broken and I am deliuered Lord establish me in thy Truth thy Word is Truth FINIS A CATALOGVE OR Note of such English bookes to the knowledge of which I could come as haue been printed reprinted or dispersed by the Priests and their Agents in this Kingdome within these two yeers last past or thereabouts INprimis the DOVVAY BIBLES that is the old Testament onely in two Volumes with Notes reuised by D. Worthington and reprinted heer in London sold for forty shillings which at an ordinary price might bee afforded for tenne THE NEVV TESTAMENT translated by the Rhemists and reprinted in quarto sold for sixteene or twenty shillings which might bee afforded for a Noble or lesse THE SAME TESTAMENT in English lately printed in decimo sexto sold for twelue shillings which might bee well afforded for foure THE ANKER OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE in foure parts written by D. Worthington the three last-parts printed in London and sold by him at his Lodging in Turnbull street for foureteen shillings which might bee afforded for fiue shillings THE PROTESTANTS APOLOGIE written by Brerely reprinted and sold for seuenteene shillings and might bee afforded for six shillings or lesse SAINT AVGVSTINES CONFESSIONS translated by Tob. Mathew and sold for sixteene shillings beeing but a little book in octauo and might bee afforded for two shillings six-pence Two other bookes in octauo lately written by Tob. Mathew and sold very deare THE AVTHOR AND SVESTANCE OF PROTESTANT RELIGION written by Smith a Priest now in London and sold for six shillings and might bee afforded for twelue pence LVTHER HIS LIFE AND DOCTRINE a railing book written by Louell a Priest who is at this present in London sold for eight shillings worth two shillings AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE PESTIFEROVS WRITINGS OF ENGLISH SECTARIES in two parts written by D. Norice a Priest now resident in London sold for eight shillings might be afforded for foure shillings THE GVIDE OF FAITH written by the said Author and sold at an vnreasonable rate THE PSEVDO-SCRIPTVRIST by the same Author a book of some twelue sheetes of paper and sold for fiue shillings THE CHRISTIAN VOVV by the same Author a book of ten sheetes of paper and sold for two shillings six-pence The loud lying Pamphlet tearmed THE BISHOP OF LONDONS LEGACIE written by Musket a Iesuite and reprinted with a preface of a new disguise the book conteineth about sixteene sheetes they squeezed from some Romish buyers six or seuen shillings a piece A deare price for a dirty lye Yet I wish they that haue any beliefe in it might pay dearer for it THE SVMMARY OF CONTROVERSIES written by D. Smith sold as deare as the rest THE NEVV RELIGION NO RELIGION written by one Floud a Priest now in London sold at a high rate and so are all the rest following THE SVM OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE written in Latine by Petrus Canisius and translated into English by I. Heigham a Priest in London THE TRVE CHRISTIAN CATHOLICK by the same Author THE LIFE OF SAINT KATHARINE OF SIENNA by the same Author THE PROTESTANTS CONSVLTATION a dangerous book lately written by an vnknowne Author IESVS MARIA IOSEPH lately come out of the Presse Printed in London by Simons à Carmelite now in London Two other Bookes written by the same Author called THE WAY TO FINDE EASE REST AND REPOSE VNTO THE SOVLE BELLARMINES STEPS in English HIS ART OF DYING WELL in octauo THE EXERCISE OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE by S. B. THE VOCATION OF BISHOPS by D. Champney now in London THE IMAGE OF BOTH CHVRCHES by M. Pateson now in London a bitter and seditious book THE EXPOSITION OF THE MASSE A TREATISE OF THE REALL PRESENCE by Goddard a Priest now in London THE LOVE OF THE SOVLE Printed in London THE FOLLOVVERS OF CHRIST by F. B. DEMANDS TO HERETICKS in two parts by D. Bristow now in London AVRICVLAR CONFESSION MISSALE PARVVM PRO SACERDOTIEVS THE OFFICE OF OVR LADY Or the PRIMER two or three sorts of them lately printed THE IVDGE by G. M. THE RIGHT WAY TO GOD by Pursell an Irish Monke now in London SIXE BOOKES FVLL OF MARVELOVS PIETIE AND DEVOTION by G. P. THE APPENDIX by Doctor Norrice A DEFENCE OF THE APPENDIX written by Master Sweet a Iesuite lying in Holborne AN ANSVVER TO THE FISHER CATCHAT IN HIS OVVNE NET by the same Author These three last bookes containing but some sixe sheetes of paper either of them are sold by the Authors and their Factors for two shillings or halfe a crowne a piece SOLILOQVIES by R. T. THE ROSARY OF OVR LADY MEDITATIONS VPON THE ROSARY AN EXPOSITION OF THE ROSARY THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY AN INTRODVCTION TO A DEVOVT LIFE by I. Yorke a Iesuite now in London MIRACLES NOT YET CEASED by P. L. P. a saltlesse booke THE KEY OF PARADISE A HEAVENLY TREASVRY OF COMFORTABLE MEDITATIONS by Antho. Batt a Frier now in London THE WORD OF COMFORT written vpon occasion of the fall of the house at the Black-Friers THE VNCASING OF HERESIE by O. A. THE TREASRY OF CHASTITY THE WIDDOVVES GLASSE THE ECCLESIASTICALL PROTESTANTS HISTORY by D. Smith THE GROVNDS OF THE OLD AND NEVV RELIGION THE HIDDEN MANNA THE WANDRING SAINTS THE LITTLE MEMORIALL AN OVERTHROVV OF THE PROTESTANTS PVEPIT-BABâ—ES THE VNITIE OF GODS CHVRCH by one Master Steuens a Iesuite now in London POINTERS MEDITATIONS THE PROOFE OF PVRGATORY A COMFORT AGAINST TRIBVLATION LEDISME HIS CATECHISME lately printed heere in England THE RECONCILEMENT OF THE DALMATIAN BISHOP THE POPES POVVER THE LIFE OF SAINT BEDE A TREATISE OF FREE-WILL by Doctor Kellison Rector of the Colledge at Doway and now in London THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CATHOLICK CHVRCH by F. S. P. DAVYES HIS CATECHISME THE VISIBILITY OF THE CHVRCH THE CATHOLICK GVIDE A TREATISE AGAINST THE MARRIAGE OF PRIESTS by Wilson a Iesuite A GAGGE OF THE NEVV GOSPEL A SECOND GAGGE THE HONOVR OF GOD by Anthony Clerke An idle frothy booke by a brayn-sicke man THE PRELATE AND THE PRINCE a seditious booke THE RVLES OF OBEDIENCE by G. A. P. SAINT PETERS KEYES by Edmund Gill Iesuite SAINT AVGVSTINES RELIGION written by Brerely and reprinted THE REFORMED PROTESTANT by Brerely There was a Printing-house supprest about some three yeeres since in Lancashire where all Brerely his workes with many other Popish pamphlets were printed THE VIRGINALL VOVV by F. S. THE MIRROVR OF WOMEN MEDITATIONS ON THE PASSION A DIALOGVE BETVVIXT OVR SAVIOVR AND THE SAINTS OBSERVATIONS concerning the present affaires of Holland and the vnited Prouinces by You knowe the hand THE INGRATITVDE OF ELIZABETH OF ENGLAND VNTO PHILIP OF SPAINE THE SPIRIT OF ERROVR by D. Smith MEDITATIONS ON OVR SAVIOVRS WORDS ON THE CROSSE EVERY SAINTS PRAYER THE CATHOLICKS CROVVNE THE THREE CONVERSIONS reprinted written by F. Parsons GRANADOES MEMORIALL GRANADOES COMPENDIVM GRANADOES MEDITATIONS Translated THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CARDINALL BELLARMINE THE SHEDDING OF TEARES PARSONS RESOLVTIONS reprinted Anno 1623. SIONS SONGS or the melody of the Blessed THE DAILY PRACTICE THE ENEMIES OF GOD
by M. Barlow a Priest now in London THE HOLY TRIVMPH THE PROSPERITY OF THE VISIBLE CHVRCH THE MANVALL OF PRAYERS reprinted A WATCH VVORD by F. Baker THE APOLOGIST by Richard Conway A TREATISE OF THE INVOCATION AND ADORATION OF SAINTS by Thomas Lee. THE PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLICKE RELIGION by Richard Stannihurst OF THE CONVERSION OF NATIONS of the Miracles of the Martyrdomes and of the vnion of the members of the Catholick Church by George Allanson lesuite A TREATISE OF TRVE ZEALE F. DRVRY HIS RELIQVES somewhat found in his study after his death FLAGELLVM DEI or A Sword for Contradictors a ridiculous pamphlet written by P. D. M. COFFIN against D. HALL his booke intituled The Honour of the married Clergie WALSINGHAM HIS SEARCH in quarto WALPOOLE against Doctor Downham of Antichrist FOX HIS CALENDAR reprinted Anno 1623. FITZ-HERBERT of Policy and Religion reprinted TREATISE OF FAITH by F. Percy Faults escaped Page 3. a bloody catastrophe dele 18. Hell Rome 21. 40 yeeres 12 yeares 35. poyson foison 39. Aesculap Cybele 52. blood bled 42. 43. 44 a lye a lowd-ringing lye 44 Seth. Aleph 45 bare apparell bare neck 44. 45. 54. 55. 46. Sword of Iustice dele 47. one dele 48. Hell Auernus 55 who dele 57. his their 62. found fond 70. one dele 87. of heart of youth 29. marg speaking atheisticall scoffing 81. Two lines left out the words are This my selfe did then see together with two or three hundreth more present at that meeting 67 Norwich North-witch 32. In marg F. M. F. Me. 76. In marg omitted This reuerend Bishops most pious and constant departure was related by his worthy sonne at Pauls Crosse against the sincere Truth whereof I doe not heare that any of those dogs can bark THE NAMES OF THE Romish Priests and Iesuites now resident about the City of London March 26. 1624. OLD Father Bishop the nominall Bishop of Chalcedon F. Ouerton his principall Chaplaine D. Kellison Rector of the English Colledge at Doway D. Worthington the Translator or Corrector of the Doway Bibles and Author of the Anker of Christian doctrine D. Collington the titular Arch-deacon of London lodging in Saint Iones D. Wright a graue antient man Treasurer for the Priests very rich thought to be worth thousands of pounds hee lodgeth in the White-Friers D. Norice one that hath written diuers bookes of late mentioned in the former Catalogue D. Smith senior sometimes of the Colledge of Rome and Author of diuers pestilent bookes D. Smith iunior Author of diuers other bookes no lesse dangerous D. Champney Author of the booke called The Vocation of Bishops D. Bristow sometimes of the Colledge at Doway F. Blackfen a Iesuite an ancient man lodging in Drury-Lane F. Sweet a Iesuite well knowne lodging at the vpper end of Holborn F. Musket a Iesuite lodging ouer-against S. Andrewes Church in Holborn a frequent preacher and one that hath much concourse of people to his chamber F. Fisher a notorious Iesuite lodging neere the Sauoy F. Haruy a very dangerous Iesuite F. Austin a Iesuite an aged man F. Boulton a Iesuite lodging in Saint Iones F. Macham a Iesuite lodging neere the Custome-house F. Barlow a Iesuite lodging about the Custome-house F. Townsend a Iesuite a little black fellow very compt and gallant lodging about the midst of Drury-Lane acquainted with collapsed Ladies F. Browne a Iesuite lodging in Saint Martins Lane F. Palmer F. Palmer both Iesuites lodging about Fleetstreet very rich in apparell the one vseth to weare a scarlet cloake ouer a crimsin Sattin suit F. Riuers F. Riuers both Iesuites F. Lathom a Iesuite F. Goddard a Iesuit lodging about White-Fryers F. Pateson a Iesuite lodging in Fetter-Lane F. Hammershed lodging in White-Fryers F. Armestrong a Iesuite one that insinuateth dangerously and hath seduced many F. Floud a Iesuite lying about Fleet-Lane F. Floud a secular Priest lodging in the Strand F. Kerkam a Iesuite F. Anderton a Iesuite F. Moore a Iesuite F. Moore a secular Priest F. Skinner a Iesuite F. Simons a Carmelite Author of diuers late foolish Pamphlets his lodging is in the lower end of Holborne F. Low a Iesuite F. Simons next neighbour F. Knox a secular Priest F. Shellay a secular Priest F. Price a secular Priest who was long a prisoner in New-gate F. Wilson lodging about Bloomisbury and one that escaped at the Black-Fryers F. Hilton a secular Priest one that escaped the same time F. Medcalfe now lodging in Shoo-Lane a good companion but not guilty of much learning He is often deepe loden with liquor F. Richardson a Benedictan Fryer of great acquaintance about the Towne he lodgeth at the farther end of Grayes-Inne-Lane F. Root a secular Priest F. Hunt a Carthusian Fryer lodging in Holborne an old man F. Conway a Iesuite F. Steuens a little man a Monk F. Wilde a secular Priest F. Smith F. Smith two secular Priests besides the two Iesuites of that name now resident in London F. Greene lodging ouer against North-hampton Stables F. Houghton a secular Priest F. Southworth F. Southworth both secular Priests F. Edmunds F. Edmunds the one as I haue heard a Iesuite the other a Franciscan Frier F. Melling a secular Priest lodging in Holborne F. Louell a secular Priest lodging in Holborne F. Townely a secular Priest lodging about the Strand F. Maxfield a secular Priest lodging in Holborne Simon Maxfield a Deacon lodging in Fleet-Street F. Gerard a secular Priest lodging about Westminster F. Dauyes an old blind man lodging about Holborne Conduit F. Bently I know not of what order F. Pursell an Irish man a Monk a young proud fellow F. Walsingham lodging about the Custome-house F. Linch an Irish man F. Gerald an Irish man F. Sherlock an Irish man F. Stannihurst an Irish man F. Carrig an Irish man F. Houling an Irish man F. Chamberlaine a secular Priest lodging about the Black-Friers a man of great imployment F. Turpin F. Annieur a French-man F. â—astle F. Iones alias Hay a Iesuite F. Iones a secular Priest F. Martin a Monk a Citizens sonne of London F. Bastin F. Wood a very dangerous fellow F. Bellingam F. Young F. Harris F. Baldwin F. Conniers F. Yorke F. Brookes F. Arncot F. Hughes F. Scroope F. Langtree F. Vmpton F. Bold a Benedictan Monk F. Bradshaw a Iesuite F. Line F. Doughty F. Read F. Chambers F. Halsal F. North. F. Cox a Iesuite F. Banister F. Eueleigh F. Powell F. Skinner F. Edwards F. Io. Worthington F. White F. Stroud F. Iennings F. Bat. F. Sanders F. Dier F. Heigham F. Rimmington F. Molineux F. Birket F. Kinsman F. Durham Two Priests lodging in Mistris Fowlers house in Fetter-Lane whose names I cannot learne These bee all the birds of this feather which haue come to my eye or knowledge as residing in or resorting to this City yet aboue seuen times so many there are that ouerspred our thickets through England as appeareth by the empty nests beyond the Seas from whence they haue flowne by shoales of late I meane the Seminarie Colledges which haue deepely disgorged by seuerall Missions of them and also by particular computation of their diuided troops whenas in one Shire where I haue abode sometime there are reputed to nestle almost three hundred of this brood Though they bee heere set downe by one name they are not vnfurnished of diuers other names which they change at pleasure
THE Foot out of the Snare WITH A DETECTION OF SVNDRY LATE practices and Impostures of the Priests and Iesuits in England Whereunto is added a Catalogue of such bookes as in this Authors knowledge haue been vented within two yeeres last past in London by the Priests and their Agents By IOHN GEE Master of Arts of Exon-Colledge in OXFORD AT LONDON Printed by H. L. for Robert Milbourne and are to bee sold at his shop at the great South doore of Pauls 1624. TO THE MOST REVErend Father in God the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Grace and to the rest of the Reuerend Lords Spirituall and the right honourable the Lords Temporal as also to the most Worthy and Religious Knights and Burgesses of the house of Commons all now assembled in this happy Parliament I. G. an vnworthy Minister of the Church presumeth to dedicate this euidence of his repentance and declaration of his best endeuours for the Church of England IT is the safetie of a Ship to haue good Pilots the strength of a Palace to haue sure Pillars the securitie of the bodie to haue cleare eyes and safe-guard of sheepe to haue vigilant Shepheards So it is the safety of a Countrey and safegard of a Kingdome to haue many wise and watchfull Counsellors Wee neuer had greater reason to blesse GOD then in contemplation of the present time in the perfect vision of so many principall Planets now met together in happy Coniunction such a King such a Prince such Honourable Senators such Assistants Pro. The eare that heareth you blesseth you and the eye that seeth you giues witnesse to you The blessing of Her that was ready to perish is come vpon you Vnder your shadow wee are much refreshed The God of blessing dispose of your Counsaile Wee waite for you as for the raine and our mouthes are opened wide as for the latter raine Ita quisque vt audit mouetur I need not neither were it lesse then boldnesse and presumption in me Right honourable to suggest vnto you of what weight and consequence those affaires are which his Maiesty hath been graciously pleased to referre to your ioynt consideration and aduice neither need I repeat how deeply you are all interessed herein you reuerend Bishops by your sacred profession you the Noble Baronage of this Realme by your military honour alwaies prest and ready for the defence of Religion and of this Kingdom against open Inuaders or secret vnderminers and you the Representatiue Body of the Commons in regard of the libertie of the Subiect but most of all the free course of the Gospel without impeachment by whom is not onely represented but also actuated the desire and zeale of the body of this kingdom being a people true-harted and feruent toward God in the puritie of his worship towards our Soueraigne in the stedfastnesse of obedience and towards the Lawes in wishes and hopes that they shall stream forth motu naturali in their owne course without diuersion or obstruction But you being at this time imployed about so weighty affaires how may I the meanest of the sonnes of my Mother presume to interrupt you Are there not the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen of the same Doe the Lords battailes want supply whence should it be expected but from them But I may say with Epictetus Your hand euer holdeth an equall balance and your Sun shineth alike on the poore and rich It may be one Scout may vpon occasion heare know what an whole Army hath no present notice of True it is and why should I now be ashamed to manifest it to such an Assembly An euill and scandalous report is gone forth of mee in regard I was the man that was present at the Iesuite Drury his Sermon at the Black-Fryers I was the same day in the fore-noone at the Sermon at Pauls-Crosse and lighting vpon some Popish company at dinner they were much magnifying the said Drury who was to preach to them in the afternoone The ample report which they afforded him preferring him far beyond any of the Preachers of our Church and depressing and vilifying the Sermons at Pauls-Crosse in regard of him whetted my desire to heare his said Sermon to which I was conducted by one Medcalfe a Priest This being heard of by my Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury his Grace hee sent for mee within few daies after and being before him found mee inclining to their side I layd open my selfe vnto him and confessed I had some scruples in Religion Wherupon it pleased his Grace to afford me his holy counsell and monition which had that good effect that albeit my foot was stept into the Babylonian pit yet I often meditated of his Fatherly admonitions Som other speeches I receiued from his Domestique Chaplains D. Goad and D. Featly for which I shall be bound euer to pray for them their words left aculeos et stimulos Vade et nè pecca amplius c. piercing me the more being recorded in a publicke narration which my checking conscience did iustly take for an inditement to conuict me a Trumpet to reduce me Like the Prodigall I now returne home with a Peccaui in my heart mouth and pen to God and our blessed Mother the Church of England to both I say Peccaui contra coelum et te The reason why I presumed to present these lines to your view and offer them to your hands seemeth to me iust because sincere and excusable because in some sort necessary in that the vastnesse of my fault requireth forasmuch as from my acquaintance on the left side I can expect little lesse then indignation and machinations against mee by them whom partly by my relinquishment of them but much more by disclosing some of their proceedings I am like to prouoke in a high degree it behoueth me therefore to chuse such Refuge as may protect mee against their malice I haue touched in a manner nothing else but the behauiour of the Priests whereto I might haue added somewhat of my owne knowledge concerning the insinuations incroachments vsed by those of that stamp who professe physick Who whatsoeuer they doe vnto the bodies infuse into the mindes of many the Kings Subiects bitter distempers whereby those patients tongues distaste the wholsome food of our Church and their hearts are stricken with antipathy against our present State But these things I thought fitter for your Wisdomes to cure then for my weaknesse to declare my intent in this Treatise hauing beene to act the part of vnmasking the vailed fraud of the Iesuits Priests wherin if you somtimes dislike the stile condemn not me for a botcher for their Stories I alter not a stitch but giue you thē lapt vp in their own clouts If the forme and phrase I vse in other places bee distastfull as either too sharp or too light and Ironicall for one of my profession let my matter bee my Aduocate that draweth mee thereunto trusting that I may be excused if
aduantage They perswade that their houses are the houses of Cloë their housholds the housholds of Onesiphorus 2. Tim. 4.19 But trust you no such vndermining Iesuites beleeue you not any of those oyly-mouthed Absolons though they speake plausible things to steale away your hearts from Gods Truth and the Kings Obedience crying as lowd The Church of Rome as euer the Iewes did Templum Domini Templum Domini The Temple of the Lord. Ier. 7.14 Let them not with their golden Calues reared at Dan and Bethel keepe you from going to serue God at Ierusalem 1. King 12.28 Let them not bring you out of loue with your Dauid your Gouernour and true Father or with our Orthodox Reuerend Church of England your Mother Let them not intrench you with their false lying Fables the most of which you cannot be so absurd and dull but to conceiue and confesse that they are forgeries and meere fopperies Weigh but some of them in the balance of your vnderstanding which in this poore work of mine out of their moderne Authors I haue truly collected qâ—oted recited and you will finde that according to the old plain verse Qui leuiter credit deceptus saeperecedit All that they study is but Imposture and Legerdemaine They will perchance tell you of their strict Orders that they are religious men of the society of Iesus Benedictans Franciscans Augustines Bernardines Antonians Ioannites Carthusians Praemonstratentians Cistertians and the like that they haue distinct habits and customes differing one from another that they professe perpetuall chastity obedience and wilfull pouerty and liue for the most part a solitary life and thence called Monks Oh beleeue them not they haue Esaus hands though Iacobs voice Gen. 25.22 notwithstanding all their faire pretexts and shewes they are but as tinkling cymbals and greene bay-trees whereunto Dauid compares the wicked Psal 37. The Pope dispenseth with any thing heere while they be in our Kingdom Their penury is turn'd into plenty their Chastity becomes charity for the relieuing collapsed Ladies wants their Friers coat is a Gold-laced Suit to hide their iuggling knauery and keepe them vnknowne when they are drunke in good company which is not seldome with them as my selfe haue seene in sufficient ouerflowing measure hauing beene their companion ad hilaritatem but I protest neuer ad ebrietatem But thinking a faire outside at the Altar shall mend all to tempt you to their Idolatry they will shew you their Bishops and Priests offering vp the Sacrifice of the Masse attired in holy Vestures commanded as they say by a sacred Synod which for their perfection are borrowed out of the Law of Moses I am not so singularly conceited and fantastick as to think that it is not expedient for a Minister of the Christian Church by his decent habit to bee distinguished from the people and adorned with some sacred significant Robe in the function and action of presenting publick prayers vnto God or executing the sacred Mysteries instituted by our Sauiour to indure ad consummationem mundi But to inuent and multiply vndecent and theatricall habits burthensome in number superfluous in signification and superstitious in opinion of sanctity this may bee the proper dower of Mother Rome rather then the beauty of the Kings Daughter who is all gloâ—ious within What a Wardrope of habiliments and idle complements doth the superstitious Massing Priest beare about him the Amice the long Albe the Girdle the Stole the Maniple the Castula the Napkin or Sudary common to inferiour Priests besides the Sandals the purple Coat with wide sleeues the Gloues the Ring the Pall or Cope the Crozier Staffe a Chaire standing neere the Altar the last sort of which are more proper to the Bishops The Pope by the donation of the Emperor Constantine the Great weareth in the Celebration of the Masse all the Robes vsed by the Emperors of Rome as the Scarlet Coat the short purple Cloake the Scepter and the Triple Diadem and wiâ—h these hee is arrayed in the Vestry Sure I am that our Sauiour and his Apostles when they preached and baptized had other kinde of accoutrements They boast much of their propitiatory Sacrifice of the Masse which the Doctors of their Church hold fit to bee said in no other Language then in Latine yea Rabanus auerreth Raban lib. 2. de cler instit cap. 9. that it is no lesse then Sacriledge to think of changing it into another Tongue which the people can vnderstand Now their common answer for the people 's not vnderstanding their publick prayers hath beene That the Priest who pronounceth them doth vnderstand them but many of their Priests cannot themselues interpret those very prayers which they powre foorth for the people The Masse-Book as it is Latin to the Vulgar so it is Greek to the Priest and how Prayers vnderstood neither by the one nor the other should be other then a dead Sacrifice I cannot vnderstand euen by their owne Tenents Saint Paul 1. Cor. 14.16 speaking of one quisupplet locum Idiotae surely intended that in the Church there should be at least one who should bee of an higher forme then Idiota but for ought I â—ee some of their Priests must bee content in their Masse to act two parts in one both of the Guide and of the Idiote For I am sure some of them whom I haue met withall in this Kingdom when I haue spoken Latine to them they haue not beene able to distinguish whether it were Irish or Welsh One of their woodden Doctors I will name called Courtney whom I met withall in Lancashire he was very busie talking that none could be saued without hearing Masse and that Christ and his Apostles went vp and downe saying Masse in all Villages and Countries And I asked him how he prooued that He could name no Scripture or Author but told me He had read it in a Book and perceiuing me smile said It was in The Reuelation of Saint Iohn Hearing his Answer to this I asked him another Question which was What might be meant by the words so often vsed together in the Masse Kirie Eleison Christe Eleison Kirie Eleison He told me The word Kirie signified The Host and Eleison Christ No maruell now that they maintaine Ignorance to bee the Mother of Deuotion the old Prouerb beeing still true that They haue golden Chalices but woodden Priests Talking another time in London with another Brother of his one Father Medcalf who lyes at a Tobacco-shop in Shoo-lane I asked him why he could not pray without a Pictures He replied How can you vnderstand what manner of man Christ is but by seeing him or any Saint but by their Picture or how can you pray without a Picture but your minde will be carried some other way Then thought I vpon that sentence of Fulgentius It a facilè possit Christum comprehendere quem tota terra nequit apprehendere Fulgent So easy was it with him to comprehend
grew so weake in her body that shee was past hoâ—e of recouery and then sent againe for her spirituall Doctor to come and administer some of his ghostly physick to her But my Gentleman had taken paines enough before and by no meanes would bee brought the second time vnto her A good Caucat heere was for her and others to take heed of such cogging and insinuating companions It pleased God this Gentlewoman recouered and making good vse of that abuse shee receiued by this Priest in her sicknesse she altered her Religion and now to the comfort of diuers worthy and painfull Ministers about the City shee is become a good Church-woman and spends the most of her time in Gods seruice going daily vnto Sermons and following nothing so much as her deuotions The Priests insinuating with one Mistris Reid and fishing for her estate In Summer 1623. A Gentlewoman named Read lying at that time sick at Bednall-greene neere London and hauing Land of inheritance of aboue fiue hundred pounds per annum was vehemently set vpon by some Iesuites and Priests insomuch that shee was inclineable to referre her estate to their disposall Whereupon some of her neere kinne repairing to a Doctor of Diuinitie of good note in London informed him how farre the Priests had wrought with her Whereupon hee by conference and instruction did set her right againe as by Gods blessing hee hath confirmed diuers others It is very probable that the greatest part of that estate should haue flowne beyond the Seas as much other our Countrey goods and Riches doe to vnderline the Nunneries The Priests visiting M. Netlam to get from him his Land In August last one Musket a Iesuite and another Priest came to Francis Netlam lying very sick in M. Dawsons house in Fetter-Lane and vnderstanding of some Lands or possessions he had to a round value inquired of him how he disposed of these his reuenues and to whom he meant to leaue them after his decease Hee acquainted them that he had brothers sisters poore and of his owne Religion to weet Papists who did expect them But these insinuating Priests more regarding themselues then their Disciples dealt so farre with him that hee was content to giue his Laâ—ds to themselues or whom they should nominate so to be at their disposing Which graÌ„ted M. Muskets care was such that a Will was drawne and the Lands thereby conueyed to the Priests or to some other for their vse Therupon returning to the house where this sick Catholick lay they requested the woman of the house Mistris Dawson her husband not being within to bee a Witnesse to the said Will. But shee vnderstanding the Contents thereof refused so to doe neither would shee suffer them to goe to the sick mans chamber vnlesse their intent were better So soone as her husband came home shee told him what the Priests would haue done Therevpon her husband intreated the Lecturer of the parish and another Minister to perswade the said Francis Netlam not to bee so foolish and vnnaturall as to giue his Land from his needy brethren to these cheating coozening and colloguing Priests The sick man followed the counsell of these Ministers in whom hee found more plaine dealing then in the other his spirituall Fathers And notwithstanding hee had beene long mislâ—d by the said Romish Impostors hee desired to bee prayed for according to the forme of our English Church in Saint Dunstanes in the West at their next Wednesday Lecture anâ— further to expresse his conformity to our Church hee receiued the blessed Sacrament with vs before his death Hence then obserue how industrious our Priests are not onely to get Proselyte men and women but also Proselyte Lands and possessions notwithstanding all their pretended pouertie bonus odor lucri they will omit no opportunitie to get what gaine they can I know this to be true that in those parts where I haue liued and where are most Papists of any part of this Kingdome there is not a Popish Gentleman in all the Countrey but there is a Priest to his Steward and disposer of houshold and reuenues neither doth the Owner let set or sell any land without the approbation consent of these pretended spirituall guides And that indeed is it which causeth Papists the more to abound for that a Land-lord led by such directors will not suffer any one quietly to liue vpon his Land but such as the three-quarter Lord Priest taketh to bee his holy children and will be ready to doe him seruice A fine engine to wheele about and scrue whole families and Townes by the pully which twineth the long rope of Spiritualls reaching out ad temporalia Another of their engines is If an offender come to one of these Priests to Confession as they inioyne him for one part of his penance to say so many Pater-nosters so many Creeds so many Aue-maries by scores euery day so likewise they impose on his head a pecuniary mulct hee must pay into the hands of some other Priest 40 30 20 10 8 or 5 pounds according to the ability of the partie to bee distributed by the said Priest a iudicious man in pios vsus Which money once fingered is very iudiciously shared betwixt these two shriuing Priests who Iudas-like will haue no waste et tenentes marsupium tenentur à marsupio Againe that their Lampes may want no Oyle their pockets no weight how doe they gripe exact and extort from their poore Disciples If a Shoomaker or a Taylor that hath nought but what hee earnes at his fingers ends chance to come vnder their fingers his money is ill got vnlesse hee offer to his holy Father a third or fourth part of his gaine If a Countrey Farmer bee so rich in Tenement or Land that hee haue but two Oxen to yoke and three kine to milke before the yeeres end one of the beasts must bee sold to buy the honest Priest a new suit perhaps of swaggering Sattin Nay I haue known a taxation such that out of a mans means worth tenne pounds per annum the Priest must perforce haue forty shillings a yeere at least And in a great Shire where I haue conuersed there is not a man of that Religion of 40 pounds a yeer reuenew and vpward but hee must at his owne charge keepe a Priest in his house perhaps some poor neighbours that are benefited hereby contribute some small matter toward it Thus while they pretend that they are forced to creepe into priuate houses for feare of persecution they carry more dominion ouer the Family then any Parish-Priest doth in those Countries where Popish Religion publikely preuaileth The Author of The B of Londons Legacie I should haue commended M. Muskets wit if hee could at so easie a rate haue purchased M. Netlams inheritance Sure it was a better plot and his time better spent then in writing and forging his book called The Bishop of London his Legacie A pamphlet that I much wondred who