# fulltext

id: A29831
fulltext:
   The confession of John Browne, a Iesvite, in the gate-house twice examined by a committee from the honourable House of Commons wherein is discovered the late plots of the Pope and papacy against these kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland : and the manner how he poceeds in his intents to intrude himselfe into the temporall monarchy hereof : with the copy of the Popes Breve, & the fansinesse of his Nuntio with the English ladies : and the event that may preoceed by stopping such proceedings. Browne, John, Jesuit. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A29831 of text R10825 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing B5118). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 12 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A29831 Wing B5118 ESTC R10825 12827698 ocm 12827698 94298 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A29831) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94298) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 255:E173, no 1) The confession of John Browne, a Iesvite, in the gate-house twice examined by a committee from the honourable House of Commons wherein is discovered the late plots of the Pope and papacy against these kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland : and the manner how he poceeds in his intents to intrude himselfe into the temporall monarchy hereof : with the copy of the Popes Breve, & the fansinesse of his Nuntio with the English ladies : and the event that may preoceed by stopping such proceedings. Browne, John, Jesuit. [8] p. s.n.], [S.l. : 1641. Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library. eng Jesuits -- England. Catholics -- England. Great Britain -- Religion -- 17th century. A29831 R10825 (Wing B5118). civilwar no The confession of John Browne a Iesvite, in the gate-house. Twice examined by a committee from the honourable House of Commons. Wherein is d Browne, John, Jesuit 1641 1921 9 0 0 0 0 0 47 D The rate of 47 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2002-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-05 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-06 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2002-06 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-07 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE CONFESSION OF JOHN BROVVNE A IESVITE , In the Gate-house . Twice Examined By A Committee from the Honourable HOUSE OF COMMONS . Wherein is Discovered the late Plots of the Pope and Papacy , against these Kingdomes , England , Scotland , and Ireland . And the manner how he poceeds in his Intents , to intrude himselfe into the Temporall Monarchy hereof . With the Copy of the Popes Breve , & the sansinesse of his Nuntio with the English Ladies , and the event that may proceed by stopping such proceedings . Printed by Barnard Alsop 1641. The Confession of John Brown a Jesuit in the Gate-house , twice examined by a Committee from the Honourable House of COMMONS . THIS Iohn Browne desiring to informe concerning some speciall points , for the Weale of this State , as himselfe hath observed , for above 50. yeares past , which are reduced to these Heads . 1. Concerning the Iesuits , and dammage they have done to these Kingdomes , labouring that the Oath of Allegeance might not be taken , and the wayes which they use with their Penitents , & projecting of Monopolies of their Ministers , & substitutes , and the way to roote them out of these Dominions . THat they have their Lay-brethren , which collect duly their Annuities , & rents , and play the marchants transporting cloth and other Marchandize of great value . I doe know a brother in law of Captain Reades , who continually trades in Marchandises for them , as also one Cuthbert of Lancashire , and one Grey of Barwick● , and they are protected by the Spanish Ambassadors . They have their Marchants in London : namely , one Evans , worth 5000 l. who meanes to make them his Heires , and to disinherit his own kindred . He was appointed to be Sheriffe of Middlesex this last yeare , and by their perswasions did goe out of the City , and lived retiredly , untill Michaelmas was past . More of their Agents are Doctor More , Captaine Re●d a Scottish-man , Lieutenant Col. in Ireland , under Col. Bruce , he lets their buildings in Long-acre for them , and the faire buildings in Lincolnes-Inne fields , inhabited by Sir George Gage . &c. and at his death left to the Lady Gardeners , where the Jesuits continually doe resort . They doe use with them Penitents to tell the poorer sort , that to take the Oath of Allegeance is damnable , and they tell the richer sort ; that they may doe as their Conscience will inspire them , not making Conscience to performe . Some have left by testament , others by donation , to bring up some 2 , some 3 , and paid 25 l. and 30 l. per annum , but since they are not willing to take the ●oyle , to take it yearly , b●t have entised the D●●ators to give them , some three , some foure , some 500 l. and in my knowledge , they have got in this manner for nourishing above 200 , extorting Money from this Kingdome , to the great prejudice of this State . 2. Of the Reformation of some things in the Queens Court , and of some Persons which are fit to be removed . THe Actors are Father Philips , her Confessour , and the superior of the Capuchins , and a gray Fryer , who hath intruded himselfe by degrees , to be a Clark of her Majesties Chappell : sometimes he is called by the name of Wilson , sometimes of Tomson , and a Doctor of Divinity , a furious and unquiet Spirit , by a nick-name called Cackafugo : he rules Father Philips , he rules the businesse amongst them , that concernes the State ; and for the most part , the matters of Rome , having three wives at this present all alive . There is also one Penrick resident at Rome , by his Master Mr. William Hamilton , l●te agent at Rome . There be many more , one Francis Maitland , alias quashet hath 100 crowns , per annum of her Majesties Pensioner , a firebrand intelligencer at Rome , France , Flanders , and Spaine , with Liddington , colonell Syms , Chambers , and Penricke at Paris . I should think it good to remove all these from about her Majesty , except only Father Philips , who is of a sweet disposition : though so easily perswaded by Sir Toby Matthewes , Sir Iohn Winter , Mr. Walter Mountague , who are of the Cabinet Counsell . 3. Of the manner whereby the Pope meanes to intrude himselfe into the Temporall Monarchy of this Kingdome , and the manner how he proceeds . ONe Seignior George was appointed by the Pope to informe him of all important businesse of England and Scotland : who as soone as English , Scottish , or Irish Runnagates came to Rome , he went to their lodging in the Popes behalfe , and brought them of his Holinesses bread , and wine , and other rarities , as Bolognean , Sassages , and such dainties , and shewing them all the antiquities of Rome , and feasting them at the Popes charges ( though they were Protestants ) for this purpose 2000 Families were requested of His Majesty to be sent to Rome , with a promise of their quiet abode there , and their use of liberty of conscience . To break the Ice for the Popes honours sake : then was nominated also Mr. Robert Duglas , cozen German to the Marquesse Duglas , an eminent friend to Father Philips and Seignor George a great traveller ; a great Linguist , a Courtier , whose directions were to be from Cardinall Richlieu , and from the Court of France , receives moneyes for his Journy , where he had great entertainment , and after a yeares space the viatick being dismist , they sent him with Pictures A●g●● D●●s , and many other small gifts which they brought into England of presents : under pretence of a breve from his Holinesse , The Substance of the BREVE is this . To the Clergy , Secular , and Regular , and Lay-Catholicks of the two Kingdomes of England , and Scotland , &c. HIS Holynesse being very sorry for such Jarres , and Divisions between the Secular , and the Clergy , to the great prejudice of the Catholike Church ; and for that respect having a Fatherly care of soules , in those Kingdomes of England and Scotland , he hath sent ( expressing his reverend Fatherly care ) George Pausanone of his Family to compose , and recronicle them , if he can . This man at Paris quits his Priests Robes , and drest himselfe in secular apparell : covering his shaven crown with a great Periwig , & writes to Father Philips , to be the primum mobile , and Directer of all who send to him at Paris , as to an Italian Gentleman , desirous to see these Kingdomes . That comming to London , he lodged first at the Italian Ordinary in the Strand ; but being so much resorted to by persons of great quality : he removed to Seigneor Germines House neare the Exchange , is you passe to Covent-garden . In their meetings ( at last ) it was concluded , that they should speak Honourably of the King , and Queen , & be sparing to discourse of the Oath of Allegeance . It is worthy of consideration to observe the Nuntioes carriage day and night , in courting of Ladies and Gentlewomen , in Terme-time all the Gentry of both Sexes . Such were his comportments . that it is a shame to relate them , his Conversation abroad , and Conventicles at home with Ladies , Sir Iohn Winter : her Majesties Secretary , Sir Toby Matthewes , Sir Kellum Digby , and Mr. Walter , were his Cabinet Counsell . He visited one of the best Ladies in the Land alone , and being found by her husband , and being asked why he durst be so bold , he was in feare to have bin precipitated out at the window . His manner was in the morning , sometimes two houres before day , to visit Ladies and Gentlewomen , enquiring of them , how they had slept that night . The Pope had made his eldest Nephew Francisco Protector of England , Scotland , and Ireland , and directing a particular Congregation , for the matters of these Kingdomes , and with him were joyned two other Cardinals , and a new Secretary , and other Prelates of Rome his Counsellors . He entertained Mr. Francis Mountague with great pomp , and sent him abroad in his Nephewes Coach , and so others the like . Hee made Segn●or Georgeo Patriarch of Ierusalem . No lesse was his pride puft up , when Sir William Hambleton , brother to the Earle of Abercorn , and Cozen to Marquesse Hambleton , whose carriage was like to Segnior Georgeo here : carrying ( clothed in mans apparell ) through Scotland , England , France and Italy ; his Sweet-heart Eugenius Bonny . After Segnior Georgeo was sent hither , Count Rossey , who was intended to be made Cardinall , in case he may have meanes . But it was dasht , and so will all correspondency be : no doubt hereafter by this grave Counsell of the Honourable Parliament . So that Mr. Penricke Agent there , be called back , and a certaine Knight of the Order of St. Iohn of Ierusalem , whom Count Rossey intends to send hither to keepe correspondency , be likewise dismist from hence . Which done , all the project will end in smoake : provided that M. Mountague , Sir Toby Matthewes , Sir Kellam Digby , Sir Iohn Winter be removed , and bar'd from Rome , or any of his Holinesses Territories . I heard a French-man of good worth say , that he had seene a Breve from Rome with this Inscription . TOBIAE MATHEW SACERDOTI , SOCIETATIS JESU . That is , to Toby Mathewes Priest of the Order of JESUS : wherein ( inter alia ) was Confirma Amazones illas quae strenue laborant in vita pro Christo . First , confirme those Amazonian Court-Ladies , that is , those brave Catholicks , Catamountaines of the Popish-faction , that labour lustily for the advancement of Popery . 4. That the Roman Catholicks shall be stopt from going over Sea , with their goods and all . TOuching Romish Catholiks , they ( especially those that have Lands ) should be stopt from going over Sea , in respect that selling and morgaging their Lands the money is transported to forraine parts , whereby the Kingdome is depauperated , his Majesty loseth his yearely Pay for their Recusantsie , the Shires where they remain are disabled to pay such Subsidies , as formerly in time of their residence , and finally the poore lose much by their absence . FINIS . 


id: A32856
fulltext:
   Camiltons discoverie of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late years projected and by them hitherto acted in Germany : intended but graciously prevented in England / translated out of the Latine copie ... by W. F. X. B. ... De studiis Jesuitarum abstrusioribus. English Camilton, John. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A32856 of text R11407 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing C388A). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 49 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 19 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A32856 Wing C388A ESTC R11407 12832384 ocm 12832384 94330 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A32856) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94330) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 254:E167, no 2) Camiltons discoverie of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late years projected and by them hitherto acted in Germany : intended but graciously prevented in England / translated out of the Latine copie ... by W. F. X. B. ... De studiis Jesuitarum abstrusioribus. English Camilton, John. W. F. X. B. [8], 27 p. Printed by T. Favvcet ..., London : 1641. Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library. eng Jesuits -- Germany. Great Britain -- History -- Charles I, 1625-1649. A32856 R11407 (Wing C388A). civilwar no Camiltons discoverie, of the devilish designes and killing projects of the Society of Jesuites of late yeares, projected and by them hithert Camilton, John 1641 9034 19 0 0 0 0 0 21 C The rate of 21 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2002-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-06 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-07 Kirk Davis Sampled and proofread 2002-07 Kirk Davis Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-08 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion CAMILTONS Discoverie , OF THE DEVILISH DESIGNES AND KILLING PROJECTS of the Society of JESUITES of late yeares , Projected and by them hitherto acted in GERMANY , Intended , but graciously prevented in England ; Translated out of the Latine Copie ; DEDICATED To the high Court of Parliament , By W. F. X. B. Minister of CHRISTS Gospell . From all Sedition and privie Conspiracie , from all false Doctrine and Heresie . Good Lord deliver us . LONDON , Printed by T. FAVVCET , dwelling in Grubstreet . 1641. TO THE HIGH AND HONOURABLE The LORDS and House of COMMONS of England in PARLIAMENT Assembled . My Lords and Gentlemen , ABout twelve yeares agoe there came to my hand a little tract written in Latine by one who stiled himselfe JOHANNES CAMILTONUS , and professed himselfe to have been sometimes a Probationer in that Colledge of Iesuites in Germany , whereof JACOCUS DEL RIO , at that time Provinciall was the Visitor : This booke , in the yeare 1607 was by him written and dedicated to the Protestant Electors of Germany , as a Discovery before-hand of those most damnable 〈…〉 Society then had in agitation against the people of Germany . The title of this booke was , De studiis Iesuitarum abstrusioribus , concerning the more secret and reserved practises of the Iesuites : Whereunto had those Princes , to whom this booke was Dedicated , given such timely ●are and beliefe as they might have done , they had in all probability prevented the greatest part of those unparallel'd miseries , which since the beginning of the warres there ( and that was not till eleven yeares after the publication of this booke ) these Jncendiaries of Christendome , have brought upon the Germaine Nation , to the astonishment of all the world . But wee see what hath since beene permitted to these fellowes to doe , and what the neglect of a timely taking heed to a seasonable warning hath brought upon those then flourishing Princes and States . That we therefore might learne by other mens harmes to re 〈…〉 e our owne particular , I have endeavoured the publication of this translation under your honours protection ; having taught this Discoverer to speake our language , for the publique benefit of our English Nation , against them , I dare boldly say , even your selves being my Judges when you shall have read this small tract , that the same course hath beene taken by these common Incendiaries for breeding a disturbance , and bringing all things into a confusion both in our Church and State , that was then projected , and since then acted upon Germany . Nor doe I thinke , but it is sufficiently knowne to your Honours and grave Wisedomes , that the same wheele of mischiefe , that wrought all the woes of Germany since the yeare 1618. hath for some yeares last past , bin set also at worke in England , Scotland , and Ireland : witnesse all the factions and fractions in Church and State , the disturbances and discontents betweene the Prince and the people , the fearefull divisions betwixt the Clergie and the Clergie , betwixt the Court and City , and betwixt the King and his Commons , yea , even betwixt the two Crownes of England and Scotland , all which have received their birth and breeding from the devilish designes of those sonnes of division , the Society of Jesuites , and beene fomented almost to a perfect flame by their Agents , and Adherents , their deluded Disciples of this Nation , and had undoubtedly broken out , and produced in short time , the like effects among us , that they have done in Germany , had not Almighty God in meere mercy to this Nation , and in his Divine compassion to his poore Church in England thus ready to perish , stept in to our rescue , by his blessed hand of providence stirring up the spirits of our noble Peeres to represent to his sacred Majestie the eminent danger , and gratiously inclining his Royall heart to hearken thereto , and so that we may say with the Psalmist , Ps. 118. 23. This was the Lords doing , and it is marvailous in our eyes . And the same God , if it be his blessed will , in his owne time , by his owne meanes , perfect that good worke of mercy , which he hath so gracioussy begun for us of this Land and Nation , by rooting out from amongst us that disloyall brood of Inigo Loiola , that our eyes may see it , and we may say , the Lord hath beene megni●●ed upon the borders of England . For assuredly , though the Romish Factors , may now justly say , as EDOM did in the Prophecye of Malachy , 1 : 4. We are impovverished , but we will retur●e , and build up our desolate places , ( for they cannot but be sensible of their owne 〈…〉 ets defeated both by Sea and Land , by water in the yeare 1588 , by F●●e , 1605 , and it is not to be doubted that they apprehend a feare of the miscarriage of their great and long intended plot of 〈◊〉 begun to ●eake out this yeare 1641 , all which notwithstanding , they still retaine a resolution 〈…〉 and build up their desola●e places ) yet I desire them , to read and take notice of the words following in the place before-cited , yet , thus saith the Lord of Hosts , They shall build up , but I will destroy , and men shall call them the border of wickednesse , and the people with whom the Lord is angry for ever : And your eyes shall see it , and men shall say the Lords name hath beene magnified upon the borders of England . And to speake truly what I thinke , I must confesse that I have conceived an hope of a long time , that this yeare 1641. which compleateth the Century since that Society had their Bull from the Pope , under protection whereof they have wrought so much mischiefe , would shew unto the world an apparant alteration in the body of that Monster , the Society of Jesuites . A point which I am the rather induced to beleeve , because I have been certified as much in effect from a couple of their owne men of eminent note for learning , the one , PAVLUS FLOR●NIUS an Italian , the other CHRISTIANUS FRANKEN a German , the former whereof was DIVINITY READER , the other PHILOSOPHY READER in the Imperiall Colledge of Iesuites at Vienna , both which , above threescore yeares agoe , upon just grounds exprest in a booke by them published , forsooke that Religion , and became Protestants . That booke also is to be seene , and if it please this Honourable House to command it , shall be published also in English , for I find it written in Latine . And , if their prediction faile not more in the conclusion then it hath done in the progresse hitherto . I am confident that this mayprove a very fatall yeare to that Society But I feare I hold you too long from the Booke it selfe Humbly therefore commending you all to Almighty God in my due and daily prayers . I leave this Discovery to your consideration , and rest Yours in all the duty of a Minister of Christs Gospell . W. F. X. B. CAMILTON'S Discoverie , OF THE DEVILISH DESIGNES AND KILLING Projects of the Society of JESVITES of late yeares . WHat MARCUS CATO sometimes spoke concerning the Roman● South-sayers ; that hee wondred how they could forbeare to smile upon each other , so often as they met , may not unfitly be applyed to the Iesuites : It is a wonder that one Iesuite when he looketh upon another doth not straight way burst forth into a laughing outright , they being amongst themselves privie to such impostures practised upon the people . I speake not touching your simpler sort of Iesuites , from whom these more reserved and closer practises of the Society are altogether concealed , either in respect they are not held wise enough ( for sooth ) to be acquainted with them , or that they are thought too devout to entertaine them , or else in regard of their short continuance in that Society : for all such are so kept short through severity of Discipline , that not one of them , except he be wondrous quicke of sent , can ever smell out in the least measure what knavery is therein practised under a shew of Holinesse . My discourse onely toucheth the prime and principall fellowes of that Society , their Regents , Fathers , Provincials , and Generals ; all which , are so universally and joyntly tainted with all manner of wickednesse , but especially with Whoredome , Covetousnesse , and Magicke , that indeed any reasonable man may thinke it little lesse then a Miracle , if a Iesuite of this ranke meeting such another upon a sudden , and beholding , as it were , another picture or lively representation of himselfe , should have power to abstaine from laughing outright . I therefore thought it not amisse , considering the premisses , to lay open unto the world some particular passages , and practises of that Society , of the greatest part whereof my selfe have beene an eye-witnesse , and some part whereof hath beene related unto me by Iesuites , whom I am able to name , and will undoubtedly nominate , if they shall but dare in the least manner to lift up their tongues against mee , or to contradict what I have written . And howsoever at this time I passe over things briefly , and doe onely ( as it were ) give you a first draught thereof , I doe purpose in due time ( God assisting me ) to doe it more largely and compleatly , with expression of all and singular circumstances thereunto appertaining . First of all then , at your entrance into any Colledge of Iesuites ; especially , if it be scituated in or neere unto any large , and populous , and rich place . But alas , why doe I say , if it be built there ( seeing they have no Colledges in any poore , meane , or obscure place ) At your first entry I say into such a place or Colledge , take principall notice of the Porter of their Gate , and him you shall find to looke like unto the picture of a very Charon , or rather a Cerberus ; For the most part you shall observe him to be a man of very great yeares , or if hee bee younger , he is a fellow of most approved trust and secrecy . And this is the man , if any such there be , who is well skilled in all the mysteries of the Iesuites Caball , or reserved Divinity . In this fellowes keeping is great store of apparell both for Men and Women of every degree and calling . And with this apparell doe the Iesuites habit themselves according to the quality that every one findeth himselfe ablest to personate , and so practice wonderfull Impostures in the World . For at sometimes being habited like Souldiers very gallant , they walke in the streets and highwayes Whoring and Swaggering in the publike Stewes . At other times in the civill habites of Citizens , professing themselves to be of the reformed Religion , they pry up and downe and listen in Innes , in Play-houses , in Tavernes , upon the Exchanges and in all places of publike meetings , wheresoever ●here is any frequent resort , what the people speak up and downe concerning them , what consultations are abroad , what matter of Action is set a soot in any part . Another while , like Doctors of Physicke , or of the Civill Law , with great Rings on their fingers , avowing and purposely professing themselves to be Papists ; wheresoever they know any of the Common sort that is wealthy and hath sons , they devise some cause of businesse with them , and insinuate themselves into their acquaintance by strange fetches , and in Conclusion doe advise them to bring up their sonnes in some Schoole or Colledge of Iesuites , affirming that themselves have beene educated by them , and that they have so profited under them , that ( God be thanked ) they never had cause to repent thereof : And sometimes againe apparelled like Noblemen , and compleatly attended , they cause Coaches to be provided abroad , and frequent the Courts of Princes , as giving attendance upon Ambassadours of forraigne States , and serve as Intelligencers to vnlocke the Cabinets of great Potentates . Nay further , I have knowne them to make shew of being banished persons , and to crave collections amongst Protestant Divines , purposely to learne under-hand what such men write against them : yea such were those men for the most part , who so miserably deluded so many Reverend men in many places by sinister waies under that habit , furthering the designes of their Society , and breeding disturbances in the reformed Congregations : of whom , to the end that all honest-hearted Ministers may be more wary , I shall tell you hereafter , what projects at this day the Iesuites have a foot to this purpose . But in the meane while perhaps you will say unto me , whereto , I pray you , serveth so much womens apparell , or what is their end in depositing so much in the keeping of the Porter of their gate ? Attend , and J will tell you : No Pander , that ever TERENCE or PLAUTUS mentioned in their Comedies , was so nimble at the trade of winning pretty wenches , as are the Iesuites at this day , but especially that Porter of their gate , whom I mentioned but now . For , that which the Confessors themselves are not able to wring out of them by Auricular Confession in their Churches and Chappels , this fellow knoweth how to winne from them by flattering speeches , with wonderfull pleasing and delightfull toyes , especially if he meet with a poore widdow , or any such silly woman which sendeth her child to the Colledge now and then for an Almes ; or with some Laundresse , or Spinster ; for be she Lotrix , or Netrix , hee will make her a Me●etrix . Whom so soone as this base Pander hath once but allured to come to his net , although her apparell be never so old and tattered , yet he hath gay Gownes enough in store , with accoutrements suitable , wherewith he can make her both tricke & trimme , which when he hath done , he knoweth how to convey her through many secret passages and by-waies to his Venerable Masters , the Fathers of the Society . And yet he never doth this in the day time , but neere upon the shutting in of the Evening , and then they make away the whole night in Ryot and Luxury , with Revelling and Dancing , the younger sort and Novices of the Society being kept farre enough from Discovery thereof . For they have for the purpose certaine Vaults framed like Chambers , and roomes under ground as had those ancient Romanes , who first devised their Stewes in Vaults , whose inclination to all carnall lasciviousnesse was so great , and so bruitish ; that the Senate of Rome , fearing the just anger of their Gods for the same , utterly suppressed those Lupanaria or publike Stewes . And thus much for the Iesuites Porter of their Gate : onely I must not forget to tell you this one thing , that if any party who by chance shall come to the sight of such and so great a Wardrobe , doe demand with admiration , what is the end or use of it , answer is made unto them , that it is the Wardrobe , reserved purposely for acting of Playes : but that is the least part of their intention to my knowledge . Moreover , when thou entrest into any of their Churches , make account that thou walkest under an heaven of Iron : Bloody Mars is over thine head , not that Prince of peace ; below thee is tho very pit of Hell , and a shop of Tormenters . J now doe relate in good earnest , what mine own eyes have seene ; At Prague in Bohemia upon the roofe of their Churches are thousands of Iron Bullets , Whips , and fire-bals , such as the Bohemians use , upon the sides are placed pieces of Ordnance , vvith a great number of Musquets and Harquebushes , with Pikes and Halberts . In the middest , where the Arches meet , are great heapes of huge Bullets of stone . And the like preparation have they also made at Cracovia . Nor doe I make question , but that upon due search their Colledges in other places , would appeare as well provided . But some man may perhaps make question . To what end Religious men should make such preparation , or what need there can be so to doe ? I confesse , the matter at the first sight astonished me , and my best understanding was exceeding strange : but thus standeth the case . The Iesuites know well enough , that the courses which they have taken formerly , and now every day doe take , are so indirect and turbulent , as m●keth them odious , to all such as they live amongst ; yea , to very Papists themselves , at least to the wiser sort of them , in respect of many things which they have done both tumultuously , and wickedly , wheresoever they have got footing in the least manner . For they have no regard of any , they spare not to roote up the very Catholiques themselves , so that they may pleasure the Popes Holinesse therein , though it were with the betraying of their Countries , and setting the whole Christian world in a Combustion . And therefore because they are in daily feare to be massacred by those among whom they live , they make this provident and timely prevention by Warre-like preparation . For indeed , they are afraid ( as J my selfe have heard them confesse ) lest it might befall unto them as unto the Knights Templers , who notwithstanding they were forward enough to serve the Pope at all times , and as good Catholiques as could be wished in the matter of Religion ; yet , for their too much Ambition and Covetousnesse , whereby they became insupportable , they were by consent of all Christian Princes , and not without approbation from the Pope himselfe , put to the Sword all at an instant , and utterly rooted out almost in a moment ; as sometimes were the Pythagorians , those very Iesuites in effect , among the Heathen , served throughout Italy , and the Provinces adjoyning . Now the reason , wherefore they doe make choice to lay up their Armes and munition in their Churches , is onely this : For if when any Insurrection or rebellious tumult ariseth in a Province , the Papists come thither to helpe and assist them , by this meanes they have Armes for them in a readinesse upon a suddain : but if any who are of contrary Religion come thither to doe them wrong , or to steale any thing from them , they have munition & stones above head , to destroy them withall before they be aware . And is not this ( I pray you ) the ready way to make the House of Prayer , a Den of Theeves ? And yet by your patience , if you will but attend , J shall relate things more strange and horrible then these , in respect whereof , the things I have related hitherto , may well seeme tolerable , I may almost say Innocencie . Under the Pavement of their Church at Gratz , and else-where , to my knowledge , are Vaults and buildings under ground ; whereunto , there is no way but by staires , and steps ; Here have they hoorded up ( like to that Cacus whom Virgil speaketh of ) all their prey and treasure , and doe obscurely conceale a world of wealth : so professing poverty , not onely with publike consent , but also with incredible pleasure , suffering the same with admirable patience , and cursing to the pit of Hell , all such as are poore against their wils , as unworthy of so blessed a Crosse . But as for this their treasure , for the most part it is so contrived , that it is buried directly and perpendicularly under their greatest and chiefest or most eminent and highest Altar , and so they shall be sure that when they Chant Masse , they shall Sacrifice to MARS above head , and to MAMMON below . Now furthermore , in their Vaults under ground they maintaine a very strange Library , of Cords , Halters , Rackes , Swords , Axes , Iron-pincers , Stockes , Torches , Pillories , and severall Instruments of Torture , wherewith and whereunto poore wretches being tyed fast , are joynt by joynt torne a sunder , as many as fall into the hands of these Tyrants , who are farre more cruell in this kind , then MEZENTIUS or PHALARIS ever were . Nor are they without a Divels coate , and a long steeple-crown'd hat , with blacke feathers , a jagged doublet cut and flashed , breeches puffed out and bagged like bellowes , downe to their anckles , such as would even make a man affrighted to looke upon them . But perhaps , he that readeth this Relation , will wonder to what end Religious persons , who professe themselves the Disciples and followers ( as they would have all men to beleeve ) of our most meeke Saviour JESUS , should make such provision . I will resolue you this question also , if you please to attend . With such instruments as these , doth the Societie captivate the understanding of their Disciples , unto Jesuiticall obedience . For if in the least matter , they get any hint of suspition , against any of their Novices , that he will not be constant , or that he desireth to escape from them , and that he is likely to betray the secrets of their Society , they clap up such a fellow , in a faire paire of Stocks , and having macerated him a long time with hunger , and cold , and want of all bodily comforts ; at the last , they make an end of him , with some exquisite tortures , and killing torments . I doe not belye them . I write nothing but a truth . There was at Gratz , about three yeares agoe , a young man named JACOBVS CLVSSEVS , a youth of an excellent and pregnant wit ; this man did they lay hands upon , and miserably tormented him , by whipping and scourging , for a matter of no moment , and because he told them plainly , that he would renounce their Society , and complaine publikely ( if ever he got liberty ) for this and other such wicked dealing towards wards him , they clapped him up into such a Prison , under ground , as aforesaid , from whence hee was never seene to come out againe alive . Nor did any of us that were Novices , make question , but that he was made an end of , with most exquisite torments . Which unparallel'd piece of tyranny , I purpose in due time to divulge to the whole World , with relation of all circumstances , being the thing which the poore wretched Clussaeus , had a purpose to have done himselfe , if he had not been hindered and prevented by death . I shall withall make publike unto the World , another such piece of Villany , committed by the Iesuites of Fulda in Germany , upon the body of one MARTINUS , whom they stole away most basely from his Parents , who are yet living at Miltenberg or Milberg . And how many women thinke you , have beene devoured and eaten up in the same Gulfe ? How many young Children slaine ? How many young men , that have beene sole Heyres of very large and ample Patrimonies , have beene made away by them ? I doe not say , J thinke , but J beleeve , and am firmely perswaded , so often as shrikes , and cryes , sighings , and most woefull lamentations , were heard in the night season , the hearing whereof ; would put a man into a cold sweat all over , and make his hayre stand on end , though our simpler Novices , beleeved them to bee the Soules of some lately departed , it was nothing but the shrikes and mone of children lately murthered , or then a murthering . Moreover , that the extreame and Divelish malice of Iesuites , may be in nothing defective , they are accustomed divers times , in those their Vaults under ground , to make the Divell very sine sport : putting on terrible disguises , they cause some of their Novices to be called downe to behold their Tragedy , upon whom they will rush suddainly with an horrible yelling noyse , to make tryall , ( forsooth ) of their courage and constancy . For if they find any to be timorous and fearefull , they admit not such a man to the secrets of Magicke , as accounting them cowardly and degenerate , but appoint them to some of the inferiour Arts : but such as appeare to be of bold and undanted Spirits , they take especiall notice of them , and reserve them for serious imployments . And yet they are not alwaies successefull for all this , as appeared by that which happened at Prague in the yeare 1602. For whereas there were five principall Iesuites , who being habited as Devils made sport with their youth . If so fell out , that there was found to be a sixth in their company , before they were aware , and he questionlesse was a Divell indeed , who catching up one of the personated Divels in his Armes , gave him such a kindly unkind embrace , that within three dayes after , he dyed of it . The fact was common talke at Bake-houses , and Barbershops , and at every table discoursed upon , all over Prague . And yet for all that , the rest of them , as nothing amazed with this Tragicall event , dare still in an height of obstinacy , proceed in that most ungodly and Divelish study of Magicke . Now amongst that whole Society , the prime man for a Magician , is a French Iesuite , whom the King of France himselfe , had in so high estimation , that he admitted him not onely to his Princely table , but also to familiar conferences in private ; concerning whom , the Iesuites themselves did make their boast , that he had a glasse made by Art-Magicke , wherein he could plainly represent unto the King , whatsoever his Majesty desired to see : insomuch , that there was nothing so secretly done or consulted upon in the most private roome of any Cloyster or Nunneric of other Orders , which he could not easily and instantly discover , and disclose , by helpe of this his Inchanted , or rather Divelish glasse . And indeed it was by the Art and meanes of this Magitian Iesuite , that their Society was confident , that they should be able to draw on their side , one of the most potent Princes of the Empire , albeit a Protestant : for asmuch , as he was observed to be somewhat delighted in the Study of Magicke . Now , as for those whom they take in as Novices to be instructed in this way , they expound unto them those nine hundred Propositions , which Picus , Earle of Mirandula published at Rome : as also the Booke of Iohannes Tritemius , together with a Tract or Treatise touching abstruse or hidden Philosophy , written by Cornelius Agris pa : Likewise Theophrastus , concerning the Constellations and Seales of the Planets , with the Steganographia of I know not what Abbot , and the Art of Paul to procure Revelations : meaning Saint Paul , whom they affirme to have beene instructed in the Art Magicke , and thereby to have understood such high Revelations and profound Mysteries . Yea , they blush not to affirme , that St. Iohn was an excellent Magician : Nor doe they sticke to say , that even our blessed Saviour CHRIST IESVS himselfe , was a most absolute and perfect Magician , as mine owne eares have heard it oftner than once or twice related by some of that Societie , and such as I am able to nominate . And thus much for the Iesuites Church : onely , take this direction along with you ; Those Vaults and Roomes under ground , which I mentioned even now , those secret Conveyances and Circean Dennes , are for the most part contrived to be under the Quire or Cloister , not where the people doe walke or stand . And now when thou shalt passe from their Temple into their Study ( for I will say nothing touching their Parlour , or Chambers , Refectories , or places of Recreation , instruction of Novices who are newly admitted , and the trayning up of other Schollers committed to the Iesuites tuition ; nor yet touching the Methode and Order of their Studies , but will reserve that for another Discour●e ; seeing those passages are for the most part knowne abroad● already , being discovered by another . ) When , I say , thou shalt enter into their publike 〈◊〉 thou shalt finde a most exquisite choyse of Authors of all sorts , all of them most curiously bound up in Leather or Parchment with fillets of Silver or Gold : and as for such whereof there is daily use , they are layd in order upon Deskes , fastened with chaines upon a long table . But as for the inner Library , that is onely reserved for the Fathers of the Society : it is free for none but them to goe in thither , and to borrow thence what bookes they thinke good . Those ordinary bookes , are onely free for the Iuniors of the Societie , nor may they take a sentence out of the rest without speciall leave obtained from the Regent . Moreover , in this first Library , are no Heriticall bookes ( as they call them ) but onely the Writings of most approved Authors and Catholickes all : For they hold any other unworthy to be placed amongst them , as fearing perhaps they should infect the rest . Looke therefore upon thy left hand , and there thou shalt see the wretched bookes of Heretickes , ( as they tearme them ) standing all in Mourning for the faults of their Authors , bound up in blacke Leather , or Parchment blacked over , with the very leaves thereof dyed in blacke . Of these , not one of the Fathers themselves may make choyse or use , without leave obtained from the Regent before-hand : but your inferiour , Iesuits and younger Novices , may not be so bold , as to desire the sight of any one of them , except he will 〈…〉 fore-hand , with all virulencie and bitternesse , raile upon , and disgrace the Author , whom he desireth to see , by some infamous Libell , and scurrilous Satyricall verse , or writing . In the middest of these severall Libraries , is placed a Study , being divided into many Seates distinct , and separate one from another , with a blew covering : on the right side whereof , sit the Fathers ; on the left , the under-Graduates ; who have already taken some Degrees upon them . The other Novices , or Fresh-men ( as wee call them ) sit mixt with the fellow-Commoners , that they may take notice of them , and every man in his turne , beate into them by continuall discourses , the sweetnesse and excellency of the Order of Iesuites ; especially , into such as are of the richer sort , or wealthy heires . I will say no more at this time , as touching their Studies , but I will describe briefly , the manner of the Visitation , which every Provinciall maketh ; because it is a point , which as I thinke , and for any thing that I ever read or heard , hath beene never hitherto divulged by any . Now every Provinciall taketh his Denomination from the Province , or Kingdome rather , which is committed to his charge , and oversight . His place is to visit the severall Colledges , to take an account of their Revenues , and over-see their expences , exactly and punctually : to take notice , what Noble personages commit their Sonnes to the tuition of the Society , and how many they are in number ? Whether there be not yearely an increase of Schollers , as also of their meanes and Revenewes ? Whether there be any converted from Lutheranisme , and how many such ? If there be no such thing , or if the Popish Religion have lost ground , or if there be any decrease of their wealth , he sharpely reproveth their sloath and neglect , and chargeth strictly , that they make an amends for the wrong they have done , and losse they have received in this case . But if they have bestirred themselves bravely , and converted ( as they call it ) or rather perverted many Soules to Popery , if they have beene frugall , and scraped wealth together , he praiseth them very highly , and extolleth them to the skyes . Moreover , he demandeth what is the opinion of the Neighbouring Hereticks concerning them ? What be the projects of the Nobles ? What meetings they have ? How many ? And where ? What they consult upon ? What they resolve to doe ? Whether the Hereticall Princes ( as they tearme them ) delight to live at home or abroad ? To whom they resort most frequently ? What is the severall disposition of every one of them ? In what things he is observed to take most delight ? Whether he take any care of his people or not ? Whether he be a Religious Prince or not ? Or rather , whether he be not a man , who delights to take his pleasure in drinking , Wenching , or Hunting ? Whether he have any Catholickes about him , or that are neere unto him ? What the people report abroad , concerning their owne Princes ? Whether the Churches of the Adversaries , be full of resort , or not ? Whether the Pasters of those Churches , be learned and diligent men in their place and calling , or otherwife lazie Lubbers , and unlettered ? Whether the Profession of Divinitie thrive , in the Neighbouring University of Heretickes ? Whether their Divines maintaine frequent Disputations , and against whom principally ? What bookes they have published of late , and upon what Subject ? To these , and sundry such questions , if the Regent , and the rest of the Fathers doe answer punctually , he doth wonderfully commend their industry and vigilancy . If he find them defective in answering to these or any such demands , hee reprooveth them sharpely , saying : what meane you my Masters , doe you purpose , like lazie companions , to undoe the Church of Rome ? How doe you suppose your slothfulnesse in these waighty affaires , can bee excused before his Holinesse ? How is it , that you presume to take these places upon you , and to manage them no better ? What or whom are you affrayd of ? Why doe not you buckle up your selves better to your businesse , and performe your places like men ? These things ( if you had beene such men as you ought to bee ) had not beene to doe now . These things should have beene done long before this time . Doe you observe the incredible watchfulnesse of the Heretickes , and can you be lazie ? And with these or the like speeches , hee whetteth them on to their duty . At the last , he enquireth as touching the schollers , fellow-Commoners , Novices , and the rest , how many they are in number ? How much every one hath profited ? To what study or delight each one is inclineable ? Whether there be any one amongst them that is scrupulous , or untractable , or not a sit subject to be wrought upon ? For he adjudgeth every such an one sitting to be removed from the study of Divinity ; except , he have bin very well exercised in the Disputations in Schooles , and have a very great and good conceit of their Religion beaten into him . Moreover , hee enquireth if they have any one in the Colledge , who can be contented , for the advantage of the Catholicke cause , to undertake any laudable attempt , and to spend his blood in the cause , if at any time necessity shall seeme to require it . And at last , he sendeth away all these informations being sealed up , unto the Father Generall at Rome , by whom , they are immediately made knowne to the Pope himselfe and his Conclave of Cardinals : And so by this meanes , an order is taken , that there is no matter of Action set on foote , nothing almost consulted upon , throughout the whole Christian world , which is not forthwith discovered unto the Pope , by these traytors , that lurke in every state and Kingdome . Also , it is not to be omitted , that the Iesuites are translated by their Provinciall , from one Colledge to another , and that for the most part once in three yeares , that so the Provinciall out of their severall discoveries , may attaine to unlocke all the secretest Cabinets of the Prince and State , where he doth reside . In the last place , I will adde , in stead of a Corollary , some strange and wonderfull devices of the Iesuites , which being but of late newly hammered in the forge , they have carnestly endeavoured , yea , and at this day doe labour , tooth and nayle to put in practice by publike consent , for an Jnnovation to be made both in the Church and State throughout the whole Romane Empire . To this end , their chiefe and onely ayme is , how to set the Princes of the Empire together by the eares , and by taking off some of the Principall Doctors of the Church , to bring the tyranny of the Spaniard , and the Primacy of the Pope , into Germany . Concerning which very project I have heard the Provinciall DHL-RIO himselfe , discoursing sometimes , whose plots and Machinations , were such as follow . In the first place ( saith he ) care and paines must be used , to estrange the affections of the Princes of the Empire , one from another . Now the meanes ( said he ) to effect that , is to worke upon their contrariety of opinions , in matters of Religion : And for this end let the Emperor be incited to make a Declaration , that he will not grant liberty of Conscience in matters of Religion , except there shall first be a restitution made of such goods , as were taken from the Clergie upon the treaty at Passa● : for this is a point whereat they will sticke assuredly , and deny it . Let the Emperour thereupon send his Princes , and demand the same of the Cities of the Empire . They will either obey or deny : if they consent and obey , all is well : if they refuse , let him proclaime them Rebels , and expose them to be seized upon by the next neighbouring Princes , but still let the matter be so carried , that he be sure to oppose a Lutheran and a Calvinist , the one against the other . Moreover , some device must be found out , that the Duke of Bavaria may fall foule either upon the Elector Palatine , or upon the Duke of Wittemberg , for then may the Emperour be easily wonne to proclaime him Traytor whom the Duke of Bavaria shall distaste , and all meanes taken away of making pacification either with Papist or Calvinist for them ; besides , thereby will be raised unreconcileable divisions in the Empire , never to be quenched before an high-way be made for the accomplishment of our desires . For the further ripening of which Designe , the Iesuites unbethought themselves further of this Stratagem . Jt will follow ( say they ) necessarily , when any City of the Empire shall be proclaimed rebellious , that every severall Prince will be more ready and willing to serve his owne turne upon the spoyle thereof , then to admit any other that shall be emulous of the same booty to preveot him . This for the Generality . More particularly yet , meanes must be sound out , to set the Princes of Saxony at difference , that their strength and power may bee broken , or at least weakened . Now that may bee most conveniently effected thus : first , if the Administration of the Primacy of Magdeburg , which now is vacant , be given to the Bavarian Elector of Colen , neither the Marquesse of Brandenburg , nor the Duke of Saxonie , will easily grant their consents thereto . Secondly , if that succeed not according to our desires , there must be some cause pretended , why the Duke of Saxony either doth seeme worthy , or ought to seeme worthy to be removed from the Electorall dignity . For , if in times past , the Princes of the Empire cast downe Wenceslaus , from the Imperiall Throne , because they had adjudged him a negligent Prince : surely the Emperor may take as just an occasion , to remove , from the Electorall Dignity , the Duke of Saxony , who is drunke every day . And in this respect , let his Imperiall Majesty restore and conferre that Dignity , upon the house and family of the Dukes of Weymar . And because these Princes are yet under age , let the Administration of that Electorship , be committed to Henry of Brunswicke , a learned and vigilant Prince . This project being once set a foote , cannot chuse but beget insinite distractions , throughout all Saxony , so shall it come to passe , that they shall wast and weary themselves one against another , and by that meanes , become utterly unable to withstand a common foe , when he shall come upon them . And as for the Marquesse of Brandenburg and them of Pomerania , let meanes be used to move the King of Poland , who is the Emperours kinsman , to covenant with his vncle the King of Swethland , that they two shall invade and divide Prussia , and Canton the same : which thing the Marquesse of Brandenburg will oppose with all his powers . Now as concerning the Landgrave of Hessen he must be urged and solicited daily to divide the inheritance equally with his vncle Lodowicke , and to resigne the government of Hertsfield to the Bishop of Wirtzburg : if he refuse to doe so , let him be proclaimed Rebell , and let his inheritance be assigned unto his uncle Lodowicke . Moreover , as for the Duke of Wittemberge , and the Elector Palatine , they two may with ease be set together by the eares , if the Duke be commanded to make restitution of some Religious houses , or otherwise upon his refusall be proclaimed Rebell , and some neighbouring Monasteries be assigned to the Elector Palatine , and amongst them one especially , which he hath bin observed to have aymed at long agoe . And these be those killing projects of the Iesuites , which I have heard from their owne mouthes , not without admiration even to astonishment , and they have many more of like sort , all vvhich J doe not at this present remember . Moreover , there hath beene a Consultation among the Iesuites to send abroad some bold Assassinates , who by Poyson or by the Pistoll , may cut off the principall Doctors of the Reformed Churches , fellowes who are so absolute Masters in that trade of Poysoning , that they are able so to infect Platters , Saltsellers , Basons , Kettles , pots , and Caldrons , and such like vessels of ordinary use ; that albeit they shall be ten times over washed and wiped , yet shall they retaine the power and infection of most deadly and speeding poyson . Wherefore , I humbly advise all godly and Religious Governours and Ministers of the Church , that hereafter they be wary , and cautelous how they trust any , but such as of whose fidelity they have had sufficient tryall . And these things could never have fallen within compasse of mine understanding , nor ever did , before such time as I heard them from the Principals and Heads of the Society of Iesuites , together with many other particulars , which I held my selfe bound in Conscience to reveale to the world , for the good of my Country , and of the Church of CHRIST : which although J have for the present onely given you as in a rude and first draught ; yet I purpose ( God willing ) in due time , to expresse the same at large , painting them out in their Colours , with circumstances of time , place and persons . A Post-script to the Reader . COurteous Reader ( if so thou art pleased to shew thy selfe by taking an impartiall view of this short but well-intended translation ) I doubt not but by this time thou art able to discerne the face of the times , and of thy selfe to make a true parallel betwixt Germany and us , and dost see evidently the foot-stops of that mystery of Iniquity , which , by the contrivements of the pragmaticall Society of Jesuites , hath for many yeares beene set at worke amongst us . As there the foundation of their worke was laid in working upon their diversities in opinions , and seconded by advantage taken upon the severall humors of the Princes , propounding to each one some such ends as his nature most affected : so may I truely say they have done here also . To what other end was the pestilent Doctrine of Arminius introduced , whereby to make a party that might prove strong enough in time to oppose the Puritan faction , as they stiled it ? Why was so great care and paines taken to leven all considerable sorts of people of what degree soever , with those erronious points , but to the same end ? And can we chuse but thinke that Sosinianisme crept in after Arminianisme purposely to make the breach the wider , that it might be large enough to 〈◊〉 in Popery at the full in conclusion ? Doubtlesse , as our Saviour sometimes said to his Disciples , in another case , John 4. 35. Say not ye , there are yet 4. moneths , and then commeth Harvest ? Behold , I say unto you , Lift up your eyes , and looke on the Regions , for they are white already unto Harvest : so may I say 〈◊〉 ; most men thought it might yet be 4. moneths , or some good distance of time before the Iesuite could attaine to reape the Harvest of his desire among vs . But I say unto you , lift up your eyes , and looke on the Regions , they are white already unto Harvest : Or , if I may not say they are , because Gods gracious hand of providence hath disappointed their hopes , yet I assure my selfe that any man of ordinary understanding will confesse , that within the space of this yeare last past , our Land was already white to their Harvest , The Kings Majestie was wrought to an evill opinion of his people , the Commons were grown discontented with the present Government , two adverse Armies were lodged in our Land , and all this with a new whole Army of evill consequents brought on by the secret contrivements of our Adversaries , and on all hands the way was so prepared , Altars set up and Priests enough in readinesse , is that nothing was wanting to ripen their Harvest for the sickle , but a Proclamation for setting up publique Masse in all our Churches : which things when I seriously considered , and now of late looking againe upon the Regions , I discerne what an alteration God hath begun to worke amongst us by the pious endeavors of this happy Parliament , I cannot but take up that saying of the Psalmist , Ps. 124. 1 , 2 , 3. If the Lord had not beene on our side , may England now say ; If the Lord had not beene on our side , when men rose up against us , they had then swallowed us up quick , when their wrath was kindled against us , Then the water had drowned us , and the streame had gone over our Soule ; If the plots of the pacificant Arminians had once set up the bridge of reconciliation , whereon the Protestant and Papist should have met , and the trap doore had taken effect , then the swelling waves had gone over our Soules indeed : But praised be the Lord vvhich hath not given us as a prey unto their teeth ; Our Soule is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler , the snare is broken and we are delivered , So that we may truly say as the Psalmist there concludeth , Our helpe standeth in the name of the Lord which made both Heaven and Earth . And now what remaineth for us to doe but this ? By daily & earnest prayer , to begge a blessing upon our gracious Soveraigne , the Kings Majestie , and upon the high and honourable Court of Parliament , that God will be graciously pleased to finish , by their happy consultations and pious endeavours , that good worke of mercy which he hath so graciously begun for this Land and Nation , to make a totall and intire reformation in Church & State , and particularly to roote out this disloyall brood of Inigo Loiola from amongst us , preventing their plots , and turning the wisdome of their Achitophels into foolishnesse , that the Gospell of Jesus Christ may have free passage amongst us , untill his returne to judge the quick and dead . This is and shall be the daily prayer of Thy well-wishing friend and servant in the duties of a Minister of Christs Gospell W. F. X. B. FINIS . 


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   The character of a turbulent, pragmatical Jesuit and factious Romish priest Care, Henry, 1646-1688. 1678 Approx. 13 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 5 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A33763 Wing C508 ESTC R5332 13687169 ocm 13687169 101352 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A33763) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101352) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 841:7) The character of a turbulent, pragmatical Jesuit and factious Romish priest Care, Henry, 1646-1688. 8 p. Printed for Langley Curtis ..., London : 1678. Written by Henry Care. Cf. NUC pre-1956. "Licensed, October 15, 1678." Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Jesuits -- England -- Early works to 1800. Jesuits -- Controversial literature. Catholic Church -- Controversial literature. 2006-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-06 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-07 Jason Colman Sampled and proofread 2006-07 Jason Colman Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE CHARACTER OF A Turbulent , Pragmatical JESUIT AND FACTIOUS Romish Priest . Licensed , October 15. 1678. LONDON ▪ Printed for Langley Curtis , in Goat-Court on Ludgate-hill . 1678. The Character of a Turbulent Pragmatical Jesuite . A Turbulent Pragmatical JESUITE , is the Bell-weather of the Roman Shepherds Flock ; a most trusty Janizary to the Triple-Crown . A zealous Hector for Popery , that wherever he comes , plays the Devil for Gods-sake . An Ecclesiastical Granadier to scatter the Wild●fire of Contention ; or , a Religious Flambeau to put Kingdomes into a Combustion ; so through-pac'd a Catholick , that he has left off to be a Christian , and instead of the Evangelical Duties , Peace , Obedience , and Love , recommends Rebellion , Treason and Murder , as the best expedients to promote Holy Church . The distinguishing Badge of other Papists is Superstition , but of him Sedition and Subtlety , not Ignorance the Mother of his Devotion . He usurps the Title of JESUITE , just as their Popes are observed to have chosen Sirnames , exactly contrary to their Tempers ; as , the most Hatchet-fac'd Formosus , the most prophane Pius , the most cruel Clemens , &c. For certainly , never did any more interfere with the steps of the Blessed Jesus , than those that blasphemously call themselves his Companions or SOCIETY . He disclaimed his Kingdome to be of this World ; but their whole endeavors aim no farther . Riches , Dominion , Pomp and Glory , are the Butts they shoot at ; and if ever they appear Heavenly , by tampering with Affairs of State , they mix Heaven and Earth together , to bring all into Confusion . Let them magnifie the Travels of their Saint Xaverius , and boast the Multitude of Heathens they have converted ; look narrowly into that intrigue , and you 'll find it only an Hucksterly Charity of mercenary Pedlars , rather than a free offer of glad tidings . They did but Traffick to the Indies , to Barter Religion for Gold ; never car'd for Preaching to Beggarly Nations , but always carried the sound of Christianity to Regions that had rich Mines or precious Quarries , to make advantagious Returns . Not to mention their Cruelties , in Baptizing far greater numbers in Blood than Water , and making the Gospel odious to those dark Souls , by their perfidious and Traiterous Practises ; for which , the King of Japan long ago , and the Emperor of China since , banisht them their Territories , choosing rather to relapse into honest Paganism , than entertain Truth sullied by such Knavish Impostors . He owes his Original to Ignatius Loyala a Spanish Souldier , about the year 1540. and though found out long since the invention of the Cannon , has not done less mischief than that Butchering Engine . Luther had now broke the Ice , and the Dawn of reviv'd Learning having open'd mens Eyes to see through the grosser Cheats of Ignorant Monks ; the Pope had no other play , but to cherish this Society , who having devoted themselves by a particular Vow to his Interests , employ'd all their excellent parts and skill in the Sciences , ( wherein their diligence soon rendred them famous ) to bolster up his tottering Vsurpations . The better to effect this , laughing at the Nasty Austerities of their more Melancholly Religionists , they applied themselves to the Politicks , and a sociable kind of life ; to understand not only Languages and Arts , but Passions , Humours , Prejudices , and ( as they speak in Courts ) Blind-sides , in one word , Persons . Thus they became false Keys , to open Princes Cabinets , and pry into their Councels , by their oily Tongues , and plyable Behaviour ; insinuating themselves into the affections of the unwary , as gently , as malevolent Stars dart their influence , or blasting Mildews slide into the bosom of a flower . In his Seminary , he acts the part of a Fox ; abroad , a Spaniel ; but in the Inquisition , a Lion Rampant . The Mask which in Spain or Italy he wears on his Heart , in Countreys he calls Heretical he puts upon his Face ; varying shapes oftner , than a Strumpet shifts her Lodgings ; now a Courtier , to morrow a Souldier , then a Cobler , by and by a Weaver ; a Gallant amongst the Ladies , an Atheist with the Wits , and a Quaker when he assembles with Friends at the Bull-and-Mouth . He regards the other duller Litters of Cloister'd Cubbs , with an eye of Contempt , and devours or eats them out of Credit ( if planted neer them ) as fast as a Pike does the smaller fry in a Fish-pond . Indeed his Colledge is always furnisht with some one Professor in every Faculty , excellently accomplisht ; and the whole Society consists of select persons , either of extraordinary natural and acquired parts , great Birth , Alliance , and Interests abroad , or Heirs to large Fortunes ; and the former , ever govern the two latter , well knowing how to make use of such Tools for their main designs , which are Aggrandizing the Court of Rome , spreading Popish Doctrines , wheadling in of Proselytes , destroying , weakning , or dividing Protestants , and heaping up wealth to their own Seminaries . Hence not only the Reformed , but the Dominicans , Franciscans , and other Catholick Brotherhoods , apprehending the growing greatness of this Leviathan-Order ; nay , his Holiness himself , in the traverse of the business , is but their Vassal , and apt ( like Conjurers ) to dread these busie Imps , which himself first raised to Mischief others . Nor has it been the least skill and prudence of the Conclave , for the last Age , to keep out any of this Fraternity from mounting the Infallible Chair , left they should Intail the Popedome on its Members , and rifle the Nests of the Monks , to enrich their own Hives . And if their own Tribe be thus jealous of them , what sentiments others ought to have for them , will not be difficult to determine by any that has read their detestable Writings and Positions , of Deposing and Murdering Excommunicated Princes , absolving Subjects from their Allegiance , Faith not to be kept with Hereticks , &c. As for the common Popish Priest , though oft he has not so much Learning , yet he puts in hard for an equal share of Malignity , being a Ghostly Factor to Retail out his Holiness's braided Wares ; a kind of Spiritual Kidnapper for Souls : One might take him for a Conjurer ; for he uses an unknown Tongue , transacts most of his Business in Hugger-mugger , comes in secretly , and crawls up and down in Corners like a Serpent , and with a few frightful words , as Heresie , Purgatory , Catholick Cause , Infallibility , and the like , Transforms people as he lists , and Jilts them first of their Wits , and next of their Money : For though he pretends 't is in pure kindness to your Soul , yet still the Plot is upon your Purse ; and therefore where he meets with a fat Convert , he sticks to him as close as Ivie to the Oak ; and for the same reason too , viz. to suck out Sap for his own Support and Maintainance . Thus he switches and spurs an honest Gentleman , or devout Lady , through thick and thin , till the poor Soul look as lean and wretchedly , as if ridden Seven years by a Night-mare . The Reins he manages them with , are Confession and Absolution , whereby he becomes Master of their Secrets ; and if they will not pace as he would have them , on goes the Snaffle of a severe Penance , to make them more easily rul'd . He makes a perpetual Din of true Religion , and the Catholick Faith ; but 't is Restitution of all the old Abbey-lands that his fingers itch for ; and if ever he get into the Saddle , 't is will if his quondam Patrons may be admitted to hold the stirrop . In the mean time he sometimes makes use of them , as blind men of their staves , to thrust them into Plashes and Sloughs , before they 'll tread themselves ; and run them against Posts , to save knocking their own heads . When any Combustible matter is to be fired ; these cunning Petardiers ram it into the hollow Cranium of some zealous or desperate Votary , and having enflam'd the Fuzee of his Tongue , shoot him against Government , not caring though he breaks himself into a Thousand pieces : For though the Jesuite has out-done them in the Theory of Rebellion and Treason , the Monks preceded him long in the Practical part . Was it not a Monk that Poyson'd our King John ? was it not Bernardinus a Fryar Mendicant , that Anno 1313. poyson'd the Emperour H. the 7th with the Consecrated Host ? A Crime that might seem to dispute a shape of Guilt with that of the Proto-Rebels , the faln Angels : For surely for a Priest ▪ to poyson his God ( as they hold it to be ) thereby to murder his Prince , was such an exquisite piece of wickedness , that all the Wit of Hell could never scrue any to an higher pitch . Was it not Clement a Jacobin Fryar , that murdered Henry the Third of France with a Sanctified Knife , to whose praise Pope Sextus Quintus dedicated a Panegytical Oraration ? And for us nearer home , hear what a Reverend Prelate asserts — This we may observe ( says he ) That no Treason was ever attempted , without a Romish Priest . The Treasons attempted in England , have that proper and peculiar Mark , to have a Priest in the Practice . Yet no doubt such kind of Romish Emissaries will still tell us they quit their Seminaries , and come hither , hazarding their lives meerly for our Souls health : That they love us intirely , and desire nothing but our Salvation : and a thousand other endearing Expressions . — But Good words butter no Parsueps . All these sugared Complements will but put discreet men in mind of that Fable of the Birds and Fowler : The Fowler in a cold morning caught good store of them , and still nipt them on the head and put them up : His eyes in the mean time watering with the sharpness of the Air ; See , said one of the Fowls , how the good man pities us , he weeps to see us taken . Ah , said the other , look not to his Eyes , but to his Hands , there you shall see what pity we finde from him . Or at least may remember us of St. Chrysostomes sure Rule , to discern a Wolf from a Sheep : 'T is possible ( says he ) for the Wolf to clothe himself with the Sheeps Skin , so as that cannot descry him ; and to imitate the Sheeps Voice , so as that shall not betray him , but look to his Chaps , and they cannot deceive you : For you shall not finde either Grass in the Wolfs mouth , nor Blood in the Sheeps . Let us never be so rash , or fondly credulous , as to mistake one for the other . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A33763-e100 Dr. Carlton , Bishop of Chichester , in his Book I● itu●ed , A Thankful Remembrance of Gods Mercy . Printed Anno 1630. page 246. 


id: A33865
fulltext:
   A collection of several treatises concerning the reasons and occasions of the penal laws 1675 Approx. 222 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 68 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A33865 Wing C5192A ESTC R11022 12535611 ocm 12535611 62848 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A33865) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 62848) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 660:3) A collection of several treatises concerning the reasons and occasions of the penal laws Burghley, William Cecil, Baron, 1520-1598. Execution of justice in England. Watson, William, 1559?-1603. Important considerations which ought to move all true and sound Catholikes. [8], 13 [i.e. 131] p. Printed for Richard Royston ..., London : 1675. Added t.p. on p. [91]: The Jesuits reasons unreasonable, or, Doubts proposed to the Jesuits upon their paper presented to divers persons of honour ..., London : [s.n.], 1662. The first treatise, by William Cecil, Lord Burghley, was originally published with title "The execution of iustice in England for maintenaunce of publique and Christian peace." The second treatise, by William Watson in collaboration with other priests, was first published with title "Important considerations which ought to move all true and sound Catholikes." The third treatise was first published anonymously. The last two pieces are Catholic attacks on Jesuits. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. (from t.p.) 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. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Catholic Church -- England. Jesuits -- Controversial literature. Treason -- England. 2006-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-05 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-03 Robyn Anspach Sampled and proofread 2007-03 Robyn Anspach Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion 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 . LXXV . 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 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 fidelity , for his won 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 Annales 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 Authory , the Actions of every year 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 coepèrunt , quo ingenia desiêrunt . 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 and capacity , and such who have had the best portunities 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 trisling 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 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 Readers 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 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 sew , 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 ? THE EXECVTION OF JUSTICE IN ENGLAND , For maintenance of Publick and Christian Peace , &c. IT hath been in all Ages and in all Countries , 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 . And though such hath been the use of all Offenders , 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 , 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 : 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 , 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 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 Country to Country , practised some in one Corner , 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 , 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 , laboured secretly to perswade the people to allow of the Popes foresaid Bulls and Warrants , 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 , 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 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 , 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 still at this day ; 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 , 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 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 , 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 , 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 to her Majesty , 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 also of very quiet behaviour . 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 were 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 increase trouble , as the Popes Bull gave manifest 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 , 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 . There were also and yet be a great number of others , 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 , 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 of their Oaths and Obedience , 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 that 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 , 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 , 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 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 maintenance 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 , 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 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 jure , necnon omni & quocunque dominio , dignitate , privilegioque privatam : Itemque Proceres , subditos & populos dicti regni , ac caeteros omnes qui illi quomodocunque 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 , 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 : ob eamque causam , omni Dominio & potestate excidisse , impuneque ab illis velut ethnicam haberi posse , ne● 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 , Heads 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 Catholici omnes nondum probè cognoverant , Elizabetham haereticam esse declaratam , tamen laudanda illorum Nobilium consilia erant . That is , By which denuntiation , many 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 Trayterous 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 , 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 concessaepp . Roberto Personio , & Edmundo Campiano , pro Anglia , die 14. Aprilis 1580. PEtatur à summo Domino nostro , explicatio Bullae declaratoriae per Pium Quintum contra Elizabetham & ei adhaerentes , quam Catholici cupiunt intelligi hoc modo , ut obliget semper illam & haereticos , catholicos vero nullo modo obliget 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 Persnio , & Edmundo Campiano in Angliam profecturis , die 14. Aprilis 1580. Praesente patre 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 . Wherefore to make some conclusion of the matters before-mentioned , 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 , 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 ( 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 , but especially all Christian Potentates , as Emperours , Kings , Princes , and such like , having their Soveraign Estates , either in succession hereditary , or 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 , 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 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 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 , 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 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 , 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 , 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 now being , after the time of Henry the Fourth : as of Henry the Fifth , 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 , 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 lawfully invested 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 , 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 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 , 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 Vgo 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 Family of the Colonesi and their Fautors his next Neighbours being then Imperialists , and forced to yield to all their demands . 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 , 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 . 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 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 : 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 , 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 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 , 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 , 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 of his chief Confederates , may be noted for example to others , the strange manner of the death of Dr. Sanders the Popes Irish 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 , 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 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 or 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 , 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 , 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 grounded , 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 , either for the Popes Supremacy , 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 , 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 ? Secondly , when notwithstanding the prohibition by her Laws , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 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 , 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 , 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 for 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 , 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 , shall satisfie a great number of the Adversaries ( who will yield that by good order of Civil and Christian Policy and Government , 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 correct 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 , 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 , and their Treasons against their natural Prince avowed , 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 earnest 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 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 , 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 , Schoolmasters , 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 lived 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 , 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 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 , but upon all their other former actions committed both abroad and in the 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 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 pestilent 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 Subjects , stirrers of Rebellion against their natural Prince and Country : 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 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 . 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 , 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 Mistress . 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 fine 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 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 length 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 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 therewith 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 ( for 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 . 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 . 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 your Churches . But when afterwards thou didst begin to wrong them , &c. And when 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 being 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 . It 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 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 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 Crowns 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 Countries , to assist the Duke of Norfolk ? Are all these things true , and were they not then in hand , whilst her Majesty dealt so mercifully 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 Christmas : 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 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 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 them ( 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 ) 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 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 proceeding after that fashion , would certainly urge the State , to make some sharper Laws , which should not only 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 over-ruled by us . 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 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 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 increased by Mr. Sherwins answers upon 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 Proclamation 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 out according to Bishop Watsons former speeches or prediction , what inischief 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 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 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 Majesty to be deprived , and no lawful Queen , and her Subjects to be discharged of their allegiance and obedience unto her ; and after , the 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 case : 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 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 required 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 safeties 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 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 allegiance : let other men qualifie 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 , 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 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 far , 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 so 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 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 destructions : 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 almast thirty years to reign over us . He threatned 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 them selves 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 be assisted 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 find 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 all 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 they not objected unto us , and shewed us out of the Books themselves , as notes and arguments of our traiterous hearts : our Adversaries pressing 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 Kingdom 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 Thirteenth : 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 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 our 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 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 then 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 cause of Religion , for the which both we and they contend ( as oft we have said ) getteth 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 Parsons 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 fit , which ( for our parts ) we greatly 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 inquiry 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 soonest opportunity to attempt it . Marry withal to comfort us , he writeth , That the 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 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 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 Majesties 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 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 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 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 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 Jesuitical equivocation , that if the Pope himself ( 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 Justus , 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 & fructificat 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 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 treachery , 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 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 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 traiterous designments : none of her Majesties 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 beseech 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 resemble 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 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 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 , & mitti●e in mare , & cessabit mare à vobis : scio enim ego quoniam propter me tempestas haec grandis venit super vos . LONDON , Printed Anno Dom. M DC LXII . 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 Function 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 , 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 hardship for his Majesty , the late Duchess of Buckingham , the late Marquess 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 Doctrine , 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 , 'T is 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 Infidels , 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 side , speaking of their dependence ( which may byass their affections ) they have the least dependence of the Pope , of any Church-men , for they are by special Vow excluded from all Benefices , and Dignities , by which the Pope may win the affection of other Church-men . As for what 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 favours 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 . 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 Catholicks . 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 : 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 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 . The Jesuits Reasons Vnreasonable . DOVBTS . 1. 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 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 Catholicks . The same man , at Queen Elizabeths death , procured 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 , with 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 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 e●gage 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 ●●●ange secrets , about your treating with Cromwel , no doubt much 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 . 'T is unlawful for any man ( 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 't is 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 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 probable ; nay , every Provincial can raise above 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 ; 't is not in a Subjects power , under pain of damnation , to refuse to do it . Whereby 't is 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 , 't is one of the probable Arguments which are subject to be turned to what pleases the Orator . But to speak somewhat to particulars ; 'T is 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 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 to 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 't is 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 the real Question , unless you produce the extension to the whole World ; which you cannot do , since 't is 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 't is 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 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 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 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 , ' T is 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 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 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. My 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 , In super 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 Catholicks 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 , 't is 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 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 potentiaremota , 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 Authority 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 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 , 't is 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 't is your interest to ingage the Pope to you , by maintaining all height of Supreme Authority in him , though it be never 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 , 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 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 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 't is 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 to which Benefices are annexed , are to be provided of able men ; and who are able men none can tell that understand not the Office : 't is 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 't was 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 it 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 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 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 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 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 of 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 not Articles of Catholick Faith , the manifest Inconveniences that follow them , will evidently convince they are to be 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 , 't is 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 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 Missions besides , 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 . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A33865-e1080 All Offenders cover their faults with contrary causes . Rebels do most dangerously cover their faults . Rebellion in England , and Ireland . The Rebels vanquished by the Queens Power . Some of the Rebels fled into other Countries . Rebels pretend Religion for their defence . Ringleaders of Rebels , Charls Nevill Earl of Westmer land , and Thomas Stukeley . The effect of the Popes Bull against the Queen of England . The practises of the Traitors , Rebels , and Fugitives , to execute the Bull. Seminaries erected to nurse seditious Fugitives . The Seminary Fugitives come secretly into the Realm to induce the people to obey the Popes Bull. Sowers of sedition taken , convented , and executed for Treason . The seditious Traitors Condemned by the antient Laws of the Realm , made 200. years past ▪ Persons Condemned , spared from Execution , upon refusal of their treasonable opinions . The Foreign Traitors continue sending of persons to move sedition in the Realm . The Seditious Fugitives labour to bring the Realm into a War external and domestical . The duty of the Queen and all her Governours to God and their Country , is to repel practices of Rebellion . None charged with capital Crimes , being of a contrary Religion , and professing to withstand Foreign Forces . Names of divers Ecclesiastical persons professing contrary Religion , never charged with capital Crimes . The late Favourers of the Popes Authority , were the chief Adversaries of the same , by their Doctrines and Writings . A great number of Lay persons of livelyhood , being of a contrary Religion , never charged with capital Crime . No person charged with capital Crime for the only maintenance of the Popes Supremacy . Such Condemned only for Treason , as maintain the effects of the Popes Bull against her Majesty and the Realm . Dr. Sanders maintenance of the Popes Bull. The persons that suffered Death , were Condemned for Treason , and not for Religion . A full proof that the maintainers of the Bull are directly guilty of Treason . Dr. Mortons secret Ambassage from Rome to stir the Rebellion in the North. Persons and Campion are offenders as Dr. Sanders is , for allowance of the Bull. Faculties granted to Persons and Campion , by Pope Gregory 13. Anno 1580. Harts Confession of the interpretation of the Bull of Pius Quintus . A Conclusion that all the infamous Books against the Queen and the Realm , are false . 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 . An Advertisement to all princes of Countries abroad . The Authority claimed by the Pope not warranted by Christ , or by the two Apostles , Peter and Paul. Pope Hildebrand the first that made War against the Emperor . An. Dom. 1074. The Judgement of God against the Popes false erected Emperour . Pope Gregory the Seventh deposed by Henry IV. Henry 5. Frederick 1. Frederick 2. Lewis of Banar , Emperours . Whatsoever is alwful for other Princes Soveraigns , is lawful for the Queen and Crown of England . The Title of universal Bishop is a Preamble of Antichrist . Rome sacked , and the Pope Clement taken Prisoner by the Emperors Army . 1550. King Henry the Second of France his Edicts against the Pope and his Courts of Rome . The besieging of Rome and the Pope by the Duke of Alva with King Philips Army . Queen Mary and Cardinal Pool resisted the Pope . D. Peyto a begging Fryer The Kings of Christendom never suffer the Popes to abridge their Titles or Rights , though they suffer them to have rule over their People . The Queen of England may not suffer the Pope by any means to make Rebellions in her Realm . Additaments to the Popes Martyrologe . The strange ends of James Earl of Desmond . D. Saunders . James Fitzmorice . John of Desmond . John Somervile . The prosperity of England , during the Popes curses . Reasons to perswade by reason the Favourers of the Pope , that none hath bin executed for Religion , but for Treason . The first reason . The second reason . The 〈◊〉 Pius Q●●●●●… set up at Pauls . The first punishment for the Bull. The third reason . Rebellion in the North. The fourth reason . The Invasion of Ireland by the Pope . The Popes Forces vanquished in Ireland . The Politick Adversaries satisfied . Objection of the Papists , that the persons executed are but Scholars and unarmed . Many are Traiters , though they have no Armor nor Weapon . The Application of the Scholastical Traiters , to others , that are Traiters without Armor . Six Questions to try Traiters from Scholars . The offenders executed for Treason , not for Religion . Unreasonable and obstinate persons are left to Gods Judgment . Notes for div A33865-e6960 Saunders , Morton , Web , &c. 


id: A35032
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   A short narrative of the discovery of a college of Jesuits at a place called the Come in the county of Hereford which was sent up unto the Right Honorable the Lords assembled in Parliament at the end of the last sessions / by the Right Reverend Father in God Herbert, Lord Bishop of Hereford ... ; to which is added a true relation of the knavery of Father Lewis, the pretended bishop of Landaffe, now a prisoner in Monmouth gaol. Croft, Herbert, 1603-1691. 1679 Approx. 17 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A35032 Wing C6977 ESTC R31314 11887388 ocm 11887388 50390 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A35032) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 50390) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1000:8) A short narrative of the discovery of a college of Jesuits at a place called the Come in the county of Hereford which was sent up unto the Right Honorable the Lords assembled in Parliament at the end of the last sessions / by the Right Reverend Father in God Herbert, Lord Bishop of Hereford ... ; to which is added a true relation of the knavery of Father Lewis, the pretended bishop of Landaffe, now a prisoner in Monmouth gaol. Croft, Herbert, 1603-1691. [2], 18 p. Printed by T.N. for Charles Harper ..., London : 1679. Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Jesuits -- Controversial literature. 2003-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-05 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-08 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2003-08 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A Short NARRATIVE Of the Discovery of a College of Jesuits , At a Place called the COME , In the County of HEREFORD : Which was sent up unto the Right Honorable , The LORDS Assembled in PARLIAMENT , at the End of the last Sessions , by the Right Reverend Father in God HERBERT , Lord Bishop of Hereford , according to an Order sent unto him by the said Lords , to make diligent Search , and return an Account thereof . To which is added A true Relation of the Knavery of Father LEWIS , The Pretended Bishop of Landaffe ; Now a Prisoner in Monmouth Gaol . London , Printed by T. N. for Charles Harper , at the Flower-de-luce against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet . 1679. A short Narrative of the Discovery of a College of Iesuits , at a place called The Come , in the County of Hereford . Together with an Account of the Knavery of Father Lewis , the pretended Bishop of Landaffe , &c. IN the Parish of Llanro●hall in the County of Hereford , there are two Houses , called , The Upper and Lower Comes , or Middle and Lower Comes , with a walled Court before each of them , having Lands belonging to them worth about Threescore pounds per Annum , ( they pay Taxes at Eight and fifty pounds per Annum . ) This Estate did formerly belong to Edward Lord Marquis of Worcester , who by his Lease dated Novemb. 10. in the Twelfth year of King Charles the I. did Lett it for Fourscore and nineteen years to one William Morton , who dying , left it to one Robert Hutton living in St. Giles's in the Fields , London , stiled Merchant ; which Hutton hath by his Lease dated the second day of February 1677. and sealed and delivered in the presence of William Ireland , Iohn Fenwick , I. Groves , set the Lower Come to one William Williams , for One and twenty years , at Forty pounds per Annum : And he hath likewise m de a Letter of Attorney to one Peter Pullen a Servant , intrusting him with the management of the Profits of both the Comes , which is dated the 27th day of April 1678. and the Witnesses to it are W. Ireland , Io. Fenwick , and William Cornelius . One of these Houses is a fair gentile House , wherein there are six lodging Chambers ; each one a convenient Study to it , with a Standish left in them , besides several other lodging Rooms . The other House is also a good Countrey House , with several Chambers , and Studies to some of them , all in very good repair : But the Furniture now removed , we cannot yet find whither . The remaining Dwellers in the House , who were but Under-Servants , will not confess : They are apparently Perjured ; For they flatly denied , upon Oath , several things , which were made out by others , and then they confessed them . There are One and twenty Chimnies in both Houses , and a great many Doors to go in and out at ; and likewise many private Passages from one Room to the other . These Houses are seated at the bottom of a thick woody and rocky Hill , with several hollow places in the Rocks , wherein Men may conceal themselves ; and there is a very private Passage from one of the Houses , into this Wood. In one of these Houses there was a Study found , the Door thereof very hardly to be discovered , being placed behind a Bed , and plaistred over like the Wall adjoining , in which was found great store of Divinity Books , and others , in Folio and Quarto , and many other lesser Books , several Horse-loads , ( but they are not yet brought to me , it being Christmas Holy-days , but they remain in a safe hand ) many whereof are written by the principal learned Jesuits . And there were found two Paper Books in Folio , in the Front of one written , Ordinationes variae pro Collegio Sancti Xaverii . ( Xaverius was the Co-founder with Ignatius of the Jesuits Order , and his Picture was there set up . ) Ordinationes , doth not here signifie Ordination , as we commonly understand it ; but Orders and Rules sent from the Generals of the Jesuits Carassa and Paulus Oliva , to the Jesuits here inhabiting ; as also Instructions from the Provincials of the Jesuits living in London , unto those here . The other Paper Book contains the great Benefactors , being Queens , Princes , Nobles , and several others of this and divers other Nations , who have contributed towards the Foundation of Iesuit Colleges , or the Maintenance of them ; and likewise the number of Masses appointed to be said for their Souls . There was also found a Latin Book in Folio , declaring , That there is in London a College dedicated to S t Ignatius , with Revenues belonging to it , for the Iesuit Novices in the time of Probation . One in Wales ( which I suppose are these two Houses ) dedicated to S t Xaverius . A third is ( the Book saith ) in Staffordshire , or Lancashire , dedicated to S t Aloysius , another prime Iesuit : which Colleges , when England shall be reduced to the Obedience of the Pope , shall never be altered , as this Book directs . This printed Book , and the other two Paper Books in Folio , I have . There are about Fifteen or Sixteen several printed Books , containing the Decrees of the several Congregations of that Society at Rome , that contain onely the Rules of the Society of Iesus . There are several Books lately written and printed against the Protestant Religion , and many small Popish Catechisms printed and tyed up in a bundle ; and some Welsh Popish Books lately printed , and some Popish Manuscripts fairly and lately written . Likewise there is a Picture of Ignatius Loiola , the Founder of the Society , and the most remarkable Actions and pretended Miracles of his Life , not only written in printed Books , but in Pictures in several sheets , which Pictures refer to Ribadeneira's Book of Loiola's Life . There is a loose Paper dated the First day of March 1652. ( it seems this was then founded a College ) in which directions were given , that an Account of the Revenue and Disbursments should be sent yearly to the College in Rome : It is there also mentioned , that the same year there were baptized 34 ; reconciled to the Church of Rome 155 ( a great number ; ) of those that were fallen from the Church and regained 15 , and other matters . One Letter seems written by the Provincial to them of this House , wherein Complaint is made , That there was not Care enough taken to send Young Men to Rome , to be there bred up in the English College ; and for which , he saith , the Pope was much displeased , and threatned to take away their College there , and fill it up with Scholars of some other Nation and Order . In one of these Houses lived a mean Servant , called Peter Pullen , ( a Papist ) yet entrusted with the management of these Houses and Estates for Eight years past , as he confesseth ; and was entrusted to receive a Rent of 30 l. per Annum , from an Estate called Amberley in the Parish of Monmouth , and another Rent of 18 l. per Annum , from an Estate called Langunuill in the Parish of Dixton in the County of Monmouth , and to manage them also : part whereof defrayed the Expences of the College , as appears in part by an Account Book , where there are many Leaves cut o●t , ( I suppose they had timely Notice given them , before the Order was sent me by the House of Lords , and did thereupon do this , and remove what they could before hand ) and part paid in money to such Iesuit Priests as were a●pointed to receive it : but for these Eight years that he hath been Servant there , he never hath made any Account unto , nor held any Correspondence with the said Hutton , who carrieth the name of this Estate . This Pullen names seven several Iesuit Priests , viz. Prichard , Archer , Harris , Lewis , Price , Humfreys , and Draicot , who were used to resort thither , and say Mass there : but the Altar , with all the Ornaments thereof , was taken down , and conveyed away , only the Altar Stone remaining with five Crosses cut in it one at each corner , and one in the middle . Two Vestments , with some other small matters , were found in two Boxes hid in the Wood above-specifi'd ( it seems the other things were but newly removed ; and they had begun also to remove the Library , for they had carried out and hid in a Pigs-Cot adjoining , about two Horse-loads of Books . ) There were found many Bottles of Oyl , a Box of White Wafers stamped , several Popish Pictures and Crucifixes , some Reliques , a little Saints Bell , and an Incense Pot. It doth appear by several Examinations , that on Sundayes and Holydayes many Papists did resort to these Comes , and the greater part of Mr. Milburn ' s Family near unto them , but I do not find that ever he himself frequented it . A Relation of the Knavery of Father LEWIS , the pretended Bishop of LANDAFFE . Amongst other things which fell out in the Examination of the Jesuits College at Come in Herefordshire , there is fully proved by several Witnesses , this true Story following ; which being matter of Fact , cannot be denied . THere is , amongst the Foxes of this Kennel , one Lewis , one of the established number of Jesuits of the College ; who is reported to be the Titular Bishop of Landaffe , and who is now Prisoner in Monmouth . There was a poor Woman , to whom this Lewis was a Confessor ; her Father was a vicious Liver , and dyed about half a year ago This poor Woman having been taught the Doctrine of Purgatory , and being ( it seems ) of a very tender nature , and reflecting upon the condition of her Father● Soul , which she apprehended , by their doctrine , was in great torment in Purgatory : S●e thereupon fell into a great grief and sorrow ; and , with tears in her eyes , address'd her self to this Father . Lewis , and told him , She was inform'd , that he could use means to fetch her Fathers Soul immediately out of Purgatory into Heaven ; and that she would give him all she had in the world to have it done with speed , though she did not leave her self one penny to live on To this , Father Lewis , after a long pause , told her , thus : Daughter , I am glad to see so much grace in you , as to believe the Holy Doctrine of Purgatory , so firmly as to be so truly sensible of the Torture of your Fathers Soul therein : True it is , I can ( with the assistance of our most Holy Father the Pope ) bring your Fathers Soul out of Purgatory into Heaven ; but it will cost a great deal of money : For I must send over to Rome , to have power herein , and several Masses must be celebrated both in Rome , and all other Colledges of Iesuits , and other Offices perform'd to do the work ; which , Father Lewis said , would cost a great deal of money . The poor Woman answer'd , She did not care what it cost her ; so dear , so precious was her Fathers Soul to her , that she would give all she had to have it done . And then she ask'd him , How much it would cost to have it done ? Who , after a pause , and reckoning upon his fingers-ends , told her , It would cost One Hundred pound to have it well done . With that the Woman cry'd bitterly , and said , She was not worth half so much money in the world . Then Father Lewis told her , He would do it for Fourscore pounds . The Woman reply'd , She was not worth half Fourscore . Then Father Lewis ask'd her , What she was worth in the whole world ? To which she answer'd very honestly and truly , That she was worth but Thirty five pound . Then Father Lewis told her , Because she was poor , that he would take but Thirty pound : And thereupon they agreed . But when Father Lewis understood after from the Woman , that she had no ready money , he began to storm , and to be in a great passion ; yet at last he was contented to take her own Bond for the Thirty pound : but took the Bond in a Friends name , and caus'd the Woman to give a Warrant to an Attorney to confess Judgment upon the Bond , which was done accordingly ; and the money was to be paid within six Weeks , within which time Father Lewis undertook peremptorily to have the Man's Soul out of Purgatory into Heaven , and so they parted , and the Woman hereby much comforted . Afterwards , as soon as ever the six Weeks were over , and the money became due , Father Lewis sent to the poor Woman , to come to him again , and as soon as ever she came , he produc'd unto her a Book with gilded Leaves , and red Letters ; and after he had tumbled the Leaves of the Book backward and forward , he clapt the Book to his car , and then said thus , looking into the Book , Here it is , I am sure now your business is done ; this I tell you to your comfort that your Father's Soul is as surely in Heaven at this very time , as I am here in this Chair . And then after a little time that the Woman had express'd her joy at these good tydings , Father Lewis ask'd her , Whether she had brought him his money , the Thirty pound she was engaged for ? She answer'd , She had not brought him all , because her money was out in other mens hands , and could not get it in so soon ; but she had brought him Ten pound , and humbly intreated him to receive that at present , and he should have the residue as soon as possibly she could get it in . But at this Father Lewis was startled , that she had not brought the whole Sum , and fell into a violent fury with the poor Woman , reviled her , gave her many harsh and bitter Words , threaten'd the poor Woman to send Bayliffs to take her in Execution upon her Judgment , and cast her Body into Prison ; and not only so , but threaten'd to Excommunicate her also , for the breach of her faith , in not paying the Thirty pound , according to her Engagement . But , upon second thoughts , Father Lewis took the Ten pound , and he came to this farther agreement with her , which was , that she should pay Five pound more forthwith , and the other Fifteen pound within a quarter of a year after ; and if she failed , then to render her Body to Prison , and suffer Excommunication . After this , the poor Woman made hard shift to pay Father Lewis the Five pound , but before the other Fifteen was due , a man of the Protestant Religion , sollicited the poor Woman for Marriage . The poor Woman ingenuously and conscientiously confess'd unto him , That she was worth nothing , but was in debt to her Ghostly Father Lewis Fifteen pound : And acquainted him how , and for what she came to be so indebted . This man , notwithstanding , marries her , and afterwards , by degrees , drew her from the Roman Church , to the Church of England ; and then brought her before a Justice of Peace , to whom she discover'd all this upon Oath . And this Woman knowing where her holy Confessor Lewis us'd to hide himself , under Ground , under a clay Floor , cunningly contriv'd in a poor despicable Cottage ; and being now exasperated at the Holy Cheat and desirous , as is most just , to catch his person , as he would have catched hers ; and endeavouring to have satisfaction from him for the money he ( with so much uncharitableness ) cheated her of , did conduct a Justice of Peace to the place , where they found and unkennel'd the Fox , and from thence the Justice of Peace sent Father Lewis to Monmouth Gaol , where he now continues . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A35032-e200 S●e the Examination . of Mr. Bo●thby . Lord of the 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 Peter Pullen ' s Examination . 


id: A36956
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   A vindication of Saint Ignatius (founder of the Society of Jesus) from phanaticism ; and of the Jesuites, from the calumnies laid to their charge in a late book, entitul'd, The enthusiasm of the Church of Rome by William Darrel ... Darrell, William, 1651-1721. 1688 Approx. 110 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 27 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A36956 Wing D270 ESTC R8705 12711818 ocm 12711818 66115 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36956) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 66115) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 687:10) A vindication of Saint Ignatius (founder of the Society of Jesus) from phanaticism ; and of the Jesuites, from the calumnies laid to their charge in a late book, entitul'd, The enthusiasm of the Church of Rome by William Darrel ... Darrell, William, 1651-1721. [12], 40 p. Printed for Anthony Boudet ..., London : 1688. Errata: p. 40. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Ignatius, -- of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556. Wharton, Henry, 1664-1695. -- Enthusiasm of the Church of Rome. Jesuits. 2006-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-02 John Pas Sampled and proofread 2008-02 John Pas Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A VINDICATION OF Saint Ignatius , ( Founder of the Society of JESUS ) FROM Phanaticism ; And of the JESUITES , FROM THE Calumnies Laid to their Charge in a late Book , Entitul'd , The Enthusiasm of the Church of ROME . By William Darrel , Priest , of the Society of JESVS . LONDON , Printed for Anthony Boudet , over-against the May-Pole in the Strand , Bookseller . 1688. THE PREFACE . THE Disease of Gospelling first broke out in Germany ; and from Thence the Contagion crept into other States of Europe . Martin Luther was the First this new Plague seiz'd on ; and from Him his Pot-Companions took it : He wrapt his foul Design under fair Appearances ; He aim'd at Abuses , to strike at the Church , and cry'd out Reformation of Manners , to let-in Deformation . His maskt Hypocrisie drew Shoals of Admirers ; and then the charming Promises of True Christian Liberty , soon flung them into an Hellish Slavery ; for from Admirers of his Doctrine , they past to be Proselytes , and Canoniz'd his Gross Dreams for Divine Revelations . But , as yet , his Progress was scarce discernable : He found Priests and Religious , as Vigilant to defend the Church , as Himself to attack it : And therefore he set Two Gins , the One to allure Them , the Other to fright Them , and their Inferiours too , from their Duty . He felt , by Experience , that a Capuche , and an Hair-Shift , were troublesome Companions ; That Fasting aud Praying were Melancholy Entertainments ; and , That to give a Breviary for a Fair Lady , could be no Bad Exchange . And therefore , by his Omnipotent Power , be dispenc'd with all Religious Vows ; and gave Mankind so vast a Liberty , as to do any thing but those Obligations CHRIST had laid upon them : Sense applauded this New Prophet's Gospel , and German-Reason soon approv'd it : So that many Priests , and Religious , accepted of the Dispensation ; and made a Divorce with the Church , and CHRIST Himself , to Espouse the World , and its Fopperies . But Those , who refus'd these Proffers , to accept of GOD's ; who plac'd the Good of their Souls , above the Criminal Ease of their Bodies ; and valu'd Fidelity to their Maker at an higher Rate , than a Criminal Obedience to his Mortal Enemy ; Those , I say , were oppugn'd with different Engines : Every Reformer begat some Scandalous Pamphlet , and so contributed to the Peopling of the World with the Children of his Brain , as well as with the spurious Off-spring of his Body . Some struck at Priests , Others at Religious ; But all Conspir'd ( as if Associations were even then in Fashion ) to decipher the Leaders of the Church , as Persons rather to be Detested , than Obey'd . By which Piece of unchristian Policy , they intended to raise a Disesteem of Superiors in the Hearts of Inferiors ; which once affected , Disobedience ( the constant Sequel of Contempt ) would follow . And indeed , this Method prov'd so favourable to the Sinistrous Designs of the first New Gospellers , that their Successors have pitch'd on the same Expedient for the Preservation of that Religion , which , like a Young Minerva , jumpt out of their Fore-Father's Brain . Invectives against Priests and Jesuits , are the common Cries in the Streets , and the never-failing Topick of all Pulpit-Rhetorick . But , I confess , the Latter bears the greatest part of the Satyrs . A Jesuite and Behemoth are nigh a-kin ; for , as this Beast was a Compound of all Animals ; so He is a Mixture of all Abominations . Is there any Black Design contriv'd ? The Jesuite is of the Counsel . Any Abominable Treason put in Execution ? He is the Actor . The Parliament of 41. was a College of Jesuites : Hugh Peters a Profess'd Father ; nay , Fairfax , Waller , and Cromwel too , had been adopted Children of the same Society , but that They wanted the necessary qualifications . Disloyalty , Rapine , Murders , and the Tribe of Jesuitical Vertues . In 66. the Jesuits laid London in Ashes . Like fiery Dragons , they spit Flames into Cellars , and Oyl-Shops ; and probably then experienc'd , first , the Omnipotent Power of Teukesbury Mustard-Balls . Nay , I have it from Credible Hands , their Malice went so far , as to undermine the Thames ; and had infallibly blew it up in the Air , but Providence put a Stop to their Hellish Enterprize , and so blew up their Design . From Fire and Water they run to the Sword ; and no Blood would lay the Devil of Revenge , but His Sacred Majesty's . Omnipotent Oliva , sent down Commissions from Rome , Father de la Chayse Ships of Money ; and , in Conclusion , They carry'd the Treason so secretly , that They knew not of it Themselves : Nor did any Body else , but those Villains who accus'd them ; and who thought to build their Fortune on the Ruin of Church and State. In fine , A Jesuite is , by Trade , a Butcher ; but with this Difference , That He stabs Kings meerly to be doing , and the honest Butcher Beasts , only to gain a Livelyhood . His Religion is to profess All or None , as Time and Emergencies require . From Mass he runs to the Quakers ; From These to the Presbyterians : Then he is dubb'd Jew , and sometimes Turk , when-ever the Alcoran sutes better with his Occasions , than the Gospel . Thus Jesuits make sale of Things , even the most Holy and Rever'd in Christianity ; acknowledging no other God , but Interest ; no other Religion , but Faction , and ( the greatest of Crimes ) Treason . But , Gentlemen , if all these Accusations are true , Why is not the Evidence in proving them , equal to the Boldness in Asserting them ? Why ? Our Adversaries make the World believe , That we are gifted with Proteus's Faculty ; That we can turn and wind our selves into all Shapes and Figures ; That Gyges bequeath'd us his Mysterious Ring : And , What Wonder then , if we play such Prancks , without being catch'd , when we cannot be seen . But , sober Reader , Let us cast away Prejudice , and argue a little like Men , by the Rules of Reason , and not of Passion : First , Were Jesuits such Mortal Enemies to Princes , Is it credible , that the Greatest Monarchs in Christendom would commit their Consciences to the Directions of Men , whose only Aim is the Destruction of their Bodies , and ruin of their Monarchies ? No , certainly , unless we can imagine they are all of the same Party with the Jesuits , and conspire against Themselves ; as some Gentlemen assur'd the World , that Charles the Second , of bless'd Memory , did against his own Royal Person . Secondly , Were their Principles of Morality so bad and Anti-christian , as some Malevalent Persons have describ'd them , Can any Man , of an unbyass'd Judgment , ever be perswaded , that all the World would run Mad together , and send their Children for Vertue & Learning , to their Schools , where no Lessons are read , but of Debauchery and Faction ? I will rather believe , some Pamphleteers have been mistaken , than that the greatest Part of Europe is deceived ; and that They deserve rather to be Pillor'd for Calumniators , than the Jesuites to be Condemn'd for Criminals . Some Ministers in Germany confess'd , That in the Rules of our Society , there was nothing reprehensible , but the Roman Religion : And for my part , I am of Opinion , That our English Ministers can find no other Fault with our Actions , but that They tend more than they desire , to the Increase of That Faith. But , if Zeal for our Church be a Crime , our Adversaries must have Patience ; for there is no Hope of Repentance ; We glory in the Sin , because we esteem it a Vertue : And , if any can disabuse us with Reason and Arguments , we will thank them for the Favour : But , if they will needs endeavour to beat down our Zeal , by accusing it , to stop our Mouths with Morsels of Printed Paper , upon my Word , their Labour will prove extreamly unsuccessful . I hope , by the Grace of GOD , we shall feel so great a Love for Christianity , as to Forgive them ; so much Courage , as to bear their most foul Aspersions , without any other Concern , than for our Adversaries Impiety , We will never so far condescend to an Enemy , as to revenge Wrongs done us , upon our own Souls ; nor to be really Wicked , because our back-Friends would have us be so . Innocence , I am sure , stands for us ; and therefore , we need not fear a Weak Defence , unless it be our Misfortune to fall into the Hauds of Perjur'd Witnesses , and of Old Ignoramus Juries ; for with such Persons , Crimes pass current for Vertues , and Innocence it self is a sufficient Ground to be brought in Guilty . In fine , I desire all , not to be too forward to pass their Verdict against a Jesuite , on the Authority of every Pamphlet , which drops from the Print ; nay , tho' you read in the Front , Guli . Needham , with an Imprimatur . We have seen His now Gracious Majesty declar'd Traytor , in as great Formality ; and Titus Oats , with the whole Inventory of Godly Narratives , were usher'd-in with an Equal Solemnity : Which being , by the Publick Justice of the Nation , null'd , we ought to suspect Those , which , for the future , shall be fram'd on the same Model . To be seduc'd once , may be a pardonable Weakness ; but to be drawn-in by every Malitious Sheet , is a convincing Argument , we are not unwilling to be Deceiv'd : and whosoever is dispos'd to give Assent to every Lye , without further Examen , adopts them ; and so espouses the Sin , as well as the Pain ; which will be Eternal in the Next VVorld , unless he resolves to Repent in This. A VINDICATION OF St. IGNATIUS From the CHARGE of Phanaticism , &c. The INTRODUCTION . AMong other Artifices , where-with the Gentlemen of the Church of England recommend their Religion to ignorant and deluded Persons , none has been more frequently made use of , than the charging both our Church , and its Members , with such Crimes , which derive their Being , as well as Enormity , from the inventive Brains of our Accusers . The Badness of their Cause , permits them not to descend into a Scrupulous Examination of the Merirs of it . Every single Controversie hath been so often handled , and so demonstratively determin'd against Them , that it would be rash and disadvantagious to re-assume the Debate of those particular Questions . Wherefore they have wisely judg'd it most secure for their Reputation , to lay aside Reason and Authority , and to take up no other Arms to defend their gasping Cause , than Forgery and Railery , the last Refuge of Desperado's . To make my Charge good , I will send my Reader to Two Pamphlets lately come out , viz. The Art of Missionaries , and The Enthusiasm of the Church of Rome : In the First , Forgery ; in the Second , Impiety ( to call it no worse ) appear bare-fac'd , in spight of Christianity . For though , indeed , the Author of the Missionaries cites his Authorities ; yet many of them are of so profligate a Reputation , that no Man , who did not intend to put an Universal Cheat on Mankind , would ever produce them , but to condemn them . A main Support of his Slanders , is Dr. Burnet , a Person long since out-law'd by his Country , and hath not as yet learnt Repentance : Nay , he adds fresh Crimes to those of an older Date , by flinging Dirt on his Sovereign , and lending his Mercenary Pen to the Broachers of New Rebellions . And shall he , who flies in the very Face of his Prince , be admitted as an Evidence against Catholick Subjects , whom he professeth to abhor ? A great part of his other Authorities are of the same Stamp and Reputation ; only with this difference , That Some , at least , have been burnt by the publick Hang-man ; and the Doctor 's , with a great part of the Herd , as yet , only deserves the same Punishment . In a word , The Gentleman shou'd have taken into his List the Salamanca-Doctor's Narrative , to make it compleat , and to press his Accusation homer . Now , had this Pamphleteer first prov'd , by credible Witnesses , the Veracity of his Authors , and withal been more sparing of his Billingsgate-Rhetorick , his Accusation might have gain'd some Degree of Probability even in the Opinions of well-meaning Men , till Catholicks had confuted it . But first to Empanel a byass'd Jury , and then to Condemn a Congregation of Men on its corrupt Verdict , is so foul a Proceeding , as not to be parallel'd but in the Transactions of Titus's Reign . As for the other Gentleman ; Indeed , he has taken a far more expedient way , to bring our Religion into an Odium : The Name of a Phanatick , sounds harsh to an English-Man's Ear ; and therefore , he doubted not , but the very Imputation of Enthusiasm , would raise the Hot-headed Mobile against us ; and turn the good Esteem of many Church-Protestants , into an utter Execration of our Folly. The Reverend Dean of St. Pauls gave him the Plat-form of his Design ; and , indeed , all England could not afford him a more expert Master in the Science of Phanaticism : For , let People talk what they please , Practice is the best Mistress ; and the Doctor wants not this Advantage . When Phanaticism turn'd Trump , it was the Doctor 's darling Religion ; and , if we may guess at his Mind by the Fruit of his Brain ( his Writings , ) Two fat Benefices are the chief Motives of Credibility , which keep him in the Prelatick Communion . Nay , our Gentleman follows , through his whole Pamphlet , this Guide so close , that he often treads on his Heels . So that , without any Injustice , I may change the Tittle Page , and christen the whole Book , The Second Edition of Dr. Stillingfleet 's Folly. But , to do him Justice , I must inform my Reader , That he hath heightned the Doctor 's Railery , as well as Impiety ; and , as much as I can guess , hath spent so much Time in turning over Don Quixot , as to have left none for the Scripture : For , had he the least insight into that Sacred Book , or the least Tincture of Christianity , he never durst have exercis'd his ridiculing Vein on the Sacred Counsels contain'd in that Holy Volume ; nor plac'd those Pious Men , who follow'd them , on the same Level with Phanaticks . But , what will not Men do , when Passion blinds Reason ? When the pleasant Charms of Revenge cast Conscience into a Lethargy ? when they have Light enough to see their Errors , and no Resolution to correct them . Would the Gentleman peruse his own Lines in cold Blood , I am perswaded , he would blush at the Sallies of his Passion , and confess he deserv'd those reviling Epithets , he has so liberally flung on the Catholick Church , for promoting imaginary Enthusiasms , and on St. Ignatius for practising them . However , though perchance his Buffooning Disease may be past cure ; yet for the disabusing those , who possibly may be so far impos'd on , as to take a meer Romance for a real Story , I shall make a short Reply to a long Fable : Though I am convinc'd , indeed , that Many may be pleas'd with the Slander ; yet Few will approve it , and Fewer the Author . The most Favourable , perchance , may rank him among the Merry Andrews : But , I am sure , the more Judicious will place him among Those , who profess little Religion , and exercise less Virtue . I do not intend , in my Reply , to follow this Gentleman so close by the Heels , as he has done Dr. Stillingfleet ; for I find the greatest Part of his Calumnies long since wip'd-of , in the Second Letter to A. B. But I will only touch those Accusations , which either slipt by the Doctor 's Memory , or were so notoriously false , as he thought fit to conceal them . SECT . I. Whether St. Ignatius had the Qualities , which the Author requires to make up a Phanatick ? AFter an Invective of Twenty Pages against Phanaticism , and an Hundred Compliments to the Saints of the Catholick Church , of which Mad , Frenzical , Brain-sick , &c. are the most endearing Epithetes ; as if the Gentleman had lost his Breath , he stops of a suddain , and thus very gravely reads the Indictment against St. Ignatius : In forming this Inquiry , I shall begin with the Qualities necessarily requisit to compleat an affected Enthusiast ; among which an ardent Desire of Glory , and immoderate Ambition , obtain the first place ; for none could prostitute the Dignity of his Nature to the Follies and Impertinencies of Enthusiasm , deny to himself the common Benefits of Life , and undergo Poverty , Nakedness , Hunger ▪ and a thousand other Inconveniences incident to that Profession , if he were not transported with a violent Ambition . I confess ingenuously , that Pride is a necessary Ingredient to make a Phanatick ; but that such a Self-denial as you mention , is incident to Men of that Profession , is , in my Opinion , a most groundless Assertion . No Man in England , I believe , is such a Recluse , as not to be acquainted with some of that Perswasion ; and yet I dare affirm , That no Body can point me out any considerable number of those Proselytes of Phanaticism , who ever esteem'd Voluntary Poverty , Nakedness , Hunger , and a Thousand other Inconveniences , to be necessary Compliments of their Religion . Indeed , the Church of England seems to be convinc'd , that a Renunciation of those Common Benefits of Life , is an essential part of their Obligation ; and therefore , mov'd with a Pious Indignation to see so Christian Duties laid aside , thought fit ( some Years past ) to call straying Phanaticks to a severe Account , for the Contempt of so laudable a Tenet . She tormented their Bodies with loathsom Prisons , for the good of their Souls , drain'd their Purses with Weekly and Monthly Fines ; and , in fine , forc'd them to undergo Poverty , Nakedness , Hunger , and a Thousand other Inconveniences incident to that Perswasion . Nay , the no less Provident , than Pious Mother-Church , went further : She knew full well , that Human Nature is frail , and that Men are far more prone to Fall , than to Rise ; and for this Reason , She judges it most convenient to keep the Rod ( viz. the Penal Laws ) in her Hand , that now and then , with a gentle Lash , She may admonish them of their Duties , Poverty , Nakedness , &c : And 't is for this end too , that She stickles for the Test , lest poor Phanaticks , by intruding themselves into gainful Offices , should cut a new Channel for their Ambition to run in , and pride rather in Opulence , than in the wan● of the Common Benefits of Nature . It being then no Principle of our English Phanaticks , to feed their Ambition with such an Aversion from the Creature , as rather to expose their naked Backs to publick View , their Stomachs to the inward Knawings of a biting Hunger , rather than enjoy it : Without doubt , your piercing Genius has found out a new Sect , which Modesty commands you to conceal . But to satisfie the Reader 's Curiosity , and to contribute as much as I am able to the Increase of your Reputation , and the Credit of that pure Church , of which you are a spotless Member , I shall communicate your Discovery ; that the World may be Witness as well of your Piety , as of your Railery : And that I may explain your Meaning without all Debate , let the Reader take notice of your Words : For none would prostitute the Dignity of his Nature , &c. deny to himself the common Benefits of Life , and undergo Poverty , &c. if he were not transported with a violent Ambition . So that , if we do but form one Syllogism , this new Discovery will lie at the Tail of it : Those who deny themselves the common Benefits of Life , who undergo Poverty , &c. have the first Quality to compleat an Enthusiast . But , The Apostles , the Primitive Christians , and to be short , Christ himself did deny themselves the common Benefits of Life . Ergo. Christ , and his Apostles , &c. had the first Quality to compleat an Enthusiast . This is a Discovery worthy indeed of a Julian , or Porphyrius ; but , for my Life , I cannot find one Fig-leaf to cover your Impiety . If it be a piece of Phanaticism , to leave All for Christ's sake , to obey our Great Master's Counsel , we acknowledge the Accusation , and plead Guilty : But if it be a Crime of the first Magnitude , to turn Christ's Life , and his Doctrine into ●aileries ; Sir , let me tell you , You stand heavily guilty at God's Tribunal , and will infallibly bear the smart of your Blasphemy in the next World , unless you learn to repent in This. But , perchance , you will tell me , That to quit all Worldly Pretensions , to deny ones self the Common Benefits of Life meerly for Christ's sake , is Praise-worthy : But that St. Ignatius's Poverty sprung from a Principle as far different , as Ambition is remote from Humility . So 't is not precisely the Exterior Train of Self-Denial , which qualifies him for a Phanatick , but Interior Ambition . Prove then , Sir , That Ambition was the fist Motive of all St. Ignatius's Austerities . He is about it : where he ushers in his Proof with a Division of Ambition , to shew he loves to take things from the bottom . Ignatius ( says he ) was in a most particular manner indu'd with this Heroick Quality , and that both Natural and Acquir'd . I suppose , Sir , the Natural Temper of a Man's Body is no more a Crime , than the Natural Features of his Face ; because neither the One , nor the Other falls under a Free Election ; which is a necessary Requisit to frame a Sin. So that the First Part of your Proof being null , we must fall to the Examen of the Second : This Natural Ambition of St. Ignatius was fomented and increased by his extraordinary Addiction to read Romances , and the Lives of Saints , p. 21. But it was the Reading of the Legends of Saints , which finally compleated the Disease , and render'd it incurable : This excited in him a passionate Desire of obtaining an equal Reputation in the Church , p. 22. If the Lecture of Romances inflamed his Ambition , whilst he was yet a Soldier , and breath'd the Air of the World , we accuse the Lecture as well as the Effect of it : But then , too , I cannot but wonder , that such an Accusation should fall from your Mouth , who are , without doubt , guilty of the same Folly ; for , if his Passion carry'd him to Amadis , yours tie you to Don Quixot ; otherwise you could never have follow'd so close your Parallel : But that the Life of Christ , and Actions of the Saints , should work the same Effect , I understand not , unless he had your Faculty to draw Bad from Good , and Vice from the greatest Vertues . I will grant you willingly , that the Zeal of St. Dominick , and Humility of St. Francis , first open'd his Eyes , and gave him a Prospect of the Folly of all Worldly Pretensions ; as well as of the Happiness of Those , who leave all this for his sake who made them . Where is the Crime ? Where 's Ambition , but in your Fancy , who spy Faults in others , where there are none ; and will not turn an Eye homeward , where , I am sure , you would find a Subject more than ordinary of Confusion and Detestation ? Does not St. Austin , in his Confessions , recount the Conversion of Two Noble Romans , by an accidental Reading of St. Anthony's Life ? And does he load these Converts with the Accusation of Ambition ? No , no : This Trade is new , and takes its Date from the Blessed Epoche of Reformation . 'T was then Christ's Counsels began to be laugh'd at , when his very Commands were declar'd Noxious to Christian Liberty : When Purity of Faith sounded the Trumpet of Rebellion ; and any thing pass'd for Lawful , but Obedience to the Church : When Coblers left their Stalls , to mount the Pulpits ; and pass'd from the mending of Soals , to the Direction of Consciences : When Religion grew in Vogue , like Almanacks ; and the Freshness of its Date , was a sufficient Argument to recommend it . I say , 'T was Then Men establish'd a New Language , when they pickt up a New Faith ; and first term'd Humility , Pride ; Voluntary Poverty , Nakedness , &c. the most palpable Sequels of an Enthusiastick Ambition . Yet this Gentleman having once bolted this wild Proposition , [ Ignatius , in his Conversion , was acted with Principles of Ambition ] is resolv'd to stand to it , though his Conscience flies in his Face for it : Nay , and to demonstrate , that his Face is dy'd as deep with Brass , as his Pen is dipt in Gaul , he tells us ; 'T is so undeniable , that even the Writers of his Life cannot dissemble it . This appears from the Account given by them of the Motions excited in his Imaginations , by reading Romances , and the Lives of Saints , at his first Conversion , which was before mention'd ; and may be further demonstrated from what Bouhours adds , That in exercising all his Religious Austerities , he had at first no other Aim , than to imitate those Holy Penitents , whose Lives he had read , and to expiate his Sins , p. 30. Sir , The Meaning is , That at the beginning of his Conversion , he had no Thoughts of Instituting an Order , for the saving his Neighbour's Soul ; but his Design was wholly confin'd to the Salvation of his own : So that , in short , here 's your Argument ; St. Ignatius , at first , employ'd all his Endeavours , by reading of the Saints Lives , and asking God Pardon for his Sins , to save his own Soul , without extending his Care to the Salvation of his Neighbour's ; therefore his Conversion flow'd from the Principle of Ambition . Is not This a most concluding Enthymema ? Does not the Author deserve to Commence Master of Arts , for this cunning Illation ? Without doubt . And , I hope , the Vniversity will be pleas'd to take it into its serious Consideration , whither such an ingenious Philosopher is not worthy of some Promotion ? But because he wisely foresaw the last Clause [ And to expiate his Sins ] would break the Neck of the Argument , he thought fit to prevent it , by a pretty Slight of Hand , usual to Persons of his Quality ; This last Clause ( says he ) was annex'd , only to save the Credit of the Saint . And , let me tell you , Sir , 'T is only rejected by you , to save the Credit of a Pamphleteer . But the Gentleman has Two Strings to his Bow. If Bouhour's Recount of his Conversion will not brand St. Ignatius with Ambition , the Publisher of his Life by Mutius Vitelleschius's Order , shall . Pray observe : His First Resolutions were to exercise great Austerities , and perform extraordinary Penance ; ( No harm yet , not one Grain of Ambition is hitherto visible ) Not so much to expiate his Sins , which then presented themselves to his View ; as because he imagin'd , that in these Rigours the utmost Perfection of Christianity consisted , having no higher Idea of it ; and desiring with Passion to acquire that Perfection . Now , let any Man turn this Quotation into all Shapes , let him make what Combination he pleaseth , he will never frame , I am sure , an Argument able to convince any Person of St. Ignatius's Ambition : For the natural Sense which the Words import , is , That the Saint aim'd at the highest Perfection of Christianity , and plac'd it in the Exercise of great Austerities ; which , without doubt , was a Mistake : For the Perfection of Christianity , consists in a most perfect Love of our Creator ; other exterior Austerities , are only Means to arrive to it . Say then the Saint was mistaken in his Idea of Perfection , and I will put my Hand to your Accusation : But , on my Word , Sir , if you lay Ambition at his Door , without better Proofs , than you have already produc'd , you must maintain your Charge alone . Well then , rather than fall short of his Intent , he singles out another Circumstance very material ; viz. The Ambition of Founding a new Order in the Cburch , had strangely possess'd his Imagination , and was the grand Motive of all his Austerities , p. 32. That from his Conversion he had conceiv'd such a Design , Orlandin and Bouhours agree ; and I subscribe : But that Ambition put this Resolution on foot , and as Mr. Bays very well says , And all that ; Where 's your Proof ? Why , I Gad , he will not tell us : And yet we must swear such a blind Obedience to his Worship , as to believe him without any further Inquiry . For my part , I do not intend to give him a Deference he denies to the Church ; nor to accuse the Saint , by freeing him from Calumny . St. Ignatius fram'd a Design to Institute a new Order : Ergo , Ambition was the Mover of this Great Work. I cannot infer such an Impious Consequence from so Pious an Antecedent ; nor any Body else , without betraying at once a want of Wit , and an abundance of Impiety . I find , that St. Basil and St. Austin had the same Design , nay , and put it in Execution ; and yet I dare not , for my Life , draw this Conclusion , Ergo , They were Ambitious . Will you therefore know St. Ignatius's Motive ? It was a Zeal for his Redeemer's Honour , and for his Neighbour's Salvation , which prompted him to the Enterprize . He saw the greatest Part of the World sleep in Ignorance and Impiety ; and that as they liv'd without Knowledge of GOD , so they dy'd without Fear of Hell , and without Hope of Heaven . He thought it then an Act both of Gratitude to GOD , and of Charity to his Neighbour , to be Founder of an Order of Men , whose only Imployment should be , first to procure their Own , then the Salvation of their Neighbour's : And so it is . Besides , he saw the Church of GOD attack'd in Europe ; That the Contagion of Brain-sick Gospellers had infected the greatest Part of the North ; That Reformation was the Fair Hellen , which inchanted Christendom ; and , That the Name of Liberty , had plung'd whole Nations into Slavery : Wherefore , to Heal these Wounds already made , and to prevent future Dammages , he fram'd in his Head the Idea of the Society ; which he after Establish'd by the Pope's Authority : And how GOD favour'd his Designs , the Event has demonstrated beyond a Possibility of doubting . The Fairest and most Populous Nations , both of the East and West-Indies , have receiv'd Christianity from his Descendants ; who flung up all Right to the Common Benefits of Life , in their Native Countries , expos'd their Lives to as many Dangers as there be Winds in the Compass , to draw their Fellow-Creatures to the Knowledge of JESVS CHRIST ; and to perswade them to Live like Men , that they might not Die like Beasts . In these Apostolical Functions , above Three Hundred lost their Lives , and seal'd with their own Blood that Gospel they Preach'd to Others . I challenge all the Ministers in England , to shew the World so visible Marks of Piety in their Order , or so manifest an Evidence of Divine Approbation : No , they have found so many commodious Livings , made to their Hands by the Piety of their Catholick Ancestors within the Compass of the Four Seas , that they rest contented with their Portion ; and think it a piece of the highest Folly , to be so enamour'd with the Conversion of Heathenish Souls , as to expose Christian Bodies to the least Inconvenience for their sakes . Besides , a pack of little Children is an expensive Burden , and the Tears of a Loving Wife a strong Retentif : So that a well-meaning Minister's Zeal is choak'd by Two Impossibilities ; that is , He cannot go without a Transportation of his Family , and in this Case his Purse is too little ; or without an absolute Renunciation of Wife and Children : and as for That , without any Ceremony , he tells the Heathens , Vxorem duxi & ideo non possum venire . Well , but though we are advanc'd to the 32th . Page , I can find no End of the First Accusation : My Author follows his Point close , and will not part with his belov'd Topick , Ambition ; which makes me think , he is no such Enemy to it : For People talk of That most , which they love the best ; and often dispraise those very Things , they most passionately dote on . What then has he yet to say ? He Reveal'd one Day to Polancus several Favours GOD had bestow'd on him ; and pray'd earnestly , That Eguia might not out-live him , lest he should discover to the World , what he knew of the Sanctity of St. Ignatius : This is , as I conceive , your Meaning , though not your Words . To take a view as near as we can of the Stress of your Argument , let us stand on the Right Side : St. Ignatius reveal'd privately one Day to Polancus , That GOD had bestow'd many Favours on him ; Item , That he did not relate the Thousandth Part ; Item , He pray'd earnestly , that his Confessor might die before him : Therefore , he was Ambitious . Here the Reader sees the whole Objection , not through false Opticks , but in it natural Bulk and Proportions . But whether it skulks in the First or Second Instance , for my Heart I dare not presume to determine : Yet methinks , the Gentleman might have drawn , from the Second Instance , a Conclusion of his Modesty ; because his Desire of out-living Eguia , aim'd at this , That many Gifts of GOD , known to him , as being his Confessor , should lie forever bury'd in Oblivion . But I have to deal with a Man , who is equally offended with Silence and Speaking , and makes the One as Criminal as the Other . But , St. Ignatius made Polancus Partaker of his Heavenly Visits ? and I find , that Solomon wisper'd that Famous Apparition of GOD , in the Ear of a Confident : Yet the Scripture , which is not over-shy in taking notice of this Great King's Faults , never ranks that Action among his Crimes . Again ; St. Paul recounts us his Rapture to the Third Heaven ; yet among all the Reflections of Commentators on that Passage , I find not One which attributes the Rehearsal of so signal a Favour , to Pride : Nay , King David protests , He will always sing the Mercies of the LORD ; And why should You and I be so Satyrical , as to question the Lawfulness of his Resolution ? If therefore such a Confidence be not the necessary Result of a Phanatick Pride , find some other Argument to back your Assertion , or confess you are mistaken in your Charge . In fine , Sir , When you feel Ecstatical Transports of Divine Love , when you work Miracles , and bring me sufficient Witnesses to render them Credible ; although you proclaim your Gifts at Paul's Cross , I will not lay down my good Opinion of your Humility , but rather increase it . The Second Quality requisit to make a compleat Enthusiast , says our Author , is Ignorance , and Weakness of Vnderstanding : This he fastens on St. Ignatius , and very civilly gives all the Founders of Orders the same Complement . The Great Founders of Monastick Orders are observ'd to have been Ignorant and Stupid to a Prodigy ; and Ignatius , far from being ambitious to surpass them in Learning , thought it Meritorions to be more Ignorant than them all . May I be so bold , Sir , as to learn of you those Observers ? I fear , they took their Observations ill . For my part , I have observ'd , and Others with me , That many Great Founders have always been , and are still esteem'd the Learnedst Men , in all respects , that ever the World produc'd , since the Rise of Christianity . What think you , Sir , of St. Basil ? What of St. Austin ? Do these pass with you for Ignorant Persons , and Stupid to a Prodigy ? If They do , I shall not much rely on your Judgment . Indeed , some have not Commenc'd Doctors ; but I never read of any Stupid to a Prodigy . If you have discover'd this so material a Point of Antiquity , do us the Favour to impart it ; and the Gentleman of Amsterdam shall reward you with a Place in the Journal Des Scavans . But has our Author let fall no peculiar Encomium on St. Ignatius ? Yes : He Thought it Meritorious to be more Ignorant than them all . Did any one but read your following Page , he would scarce believe you to be now in earnest : For there you tell us , That He put himself to School , and bestow'd many Years in learning Philosophy , and the Latin Tongue ; That , He betook himself to the Vniversity of Paris . Now , I cannot perswade my self , you are in earnest , when you make us believe , he judged Ignorance so Meritorious after all these Efforts , to lose it . Methinks , you might have alleadg'd stronger Arguments , to evince his high Esteem of this great Virtue , rather than to represent him with Children in the School , turning over his Accidents , and sweating about the First Conjugation , Anno. I suspect your continual hammering on the Notions of Crack'd disturb'd Brains , &c. has something misplac'd yours ; and that you have so long hector'd St. Ignatius out of his Wits , till you have lost your Own. However you have receiv'd the Wound in the Church of England's Service ; and you may , in Recompence , hope for a Fellowship in Moor-field College . But laying aside all your Demonstrations of his Stupidity , the Vniversity of Sorbon assures us , That he took his Degree : Which makes me conclude , ( what-ever you are pleas'd to the contrary ) he was not such an Enemy to Learning , nor such a Friend to Ignorance , as you describe him : But 't is no matter . You will have him , after his Death , to be the profess'd Enemy to Learning : Back your Assertion with a good Reason , and I 'll not oppose you . Why , Ten Years after his Death , appearing to James Terry , a Young Scotch - Man of his Society , ( who with Diligence and Fervour , had apply'd himself to the Study of True Learning ) he sharply reprehended him ; recommending to him less Knowledge , and more Virtue . Here 's his Proof ; now attend to his Illation : St. Ignatius recommended to him a greater Study of Virtue , than of Knowledge . Ergo , He was the profess'd Enemy of Learning . I wonder the Gentleman has spar'd so long to cast some by-reflection on our Saviour ; for I do not remember , He ever exhorted his Disciples to the Study of Human Learning ; but , every Page , is full of Exhortations to Virtue . Nay , St. Paul seems rather to disswade Christians from too curious a Search into Litterature ; and he gives a Reason too , Because it is the Mother of Pride ; Scientia instat : And , without Flattery , I am of Opinion , the Flatuous Vapours of an imaginary Learning , now and then flie up to our Scribler's Brains , and disturbs his Intellect : For , How can a Man , in his Wits , commit so foul a Crime , as to write Bantering for Truth , and down-right Impiety for solid Reason ? Yet this is his Case , without an Hyperbole . He has charg'd on St. Ignatius Two Essential Constitutives of an Enthusiast , viz. Ambition and Ignorance , with such an hectoring Accent , that one would have expected as many Demonstrations as Prepositions . But , in the end , you see , the Gentleman forgot his Message ; and instead of pressing his Accusation , has thus blindly flung it on CHRIST , and his Apostles . Come , Sir , let me exhort you , as St. Ignatius did his Proselyte , Less Knowledge , more Virtue . Study more how to serve GOD , and less how to defame your Neighbour . Now , if you will be so cruel , as , for my Charity , to enrol me among the Enemies of Learning , I shall only say , Amen , So be it . SECT . II. Whether St. Ignatius was actually guilty of Phanaticism ? HAving kept Pace with my Gentleman Forty-Three Pages , in which lie couch'd as many Impertinencies as Lines , but all the Product of his Brain ; although my Patience be almost out of Breath , I will venture to keep up with him . I do not doubt , but what Follows is of the same Piece with That which went Before ; and that the End will agree perfectly with the Beginning : And if my Conjecture be true , I shall recommend the whole Work , as the most Ingenious Piece of Nonsense and Confidence , which our Age hath produc'd . Having manifested , that the Two chief Parts of an Enthusiast fit St. Ignatius to an Hair , he enquires , Whether he really were not guilty of Enthusiasm ? p. 44. To make this Inquiry methodically , he gives us this Definition of Enthusiasm ; viz. This consists in pretending to Divine Visions , and extrordinary Illuminations , after Christianity is fully settled ; and all Christians left to learn their Religion by natural and ordinary Means , from the Rule of Faith , whether Scripture or Tradition ; In boasting of infus'd Knowledge , and inward Lights ; In pretending to have receiv'd all the Articles of Faith by particular Inspiration , to do all things by the private Impulse of the Spirit . I must interrupt the Gentleman's Definition , with an &c. for I have lost almost my Breath , and shall , I fear , quite , if I proceed . I take it for a Definition fresh jumpt out of Mr. Hobbs's Mint ; and indeed , the whole Book is so full of Atheistical Dashes , that I am perswaded , the Author has serv'd his Apprentiship under that great Master of Atheism . I must take the Whole into Pieces ; for , I confess , I dare not encounter with such a Crowd of Nonsense together . Enthusiasm ( says he ) consists in pretending to Divine Visions , and extraordinary Illuminations , after Christianity is fully settled . Hold there , Dear Sir , as you tender your Credit , and the Honour of the English Protestancy : If you give so large Notions of Phanaticism , you exclude from the Pale of your Church the most Famous Saints , and Doctors of Christianity ; and if once these Supports be thrown away , your Church must fall . Saint Martin was a Pretender to Extraordinary Illuminations ; and Saint Austin tells us of a certain Voice , which bid him , Tolle & Lege , Take up and Read ; and a Thousand others . Now , Sir , If I put my Hand to this Part of your Definition , I cannot refuse it handsomly to this Consequence ; Ergo , St. Martin , St. Austin , &c. were Enthusiasts . My Reason is , Because you assert , That all those who pretend to Divine Visions , and extraordinary Illuminations , after Christianity is fully settled , are Enthusiasts . But , All those fore-mention'd Saints did pretend to Divine Visions , &c. after Christian Religion was once fully settled ; Ergo , Those Saints were Phanaticks . Excuse me then from Subscribing to the First of your Definitions , unless you think good to explain your Mind better . I will take up the Context ; In beasting of infus'd Knowledge , and inward Light. I admit this , on condition you do not intend to make an humble Recount of those Favors , meerly for others Instruction , pass current for boasting . My Precaution is necessary , lest unwarily we find St. Paul's Name in the Catalogue of Phanaticks , before we dream of it . What follows next , is full of Equivocation : And therefore I must declare on what terms I admit it , and on what I reject it . In pretending to have receiv'd all the Articles of Faith by particular Inspiration . This Proposition , as it lies , is not Orthodox : For after the compleat Settlement of the Jewish Church , the Prophets did pretend to have receiv'd the Articles of their Faith by particular Inspiration ; and yet I dare not pronounce them Phanaticks . Now indeed , if you stoop so low , as to regulate your Charge by my Notion of Phanaticism , we will proceed to the Trial. I conceive it then , with Submission , that only those deserve the Title of Phanaticks , who pretend , That the natural and ordinary Means instituted by Divine Providence to find out all Articles of Faith , is an Inward Light , and an Immediate Revelation . This I understand by Phanaticism : And if you can prove St. Ignatius guilty of this Folly , I will fling up the Cause ; if you cannot , Justice obliges you to a speedy Repentance ; First , For having so abus'd the World with loud Clamours of strange Discoveries , concerning the Church of Rome 's Superstitious Practices , and Enthusiastick Extravagancies : Secondly , For having betray'd your own Conscience in the Sight of GOD , whil'st blind Temerity , and intoxicating Fury , guided your Pen to wound the Reputation of the Saints in the Judgment of Men. You therefore affirm St. Ignatius to have been a Phanatick , because he pretended to Divine Visions and Illuminations ; and then you draw up an Inventory of some Apparitions and Ecstacies recounted in his Life , which takes up a considerable Part of your Pamphlet : All which you are pleas'd to attribute to the Effects of a strong Imagination , and of a weak and disturb'd Brain . But shall any ones Judgment be so byass'd , as to take this for a Confutation ? Would any Man take bare Assertions for solid Reasons , or false Aspersions for real Crimes , your Discourse is , I grant , most perswasive : But who-ever takes the pains to sift it , will be able to find nothing but Scum above , and Malice below . Sir , For my part , I know no Catholick of so easie a Belief , as presently to swallow down every fictitious Story for a real Miracle . They measure their Assent by the Rules of Prudence . Where the Authority is weak , their Belief is suitable ; where strong and evident , their Assent is without Hesitation . In fine , They always are of Opinion , That to Believe All , and to Deny All , are Extreams equally reprehensible . Now produce some Arguments , which prove credibly , That the Illuminations and Visions ascrib'd to St. Ignatius , were but the Effect of a discompos'd Brain , of a strong Imagination , and disorderly Fancy ; and if I cannot oppose more weighty Reasons to the contrary , I 'll fling up my Cards . The only Ground of your Scruple , as far as I can learn , is this , If indeed Ignatius receiv'd a perfect Knowledge of the Christian Religion , &c. How came it to pass , that for many Years after , he was still esteemed a Fool , and an Ideot ? You have put a pretty Sophism in the Mouth of a Jew , or a Turk . If JESVS CHRIST was GOD , How came it to pass , that He was still esteem'd for a Fool , and an Ideot ? To make us believe that such an Opinion was not a Popular Noise only , you tell us , Vpon a particular Examen by the Inquisitor of Alcala , and Arch-Bishop of Toledo , he was adjudg'd not to have been sufficiently instructed in Matters of Religion : You might as well have quoted your darling Romance , Don Quixot , as Bouhours ; and found as much to your Purpose in the One , as in the Other : For Bouhours , in the Book cited , mentions not one Word of St. Ignatius's appearing before the Inquisitor ; much less of a particular Examen : And therefore any puny Logician may infer out of that Examen in Nubibus , That you are far more meanly instructed in the Rules of Truth , than St. Ignatius in Matters of Religion . Indeed , Bouhours tells us , That the Great Vicar cast him in Prison , upon the Account of the Indiscreet Fervor of Two Ladies , abscrib'd by Dr. Cirol to the Perswasions of St. Ignatius ; and told him , That not being a Divine , he should abstain from explicating to the People the Mysteries of Religion , till such Time he had studied Four Years in Divinity : But here 's no mention either of an Inquisitor , or of a particular Examen . And as for Don Alphonso de Fonseca , Arch-Bishop of Toledo , he was so far from judging him not to have been Sufficiently instructed in Matters of Religion , that he very much Exhorted him to continue his Functions of Piety towards his Neighbour . So that here lie chain'd , one to the Heels of the other , Two Forgeries , without Dispute , as well as without Excuse . Had you been forc'd to Translate your Author out of Greek , Charity might have oblig'd me rather to have fast'ned this Mistake on your Ignorance , than to have imputed it to your Malice : But the Book being Englisht to your Hands , the most favourable Construction I can put on your Crime , is , That you have taken up that Principle so often laid at the Papists Door , viz. All things are lawful , if profitable to the Church ; and then working by this Maxim , you concluded , That a Forgery was but a small Price to buy Heaven for your self , and the Dis-esteem of the World for St. Ignatius , and those of his Society . But , Sir , You have taken false Measures , and as disadvantagious a Topick as you could have light upon . Vent your Burlesquing Vein till Dooms-Day , you will never so far unman Rational Creatures , as to wheedle them into a Belief , that the Jesuits , and their Founder , are Fools and Ideots . Had you taken up your Quarters at Fox-Hall , and from that Enchanted Castle popt in the Hawker's Mouths New Narratives of Popish Plots , and Jesuitical Contrivances ; or ply'd them with White-Horse Consultations , Armies of Jesuits in the Air , and Thousands of Pilgrims in the Rear , your Labour might ( 't is possible ) have met with some Success : But , on a suddain , to Metamorphize their Plotting into Folly , their intrieguing Genius into Stupidity , is to raise a Scruple in the Wisest Part of the Nation , Whether they did not want some Grains of Wit , when they fear'd to be impos'd on by Fools ? Yet indeed , to give the Gentleman his Due , he dropt a Word or two , Pag. 26. which insinuate , That at first he intended rather to have charg'd the Jesuits with Knavery , than Folly : for thus he tells us ; It seems , the Propagation of the Gospel , by Force of Arms , is connatural to the Order of Jesuits ; only the Wisdom of latter Years hath chang'd these Spiritual , into Carnal Weapons . You are in the right , Sir ; The Wisdom of latter Years hath chang'd these Spiritual into Carnal Weapons : But the Misery is , the Wisdom of the little Lord Shaftsbury , joyn'd with the indefatigable Industry of Sir William Waller , was not able to find them in Jesuitical , nor Popish Cabinets . The Gentlemen of Rye-House engross'd them to themselves for a peculiar Use ; and then the Protestant Duke of the Church of England convey'd them to his Friends at Taunton , for the Propagation of Liberty and Religion . But , Sir , You are too wary ; You might , without Scruple , extend the Wisdom of latter Years to latter Ages ; for I find Protestancy and Carnal Weapons of the same Date . Look over to the Godly Churches of Germany , and you will see them making Elbow-Room with Drawn Daggers in their Hands , and Christian Liberty in their Mouths ; Two pretty Protestancy-dilating Engines , and both the Product of Modern Wisdom . What think you , Sir , of the Wisdom of a Neighbouring Republick ? Did it not effect the Propagation of the Gospel by Force of Arms ? Did it not break in pieces the fretting Yoak of its Master the King of Spain , to put on its Neck that of the LORD ? Yes . And Dr. B. a Minister of the Church of England , extols to the Skies the Wisdom of his New Lords , for a Crime , which , I fear , has pusht the Contrivers into Hell. The Wisdom of latter Years has produc'd the same Effects in every Kingdom , where Protestancy ( the Religion of Latter Times ) got foot ; and I dare say , That it seldom gain'd one Inch of Ground , but by the Help of Carnal Weapons . So that , I am sure , ( what-ever Mines the Jesuits have laid to propagate Popery ) the Propagation of the Gospel by Force of Arms , is more connatural to Protestancy . After an Hundred and Two Pages spent in wild Notions , rambling Propositions , and nonsensical Probations to back them , as if he had intended all the while to give Scope only to a Whimsical Imagination , or to teach the World , That much Confidence , and little Reason go far ; he resolves to knock down St. Ignatius's Sanctity , as well as the Church's , at one Blow . The Design is great , and suitable to Don Quixot's Bravo ; and the Method contriv'd to Admiration . Be pleas'd therefore to attend : In the Bull of his Canonization , the Pope affirmeth , That from the Time of his Conversion , nothing proceeded from him , which can be accounted a Mortal Sin. But St. Ignatius committed the Sin of Despair in the most aggravating Circumstances , sometime after his Conversion : Ergo , The Pope was deceiv'd , and St. Ignatius , instead of a Throne among the Saints , deserves a Place among the Sinners . Here are Two Charges ; but GOD send they fall not on the Head of the Accuser . I deny then , Sir , the Minor , viz. That St. Ignatius was guilty of Despair . But let me desire you , not to run to Bouhours to make your Charge good ; for , on my Word , you will betray your Blindness , as well as the Cause you have in Hand . The Gentleman , after so many unlucky Chances by Quotations , will try another Hit for it : He tells us then out of Bouhours ; That he ( Ignatius ) falls into a dark Melancholly ; and being one Day in his Cell , he had the thought of throwing himself out of the Window , to end his Misery . Here is , indeed , a shrewd Temptation ; but yet no shadow of Sin. All the World knows well , that it is not in the Power of any Man breathing , to barr out of his Imagination , Criminal Suggestions : No , no ; they lie within the reach of Satan , who can imprint in them the Pictures of the most monstrous Crimes ; and , oftentimes , the best Men are assaulted with the worst Thoughts . A bare Suggestion is no Fault ; 't is a voluntary embracing of it , derives all its Malice into the Action . Shew me then , out of Bouhours , that St. Ignatius deliberately yielded to the Temptation , and I will cast aside all further Dispute . But Heaven ( says he ) by Force restrain'd him , against his Will. Ay , here is Despair with a Vengeance , indeed ! Does Bouhours affirm this ? Not one word of it , upon my Credit . Pray , Reader , condescend so far to Curiosity , as to turn to Lib. 2. pag. 29. and you will find Boubours of a quite contrary Opinion ; But he was with-held from yielding to this Motion of Despair , by the same Hand which struck him : Thus he . Which Words , taken in the most natural Sense imaginable , import only this , That St. Ignatius was assail'd with the Temptation of Despair ; but , by the Helping Grace of GOD , he most happily triumphed over the Enemy . And now , Reader , Shall such an Impudence go unpunish'd ? No , no ; if a Searing Iron has not past over his Conscience , if ev'ry Spark of Christianity is not stifled ; I am sure , he has felt the Bitings of a knawing Conscience ; and GOD send the Torment already began Here , may not continue Hereafter ; where it is like to he without Redress , because without End. I will appeal to any sober Man , Whether this Gentleman hath not drawn up an undeniable Demonstration , both of his own Forgery , and Despair ? I say , Despair , and that in the most aggravating Circumstances ; because nothing beside the utmost Despair of making his Indictment good , could ever throw a Man into such an Extremity , as to oblige him to run bare-fac'd into a Guilt of the highest Nature , to fasten a Crime on another . Yet the Gentleman may , in some sort , be excus'd ; 't is the Epidemical Disease of the Climate . His Church sprung from the Itch of Liberty , was first wean'd with Forgery , and stands yet on the same Crutches : And this is so black a Patch in the Face of the Church of England , that the Guardians not being able to wash it off , have thought fit to perswade the World , that the Papists are guilty of the same Defect . But the Misery is , the Blur is so minute in us , that none can see it , but the Ministerial Guides ; so that Others , who believe it , must pin their Faith on the Reverend Sleeves of their Divines Canonical Habit. The Gentleman is now piping-hot against the Pope : The former Crime of Despair , was mention'd to convince the World , that his Holiness took ill Informations of St. Ignatius's Sanctity ; Ex abundanti , he comes out with a Second : However , if it be a Venial Sin for a Man to sacrifice his Life to his Folly ; it is no less than a Mortal One , deliberately to commit an Action , which he is perswaded in his own Conscience to be unlawful . Ignatius , in his Voyage to Jerusalem , thought it utterly unlawful , and contrary to Evangelical Poverty , to carry any Provisions with him ; yet being resolv'd by his Confessor to the contrary , he boldly did that out of Obedience , which he durst not do of himself . By this Passage he pretends to demonstrate St. Ignatius guilty of a Mortal Sin ; but after having sifted it from top to bottom , I protest I cannot find the very Shaddow of a Venial One. Let us put to the Test each Proposition : It is no less than a Mortal Sin , deliberately to commit an Action , which he is perswaded in his own Conscience to be unlawful . Certainly , Sir , your Closet turn'd round , when you Penn'd this Proposition . I suppose , you are perswaded in your Conscience , the least Untruth to be unlawful ; and yet I should not be so severe , as to judge every slight Untruth to amount to a Mortal Sin : To steal a Penny is an unlawful Action ; and yet I dare avouch , that whosoever taxes such a petty Theft with a Mortal Sin , stands accountable to GOD of a Mortal One himself : And when it shall please you to call for my Reason , you shall not fail to have it . Let us go on : Ignatius , in his Voyage to Jerusalem , thought it utterly unlawful , and contrary to Evangelical Poverty , to carry any Provisions with him . Sir , You are so innur'd to false Quotations , that you cannot forbear . 'T is utterly false , that St. Ignatius thought it utterly unlawful to carry any Provisions along with him : For Bouhours only tells us , He was afraid , he should deviate from Evangelical Poverty , in carrying any thing along with him . So that his Doubt was not of the Lawfulness of the Action ; but , whether it were not a greater Perfection , to embarque himself unprovided ? But , suppose his own Judgment told him , It was unlawful ; yet his Confessor brought so weighty Reasons against what he objected , that at last he concluded his Confessor was in the Right , and Himself in the Wrong ; and so accordingly he follow'd his Advice . Where is the Sin in all this Proceeding ? Where is the Renouncing the Liberty of his Will , and Vse of his Reason ? Do Men fling up their Reason , I beseech you , Sir , when they leave a weak Motive , to stick to a stronger ? At this rate we must conclude , That Fools run loose in the World , and that all the Wise Men of the Nation are confin'd to Bedlam . Indeed , I am not so great an Admirer of Blind Obedience , as to judge it a Virtue in all Circumstances . Men may command Things contrary to the Law of GOD ; and in this Case the Commander and the Obeyer are equally guilty . Such a Case may be instanc'd in the Transactions of the last Week : Thousands of well-meaning Men thought nothing so reasonable , as to Read his Majesty's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience in the Churches : But then their Reverend Confessors were of another Opinion ; and so the poor Penitents yielded Blind Obedience to their Directors , although Obedience to the best of Princes oblig'd them to a contrary Procedure . Here was , I grant , a Renouncing of the Liberty of Free-Will , and Vse of Reason , to the purpose ; and therefore , according to your Logick , a Sin of the deepest dye both against GOD , and the King. But prompt Obedience to a Faction , passes in Protestant Casuists , for Virtue : Yet when a Popish Saint lays aside his private Judgment upon good and rational Motives , to follow the Sentiment of his Confessor , no less than a Capital Crime is presently clapt on his Shoulders . The Gentleman's Gall is still boyling against the Pope , and nothing can quench it , I see , but another Push for it against both the Pope , and St. Ignatius ; for you must know , he frets at the One for being a Saint , and at the Other for Canonizing him . But what ( cries he , in a pleasant Humor ) if after all , Ignatius should be found an Heretick ? ( Ay marry , Sir , This is a necking Blow . ) He would ill deserve the Dignity of a Saint . ( Questionless , you are in the right . ) And at the next Reformation of the Calendar , might be perhaps expung'd out of it . p. 112. You might expunge your Perhaps , and assert it confidently . Nay , I question not , but all Catholicks would thank you for your Service , could you unmask such a Cheat ; for they are well-meaning Men , and are as loth to be impos'd on as their Neighbours . But because I know , ( if a bare Assertion be sufficient ) nothing is so surprizing , which you cannot prove ad evidentiam , I beg a short Authentick Reason on Record ; It will relish well : He Believ'd Scripture to be the only Rule of Faith , Ibid. I deny it : But go on . He said , That if the Articles of Faith had never been Recorded in the Scripture , ( or , as another Author expresseth it ) Although no Monuments or Testimonies of the Christian Religion had remain'd , he should still have believ'd them , &c. Which manifestly supposeth him to have believ'd , that the Knowledge of the Christian Religion must necessarily be receiv'd either from the Scripture , or from Extraordinary Illumination ; and that there is no Medium , which might serve the Ends of a Rule of Faith. What ? no Medium ? Look back to the 105th . Page , and there you will see your self of another Opinion ; for , Do you not express your self , in as intelligible Terms as possibly can be , That he so much doted on Blind Obedience , that if he adher'd to his own Principles , he must have renounc'd Christianity , and even Natural Religion , if his Confessor had commanded him : And , That he propos'd this as a first Principle to all , That true Christians ought to submit themselves to the Decision of the Church , with the Simplicity of an Infant . Methinks , this is a Medium between Scripture alone , and Extraordinary Illumination : Had I been to have drawn up this Indictment of Heresie , my utmost Care should have been to have stifled this . But you never Look before you Leap , and that makes you so often Fall. Your Invective against Blind Obedience , jump'd handsomly into Pag. 105. and in Pag. 112. you sell connaturally into Heresie ; and so down they went , though you knew , they would never be kept from Clashing on the same Paper . But let us wink at this trifling Mistake ; and grant what you affirm , That St. Ignatius did say , That if the Articles of Faith had never been Recorded in Scripture , &c. he would firmly have embrac'd them all ; Does it follow , That he held Scripture alone , or Illumination , to be the Rules of Faith ? By no means . He was of Opinion , 't is true , That an Extraordinary Rule might be an Extraordinary Illumination ; and that the Ordinary One is Scripture interpreted by the Church : So that the Sense of his Words , is this ; Although all Scripture , and the Church its Interpreter , had perished , GOD had given him , by an Extraordinary Illumination , such a clear Knowledge of the Mysteries of our Religion , that he would have believ'd them . Here , you see , the Gentleman has not been sparing of Dirt ; but he grosly miss'd his Aim : for I am throughly convinc'd , a moderate Eye will easily discover , that the greatest Part sticks closest to the Asperser : Yet Passion will set his Pen afloat , in spight of Fate . Indeed , he is come to an End of his Accusation , and to say something , runs in a Circle , by making a Recapitulation . If it be prov'd , That in his Life-time he was esteem'd an Enthusiast , an Impostor , and an Heretick , by many sober , indifferent , and learn'd Men of the Church of Rome ; it will be no small Confirmation of the Truth of whatsoever I have hitherto observ'd . Yes , if their Surmizes were sounded on Reason ; otherwise by no means : For , in this Case , I am no greater a Friend to Infallibility , than your Self . I grant you , Catholicks , in their Estimates , may be mistaken , as well as Protestants , and equally lie open to Prejudices . At Alcala he was suspected by some of Sorcery . Why ? The Gentleman begs your Pardon there ; he is not such a Fool , as to tell the Reason : No , that would wipe off the Aspersion . The Truth of the Business is : St. Ignatius reclaim'd , from his sinful Courses , a Person of the first Rank ; and presently the Wise Populace concluded , nothing but the Power of the Devil could draw such a noted Debauchee to GOD. A pretty Accusation , you see ; and as well grounded , as that against our Saviour ; In Belzebub Principe Daemoniorum ejicis Demonia ; You cast out Devils in Vertue of Beelzebub the Chief of the Devils . By others of Heresie , and put in the Inquisition for a Visionary . 'T is true ; but , How came he of ? After an Exact Enquiry into the Manners and Doctrine of Ignatius , not finding any thing that might render him suspected , and judging it not expedient to make him appear before Them ; They were contented to refer the Matter to John Roderiguez Grand Vicar of Alcala ; who told Ignatius , That the Juridical Information which had been made , was much in his Favour ; and , That he might continue his Functions , for the Service of his Neighbour . So Bouhours , without the least mention of any such Clause , touching Extravagant Methods of Religion . Soon after he is clapt into the Inquisition a Second Time , for instilling foolish Principles into his Hearers . But , Was he not , by publick Sentence , freed from the Imputation ? I thought , it was not a Crime to be Accus'd , but to be Guilty ; yet You confound both : Though , at this rate , our Saviour's Reputation suffers , who was Indicted of as heavy Crimes as ever Ignatius was . When he was remov'd to Salamanca , both Him and his Disciples were put in Chains by the Inquisition there , as Hereticks and Seditious Persons ; and not Absolv'd , but upon condition of Preaching no more . Certainly , Sir , You imagine your self in Lucian's Island of Dreams ; or that all the World is asleep , beside your self ; or so enamour'd with your great Abilities and Integrity , as to embrace every Falsity dropt from your Pen , as Eternal Verities . I grant , he was clapt in Prison ; and You , that he was Absolv'd : Hear the Sentence : After Two and Twenty Days of Imprisonment , the Master and his Disciples were cited before the Judges , to hear their Sentences read ; by which they were declared to be good Men , and their Doctrine to be sound . ( What could Innocence desire more ? ) They are further permitted to speak of Heavenly Things , and to instruct the People as much as they please . With what Face , then , dare you averr , ( and then cite Bouhours to second your Imposture , ) That he was Acquitted , upon Condition of Preaching no more ? A Man would imagine , you cited Authors only to corrupt them , or to render your Forgeries more palpable . Soon after his Arrival at Paris , he is accus'd to the Inquisitors , for seducing young Scholars ; but , by the Intercession of Friends , dismiss'd . Good Sir , and was not the same laid at our Saviour's Door ? Were not the Apostles hurry'd before Tribunals on the same Account ? They were all stil'd Seducers , for disswading People from being seduc'd by the charming Flatterings of the World : And the Crime of St. Ignatius was of the same Nature . This the Inquisitor was convinc'd of ; and therefore Acquitted the Accus'd , not by the Intercession of Friends , as you were pleas'd to insinuate , but out of a Motive of Justice . So that , in Conclusion , all these Accusations , which you alledge as corroborating Proofs , do not add one Grain to the Weight of your Arguments : Nay , they rather Extenuate them ; though they add a notable Increase to your Guilt , and demonstrate to the World , at one view , both the Excess of your Folly , and the Hainousness of your Forgeries . From this universal Contempt of Ignatius in his Life-time , &c. it may be farther evinc'd , That all the Reports of his Miracles are absolutely false . May it so ? Why , Sir ? At this rate our Blessed LORD was the greatest Impostor , that ever breath'd : For , I am sure , neither St. Ignatius , nor any other Man since the World stood , lay under a greater Contempt , than He. Nay , Jeremy , at this wild rate of Arguing , was a petty Cheat ; since , I am sure , He felt as heavy Effects of his Country-Men's ( I will not say , Contempt , but ) Fury , as St. Ignatius did of Christians . But Sir , If your Antecedent be deny'd , What will become of your Consequence , and all your Erroneous Deductions ? Yet so it is . Venture once more on Bouhours , and you will find , that the greatest Men living , had a Tenderness for his Person , and stood in Admiration of his Prudence . And if he were condemn'd , 't was only by Those who could not be sufficiently blam'd themselves . Wherefore this Argument not being able to concur the least to your Design , I will examine your General Considerations . First , To what purpose should GOD work so many Miracles in the midst of Christian Countries , many Ages after the Faith had been fully settled in them ? Answ . Might not the refractory Jews have objected the same , against the Mission of Jeremy ? Might not the Gentleman , by the same Rule , stop St. Austin's Mouth , when he recounts several Miracles , on his own Knowledge ? The Christian Religion was then fully settled . So that , if you will inform me , to what purpose GOD did work Miracles in those Christian Countries , I will requite your Civility , by returning you a Reason , why GOD did it in These . Secondly , Were those Countries devoid of True Religion ? Answ . By no means . But , what then ? shew me any Reason , or Authority , why GOD's Power is so chain'd up , that it cannot Act , but according to the Rules prescrib'd by ordinary Providence , in a Christian Nation ? Thirdly , Was the Church of Rome , at that Time , grievously corrupted with Errors and Superstitions ? ( No , Sir : What will you infer ? ) It remains therefore , that GOD should perform all these Miracles , meerly in Testimony of the Extraordinary Sanctity of Ignatius , to manifest his Favour to him , and procure to him Honour and Esteem among all Christians . Answ . You are quite out of the way , and wholly mistaken in your Arithmetick : GOD might have had many Motives , which you have pass'd by , All worthy of Him ; and not at all contrary to his Excellency , or the Imperfection of our Nature . For you may remember , that although even Then the Roman Faith was as Pure , as when it deserv'd so large an Encomium from the Mouth of the Apostle , who was little vers'd in the Science of Flattery : Yet the New-inspir'd Prophets of Germany , call'd it in Question . These Men , as Spiritual as the basest Sensuality could render them , resolv'd to make room for their Lusts , by rending themselves from her Jurisdiction , who oppos'd them ; and so pretended to purify her Faith , by the most enormous Crime , Rebellious Apostacy . Novelty and Liberty were fair Baits for a Populace to swallow ; and then fine Promises of a Paradise Hereafter , and of a Mahometical Heaven Here , were too strong Temptations for a sensual German to overcome . Our English Laity , you know , felt the Comfort of Abbey-Lands , and the Clergy of fair Wives : So that the most Considerable Part of the Northern Provinces , set up a Religion of their own Coining ; or , to speak more properly , every one preach'd his own Dreams for Divine Revelations . Now , in such a distracted Posture of the Church , Was it a proceeding unworthy of GOD , to point out his True Church by Miracles , and by the Sanctity of Those , who were Members of it . This was the Method GOD took to Establish Christianity ; and to reduce the Rebellious Jews from their Apostacy . And if it was not then a Proceeding unworthy of GOD to condescend so low , as to have Recourse to his Omnipotence , for the reclaiming of Sinners ; I do not conceive , why it should be in Ignatius's Time , when the same Cause was too too visible . Again , Why could not GOD work Miracles for the Comfort , as well as Encouragement , of the Faithful ? I see no Inconvience , unless it were , that such a Kindness would make the Reformers Consciences flie too often in their Faces , for running from that Church , whose Doctrine and Piety GOD so highly attested . Now the Gentleman comes out with a shrewd Objection against all Miracles : ( Have at the Jesuites ! ) The Temptation of lying and feigning Miracles , for the Reputation of an Order , is in that Church for more perswasive , than the Evidence of Reason . This is a Compliment borrow'd from the worthy Dean of St. Pauls : But I challenge Him , and You , to produce one Jesuite , or Catholick Divine , who ever taught it lawful to lie for the Honour of their Order , or on any Account whatever . 'T is a Doctrine peculiar to the Leaders of the Church of England . A Catalogue of Lies , in a Protestant Pamphlet , is no less connatural , than a List of wonderful Cures to a Mountebank . Look back on the Blessed Times of Titus Oats ; peruse those Satyrs vented from the Pulpits , as Divine Oracles ; and then tell me , Whether 't was possible to crowd more Lies in a Romantick Fable , than the furious Divines of the Zealous Church of England , marshall'd in their Sermons against the Papists . They blew the Fire to such an Extremity , that it almost reach'd their own Vicariges ; and the Desire to rout out the Papists , by a Just Judgment of GOD , flung them within an Inch of their own Ruin. The Justice of the Nation , deluded by Fabulous Narratives , and Malicious Sermons , in Process of Time , found out its Error , and made a Satisfaction no less Authentick , than the Fault . But the Pulpit-Oats's could not stoop so low , as to acknowledge their Crime ; which makes me think , they thought it none , to Lie and Calumniate for the Honour of their Church , and the utter Disparagement of Ours . And , Reader , to speak my Mind freely , I am of Opinion , That the Consult of Divines in Dr. Tenison's Library , hath pitch'd upon the Method of Slandering , as the best Preservative against Popery ; for had it not been a Resolve of a whole Cabal , 't is hard to determine , how all the Protestant Scriblers should unanimously stumple on the same Expedient . Out of the former Antecedent , my Author draws this Consequence : When therefore Ignatius was to be promoted to the Dignity of a Saint , his Disciples set their Inventions on the Rack , to raise a Fund of Miracles . What ever the Disciples of Ignatius did , I am sure you have set your Brains on the Rack , and Conscience to boot , to find some plausible Grounds for denying them : But all will not do your Work. You tell us , indeed , They were Feign'd without ground : This is a groundless Assertion , and of no Force with me , till you propose some good Authority , besides your Own. I grant indeed , that Miracles may be easily obtruded upon the World , after a long distance of Time ; and that nothing less than a strict Examination , can defeat the Hopes of Impostors . But I also contend , that all the Miracles contain'd in the Bull of his Canonization , have undergone this Test to the utmost Rigour : And therefore I am oblig'd , in reason , rather to conclude , That you are deceiv'd , who Deny Them ; than those Judicious Persons , who Approv'd Them. But here the Gentleman offers a very material Proof , to the falsity of the Miracles ascrib'd to St. Ignatius : Ribadeneira , who was his familiar Companion , in the Year 1572 first publish'd his Life , and made along Apology in it , in defence of Ignatius ; maintaining . That it was no way derogatory to his Sanctity , that he had perform'd no Miracles . Afterwards , in the Year 1610. publishing a Second Edition of his Life , he was so far enlightned in this Matter , that he giveth us a long Catalogue of the Miracles of Ignatius ; but withal confesseth , That the Reason why he had not inserted them in the First Edition , was , Because they were not sufficiently certain and uncontested . Because I have not the First Edition by me , I will acquiesce to what the Gentleman says : But , What then ? Is it impossible , that Matters of Fact , which for want of Examination , were doubtful in the Year 1572. upon an exact Trial afterward , should be found true in 1610 ? According to this Rule , a great part of your Canonical Scripture might be plac'd among the Apocrypha : For you must grant me , that most , if not every Book of the New Testament was call'd in question , immediately after the Decease of the Apostles , and some not receiv'd till many Centuries after . Now , might not a Jew take up your Argument , and oppose it to the Scripture , just as you oppose it to Miracles ? It cannot be imagin'd , how the genuine Writings of the Apostles , who dy'd in the First Century , should be unknown , or at least uncertain , when the Memory of them were yet fresh ; and , after above an Hundred Years , when the greatest Part of the Witnesses must be suppos'd to have been dead , should be advanc'd to undoubted Certainty . Wind your self out of this Labyrinth , and I shall easily dis-engage my self from That you imagin to have cast me in . I cannot pass on , without one small Reflection on our Author's way of Arguing : First , He tells us , That Papists esteem it a Virtue , to lie for the Credit of an Order . Secondly , He advances a Step forward , and tells us , He has just Reason to suspect , that they have put that Principle in practice , by forging the greatest Part of the Miracles ( ascrib'd to St. Ignatius ) after his Death . This he proves , because Ribadeneira omitted to recount , for want of sufficient Testimony , those Miracles in his First Edition , which he sets down in his Second ; Item , Because Masseius leaves out many other wonderful Actions , for that they are not sufficiently certain . Now , for my part , I should draw a quite contrary Conclusion , from the Cautiousness of these Two Writers , viz. That they did not intend , for the Honour of their Founder , to impose on the Readers ; nor to augment their own Sins , by increasing St. Ignatius's Miracles . For , let me tell you , People of so loose Principles , as the Jesuits pass for in your Judgment , would never have minc'd the matter ; especially when a thousand Miracles would have much enhanc'd the Glory of their Saint , and not added one Grain to their Labour . Dear Sir , I should be glad , did you make use of the Cautiousness of the Two fore-mention'd Writers ; and lay no Crimes on Papists and Jesuites , but those which were sufficiently certain and uncontested . Your Auditors would leave their Pews more calmly , and feel more Charity in their Breasts at the End of the Sermon , and less Animosity against their Fellow-Subjects . But a Calm and Serene Season , is bad Weather for the Ministery to Fish in . They delight in Storms and Tempests , meerly out of Hopes , that both will fall heavy on the Dissenters . These Holy Conjurers raise the Wind in the Pulpits , which soon breaks out of the Church-Door , and spreads its self through the whole Town in a Trice . All raise this Devil of Discord the same way : And , by good Fortune , no Text is so remote , which does not patly suit with the Incantation . A good Invective against Popery , larded with Two or Three pretty Stories , either forg'd by the Doctor , or scrap'd-up on an Hear-say , are efficacious Engins to work the Populace out of their Wits , and set them all a-gog against Popery . For the Grave Divines require Belief to the greatest Crimes against Papists , on the slightest Grounds ; and yet forbid all Assent to Popish Miracles , though backt with the greatest Authority . As for Example : In the Art of Missionaries Discover'd , the Author presents his Reader with one Father Leech ; who told Mr. Gee , That if any but hear Mass , and after hearing be sprinkled with Holy Water , and kiss the Priest's Garment , he could not commit that Day any Mortal Sin. Here is a pretty Story , you see , affirm'd by Mr. Gee ; yet it must be believ'd , upon his Infallible Authority : Although , in my Conscience , I think it ten times more improbable , That a Catholick Priest , in his Wits , should vent a Doctrine so notoriously false , than that the Saints of our Church should , by GOD's Assistance , work Miracles . Again : The Jesuites give their General an Account of all Occurrences of State , in those Provinces and Kingdoms , whereof they are the Respective Assistants : To which End they have Correspondents in the Principal Cities of all Kingdoms ; who sending all their Informations to the General , they balance the Interests of every Prince ; and then resolve , That the Affairs of such a Prince shall be promoted , the Design of Another oppos'd , &c. Now , that Jesuites should have Kingdoms thus in a String , is no less incredible in it self , than that Ignatius should work strange Cures ; and yet That must be swallow'd down by the greedy Reader , and This rejected ; although the Latter be attested by Credible Witnesses , and the Former rely on the Authority of a Villain ; who Compos'd a Book against the Jesuites , of the same Stamp with the Salamanca-Narrative . Thirdly , In the Preface after a late Challenge to Mr. Poulton , ( as full of Rhodomontado's , as the Sultan of Constantinople sent the Emperour ; not doubting but such blustering Language would strike Mr. Poulton dumb : ) I do not , says the Author , much expect an Answer to this Challenge ; for those Men who could lie near Twenty Years under such a Charge , as Dr. Du Moulin laid against Them ; and dar'd Them to call him to an Account for the Murder of King Charles the First , without ever venturing to clear Themselves , may easily bear This. Here the Mobile is desir'd to believe as firmly as any Part of the Bible , That the Jesuites Murder'd the King ; That Cromwel was a rank Jesuite , and the Parliament a Pack of the same Society . Now , I am of Opinion , That any Honest Man , before he can swallow down this Article , must renounce all Sense , as much as any Papist does , to believe Transubstantiation : Yet down it must , under Pain ( at least ) of passing for a Papist in Masquerade . Read Bouhours from one End to the other , and then tell me , Whether any Miracles related of St. Ignatius , be not twenty Degrees more Credible ? And therefore , if this Calumny must gain Credit , Why They must deserve none ? For my part , if we may guess at the Future by the Past , Ten Years will turn the Convocation of Lambeth , into a White-Horse-Consultation ; and those Reverend Fathers of the Church of England , who were so Zealous , as to tell His Majesty , They thought His Proceeding to be Illegal , will be Metamorphos'd into Priests and Jesuites . Such a Change is easily wrought : One Minister , with an Ounce of Brass on his Face , and a well-hung Tongue in his Mouth , will carry the Metamorphose a great way ; and then , One I was told so , concludes the Business . Fourthly , He tells his Readers , ( p. 42. ) That besides Vniversities and Divines , who teach the Lawfulness of Calumnies , and false Reports , we find it , among other Rules of the Jesuites , That they should be sure , to put this Doctrine in Practice , even against those of their own Communion , the Antient Orders of the Roman Church : The Rule is , Let their Faults be diligently noted , and they represented as dangerous to the Publick Peace . This is told us by a Gentleman , who challenges all the World to shew , in his whole Book , one false Quotation : Yet I have read the Jesuites Rules more than once , from one End to the other ; and protest before GOD and Man , there is not to be found one Tittle of this . So that , let the Gentleman make Ten Thousand Protestations of his Sincerity more than he has , I will rather believe St. Ignatius wrought Miracles , than that This is true . Indeed , he cites Instructio Secret. &c. but they are no more our Rules , than His. They were Compos'd by a Villain , who was resolv'd to make Jesuites appear as black as Himself , and are espous'd by a Man of the same Temper . If they really were found in a College , as is pretended , make it out , and that They are our Rules : If not , under favour , you are guilty of those very Crimes you ascribe to the Jesuites : For 't is , in my Opinion , no less a Crime to fling a Slander , made by Another , on our Neighbour , than to forge One. Fifthly , To demonstrate the Slandering Vein of Papists , he brings ( p. 61. ) a fresh and very material Instance ; viz. No longer since than the Winter 1685. a Report went current through all the Countries in England , where there are many Romanists , That Dr. Burnet was at Rome become a Papist ; and , That great Preferments were bestow'd upon him . 'T is a Calumny , without doubt , not to be born , that a Person so Famous for Loyalty , as that Reverend Divine , should be snatch'd , against his Will , from that Church , which had taught him Obedience to Higher Powers in so Superlative a manner , that they thought it convenient to recompence it with Outlawry . Wherefore , Sir , if Catholicks were so Credulous , on the Receipt of Foreign Letters , as to believe it , I make an Apology for their Mistake ; although I am apter to believe , that when that Gentleman began to kick against the Government , and to shew some Ferguson-Tricks , the ProtestantGentry of those Counties you mention , thought it convenient to heave him out of Their Communion into Ours ; to the end , that the next Age might bind-up his Life among Those of the Popish Rebels . My Conjecture stands on better ground than Yours , or than any of your Friends Exceptions against the Miracles of St. Ignatius . Seeing now we are fallen on the Topick of Tale-telling , I cannot omit to put my Story in among the rest , that the World may see , how easily Protestants slip into the Vice of Credulity , as well as Obstinacy , when the Fancy takes them : When the Happy News of Her Majesty's being with Child was spread abroad , and all Loyal Subjects testify'd their Interior Joy by outward Acclamations ; some incredulous Persons , not convinc'd by the Decree of the Privy Council for a Thanksgiving-Day , blaz'd abroad , That it was a Sham : And yet this was so prevalent with some , that they would not discredit it , till Her Majesty Lay-in . To these People 't is a Madness to obtrude Miracles ; for , What Miracle of CHRIST can be better attested , than Her Majesty's being with Child ? Yet at the same time , as if they had made a Vow , never to act like Men , they would scarce perswade themselves , the Protestant-Duke was Dead . Which gave occasion for these Two Verses : In the Whigg's Creed , Two Articles are read , The Queen is not with Child , nor Monmouth Dead . Nay , one Line from a Pulpit would have so far prevail'd on them , as to have oblig'd many to take Horse , to meet his Grace at Taunton . Sixthly , He desires the Reader ( p. 21. ) to believe , that he has not imitated the Scavenger , in stopping no where , but at a Dunghil : For I have ( says he ) quoted none but allow'd and approv'd Authors , &c. And as for what I have cited out of Protestant Books , let them invalidate their Testimony , if they can : I will engage for the Truth of my Quotations ; and know of no Objections against any Author I have cited , which are of any Force . You are , Sir , either in some Ecstatick Transport , or else endow'd with that great Virtue , Ignorance , beyond Expression ; which your Friend so highly commends in St. Ignatius . Were not the Provincial Letters burnt by the publick Hang-man in France ? Did not La Pratique Morale run the same Fate in the Year 1669 ? And is not this as real and material an Objection against the Validity and Sufficiency of those Libels , as Mr. Oats's yearly Pillory , against the Authority of His , and his Brethrens Narratives . When you propose in your Second Part , ( as you promise ) as convincing Reasons against Miracles , as I have done against the Credit of these Two Authors , I will come over to You. Again : Your Arcana Societatis Jesu , Instructiones Secretae , are Chips of the same Block ; that is , Pieces forg'd with Impudence , and cited with a daring Confidence : In a word , They are of as great Credit and Reputation , as Those who live by the Basket , and receive Knight-hood from the Pillory . Sir , Had it been my Fortune to have been in London , some Years ago , I would not have stood in your Way : I see , by the Authority you give Varlets in Print , how you esteem'd them in Westminster-Hall and Old-Baily . Nay , I fear , that had the Balance stood equal , you might have dropt in a single Oath , to raise a Jesuite's Neck into an Halter . Would Time permit me , I could give as good an Account of some others of your Authorities , as I have of These , and by Consequence of your Book ; in which I find a Thousand more Impostures , than , I am sure , can be found in Saint Ignatius's Life . Is not this Proceeding the Effect of a Frenzy , past the Vertue of Heblebore ? Shall the profess'd Enemies of our Religion , and Order , by the Omnipotent Power of a Defaming Faction , be turn'd into Vnbyass'd Persons , Substantial Witnesses , & c ! And shall their bare Words , without any Shadow of Proof , serve for Evidence against Us , of all those Calumnies , which took their Being from Malice and Prejudice ; and have no Reality , but in the Imagination of Those , whom confident Gown-Men malitiously impose on . But when we recount any thing , in Confirmation of our Church , although back'd with irrefragable Witnesses , presently it must be slighted ; as if all the Moral Honesty in the World was confin'd to the narrow Compass of this Island ; or , as if the Church of England had engross'd all Truth to its self . And , now , 't is high time to leave my Author , and Reader too : Only , I must desire the Latter to turn to E. W. Printed at Antwerp in the Year 1676. and to the Second Letter by A. B. in the Year 1672. In the First you will find Dr. Stillingfleet's Exceptions against Miracles ; in the Second , against St. Ignatius , and the Jesuites , fully Answer'd : For , I conceive , the Answer to the Dean , is a full Reply to my Author ; he having nothing material , but an higher-flown Impudence , which is not borrow'd from the Doctor . And now , Dear Author , before we part , I admonish you friendly , to change your Method , if you intend to advance your Church . A Burlesque is only to convince Fools ; Wise Men are led by Reason ; of which you have been over-sparing in your Book : So that , if you intend to make any Progress , increase This , and diminish That . And if you be over-confident , that you have so much solid Reason , as to convince any one of the Truth of your Religion , and the Corruption of Ours , be pleas'd to bring your Reason to the Test . I promise you here , on the Word of a Gentleman , That I will Meet you Where , and with Whom you please : But it shall be upon this Condition , That you promise to treat me more civilly , than the Divines of St. Martins , did some time ago , a Priest , who was call'd to a Sick Person . I dare not venture to engage with Divines , who have for Seconds a Populace ; for , who knows , but They may strengthen the Doctor 's Arguments with Blows ; and foul their Hands to bespatter Me , as their Leaders have the Press , to Asperse my Religion . Bring then with You such a Company , as hath heard of such a Thing as Civility , and can distinguish solid Reason from loud Clamours , concluding Syllogisms from patch'd-up Sophisms . On these Conditions , I pass my Word for my Appearance . And that You may not miss of my Lodgings , your Letter shall find Me at the Schools in the Savoy : Where I am , SIR , YOURS , William Darrel . FINIS . ERRATA . PAge 1. Line 11. for Merirs read Merits . p. 3. l. 16. for Tittle read Title . p. 7. l. 32. for this read things . p. 22. l. 8. for Lib. 2. read Lib. 1. p. 31. l. 25. for stumple read stumble . p. 39. l. 10. for by A. B. read so A. B. 


