O Lord open the eies of these Men. The Auctors Teares and humble Petition vnto Almightie GOD. ALAS alas deare GOD Be there yet any left that pleade for Baal Hast thou not taught vs revealed vnto vs the impietie and iniquitie the infidelitie and irreligion of the Profession now vrged Haue not we after diligent inquirie deprehended it to be Idolatrie Blasphemie and Prophanation of thy name as appeareth by the worship of Idols of bread wood stone by their iustifications through their owne workes and so many other by meanes besides that only sweete Sacrifice of thy Sonne and by their false worship which is not a Service prescribed by thy worde but a meere devise of vnpure carnall profane and divellish wits Have not we founde the doctrine and practise of it as a Sea of Sin to be the cause of all disloyaltie dishonestie and wicked conversation amongst men as appeareth in that Antichristian Supremacie whereby the Man of Sinne in the divellish pride of his harte and seate challengeth vnto himselfe fulnes of power and soveraignety of iurisdiction to doe what pleaseth him in heaven in earth and in hell to dispense with what he list What greater encouragement can there be to sinne then that a man may be sure for a little money to haue a sealed pardon not onely for any wickednes coÌ„mitted but also for al he shal coÌ„mitte during his life many hundred yeeres after So absurdly wicked is their doctrine practise If by going on pilgrimage saying so many times over his beads fasting so many daies giving so much vnto Monkes Friers or maintaining so many Masses a man may satisfie for his sinnes and appease thy wrath ô GOD against the same who will be restrained from any wickednes or be carefull for amending his life But no marveile though so infinite a power of the Pope be so great a cause of sinne seeing the auctoritie of absolution which every Popish Priest hath is so fruitful in this kind to the incouragement and increase of wickednes we haue but too many woefull examples of such who absolved their disciples before hand to poyson and to murder the sacred persons of our Kings and Princes thine Anoynted If every Priest hath such a power to absolve from sinne what wickednes is there which these Absolvers will not dispense with and what security for anâ— Prince or State where such Priests and Absolvers may be enduted What shall I speake of the dishonestie and vncleanes of their secrete Confessions of their Stewes of their orders of Monkes and Friers vnlawfull vowes and single life which are causes of hypocrisies adulteries fornications and a thousand abominations of vncleannes What shal I speake of their SaÌ„ctuaries priviledged places exemptions immunities appeales and protections which must needes by impunity provoke men vnto all wickednesse It is as cleare as the Sunne both through thy Iustâ—ce ô most righteous GOD who canst not but from heauen reveile thy wrath vpon so great vngodlines the very nature practise of Popish Religion that it must needes be an enemie to all good policie whose end is to represse sinne and starke poison certaine ruine of all kingdomes States where it is established How long ô Lord how long wilt thou endure these Lovers of Babylon How long wilt thou suffer them to profane thy name to defile thy sanctuarie and to seduce thy Children We thy poore Servants in the Vniversities may write til our strength faileth vs preach yea cry out till we haue lost our voices and mourne till our hartes breake in defence of thy eternall truth against Popish Antichristianisme Yet vntill the Ministrie of thy Word be established in every part of our Land the bitter rootes therof wil never be cleane pulled vp Thou knowest ô GOD that some of the Ambassadours of thy Sonne are sufficiently provided for and we see and feele to our great griefe that our Ministrie in many yea in most places is vnprouided contrary to thy commandement and to the iust cause of feare of thy indignation against vs for it if it bee not some way in time relieved But this specially ariseth of the spoile which the children of Babylon in times past haue made by impropriating and annexing the living of so many particular Churches to the maintenance of their Cloysters Abbeyes and dignities by their Antichristian dispensations Whereby they haue left the Ministrie so marveilously vnprouided and so beggerly as that in some places there are to be found many Parishes togither wherof all the livings that now remaine to them are not sufficient for the competent maintenaÌ„ce of one Man and his familie Which lamentable estate of our Church deterreth many from vndertaking that holy and honorable Function vvho having sufficient giftes seeing the Ministry oppressed with beggery and subiect to other discredit and inconveniences arising thereof bestovve themselues in some other lawfull calling wherein they may bee able to liue in wealth and credit By which meanes the vnsufficient and vnlearned Ministry seized vpon the possessions of the Church to the infinite hinderance of the Gospell to the increase strengthening of Poperie and the losse of thousands of Soules which CHRIST IESVS thy deare Sonne hath bought with his precious blood Alas alas that the poore Parish according vnto thy ordinance giveth the Tithe of al they haue to haue a Man of GOD amongst them who may teach them the righte way to serue and honor thee and to saue their soules alas I say that this Tithe should be taken away and still detained by the greedy Nabals hold-fast Labans of the world and applyed to profane vses leaving the poore spoyled of their goods and the whole parish vnfurnished of one who should be their guide to everlasting life By which devillish covetousnes they make themselues guilty not only of the horrible sin of Sacriledge and of the robbery of the goods of the people but also questionlesse of the destruction of many th usand Souâ—es in taking detaining from them the meanes whereby they might be taught vnto salvation Alas that for any cause so many soules of thy People should perish Thou dost not delight in the death of a sinner and thou canst doe whatsoever thou wilt both in heaven and in earth thou mannagest the hearts of Kings commandest the Rulers of the peâ—ple Incline I beseech thee the royall hart of our KING ô Lord and of the Peeres and Nobles of this kingdome now assembled togither to take pitty vpon the miserably-distressed Soules of thy children that by thy speciall favour and grace they may finde out some reasonable meanes whereby every Parish may recover their owne againe to the mainetenance of a worthy Minister amongst them Behold ô heauenly FATHER thy CHILDREN in many places of this land cry for bread even for the bread of life and there is no man that breaketh it vnto them the tongues of many cleaue to their roofe for thirst being ready to perish and no man giveth them the water of life to quicken their soules Wee cry vnto thee ô Lord thou art our FATHER harken vnto the teares of thy CHILDREN and graciously grant our request even for thy dearest Sonne IESVS CHRIST his sake who hath shed his most precious hart-blood for our Redemption so shall the saved Soules of thousands praise thee togither with thy Sonne and the Holy Ghost for evermore Revelat. 7.12 Amen Praise and Glorie and VVisedome and Thankes and Honour and Power and Might be vnto OVR GOD for evermore Amen FINIS
A CONSIDERATION OF the Papists Reasons of State and Religion for toleration of Poperie in England INTIMATED IN THEIR Supplication vnto the Kings Maiestie the States of the Present Parliament Mich. 7.10 Shee that is mine enemie shall looke vpon it and shame shall cover her which said vnto me VVhere is the Lord thy GOD Mine eies shall beholde her now shall shee bee TRODEN DOVVNE as the mire in the streetes AT OXFORD Printed by JOSEPH BARNES and are to bee sold in Paules Church-yarde at the signe of the Crowne by Simon VVaterson 1604. To the Christian Reader AS I haue professed heeretofore in my Treatise against the Papists first Petition so heere again I protest that this fourth Supplication beeing directed vnto his Maiestie I haue not presumed to Answer any thing at all thervnto because I know his Highnes Christian heroicall Spirit is only worthy to giue Answer in this case Notwithstanding seeing the impudencie of the Petitioners is so intolerable that in so flourishing an age vnto so learned a Prince they dare exhibite their idle fancies and vaine toies being vtterly devoide of better Arguments which they haue scraped out of the often-refuted writings of their owne Sophisters and couched togither without forme or methode I haue bin once againe imboldened to consider of their Reasons which I hope I haue proved in sufficient to force such a CoÌ„clusion as should bee the overthrowe of our Christian Church and State of the Gospell his excellent Maiestie I confesse my paines heerein might well haue bin spared and indeed had I known so much in time I would not haue made this parénthesis in my Studies considering that a thrice-learned reverend Father of our Church M. Doctor Sutcliffe the worthy Deane of Exceter hath even already as the report goeth although I haue not yet seene his Booke amated these importunate shamelesse Petitioners made them as mute as a fish not daring to exspect any other ANSVVERE in reason at his Maiesties handes but Le Roy ne le veu't pas yet forasmuch as diverse books being written in diverse methods of the same argument or subiect are not vnprofitable I haue bin bold not to suppresse what I had done already committing the suâ—cesse vnto Almightie GOD and my selfe herein vnto the Censure of the learned who I presume can not but iudge Christianly and charitably of my good meaning and endevour to promote the common cause against the common adversarie Farewell Oxford from St. Marie Hall 13. of Aprill 1604. Thine ever in the Lord Gabriel Powel THE PAPISTES SVPPLIcation vnto the Kings most excellent Maiestie c. Most high and mightie Prince and our deerestly beloued Soveraigne a How can Papists without blushing acknowledge his Maiesties title vnto the Crown of England to be DIRECT seing they haue heretofore by tooth naile most indirectly moâ—t vniustly oppugned the same Which traiterous Parsons confesseth albe it for excuse he assureth himselfe that whatsoever hath bin said writen or done by any Catholike against his Maiesty which with some others mâ—ght breede disgust hath beene directed to the end for sooth to make his Maiestie nrst a Cathoâ—ike and then our King as if treason â—â—â—ed treacherie against his Highnesse could make him a Catholike or the denying and impugning of his direct and iust title tended to make him our King Rob. Pars in his Treat of three Convers in the Dedicat. Addition to the Catholikes SO many causes concurre wheresoever we turne our thoughts and these most great of reioycing as we know not with which wee should begin the count nor on which to ground our chiefest ioy Your Maiesties direct tide to the Imperiall Crowne of the Reasme both by lineall descent and prioritie of blood your Highnesse most quiet accesse to the same Gods onâ—y worke aboue the expectation of man do as by most right they should exceedingly pâ—ssesse and englad our harts Also the thrice fortunate vniting of the two Kingdomes which not seldome in former times haue bin much infestuous one to the other and this after so sweete a meane as by rightful deuolution of both Scepters to the immediate issue of either Nation cannot but in semblable proportion multiplie and advaunce our ioyes nor can we any way doubt but that thest egth of the Monarchy now in de inuincible by the vnion will ever be most able to preserue these our ioyes vnto vs and make them perpeâ—ual either kingdome being such a fortres and countermure to other and both so abounding with men and shipping as no forraine enemie howe potent soever vnlesse he fiâ—st be wearie of his owne forâ—unes dare ever adventure to offend or picke quarrell vnto Likewise the hope and strongest affiance which your Maiesties raigne over both nations yeelds of reducing the bordurers of either Countrey to Christian order of turning to coÌ„moditie the vast quantity of ground which by reason of the sauage demeanor among them hath time out of mind layne wast and vnoccupied and of enioying peace commerce and trafficke with all Nations a blessing most soveraigne and which alreadie is lighted on vs in good measure Then the vnspeakeable benefite of your Highnesse fitte yeeres to governe and your long successefull experience in the affaire being the Arte of Artes office of God farre more intricate dâ—fficult and combersome then anie other kinde of ministration or state of life on earth Then also the speciall consolation which all men take in your Maiesties regatdfull loue toward the Nobilitie of the Realme as hauing alreadie restored some to their lost dignities and endowed others with honor and authoritie in State Lastlie to omit other infinit particulars of lesse moment the good triall of your Highnesse prowesse wisedome iudgment clemencie bountie compassion the edification of your exemplar life of like force to your subiects for fashioning their manners therevnto as were the twigges of partie colour which the Patriarch Jacob laid before the flocke of sheepe he had in keeping at the time of their conceiving the noblest disposition of our yong Prince and his brother the rare vertues of their Queene-mother our most respected Princesse and the hope of such store of children from both your bodies as may to the worlds end most renowmedlie spread and perpetuate the roiall coniunction name familie We saie all these and other like gracious respects doe so aboundantlie replenish our harts w th ioy as no temporall thing can more in the world And to the end these our ioyes may ever inhabite in our soules prosperoulsly without change or diminution we your Maiesties reuereÌ„tly affectionate subiectes doe prostrately beseech your most Princely consideration to commiserate our b Causelesse coÌ„plaints not of persecution for Religion but of Christian Justice for treasoÌ„ grieuous long indured pressures for confessing the Catholike Romane faith the c Popish Religion is the high and brode way to destruction which we have elsewhere proved as large all onely meane as we
fire and sword but also as we have already saide in the Answere to the first Supplication pag. 27. violent humors of ambition to a Monarchie of malice and revenge vpon supposed indignities the securing of their owne greatnes by impayring their Neighbours c. 3 If Religion were the cause of such warres yet would not the warres cease for toleration considering the Papistes if they be not restrained will never rest vntill they see an alteration and full restoring of the Popish Idolatry 4 If any of the latter cases should bee the cause of warre yet cannot Popery strengthen and secure his Maiestie therein Because it is not likely probable that the Papistes will sincerely and faithfully sight the bottailes of a Protestant King against a Prince of their ownereligion 5 Poperie cannot strengthen his Maiestie against â—â—restâ—â—â— and doâ—â—esticall forces For in all reason none are like to rebell at home but Papists as is man fest by the example of all the civill warres which haue bin in England or Ireland this 46. yeeres and vpwardes 6 It is most probable that such toleration would rather breed dissention and civill wortes at home amongst vs then any way hinder or stay the same 7 Popish Religion cannot any way secure the King against neither forrâ—â—â—â— nor dâ—â—â—sticall attemptes 1 Because the Papister obedience and â—idelay is pinned vpon the Popes sleeve who when hee pleadeth may discharge them froÌ„ their alloageanes vnto their Prince II Because the Popish saith wenkeneth the kingdom of people considering the great number of Priestes professed votaries and other superstiuoâ—s persons with all their servants and attendâ—ts that are exempted from the Princes warries yea from any conâ—â—â—â—tion and payment to mantaâ—â— them III Because al this superstition 〈◊〉 breing restâ—â—ned froÌ„maâ—â—ge wherby 〈◊〉 â—â—hoy had nochâ—ldren or not daring to avow them most cruelly â—â—â—â—dered them I the posteritie could not multiplie any thing in such sort as if it had bin lawfull for them to â—arris IV Because the practise of Popery impoverisheth the land of treasure at is manifest by the infinite sumâ—â—â— which by a thousaÌ„d means the Popish religioÌ„ drawes spoÌ„ all the states and kingdomes where it is received V. In this kingdome of England the ordinary revenewes and profits of religious men falsely so called rose to one third part of all the land in the raigne of Noble King HENRIE the VIII The furniture of their Churches with so many copes of all sortes of rich sluffe was such as no King or Prince could weare better Their massie crosses of silver and golde their Idols of finest mettals their ordinary charges of wax incense c. the plate iewels of Abbeiest Priories and other superstitious houses were of infinite valew and price as I thinke the Court of Augmentation might sufficiently testifie Besides all these the extraordinary charges of appeales and following suites at Rome the paymeÌ„ts imposed by most tyrannous oppression both vpon King Nobles and all the people of the laÌ„d the treasure drawne out of this kingdome by names of Perter-pence Palles collatioÌ„s first fruits and thousand such craftie subtle titles of most extreame exactions did so impoverish the state as both the Kings the Nobles al the people did grievously complaine as finding indeede the Court of Rome to be the very leach that suckr the blood of all the land and could neuer be satisfied 8 Certeinely in respect of their owne Antichristian kingdome I must needes confesse that for the establishment continuance security wealth and honour of the same the Divell himselfe whose depths their Popes and Peelass vnderstood could never have devised any thing more politique and sit then that which was devised by them II To the Cousequence 1 If the Antecedent were true yet ought nor the coÌ„sequence be graunted For 〈◊〉 is to be done this good may come thereof 2 His Maiestie may be secured from all attempts forraine or domestical God be praised without the Papists helpe Yea he is then most secure when they are farshest off IV REASON OF STATE FVrthermore both the suncient Philosophers and the States-men of latert me doe wrie and common sense proclameth that the glory puissaunce and stablenesse of a kingdome consist more in the true vertue and goodnesse then in the store multitude of subiectes because verstue begeneth glory and is the cherisher of fortitude both which disdaine nothing more then treachery and basenes of minde the common slewees which conuey into all estates all that is dishonourable And it is seldome if ever seene most noble King that they who are comstant obedient and faithfull to God in the religion they a No maÌ„ can be faithfull to God in a false religion beleeue are not likewise true subiectiue and faithfull to their Kinge in all duties b The Suppliants should plainly declare what these duties appertaining are appertaining For as grace the feare of sinne and the loue of heauen doe worke them to the performing of the one so will the same grace feare and loue the neglect being of equall damage in both induce heÌ„ to obserue the other Nay they both are so neerely allied depend so absolutelie one of the other and are alike essentially Imcked togither as the one caÌ„not be either laudably or in dissefulfilled and the other not accomplished How constant and faithfull the Catholike hath carried himselfe in the religioÌ„ he professeth it appeareth by this that neither the c Where divellish super otisis sittesh Judge there neither Naâ—re nor Reason in aydare to plead the cause What marveil then if desperat Papists neglecting their own safetie their Princes wercis haue endured lesse embraced the gallowes and wilfullie suffered the iust reward of death Have not Pagans and Jusidels suffered many thinges for their owne Idolatrous devise Have not the benis womed winds of miserable men by the subtill delusion of Saran ben so bewitched that they have not hinafraid to offer both themselues and their yourg bobes through vio uts flamec for the devils sacrifice paying of twenty pounds a moneth onely for not going to the Piotestants church or where his ability could not affoord so much there the leesing of two parts of his liuings and the vtter forfeiture of all his goods nor making of Priestes the seeders of their soules to bee maitors and their receavers sellons lawes and penalies that never d A wanifest slander and vntrush had similitude of instance or president in the worlde either did or could make him to deny or exteriorly to disguise his religion or relinquish to practise it proofes in all vnderstanding most sufficient to convince that he dreadeth God feareth to offend his conscience that he Christialy seeketh to saue his soul And if so theÌ„ as we thinke there cannot iustly be made any doubte but that he will likewise shew himselfe obedient and dutifull to his Soveraigne in all thinges that belong to e Howe the Suppliants shewe themselues in their
Deut. 17.18.19.20 To like effect it was saide vnto Ioshua Let not the booke of this law depart out of thy mouth but meditate in it night and day that thou mayest diligently obserue as it is written in it For then thou shalt prosper in thy wates and haue successe in thy affaires Iosh 1.8 For this cause the Kingly Prophet exhorteth Kings to bee wise and iudges to be well advised that they worship GOD and his anointed denouncing vnto the enemies the Almighty power of Christ to the confusion of all that set themselues against him whereby he should be able as easily to breake them as a man with a barre of iron doth dash in peeces a pot of earth Psal 2.10.11.12 To this purpose notable is the speech of Asaria the Prophet vnto King Asa and to all Iuda Beniamin whē the Lord had miraculously foyled the innumerable multitude of their enemies The Lord saith he hath beene with you while yee have beene with him and if yee will yet seeke him be will be readie for you but of yee for sake him he will for sake you According to that which the man of GOD had saide before I will honour these that honour me and despise those which despise mee 2. Chron. 15.1 Sam. 2.30 This doctrine was sealed in the casting away of Saule and in the choosing and prosperous successe of David as he often acknowledgeth 1. Sam. 15. Psal 18.2 Sam. 22. Likewise in Salomon the most vvise and politique Prince that ever sate in the seate of David or ruled any people in the world who because he fully established the service of GOD according to all that had bin commanded by the Prophets the Lord also established his seate and increased his glory aboue all the Kings of the earth till he began to decline frō the Lord his God brought the abominable Idols of the strange women whom hee loved into his owne kingdome houses 1 King 10. Then the Lorde raised vp his servant against him who also in the daies of his sonne so rent away the ten tribes of Israel from the house of David that they never returned vnto it againe This was the speech of the Prophet Shemaiah to Rehoboam and the people of Iudah Thus saith the Lord You have for saken mee therefore will I also abandon you and give you into the hand of Shishak which was performed but in mercy vpon their repentance 2. Chron. 12.5 Abuah King of Iudah obiecteth against Ieroboam that he could not prosper because he had erected Idols in his kingdome had made him Priests contrary to the lawe and assured himselfe of GODS assistance against him for this reason because they had the Lord for their GOD who was their Captaine his lawfull Priests the Sonnes of Aaron sounding the Lords trumpets in the field before them Therefore saith he O yee children of Israel fight not against the Lord GOD of your fathers for yee shall not prosper And accordingly it is added that the Israelites were overthrowne having five hundreth thousand men of warre slaine and the Iewes were strengthened because they rested vpon the Lord GOD of their fathers 2. Chron. 13. Divers was the estate and aflaires of King Asa according as he walked with GOD prospering when he trusted in GOD and decaying when he followed the vaine discourse of flesh and blood and sought to the Aslyrians for helpe The same is alwaies diligently noted in the liues of the rest of the Kings Amazia Azaria Ioas Ezechia Iehoshaphat Manasles and the rest even to the Captivity of both the houses of Israel and Iudah with their Kings for false worshippe and disobedience vnto the vvord of the Lord their GOD. What shall I say of the life raigne death of our late blessed Soveraigne Queene ELIZABETH of most famous and happy memory who being but a woman after innumerable dangers and manifolde Persecutions comming to the crowne as the learned and reverend Father M. Doctor Abbots Deane of VVinchester noteth in his Auswere vnto Reas VI. of D. Hill in the latter end with vnspeakeable courage notwithstanding very many difficulties of Subiects at home of Princes abroad and of the Divell every where professed to mainetaine the trueth of the Gospel and to deface Idolatry superstition which with singular constancie shee continued all the daies of her life yeelding her lande a Sanctuary to all Christians throughout the whole world groaning for liberty of true Religion protecting and defending the afflicted Christians abroade in forraine Countries from the oppression of savage and bloudy Tyrants flourishing in wealth honor estimation being every way admired of all the Monarkes vnder the Sunne whither her fame did come and leaving matter for such a story as no Prince ever hath left the like This thrice noble Princesse after many glorious victories triumph◠other renowned prosperities notwithstanding the tyrānous attempts of forraine enemies abroad the frequent conspiracies of vngodly persons at home against her crown person by the favor of the Almighty vnder the shaddowe of whose wings shee was ever safely protected having Raigned foure and forty yeeres foure months and eight daies a Virgin Queene dyed in peace in a full glorious age so beloved so honoured and so esteemed of her Subiectes as never was any Prince more And GOD to testifie his owne worke left at her death no calamitie or miserie in the kingdome no warres but even Ireland then calmed no famine no apparant pestilence no inundation of waters but plenty and abundance with inexspected tranquillity Yea to the end that he might crowne her with blessings hee put vnity and agreement into the Nobles Cleargy Commous of this Lande that readyly they submitted them selues to the only lawfull and royall Successour These and infinite such like examples declare true Pietie to be the very base and foundation of all true wisedom and policie Impietie what shew so euer it haue of outward ward profit and commodity for a season yet in deed and in the end to be the very cause of ruine and overthrowe to all estates and kingdomes The reason whereof is manifest because all Kings and Princes holde their Crownes and Scepters at the will and pleasure of GOD who is King of Kings Lord of Lords Prov. 18.15 Dan. 4.32 As therefore the Tenant at will hath no better policie then to please his Lord of whom he holdeth so the greatest policy soūdest wisdome that may be vsed by Kings Princes is to please the Lord our GOD in all obedience namely in the zealous advancing of his true religion service in the repressing of all false worship Idolatry hypocrisy tyranny which otherwise call nay cry aloude for GODS vengeance to pull down such sleeping dissembling colluders out of their thrones II Popery cannot be tolerated in England because it cannot chuse but involve the State in infinite perplexities and raise tumults and vproares in the kingdome 3 The instāces in Germanie Fraunce
Poland are false for their estate is nothing so peaceable and flourishing as this Common-wealth is I Let vs consider the Roman Empire Shee having pitty to see that Church creeping as it did in the beginning vpon the ground suffered the same to embrace it and to growe vp by it as the Yvie doth by the oake whereof the Empire being a mightie tree indeed felte not at the first any annoyance but nowe findeth that it hath sucked it in such sorte as it hath drawne out all the iuice vigour of it being brought by it now to a withered stocke scarce able to beare the barren braunches that are vpon it For by meanes of Excommunicating and cursing the Emperours by giving the Empire to whom it pleased them by forcing warre betweene the House of Fraunce the Empire and other the noble Houses of Europe the Pope hath brought to passe that now there is no Emperour at-all at Rome but himselfe II France the world knoweth was almost torne in pieces by civill warres now by the banishment of the fire-brands thereof the Iesuites hath obtained peace III As for Poland the Popish Priests themselues confesse that the Iesuites excited and stâ—rred vp such an I hade of tumules civil warres amongst those Christians as that they caused of late more battels to bee fought then had bin in five hundred yeeres before Le Frank Discourse pag. 89. 4 So then it is not toleration that causeth peace in these kingdomes but other causes as is manifest 5 If toleration were the cause as the Petitioner pretends yet is that no sufficient warrant for his Highnesse to allow of wicked and daÌ„gerous toleration in England For we must not live by examples but by lawes and rule of reason 6 Popish Princes may lawfully without disparagemeÌ„t of their estates permitte Protestants to exercise their religion within their kingdomes the doctrine which they professe being the only word of GOD which caÌ„ be preiudiciall to no estate or true policy But Protestant Princes may not permitte Papistes to exercise their idolatrie within their domimoÌ„s the doctrine which these professe being both contrary vnto the lawfull auctority of Kings and vnto the expresse word of GOD More plainely 7 The doctrine of the Gospel holdeth nothing that may impugne Kings lawfull right and auctority but contrariwise teacheth all due honor and obedience to be given to them and that for conscience sake Wherfore both they may suffer the exercise of it without danger yea to the great establishing of their states and thrones in security and assurance and consequently also such professours may be faithfull and loyall subiects yea even to heathen Princes as the Apostles and Fathers of the Primitive church were But a Papist that houlds a faith doctrine the maximes and rules whereof are opposite to the state and dignity of Princes though they alleadge a thousand times they stand but for their conscience religion yet because their conscience and religion is such as the principles and grounds of it are contrary to all States auctority the Magistrate cannot endure such a conscience and religion without the certaine danger of having the mace and scepter wrong out of his hands 8 Againe the Papists do intolerably wrong his Maiestie in soliciting of his Highnesse to graunt that whereof they can give no similitude of instance in any Protestant Prince Yea which the Pope himselfe cannot endure 9 For if toleration bee so beneficiall to the State as heere the Papists affirme wherfore do not they perswade the Pope all Popish Princes to practise the same within their dominions why do they not cancell the bloodie InquisitioÌ„ surcease their persecuting of the ProtestaÌ„ts If they thinke this intolerable in their regiments wherfore should we iudge it tolerable in our State especially their Popish documeÌ„ts being very fire-brands to set al on fire their Popes very leaches of our treasure that wil never be satisfied and very tyrants that will oppresse not onely the lawfull liberty of the people but also the royal power auctority of our Kinges Princes their Priestes Iesuites very bellowes of all sedition rebellion 10 SECONDLIE Toleration of Papistry is coÌ„trary vnto the word of GOD as I have proved in the Aâ—swere vnto the first Supplication and also besides what I have written in this already shal be more plainely shewed in the sequele and therefore contrary to the doctrine which we professe It is written in the law that the false Prophet the seducing Idolater shold be takeÌ„ from amongst vs slaine that all Israell may heare and feare and not dare to commit the like Deut. 13. We acknowledge that Faith is the gifte of God which commeth by the preaching of the Gospell and yet wee thinke it not vnlawfull for the Magistrate to execute the Lords iust vengeance vpon obstinate Heretiques and seducing Idolaters Repentance and holynes of life is also the gift of God and commeth by the same meanes and yet the Magistrate not only in a good conscience may but in duty to GOD ought to draw out the Lords sword of execution iustice and vengeance against all ill doers to wound and to kill according to the qualities of the offence So likewise ought he in this case And though conscience and religion be not put in by torments yet may one having his obstinacy chastened by auctority bee stirred vp to consider more seriously of the course he holds and by such occasion growing to a deeper examination of the cause through the grace of God attaine to the true faith And if they should not be coÌ„verted yet is not the punishment in vaine For by it many which oftentimes by a dissolute lenitie would bee encouraged with impunitie and follow the same wicked waies are better advised and kept from destruction else were it in vaine said vvhich I haue alleadged before Take away the evill from amongst you that all Israell may heart and feare and not dare to doe the like 11 If any haue taught otherwise then this it can no more yea not so much preiudice our cause as nowe this pleading for toleration beeing a thing which they haue ever abhorred both in words writing doth preiudice the great Patrones of Vnity and Constancy in their profession as they tearme themselues the Papists II To the Consequence 1 The Antecedent beeing absurde and false all the breadth of heaven the Consequence must needs be absurde and false in like manner 2 If the Antecedent were true yet coulde not the Consequence bee admitted For it is not agreeables to the State nor yet supposed conformitie with the doctrine of the ProtestaÌ„ts if it be not otherwise simply true in it selfe that can make a thing lawfull and tolerable ¶ Hitherto of the Reasons of State Now follow the Reasons of Religion Reason of Religion 1 1. REASON OF RELIGION The Religion a Vntruth it is cleane contrarie vnto that Religion that vnder your Highnesse favour we
in three severall supplications exhibited by them at severall times vnto his roiall Maiestie and is refuted in the Answere vnto their first supplication pag. 20. Yet forasmuch as the Petitioner hath newe furbished them same over againe and heere even in the forefront of this fourth Supplication placed it to be first considered as the maine and principall motive wherevpon his whole request is grounded I will not be a ggrieved to take the paines to refute it once againe I answere therefore I. To the Antecedent 1 If the Papistes doe not holde themselues obliged vnto his Maiestie except he graunt theÌ„ Toleration theÌ„ what cause haue they to reioyce so much at his accesse into this kingdome as they pretend they do in the beginning of this supplication 2 Their allegeance heere promised is vpon condition that his Maiestie will grant them free exercise of their Idolatrie and superstition but promise nothing in case of deniall Yea they blush not to say expressely that then they will bee without spirit or forwardnes in action vnapt for any employment c. and yet not without generosity of spirite and resolution to practise treacherie against his roiall PersoÌ„ and the State as they were accustomed to doe in our late Soveraines daies 3 If the Papists had promised absolute loyalty service vnto his Highnes yet could they not haue performed the same all their subiection and obedience being anticipated and forestalled by the Pope of Rome 4 Mercenary service and obedience not performed of conscience is like the loyalty of Iudas who diligentlie attended his Master whilest he kept the bagge afterwards when he had no more hope to gaine that way perfidiously and traiterously betraied him 5 If the Papâ—sts were tolerated to exercise their religion freely without molestation their obedience loyalty vnto the King would be much lesse then now it is because their Religion in the Articles thereof being treason against the lawfull auctority and State of Kings they would professe and practise the same with more boldnes impudency theÌ„ now they dare And that the Articles of their Religion be flatt Treason I have proued alreadie in the Answere vnto their first Supplication which because they be but short I will heere againe insert I The Papistes hould That the Pope may excommunicate Kinges II That the Pope hath power to absolue subiects from their faith and allegeance III That the Pope may depose Princes from their scepter and crowne IV That any private man may bee made executioner to murther or to poison the excommunicated King V That it is lawfull to kill a Tyrant VI That a King breaking and contemning the coÌ„mon lawes of the lâ—nd may be deprived of his crowne by the people VII That there be other causes for the which Princes and great personages may be slaine VIII That faith must not be kept with Heretikes IX That whosoever is not within the communion of the Popish Church is an Heretike and consequently that his Maiestie of England is such a one X That no Cleargie-maÌ„ can coÌ„mit treasoÌ„ against any teÌ„porall King because he is not the kings subiect but the Popes Vide Orat. ad Reg. Galliae de Restit Iesuit Et Eman. Sà in Aphorism Et Bellarm. lib. de Exempt Clericorum Et Catechis Iesuit lib 3. cap. 26. pag. 235. 6 Againe seeing the Papists bragge eveÌ„ in the time of their restrainte that they are not inferiour to the Protestant or Puritane either in number alliance or generosity of spirit and resolution What will they not dare to attempt wheÌ„ their number is increased by immunity of profession 7 By vertue of Popish Religion the Ecclesiasticall state or Cleargie of their Church are not the Kings subiects but challenge immunity and exemption from his Highnesse power from his indiciall Courtes in case of ordinary coÌ„tributions Wherfore toleration would make these men yet more insolent in with-drawing their allegeance from his Maiestie 8 Put case Papistrie were not Treason against the Kinges lawfull power and also that the Cleargie of that Church would become very dutifull and obsequious vnto his Maiestie yet were not toleration to be admitted Because it would breede innumerable troubles and vproares in the state Ecclesiasticall of this land which being disquieted and vnsetled the civill regiment cannot bee long in peace II To the Consequence 1 Howsoever his Maiestie might wish in policy that all Papistes might thinke themselues infinitely obliged vnto his Highnesse and be ready in all occurrences to performe all serviceable duty and awfall obedience in any service soever belonging to the defence of his Maiesties person crowne or dignity Yet cannot his Highnesse allowe or practise the meanes leading therevnto if they be simplie vnlawfull and prohibited by the law of God such as toleration of Idolatrie and false worship is notoriously knowne to be 2 The malice of Papistes against the Gospell being vnplacable their treacherous hearts against men of contrary Religion experienced and sufficiently knowne and their practises against his Maiesties person and the State vncertaine it fits not the deepe reach of a Prince so long experienced in government to cure the head-ach by knocking out the braines to remedy vncertaine and lesser accidents by opening free passage to most certaine greater perilles 3 The Papists may be compelled to become obedient and dutifull subiects without toleration of their religion By abating their multitudes and lessening their nuÌ„bers by banishing their Priests by planting a learned ministrie for their conversion to true religion by the making and due execution of penall lawes against the obstinate and stubborne Recusant c. Reason of State II 2. REASON OF STATE AGaine the Puritane as hee a A manifest vn truth and slander of the state increaseth dayly aboue the Proteâ—tant in number so is he of a more presuming imperious horter disposition and zeale ever strongly burning in desire to reduce all things to the forme of his owne Idea or imagination conceived and therefore by discourse of reason not vnlike the enterprise beeing to be paralleled by many examples to attempt the overthrowe of the Protestant and bring the kingdome especially the Ecclesiasticall state to a paritie or popular forme of government if the Catholike perchaunce the b A lowde lie of insinuating coÌ„panions powerablest let thereof were once extinguished and to extinguish him no meane more potent then to forbid and punish the exercise of his religion And what confusion havocke and effusion of blood such an attempt would worke in the coÌ„mon-weale it is easie to coniecture whiles the c Melancolike imaginations of malicious restlesse braines to set the State togither by the eares Puritane with his complices and such as thirst an infinite number to haue matters in scustling doe impugne on the one side and the Bishops Deanes Canons and the greatest possessors of Spirituall livings with all those that doe adhere to them defend on the other side and either partie stifly and violently
persecuting other as is the custome in such commotions without regard of God or country Which disastrous and most deadly mischiefe cannot in probability approach or ever grow to head so long as the Catholike findeth favour with your Maiestie in enioying the free vse of his religion Or put case the Puritan should ever adventure to make such an attempt yet the ods agains him he hauing two sorts of adversaries the Protestant and the Catholikely affected by the foresaid favour are much greater then any way in reason or likelyhood the victory may be iustly doubted of Resolution of the 2. Reason The Papists should be specially respected and made much of because they are profitable members and the powerablest let to hinder and curb the Puritanes who increase dayly aboue the Protestants in number c. Ergo Toleration of Papistry must needes be granted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IS not the Kings Maiesty and the whole Church of England infinitely beholding vnto the Papistes for their hote service against the Puritanes Poore fools who doth not know that al their proiects plots machinatioÌ„s treacheries designements and bloody attempts haue ever beene practised for the overthrow of the Protestant and not of the Puritane whose bookes haue they answered whose livings haue they gaped for whose bloode haue they thirsted after was it not the Protestants witnes hereof their naked swords their bloody pistols their deadly poyson wherwith they haue oftentimes attempted the overthrow of our late Soveraigne Queene ELIZABETH of eternall memory of other principal Protestants of note Witnesse also their bookes and writings wherein they solely fight against the Protestantes vomiting and disgorging their immortall hatred against them and infintly commending the Puritanes before them Westonus li. 3. de Trip. Hom. Offic. Cap. 16. pag. 226. ProtestaÌ„tibus sure sacraprastabiliores Puritant Qui enim estis Protestantes hominum indicamens iguavissimi omnium religionis etiam fuco destituti impijssimi aeruscatores parati iurare in cuiusvis verba modo inde emolumentum rebus vestris accrescat And in the 227. pag. Puritani saâ—è multò solidiùs ac sincerius sua dogmata profitentur 2 It is a manifest calummation sclander of our Christian Church and State I thinke to affirme that there are any Puritanes amongst vs who are of a presuming imperious and hate disposition and zeale to reduce all things to the forme of their owne Idea or imagination conceaved who attempt the overthrow of the Protestant and to bring the Ecclesiasticall state to a paritie or popular forme of governement and that such do in number increase aboue the Protestant 3 But suppose there were such Puritanes in this kingdome yet the presuming imperious turbulent and hote disposed Puritane may be easily restrained without the Papists helpe by conference perswasions penallawes in case of obstinacie c. II. To the Consequence 1 To tolerate the Papist to exercise his Idolatry for curbing of the Puritane were as much as to suffer the Iesuit to goe on with his proiectes for repressing of the Secular Priest or contrarywise to license the Priest to practise his policie for grubbing vp and rooting out of the Iesuit 2 As the Priest and the Iesuit are not to be licensed to warre the one against the other but are both to be expelled out of all peaceable Common-wealthes so is neither the treacherous and seducing Papist nor the imperious and turbulent Puritane to bee tolerated to roost in any Christian State the one to impugne the other but both are absolutely to be repressed and banished 3. REASON OF STATE MOreover toleration of Catholike religion seemeth very convenient for strengthning and securing your Maiestie against all worldly a Fond suggestions as appeareth in the Answere attempts forraine and domesticall Against forraine in respect the cause why any such trouble should be once intended must needs be in al probability the restoring of Catholike religion which pretext or cause iâ— quite remooued by your Maiesties graunt of the free exerciâ—e thereof Or if it should fall out that not withstanding the happynes of the said most soveraigne fauour any forraine Prince or Princes confederated either on envy of your Maiesties greatnes or vpon feare of what consequence the vnion of the three Kingdomes might proue in time should be so intemperate as either to incâ—te coÌ„panies within the Realme or invade vpoÌ„ the aboue named preteÌ„ce no doubt but all Catholikes would eftsoone disclose the practise and most willingly straine the vttermost of all their possible forces resistance for withstanding the said enterprise made by whomsoeuer and vnder what shadow of title or authority soeuer And if intestine warre or any vproare should happen through any disloyalty of the b There is no subiect likelier to make any vp roares or mutiny then the Papist subiect or other accident there can be likewise no doubt the Catholike religion teaching all temporall obedience to Princes and more severely censuring and punishing all sores of c Either the Suppliants speake by contraries or they equivocate in chic worde Rebellion rebellion then doth either the Puritane or the Protestant doctrine but that all Catholikes would presently flocke to the banner of your Maiestie wiâ—h the effusion of their best blood first guarde protect your royall person and then defend all and singular your Highnesse rightes and prerogatiues Abounden duety as our selues doe right widingâ—y acknowledge and the contrary a most detestable and treasonable offence neverthelesse the readines and performance of our serviles heerein cannot but d They speake by contraries increase your Maiesties strength and safetie of the Crowne and Realme the thinges we desire to haue beleeved would remonstrate Resolution of the 3. Reason Toleration of Popery is very conuenient for strengthening securing his Maiestie against all attemptes forraine and domesticall Against forraine for Princes woulde not attempte vvarre against him the cause wherefore they shoulde doe so the restoring of Popish religion being taken away Or if anie did fight against the King of meere envy then the Papistes would disclose their practises and manfully take his Maiesties part Against domesticall for then also the Papists would play the meÌ„ defend his Highnes against al intestine adversarie Ergo. Toleration is not to be denied ANSWERE I To the Antecedent THE Antecedent is altogither false in everie parte and particle thereof 1 Popish religion cannot be convenient for securing his Maiestie being a Protestant King Yea the Papistes themselues confesse that in this case it is most dangerous and pernicious both to his Person and estate Principis salus non patitur promiscuous conventus aut religionum cultur confusaneos Weston lib. 3. de trip Hom. Offic. cap. 14. pag. 198. 2 It caÌ„not streÌ„gthen his Maiestie against forraine atteÌ„pts For the cause wherefore forraine Princes should attempt any thing against this kingdome must be in al probabilitie not only Restoring of Papistry which indeed the Papists have ever attempted to doe by
by the Turke the Gaules by the French the Britannes by the English the Spaniards by the Goths the Africanes by the Vandals To which may be added the Germans wasted subiected by Attila 〈◊〉 the seigniory of the Hunnes after the Arian heresie had rooted it selfe â—n seuerall quarters and prouinces of their Country The o Ortelâ—â—s in Râ—gia ex Saxone â—elmoldo Crantzio inhabiâ—ants also of the citie Iulinum who being conuerted to the Romane faith and falling againe from it were all consumed both citizens and cittie with fire from heaven Touching the Countries in the East after they beganne to dishonour themselues with new doctrines the so fast ranne headlong therein an inseperable property of al heresie because they are vnbounded and lacke a defining binding power that in short while after to witte in the raigne of Herselius the Emperour there were on foote d Niceph. lib. 18.45 Jacobitans GeorgiaÌ„s Theopaschitae Armenians Monophysites Agnoetans Staurablatans Monothelites Severites Aphtar thodecits Phantasiasts Maniches Tetradites Tritheites Arians Nastorians sixteene severall sortes of beleefe but what followed First Chosrâ—es king of the PersiaÌ„s sacked Ierusalem and much weakened the Empire Then Heraclius the Emperour turned Monothelite Mahomet that infernall monster being made the Captaine of the Saracens tooke Syria and Aegypt Anno Dom. 635. Mesopotamia Anno. Dom. 639. and afterward all Africa Finallie wee thinke that in the revolution of the fifteene first ages the Nation or kingdome cannot be named which forsaking the Catholike Romane religion or not keeping it whole inviolated was either not e The contrarie appeareth in England and Scotland to insist in no other conquered or miserably torne by civill division and slaughters Resolution of the 30 Reason Popish religion is that from which Countries either departing or mingling other doctrines with it made present wracke of their former felicities falling either into flatte Apostasie or most lamentable bondage or both Ergo. Popery is true religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 GOD doth not punish any nation or people for departing from Papistrie seeing such a departing is not Apostacie from true religion as I haue proved before p. 37. 2 GOD is so farre from punishing any for separating themselues from the communion of Popery that contrariwise whosoever doth not separate himself God threatneth to plague him Apoc. 18.4 Goe out of her my people that yee bee not partakers of her sinnes and that yee receive not of her plagues 3 The Suppliants instaÌ„ces are of such nations as were before Poperie beganne to raigne who could not therfore be punished for relinquishing Poperie 4 Those nations were indeed punished either for quite falling away from true religion or for not professing it so sincerely as they ought to haue done 5 For our times GOD hath infinitely blessed the professours of our Religion declared his iudgments against Poperie and Papistes I will not speake of Luther who by the mightie protection of GOD bouldly maintained the truth of the Gospell even in the middest amongst his enemies Nor yet of the miraculous preservatioÌ„ of Geneva that standeth in the mouth of the adversaries who wante neither power nor malice against it Nor of Rochell besieged for the Gospelles sake by all the power of France for seven whole monethes togither and yet by the power of GOD persisted invincible 6 Onely I will speake one worde of this Kingdome of England and for our late blessed Soveraigne Who as shee hath stoutly maintained the cause of Iesus Christ so hath GOD performed vnto her kingdome his promises made vnto his children in Iesus Christ Search all Histories turne al Chronicles sacred or prophane ecclesiastical or civil yet shal yee never finde a woman-WomaÌ„-Prince a Mayden or Virgin Queen yea you shall not finde any Prince at all whose preservatioÌ„ hath bin so mighty whose glorie so great whose government so long so prosperous so happie All this hath bin the more admirable and is the more to be considered by how much the more and oftener shee hath bin cursed with bell booke and candle by him that arrogateth to himselfe Fulues of power and auctority in heaven in earth in hell But GOD hath turned his curses into blessings yea the more he cursed her Maiestie and the Land the more GOD hath blessed both 7 If the Land should not continue still in the zealous profession of the Gospell but should mingle heresies with truth and admitte the practise of Popery which is the Suppliants motion and petition Doubtlesse God would cease from being our GOD he would with draw his blessings froÌ„ vs yea he would be avenged vpon such a faithlesse backsliding people Reason of Religion 31 31. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose professant company or congregation hath bin evermore since the first planting thereof very visible and perspicuous as the severall resemblances parables and figuratiue speeches vsed in holy Scripture do clearely testisie that the true a Most false the Scriptures following are miserably applyed Church and Spouse of Christ should ever be comparing her to a a Psal 18.5 tabernacle placed in the Sunne to a b Esa 2.2 mountaine prepared in the toppe of mouÌ„taines to a c Matth. 5.15 Citie situated on a hill to a d Math. 3.12 Luk. 3.17 Floore to a e Math. 13.47 Nette a f Ioh. 10.16 Spheepe-folde a g Luk. 14.16 great Supper a h Matth. 21.33 Luk. 20.9 Vineyard c. and her doctrine to a i Matth. 5.15 Candle put vpon a candlesticke shining to al that are in the house that is b An absurd glosse in the world as k Tract 2. in epist Joan. S. Augustine vnderstandeth the place things that are all most visible and obvious to weakest sense and therfore do proue that the true Church ought to be alwaies visible and apparant to the view of others Neither is the word Church to be fouÌ„d throughout the whole body of holy Scripture to signifie other then a c But we read in the Scriptures that the woman fied into the wildernes c. Apoc. 12.14 visible knowne multitude and the reason is plaine why it must so signifie because it were otherwise impossible for any one to ioyne himselfe to the true Church persevere therein obey the head and be subiect to the Prelates therof which all are bound to doe by the expresse word of God law of nature vnder heauiest curse censure of damnation if the Church were or could be invisible or not remonstrable For vnto things hidden invisible there can be no repaire no adherence nor homage of duty or tribute of obedience defrayed Nay to deny the perpetuall visibility and d Who denieth this Ephes 5.26 Ephes 1.23 dyration of the Church were in great part to e They fight without en adversarie for no man denieth but that Christ hath had and shall haue his church alwaies though not alwaies visible evacuate Christes passion and plainely to