therefore by your own Maximes, 'tis lawful for you to hold them, nor will I now dispute those Maximes. It concerns you deeply; for, you must have a special favour from the Civil State: and not to pretend to such, is to profess you break the Catholick Parliament's Statutes, and press the Popes exorbitant Authority, and draws all your adherents into Treason before God and a Praemunire by the Laws. Think therefore soberly, and conclude strongly what you have to do: and, let not your General's Interest oversway Truth and Justice, and your private Good.

Yet one reflection occurs to me worth your notice, rising from the Report I toucht at the beginning, That you, seeing your selves shut out from the Favour Voted by the House of Lords, to other Catholicks, are casting about how to stop the progress of that Vote, and prevent its [Page 130]growing into an Act. Whereupon I raise this Quaere, why you, who are but a particular Body, should not rather take up your roots and transplant; than so to seek your private benefit, that you care not to hazard the whole? Do you not remember how and why you went from Venice? you voluntarily departed in pure Obedience to the Pope, upon a quarrel betwixt Him and that State; and were only kept out, not sent away: And, were it not now as high a Charity, and as much for your reputation, to yield for a time, till your own deportments shall deserve your restitution; to which nothing can more conduce, than your peaceable departure, especially where the circumstances are so different: When you left Venice, you were conceived to hope a speedy return, by the Popes Arms and Triumph over your own Country; whereas, if you now go away, your departure will be absolutely free from the blemish of that suspicion, and remain to all posterity an Action of pure Heroick Vertue; while, in so tender a case, you prefer the publick before your own present private good. You who could leave a Country, where you were rich and prosperous, meerly to comply with the Pope; can you not now depart from a Country, where your selves say, you are poor and afflicted, for the universal good of Religion? Else, will not this pitch of Reluctance savour too rankly of the rich glue which indeed fastens your hearts here; and betray at length to the inquisitive, that your yearly Rents got by the Mission in England, are more than ten times as much as what belongs to all [Page 131]Missions beside, both Secular and Regular?

Only this word more: I shall desire you to consider how the Catholicks of England, nay of all the World, will be scandalized and provoked against Jesuits, if they see you palpably and uncharitably drive on your own Interest alone, without caring what becomes of Religion, unless you may have your wills. This I propose, only upon supposition, that the Report is true. For, if you endeavour no more than to procure your selves may be included in the Act, without endangering your Neighbours, I heartily wish you may prove it just: but, bethink your selves well of this Dilemma; If your solicitings stop the progress of the Act, how will you be hated, as guilty of the continuance of those Sanguinary Laws? if your endeavours do not stop it, how will you be both hated for attempting it, and scorned for miscarrying in't?

FINIS.

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