conceyue that they will ingage themselues in a warre for toleration and will attempt nothing for an absolute and perfit reformation It is this latter and not the former that is in speciall regarde with them if in this behalfe they haue been â—ed at all with apprehensions of Religion Hauing therefore in the case of toleration not attayned to theyr disseignements we cannot with probality thinke of any readines on theyr part to a surcease of hostility but they will continew the same eyther publikely as before or secretly by way of indirect practises the oportunity and meanes for interteyning whereof the sayd toleration will fitly minister and supply vnto them The fift reason to perswade toleration is this Vpon graunt of toleration the platforme for establishing the Iesuits monarchy ouer the whole world would bee frustrated Her Maiestie therefore may with good reason embrace it Here first the Antecedent doth suppose the Iesuits in so deepe a melancholy as to dreame of a Monarchy not ouer the parts of Europe only but ouer the whole globe of the earâ—h which is altogether improbable considering the reputation they cary for wisdome and discretion Secondly the compassing of such a monarchy is a meere impossibily and therefore the reason taken from thence of no force to perswade Thirdly in case it were a matter possible yet would there fall out so many yeeres betwixt the platforme and the reall existence thereof as that wee should not need for feare of the same to shew the Seculars the least curtesie much lesse runne a course of speciall dishonour and preiudice Fourthly if the possibility thereof were such as the erection of it amongst vs were not otherwise impeachable then by admittance of the sayd toleration yet for as much as the mayne end of toleration aymed at within her Maiesties dominions is one and the same with the scope and drift of the Iesuits viz. the reestablishment of Antichristianity with the subuersion of the Gospell and the State for the effecting whereof the course in question would bee a fit and seruiceable instrument to the Iesuit it were no lesse a phrensie to intertaine toleration vpon any such respect and ground then for preuenting the miscariage of a ship to sayle from Scilla to Charibdiâ— But what confirmation hath the Quilibet yeelded to the sayd Antecedent If it be not of better strength then the inâ—erence depending thereon it is not answerable to the credit of his reuerend priesthood Such as I finde it shall be presented to examination In this manner then hee disputeth What course will be a meane for establishing Catholike Bishops in England the same will frustrate the platforme of the Iesuiticall Monarchy But toleration will be a meane for establishing Catholike Bishops in England Toleration therefore will frustrate the sayd platforme Were he not a Secular Priest that is a professed enemie to the Gospell and the present gouernment I should thinke hee did in this argument collude and betray the cause he hath in hand For if toleration draw with it into allowance within the Realme the office and iurisdiction of Popish Bishops then as the authority and commission of the most reuerend Fathers and worthy Prelates of this Church will grow short and limited they being not to deale with persons and causes subiect to this new Romish Court and Hyerarchy so likewise will there ensue an vnsufferable incrochment vpon her Maiesties scepter and soueraignety these new Bishops being to represent and supply the person and office of the Pope in all such affayres as shall concerne his supremacy But let vs examine the Quilibets reason The proposition we may iustly deny For if the Bishops established be Iesuited in affection or otherwise commaunded by the Pope rather to giue furtherance then any impediment to the sayd platforme then can it not be true that such course will furstrate the designes of Iesuits in this behalfe and interrupt all dependency vppon them as will serue for erection of a Popish prelacie The sixt motiue for toleration whereto I will adde that which hee setteth downe for the eleuenth hath this conclusion What course will be a meane to discouer al malicious deuices plots and conspiracies agaynst her Maiestie and the State the same she should in reason admit and imbrace But toleration will be a meane to discouer all malicious deuices and plots agaynst her Maiestie and the State Toleration therefore should her Maiestie in reason admit and imbrace Hee cannot with any arte so colour the Proposition but that the fraude thereof will forthwith appeare if we shall examine it by the square or rule of the maxims aboue remembred For if wee may not walke in the trayne of sinne and disobedience to God that thereby some aduauntage may grow vnto vs in our particular and further if it be a grosse error in policy for the preuention of an accidentary perill to make choyse of a certaine mischiefe then cannot her Maiesty for the stay of proiects and confederacies they being incertayne for theyr birth and cariage as also liable to disappoyntment by the gracious prouidence of the Almighty and such politique meanes as haue formerly in like cases been vsed allow intertaynment and place to toleration Neyther is there lesse deceit offered vs in the Assumption For if the free exercise of Popery will double in Romanists theyr alleageance and deuotion to the Pope trebble theyr detestation to our Religion nourish and rayse theyr desires of a full and entire reestablishment that they may be in theyr professions and estates secured agaynst all daungers of future alteration how can it be probable that they will contrary to the approbation of theyr conscience and preiudicially to the publique good of theyr Church and theyr priuate interests tender such aduertisements and discoueries as is pretended Theyr exercises of religion being of the quality and operation as is remembred will they the more they malice vs and our profession be so much the more ready to doe offices of extraordinary benefit and aduauntage to vs and it Will they the more they loue theyr religion and honour the Pope so much the more indeauour to frustrate the aduauncement both of the one and the other And will they hauing as it were gayned the wall and places of speciall strength in the siege of our Ierusalem sound the retraite and proceede no further If the Marchant or Marriner should tell vs that after a long and tedious Nauigation being within ken of the port wished for hee would rest satisfied with the sight of the same a farre of and so lay aside all purpose and crosse all meanes of attayning thereto wee could not beleeue him nor conceyue him to be so phranticke and senseles in his apprehensions The like opinion wee are to haue of the Seculars in this tale they propound vnto vs of discouering practises and conspiracies Besides it being supposed that the Seculars and others so affected as they are will be ready to doe seruice to the State in this poynt
the one with the other as her Maiesties most honorable iust and temperate proceedings with those tyrannous and barbarous massacers that haue beene in other Countries violently and often performed against the trew Professors of the Gospell I would here giue end to this quodlibet of the Quilibets insufficiency were there not offered vnto me for some further blasing thereof one extraordinary particular and fruite of his wit pag. 138. of his Quodlibets where he thus speaketh The doctrine of the Catholique Church consists of three speciall causes the one is Fayth which is the matter thereof the other Charity which is the forme or efficient and the third Hope which is the finall end thereof c. Whether this peece of learning had his originall from the Priest or were furnished vnto him by his friends I know not Sure I am it will not make for the credit of his wit as shall appeare First he deliuers for essentiall causes of the whole distributed such things as are consequents thereof and seuered in place from it For fayth and charity which he sets downe for particular vertues infused and resident in each trew Christian receiue their conception and birth from the doctrine of the Gospell accompanied with the effectuall operation of the holy Ghost so as in regard of priority in nature and time which the sayd doctrine hath of the existence it yeeldeth vnto them by the ordinanceâ—â— God of the separation in place it holdeth from them they cannot be essentiall causes of the same Secondly whereas fayth is the roote from which charity and hope doe spring and braunch is it not beside all sense to make the roote the matter of the sayd doctrine and of the two braunches the one the forme or efficient thereof the other the finall end of the same If he had conceiued that the matter of this holy doctrine did in part consist in the precepts and documents of these infused vertues comprised in the Scripture his speech had fauoured of learning But suppose fayth to be the matter of it That it should runne in account for the whole matter of the doctrine professed by the Church is impossible there being so many other different particularities recorded therein which will challenge place in the matter thereof To make it a part onely of the matter is contrarv to the intention of the Quilibet who speaking of the whole doctrine and withall describing the generall forme and end of it will out of common wisedome note vnto vs a matter proportionable thereto Further if favth as it is a vertue residing in the heart of man be the matter whereof the holy Scriptures consist then as faith doth determine with the person of the beleeuer so doth the matter also of the sacred Scripture proportionably And consequently if that which supplies the place of this matter bee the fayth of all Gods children then for as much as the greatest part of them is already retyred into paradise and their fayth vpon the instant of their departure abolished it must of necessitie follow that the matter wherof the Scripture is consisting is for the greatest part thereof already wasted and extinct Or if the fayth of some only be the sayde matter let him note out the persons vnto vs and render a reason why the fayth of one rather then of another should haue this preheminence or why the other vertues mentioned should be excluded Touching charity hee cannot resolue whether it be the efficient or forme of the sayd doctrine Is he a Priest of such rare parts and of that expedition in deciding of Quodlibets and yet can be not satisfie vs in so vulgar a Quodlibet Beside the argument already in generall deliuered whereby these Theologicals are conuinced to be effects and no essentiall causes in the case propounded let him call to mind by whom the doctrine of the Scripture was inspired and indited I trust he will not ascribe the performance of this most holy and admirable seruice to the vertue of charity that harbours in the breast of man and so depriue God of the honour due vnto him in this behalf As God himselfe is the author and efficient of that doctrine and not charity so neither can charity be the forme thereof vnlesse we make imperfection the forme of perfection and that which is apt to receiue diminution and encrease the forme of that which is immutable and free from such alteration If in the latter age of the world charity shall grow cold and fayth almost to an vtter decay and yet the one rest the forme of the written word the other the matter thereof the said worde must necessarily fall into very hard termes vpon the enduring of so great an eclipse both of matter and forme The finall end of the doctrine professed by the Catholike Church he affirmeth to be hope True it is that fayth in the Messias â—â—d consequently hope of eternal happâ—â—â—s through his bloud is an end whereâ—â— the said doctrine doth looke and ayme and yet but an end subordinate to that mayne and soueraigne end of the maiesty and glory of God shining in the saluation of his children So as whether he take hope â—o be the onely or principall end he fayles â—n either There are in this text of his three speciall causes whereof the doctrine of the Church consisteth other phantastick incoÌ„gruities as that charity should therefore giue the Crowne to King and Queene because she is the forme and efficient of the sayd doctrine and that faith should be the gate of entrance into the Church because it is sayd Hebr. 11. Accedentâ—m ad Dâ—um oportet credere But I will no longer stand vpon the refelling of such dreames CAP. 2. That the principall drift of the Quodlibetsâ— iâ— the reestablishing of the Popes authoritie amongst vs with the fall of her Maiestie and the Gospell HAuing in the former chapter discouered the insufficiency of the Quilibeâ— which by sundrie particularities of his discourse appeareth to be such as where out of conceit and partiality he infranchizeth professors of the Gospell into the companie of grossum caputs and men vnlearned himselfe may vpon iust desert challenge the freedome and priuiledge of the same will now proceede to take view of his Quodlibets which being many in number and contayning variety of matter I will draw into question onely such points of them of which it doth specially import vs to be informed least in this seede time of Romish proiects and treacheries for supplanting the Gospell our ignorance in this behalfe be abused in the qualitie of an instrument and meane to aduance the growth thereof And because in all proceedings of moment the end wherto they are directed is a matter considerable and worthy of note I will in the first place examine and dispute the mayne and principall scope of the Decacordon which I take to be the restoring of the soueraigne interest and authoritie of the Pope within her Maiestâ—â—s dominions and consequently the fall of her royall
any notable hurt or losse vnto themselues withdrawe their obedience from their Prince and doe otherwise finde themselues inabled for the prosecution of this seruice they doe then stand bound to see the say de Bull executed Now whereto is the publication of this seditious and treasonable doctrine addressed Is it not to resolue prepare and direct the hearts of all Catholique Subiects to a most disloyall attempt for displacing her Maiesty from her Imperiall throne with a finall extinction of the light of the Gospell Might he preuayle in his mediation for liberty to reconcile whome he could to obedience vnto the Sea Apostolique and for the ride dance of so many thousands her Highnes most affectionate seruants and Subiects as hee so often brandeth with the odious title of Puritans then would hee no longer dispute this question of expediency but found the alarum to the fielde And whereas now vpon consideration of the punishments iustly inflicted on the Catholiques for enterprising the execution of excommunications against her Maiesty he doth with all bitternes censure and reproue both the procurers and actors therof had their vnnaturall and detestable proceedings forâ—ed to effect then would he haue chaunted io poean and composed Panegyricks in their honour then should you neuer haue receiued from him any Satyres against the Iesuit But sith these Papalb censures haue in issue beene preiudiciall vnto them and occasioned question of their liues liberties and goods now out of pollicy to amusevs and to masque the cariage of their disseignes vnder the credit of the Seculars loyalty they must taxe the Pope himselfe with credulity and indiscretion his Bulls with inualidity the denounciation of them with insufficiency the plotters abetters and actors with treason and rebellion the lesuits who contriued the tragedy must be capitall enemyes to her Maiesty and the Secular Priestes who acted it louing and faythfull subiects I will end the question of the Quilibets mayne ende with an argument drawne from the consideration of the pretended difference betwixt the Iesuit and the Secular If the say'd difference which is â—pilried in shew on the part of this Priest as well with all violence of spleene and detestation towards the Iesuit and with â—â— small preiudice and dishonour to the Pope and Spanyard as with profession of extraordinary duty and alleageance to her Maiesty and the State bee notwithstanding a matter only of colour and disguisement I hope the Seculars themselues will acknowledge considering the correspondence held betwixt them and the heads of their faction in all proceedings of moment and consequence such as this is theyr intent and drift in this Decacordon too bee principally an endeauour of furthering the Pope to a recouery of the interest and tytle hee challengeth in the Soueraignety ouer the Churche of England and consequently of transferring the Crowne Imperiall from that sacred and most Princely head whereon it now resteth For what else can they intend and ayme at in the course taken by them for gayning of fauour and reputation to theyr side in theyr intercession for a repeale of the sayde penall Statutes in theyr mediation for the free exercise of labouring the conuersion of the Realme vnto the Popes obedience in theyr vrging the vtter extirpation of all Protestants vnder the name of Puritans in theyr publishing of doctrines whereby to resolue and direct all Romish subiects in the question of executing those barbarous and Satanicall Bulls Howsoeuer the consecution deduced in this proposition here layd down may happely passe without controulement I doubt not but my assuming that the sayd difference is onely a counterfeyte and politique scolding will receiue speciall opposition This assumption therefore I am to cleere which because it is a question of importance shall bee debated seuerally and by it selfe in the next chapter and so serue to furnish an whole Antiquodlibet CAP. 3. That the contention betwixt the Iesuit and Secular Priest being in such nature and in such degree as is pretended is a colour and pretext only or in case it be vnfeyned on theyr part yet on the part of the Superiors and heads of theyr faction it is interteyned out of a pollicy dangerous to her Maiesty and the State IF I seeme in this question to impugne a knowne and currant trueth it may please the Reader to spare his censure till hee haue perused the whole discourse thereof and then also to make iudgement of the same not by one single argument but out of the ioynt consideration of all the particular presumptions And let not in the meane tyme eyther any detection already perfourmed by the Seculars of practises against the State or theyr present profession of future discoueries moue him to apprehend the sayde contention to bee vnfeyned For there haue beene euer some amongst them in the tyme of theyr best agreement and peace who haue giuen intelligence of the treasonable disseignes and attempts against her Maiesty and therefore this disclosing of them on the part of the Priestes no argument of so peremptory and violent a quarrell betwixt them and the Iesuits Besides what will these Seculars reueale other then such proiects and deuises as are of purpose contryued to delude vs Or if they shall at any tyme detect some secret practizes interteyned really and out of a malicious intent agaynst the State it will bee with purpose onely to winne credit and oportunity to deceiue in matters of like or greater moment And for detections of this nature and seruice they haue vndoubtedly receyued dispensation according to the course held with theyr predecessors with whom it was ordinary and answerably to theyr commission to pretend and performe also the disclosing of Secrets But let vs proceede to cleere the position in hand If the say de contention being such as is pretended would frustrate the plots and courses embraced for the publique interest and good of the Romish Churche And if for that regard there haue beene alwayes had a carefull and vigilant eye on the part of the Pope and his faction to preuent and moderate all accidents that might trouble the common peace of the best Catholiques and empeach theyr disseignements for aduauncing the authoryty of Saint Peters Chayre then eyther the Seculars entertayne not the sayde contention or in case they doe they renounce all respect of giuing furtherance and support to theyr common cause That theyr difference being of the nature and reach as is supposed will disappoynt the proceedings helde for the publique good of the Romish Church may appeare first by this in that it is accompanyed with a profession to reueale all treasonable courses against the State whether open hostilities or secret conspyracies Now all the practises for re-establishing the Soueraygnty of the Pope ouer the Church of this land fall within the compasse of treasons so as if the Seculars doe effectually answere this theyr profession the State may vpon notice giuen of them take sufficient order for theyr preuention Againe as they professe this discouery
so they pretend also a peremptory resolution to oppose personally against all attempts of this nature and further to draw vnto an actuall correspondence with them herein all Catholiques with whome they shall bee able to preuayle Moreouer not reason onely but experience of all tymes hath taught that the disunion of confederates though followed on the one part onely with the extremity of malice neuer fayleth eyther to worke and rayse impediments to the common cause or to seeke the weakening and suppression of the aduerse party Further whereas it is affirmed that there hath beene a carefull course held to preuent the disturbance of theyr common peace and of their disseignes the trueth hereof will be testified by the directions they receyue ordinarily from theyr Superiors how to carry themselues in matters of weight by the order and discipline established amongst them to encounter and remedy scandalous accidents by the entercourse of intelligence that is betwixt them and the Commaunders of theyr faction by theyr watchfulnes and continuall preparation to take aduantage of all occurrents and tymes fitting theyr intents Hereupon it is that they want not theyr Catalogues of the number in each Shire and City deuoted to theyr side and how they are furnished with armes munitions and other abilityes Wherefore vppon the considerations aboue remembred I doe inferre that eyther theyr quarrell is colourable and entertayned of pollicy or they instrumentes of hinderance to the aduauncement intended vnto the publique cause of the Sea Apostolique If any shall in this place outof the obiection aboue mentioned reply that theyr profession to discouer and oppose against all treacheries whether in plot or action doth cleere the pretended difference from the imputation of disguising and fraude Igraunt it doth so in case it be really and sincerely vpon all occasions performed what is verbally professed But in doing hereof they shall bee found guilty of high Treason against the authority of the Romane Church whose cause by this course of detection and opposition they doe wilfully betray But against this later they doe contest and openly professe all readinesse to shed each droppe of theyr best blood for the publique good and honour of Saint Peters Chayre What therefore can we conceyue and conclude other then this that both the pretended contention and the sayd profession accompaning the same is counterfeyte Besides for a further proofe hereof let vs drawe into examination the vehement protestation tendered by the Seculars of all sincere and dutifull alleageance to her Maiesty and likewise of all detestation towards the Spanyard and his title If the protestation both of the one and the other proceede not from any found affection but from a fraudulent intention of the heart wee may then with good reason charge them with want of loyal and faythfull meaning in their pretended difference For of these three namely theyr zeale to her Maiesty theyr hatred to the Spanyard theyr quarrell with the Iesuites there is originally the same ground and ende viz. the aduauncement and good of theyr common cause and the two first are made the motiues of the latter For out of a zeale to the surety of her Maiesties state and vpon hatred of the Spanyard and his tytle they pretend a capitall abhorring of the Iesuits whose complots tend to the destruction of the one and to the aduantage of the other so as of what quality and tincture the two former are of the same wee are to iudge that to bee which groweth from them But the question is of this protestation whether it be feyned First that it is so in that part thereof which is of duty and alleageance to her Maiesty I haue these presumptions to perswade me Where the same opinion in Religion the same obligation of dutifull respect and obedience to the Pope the same endeauours of supplanting the Gospell and aduauncing Popery the same distrust and feare of her Maiesty infinitly wronged and dishonoured by them the same apprehension of supposed vexations and tyrannies executed vpon them and in generall where the same cause of malice and hatred to her royall person and the State doth remayne there in all likelyhood can be no change of affection For the disposing of a malicious and trayterous heart to duty and fidelity must proceede from a surcease of those causes which gaue life and breath to malice and treachery As they nourish in heart the originall and spring of theyr disloyalty and malice so is there no probability of theyr inclination to alter and remoue it theyr meanes being as great as heretofore theyr confederates as many and strong theyr aduauntages agaynst vs encreased as may appeare by theyr glorious vauntes of fauour in Court and Countrey theyr inlarged hopes and insolency theyr conceyt and reporte of desperate hostility betwixt Protestants and Puritans Besides were they out of a grieued heart for theyr former rebellious cariage sincerely affected to the safety and preseruation of her Highnesse would they perswade the graunt of such meanes as threaten a present and an ineuitable daunger to her person and the state They prease a repeale of the Statutes which secure her Crowne and dignity they solicit a tolleration of theyr religion that they might without perill and controulement employ theyr seruice in effecting reconcilements to the Pope they direct catholique subiects when to proceede to the execution of most Antichristian censures and Bulls for deposition of our Soueraigne lastly they labour a finall disunion and diuision first betwixt her Maiesty and her Subiects and then betwixt Subiect and Subiect and so consequently the subuersion both of Prince and people Can they solicit and labour the ruine of her Maiesty and yet be reputed sincere and vnfeyned in theyr profession of allegeance and fidelity vnto her Againe were they resolutely and soundly deuoted to performe loyalty and duety vnto her in all such poyntes of seruice as concerne her honour and safety and particularly in detection of treacherous disseignements in recouery of disaffected subiects from the Pope to her obedience in aduenturing theyr persons and goods agaynst all forraine attempts then would the Pope and Spanyard surcease theyr plots and practises against this State vpon feare of theyr discouery defection of Catholiques from them and dispayre of preuayling To conceyue that the inuadors will come furnished out of theyr owne sufficiency and so stand absolutely vpon theyr domestical and proper strength not looking to finde the helpe and succour of a faction amongst vs is idle or to thinke they shall bee able to preuayle notwithstanding the discouery made of theyr proiects and attempts were to hold vs for accessary to our own ruine in leauing to the inuadors the helpes they attend and hope for and in fayling to furnish all due meanes on our part for resistance If then vpon seasonable aduertisement giuen of theyr intended enterprises we shall disappoynt them of the strength and supplies they expect and inable our selues in euery respect with preparations of all natures
fitting an honourable and assured defence they grounding theyr attempt partly vpon our weakenes and defect of preparing partly vpon hope of a faction and all needfull supplyes amongst vs and finding a frustration of their hopes in this behalfe will in all probable discourse lay aside theyr thoughts and intents of proceeding agaynst vs. If it shall bee obiected that the surcease of attempting aboue mentioned is already performed on the part of the Pope and the Spanyard theyr late combination and practise for the conquest of Ireland and Ostend the present courses held for reconciling vnto the Pope the directions giuen and secretly executed for winning a party vnto the infanta or to the King regnaÌ„t wil sufficiently answere and conuince this doubt But for a further inforcement of the Seculars protestation in this particular of theyr alleageance and to win credit thereto it will be anouched that the auncienter sort of them euer misliked this course of restoring religion by treason and inuasion If they alwayes disliked it why did they not detect it and so preuent as much as rested in them the perill intended to her Maiesty and the State They answere That the respect of theyr common cause and the hope they had the politicall Fathers would 〈◊〉 growne more moderate in theyr disseignements against our Soueraigne moued them to bee silent in this behalfe Which is in effect as if they should say the hope conceyued that theyr sayde disseignements would in the meane tyme haue preuayled moued them to this silence VVere they touched with so simple and light a regard of her Maiesties life that they had rather she should in her person receyue a mortall wound thâ—â— themselues vtter a word to preuent it Is it in the imminent daunger of the Church and State which by theyr disclosing might bee diuerted a sufficient iustification of theyr silence herein in that they hoped the contriuers of the perill would haue reclaymed themselues If the issue had answered your desires then would you haue honoured the Machiauillian Fathers with a crowne of glory whome now in shewe you pursue with the greatest infamies and indignities If then in the tyme of so present an hazard you refused notwithstanding your pretended fidelity and mislike of the course in hand to affoord so much as one syllable from your Priestly lips for preseruing the life of your Soueraigne there is no probability that hereafter in the like case of attempt and hope of successe on your side you reteyning the same dutifull respect to the Pope and your common cause rather in an higher degree of affection then heretofore you will fall to a ready performance of the loyall seruice whereof you make so often profession But what is it that drew you to a mislike of the practises interteined by the Iesuiticall Fathers for executing the Popes sentence It cannot be the consideration of any vnlawfulnes in them For howsoeuer you finde it against the reason of expediency that eyther the Pope should excommunicate or the catholique subiect execute the sentence denounced till the proceeding thereto might be without notable hurt and preiudice yet you hold both the one and the other to be lawfull Neyther can it bee the inconuenience and trouble which befell vnto your persons vpon the issue of the sayd practises that moued you to detest them For in the question of aduauncing the honour and good of the Romane Church you hold no account of liberty or life the glory of your supposed martyrdome doth weigh more with you then any worldly respect you are not eyther so vnwise as to esteeme of the resolutions and courses by the euent or so enamoured with your selues as to prefer your particular before the generall Besides the sayd course being not onely warrantable de iure in your opinion but de facto plotted with all politique foresight out of due consideration of the meanes for prosecution and compassing thereof out of the best intelligence that could bee procured and with speciall regard to the good of the Seculars what ground of iust exception can they haue against it If there were imperfection in the cariage of it the blame must rest vpon the Actors and not vpon the plot Agayne whereas the successe of the courses held became also preiudiciall to the Iesuits why doe not those Fathers indite Satyrs agaynst the Seculars Why doe not they who had theyr part in contriuing of them discharge theyr spleene agaynst the Seculars who had a principall hand in acting them Or why doe not both Iesuit and Secular publish theyr detestation of the Pope by whose warrant and authority they proceeded both to the plotting of theyr courses and the execution of them If then the Seculars hatred of Iesuiticall practises cannot probably grow from the ground and cause pretended by them it cannot runne in other account then of forgery and therefore theyr protesting of shewing loyalty to her Maiesty in opposing agaynst the sayd practises must needes receyue the like â—â—and and censure But let vs graunt vnto them that whereof they would haue vs to rest perswaded viz. that the enacting of penall lawes the restraynt of theyr persons and in some the losse of life and goods occasioned by the sayde practises did draw them to a dislike of the same First in this confession they contradict themselues this theyr pretended dislike being a censuring of the sayde courses for detestable treasons and so are they styled by them in sundry passages Now if they partake in nature with treasons how can they be reputed lawfull But you allowe them for lawfull and giue direction when they may bee executed Secondly if the sayde inconuenience to your persons and goods were the principall motiue of your hatred to the sayde courses then did you approue them considered in themselues and so far forth as they intended her Maiesties destruction And this latter would you haue well disgested in that her proceeding agaynst you was adiudged by you to bee a tyrannous persecution and oppression You neuer notified your mislike of those courses till experience acquainted you with the danger of them to your persons you betooke your selâ—es to your beades solicited al your Saints plyed the mumbling of Masses perswaded others to theyr particular deuotions for the happy successe of the same and were ready also to bee imployed personally in some part of the appoynted seruice If then the disseignes in question they being considered in themselues and for such as by warrant from the Pope did intend the aduauncement of the Sea Apostolique with the suppression of her Maiesty were allowed by you and if the supposed persecution onely occasioned by the issue of them moued you to mislike thereof and to an hatred of her Maiesty as may appeare by your infamous discourses and libels what are we to apprehend of your professed allegeance which growes not from conscience of duty nor from perswasion of vnlawfulnes in the sayd disseignes nor yet from consideration of the pretended hurts you haue
receiued by them Hitherto touching that part of the Seculars protestation which is of allegeance to her Maiesty Let vs consider the other which is of detestation to the Spanyard and his tytle And this also I holde for a meâ—â—e disguisement For neyther hath the Spanyard done any acte that can iustly incense them agaynst him neyther is there in the opinion of Catholiques any so choyse and meete a person besides on whom in reason they may rely and builde theyr future hopes If they obiect his plots and seuerall inuasions they were solicited by some of theyr owne coate and profession and furthered by theyr aduertisements they were in part for theyr aduauncement and good they were warranted by the authority and commission from the Sea Apostolique they were assisted not onely with contributions from the Pope but with supplies of other quality And therefore no ground out of this obiection for theyr hatred to the Spanyard vnlesse they will both hate him who was at an extraordinary cost to relieue and aduaunce them and likewise detest the Pope who was in this action a principall concurrent with him yea themselues also who were deepely ingaged in it If the feare of his future cruelties doth stirre this passion against him they grounde theyr hatred vpon an incertainty and accident which the Seculars should not doe considering the experience they haue had of his fauourable inclination towards them in his publike attempts and priuate courses out of which he hath affoorded them succours and reliefe in theyr distresse and peregrinations erected Colleges for their maintenance allotted vnto sundry of them annuall pensions Neither can their hatred vpon this originall be in that degree as is pretended For hauing receiued at his hands sundry demoÌ„strations of his princely fauours and neuer any disgrace or wrong of note there cannot be any foundation for so great a feare and hatred of him as they publish And shall we thinke that they will without speciall ground and cause shew themselues so ingratefull as to hate him who hath so often reached his hande of strength and bounty to theyr helpe and who concurreth with them in religion and in purpose to aduance the same whereas also in the conceit of most Catholikes he the said Spaniard as well in regard of his power and oportunitie of meanes as of his resolution and readines to restore the Popedome amongst vs is the fittest sufficientest Prince on whom to repose for theyr future hopes and aduancements in case they abandon him to whom will they haue recourse if to any besides him they incounter the Popes designe and resolued furtherance of the Spanish title they incurre the daunger of his heauy censure they runne a course repugnant to theyr profession and othe of being ordered by him in all cases and actions of this nature To relie vpon some domesticall competitor Dolmans censure will not permit them they being not assured either of his abilities or deuotion to the Pope And as for the Scot how can they hope for toleration vnder a Prince of his profession and who hath seene experience in her Maiesty in himselfe in other States of the aduantage and benefit growing from the suppression of Popery and sufferance of the Gospell onely The law of God therefore the president of other Princes the consideration of the perilous inconueniences accompanying the said toleration will make him a professed aduersary thereto Seeing then there is rather cause of their loue vnto the Spaniard and dependance on him then any iust pretext of hatred towards him and his title I doe conclude that this part also of the protestation in question is to paâ—se in account for a fiction If therefore this their whole protestation be in the seueral parts thereof vnsound and fraudulent what can wee iudge their pretended quarrel with the lesuits to be other then a plotted and deuised brabble Which may further be cleered by consideration of the gaine and aduantage that will accrew vnto the state of her Maiesty and the Gospell in case the opposition betwixt them the said Seculars and Iesuits be serious and with a resolute intent to discouer and withstand all practises and attempts intertained against her Highnes Throne and the Religion established by her For this course of opposition will serue to secure and aduance her imperiall Crowne and the sacred trueth professed within her dominions But such meanes as are directly and effectually seruiceable to this vse and purpose will not be imbraced and followed by them who protest and offer euen vnto death the performance of al dutie and ready seruice for recouery of the Popes interest and soueraigne power ouer this Church of England it being a principle in reason and policy that no faction or multitude will betray and â—rustrate the aduancement of that cause which out of conscience and hope of future benefit it doth affect so as I may probably conclude that one thing is pretended and another intended by them Moreouer whereas they concurre according to theyr solemne protestation on this behalfe in the same generall end for the good of the Romish Church as difference in ends and intentions doth ordinarily diuide confederates so this concurrence will hold them so farre vnited as that they will not for particular respects expose to perill and ruine the generall cause For in doing hereof they could not be said to concurre in the same end so as either the Seculars fayle in this concurrence and ayme or if they rest constant therein they wil not prosecute the meanes whereby to ouerthrow the said common end and therefore not be caried in so violent a course of opposition to the Iesuit as is pretended Besides it is acknowledged by them that they are resolued to continue in all faythfull obedience to the Pope euen to death and withaâ— in word and fact to maintaine the honour and authoritie of his sword If they stand thus affected it is altogether improbable they will proclaime against the Iesuit a warre of that heate and fury as shall draw them either to taxe and challenge publikely the Popes indiscretion his credulitie in matters of information his rashnes in excommunicating the inualidity of his censures the insufficiencie of Commissions giuen to his Legats and ministers or to contest openly and oppose against him in case of his personall comming into England For hereby they should wilfully bring S. Peters chayre vnto which they professe all reuerence and duty and to whose censure they submit all theyr actions into publike contempt and obloquy and themselues into an estate of present and exceeding danger vnlesse his Hollownes should out of his fatherly compassion be pleased to seale them an Indulgence VVhereas therefore out of the sharpnes of theyr humour and spleene to the Iesuit they haue entred into this course of disgrace and reproch to his Popeship either they are serious therein or they do it vpon a presumed dispensation to make it so much the more probable that they 〈…〉 contention with the
Iesuit But their often and vnfayned protestations to the contrary doe apparantly conuince them of not being serious therein Whereupon I doe inferre it to be done to winne at our hands a beleefe that theyr quarrell is such as is reported But it will be sayd that the Popes haue been abused with misinformations and so drawne to excommunicate her Maiestie and to proceede accordingly Whereto I answere that it standeth with no likelihood that so many holy Fathers and Potentates ioyning with them should not discerne the insufficiency of the suggestions presented Pius 5. Gregory 13. Xistus 5. and the King of Spayne with some other Princes of the same confederacy receiued from England the best intelligence and direction for the cariage of theyr designes agaynst her Maiestie that the Catholike Laity or Clergy Nobles or Gentry Souldiers or Mariners of the Realme could affoord so as the obiected misleading through informations is not likely And if error herein had beene committed by one of them the matter being of that consequence it would haue â—â—n reformed by another But let vs examine the originall of this their contention and see whether it will not yeeld some argument whereby to charge them with collusion In the first Quodlibet the Iesuits affecting of soueraignty ouer the Seculars is set downe for the true originall and cause of this strife In other places he imputeth it to the inconueniences and hâ—â—â—s which ensued vpon the practises held by the Iesuites against the State Touching the superiority affected by the Iesuits it is straunge it should be the roote of so daungerous a warre as wherein the Pope himselfe is like in the poynt of his supremacy and in the graund cause of the Catholike Church to receyue a deadly and incurable wounde It was granted and ordayned by his Holines aduisedly no doubt and vpon due consideration of the necessity thereof Could not this respect of the Popes authentical grant and ordination be of force to temper and satisfie the Seculars who professe all dutifull obedience and ready submittance of their actions vnto him If it could not stay their priestly wisedomes from quarrelling and from notifying theyr ambition and pride vnto the world might it not yet haue restrayned them from proceeding to a contention in so high a degree and of such sequell as will by discoueries secure the estate of her Maiestie and the Gospell defeate the hope and cause of the Romane Church cast reproch vpon the Pope and his authoritie will they for a matter of priuate spleene run this desperate course Themselues disclaime it theyr profession of hatred to the Gospell of theyr vowed indeuours for aduancing the good of their Church of all reuerence and deuotion to the Pope will testifie the contrarie If then they runne not this course of ruining their common cause the sayd contention touching this degree and the effects thereof is fayned and so the sayd affected Soueraigntie no cause of the same Doth it then take budding and growth from the supposed persecution and oppression inflicted on them by occasion of the practises and conspiracies which the Iesuits wrought agaynst the State The persecution they speake of which was in truth no other the a iustifiable moderate and necessary seueritie in the punishment of detestable treasons was for prioritie of time before the question of supe 〈…〉 betwixt them so as either the affecting of Soueraigntie gaue not beginning to theyr pretended contention or in case it did then cannot the original thereof be ascribed to the supposed persecution of which because there hath beene alreadie sufficient speech and proofe made that the Seculars hatred to the Iesuit and his courses can haue no iust or probable foundation thereon I will insist no further in this argument To these presumptions of dissimulation in the sayd contention may be added the repugnancy shewed in the Quilibets affection and speech For were the quarrell of that nature and in that condition of heate and reach as hee would make it and the heart of the Quilibet of such sinceritie and singlenes as becommeth the profession of priesthood he would not breathe out and publish repugnancies in the discouerie of his intentions He admires her Maiesties proceedings for gracious and moderate yet calleth them an vniust vexation and heauy persecution he professeth a perpetuall hatred to the Iesuit and an infallible alleageance to her Maiesty yet he submitteth himselfe in this behalfe to be ordered by the Pope He 〈◊〉 all vnfayned loyaltie and duty to her Maiestie yet instructeth and directeth her subiects when they may take armes against her He professeth the perfourming of all faithfull seruice to her Maiesty and yet would for her ouerthrow rayse a mortall diuision and warre betwixt her and her louing subiects as also betwixt subiect and subiect Hee professeth all carefull indeuours for securing her person and State yet would â—ee strip and depriue her of the best meanes for her preseruation and safetie He commendeth the ancient Seculars for theyr mislike of treasons agaynst her Maiestie and yet approoueth theyr concealing of them in the case of imminent daunger to her royall person and Crowne Hee pretends detecting all Iesuiticall practises agaynst her Highnes and the State yet laboureth vnder hande a reconcilement of her subiects vnto the Pope He pretends a kinde conceit and affection towards the Protestants yet would worke a subuersion of them and their religion He censureth for rebels all such as attempted to execute the Popes excommunication yet alloweth the execution thereof when it may be perfourmed without 〈◊〉 and losse to the aâ—tors He protesteth his deuotion and imployment of his person with the losse oâ— his life for the aduancement of theyr common cause and yet offereth her Maiestiâ— his seruice for discouery of the designes and meanes that tend to the said aduancement He challengeth the Pope for â—â—dulous indiscreete rash partiall and exposeth his authority to contempt and obloquie yet professeth all readines euen to death to maintaine the honour and reputation of his holy Fatherhood He purgeth the Seculars from the crime of disloyalty to her Maiestie yet acknowledgeth theyr priuity and allowance of treasons Hee protesteth a perpetuall detestation of the Spanyard and his title yet offereth herein to be ordered by the Pope He condemneth Iesuites for contriuing the treason and commendeth the Seculars who acted it Whether these and such other repugâ—ancies doe not discouer in the Quilibet a double and disguising cariage of himselfe in his Quodlibets I referre to the iudgement of the wise and vnpartiall reader Hitherto hath beene shewed that the contention betwixt the Iesuit and the Seâ—ular priest being of such nature and in â—uch degree as is pretended is counterfeit â—t remaines to prooue that in case it be vnâ—ayned on their part yet on the part of the â—uperiours and heads of their faction it is â—tertayned out of policie The reason inâ—ucing me to this apprehension is this The sayd Superiours and heads being â—ade acquainted
of discouery yet can they performe no more herein then is answerable to theyr intelligence so as if they are too short in knowledge of disseignements as needes they must it being certayne that vppon notice of theyr disposition in this behalfe they shall not be made acquainted with any plot or practise of moment what reason hath her Maiesty to allowe toleration in regard of an aduauntage which she shall not receâ—ue thereby The seuenth inducement is of this kinde What course will be a meane to preuent the rebelling of English Romanists vpon promise and hope of preferments vnder a forraine Prince the same her Maiesty may allow and imbrace But toleration will be a meane to preuent the rebelling of English Romanists vpon promise and hope of preferments vnder a forraine Prince Therefore her Maiesty may allow and imbrace it The Proposition hauing the same defect and imperfection that hath beene obserued in others aboue set downe is to receyue the like answere For wee may not for the respect of any good publique or particular attempt ought that is offensiue to the highest Maiesty neyther must we in the case of daungers remedy an vncertayne perill by another that is assured and of equall hurt and mischiefe The Assumption least wee should censure it for an vntruth is thus demonstrated by him A League being made with forraine Princes French and Spanish English Romanists can haue no hope of preferments vnder them within England But vpon the graunt of toleration there will follow a League with the sayd forraine Princes Therefore vpon the graunt of toleration English Romanists can haue no hope of preferments vnder them within England I may iustly dissent from the Quilibet touching the proposition For whereas Popish Princes hold all confederations no further obligatory then may stand with the aduauncement of theyr particular deseignes and doe finde also the violation of them dispensable by the Pope in cases importing the interest of the Romish Church why may not the English Romanists considering withall the variety of occurrents and causes drawing Princes to faction and diuision attend a disunion of the sayde confederats and so bee caried into hopes of preferments vnder them in case they preuayle in theyr attempts Now concerning the Assumption of this latter conclusion how doth it appeare that vpon graunt of toleration there will ensue a League with forraine Princes If hee could make it cleere that the trew ground of theyr hostile proceedings agaynst the State were in that hitherto toleration hath not been condescended vnto I would approue his Assumption But it hath beene already declared that other respects and not this in question haue drawne forrayne potentates to these attempts of hostility and therefore no probability the sayd respects continuing of any confederation to ensue vpon the onely regard of the sayde graunt Further why should wee not rather apprehend that vpon our deniall to yeeld vnto a perfit and entire reformation pretended to bee sought by them in theyr courses of inuasion they will refuse to growe to any capitulation and tearmes of alliance and peace with vs The eyght argument is to this effect If toleration will cut off in English Romanists two bloudie practises the one for her Maiesties death the other for the aduauncement of some Competetor then may her Maiesty with good reason allow the same But toleration will cut off the sayd two bloudie practises Therefore her Maiestie may with good reason allow it Toleration concurring with all other Iesuiticall practises and attempts agaynst her Maiesty in the mayne drift and issue which these Priesting perswaders thereof propound vnto themselues I must giue such answere to the Proposition of this syllogisme as is formerly made to others of the same moulde out of which hee would fashion a speciall poynt of wisdome for preuention of perils it being according to the trayne of his perswasion in this behalfe no meane policy for auoyding our perishing in some other part of the Sea to runne a course ouer the Goodwin Sanâ—s For so should we doe in the admittance of toleration thereby to preuent other practises of daunger To the Assumption hee hath yeelded this proofe What course will frustrate and waste all hopes and thoughts of alteration the same will cut off the sayd two bloudie practises But toleration will frustrate and waste all hopes and thoughts of alteration For the Romanists being freed from trouble all disloyall apprehensions and affections will cease in them Therefore toleration will cut off the said two bloudy practises Hee doth so reason in the first sentence of this syllogisme as if the sayde practises had originally proceeded from the desire of alteration in religion and had reference onely thereto as to theyr mayne ende which being vntrue in sundry of them which had for theyr principall ground in the chiefe authors and contriuers eyther malice and reuenge or the humour of ambition for growing to an higher pitch of greatnes or some respect for securing theyr states by casting this flourishing Realme into confusion and combustion it is likewise vntrew that the sayd practises will determine vppon the expiring and vanishing of the thoughts and hopes that tend to alteration The second sentence also here set downe doth carry with it an euident vntruth For hauing not attayned vnto theyr end by the grant of toleration it is not freedome from trouble that will free theyr minds from thoughts and hopes of compassing it They will no more rest satisfied in this behalfe then a traueller who hauing passed the one halfe of his way wil not lay aside his hope and meanes of gayning the end of his iourney The Quilibet affirmeth pag. 232. that euery man is bound to propagate and establish the religion he is of to the vttermost of his power The Romanists therefore imploying themselues with all care and diligence for the aduancement of the publike cause of theyr Church some in one course of seruice some in another cannot but hope for such successe of theyr indeuours as shal both ruine the State of the Gospell and restore vnto the Pope his vsurped heretofore and now challenged soueraignety amongst vs. And can they hope for this issue of the toleration allowed them and yet not hope for alteration Further he saith pag. 152. that many good Catholikes are loyall subiects who yet will not reueale any vnnaturall and monstrous conspiracies agaynst her Maiestie To omit his treasonable description of a loy all subiect Can the Romanists stand thus affected in the case of a most barbarous conspiracy against her Highnes royal person and scepter and yet not conceiue hopes and thoughts touching a chaunge If they find fauour they will in the opinioÌ„ of the Quilibet renounce all wishes and cogitations of this kind Being then scanted in theyr proportion of grace from her Maiestie they will returne vnto them Further if wee consider the quality of the doctrines and multiplicy of Iesuiticall instructions they are in this seed time of toleration to sow