cultu sanctorum c. 23. aloweth these speches of friars speaking to a woodē crucifix thou hast redeemed vs thou hast recōciled vs to thy father he confesseth also in his 1. booke de iudulgentijs that saints may be called redeemers Thomas Waldensis in his prologue ad Martinum quintum applieth these wordes of the Apostle Lord saue vs wee perish to the pope 14. Bonauenture or rather some falsary vnder his name applieth those diuine prayses which the prophet in the Psalmes giueth to god to the virgin Mary 15. Of the scriptures most commonly they speak most blasphemously sometime calling them a nose of waxe sometime a deade letter sometime a killing letter sometime comparing them to Aesops fables Kellison in his suruey p. 158. saith the deuill doth wrap himselfe from top to toe in scriptures as if the word of god were the habit of the diuell He that list to see diuers other blasphemous doctrines sayinges of the pope and his complices let him reade the two bookes de antichristo et eius ecclesia latelie set out by Master Powel a young man learned zealous and paineful that hath at large handled this argument in the meane while we may see that such as professe christian religion and true piety haue noe reason to like that religion in which Christ is notoriously blasphemed and so many impieties conteined Chap. 11. That toleration of popery is contrary to reasons of state FVrthermore with small labor it may be shewed that popery is a religion full of contradictions absurdities and fooleries and so contrary to holy scriptures and the catholike faith of christians as darknesse to lighte falsehood to truth and black to white But this short answere will not admitte any such large discourse beside that all these poyntes are at large prooued in the suruey of popery published in answere to Kellisons inuectiue Suruey Now therefore it shall bee sufficient to shew that as popery is contrary to the rules of Christian religion so it si no lesse repugnant to reasons of state and derogatory both to the Authority of Kinges and to the libertie of Christians That popish religion is contrary to reasons of state and politicke gouerne ment it apeareth firste for that the same is idolatrous wicked false and contrary to gods true seruice nowe what state can long continue that either receiueth such a wicked religion or else is carelesse for the establishment of gods seruice Them that honoure me saith the Lord. 1. Samuel 2. I will honor and they that despise me shall bee despised The Apostle also Rom. 1. sheweth that the wrath of god is reueiled frō heauen against all vngodlines and vnrighteousnesse of men which withold the truth in vnrighteousnesse Secondly it is alwaies dangerous to change lawes and to reuerse matters heretofore orderly passed But if popish religion were tolerated then shoulde all those lawes cease that concerne the articles of religion the book of common prayer the forme of administration of sacramentes the kinges royall authority in ecclesiasticall causes the ministers of gods worde and sacramentes and the postessions of the church Finally many things now well ordered would then bee called in question if then lawes be the bands that conteine the common welth in order who seeth not that a greate dislolution of state woulde followe if Popish religion were tolerated Thirdly the pope claimeth power to dispose of kingdomes and to depose kings and all his true disciples doe maintain his Claime Js it then possible that any state should ether liue vnder such a tyranny or tolerate such professed enemies of state Fourthly the same man pretendeth right to giue lawes to the state especially in ecclesiasticall causes and to dispose of the liuings of the church But I thinke noe state will giue this power to straungers and enemies that hath liberty to refuse it Fiftly we reade that pope Paule the third in his bulle of excommunication against King Henry the eighte King of Englānd commanded his subiects to take armes againste him gaue away his true subiects as slaues to those that coulde take them dissolued all bondes wherein any stood bound to him or his subiects as is euidently aparent in the words of his bulle recorded in Sanders de schismate the collector of his Bulles and this authority all pops claime and al papists must defend But it is strange that any state should endure such indignities offered to princes and theire subiects Sixtly no man can serue the pope and his prince and countrye especially beeing in opposition with the pope howe then can the state admit such as depend vpon the pope and are ready to exequute his commandementes and take them selues bound to do it vpon paiue of damnation Nay Percie and other papists of late without his commaundement as they say were in a fayre way to ouerthrow the state 7. To restore banished men to acquite condemned persons to let prisoners loose that are in custody by order of law is the moste extreme condition that lost common wealths may be drawn vnto as Tully saith lib. 5. in Verrem perditae ciuitates saith he desperatis omnibus rebus hos solent exitus exitiales habere vt damnati in integrum restituantur vinctisoluantur exules redusātur But toleration of popery doth bring all these incommodities with it shold we then basely subiect our selues to enemies and traitoures take that course which no state euer yeelded vnto vnlessethe same were brought to extreme and desperate termes 8. No state can admitte such as depend vpon forreine enemyes and intertaine intelligence with them For that were to imbrace within our bosomes the enemies of state But that is the case of the archpreest of the Iebusites Massepreests gunpouder traytors and all their adherents 9. No state can be well gouerned by two gouernors and two diuers lawes For as there is but one principall gouernemente In a state so ought there to be but one authority and one law but if papists bee tolerated then the pope must aswell be obeyed as the king and the popes laws be ioyned with the kings lawes furthermore the common wealthe will prooue a monster not onelie with two heades but also with two soules and two diuers kindes of proceedings 10. The bonds of state are lawes the bonds that tye subiects to their princes are othes of allegeance and loyall affection towardes them But papists being dispensed with all by the pope respect neither lawes of state nor othes of allegeance nor loue due to princes Howe then can any state tolerate such fellowes as respect nether bonds of state nor duty nor obligation toward their lawfull princes 11. Lawes punish such as contriue the murther of priuate persons and much more such as are ready vpon euery occasion to stirre sedition should then then the state tolerate such as vpon the Popes commandement and warrant nay vpon the word of a seditious Massepriest shall thinke it lawfull meritorious to murther empoyson any that shal be opposite
Papists study as much for the Popes grace as for gods grace in hac vita gloriam in futura From my study in Dovvay this 7 That is 12. dayes before the receit of the book which vvas the 28. of this moneth 16. of October 1604. Your very louing Sonne and seruant in Christo Dommo IO. LECEY The answer to both HOw little our aduersaries respécte true and sincere dealing wee may in part coniecture by the vntruths of thè title and preface praefixed before this petitiō For firste they giue the title of Catholikes to papists whose religion is prooued seditious false erroneous hereticall idolatrous and blasphemous and in no sorte catholike or professed of true catholikes and secondly they pretend that it was made by the lay papists of Englād whereof J doe no suppose them to be so vnwise as that they will auowe what soeuer is sayde in this petition or so presumptuous as to charge the King with disgraceful breach of promise or to defame him with suspition of heresy as these men do Further the authors hereof page 19. do cite Caluine Knoxe Luther and Goodman whose books lay papistes may not reade and whose testimonyes they haue no reason to alledge vnlesse théy haue read them Leceys praeface concerning the conformity and perfection of this petition the contentement to be receiued of all sortes of men thereby is nothing but a pack of foolish and vntrue surmises as we shall declare heereafter alledging the wordes of Saint Peter 1 Epist 2. they leaue out the beginning of the sentence vpon which the words by them cited do depend Haue your conuersation honest among the gentils saith saint Peter that wherin they detract from you as malefactors considering good works they may glorify god in the day of visitatiō those words haue your conuersation honest being guilty in their consciences of dishonesty they leaue out and translate by the good workes considering you for considering your good works Further their title and testimony is not more destitute of truth thē of reason For neither is a petition an apology nor an apology a Petition that they should call their discouse a petition apologeticall Nor had they reason to alleadge saint Peters wordes concerning the good workes of Chrstians who notwithstanding were reputed malefactors For little doe they fit the cause of papists whose good works are gheason and whose practises of treason and rebellion in so many recordes doe conuince them to be truly malefactors The secular preestes also confesse that the exequutions done vpon Masse-priestes and theire adherentes were iust and necessary The preface of John Lecey or rather lazy Iohn is nothing else but an idle declamation in prayse of this pseudaposticall petition and the authors thereof wherein this scraping fellowe endeuoureth to tickel the galled backs of his owne compagnions with his forged commendations But let them beware they trust him not to farre least he draw them within the compasse of his own disloyalty and bring them where Percy and Catesby left them The Lazy fellowe directeth his speech to some odde namelesse sacrificer for hee calleth him reuerend Sirre but if the Masselouers were not blinded with affection they might thereby see howsoeuer this geare is thrust forth vnder the name of lay papists that all the aduantage proceeding therof commeth to the polshorne preests of Baal In the entrance of his matter he maketh greate bragges telling his frend that this petition or apology he knoweth not whether to call it is so conformable to reason so absolute in forme of the petitioners submission and so admirable for the assurance by them offered for theire preestes and pastorus that the publishing thereof cannot but giue contentment in his opinion to all sorts of men But his performance is nothing correspondent to his greate countenance For firste we haue already shewed that this request for a toleration of popery is not only contrary to reason but also to religion all Christian policy Secondly the submission that they make is very defectiue cōsidering theire denyall of the Kings authority in Ecclesiast icall causes and their de pendance vpon the Pope that claimeth a superiority ouer the king But did they submit themselues wholy to his maiesty yet shoulde they doe nothing but that which is required of all good subiects Thirdly theire admirable assurance is most admirably ridiculous For who doth not wonder and laugh to heare assurāce offred for the life of so great a King and so potent a state by a few thridbare fellowes we know not who they are the parliament house had beene blowne vp who shoulde haue sued their bonds who should haue brought them into the Starchamber for periurye Againe when the Pope so easily dispenseth with oathes and dissolueth contracts what reason hath any Christian to depend either vpon him or his adherents for either oth promise or bond Besides all this our prologue where hee thinketh himselfe horribly eloquent speaketh playne contradictions fooleries For firste if the petitioners had such reason as he pretendeth what should they neede to make a submission as hauing committed some greate crime againe what submission can a subiect make to his souereine that it is not required of him by duty thirdly such as make such absolute submissions as he talketh of neede nor to put in bonds or pledges Finally it is foolery to thinke either that papists are true catholikes or that such as ar truly informed of the continual practises of the fierye Iebusites and massepriestes agaynste the state will like of their vnreasonable requestes and no man can take them to bee wise that charge their iudges with praeiudice before hearing but to say or signify that nothing can satisfie the state but the blood and vtter beggary of Catholikes or rather papists is plaine villany and not to be proued againste any gouernor of this state No they desire their reformation and not their destruction or hinderance and much it were to be wished that Percy and other papists had been no more malitiously affected to vs thē we to them Alledging reasons for the publishing of this treatise he disputeth like a wilde man running far beyond his witte reason firste hee saieth that the publishing of this Apology cannot but tend much to his maiesties honor and more to his satisfaction and security as if those did honoure him that charge him with breach of promise note him with the stain of heresy hatred to catholike religiō as the petitioners do Further what security and satisfaction can those yeelde his maiesty that esteeme neither othes nor bonds when the pope contremandeth them but did they meane to keepe both yet prinate mens bonds are no security for such a king kingdom They talke J confesse of loue and deuotion to the king But it appeared but little by the practise of Brooke Clerke and VVatson first les lately by the treason of Percy Catesbie and Faux who of meer loue sought to blow vp the king
the whole parliament to omit to speake of their secret combinations and practises it is no good signe that they seeke to satisfie the King and to serue him deuoutly when they seek to set vp a religion displeasing to God disgracefull hurtfull to the King and most praeiudiciall to his subiects Secondly He supposeth the Prelates of the Church of England cannot with reason disallowe this petition seeing nothing is required at theire hands but a reasonable conference and satisfaction in poynts of their mission and vocation But it seemeth he meaneth to giue them but little satisfaction that refuseth to giue them theire due titles and telleth them of I know not what wealth pleasures and pallaces pretēded to be enioyed by them Hee is also very ignorant that imagineth that the teachers of the truecatholike faith can abide a false wicked idolatrous hereticall blasphemous religiō or true subiects treason and rebellion and very impudent to call true Bishops in question for theire vocation and mission hauing no colour of defence eyther for the mission and vocation of Masse Priestes to sacrifice for quicke and deade as for the Pope to rule the whole Church or for the Cardinalls to practise the troubles of Christendome Further he was not wise to talke of Bishops winess being allowed by sainte Paule seeing the periured Romish preistes forswearing mariage and swearing continency doe notwithstanding keep concubines whoors and Bardassaes As for the calling of our prelates and ministers it hath been often and sufficiently iustified already and shal be againe when the intrusion of the pope and his poleshorne crewe of sacrificing preeests into the Church shal not by any means be mainteined or coloured Thirdly he seemeth very carefull not to offend the Puritanes as he calleth them But it is offence inough to giue the names of faction to true Christians Furthermore if the papists be no better able to pleade for themselues and theire religion then these petitioners haue done not only such as they call Puritanes but also all other good Christians will condemne them to be neither half subiects nor condicionall subiects nor subiects at all As for their religion it groweth euery day more odious and execrable then other Fourthly the schollers of Cambridge and Oxford of all men rest worst satisfied with this petition being voyd both of learning and reason as for the conceipt which ignorant creatures haue of masse preests they regard it not knowing thē to be but shallowe fellowes in diuine matters though very profound in rebellions and treacherous practises miserable are they that followe such guides and trust such false fugitiue compagnions Fiftly the Artizans and prentizes of London would make a wiser speake then this petition so seely defences are therin made for the popish preests that how so euer they thought on them before they cannot chuse now but both cry out againste them and stoppe them as false fugitiues seditious traitours and professed enemies to their prince and country In the meane while the masse preests haue litle cause to thāk Iohn Lazy that maketh them pleade theire cause before artizans and prentises who generally detest them and theire abhominable doctrine and practises and hope to see thē shortly hold vp their hands at the barre for treason Finally the papists at home and abroad will be very sory to see theire cause so nakedly handled and so weakely defended and if they be wise will curse him that published so bare a discourse giuing vs occasion to discouer theire treacherous hereticall and wicked doctrines and other mysteries of the popish faction As for the example of Saint Albā and of his teacher it fitteth the papists in no sorte Those two knew no one poynte of that wicked doctrine of papists which the Church of England condemneth neither was Albane martyred for the popes quarrell or the doctrin now cōteined in the decretales but for the faith and doctrine of Christ and his Apostles being as loyall to his gouernors as the Jebusites and their complices are peruerse and disloyall And therfore at vnawares where the prologue wold vse the example of the primitiue church of England he printeth priuatiue church shewing himselfe to be a member rather of the popes priuatiue church of England that is depriued woulde depriue Christians of all true faith in veritie of religion and sincerity in conuersation then of the true primitiue Church founded by Christe and gouerned by the Apostels and their true successors But what shold J need to stand longer about the examinatiō of this poor speak of this rude Lazy prologue who so far forgot himself in his dates of his discourse that he publisheth in print the 16. of octobre this apology that as hee saith in the beginning of the prologue came to his handes the 28. of that month which if he be able to make good then he hath sent vs rather a prophesy then a preface telling vs what the lay papistes pleaded some 12 daies before their pleading came to his handes Chap. 17. An answere to the two first chapters of the petition conteining causes both of the petitioners long silence and of their breach of silence IF the two first Chapters of these laye mens petition had beene spared it mighte percase haue beene imputed for wisdome vnto them For then neither theire ingratitude in not acknowledging his maiesties rare fauors towardes them gratiously pardoning their offences nor their presumption in accusing him for breach of promise nor their vntrueth in charging his maiesty the parliamente and state with rigorous and cruell dealing against them nor their vaine brags in pretending that they were so forward in maintening the Kings title and the principall meane that placed him in his royall throne woulde so clearely haue appeared But seeing they woulde needes acquaint vs with the reason of their present speech and former silence let vs heare them what they can say A PETITION APOLOGETICAL PRESENTED TO the Kings most excellent Maiesty by the Lay Catholikes of England in Iulie last Chapter 1. The cause of our silence MOST 1 His grace you abuse his souerainty you deny his might you hinder Mighty and gratious Soueraign Many are the reasons that haue caused vs to expect with perpetual patience and profound silence your Maiesties most gracious resolution for some benigne remedy and redresse of our moste greeuous 2 You vvrong his Maiesty charging him to be a persecutor and your cause shevving your selues vnthankefull for his fauour calamities and afflictions as the confidence of a good cause the testimony of an incorrrupte conscience the memory of our constant and continuall affection to the vndoubted right and Title in remaynder of your renowned Catholike Mother to the Crowne of England the imputations Crosses and afflictions we suffered many 3 If your plots had taken you had marred all yeares therefore the publique and gratefull acknowledgment that your saide glorious Mother made thereof at the time of her Arrainement and execution in
Clerk Brooke Percy Garnet and their confederates hearty affection we beare to your Maiestie and the commonwealth of your Potent Monarchie deserueth It is not our meaning most mightie Monarch being meerly lay men that make no profession of lettres to examine 4 They thinke to slubber matter ouer vvith out examination curiously and contentiously all that our aduersaries haue thundred of late against vs or to dispute with them in mood figure which combate we leaue to the diuines of both parts when your Maiesty shall thinke good thereof but with due respect to giue your Grace an accounte and reason of our beleefe and religion and a full and ample securitie and satisfaction of our fidelities and submission The answere to the first and second Chapter THus we see the causes of their silence and of theire speakeinge but wee cannot see that they are either true or sufficient the first reasons pretended for their silence are these as they tel vs. the coÌ„fidence of a good cause the testimony of an incorrupt conscience the memory of their coÌ„staÌ„t continuall affection to the vndoubted righte and title in remainder of the king to the crowne of England their zeale and promptitude shewed in his maiesties righte and pretention as they call it to the crown of EnglaÌ„d theyr forwardnesse in proclaiming his maiesty King of England and their generall ioy and applause at his maiesties enterance into the realme and for these reasons they say they haue in profound silence expected for some benigne remedy and redresse of their most greeuous calamities and afflictions But first what absurde fellows are these to talke of silence hauing of late time published so manye discourses libells rimes and pamphlets both in defence of themselues and in disgrace of others and presented so many petitions both to his maiesty and to all that could helpe them or were likely to fauour them Secondly if the Massepreestes and theire associates had a conscience so incorrupte as they pretend and such confidence in their cause as they boast why doe they fly the light and hide themselues in corners againe why doe they not make the goodnes of theire cause appeare and particulerly clear themselues of those hereticall and treacherous doctrins wherewith they stand charged they shew themselues most shamelesse when they defend the popes clayme in deposing kings and translating kingdomes and adhere vnto him as his sclaues and maynteine grosse idolatries and absurd nouel tyes to talke either of a good cause or of a good conscience Thirdly if they indeede had fauoured the kings vndoubted righte then woulde they not haue called it pretention nor put him in remainder as heere they doe Nor would so many of them haue fauoured Parsons and Coluill that haue oppugned the kings title in bookes published to the worlde nor haue receiued pensions and interteined intelligeÌ„ce with other clay mers and pretenders Fourthly those which fauored the Iebusites and spaniardes and pope did not then much applaude when either his maiesty was proclaimed king of England or firste entred into the realme But when they sawe the states forwardnes then whatsoeuer heauinesse lay at their hartes they were forced to set on the best face they cold and to do as others did though with smal alacrity as the deiected countenances heauy sighes and sobre cheare of diuers of them did declare Knowing the king to be of a religioÌ„ aduerse to the Pope by the rules of the Popes decretales which they regard as much as the holy scriptures they might not fauoure him nor consort with him if they had beene able to resist Lastly most vniustly they charge the state as oppressing the papists with greâ—uous calamities and afflictions whereas their consorts in Spaine and Italy with all cruelty spoyle and murder our brethren and the state doth only punish recusancy with pecuniary mulctes and very rarely and of few and of late tyme hath begun to exact them But had these fellowes so good a cause and conscience as they pretend yet should the same rather mooue theÌ„ to speak then to keepe silence For who is not bolld to speake in a good cause to mention the kings mother or the conspiracy of Gray and Cob ham they shold say of Clerk and Watson the principall contriuers of that plot they had no reason being the causes of her destruction drawing her indirectly into theire intricate practises most dangerous to her person and that conspiracy proceeding onely from the inuention practise of Papists The next causes of their silence were as they say the promises made by his maiestie both in publique and priuate the courteous vsage of certain recusants at Hampton courte and his maiesties speech the firste day of the parliament But these are matter that rather mighte moue them to open theire mouths and to giue thankes to his Maiesty for his vndeserued fauors then either to suppresse his prayses in silence or to mutinously to mutter and to vtter wordes of discontentment as if they had bene dealt withall hardlie and vniustly Furthermore they do bewray their vngracious and crooked nature that seeme to charge the king with breach of promise and alteration of his courses who promised more then they deserued and performed all that hee promised and altered not his course of Clemency though forced thereto necessarily by alteration of theyr lewde course and their agents importunity For his promises at Hampton courte which are principally vrged this I answere that in that place neither was any toleration of religion demanded nor any such matter promised nay the cause of the repaire of diuers recusants thither was the suspition conceiued of them as if they were guilty of the preests treason and not any new motion for toleration Thereuppon they prayed his maiesty to haue a good opinion of them being guilty of no other crime as they sayd theÌ„ recusaÌ„cy And he like a most gracious king father of his people answered that the same shoulde be no conuiction if other wise they d emeaned themselues loyally Had they beene as dutifull as his maiesty was benigne and gracious they woulde not haue entred into those plots and rebellions which some did afterward That his maiesty did neuer promise any toleration of popery at any other time a noble Counsellor did assure all that were present when Digby vpon occasion did mention and vrge the same at his arreignement His Maiesty saide hee as well before his comming to the crowne as at the very tyme and alwayes sence was so farre from making a promise or giuing hope of toleration that he professed he shoulde not endure the very motion there of by any whatsoeuer For his clement courses against recusaÌ„ts euil deseruing papists I need not say much the same being notorious to the world only J wish that this generatioÌ„ wold not abuse his clemeÌ„ cy but seeke to bee thaÌ„kful for his former fauors theÌ„ prouoke his iustice by their coÌ„tinued il carriage misdemenors secret plottings The
reasons which they alledge for the making and exhibiting this petition are these firste they tell vs that they are excluded as superstitious persons from that supreme courte of Parliament that was firste founded by and for catholike men Next that daily bills Books ar exhibited in Parliament againste them taxing them with odious names of haereticks sectaries superstitions persons idolaters Thirdly that his Maiestie is often solicited to extirpate the race and memory of papists out of his dominions and rather to admit miscreants and Iewes then Papists And lastly that a new motion hath beene made for the reuiuing of former capitall lawes and pecuniary payments and other penalties For these causes they say they haue emboldned themselues to present to his maiestyes view this apology and that firste Leaste god should be offended with theire silence in matter of his honor and next leaste the Christian world should condemne them of negligence in defence of theire distressed estate and thirdly leaste theire children and posterity shoulde argue them of carelesnesse and pusillanimity in a cause concerning theire liues estates and soules saluation and lastly least theire aduersaries shoulde insult ouer them and repute them tanquam confitentes reos But firste we answer that diuers maters heere alleadged are false and some wicked and. slanderous next that theire reasons are impertinent not concludent That papists are excluded out of parlia ment it may be proued false by the exāple of diuers particulers which I could name if I list Thisis most certain that no Papisticall burgesse or knight is refused in the lower house vnlesse he refuse to acknowledg his maiesties supreme anthority which if he doe he is not only to be excluded out of the house but out of the lād if he haue his right Jt is also an old trick of falsity to affirme papists to be catholikes they must shew that they hold Apostolike and Catholike doctrine or els renounce the name of catholikes Thirdly they erre grossely if they suppose that Parliaments wer founded by papists professing the puddle doctrine of the popish sect flowing out of the sink of the conuenticle of Trent or that they were made for such as impugne the Kings authority and adhere to forreigne enemies Fourthly they shew themselues not onely to be spreaders of false tales but also ignorant of Parliament causes that say that books wer exhibited against thē in parliament for that sacred senat is no place where to exhibit books But if in parliament time any Books were published abroad it was to answere theire iangling supplications and discourses which thought to be heard for theire much babling Fiftlie ridiculously in the superlatiue degree they call thēselues the kings most faithfull subiects The falsity thereof appeareth by the proceedings at VVinchester againste George Brooke a lay and lame papist and subiect and his complices but much more is the same made euident by the flagitious treason of Percie Catesbie Faux Owen Baldwine and theire consorts and the rebellion which thereupon ensued wherein they expected and the Iesuites and massepreests promised the aid and concurrence of al the papists in England and many no question woulde haue ioyned with them but that they were taken before their tyme and choked in the birth of their dangerous destinies Sixtly wickedly they slander the state if they suppose that any therein doe desire that eyther Iewes or other miscreāts may be admitted and wrong his maiesty if they say hee giueth eare to such motions Nay hee desireth rather the cōuersion then the destruction of papists albeit they are the onely miscreants that are to be feared in this land Finally it is no new matter to make motions for restraining the insolency of the massepriestes and their adherents For if these petitioners be not old such motions were made before they were borne King Henry the 8. at the motion of his subiects repressed such as shold attempt to maintain the popes authority which is a main ground of popery And long before his time were lawes of prouisions and praemunire made to stop the popes encrochements and dayly do recusants giue occasion to make new lawes against them But admit inassepriests and their adherents and the Popes truely deuoted creatures had been excluded out of parliaments and that in bills books they had been charged as sectaries superstitious persons hereticks and idolaters and further that his Maiesty had bin moued to take a course with them and the parliament to aggrauate their penaltyes and to prouide for the execution of lawes against them yet haue these lame witted lay papists no cause eyther to make these outcries or to publish these slanderous libells not onely to the disgrace of our late gratious Queen and King Edward that excellent spirite but also against his maiesty as if he meant to giue intertainment to miscreants and knew not how to keepe measure in punishing papists and other sectaries and heretikes For first the Parliament is no place for such as loue strangers better then their owne princes and depend vpon forrayners rather then their countrimen Secondly papists are no catholikes nor were parliaments founded eyther by such as beleeued the filthy doctrine of popery pomped out of the popes brest in the conuenticle of Trent nor for such caitiffs miscreants as beleeue that doctrine Thirdly if such as in England adhere to the Pope and positiuely hold his doctrine be called hereticks sectaries superstitious persons and idolaters they are not wronged For the same is clearly demonstrated in diuers treatises and partly in this answer And litle are these lame petitioners able to say for themselues to the contrary Nay they haue fauor considering their intelligence and practises of late with the pope and his agents that they are not called far worse Lastly they haue no reason to complaine of penall lawes made against lay-papists for the penalties are only pecuniary and very remissely pursued but the bloudy inquisitors and the popes adherents murdre and massacre all that professe true religion in places where they command and this had Percie and his compagnions doon in England if they had preuailed Further themselues will not deny but that idolaters heretikes and sectaries may lawfully be punished And if they should deny it yet woulde the examples and practise both of Hezekiah Iosiah and other godly kings before Christs time and of Constantine Theodosius and other christian emperors since christianity began to be professed plainly proue it But it hath been and shall alwayes be plainly proued that papists are sectaries superstitious persons heretikes and idolaters Their feare therefore least God wold-be offended with them for their silence in this cause is superstitious and very foolish For god is rather displeased with such as seeke to erect open idolatry and to maintaine grosse superstition and heresie as these ignorant lay papists or rather lame Masse-priestes seek to do then with such as keep themselues within the lists of their ignorance and hold their peace Secondly true it
is as they say that their cause is poore and more porely defended And therefore great simplicity haue they shewed in prating of things aboue their capacity and for this cause they stand condemned by all true Christians which wold haue liked much better their sober silence then their violent and foolish libells Thirdly their Children whom these petitioners that deuide themselues from gods church do deuide from the Christian world as being no part of it shall in time to come haue iust cause to curse such parents as bring them vp in ignorance of true religion and open idolatry And if they haue grace will wish their babbling parents had neuer medled in this desperate cause Fourthly so far are they from making any iust defence against their aduersaries that they giue both them and others iust cause to insult and tryumph seeing that the wittes of lay papists and their teachers beeing sommed and pressed togegether no drop of reasō or piety hath proceeded from them to season their vnsauory religion Finally they confesse that they obserue no decorum and yet professe that they will not examine curiously that which by their aduersaries hath beene thundred out against them nor dispute in moode and figure with them And yet they pretend to be desirous to giue his maiesty all possible contentment and an accompt of their beleefe and religion and a ful and ample security and satisfaction But if they obserue no decorum it is not like they will content his Maiesty and hardly will they giue satisraction to so learned and wise a prince without curious examination of matters obiected They must also dispute if not in moode and figure yet in some better forme then now they do if they will either proue vnto vs their disfigured and euil qualified religion or els iustifie vnto his Maiesty the reasōs of their rude request that is not only subscribed as approued by subscriptions of a thousand hands as that was of the Millenary ministers of which these lay papists talke idelly but also with the terror of many thousands of the popish faction as it were obtruded to his Maiestie So we may see that these petitioners are able to bring neither truth nor reason for the iustification of their cause keeping silence when they should haue spoken and speaking nothing to purpose when they resolued to breake silence But if we please to examine the true cause both of their former silence and this present petition we shall find that their silence proceeded partly from their great occasions beeing busied in diuers practises against the state as these horrible treasons lately discouered do declare and partly from the lewdnesse of their cause that by farre better orators then these laymen cannot be defended Contrarywise the occasion of their petition is not any wrong offered by vs but rather a wrong intended by them and that both to his maiesty and to the state while bragging of the numbers forces and correspondēce with strangers they endeuor to strike a terror into his maiesty and buzzing these foolish tales into the ears of the multitude desire to trouble the peace of the state But the state of things being well known neither shall his maiesty haue cause to feare their threats nor the people reason to beleeue their foolish tales For as they feede themselues like as all fugitiues and malcontents do with a fond conceit of their owne strength without grounds of reason so they feed their readers with words and shewes without any sound demonstration of any point of their erroneous religion God grant that the simple seduced papist may as well apprehend it as we shall prooue it and then will they hereafter be more wary how they venture their state and soules vpon the masse-priests warrant who vpon the hazard and losse of others doe reape no small aduantage now and seek to bring all into aduenture hereafter Chap. 18. Of the quality number and forces of English papists and of their assurance and resolution which they praetend in their religion IT were much to bee wished that thepapists of England did either well know them selues and theire owne qualities numbres and forces or else had learned for what religion they contend For then neither would they stand so much vpon theire merits qualities numbers and forces nor yet once offer to talke of the assurance of their religion for which they haue no ground and this euerie other man doth acknowledge seeing theire merites if we respect fauor to be slender their good qualityes to be fewe theire forces to be nothing in regard of his maiesties numbers of true subiects and considering that thē doctrine of popery may not be examined by lay papists and wholy resteth on the Popes pleasure Theire pleading is moste simple as the two chapters following doe declare Chapter 3. The estate and quality of your Maiesties Catholike Subiects FOR the cleare vnderstanding of which two pointes maye it please your Grace to consider first what is the state and condition of your faithfulll and Catholicke subiects for 1 They vvould terrifie his Maiesty vvith shevv of numbers reproch him as vngratefull not regarding their deserts number quality and desert next what 2 Their religion is declared to be a hochpot of heresies impieties and nouelties Their grounds are vncertain traditions and the popes decretaline fancies Religion it is they professe and vpon what grounds lastly what they are of your Maiesties subiects of their Rank that for former of future seruices and submission in all ciuill and temporall causes against all both domesticall and forraigne enemies haue and will go farther or venter more willingly their liues liuings for the honour and defence of your person greatnesse and posterity then they and their friends both haue and vvill doe In deliuery of which points we hope your Maiesty will expect no farther art or eloquence then may be required of men plunged and perplexed with the 3 The Pope belike hath giuen his clients a purgation that are thus troubled vvith fluxes and refluxes But for vexations they haue no reason to complaine here in England considering their vvealth and case at home and the cruelty of their consorts abroad and their deserts at home and abroad flux and reflux of perpetuall vexations which is truth that craueth 4 If you cry for iustice vvhat needeth mercy vve find your pleadings so absurd and destitute of truth that neither your crocodiles teares can excuse you nor iustice acquite you iustice and teares that crye for mercy It is euident Dread soueraigne that the subiects of your Maiesties Realmes of England and Ireland consist of Catholikes Protestants 5 They put themselues before his Maiesties loyall subiects and rayle at the state as bearing vvith sectaries They do also leaue the Scots out of the number of the kings subiects Iudge then vvhether it be possible to find more proud beggars or insolent malcontents or rayling hypocrites Puritanes and other sectaries the Catholikes and Catholikely
religion neither inioy honours nor goods nor lands nor liberty nor life pristine honours and honest reputations and to our birthright freedome and liberty by your onely Peerles justice clemency and benignity permitting vs to liue in peace come dere buccellam nostram sine dolore to put a bit of meate into our mouthes without sorrowe without flights without flights and without circumuentions of our Aduersaries our woundes are so deepe and daungerous in matters of our honours states and liberties that no Phisitian can cure vs but your selfe with the soueraigne balme of your renowned clemencye What pleasure or profit can redownd to your Maiesties person or estate if we your approued and assured seruantes and subiects 3 Many hane been satted in prison fevv haue rotted in prison though committed for treason and not religion lot in prison die in banishment and liue in penury and disgrace for no other crime or offence but for the constante profession of that Religion which in conscience we are perswaded to be the only true worship of God and saluation of our soules Of which our faith and beleefe we haue rendred so 4 You haue only told false reports and fabulous conccits of your ovvn braines dennyd of reason sufficient reason that wee hope it will fully satisfie and content so wise learned politique and discreete a Prince as your Maiesty hath shewed your self to be in all occasions presented to make trial thereof which maketh vs the more confident in our iust and reasonable defence because we sue to a most wise iust and learned Monarch And albeit more then this can hardly be required of men whose fidelities are so sufficiently tried and testified as appeareth by the whole substance and tenor of this our Apology yet pro abundantiore cautela we humbly lay down at your Maiesties feete in forme of submission and security following in behalfe of our Precsts and pastors The answere to the 6. Chapter THJS is the somme of this quarrelsome accusation flender in comparison of the matters obiected and witlesse in respect of the handling of it as the sequele will declare First they accuse a student of Lyons Inne a lawyer by profession as they call him But what is this to vs Nay what is that to the Ministers they speake of Further they sould know that there is some difference betwixt students of Lyons Inne and lawyers betwixt the Innes of court and chancery but that they lack law and experience This lawyer by profession as they say in a discourse of treasons against the Queenes Maiesty by Francis Throckmorton telleth how there were founde among other his papers 12 pedegrees of the discent of the Crowne of England printed and published by the Bishop of Rosse in the defence of the pretended title of the Scottish Queene his Mistris But whether they say true or no god knoweth Neither neede we to examine it the matter concerning vs nothing And yet if these men in those tymes shold haue discredited Queen Elizabeths title and preferred another before her they woulde hardly haue answered the matter if they had been called to Tiburne for it Neither if this students offence be so great which only telleth matter of fact will they be able to cleare Parsons and many recusants in England that haue heertofore allowed that traytorous booke of titles which infringeth the kings title that nowe reigneth in despite of all his oppugners Next they mention the attempt of the duke of Northumberland for setting vp the Lady Jane agaynst Queen Mary and thereto adde a commemoration of the execrable murther of the Kings father grādfather with thē also they conioyn Dauid the Queenes Secretary as they cal him Lastly they run out into a large discourse of Iames the base brother of the late Queen of Scottes of Bothwel Gowry others that in time past made some attemptes against the King and his mother But what maketh all this J pray you to the ministers of England against whom they pretend to frame theire odious accusation did not the duke of Northumberland as they say dye a papist and was he not assisted and folowed by more papists then true Christians Furthermore did not the Erle Gowry bring with him the seedes of popery witchcraft cōiuration yea of Atheism out of Jtaly and was not Bothwell an hypocrite at least in religion aswell as a traytor in his rebellion but had they doone wickedly we are not to iustify their particuler actions neither can these accusers iustifie their absurd discourse ioyning to gether matters so vnlike and so farre from the purpose and in some poyntes making against them selues Dauid was no man fit to be ioyned with kings James the Queenes brother was wickedly murthred by a practise of papists that the Kings grandfather was murthred we cannot learne they were none of our religion certes that laide hands either vpon his maiesties father or grādfather-likewise his maiesties mother was brought into trouble by the practise of Sāmier a wicked Iebusite as is testified by him that wrote the Iebusites Catechisme a papist a mā of more credit learning thē these libelling lay papists therfore not so easily to be shaken of But if they will not beleeue him nor Watson a Martyre of their Church yet I hope they will beleeue pius Qnintus his letters extant in his life written by Hierome Catena and shewing that she was animated in those courses by the pope and his faction of which any man may gather what were the causes of her calamity the same also may be proued by histories and all the proceedings in that cause which J forbeare to relate leaste I should offend as these libellers doe without all respecte of persons refreshing the kings greefe and speaking of matters which he most graciously hath forgotten Lastly they mention certaine statutes made partly for the settling of the title of the Crowne and partly to meete with the seditions and conning practises of papistes which with reconciling men to the pope and by diuers notes of faction as agnus deies beads graynes and such like sought to vnite their consorts to stirre vp tumults and to make a side to depose Queen Elizabeth But all this rehersall of lawes as it sheweth the greate or rather necessary occasions giuen to the state to make lawes against factions preests and their adherents so it maketh nothing for the cause in hand seeing the peace of the land was thereby confirmed and the Kinges right no way preiudiced But if the Masseprestes and the Popes agents had beene left at liberty to found the popes kingdome within England then if the King had not founde geate trouble at his entrance yet should he haue felt halfe his authority and kingdome shared by the pope This discourse therefore proceeding from men aduerse to the state and fauorable to forrein enemies and dealers for the Jnfantaes title as is recorded in diuers books and proued by diuers witnesses known by good experience
they seek for true pastors indeede why do they forsake the bishops and preests of the Church of England which indeed haue both the calling and exequute the function of true Bishops and pastors and runne after these wolues murdrers and deuourers of Christ's sheepe Fiftly they offer to answere person for person and life for life for the fidelity of theire preests to his maiesty and the state But what if the preests absolue traitors and perswade them to rebellion where shall the state seecke either for the parties or sureties And what shall it auaile to sue the bonds Agayne what a ridiculous conceite is this to thinke that the bonds of euery two or three base compagnions will be sufficient to secure either the life of so greate a king or the peace and state of so greate a kingdome against men already found perfidious Thirdly it will be a question whether if such a matter were to be performed euery pild crowned preest could procure such hostages and bondes as are offered it may be some good old Ladyes and recusant Cuckowes would offer any bond for their darlinges But the wiser sort J thinke woulde neuer put their liues in hazard vpon the massepreests promises who if the pope command them to doe an exployt for their holy mother the mother of fornications regard neither promise nor oath Finally it may be a question whether any such bonds are good in lawe and percase these good fellowes knowing them to be nought are the bolder to offer them thinking to gull the worlde with theire greate offers Fiftly comming to the poynt of their pretended submission they playnely refuse to submitte themselues offring rather articles of a capitulation betwixt the King and them then any forme of true subiection or submission for firste they say they will acknowledge his maiesty to bee their lawfull King and souerein Lord and will defend his maiesties heires and successors righte And for this his maiesty is much beholding to them But we must vnderstand howe this offer is made vpon condition if they may haue theire masse and theire Masse preests if they may not haue theire requests then they neither submit themselues nor offer any thing Further they acknowledge more then by the doctrine of popery they can make good For by the chapter v. nam sanctam extr de maior obed all kings are declared to be subiect to the pope They do also deny the kings authority in Ecclesiasticall causes and offer many preiudices to the Kings righte both ouer the Clergy and others and acknowledge him no further to be their lawfull king then it shall please the Pope who hath power to excommunicate him and depose him as they say Lastly where they speake of the Kings successors right they forget to mention the kings righte But what should wee stand vpon future coniectures when the treasons of Watson Clerk Garnet Hamond and the rest haue plainely declared them to bee the kinges enemyes Secondly they promise to reueale and to theire powers to withstand and preuent any conspiracy or treason agaynst the King and his heires and to defend the realm against forrein inuasions But miserable were the King and state if they shold depend vpon their reuelations and withstandings of treasonable attempts and invasions that are sworne to the pope depend vpon forrein enemies Former practises and experience sheweth that their words and promises are but snares to catch such as trust them of late they smothered the treason of Percy and Catesby as much as they could soughte by all meanes to haue their country set on a flame They acknowledge to his maiesty what is due by the word of god or hath been vsed by any of their sect but of the word of god they make the Pope supreme iudge and vse to deny obedience to Kings excommunicate by him nay to Kings not excommunicate in ecclesiasticall causes what they meane to performe it appeareth by Watsons and Percies treasons Lastly they say they will performe this by protestation or oath and offer the like for their preestes But what are oathes and promises when they say the pope can dispense with oathes and teach that faith is not to bee performed to hereticks in which rank these superstitious ministers of antichriste place all true Christians Furthermore it may bee doubted whether these felllowes can bring the stiffe necked massepreests to take these oaths if they cā yet shal they neuer make them to keepe them doth it not then appeare that these conning fellowes goe about to ensnare playne dealing men with their false othes and feigned protestations the examples of Iohn Husse of the professors of religion in Frāce and Flanders that haue bene often massacred when they relyed vpon the othes and promises of the Popes adherents doe assure vs of it and Garnets treasons may bee a caueat for vs. Wherefor seeing these proud suppliants confesse themselues but halfe subiects and are much lesse then halfe when the pope commandeth them whose they are body and soule seeing they always cut away halfe the kings authority and sometymes all and endeuoure to bring vpon his maiestye and his subiects not only a false idolatrous hereticall and impious religion but also a most greeuous yoke of the popes tyrannicall gouernement from which this land hath by the grace of god and prowesse of his maiestyes noble ancesters been most happily freed and deliuered and seeing they haue alledged nothing which might eyther iustify their abusiue false religion or cleare themselues from the common imputations of the disloyalty of the popes adherents or assure the king and state against the trecherous plots and practises of rinegued English sacrificers Iebusites and other theire associates euer suspected now lately plainely detected in Percies treasō to be sworn slaues of Antichrist professed enemyes to the king I doubt not but his maiesty the state wil take a cours with these bold importune petitioners assure the church and realme both against their corruptions in doctrine and attempts in the affaires of Policy and that in the meane while as all Christians abhorre theire antichristian doctrine and dangerous practises so they will concurre in repressing and extinguishing the causes of them This al christians ought to performe and these especially that haue eminent places both in church and common wealth VVhat then should I need to exhort them to performe that which belongeth to their duty as they doe well knowe and which both god requireth and all true christians expect at theire handes Chap. 22. A censure vpon certain letters of the banished masse preests sent back to the lords of his maiesties councell anno 1604 and annexed to the former petition IT is an old saying all is lost that is bestowed on men vngratefull and may well bee verified by the fact of certein massepreests who hauing well deserued death if the lawes of the land had been exequuted against them were graeiously pardoned by his maiesty only
the presence of the Lords there assembled for her conuiction vttering these words [a] Her bludis shed yet remaineth peace authority to work them redemptiō of her so desired VVo is me for the poore Catholikes and the miseries I foresee they are like to endure for their irremoueable affection to me and miue If I vvere as free as mine estate and innocency requireth I vvould gladly redeeme their vexations vvith my dearest bloud The same zeale and promptitude after her decease we shewed in your Maiesties right and 1 His Maiesties right is but pretention to these lay papist pretention to the Crowne of England the oppositions were 2 Parsons did indeed oppose against the Kings right in his booke of titles so did al his folovvers made by vs and our Catholike brethren and friendes abroade and at home leauing nothing in our power vndone that might lawfull aduance your Maiesties rightful Title as Heir apparent to the Crown of England against all practises or proiects to the contrary (b) The L. Monteagle M. Fran. Treshā Sir Lewis Tresham in the Towre of London Our 3 VVhen there vvas no remedy forewardnes in proclayming your Maiesty without any further warrant then the right and iustice of your Title and the loyalty and affection of our harts (c) Sir Thomas Tresham at North-hampton The 5 Was it dangerous to proclame the king dangers and difficulties that some amongst vs passed in performing thereof in times so green and doubtfull (d) The Vicount Montague largely casting mony among the people The generall 6 Rather greef sorovv and anger ioy and applause shewed by vs with remarkable signes of infinite contentemente at your Highnes entrance into the Realme with dutiful offices of ioy and readines to proclaime and receiue your Maiesty were performed by Catholikes with such alacrity in most places of the Realme and those in such 4 None of these I hope vvill either subscribe this petition or confes the Pope to be supreme head of the church (e) The Lord Winsor the L. Mordent distance one from the other that they cold haue no intelligence one with another how they should behaue themselues in that occasion which maketh it euident that so generall a consent in so suddaine and important an affaire of persons so by places deuided could not proceede from any other fountaine but from an vniuersall and setled deuotion to your Maiesties vndoubted Title All which offices of our loue and loyalty we assure our selues are aswell knowne to your Maiesty as your Maiesties Cādor Clemency is knowne vnto vs by vs blazed throughout the Christian worlde And not by our tongues and pens onely are these your heroicall vertues made so notorious as they are by the often publique and 7 Will you say the King hath broken promise gracious promises also protestations which your Maiesty out of the infinite bounty and magnanimity of your minde hath made aswell to Princes abroade as to priuate Men at home as well before as after the Queenes death as well before as after your entrance to the Realm both in priuate and in publique both in Palace and Parliament that you vvoulde haue no bloud for Religiō that you vvold hane no sale mony for conscience cōtrary to the vvord of God that you vvold review the lavves made against Catholikes and giue order for clearing of them by reason in case they baue beene in times past farther or more rigorously executed by the iudges then the meaning of the lavv vvas The intended performance of which your most gracious promises receiued a memorable commencement in Iuly last past some fewe dayes before your Royall coronation when by speciall order of your Highnes without any suite or motion of Catholikes certain Recusāts of the best quality and ability out of diuers parts of the Realme were sent for to Hampton Court by the Lords of your Maiesties priuy Councel and were by them very respectiuely and curteously vsed also assured by the saide Lords that your Maiesties Royal pleasure and Clemency vvas to exonerate the Catholikes of this realme from henceforth of that pecuniarie mulcte of xx pound a moneth for recusancy The xx pound a Moneth for Recusancy released by the Kings voluntary promise in Iuly 1603. which your Maiesties grace and relaxation the saide Lords signified that they shold so long enioy as they kept themselues vprighte in all ciuill and true cariage to vvardes your Maiesty and the State vvithout contempt whereunto reply was made that recusancy might be held for an act of contempt It was auswered by the Lords of the Councell that your Maiesty vvoulde not accompt 1 Can men refuse to concur in gods vvorship and yet be guiltlesse recusancie for a contempt And this your Maiesties gratious order and pleasure the sayde gentlemen recusants were willed to signifie to all other Catholikes Which grace proceeding from your Maiesties meere clemency voluntary good will in that moste dangerous time of the discouery of the conspiracy of the Lord 2 But contriued by Watson Clerke tvvo Romish traiterous martyrs Gray and Cobham semed to vs so inuiolable and so little subiect to chaunge or alteration that comparing these bountifull effects with the repose trust which your Maiesty in your Printed booke to your Peerles son seemeth to put in them that were faithfull and resolutely affected to your Mother and with the speech your Highnes made the first day of the Parliament tending to some more 3 Bevvare least your presumptuous challenges treasons alter not the kings course temperate course in matter of Religion then was of late vsed we had great reason to abstaine from farther importuning 4 VVhat then meant you by your importune petitions your Maiesty either by friends or petition but to exspect with silence patience and all humble submission how your Maiesty should please to dispose of vs without any diffidence or distrust either in our own 5 If merits vvere respected vvhat can you claime merites or your mercy Chapter 2. The reasons that haue driuen vs to * Better it is to be silent then to speak foolishly breaech of silence and to a necessary and iust defence BVT Alas Dreade 1 The Popes vassalls dread him not nor count him supreme Soueraigne we see our filence modesty and simplicity so abused by some 2 They should be indeed very indiscreet if they cold not discerne your false religion from catholike doctrine indiscreet Ministers who in their Bokes and Sermons make it euident they think no abuse or indignitie offred vs sufficient to satisfie theire 3 Remember your bloudy persecution rigour in queen Maries cruell raign you massacrers of Christians rigorous mindes or supresse our righteous cause that wee are driuen thereby to breake our determinate course of filence vrged and inforced thereto by these sequent occasions Firste The firste
reason that wee see our selues as superstitious persons excluded 4 Not for superstition but either for refusing to acknovvledge the kings supremacy or for other your demeries from that supreme Courte of Parliament that was first founded by and for Catholike 5 These Catholike men neuer knevv your Caeolike doctrine of Trent nor your late treacherous practises men was furnished with Catholike Prelates Peers Personages and was indowed with those Goodly Priueleges and prerogatiues by Catholike princes so 6 These selovvs belike do knovv vvhat Parliaments vvere called in King Lucius his time continued from the first conuersion of our Nation from Paganisme for so manie hundred yeeres without alteration till the times of Edvvard 7 Do they meane to exclude Children and vvomen from the crovvne the VI a Child and Queene Elizabeth a Woman and by the lawes made by Catholikes in those Parliaments the honor peace and wealth of this realm hath been and is 8 By this reckoning papists are no Catholikes For they made the king and country subiect to strangers and suffered the Pope to make a spoile of the kingdome maintained and your Maiesties right and succession to the crowne mightily against all your aduersaries fortified 9 VVeakly do they support the kings right that make him tributary to the Pope and vtterly do they ouerthrovv hu succession that giue the Pope povver to dispose of kingdoms and supported We see daily The 2. reason billes and 10 The parliament is no place vvhere books are exhibited bookes exhibited againste vs in Parliament and elsewhere 11 You are not taxed vvith names but for crimes and that most iustly taxing vs very vniustly with most odious names of heret kes sectaries superstitious persons and idolaters We heare that your Maiesty is often 12 By vvhō are you not ashamed to bely his Maiesty solicited to extirpate the very roote The 3. reason race and memory of vs out of your Dominions and rather to admit 13 A slanderous imputation both to his Maiesty and the state as if they meant to allovv miscreants Miscreants and Iewes then Catholikes Wee heare a newe motion is made for the reuiuing of the 1 Only against such as commit capitall crimes former capitall lawes and pecuniarye paimentes and other penalties The 4. reason rather chargeing vs with a heauier hand then easing vs of our former burdens we heare that men are to pay for their wiues recusancie which in the hardest and heauiest times neuer was admitted that the hauing and keeping of a schoole master not allowed by the Diocesan is to be punished with xl shillings a day that all such as goe ouer to study in forraigne partes without speciall licence are to be disabled of al inheritance Lands Legacies or other goods chattels or possessions whatsoeuer These instances duly considered cause vs greatly to feare that youre maiesty may in time by the 2 None so clamorous and importunate as these petititioners importunat and dayly clamors and calumniations of our aduersaries be incensed incited against vs your most faithfull 3 Hovv are they the kings subiects that subiect themselues to the Pope or faithfull that so often oppugne their kings subiects wo liuing in certain securitie of theyr owne innocency and your Maiesties mercy and bountie laboure not by vnquiet oppositions to contradicte the false informations of our aduers part but only rely vpon the prouidence of God almighties protection and your Maiesties who tanquam Pater patriae is and euer hath been the certaine sanctuary and common support of all iust and innocent men And since the discharge of our mind can in our poore opinion bring no other inconuenience then light to your resolutions in such things as your Highnes is now to determine of in this present Parliament being the fittest time for your Maiestie to heare the desires and requests of your people and we hauing no other meanes to make them knowne but by this our dutifull Petition we are the bolder to present vnto your Maiesties view this our simple and sincere Apology least God should be offended with vs for our silence in matter of 4 Hovv do they honor god that serue saints and idolls his honoure leaste the Christian world should condemne vs of negligēce in defence of our 5 No maruell if the cause of antichrist be poor and distressed in the eies of Christians poore distressed cause least our Children and posterity should argue vs of carelesnesse and pusillanimity in a cause concerning their liues estates their very soules 6 Do you hope to be saued by seruing saints indulgences popish reconciliations and such trash saluation finally least our aduersaries shoulde insult ouer vs repute vs tanquam confitentes reos if after so many blowes giuen we should not hould vp the Buckler hand to saue our heades from vtter confusion and destruction and leaue some monument to our posteritye of our zeale deuotion 7 Do lay men take on them charge of soules or care for soules that pinne their soules on the Pope chaire in negotio animarum and our duty and affection 8 A goodly vvorship of priuces vvhen you make them the Popes slaues in cultu principum Yet so desirous we are to giue your Maiesty all possible contentment and satisfaction so loath not only to commit but to conceiue any thing that might iustly offend your grace that being by the reasons aforesayd pressed to put pen to paper and to haue recourse to your Highnesse by way of intercession we seeke not for all that to importunate your Maiesty with concourse of multitudes nor with the subscriptions of thousands of your lay Catholike subiectes hands (a) As the Millenary ministers lately did as some others haue 1 Others faults are no couer for your seditious courses done in alio genere for the furtherance of theire affaires but some few of vs onely in the name of the Catholikes of 2 All degrees knovv you to be falsaries exhibiting a false libil in the name of al degrees all degrees who euery way ioyne with vs in our submission and purgation doe present this our sincere Apology and humble Petition wherein if we seeme more tedious for the diuers important points we must necessarily handle by this occasion then is conueniente for men that deale with so mightie a Monarche busied so extreamelie with the waightye affayres of so manye kingdomes pardon O noble Prince this our indecorum for that we are driuen to touch somewhat in this our discourse which in parliament we shoulde haue saide if we thether had beene admitted that which to our aduersarye wee woulde vtter if they had the patience to heare vs and that which we shoulde answere to their sinister suggestions if we might haue that accesse to your royall person as the extremitie of our cause requireth and the true and 3 That appeareth vvell by Watsō