rather thral obnoxious then to submit thē selues to the sweet yoke of Christs kingdome and Priesthood or to concurre in happie vnitie with such as Christ and the Holie-ghost haue placed ouer the Church for the guiding of her people to saluation and that also in worldlie peace and tranquilitie as much as in them lieth which is their cheefe honor and greatest guarde that may be both to Prince people as the contrarie motion of wicked men to sowe debate betwene Prīces Pastors is surely more vnnatural thē to put discord betwixt the bodie the soule ī the regimēt of a mās persō A fit similitude wherī as the whole frame is best gouerned preserued when the flesh can be cōtented to be ruled by the spirite so no doubt the tēporal power consisteth most safelie endureth longest when it hath good correspondence and subordination to the spiritual which seeketh euer al aduauncement and safetie to the secular Powers appointed by God for the worldlie weale of their subiects Which terrene felicitie necessarie for the cleargie also in this life no lesse then for others is alwaies by the state Ecclesiastical most zealouslie mainteined against the disturbers of peace concord and due obedience to superiours And therfore as the Church of God and namelie the Sea Apostolique hath receiued in respect of the honor due to Christ his principal Apostle S. Peter infinite exaltation by the Christian kinges of al nations so on th' other side the Popes of al ages haue sought by al meanes possible to aduaunce to honor glorie and encrease Christian kinges and states not onelie spirituallie which is their first cheefe care but also temporallie wherof euerie nation Christianed hath had sufficient proofe But to say nothing of Catholique Kinges or Countries which gladlie acknowledge the benefite and wil auouch the right and iust title of anie their dominions Dominions holden by the Popes meanes receiued of the sea Apostolique or adiudged theirs by the same for though the Libeller would make them weene it were a base and perilous matter to stand at the Popes courtesie in such things yet he can persuade none of them that they hould anie peece of their states by euil conscience which is fallen vnto them that way by the Popes warrant nor is he so eloquent as to make them yeeld vp the same to their old owners againe the states and Princes Protestantes must ether acknowledge the benefite and iust possession of diuers high dignities titles and crounes receiued by the said sea of S. Peter or els they be neither kind nor wise Is not the Emperial dignitie the highest humane preeminence that can be in this world And can the German protestants denie but that they hould or had that of the Pope The Empire from the Pope For where some wrangle that it came by election of the people of Rome that is most false contrarie to al histories and reason Dare they denie the Pope to haue had lauful power to translate th' empire out of Greece or wil they say their Emperour that now is and al other his predecessors since Charles the great were vsurpers as they should be if the order or disposition of the holie Sea were not lauful No protestant nor other man in his wit wil so say and speciallie no Alman to the glorie of whos nation this thing so much perteineth This nation therfore hath no cause to complaine of the high spiritual authoritie by which it self hath bene an hundreth times more aduaunced then hindred or diminished As Likewise th' order of the Election and which al men esteeme for a title of most high dignitie the Electorship it self was giuen to certaine Princes of Germanie by Gregorie the fift who as the Magdeburge historians them selues speake being a German and desirous to adorne his natiue Countrie with some excellent honor Cent. 10. Cap. 10. deuised that the election of the king which after his coronation by the Pope should also be called Imperator and Augustus should onelie pertaine to the Germans Now let the Heretiques speake and yeeld ther reason who tooke the matter so much in dougē thes last years past that the Pope should intermedle with the displacing of the Elector of Colen The fond reasoning of Heretiques about the Popes deposing of the late Bishop of Colen What A Pope to depose an Elector said they As though a Pope might not depriue an vnworthie Apostata Bishop of his Sea and Electorship who first created and gaue vnto that nation and to that Sea both Elector and Electoral dignitie it self Let them tel vs why his authoritie is not as great in depriuing for iust cause as his power was sufficient to establish that honor in Germanie And Let the Libeller that accompteth it so vnworthie a thing that some Popes haue giuen censure vpon the Princes of the holie Empire be demaunded who established that high state in that countrie and whether he that had power to doe that can want anie warrant to depriue an euil or wicked person of the Empire And in breefe let him be asked whether that noble nation haue not receaued more dignitie and profit temporal then hurt and hinderance by that Papal power ouer kingdomes which this man in his seditious pride so much abhorreth But to come to that which we the Libeller best of al doe knowe and toucheth vs English more neare at home and may be an instruction and proofe of the cause in hand to other strangers abrode Surely if the people of our Country knew ther owne good and were grateful as they were wont to be for now this brutish Heresy hath made them without affection as S. Paul speaketh of such vnnatural Sectaries they would acknowledge that as to the Sea Apostolique England greatly indebted to the sea Apostolique they owe their first faith and Christianity not only for conuerting the Britons who were the ancient inhabitants of the Iland but also the English them selues afterward and that in very memorable sort reconciling them eftsons againe to holy Church after their relapse and endowing their Princes and Prelats with such singular prerogatiues as no particular Church or Commō welth ī the world with the good grace of al other Christian states be it spoken had greater or more honorable so would they ī like maner besides thes spiritual fauors confesse them selues indebted for the temporal aduauncement of our Princes receiued from the same Sea Apostolique seeing the regiment and Lordship of Ireland was by the Popes only gift bestowed vpon our Souerains in the time of Pope Adrian the fourth and K. Henry the second 400. years agone Irland the Popes gift vnto England they hauing no other title therunto in the world but by this graunt of the Sea Apostolique Which title notwithstanding we doubt not but that our English Protestantes wil accompt sufficient euen vnto this day and K. Henrie th' eight being fallen from the Church and making him self of
A TRVE SINCERE AND MODEST DEFENCE OF ENGLISH CATHOLIQVES THAT SVFFER FOR THEIR Faith both at home and abrode against a false seditious and slaunderous Libel intituled THE EXECVTION OF IVSTICE IN ENGLAND VVherin is declared hovv vniustlie the Protestants doe charge Catholiques vvith treason hovv vntrulie they deny their persecution for Religion and hovv deceitfullie they seeke to abuse strangers about the cause greatnes and maner of their sufferinges vvith diuers other matters perteining to this purpose Psal 62. Vt obstruatur os loquentium iniqua That the mouth may be stopped of such as speake vniustlie Psal 49. Os tuum â—bundauit malitia lingua tua concinnabat dolos Thy mouth hath abounded in malice and thy tongue hath coninglie framed lies THE PREFACE TO THE READER ALBEIT the late pamphlet intituled The execution of Iustice put forth in diuers languages for defence or excuse of the violent proceeding against Catholiques in England and for accusation as wel of them at home as of vs their felowes in faith abrode passing forth without priuilege and name ether of writer or printer euen thence where such matter is speciallie currant and might easilie haue bene authorized mouing indiscret odious and dangerous disputes of estate replenished with manifest vntruthes open slaunders of innocent persons and namelie with immodest malediction and seditious motions against the cheefe Bishop the Prince of Gods people though I say it might rightlie haue bene reputed an infamous Libel ether to be contemned or with such freedome of speech refelled as that maner of writing doth deserue yet considering the matter meaning and phrase therof to be agreable to the humour and liking of some in authoritie The causes of ansvvere and the booke not onelie not suppressed as diuers others of that argument seeming ouer simple to the wiser Protestants of late haue bene but often printed much recommended diligentlie diuulged and sought to be priuileged in * In FraÌ„ce forreine places where for shame they durst not publiquelie allowe it at home yea and in a maner thrust into the handes of strangers and therfore like to proceed though in close sort from authoritie we are forced and in truth verie wel contented and glad it hath pleased God to giue this occasion or rather necessitie to yeeld for the answere of the said booke our more particular accompt in the behalf of our Catholique brethren dead and aliue at home and in banishment Which we wil doe sincerlie as in the sight of Christ Iesus the iust iudge of the world and al his Saints in such humble milde and temperate maner as beseemeth our profession and the audience which audience we craue with teares of the whole Church and Christian world and of al that are placed in power and sublimitie ouer vs in our owne Countrie or els where that so our cause may be discerned both by God and man and our vnspeakable calamities ether by the intercession of manie releeued or by the general compassion of al our faithful brethreÌ„ made to vs more tollerable Loth we are and odious it may be compted to speake in such matter as must needes in some sort touch our superiours but Gods truth and mans innoceÌ„cie are priuileged and may in humble seemelie wise be defended against whomsoeuer And our pen God willing shal be so tempered herein that it shal displease no reasonable reader nor surelie skarce them if it may be against whom in our inculpable defence we are forced to write We haue in this case examples inough of Christian modestie in the ancient apologies of holie Fathers in Christ his Church as of S. Iustin Examples of vvriting apologies for innocencie Tertulian Athanasius Hylarius and other writing to their Princes that persecuted ether by errour or infidelitie the faithful people Who 's stile and steppes so long as we folowe we shal be blameles in the sight of al wise and good men and offeÌ„d none to whom the plaine truth it self is not odious As on the other side we haue in our aduersaries late bookes for immodest railing The Protestants stile contemptuous phrase slaunderous speach blasphemous wordes false reprochful seditious matter and al inhonest scurrilitie what to abhorre and detest and what to auoide in thes our writings which we would haue most vnlike theirs and not onelie allowable to our frendes but if it were possible and so pleased our merciful Lord to giue vs grace in their sight not ingrateful to our persecutours whos saluation as Christ knoweth we seeke in al thes our endeuours together with the maintenance of truth more then our owne defence and purgation Wherupon otherwise for our owne onelie honour and interest we would not so formallie stand against so honorable aduersaries in this world if we thought ether their hartes which are in Gods handes were not vpon euident reason and remonstrance of our innocencie inclinable to mercie and better consideration of their owne state and ours or that their accusation of vs afflicted Catholiques were not ioined to the general reprehension of the whole Church and the principal pastours therof whom by the lawe of our Christian religion we ought to respect more then our owne liues and in causes of our soule and conscience to obey aboue anie earthlie Prince by what other obligation so euer we be bound vnto him And as we would gladlie passe in this our answere with such equabilitie and indifferencie that in defence of the spiritual power which by our aduersaries importunitie we are driuen in maner against our wils to treat of we might not iustlie offend the temporal acknowledging in diuers respects al humble dutie to them both so writing nothing that anie man shal be able to proue vntrue ether in fact or faith we trust in the readers equitie be he Catholique or Protestant that in so faultles and necessarie a defence of our selues and of our Superiours as also of the common cause of our Christian faith and conscience he wil not iudge our writing seditious slaunderous or infamous libelling as the nameles author of this inuectiue against whom we treat vnchristianlie and vncourteouslie calleth other our brethrens bookes recording onelie the heauie persecution torments and deathes of Catholiques in such simple plaine and sincere sort as indeed al thinges were done The bookes of English persecution most true and so as no man liuing can trulie ether charge the reporters of fiction or falshood or of anie euil intention of diffaming to strangers their superiours dealings in making relation of our deare Countries most doleful calamities For the thinges there done dailie in publique cannot otherwise be hidden from the world and seing they are passed by lawe and order of pretended iustice ther can be no cause why them selues should mislike the diuulging therof except they acknowledge in their conscience some iniquitie and dishonorable defect in their proceedinges against the most innocent persons whom daily they torment and make away We are not so peruerslie affected God
and prayers depending vpon his soueraine determination a thing that al nations haue to take heede of by our example for the redresse of which pernicious absurditie so manie of our said brethren so willinglie haue shed ther blood The ridiculous varietie of Heretiques about the Headship of the Church In the first Parliamēt of her Maiesties reigne it was indeed in a maner thrust vpon her against her wil because otherwise ther could haue bene no colour to make new lawes for change of Religiō and this title of Cheefe gouernesse was thought to be a qualification of the former tearme of Headship But in truth it is al one with thother or rather worse for in some kinde of improper speach the King may be called the Head or cheef of the Church of his countrie for that he is soueraigne lorde and ruler of bothe persons spiritual and temporal al sortes bound to obey his lawful ciuil lawes and commandementes and so in that sense is he Head of the cleargie and of al others But when in the new forme of our statute it is expreslie and distinctlie added that she is the onelie Supreame gouernour euen in al causes as vvel Spiritual and Ecclesiastical as temporal Ciuil and furthermore enacted that al iurisdictions priuiledges superiorities and preeminences ecclesiastical as by anie power spiritual haue bene or may be exercised are taken frō the Pope to whom Christ gaue them in most ample maner and are vnited or rather as they say restored by an old decree to the crowne of England this can haue no excuse nether trew or likelie sense in the world Absurdities that in sevv vppon making the temporal prince head of the Church making indeed a King and a Priest al one no differēce betwixt the state of the Church and a temporal common wealth giuing no lesse right to heathen Princes to be gouernours of the Church in causes spiritual then to a christian king it maketh one parte of the Church in different teritoires to be independent and seueral from an other according to the distinction of realmes and kingdomes in the world And finallie it maketh euerie man that is not borne in the kingdome to be a forreiner also in respect of the Church thes and a thowsand absurdities and impossibilities more doe ensue which for breuitie we omitt onelie this which is in most mens memories we may not ouerpasse that the verie same yeare that this new preeminence was giuen by lawe to the Q. and th'othe accordinglie ministred to many some hauing remorse of the matter for to auoide daunger pretended for their refusal that it seemed to them by the wordes of th'othe and acte that the Q. might minister also the Sacramētes wherunto they wolde not sweare by anie meanes Wherupon in her next visitation of the cleargie a special iniunction was printed and published by her commaundement declaring that in truth she had no such intent Marke this circle in declaration of the title and that no suche thing was implied in her title or claime of spiritual regimēt nor no other thing nor more then was before graunted to her father by the tearme of Supreame head requiring al her louing subiectes to receiue th'othe at least in that sense and so it should suffice her highnesse By which it is now cleare by ther owne authentical declaratiō that we speake no vntrewth as this libeller sayth nor abuse not the world when we say she is called and taken for the Supreame head of the Church of England albeit the thing it self being far more absurde and of more pernicious sequele then the makers of the law which were mere laymē and most of them vnlearned could then perceiue their folowers now would disauow the same For this article therfore as the famous bishoppe of Rochester Sir Thomas More and a great number more in king Henrie the 8. his dayes so did thos twoo last named martyrs and diuers others before them most gladlie and constantlie yeld vp their lyues and so consequentlie dyed for mere matter of religion onelie And to end this point we lastlie referre the aduersarie to the late Martyrdome of Cartar a poore innocent artisan who was made away onelie for printing a catholique booke De schismate in which no worde was found against the state the quarel onelie most vniustlie being made vpon a certaine clause which by no likelie honest construction could apperteine to the Q. person viz. that the Catholike religion should once haue the vpper hand of heresie and Iudith cutt of the head of Holophernes which they in their extreame ielousie and feare of all thinges wold needes wreast against her Maiestie And the place serueth here to saye some-what of the cause also of their racking of Catholiques which they wold haue strangers beleeue neuer to be done for anie point of religion Fol. 20. As for example say they in the addition to th' end of the libel none is asked by torture vvhat he beleeueth of the Masse or Transubstantiation or suche like Questions asked of catholiques vppon torture As though forsooth ther were no question perteining to faithe and religion but touching our inward beleefe Wheras in deed it concerneth religion no lesse to demaund and presse vs by torture wher in whos houses what dayes and tymes we say or heare Masse how manie we haue reconciled what we haue hard in confession who resorteth to our preachinges who harboreth catholiques and Priestes who susteineth aideth or comforteth them who they be that haue their children or pupilles in the Societie or Seminaries beyond the seas wher such a Iesuite or suche a Preist is to be found wher catholique bookes ar printed and by whom and to whom they be vttered in England which thinges being demaunded of euil intēt and to the annoyance of the Catholique cause Godes Priestes and innocēt men no man may by the lawe of God and nature disclose though he be expreslie commaunded by anie Prince in the world for that God must be obeyed more then man Yet thes were the Interrogatories for which the famous confessor M. Briant M. Briant was tormented with needles thrust vnder his nayles racked also otherwise in cruel sorte and speciallie punished by two whole dayes and nightes famine which they attribute to obstinacie but indeed susteined in Christes quarel it was most honorable constancie The like demaundes were put to the blessed martyrs Campion Sherwin and others vpon the torture M. Shirvvine and of this later namelie was asked where F. Persons and Campion were and whether he had said Masse in M. Roscarockes chamber and what money he had giuen him M. Thomson M. Thomson a venerable and learned Priest was put to tormentes onelie to get out of him to what end he kept certaine Superaltaries and wher he entēded to bestowe them The said yong man Cartar Cartar of whos martyrdome we last treated was examined vpon the racke vpon what Gentlemen or catholique Ladies he had bestowed or
in them selues their children or posteritie to dure anie longer then they continue in the Catholique faith and the communion of the Sea and Church Apostolique nor would suffer anie of their name or blood to reigne after them that were like to be Heretiques but rather would disinherite or execute them with their owne handes then feare or expect their deposition by the Pope Therfore though with such as feele their owne fault it soundeth euil to heare of the Authoritie and vsage of Gods Church in censuring kinges yet it troubleth not anie iust and lauful Prince especiallie when by their wisdome experience they may perceiue that Princes aboue al other both good and euil be subiect to humane casualties and may fal and loose their kingdomes by an hundreth accidents of mutinies and rebellions of their subiects or by external or domestical warres of Competitours or enimyes to al which The great cōmodities vvhich grovv to al kingdomes by the Popes high authoritie the Popes highe authoritie and interest giueth great stay and moderation in deciding the controuersies of titles and causes of ciuil or forraine warres and by his manifould endeuours of Pacification and composition wherof al the kinges and states Christian haue at sondrie times of their distresses receiued singular profit as appeareth in the histories of the warres betwixt our nation Fraunce and Scotland and in our owne Ciuil tumultes which haue bene often appeased by the mediation of the Pope both parties deferring to him as to the high Priest and general Arbiter of Christian Princes and people being to al indifferent without al partialitie the decision of thos thinges which otherwise could not by lawes nor by armes without-lamentable destruction and much blood be determined Wherebie Princes of lesse power iniuried by the greater and mightier haue euer found succour and redresse and iust kinges distressed by their rebellious subiectes haue had singular assistance As we may see in the stories both of our owne Countrie wher the Popes haue sent diuers Legates to the Barons being vp against their lauful Soueraignes to admonish them to lay doune their armes and when they would not excommunicated them by which meanes manie a king with vs hath kept his Croune which otherwise had bene depriued by tumultuous and popular sedition and no lesse in th'examples of other nations and that in our owne memories hauing experience of diuers blessed Popes diligence in aiding the two great Monarches aswel by the powers temporal which God hath giuen them as by ecclesiastical Censures against their rebels and large spiritual graces benedictions bestowed vpon al that would faithfullie adioine to the repression of the seditious subiects and the preseruation of the Soueraigne The Apostolique Bishop is not an enimie to superioritie and domination The Bishoplike authoritie no enimie to Princes which he knoweth best to be of God as his owne high estate is but a spiritual and most louing Parent and common Father of al Christians and speciallie of Princes He seeketh not their depositions nor mainteineth reuoultes from them no not thē when to his infinite greefe he is forced sometimes though meruelous seldome to giue sentence for the people subiects against the Prince but vseth needful discipline towards them for their saluation Let the graue and wise men of al nations consider with vs whether Princes be in more danger of their state by the lauful Pastors of their soules that iudge by Gods spirit by counsel deliberation order and authoritie without malice hatred or partialitie or by Heretiques seditious and rebellious persons that deale by erroneous conscience phantasie and furie The Protestantes plainlie hould in al their writings and schooles and so practize in the sight of al the world that Princes may for tirannie or Religion be resisted depriued We and al Catholiques likewise affirme that for Heresie and some other great enormities they may be excommunicated and further censured But the Protestants would haue them selues the subiects to rebel and throwe doune their superiors on their owne head and wilfulnes and them selues to be iudges of their Soueraignes desertes and Religion Now we demaund of the Libeller that giueth Princes so frendlie warning of their dangerous estates A resonable demaūd to the Libeller if Popes may vse such authoritie ouer Princes whether the Kinges of Christendome whom their owne sect-maisters confesse may be deposed stand not in far greater hazard of their dominions and persons by the brutish and seditious people armed alwaies with furie and often also as at this present with Heresie then they are of Popes It was not the Pope that gaue licēce or encouragement to the subiects of Scotlād to take armes against their natural liege and Q. to emprison her and to cause her by feare of death to resigne her Croune It is not the Pope that embouldened them barbarouslie to restraine their noble yong King and so often to rebel against him though nether they for his Religion haue anie reason to depriue him nor the Popes Holines otherwise then for the iustice of his quarel against his rebels anie cause to defend him It was not the Pope that licensed the subiects of the king Catholique to fight so long and obstinatlie against their Lord and maister nor that encouraged them to depriue him of his soueraigntie and ancient inheritance It was not the Pope that hath hazarded three mightie Kinges his most Christian Maiesty that now is and his two crouned brethrē before him of their States and bereaued them of manie great partes and cities of their kingdome or that went about to depriue them euen in the time of their innocencie and yong years Popes vse to defend innocents not to destroye them in their nonage or to abuse their minoritie And such is otherwise the manifould hazard of kinges by rebellions that in our owne Countrie The danger of Princes by rebelliō the Child hath deposed his Father the Vncle his Nephew the Wife her owne Husband most commonlie the worse and more wicked the more godlie and innocent And we maruel much this Libeller that would seeme to be such a Statesman and a Counseller to forreine kinges could find no danger to them and their countries sauing of the Popes power ouer them which in verie truth by Christs special prouidence is the greatest protection guarde and stay that innocent Princes and their people can haue the awe and reuerend respect of his holie authoritie keeping thousandes from rebellion and intrusion and a number of iust Princes in their empires which els had bene in diuers countries ouerthrowen The Protestantes cannot proue by example of al nations times since Christ that anie one hath bene deposed that was not prooued to be a notorious Heretique or euil man On th' other side Rebels and namelie Heretiques by vnlauful meanes The practise of Heretikes depriue commonlie none but innocent iust and holie Princes Vnto whos barbarous crueltie this Libeller would haue their sacred Maiesties
her special othe and obligation she is bound more to defend and protect the Church then her subiects be And finallie vpon al the proofes reasons and authorities that haue gone before we auouch that besides God almightie euerie tēporal Prince Christened hath his pastor also and speciallie the general gouernour of the whole Church for his superiour in earth in al causes of soule conscience to whos orders in matter of religion he is bound to obey vnder paine of damnation and that Gods iust iudgements are nere the Princes and countries what soeuer that wil not obey him but violentlie resist his ordinance and by Antichristian pride doe chalenge power not lauful to be yeelded vnto them THE CONCLVSION CONTEINING A CHARITABLE MOTION AND A ioinder vvith the Libeller touching some meanes of tolleration in Religion and ceasing or mitigating this cruel Persecution CAP. IX AND now though in the deepe conceauing of this our Countries incōparable offence our hartes be wholie oppressed with feare and heauines yet ether the force of our peculiar affectiō towardes our flesh and blood driuing vs to hope for better then is deserued or the largenes of Gods immesurable mercies yeelding contrarie to mans demerits pardō vpon repentance doe cause vs often-times to expect grace mercie rather then extreme rigour and iudgement In which cogitatiō it cometh often to our mindes Causes of feares and hope tovvardes our Countrie that if anie thing auert Gods ire from our Prince and Countrie it is the abundance of holie blood shed thes late yeares euer sith the first reuolt Which though by iustice it might crie rather to God for vengeance and so it doth in respect of the impenitent and the clamor therof shal neuer be void yet we trust it sueth for mercie speciallie in respect of the infinite number of al estates that neuer consented to this iniquitie It is the heroical endeuour of a great-manie zealous Priestes and worthie gentlemen that continuallie offer not onelie their praiers and other deuout and religious offices but them selues in sacrifice for the saluation of their best beloued Countrie It is the ardent and incessant care of his Holines seeking our reconcilement with charitie vnspeakable It is the general coniunctiō of al Christiā mindes in the whole world towardes our recouerie No Church no Companie Monasterie or College of name in Christēdome that with earnest deuotiō and publique fastes and praiers laboreth not to God for mercie towardes vs. Finallie euen thos thinges and persons that the aduersaries accompt to be the cause of al their troubles feares are indeed the onely hope of Gods mercy their owne pardon and our Countries saluation In which case to deale as freelie for a farewel and as charitablie with the Libeller as he would seeme to conclude with vs we wishe no more for performance of that he proposeth and partlie promiseth The Libellers offer in the ende of his booke Fol. 18. but that he were assured of her Maiesties and the Councels mind therin or were of such credit with them that he could bring that to good effect which ī couert wordes he pretendeth towardes vs which is that he doubteth not but her Maiesty would shed no more the blood of her natural subiectes nor vse any more bodilie punishmēts at al if they would desist from their practises abrode from their writing of railīg bookes and from wandering in disguised apparel within the Realme would imploy their trauail in the workes of light and doctrine according to the vsage of their schooles and content them selues with their profession and deuotion So the man speaketh how soeuer he meaneth But Alas if anie mercie iust or tollerable treatie were meant The vrgent distresses of English Catholiques or euer had bene offred to Catholiques vpon anie reasonable conditions what so euer our aduersaries had neuer needed to haue fallen to such extreme proceedinges with their owne flesh and blood nor euer had anie such troubles fears or dāgers bene thought vpon wherof now they haue so deepe apprehension If anie pitiful eare had euer bene giuen by the superiours to the incessant grones cries teares and supplications of their Catholique subiects desiring but releefe of their infinitlie distressed consciences tormented by damnable othes articles and exercises of Caluinisme that were forced vpon them if they might haue had ether by licence or conniuēce in neuer so few places of the Realme neuer so secretlie neuer so inoffensiuelie the exercise of that faith religiō which al their forefathers since our Countrie was conuerted liued and died in and in which them selues were baptised and from which by no lawe of God nor man they can be compelled to anie sect or rite of religion which they nor their forefathers euer voluntarilie accepted or admitted if of al the noble Churches Colleges and other inestimable prouisiōs of the Realme founded and made onelie by Catholiques and for Catholiques and for no protestants nor anie their sacrilegious ministeries at al some few had bene permitted to the true owners and to that true worship of God for which they were instituted if they might haue obteined anie peece of that libertie which Catholiques enioy in Germanie Zuicherland or other places among protestāts or half the freedome that the Hugonots haue in Fraunce and other countries yea or but so much courtesie as the Christians find among the verie Turks or verie Ievves among Christians vpon anie reasonable or vnreasonable tribute which hath bene often in most humble and lamentable sort offered and vrged or to be short if anie respect care or compassiō in the world had bene had ether of Catholique mens soules bodies or goods our aduersaries should neuer haue bene troubled nor put in ielousie of so manie mens malcontentment at home nor stand in doubt of the departure absence of so great a number of Nobilitie and principal gētlemen abrode they should neuer haue had such Colleges and Seminaries in other Princes dominions erected and furnished with English youthes the issue wherof is now and perhaps wil be hereafter more more wonderful to the world they should not haue bene controlled in their Heresie so zealouslie and effectuallie by the Priestes created at home of old or latelie ordeined and sacred abrode ther should haue bene no cause of writing so manie bookes for defence of our innocencie and the Faith of our forefathers and for our iust complaint to the Christian world of the intollerable rigour or crueltie vsed against vs. In al which bookes no protestant in England is able to reproue the writers of anie vntruth or slaunder railing immodestie or misbehauiour towardes our secular Princesse or persecutours what so euer the Libeller without proof affirmeth here Wherin I auow him to be so much destitute of truth as he is not able to alleage one line or sentence or anie one example out of our writinges to the contrarie as on the other side nether he nor any els can cleare our aduersaries the
and publique persons And so it maketh no more against vs then this writer him self whether he hath published his Libel by authoritie as he wil not seeme or of his owne peculiar head and affection which rather we are content to suppose Howsoeuer it be we wil be bould to examine in the treatise folowing with such modesty and indifferency as is requisite in Gods cause his whole reprehension and in the meane time til he can proue vs or our brethren guiltie of anie crime other then the exercise and profession of the Catholique faith Ioa. 10.32 Act. 23.6 Act. 28.20 we wil say with our Sauiour De bono opere lapidamur and with the Apostle De spe resurrectione mortuorum iudicamur propter spem Israel his catenis circundati sumus THAT MANY PRIESTS AND OTHER CATHOLIQVES IN ENGLAND HAVE BENE PERSECVTED condemned and executed for mere matter of religion and for transgression onelie of nevv statutes vvhich doe make cases of Conscience to be treason vvithout al pretence or surmise of any old treasons or statutes for the same CAP. I. NOw to the principal pointes of the Libel we first affirme that the verie front or title therof importing that no Catholikes at al or none of them whom they haue executed were persecuted for their religioÌ„ is a verie notorious vntruth and contradictorie to the libellers owne wordes in his discourse following where he confesseth vnderhand A manifest falshood vvith contradiction to them selues that some be corrected othervvise for religion or yf they wil stand in the coÌ„trarie we appeale to the conscience and knowledge of al the Catholikes and protestantes within the Realme who of their equitie wil neuer denie that most prisons in England be ful at this daye and haue bene for diuers yeares of honorable and honest persons not to be touched with anie treason or other offence in the world other then their profession and faith in Christian religion Secondlie we say shal clearlie coÌ„uince that contrarie to the poursute of the same libel a number haue bene also tormented arreigned condemned and executed for mere matter of Religion and vpon the transgression of new statutes onelie without anie relation to the olde treasons so made and set doune by Parlament in Edwarde the thirdes tyme by which they vntrulie auouche al our brethren were conuicted And herein to deale particularlie and plainlie we alleage the woorthie Preest and Bachelar of diuinitie M. Cuthberte Mayne who suffred a glorious Martyrdome at Lanson in the prouince of Cornewale M. Mayne Ao. Dom. 1577. for that the case or couer onelie of an Agnus Dei and a printed copie of that Bul now expired which denounced to the christian world the last Iubilie were found about him condemned not by anie olde lawes as is deceitfullie pretended to abuse the simple of owre owne nation and straungers that knowe not our lamentable condition but by a late statute enacted the 13. yeare of the Q. reigne which maketh it highe treason to bring from Rome anie beades sacred pictures Agnus Deis Buls or as the expresse wordes of the said statute are any vvryting or instrument vvryten or printed conteining any thing matter or cause vvhatsoeuer by which wordes they may condemne a man to death as guiltie of highe treason though he bring from Rome but letters testimonial for a trauailers credit and commendation in iorney a thing vnhard of in al ages not credible to forrayners and a fable to the posteritie or rather a warning to the world to come into what miserie and barbarousnesse a kingdome that forsaketh the Churche may be brought vnto And an honorable gentleman of an ancient familie M. TrugioÌ„ for onelie receyuing the said blessed Preist into his house remaineth condemned at this daye to perpetual prison and hath lost both landes and goodes of greate importance for that fact Ao. Dom. Lykewise Thomas Sherwood a lay man indited adiudged and put to death 1578. At LondoÌ„ M. Shervvood for questions of the Q. supremacie in causes spiritual and other articles made capital by the new lawes onelie two yeares at the least before this fiction of conspiracie against the realme or person of the Princes was made or heard of The same yeare was a reuerend Preist named M. Iohn Nelson condemned and executed for affirming being driuen therunto by the coÌ„missioners captious interrogatories the Q. religion to be heretical and schismatical Ao. 1578 At LondoÌ„ M. Nelson which is made death not by the olde lawes of the realme nor by anie other of anie christiaÌ„ countrie but onelie by a statute made in the saide 13. yeare of the Q. reigne prouiding by a special clause that none shal affirme her Maiestie that novv is for it holdeth not in other Princes cases to come to be an hereâ—ique or schismatique vnder paine of incurring highe treason â—nd death After thes M. Eurarde Hanse was indited and â—o condemned to death which he constantlie suffred Ao. 1581 At LondoÌ„ onelie vpon a statute made in the last parliameÌ„t of al by which it is made a crime capital to persuade any man to the catholike religion into the compasse of which lawe they violentlie drew the blessed man by calumnious interpretation of his speeches when he â—ffirmed being vrged therunto that the Pope was â—is superiour in causes spiritual and had in such matters spiritual as good right as he euer had in England or hath at this day in Rome for which wordes though inforced from hym he was ther presently indited arrained and condemned to death and soone after most cruelâ—â—e executed whose case together with that of M. Nelson which goeth before declareth what truth is in this libeller who writeth here in one place That none are for their contrarie opinions in religion persecuted or charged vvith anie crimes or paines of treason nor yet vvillingely serched in their consciences for their contrary opinions And againe within a lease after he repeateth the same vntruth saying VVithout charging them in their consciences or othervvise by any inquisition to bring them into danger of Capital lavv so as no one vvas called into anie capitalor bloodie question vppon matters of religion but haue al inioyed their life as the cours of nature vvould M. Lacie Here may be named also M. William Lacye a worshipful gentilman who was condemned to death not long since at Yorke for that he confessed he had obteined a dispensation for Bigamie of the Popes holinesse to be made Preist and that according to the same dispensatioÌ„ he was made Preist either of which pointes by their late lawes of religioÌ„ are deadlie And the latter pointe they make treason forsooth by this strange sequele that when men take holie orders in the Catholike churche they giue their othe of obedience to the Pope who is a forreine enimie to her Maiestie and to the Realme as thes men affirme and could the world weene we were in suche thraldome of this barbarous heresie With
of conscience if for feare they obey or of their vndoing in the world if they refuse The taking of their deare children from them by force and placing them for their seduction with Heretiques which violence can not be done by the lawe of God to Iewes them selues the burning of our Priestes in the eares the whipping and cutting of the ears of others carying some in their sacred vestments through the streetes putting our chaste virgins into infamous places appointed for strumpets other vnspeakable vilanies â—ot inferiour to anie of the said heathnesse persecutions They haue pined and smothred in their filthie prisons aboue thirtie famous Prelates The sufferinges of Catholiques aboue fourtie excellent learned men of nobles gentlemen and maâ—â—ones a number whos Martirdome is before God as â—lorious as if they had by a speedie violent death â—ene dispatched euerie dongeon and filthie prison 〈◊〉 England ful of our Priestes brethen al Prouinâ—es and Princes christianed witnesses of our banishâ—ent In al this we yeeld them our bodies goods â—ountrie blood liues nothing wil queÌ„ch their haâ—red of our Priesthood faith and profession Thus in 〈◊〉 causes we suffer and yet they would not haue vs â—omplaine they say al is sweet clement and merciful â—n this regiment But as we said we no otherwise â—omplaine of this persecution against vs but as it is exercised for that faith and quarel which the lawes of God and man approue and iustifie in vs That it is done by the sheepe and subiectes of Godes Church against their owne Prelates and pastors to whom in causes of religioÌ„ they ar bound to obey by th'expresse word of God When the lauful magistrate bearing sword by God for punishment of offenders putteth theeues heretiques or murderers to death who accompteth it crueltie who complaineth of persecution But when contrariwise by anie violent disorder the malefactors get head and take hart in a commen wealth and kil a lauful officer iudge or superior that is a cruel and horrible fact though it be done but in one or two persons in stead of a thousand wicked men executed by iust lawes So wheÌ„ the Prince and Prelate proceed together against such as by the sentence and law of the Church of Christ ar adiudged to be heretiques and iniuries to God that is Iustice but when the temporal Prince or lay people rebel against their owne Bishops to whom in spiritual matters they ar bound by Godes word to giue eare vnder paine of damnatioÌ„ yea wheÌ„ mere lay meÌ„ most of theÌ„ wholie vnlearned disorderlie take vpon theÌ„ to prescribe vnto their owne pastors what they should beleeue how they should minister the SacrameÌ„ts force vpon them false and impious othes and articles and that in Parliament wher the Bishops by the lawes of our countrie hauing the principal suffrages and the rest of the whole Conuocation representing the Church of England honorablie and vniformelie resisted whoÌ„ thes meÌ„ afterward deposed of their honors toke their pulpits churches titles prerogatiues from them imprisoned their sacred persons and abused some of them True persecution namelie the noble Confessor and Bishop of London by al sortes of vilanie This loe is a persecutioÌ„ indeed wher the sheep subiects and inferiors violentlie oppose them selues against them whom the the Holie-ghost hath placed to be the guides gouernours and curates of their soules Yea when they depose disauthorize spoile punishe imprison their owne rulers Gods annointed Priestes giue warrant by wicked lawes to the temporal powers to visit correct iudge discerne of the doctrine of their Maisters in religion that is a persecution sedition and rebellion in the highest degree And we may trewlie say hereof to our lost Countrie with the Prophet Osee 4. Populus tuus sicut hi qui contradicunt Sacerdoti the state of the persecution being wholie agreable to the mutinie of Chore DathaÌ„ AbiroÌ„ and their confederats in the desert against their lauful Priestes and Gouernors yea properlie against the high Priesthood of Aaron as our contries reuolt now is against the sea Apostolique and al lauful spiritual regiment proceeding from the same And therfore the Libeller guilfullie iÌ„ respect of the simple but fondlie and falslie in our eyes disproueth our lauful refusal to obey men before God and our resistance in matter of conscience by th' example of Chores conspiracie which toucheth al their rebellions froÌ„ the sea Apostolique Catholique Church and confirmeth al our endeuours for maintenance of the same against what aduersaries so euer And their rebellion is the more plaine The nevv cleargie and persecution more hateful and intollerable for that they haue not onely vnnaturallie done this violeÌ„ce to their owne spiritual rulers but therupon also haue chosen at their pleasures and intruded into their places a sort of greedie wolues vnordered Apostats amarous and godlesse companions the very filth and chanel of the Realme who for hatred of the Catholique faith from which they ar Renegates and through a kind of competencie or emulatioÌ„ of the true Bishops whos roomes by secular force they vniustlie haue inuaded and doe deteine beare such vnquenshable malice to the true annointed cleargie to their obedieÌ„t folowers that they cease not to iÌ„cite the powers of the Realme against vs and exercise them selues vnder the pretensed title of their vsurped dignities and other temporal commissions the greatest tirannie and crueltie in the world standing in feare of their state so long as they see anie true Bishop or Catholique man aliue Who 's actioÌ„s are the rather intollerable for that they know and hath beene prooued in open court that they not onelie vsurpe thos places against Gods and the Churches lawes but that they were not made and inuested according to the new lawes of the Realme speciallie made for creation of them So as our true pastors being vexed spoiled tormented and slaine against lawe nature and al reason by temporal men hauing no authoritie in causes ecclesiastical and by a new forged cleargie that exerciseth no Iurisdiction but by euident vsurpation against both the Canons of the Church and the lawes of our countrie who is of so dul a wit as not to see the difference of the discipline of the Church and Realme done towardes offendors in Catholique times and states by lauful authoritie both spiritual and temporal and the iniust persecution of the Church and her children now proceeding of nether lauful authoritie temporal nor spiritual VVhat clemencie vvas vsed to them of the old Clergie at the beginning Therfore let not the Libeller here so much extol the equitie and mercie vsed in her Maiesties regiment to certaine of the old principal cleargie because they put theÌ„ not to death as they haue done others sitheÌ„ce Cicero wil not sticke to tel them what a benefit is done to an honest man when his purse is taken from him and yet his life saued and what thankes ar to be rendred in that case to the
shal be said in the next chapter and others folowing The Libellers importunate insolency inforcing vs therunto like as the Ciuil Magistrats most captious and bloody conceipts coÌ„strained some of our blessed brethern before their martirdomes to speake more therof then otherwise they desired though nothing so much as by warrant of Gods word and holy writ they might haue done THAT IT IS MVCH TO THE BENEFITE AND STABILITIE OF COMMON vvealthes and speciallie of Kinges scepters that the difference betvvixt them and their people for Religion or anie other cause for vvhich they may seeme to deserue depriuation may rather be decided by the supreme Pastor of the Church as Catholiques vvould haue it then by popular mutinie and phantasie of priuate men as Heretikes desire and practize CAP. VI. THE Libeller once or twice in his discours seditiouslie calleth vpoâ— the Monarches and Princes of the world warning theÌ„ of the doubtful and seruile state they be in whiles the Popes may be suffred to make and vnmake kinges and Princes at their pleasure The seditious sleight of the Libeller and to licence their subiectes to resist them And the man perchance might haue his tale heard if he spake to the simple sort or to such Kinges as feared nether God nor man nor sought otherwise not anie longer to vphould their estates but by desperate force and practize and for their owne time without regard of their posterity But speaking to them whos wisdomes susteine the world whos Crounes are worne Swordes are borne for Christ his spouse whos glorious Auncestors partlie first rose partlie were established and them-selues yet safelie stand and happilie florish which our Lord God long coÌ„tinue by the benediction of the Sea Apostolique and good intelligence correspondece with the high Bishops of the same good audience hardly can they looke for Th' example of some other Princes Protestants about â—hem forsaking the felowship of the Catholique and Apostolique sea and speciallie of king HeÌ„rie th' eight â—â—rst his sonne and daughter after him in EnglaÌ„d 〈◊〉 man a child and a woman not onely seuering them â—elues from the same but annexing to their regalitie â—y strange lawes al Apostolical and Papal power spiâ—itual with infinite emolumentes made by confiscatioÌ„ of al religious mens landes and goods in the whole Realme which was the beginning of that new Ecclesiastical regiment thes thinges being of greater â—emptation then the Libellers bare wordes could â—et neuer moue th'Emperour nor either of the great Monarches nor anie other king of wise counsel in the world to breake with Gods Church and the cheefe Pastors therof Knowing by the recordes of al ages siâ—hence Christ that what Princes or PoteÌ„tates soeuer haue formallie opposed theÌ„ selues to Christes Vicar and refused to communicate with him in the faith and felowship of the Catholique Church were euer in them selues or their posteritie confounded and their kingdomes ouerthrowen or brought to miserable seruitude of Turke or other heathen Tirant It is not the good fortune of a few yeares felicitie that moueth the graue and sage gouernours of the world though the Libeller to make fooles faine The vvise considerations of Catholique Princes vrgeth their good lucke in England much since their breach with Gods Church but they wil looke farther about them and see the euents of thes strange attempts in vs and the iudgements of God for the same not onelie til th' end of K. Henrie th' eight his race who was Radix peccati but afterwarde if our Lord deferre his sentence so long to some new generations to come Ouer which as vpon the Prince and state present of our Countrie we humblie on our knees with continual teares desire God to haue mercie and to auert his indignation from them and vs that the Princes and people of the world may rather be edified by th' example of our conuersion and returne to Gods Church then be instructed by the sight of our punishment and confusion But now for the coÌ„ceipt that this good man would driue into mens heades that no state should be in safetie if the Pope might depriue the Prince at his pleasure it is a bugge fit onelie to feare babes Al wise men in the world that ether see the present times The Popes authoritie touching Princes regalities or looke backe into the ages past knowe that the Pope neither chalengeth nor vsurpeth nor vseth anie such authoritie at his pleasure to depose or exalt whom he list And al learned deuines confesse that he hath not anie direct or immediate iurisdictioÌ„ or superioritie ouer the temporalities Ciuil states or regalities of secular Princes or Magistrates and therfore can not dispose of their kingdomes nor actions alter nor abrogate their lawes as he daylie doth and may doe at his good pleasure of Prelates Bishops and Priests affaires vpon whom he hath direct power and iurisdiction but that he may onely intermedle indirectlie with temporal Princes as he is the Cheefe officer vnder Christ and hath charge of their soules and therbie hath to looke whether their regimentes tend anie way to the iniurie of the Church and true Religion or to their owne and their subiects damnation as in case of Schisme Heresie Apostasie Idolatrie Sacriledge and other intollerable defectes in gouernmeÌ„t for which he being their Bishop is bound to admonish them sondrie times with al lenitie if that serue not to excommunicate them and if they contemne that and the Churches discipline and authoritie then be they esteemed as heathens and vnworthie of superioritie ouer Gods people This is not to depose Kinges at his pleasure nor is cause sufficient why anie iust and Christian Prince should stand in doubt of the Popes censures onelie such as be Heretiques or intend to shake of the yoke of Christ and their faith in him VVhat Princes only feare the Pope haue cause in their conscience to doubt both the Churches discipline the plagues of God which wil not faile them how so euer by humane force and violence they protect them selues for a time from his Ministers sentence sweet corrections Al iust and Catholique Kinges are so far from doubting or misliking Gods ordinance and the practize of the sea Apostolique herein that they perceiue it most necessarie for the stabilitie of their kingdomes and the continuaunce of their posteritie in the glorie therof that for their regiment in faith and life they stand in some reuereÌ„d awe of their cheefe Pastors which is a necessarie and honorable bridle of Princes in their youth and al the dayes of their life to stay them from dangerous disorders and so to temper them in ther gouernmeÌ„t that they may raigne loÌ„g and happilie ouer their people wher otherwise they might fal into infinite calamities and be ether forsaken deposed or shamefullie destroyed by their owne subiects whether they be depriued by holie Churches censure or no. Nether doth anie godlie Christian Prince at this day as we thinke wishe their Empire ether
doune to the world if you can anie one word writing or approued witnes that anie Iesuite Priest or Seminarie man of al thos whom you haue executed thes late yeares were ether authors persuaders or dealers therin and then you may haue some shadow of defence for your iustice Proue only that his Holines euer communicated his doings or intentions whatsoeuer they were that way to anie one of them al and we wil confesse that you haue reason in the rest If Pius quintus addressed Doctor Nicholas Morton D. Mortō sixtene yeares since about the matter of the excommunication into England shal al Priestes Iesuistes be deemed traitors therfore If Doctor Saunders D. Sāders ether vpon his owne zeale and opinion of the iustnes of the quarel or at the Popes appointmēt were in the warres of Ireland emploied for defence of the Catholique Religion against the Protestants may you by your lawes or anie other diuine or humane ordinance condemne therfore to death a number that neuer knew ether the man or the matter Some pretence you may haue to be offended with the Pope and perhaps lacke no lawes to punish the said two Doctors that neuer were ether of the Societie or Seminaries but to make al the Priestes and Catholiques at home or in banishmēt traitors therbie it is to vnreasonable and to murther so cruellie one man for an others fault is tooto foule and intollerable iniquity And as for his Holines action in Ireland The vvarres of Irland we that are neither so wise as to be worthie nor so mallepert as to chalenge to knowe his intentions councel and disposition of thos matters can nor wil nether defend nor condemne it Onelie this is euident that thos smal succours which were giuen by him to the Irish or rather suffred at their owne aduenture to goe into thos warres came vpon the importunate sute of the sore afflicted Catholiques and some of the cheefest nobilitie of that countrie Of whos continual complaints knowen calamities and intollerable distresses of conscience otherwise it may be he was moued with compassion and did that in cause of Religion against one whom he tooke in his owne iudgement rightlie by his predecessours sentence to be deposed and in a quarel in his sight most iust and godlie which both her Maiesty and other temporal Princes sticke not to doe verie often towardes their neighbours with whom otherwise they pretend good amitie and no breach of their league at al in cases which ether they esteeme lauful or at lest behoofful for their owne estate and affaires And it is a strange case that thes men should with such ful mouth cry out against the highe Preest and Pastor of Gods Church for vsing the sword or geuīg his consent therunto against a Prince not any way his superior if no way his subiect wheras the Ministers and maisters of their sects both in Flanders Scoteland and other places doe not only councel and persuade subiectes to take armes agaīst their owne lauful Princes and sacred Kinges but also doe practise and in person oppose them selues against them yea in Scoteland against a Prince of their owne Religion For tel me Sir Libeller if you please were not the Ministers of Scoteland the principal fannes and firebrandes of the last Conspiracy and open rebellion against his Maiesties person and the state of that Country Were not they in person at Starling and els wher both in feeld and councel with the Erles of Anguish Marre other rebels against his Roial person Were not al their pernicious machinations of betraing their country and their Princes blood detected by the Erle of Gory before his late behedding for that Conspiracy Are not Patrike Galovvay minister of S. Ihonson Andrevv Pollard subdeane of Glasco Iames Carmihel minister of Haddingtō Andrevv Hay person of Ranfroe Andrevv Meluin professour of diuinity in S. Andrews and diuers other cheefe ministers of that country fled into England for this traiterous fact and ther receaued cherished and protected And since that time wheras in a Parliamēt houlden in Edenburgh by his Maiesty and al the three states of Scoteland begonne the 19. of May last past certaine lawes were amongst others enacted for the restraint of thes Ministers tumultuous authority and to bring them vnder their owne Bishops iurisdiction a thing so resonable and consonant to Gods word as nothing can be more and practised not only in Englād amōg their fellow-sectaries but also thorough-out al Christendome disorderly and seditious Geneua only excepted and when thes lawes that were made by authority of the three Estates and published not only in the Councel-house called Toulbooth but also at the Crosse of Edēburgh by Heraldes at armes for the state did not Robert Pont and VValter Baquanquel two most impudent and rebellious Ministers of that toune by the consent and prouocation of Iames Lauson cheefe preacher ther as afterward appeared oppose them selues in publique against the Kinges authority therby to raise vp some commotion by their open protestation made by instrument in the handes of George VVakeson publique Notary and toune-Clarke of that Citty and did not al thes three named Ministers by night flye presently into England after their insufferable insolency and are ther receaued harboured and maintained Againe in the last Parliament before this being about two yeares agone did not thes Ministers intending therby some dangerous reuoult and seditious defection demaund of their king in most impudent wise to be admitted into the Parliament as equal or aboue their Bishops whom they deny by Gods word to haue any supereminent authority Is not this one of their articles for which their archebishop of S. Andrews doth withstand them and hath bene of late in England to cōferre with the Protestāts of that Country about the same Is it not an other of their articles that it is an Heresy for any Prince to cal him self Head of the Church within his owne Realme that he may be excommunicated and deposed by the Ministers Haue not they excommunicated and held out by violence thes two yeares and more their archebishop of Glasco elected by the King named M. Robert Montgūmery vntil now that this last Parliament of May hath absolued and restored him vnto his archebishoprike againe You exclame against the Pope being the first and cheef prelate of al Christendome euē by your owne confession for geuing his consent that any thing be done or attempted by armes and violence against any lauful or annointed Prince whatsoeuer be it for Religion or any other neuer so rightful or iust cause in his conceipt but what would thes good-fellowes of your Ghospel doe if they had his authority his power and his pretence against foraine Princes of a contrary Religion seing in quarel of faction and fauour of ranke traitors they deale thus against their owne Leege and against their owne annointed sworne King of their owne country blood educatiō and Religion who as he neuer iustly offended them
the same vpon matter of far different nature and qualitie from Faith and Religion THAT THE SEPERATION OF THE PRINCE AND REALME FROM THE VNITIE of the Church and Sea Apostolique and fal from Catholique religion is the onely cause of al the present feares and dāgers that the State seemeth to stand in And that they vniustly attribute the same to the Popes Holines or Catholiques and vntruly cal them enimies of the Realme CAP. VIII HIEROBOAM for the better establishing of his Soueraintie ouer the ten tribes The vvicked policie of Ieroboā thought it an high pollicie to deuide the temporal lot partage which by Gods appointemēt was fallen vnto him from al communion societie with the other remaining in Iurie and seruing their Lord in the temple at Hierusalem And therfore instituted for him self and his people strange Gods new waies of worship other vnordered base Priestes and seueral places to serue in and al vpon this humane imagination that if his people at their sondrie appointed times should goe vp to the Temple to doe their sacrifice and other rites according to the lawe as also conuerse with the Priestes and people of the other partie and be subiect to them in matters of conscience and religion as they were bound that then they might easilie be induced or much tempted to returne to Salomons successours in Hierusalem againe and that his people being subiect to him onely in temporal matters and not in religion he might seeme to be but half a king yea as at this day our Protestātes for flatterīg the person whom herby they wil ruine vse often to say of our anciēt kinges of England and of other Catholique Countries abrode that they were but half Kinges in their owne Realmes if we compare their authorities with the ample regalitie of her Maiestie now reigning whos iurisdiction extendeth aboue the old wont to al causes spiritual no lesse then temporal Wel so thought Hieroboam then and so did he and was no doubt most highly commended for the deuise by his Politiques that were about him But yet this thing which was esteemed so prudently done for preseruatiō of his state was after as wel by the mouth of Gods Prophet as by the miserable euent of thinges proued within a very few yeares to be the onely destruction of his whole house and perpetual calamitie of his people The secular prudence of the children of this world compared to the true wisdome of the godlie and resisting any way the cours of vertue and saluation The vvisdome of vvorldlinges in the end confounded is found in fin alwaies deficient and in truth follie But it neuer appeareth so weake deceitful pernicious as when it opposeth it self to the ordinance of God to the force of his spirit truth to the Spouse Kingdome and Priesthood of Christ In which case the Giantes building of Babel preuailed not the proposition of Achitophel was dashed the purpose of Herode for murdering of Christ in his cradle lest he should bereaue him of his croune and of the Ievves afterward in prosecuting his death to saue their state and Countrie from the Romanes was turned to their owne destruction Saul found how hard it was to spurne against the spurre Iulianus cried out Vicisti Galilee that is Thou hast the victorie of me mā of Galiley so that Apostata of contempt called Christ and finally true it wil euer proue that their is no counsel against God nor no long peace to anie that resist him And therfore thos Princes and people onelie to be happie both in this world and in the next and their states alone lauful durable that haue learned faithfullie to submit their Scepters to Christes sweet yoke and to ioine their terrene kingdomes with the Priesthood and Spouse of him by whom al Kinges doe raigne The calamities vvhich en sue to them that oppose them selues against the Church of whos Church it is said long sithence by the Prophet and proued by the experience of al ages that the Nation and People that serueth her not shal perish who so euer heare obey her not must be accompted as Ethniques who so euer despice her and her gouernours despice Christ him felf who so euer refuse her regiment and superiority specially for matter of Faith and Religion and would rather haue a King ouer them to lead both their body and soules doe not so much refuse to be ruled by Gods Priestes as they reiect Christ him self being not contented that he should raigne ouer them Finallie who so euer doe giue to Caesar that which is due to God preposterouslie preferring the temporal prerogatiue of worldlie Princes before the spiritual power of the Priestes of the new Testament directlie doe repine against Gods ordinance and shal at length proue with what humane prowes power or prudence so euer they susteine their factions that they haue vneauenlie and vnaduisedly matched their combat The house they impugne is founded vpon an impregnable rocke ther is no tempest of heathen The inuincible rocke of the Romane Church heretical or domestical persecution nor no stormes of wether or water that can ouerthrowe it hel it self and the powers therof can not preuaile against it And to the end that the Nemroths and other new euangelical Giantes of our Countrie mistake vs not nor beguil◠them selues in their desperate contradiction against the Citie of God S. Augustine telleth them it is the Sea and succession of the Church of Rome Psal Contra partem Donati which is so inuincibly garded Thes be his wordes Count the Priestes from the verie Sea of PETER and in that order of Fathers vvho to vvhom hath succeded that same is the rocke vvhich the proude gates of Hel doe not ouercome The chosen corner stone of this building is by the Prophetes and by Christes owne declaration such as who so euer falleth vpon it shal be broken and on whom it falleth The anciēt Popes preuailed against the anciēt Emperors it shal crush him in peeces Not onely the Faith of Peter by our Lordes promis protection being infallible but the Apostolique regimēt by the assistance of the holie-Ghost shal endure to the end of the world Which hath alredy borne doune by her patience and constancie al the heathen Emperours against whom the high throne of Christes Priesthood in earth and tribunal of Faith and religiō was placed and preserued by the mightie arme of God in the verie cheefe Citie and seat of their Empire for diuers hundreth yeares together after Christes ascensiō notwithstanding al the humane meanes of worldlie policie or tirannical crueltie that could be deuised or exercised against them Thos great Monarches in that time more doubting and fearing the Popes in their pouertie and persecution and more loth to haue them in their owne Citie of Rome so neare them if they could haue chosen then anie other powerable competitour or emulatour of their Empire as S. Ciprian saith of Decius the
the conducting of them to life and peace euerlasting and the temporal perteineth principallie to the good and trāquilitie of this trāsitorie life comparing thē both together it must needes be cōfessed that the spiritual is the higher nearer and liker to the Soueraintie of God ouer his reasonable creatures thē is the terrene power or Humane creature as the Apostle here termeth the King his presidēts 2. Pet. 7. So as euerie power both spiritual and temporal being of God as S. Paul teacheth and obedience and subiection due to both in their kind though in seueral subiects causes and respectes yet is it most cleare that of the two the ecclesiastical power and regiment is more excellent In respect wherof S. Ignatius The subordination of the tvvo povvers according to S. Ignatius giueth this order in honoring and respecting our superiours Honour God the author and Lord of al and the Bishop as the Prince of Priestes being the Image of God and holding his Princedome of him and his Priesthood of Christ Epist ad Smirnē And after him you must honor also the King For none is to be preferred before God nor equal to him nor more honorable in the Church then the Bishop exercising the Priesthood of God for the saluation of the vvorld Nether is anie equal to the King in the hoste or campe procuring peace and beneuolence to the other Princes vnder him For he that honoreth the Bishop shal be honored of God and he that dishonoreth him shal of God be dishonored For if anie man rising against the king is vvorthie of damnation hovv can he escape Gods iudgementes that attempteth anie thing against or vvithout the Bishop For Priesthood is the cheef and somme of al mans good vvhich vvho so euer disgraceth dishonoreth God and our Lord IESVS CHRIST the chefe Priest of God c. And if anie man list farther to see what the olde Christian Emperours thought and acknowledged in this matter The opiniō practise of old Christian Emperours in this cause and how they behaued them selues towardes Gods priestes in al causes of religion and spiritual affaires and with what honour priuilege and prerogatiue they respected their persons and holie calling euen in temporal causes let him reade Zozomenus how Constantine the great behaued him self towardes the Bishopes in the first Councel of Nice Li. 2. ca. 2. trip and S. Augustines 162. epistle of the same Emperours contentment to aske pardon of the Bishopes for taking vpon him to deale in the Cause of Caecilian properlie perteining to them S. Ambrose epistle 32. of Valentinian the elders lawe that in ecclesiastical causes none should iuditiallie deale that were not of the same order The like he writeth of the Emperour Gratians behauiour in the Councel of Aquileia And to be breefe let him reade the Emperour Iustinianus sixt constitution wher he both putteth the true difference betwixt the Priesthood and the Empire and preferreth that before this saying thus The greatest giftes of God among men Auth. Quomodo oport Episcop c. in p. is the Priestood and the Empire of vvhich tvvo the former hauing the administration of diuine thinges the other of humane both proceeding of one beginning doe adorne mans life c. And thus it is euen in thos Countries where the Church and Ciuil state concurre in one common wealth wher like as the Prelates be in some respect and causes subiect to the temporal Prince so againe the Prince and state reciprocallie in spiritual matters are obedient to the Church Prelates ether of them deferring due honor to the other but the spiritual souerantie euer preferred among the faithful though for worldlie power force and glorie most necessarie to keepe the people in awe order kinges doe lightlie exceed the other Which exterior shew and splendour of Prince the Prelates of their seueral dominions doe most humblie by al seruice and office manteine But now for the Pope cheefe of al Bishopes and Christian people being in respect of his temporal state subiect to no Prince nor Potentat of the world and for his spiritual dignitie and iurisdiction farre passing al the Prelates of particular Churches and prouinces his principalitie being in nether kind subiect or subalternate to anie other he must needes be greater and more pearles without al exception and limitation And though his state and authoritie temporal be not holden nor chalenged by Gods expresse lawe immediatlie of him as the spiritual supremacie is The prouidēce of God for the Popes tēporal povver which he hath and holdeth immediatlie and directlie of Christ yet it is Gods great prouidence that sith the Emperours and Kinges haue bene christened and submitted them selues to the obedience of Christ and his Church that the cheefe Bishop should for the honour of Christ and his high dignitie be made free from al subiection by the Princes and Emperours owne grauntes be possessed of the capital Citie of al the world Which could neuer haue bene brought to passe nor so manie worlde 's continued in the reuolutions changes and ouerturninges of so many kingdomes states great Monarchies round about him had it not bene done by Gods special pleasure ordinance to the end that being subiect to none he might with more libertie lesse danger and greater indifferencie doe iustice to al and vse discipline without feare or respect of persons as wel towardes great as smal Which if he were subiect to some secular Princes as most other Bishopes are could hardlie be done In which case also some of our ignorant Heretiques as among other this Libeller be so vnsensible that they sticke not to alleage the saying of S. Paul Absurd allegatiō of S. Paul by the Libeller Rom. 13. That euerie soule must be subiect to superiour povver to proue therbie as it seemeth that the Pope should be obedient to our Queene or to some other particular king As though euerie person should be subiect to euerie power or to anie other then to him that hath superioritie ouer him or in anie other matters then wherin he hath superioritie may commaund Or as though God had onelie ordeined secular power and commaunded al obedience therunto and not appointed spiritual power and prelacie with charge of subiection vnto the same also With such grosse felowes the Church hath to doe that nether haue sense reason nor religion and which alleage that for obedience to earthlie powers onelie which ether in expresse wordes or by necessarie sequele much more commendeth subiection to spiritual powers As with like blindnes the man also alleageth this our Sauiours sentence The Kinges of the Gentils haue rule over them Luc. 22. but you not so to proue that Popes should arrogate no temporal authoritie but feede onelie as he saith Peter did and manie of the next Popes after him Which he would neuer haue cited if he had knowen that hereby onelie al tirannical domination vsed among the heathen Princes
iote or circumstance though neuer so much cōmoditie might ensue therof Which matter of libertie of Conscience we moue not perchāce for our owne benefite so much as for our aduersaries weale and worldlie securitie wherof they wil seeme to haue both mistrust and sollicitude And perhaps the wisdome of God wil sound otherwise and say to vs Mat. 20.22 Nescitis quid petatis iudging it to be farre more to his honour and glorie and the breefer way to saluation of our whole Nation The vvay of persecution more sure for vs. and of moe soules in particular that we should passe through this persecution and winne our owne and our brethrens saluation by our blood And indeed if the Germane Catholiques had bene so restreined persecuted put to death as the English haue bene thes years and had not gone by halfes with the Protestantes as in some places they haue done they had had perhaps farre moe Catholiques at this day and them more zealous and their whole nation perchance reduced ere this which now for the protestants standeth not so much on their religion or conscience in Heresie as vpon their mutual peace concord and concurrence with Catholiques Wel what were best for vs in this case God onelie knoweth Ro. 6.19 Nos humanum dicimus propter infirmitatem nostram as the Apostle speaketh But sure we are that the first best for our English nation as wel Prince as people were both in respect of God and the world of them selues and other men Tvvo vvaies of composition very profitable to the realme to restore the state againe to the obedience of Gods Church and to the happy felowship of al their forefathers other faithful people Princes now liuing The next best were in respect of their owne securitie and perpetuitie if the first may not take place to desist from persecuting their Catholique subiectes and brethren and to graunt some libertie for exercise of their consciences diuine offices and holie deuotions that so they may pray for her Maiesty and Councellors as their Patrones whom now they pray for onelie as their Persecutours If to none of thes conditions they can be brought but wil haue our bodies goods life and soules The Conclusion then let our Lord God the iust Arbitrer of al thinges and Iudge of Princes as wel as poore men and the onelie comforter of the afflicted discerne our cause In whos holie name word and promis we confidentlie tel them and humblie euen in Christs blood pray them to consider of it that by no humane force or wisdome they shal euer extinguish the Catholique partie ouercome the holie Church or preuaile against God Ther can no Herode kil Christ in his cradle Math. 3. Exod. 1. Hest 7. nor anie Pharao droune our male sexe and destroy Gods people nor anie Aman extirpate the stocke of Iacob Let them seeke with al desperation to diminish bridle spoile impouerish disgrace and extinguish the whole generation of Catholiques at home and in banishment let them by artificial Libels as this against which we haue written and otherwise by most impudent lies and fictions slaunder vs charge vs with treasons and other trespasses Mentientes propter Christum belying vs for Christs sake let them confederate them selues against vs with al the Protestants Turkes Sectaries and Atheistes in the world yet the Catholiques that is the seede of God wil encrease in number power and zeale the Priestes wil not leaue of to folowe their dutiful trade with more spirite diligence deuotion patience and cōstancie then euer before remembring the aduertisement of their Maister Mat. 10.22 that he shal be saued that perseuereth to the ende as also that worthie record left in scripture of Esay the great faithful Prophet qui spiritu magno vidit vltima Eccl. 48. as the holy-Ghost saieth of him for that his corage neuer failed him in Gods seruice to the end The persecutours be now no stronger then thy were of old The Church is no weaker then she had wont to be Her assistant and defender is as neere her as euer he was We are no better thē our forefathers We lesse feare death and lesse set by our liues then euer before Our countes are cast allowed it is better to die in this Apostolical fight and cōbat Quà m videre mala gentis nostrae sanctorum 1. Mach. 3.59 assuring our selues that to be vndoubted which S. Leo writeth Nullo crudelitatis genere destrui potest Sacramento Crucis fundata religio Leo. Non minuitur persecutionibus Ecclesia sed augetur That the religion founded in the sacrament of Christs Crosse can be destroied by no kind of crueltie The Church is not diminished by persecutions but encreased And that S. Augustine saith Nemo delet de Coelo constitutionem Dei Nemo delet de terra Ecclesiam Dei Laus Deo THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOKE THAT many Priests and other Catholiques in England haue bene persecuted condemned and executed for mere matter of religion and for transgression onely of nevv statutes vvhich doe make cases of Conscience to be treason vvithout al pretēce or surmise of any old treasons or statutes for the same Cap. 1. 1 That F. Campian and the rest of the Priests and Catholiques endited condemned and executed vpon pretence of treason and vpon statutes made of old against treasons vvere neuer yet guiltie of anie such crimes but vniustly made avvay Cap. 2. 18 That vve novv haue great cause to complaine of iniust persecution intollerable seuerity and cruelty tovvardes Catholiques in England and their Protestantes no reason to doe the like for the Iustice done to them in Queene MARIES and other Princes dayes and the cause of the difference Cap. 3. 34 That our Priests and Catholique brethren haue behaued them selues discretlie nothing seditiouslie in their ansvvers to the questions of the Bul of Pius Quintus and that they can not laufullie be pressed nor put to death as traitors by the true meaning of th' olde lavves of the Realme for the same vvith examination of the six Articles proposed about the said Bul. Cap. 4. 59 Of excommunication and depriuation of Princes for Heresie and falling from the Faith speciallie of vvarres for Religion and of the office and Zeale of Priests of th' old nevv lavv in such cases Cap. 5. 89 That it is much to the benefite and stability of Common-vvealthes and speciallie of Kinges scepters that the differences betvvixt them and their people for Religion or anie other cause for vvhich they may seeme to deserue depriuation may rather be decided by the supreme Pastor of the Church as Catholiques vvould haue it then by popular mutinie and phantasie of priuate men as Heretikes desire and practize Cap. 6. 116 Of the late vvarres in Ireland for religion hovv the Pope may vse the svvord and that the differences betvvixt temporal Princes and him or their resisting him in some cases of their vvorldlie interest can be no vvarrant to the Protestants to contemne his censures or authoritie in matter of Faith and Religion Cap. 7. 134 That the separation of the Prince and Realme from the vnitie of the Church and Sea Apostolique and fal from Catholique religion is the onely cause of al the present feares and dangers that the State seemeth to stand in And that they vniustly attribute the same to the Popes Holines or Catholiques and vntruly cal them enimies of the Realme Cap. 8. 161 The conclusion conteining a charitable motion and a ioinder vvith the Libeller touching some meanes of tolleration in Religion and ceasing or mitigating this cruel Persecution Cap. 9. 209 The faultes correct thus Pag. Lin. Read 49. 33. faith brought faith that they brought 55. 20. persecuted prosecuted 60. 17. as Blasphemy as Heresy Blasphemy Ibid. 30. spititual spiritual 64. 34. obyed obeyed 77. 1. Ecommunicatiō Excommunication 90. 15. fouerers fauorers 98. 7. Common weath Common wealth 144. 15. Bastours Pastours 182. 28. causes causers 195. 13. can much can not much