great if euery one that is persecuted for Iustice shall haue his reward in heauen what will their honour be which haue suffered so much and so long time for that cause Your Protestant Aduersaries and Persecutours themselues taking the altitude of your miseries and suffrings for this greatest iustice haue found their eleuation to be raised to the hight of all former Persecutours who were Pagans professed enimies to Christ and all Christians They which professe Christ and Christianitie may not be such Great was the persecution of Nero and yet Britonie felt it not but was then a Refuge Aâ—yle and as a Sanctuarie to receiue and defend the persecuted Bitter was Dioclesiaus PersecutioÌ„ here in Britonie but as our Gildas telleth vs it was but Nâ—uâ—nnis of nine yeares onely at which time the Scots â—â—cts Saxons Gormundians Aâ—ricans and Dâ—nes â—ll Pagans persecuted the Christiâ—s here But neuer any bearing the name of Christ before â—hese dayes persecuted the Catholike Chriâ—tians of this Kingdome All those Pagans â—ersecuted Christians as enimies to their old Gods and Religion and for not ioyning â—ith them in Idolatrie deeming Christian â—eligion newe and erroneous Our ProtestaÌ„t Persecutours persecute vs for defending the old Religion of Christ which cannot be vntrue and for not imbracing their newe which in the Schoole of Christ cannot be true 13. All the Pagans that euer persecuted here distroied not â—o many Churches and Chappels as King Henrie the eight and his daughter Elizabeth nor tooke from the Church the halfe of that which they did Halse such a Fine and Ransome as the Catholikes paid to them aboue the third part of England in Religious Church-lands possessed by the Clergie here Sixhundred yeares since besides other for fitures would haue stopped the Pagans Persecution The Saxons greatest Persecution next to Dioclesians soone slacked and releÌ„ted no soon â—r had the Saxons driueÌ„ Theonus and Thadiocus Archbishops of LoÌ„don and Yorke with other Bishops Priests and Religious from â—heir Sees and Residences in the yeare of Christ 586. But King Ethelbert of Kent ruling vnto Húber by meanes of his blessed ChristiaÌ„ Queenâ— Bertha and her holy Bishop S. Lethard gauâ— ease and peace to Christians here before S. Augustines and his Associates comming hither and they were receiued by Ethelberâ— not yet a Christian with honours and noâ— indignities All they were strangers and forrainers to the persecuted Our Persecutourâ— be of the same Nation blood and kinred and stiled Christians with them whom thus they persecute for Christs true Religion If King S. Ethelbert Queene S. Bertha and Bishop S. Lethard were now liuing Catholikes would not be persecuted THE II. CHAPTER That the Religion of our English Catholikes as well from the Saxons as Britons is the same with their first Apostles and deduced from them and first of the Saxons conuerted by S. Augustine and his Roman Mission NOw because our Protestants and Persecutours before haue deliuered it For greate glorie to our Nation to deriue our spirituall degree from so noble a Father as S. Peter We will â—riue and deduce from him a continuall â—d neuer interrupted Succession both of â—iscopall and Priestlie function and doâ—ine also in euery point now questioned by â—r Persecutours froÌ„ that so noble a Father â— these Protestant times And to begge more â—ce and fauour from these our enimies in â—s cause they themselues shall briefly make â—s deduction â— And first concerning Bishops and Massing Priests sent hither or consecrated here by S. Peter's or his Roman Successours Iuâ—â—â—diction such as they now so greuiously dâ—◠〈◊〉 â—hey confesse publickly that they had â—o 〈◊〉 but so consecrated as the Roman Church did from the begining and stilâ— doth consecrate vnâ—ill their neâ—â— booke oâ— pretended Consecration maâ—â— by King Edward thâ— Sâ—â—th â— child hiâ—â—â—thoritie brought in thei◠〈…〉 aâ—d they acknowledge 〈…〉 consecraâ—e◠〈…〉 Priesâ—◠〈…〉 and doe 〈…〉 â—â—stifie 〈…〉 Engl. Proteâ—â— in Rogers Booke of articles Annal. Burton an 140. Caiuâ—â—â—tiq 〈…〉 Annâ—l 〈…〉 â—n Mansâ—◠〈…〉 1. 6. Harrison descript of Brit. waâ— oâ—r Archbishop 〈…〉 moreouer that this our 〈…〉 was seâ—lâ—d by this greaâ—est Aâ—ostâ—â— in â—he 〈◊〉 yâ—are of Nero and 67. 〈…〉 â— Peter returned againe to 〈…〉 dâ—uers of thâ—se our Bishops and 〈…〉 Nation as S. Manâ—uetus S. 〈◊〉 S. Maâ—cellus or Marcellinus the renoâ—ned Priests and Preachers of Cambridge â—n and afteâ— the yeare 140. S. Marcellus being and liuinâ— Bishop after King Lucius and Britonie waâ— conuerted when three Archbisbops anâ—â—â—ventie eight Bishops were here placed anâ— all Ecclesiasticall thinges established anâ— confirmed by Papall power in this Kingdome â— To make this Succession without aâ— question they deliuer vnto vs the names aâ— â—me Episcopall Acts of our Archbishops Hollinâ—h Hist of England Stowâ—s Hist. Godwin conuers of Britan. Cataâ— of Bishops in London Yorke and S. Dauids â—f LondoÌ„ Yorke and Caerlegion In London â—e chiefe Metropolitan See S. Theanus S. luanus Cadar Obinus Conanus Pallaâ—us Stephanus I'tutus Theodwynus or â—edwynus Thedredus Hillarius Guiteliâ—s Restitutus Fastidius Vodinus Theoâ—s Others adde S. Augulus Ternokinus â—d Gormcelinus They confesse that Theoâ—s the last Archbishop of London with full â—risdiction continued in his Archiepiscopall â—e notwithstanding the Pagon Saxons inuaâ—n and persecutioÌ„ vntill the yeare of Christ â—â— which was but 10. yeares before S. Auguâ—â—â— coming hither So they testifie of Thaâ—â—us Matth. West an 586. Archbishop of Yorke the same yeâ—â—e â—auing his See and with the Archbishop of 〈◊〉 and many of their Clergie flying into â—alâ—â— and Cornewall to the Christian Bisâ—ps Priests and people there They reâ—pt in thâ— Archbâ—â—â—op See of Yorke Theoâ—sius Sampsoâ—â—â— Taurinus â—eruanâ—s Sampsonâ—◠〈◊〉 and the â—enamed Thadiocu◠〈…〉 â—egion they â— downe Tremonus S. 〈◊〉 S Daâ—id â—iud Conanc Theliaus Eâ—bâ—dus wholiâ—d in S. Augustins time and after him imâ—ediatly succeeding in Archiepiscopall digâ—tie fourty or more vntill the time of Berâ—rd who in the yeare 1115. lost that honour â—om that See by Papall order as all Antiâ—aries Catholikes and Protestants agree 4. These men also deliuer vnto vs a Catalogue of learned holy writers in euery agâ— and in the age whâ— S. Augustine came hitheâ— they recount vnto vs the most noble Sainâ— and Doctours Dubritius Iltutâ—s Congelluâ— Dauid Gildas Kentigeâ—nâ—s Brendant Asaphus and others whâ—ly â—nd absolutâ— agreeing with the Church of â—ome They â—â— downe our Vniuâ—rsiâ—ies 〈…〉 aâ— among others 〈…〉 from all eâ—ror Our 〈…〉 in the greâ—â—ouncelâ—s 〈…〉 â—he same faiâ— with tâ—e whole 〈…〉 they had mâ— entercourâ—e 〈◊〉 â—â—â—municaâ—â—on next to tâ— Popes of 〈…〉 the moâ—â— Catholike aâ— renowâ—â—d 〈…〉 Churcâ— of Christ â— Athanaâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 S. Martine and maâ— more and bâ—th â—â—â—se Tertulâ—â—an S. Chryâ—stome with 〈◊〉 did highly commeÌ„d thâ— our 〈…〉 true Religion 5. Anâ— becaâ—â—â— some Proâ—estants to mu◠〈…〉 libertie cannot well eâ—dure 〈…〉 â—â—ckes and Religious sâ— king wâ—a◠〈…〉 can â—o disgrace suâ— as oâ—her◠〈◊〉 â—â—nowned Clergie especialâ— the 〈◊〉 of S. Benedicts Order
A DEFENCE OF CATHOLIKES PERSECVTED IN ENGLAND Inuincibly prouing their holy Religion to be that which is the only true Religion of Christ and that they in professing it are become most faithfull dutifull and loyall Subiects to God their King and Country And therefore are rather to be honoured and respected then persecuted or molested Composed by an ould studienâ— in Diuinitie Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a theefe or a railer or a coueter of other mens things But if as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God in this name 1. Pet. 4. Printed at Doway by GERARD PINCHON at the signe of Coleyn 1610. A TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS CONTAINED IN THIS BOOKE Chapter I.  BY way of a Preface to the persecuted Catholikes and by them to their Persecutours of the Innocencie perfection and honour of them and their spirituall Pastours renowned Priests pag. 1. Chap. II.  That the Religion of our English Catholikes as well from the Saxons as Britans is the same with their first Apostles and deduced from them and first of the Saxons conuerted by Saint Augustine and his Roman Mission pag. 15. Chap. III.  The like proued of all other person and parts of England as also the Brâ—tans that their Religion was tâ— same with the Apostles and thâ— which our now Perseâ—uted Catâ—likes Profâ—sse and maintaine pag. 30. Chap. IIII.  The Religion of the Apostles of our primatiue Christian Britans of the first Christiaâ— Sâ—xons and of our now persecuted Catholikes pâ—oueâ— to be one and the same in euâ—ry Article against Protestants anâ—â—eâ—â—eâ—utours pag. 50. Chap. V.  That the Consecration Iurisdiction and mission of our Cathoâ—iâ—e Bishop teaching the same Apostolicall Doctrine in all thingâ— with the Catholike Church is most lawfull â—oliâ— orderlie and honourable in that his sacred calling is most worthie and necessâ—rie and therfore he vnworthily Persecuted pag. 69. Chap. VI.  That our English Priests who teach all things with the Apostolicall Religion are truely consecrated worthie men and are to be honoured and not persecuted pag. 102. Chap. VII  That theÌ„ Catholikes of England taught and directed by such guides in Religion as our Priests be are not to be persecuted but protected defended and imployed as true and faithfull subiects in all things pag. 146. Chap. VIII  That euerie Article of Catholike Religion is more agreable with the best temporall gouernmeÌ„t then those of the Protestants and that a Catholike keeping his Religion as he is bound to God so he cannot be vndutifull to his temporall Prince and Countrie pag. 157. Chap. IX  That true and obedient Catholikes be the truest and most obedient subiects pag. 170. APPROBATIO Viso tâ—stâ—moâ—io câ—iusdam virâ—docti mihique de fide docâ—râ—nâ probè coâ—â—iâ—i quo testatur â—uÌ„c libruâ— cui Tâ—â—ulus est A Defâ—nce of Cathelikes perseâ—utâ—â— in England nihil continere fidei vel bonis moâ—ibus adueâ—sâ—m quin poâ—ius â—ulta quae aâ— Catholicorum Aâ—gâ—oruâ— consolationem â—â—cianâ— â—iâ—num censâ— quem ego 〈◊〉 â—â—eo approâ—â—reâ—â—atâ—m 〈…〉 â—artâ—j Aâ—no 1630. GEOâ—GIVS COâ—Vâ—Nâ—RIVS S Theol. Doctâ— Regius 〈…〉 Pâ—â—fâ—ssor Coâ—legâ—â—ae 〈…〉 poâ—â—tus 〈…〉 Caâ—celâ—aâ—ius libâ—â—um Cenâ—or THE FIRST CHAPTER By way of a Preface to the persecuted Catholikes and by them to their Persecutours of the Innocencie perfection and honour of them and their spirituall Pastours renowned Priests 1. RENOWNED Catholikes of Engâ—and moâ—â— renoâ—ned Catâ—oâ—â—kes 〈◊〉 perseâ—uâ—ed â—or your 〈◊〉 â—eligiâ—â— giue leaue to one yoâ—r old humble â—nd vnworthie seruaâ—t â—n Châ—ist Associate â—nd Partaker now with you and youâ— renowâ—ed Predecessours a long time fâ—oÌ„ his youth â—o old age in prisâ—n peâ—â—â—cution 〈◊〉 â—nd tribulatioÌ„ for the most holy Caâ—â—olike â—aith and Religion to remember hiâ— loue â—nd duâ—ie to you as also the bounâ—en dutie â—nd office of vs all as true seruants to our Master Christ in so noble and iust a cause with the honour reward and recompence which is his ordinarie paie to all his faithfull seruants in such his affaires farre more eminent and excellent thâ— any Potentate Prince or Persecutour on earth can either take away or giue vnto vs or any of them or we in this world inioy 2. Let me beginne with you as Saint Cyprian that glorious Byshop and Martyr did with the constant Martyrs and Confessours of his Countrie and time Quibus ego vos laudibus praedicâ—m fortissimi Martyres c. O most valiant Cyprian â—pisâ—â—l ad 〈◊〉 Confâ—â—sor â—â—â—pist 6. Martyrs with what praises may I blase you forth with what criâ—s of voce may I adorne the fortitude of youâ— heart and perseuerance of faith you haue endured euen to the consuâ—mation of glorie in your examinatioÌ„s most hard torments You haue not giuen place to punishments but they haue rather yealded to you Crownes haue ministred an end to those griefes to which torments gaue no â—nd And presently after he addeth The multitude of those which were present hath seene the heauenlie fight of God the spirituall waâ—re of Christ his seâ—uants to haue stoode with a free voice an vncorrupted minde a diuine force naked truely of wordlie weapons but armed with the shield of faith 3. Let me speake vnto you and of you especially chiefe Prelate and Pastours Priests and persecuted Clergie of England and of your late Predecessours on earth and now happie in heauen as Saint Iohn Chrisostome thus performed to the two most glorious Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paule Quasnam Chrysâ—st seâ—â— de SS Apostolis Petr. â—aul â—p Metaphrâ—st in Breuiadie 6. Iulij vobis referemus gâ—atias qui tantum pro nobis laboraâ—tis memenituâ— Petre obstupesco recordor tui Paule excedens mente lachrymis opprimor c. What â—hankes shall we giue vnto you who haue laboured so much for vs ô Peter I remember thee and am astoniâ—ed O Paule I call the to mind and with excesse tâ—ereâ—f ame oppressed with teares For what shall I speake or what shall I vtter when I behold youâ— afflictions I â—annot tell How many prisons haue you sanctified what chaines haue you adorned what â—orments haue â—ou sustained what curses or reproaches haue you sufâ—ered how haue you borne Christ how with your preaâ—hing haue you ioyed Churches blessed are the instruâ—ents of your tongue your members are sprinckled with â—lood for the Church You haue imitated and followed Christ in all things 4. I doe not I dare not compare my selfe â—o those great lightes Bishops and Rulers in â—he Church of Christ or such as be vnder our â—upreame Paâ—â—our of that highest Order to â—home I owe all dutie and respect yet as an â—ld student in holy â—eâ—â—ing hauing read â—uch and written not a little for the defence â—f you and the cause of God without any â—ust controll neuer adhearing vnto or reaâ—hing suspected or vnsouÌ„d doctrine of sweareâ—ing churchinge châ—pâ—â—â—ge sword â—â—â—â—ing â—r such like stuffe may now more bouldâ—y â—rite and wish I
thâ— Iohn 21. these Saint Peter answered Yea Lord. Theâ— our Sauiour repâ—ied twice Pasce agnos meoâ— Feede my lambes And at S. Peters third answeâ— to the same demand he added pâ—sce oues meâ— feede my sheepe And to his Apostles he said Bonus Pastor animam suam dat pro ouibus suis à goâ— Iohn 10. Pastor giueth his life for his sheepe And Maioreâ— hac dilectionem nemo habet quam vt animaâ— Iohn 15. suam ponat quis pro amicis suis Greater loue thâ— this no man â—ath that a man yeald his life for hâ— friends 9. This Pastorall office and dignitie was euer accompted so perfect and excellent that in all times euen out of danger it was esteemed among the best Religious a perfection and honour for any with them to be preferred to Episcopall or such pastorall charge of soules Therefore the highest Consistorie to wit the Court of Rome hath most iustly and publickly declared the renowned Priests of England to be Ordinis Apostolici Of the most perfect and excellent Apostolicke order And as theire Order is the same with the Apostles so they doe deduce their neuer yet interrupted Frane Godw. Pref. to the Catal. of Bish. conuers of Brit. pa. 6. succâ—sâ—ion therein euen from the highest and chiefest Apostle Saint Peter himselfe from whom so to deriue it to speake in publicke Protestant words VVe should accompt it a great glorie to our Nation to deriue the pedegree of our spirituall linage froÌ„ so noble and excellent a father as S. Peter For both Greeke Latine AuncieÌ„t Later Catholike an Protestant writers assure Sim. Metaphr in SS Petr. Paul Antiquit-Graec ib apud Surin Sanct. Petr. Theater of Brit. l. 6. Camden in Brit. Nicâ—phor apud â—â—â— vs that S. Peter came hither into Britonie Simon Petrus qui fundamenâ—um esse Ecclesâ—ae desinitus est tanquam pâ—obaâ—issimus discipulus c. Simon Peter who like a most approued disciple was declared to be the fâ—undation of the Church as more powerfull then all the rest was commanded to illuminate the obscurer parts of the world in the west and he could entirely fulfull the command He came into Britonie in which place after he had staid long drawne many people to the faith erected Churches and ordained Bishops Priests and Deacons in the twelfth yeare of the Emperour Nero he returned to Rome againe The best Protestant Antiquaries doe hold this for so vnquestionable a truth in Histories that they crie out against any that should doubt thereof Quid ni crederemus why should Cambdâ—n supra we not beleeuâ— 10. Some saie that Saint Philip the Apostle and others would haue it the great Apostle Saint Peter sent S. Ioseph and his Religious companie of Glastenburie hither But S. Peter being alredy proued to be here before their comming and after it might well allowe and approue of their comming and being here but I see not how he did send them hither And as our best Antiquities deliuer they all died without leauing any Successours here vntill Pope Elutherius and King Lucius time But for our Succession of our holy Catholike Clergie Priests it was neuer yet interrupted but continued from S. Peter here vnto this day notwithstanding any howsoeuer outragious tempest of Persecution of whatsoeuer enimies of Christian truth Infidels or Heretikes in great number and constancie by all writers none denying or making doubt thereof And our Protestat Antiquaries themselues doe generally confesse and particularly recompt many Bishops Priests and other Clergie men to haue continued here in euery age both in the Britons and Saxons time without any interruption at all Toâ— tantaque Presbyterorum Monachorum Praesulum Episcoporum Ecclesiarum Caenâ—biorum Math. Parker Antiquit. Brit. pag. 7. 8. Iohn Gosâ—â— hist. â—ccles Iohn Ball de scrip Centur. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Godwin Catal. of Bish. in all Sees Sediumque vetusta nomina quae quouis saeculo extiteruÌ„t So many old names of Priests Monckes Prelats Bishops Churches Monasteries Episcopall Sees which in euery age were extant And vnder the Saxons and English both of Bishops and Priests with their Succession of Bishops vntill the first Parliament of Queene Elizabeth 11. Neither doe our Protestants as latly in publicke Parliament make their Religiâ— to which they would violently enforce you any older then that dare almost 80. years old neither can they except leaping backward ouer Queene Maries Raigne they would patch 4. yeares of youÌ„ge King Edwards youÌ„ger Religion vnto it shewe any Edict Decree Statute Parliament or any publicke proposall or command euen by temporall power for any Religion vse or profession therein to which they would pull and driue you but froÌ„ such younge times and Tutors in Religion That which is true Religion must haue so many hundreds of yeares in age more as then were and now are from Christ and his Apostles daies and other Apostles and Proposers then King Edward and Queene Elizabeth who persecuted and in what they could did suppresse the true old Catholike Apostolike and Christian Religion But in so doing and in whatsoeuer they did or could doe they onely could inuent oâ— giue allowance vnto a newe but not a true Religion Therefore if this onely and nothing else were to be saied vnto you or for you in this cause you are secure you suffer for Iustice you are blessed here and by that title shall so perseuerinâ— be eternally happie in heauen Bishops Priests Monckes Religious and lay Catholikes not so persecuted may perish but perseuering constantly in persecution for Christ's cause they cannot perish Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter Matth. 5. Iustitiam Blessed are they that suffer persecution for Iustice As the cause confirmâ—d by Christ himselfe confirmeth Quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum Because theirs is the Kingdome of heauen This quoniam because Is more particular vnto you for it is almost proper vnto our Priests and their Predecessours in this holie warre which Christ saied to his Apostles Vos â—estimonâ—um perhibeâ—itis quia ab initio mecum Iohn 15. estis You sâ—all giue testimonie because you are with me from the begining It is theirs and their childrens in Christ Vos autem estis qui permansistis mecum in tentationibus meâ—s You are they that haue Luck 22. remained with me in my temptations It is true of them and all such Catholikes of whom Saint Paul saied to the Romans Fides vestra annuntiatur â—â— Rom. 1. in vniuerso mundo Your faith is renowned in the whole world This of your faith and constancie therin and of your obedience and suffrings Vestra obedientiâ— in omnem locum diuulgata est Your obedience is published into euery place â—d Rom. 16. 12. If Christ will confesse all before his father which is in heauen who doe confesse him before men on eaâ—th this confession of you that haue beene so long Spectaculum Aspectacle 1. Corint 4. to Angels and men will be
had S. Cyprian his learned â—eale and S. Chrysostome his golden mouth or pen to laye downe the worth and due oâ— you all most renowned Teachers Learnes and Sufferers in this cause the cause of Christ For although the most reuerâ—nd Father in God Richard Bishop of Chalcedon and the holy learned reuered Priests of England arâ— not in person those greatest or others among the Apostles yet they all both ouâ— Bishop and Priests in their Episcopall anâ— Priestlie Order Preaching and teaching a they did and deriuing Succession both iâ— doctrine and dignitie fâ—â—m them if we maâ— beleeue the Apostles and Apostolike meâ— Clem. Româ—â— Cost Apost l 2. â—â—5 and witnesses doe supplie theâ—r pâ—ace and aâ—â— so to be obeyed Presbyteri si assiduè in studio decend verbum Dei laborauerint Apostolorum locuâ— tenent Sacerdoâ—es sunt omnes Domini Apostoli qâ— nâ—que agros neque domos haeteaitant hic sed sempeâ— Altarâ— Deo seruiunt If Priests will continually labour in the studie of teaching the word of God the sâ—all inioye the plaâ—e of the Apostles Priests are all tâ—â— Apostles of our Lord who inheriteth here neithâ— feilâ—s nor houses but alwâ—yes they serue God and thâ—â— neighbour Eis qui in Ecclesia sunt Presbyteris obediâ— â—rinaeus l. 4. c. 20. 43. oportet his qui successionem habent ab Apostolis qâ— cum Episcâ—patus successione Charisma certum secunduâ— plaâ—â—tum paâ—ris acceperunt Those Priests which aâ— in the Church ought to be obeyed who haue their Sucession from the Apostles and with the Succession Iustâ—â— Diâ—â— 5. 〈◊〉 Tâ—i 〈◊〉 Bishoprikes haue receaued the certaine gift accordiâ— to the will of the Father Neque vero à quoquam Deâ— hostias accipit nisi à suis Sacerdotibus Neither indeeâ— â—oth God Accept of Sacrifices of any 〈◊〉 of his Priests â—here we see the honour which ought to â—e done to our preaching and Sacrificing â—ishop and Priests â— And the holy Scrâ—â—turs pronounce and â—clare them worâ—â—◠〈…〉 1. 〈◊〉 5. â—nour Qui 〈…〉 habeantur maximè 〈…〉 doâ—â—â The Priests tâ—at 〈◊〉 wâ—ll let them be esteemed â—râ—hie of duble honour â—â—specially they that labour in â— word and doâ—trine â—nd I may auerre that hoâ— conuersatioÌ„ whâ—â—â— you with so many difâ—ulties possesse â—n forsaking all to follow â—rist to teach preach and doe other â—esslie functions to be the Apostolicall life â—d calling Our Protestant persecutours alwhich doe acknowledge you for true and â—full Priests and doe attribute so much to â—aching and most highly dâ—e commend â—r holy Apostolicke predecessours Priests â— Monckes who liued as you doe in the â—e of the Britons before all of the Reliâ—us Protest Thâ—â—tor of great Brit. God Win. Conueâ—s â—f Brit. Orders that came hither in the SaxoÌ„s â—e should not otherwise vse you then â—h honour and respect especially when alâ—es euen from the begining of Christiaâ—e here they finde it so â— In the very first age yea in the Aâ—les time they auoâ—ch that S. Ioseph and Associates our first Religious discontiâ—d their Monasticall life to preach the â—h Abbot Fecknam did alleage out of S. Gildas in the fiâ—st Parliament of Queene Elizabeth that Pope Elutherius in his time sent from their Monasticall life such hither to preach S. German and S. Lupus Religious of Lycinum Monasterie were sent hither into Britonie by S. Celestin before they werâ— Bishops to the same end and purpose Wheâ— our renowned English Apostle S. Gregoriâ— tooke religious Monckes S. Augustine anâ— others out of his owne Monastarie to senâ— them hither to preach to the vnbeleeuinâ— Saxons and hey terrified with the labouâ— and perils of such an Apostolicall life desred rather to returne to their quiet Monastâ—call conuersation he vrged them and seâ— them forward because this Apostolicall liâ— was most perfect and had greatest reward â— heauen Omniinstantia omnique seruore quae iâ— Gregorius Epist ad Monachos in Angl. destinâ—nd Bed hiâ—â—or â—ccle l. 1. c. 23. choastis Deo authore peragite sciences quod laborâ— magnum maior retribution iâ— gloria sequitur With forâ—e and seruour finish that you haue by the moâ—â— of God begun assuring your selues that after your grâ— labour eternall reward shall followe And the Berdictine Monckes in their Trithemius aâ— others doe glorie much and not withoâ— cause of the many Bishops Archbishoâ— Cardinals and Popes of their Order by tâ— title of Apostolicall Mission Our Benectines also of the English Congregation snites Dominicans Franciscans and Carâ—lites with dispenâ—â—tion from his Holines hâ— left the rigour of their Rule and Order â— better to applie themselues here in our countrie for the conuerting of souleâ— as in a vocation of greater merite and higher perfection preferring the Apostolicall preaching life in â—his time and place before the exact and proâ—essed obseruation of their owne particular Orders thereby to notifie vnto vs and all â—hat this Apostolicall priestlie life euer from â—he beginning of Christianitie here or in the â—orld was the most perfect and most excelâ—nt calling and profession pleasing to God â—rofitable to his Church and honourable in â—he professours therof 7. All our old holy Bishops Colledges Monasteries Seminaries or Schooles of learâ—ed Christians such as by our Protestants â—onfession were here extant in euery age â—uouis saeculo extiterunt and longe before Matth. Parker Antiquit. Britun Ion. Iosilin hist Eccles manuscript Gregorie was Pope or that he did or could â—nd any Monckes of what Order soeuer inâ— EnglaÌ„d or any part of Britonie sent most â—oly and learned priests by allowance of the â—e Apostolike to preach in France Gerâ—anie Denmarke Friseland Bauaria Norâ—ay Ireland Greenland and into other â—rts of the world diuers times and in great â—mber as it shall be hereafter more largly â—clared Knowing both by holy Scriptures â—d the testimonie of Christ himselfe that â—is Apostolicall condition a signed by him his dearest Apostles first taught and praâ—ised in himselfe not onely to forsake all externall wordlie thinges as Religious men doe or be bound to doe but â—or a man to denie himselfe the sauing of his health libertie and life daily exposing them to losse and ofteÌ„ loosing them for the loue of Christ truely following him in sauing many soules that were in danger otherwise eternally to perish is the most absolutly perfect calling and profession in the Church of God 8. Monasticall life by abnegation is a State of perfection and a safe way to saue the professers soule but to saue both his owne and many others by a more perfect abnegation must needs be the greatest perfection and following of Christ Si quis vult post me venire abneget Luc. â— semetiâ—sum tollat crucem suam quoâ—idiè sequatur me If any man will come after me let hiâ— denie himselfe and take vp his crosse dayly and follow me And our Sauiour when he demande of Saint Peter his greatest and most louinâ— Apostle Diligis me plus his Loues â—hou me more
oldâ—esse of the Record is not remeÌ„bred Quis isâ—e Rex fuit scedulae veâ—ustas negat scire he was their Beâ—efactour and gaue them or confirmed to â—hem Inswitrin Terram quae appellatur Inswitrin â—d Ecclesiam veâ—ustam concessit ad petitionem Morâ—ret â—iusdem loci Abbatis The land which is called â—nswitrin he granted to the old Church by the pâ—tiâ—ioÌ„ of Morgret Abbot of that place and their Bishop Manuto wrote and coÌ„firmed it Ego Manuto Episâ—opus hanc chartam scripsi I Bishop Manute wrote tâ—iâ—â—aper 14. Besides this Bishop England had then â—t Saint Augustines coÌ„ming diuers Bishops â—ere ordered or sent by the Popes authoriâ—ie Saint Asaph in the west S. Iuo in Hunâ—ingtonsyhre S. Lethard in Kent and others not vnprobably in other places besides ouâ— British Bishops in VVales and those of Scotâ—and And to remember but the names of our first Bishops in England after S. Augustines comming besides Kent and London where â—he and his Associats were Bishops all which vndoubtedly by all writers Catholike and Protestant old or new Monasticall or others either were of our British old Order or ioyned with them that were at that time here 15. VVe haue in the North Saint Aidanâ— Finan Colman Tuda Eata Cuthbert Foâ— Yorke S. Paulinus the first by Marianus waâ— ex Francia and staied but onely 6. yeares after him S. Cedda S. Wilfride Bosa Sainâ— Iohn called of Beuerlaie brought vp in Sainâ— Hilda her old Monasterie At winchester wâ— had S. Birinus spoakeÌ„ of before who restored in that Monasterie our old MoÌ„ckes and ioyâ—ned with the Northumbers Agilbertus â— Frenchman who preached long in Ireland ioyned â—lso with the Northumbers VVinâ— also a Frenchman and Eleutherius remembred before In Liâ—hfeild we had Diuma oâ— Dwyna a Scot hauing all Middle England for his Dioces so had sixe or seuen of his Successours all such vntill the yeare 678. Cellacâ—â— Scot Trumhere Ianuman Cedda winfride Saxulf I passe ouer all the old Sees iâ— wales knowne and confessed by all to haue had none but such Bishops 16. Such also was the ordinarie aÌ„d vniuersall pietie and sanctitie of our old holy Priestâ— and Preachers of that time before any later Order was receiued euen of the laie people conuerted and taught by them as the learned Saint Bede then liuing much be waileth the great change and alteration saying In tantum Beda l. 3. Hist â—ccles Angl. cap. 5. auâ—â—m vita illâ—us Aidani à nostri temporis segnitia distâ—bat vt omnes qui cum eo incedebant siue aettonsi â—â—ue laici meditari debeâ—ent id est aut legendiâ— Scripturis aut Psalmis discendis S. Aidan his lifâ— â—as so farre different from the slouthfulnesse of our â—e that all those which went with him wheather â—onckes or Laickes were to meditate that is they â—ere to bestowe their time either in reading Scripture â— learning the Psalmes And in an other place â—â—aieth thus of Bishop Colman who dispuâ—d with Saint VVilfrid and of his Predeâ—ssours Bed histâ— ecclesiast l. 3. ca. 26. Quantae autem parsimoniae â—uiusque contiâ—tiae fueriâ— ipse cum praedecessoribus suis testabatur â—am ipse locu quem regebaâ— Of how great abstinenâ— and continencie he was with his Predecessours the â—ce it selfe which he ruled did witnesse where â—en they went away very few howses besides the â—urch remained and these howses onely without â—ch ciuill conuersation could not continue They had â—onie nothing but cattell If they receiued any moâ— of the riche presently they gaue it to the poore All care of those Doctours then was to serue God and not worlde All their desire was for the soule and noâ—â—bellie wherevpon in that time the habite of Reliâ— was in greate reuerence so that wheresoeuer â—â—st or Moncke did come he was ioyfully receiued â—ll as the Seruant of God And if any trauailing â—eir iornie did meete him a Priest bending â—selues they reioyced to be signed with his hande â—ssed by his mouth They gaue diligent eare to his â—rtatioÌ„s VpoÌ„ the sondayes they flocâ—ed to the Church â—onasteries to be instructed in the word of God If Priest chanced to come into a villadge the Inhaâ—ts presently came together and desired to receiue â—ord of life from him For there was no other cause â—riests or Ecclesiasticall men to goe to villadges but to speake briefely to â—uer soules And they were so 〈◊〉 from all infection of couetousnesse that they would nâ— except compelled by the riche men of the world â—â—ceiue lands or possessions to build Monasteâ—ies Whiâ— custome was genâ—rally obserued in the Churcâ—es of tâ—â—ingdome of Northumberland sometime afâ—erwardâ— Thus of Saint Aidan their first Apâ—stâ—e anâ— of his Disâ—iples and people by him conueâ—ced and although he kept Easter otherwiâ— then those did which came from Rome yâ— he was and worthily beloued of all euen â— the Archbishop of Canterburie Honoriâ— for his workes of faith pietie and charitiâ— and during his life that difference was patieâ—tly endured And this was not an errour câ—mon to all Scots but to some of theÌ„ for Roâ— and others impugned it And wheÌ„ it was roâ—ted out it was not done by MoÌ„ckes or otheâ— Bed l. 3. 4. 5. Guliel Malmesb. Matth. Westm Floren. â—â—igâ—rn from Rome but as Saint â—ede and otheâ— prooue either by the Poâ—es admonitioÌ„ as â— Ireland by Bishop Agilbertus and Saiâ— Wilfride in Northumberland and in othâ— place by Saint Egbertus Adamnanus aâ— others of their old owne Order and profâ—sion 17. In this I haue the longer insisted â—â— onely for the glorie and honour of those oâ— Fathers in Christ not iustly to be takâ— from them to be giuen vnto others and tâ— it is the honor of our English Priests aâ— Catholiks to be heires successours aâ— children to such Antecessours and parentâ— Religion But because it is the most common Dauid Pâ—wâ—ll â—â— annoâ—aâ— in l. 2. â—â—raldi CaÌ„bren de 〈◊〉 Cambr. Io. Bal. in Act. Râ—man poâ—â—ific l. 2 â—â— Gâ—egor 1. Francis Godwin conuers of Bâ—iâ— p. 4â— Fulk answ 〈◊〉 cont Cain p 4 Middlâ—to papist pag. 202. Foxe Aâ—â— and Meâ— pag. 463. edit an 1576. Io. Gâ—sâ— lin Hâ—â—â—or eâ—clesiast Matth. parker Antiquiâ— Brit. pag. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. receiued allowed and approued opinion and confession of our English Protestants and those their best learned in their estimatioÌ„ to write in their owne very words At the comming of Augustine there florished with â—he Britans the preaching of the truth sincere doâ—trine liuelie faith and the pure worship â—f God â—uch as from the Apostles themselues was by Gods coÌ„â—aundement deliuered to the Churches The Britans â—efore Augustines comming continued in the â—aith of â—hrist euen from the Apostles time After the Britans â—mbraced the saith of Christ they neuer forsooke iâ— neiâ—er when Augustine came into the Iland So many â—nd so great a number of the old names of Priests â—oncks Abbots Prelates Bishops Churches Abâ—eyes and Sees which haue beene in euery age doth â—fficieÌ„tly
3. si quis Episcopatum desiderat bonum opus dâ—rat Asatthfull saying If a man desire a Bishops â— he desiâ—eth a good worke Si quis domnisuae praeâ—â—â—ciâ— quomode ecclesiae Dei diligentiam habebit If â— â—w not to rule his owne howse how shall he haue â—e of the Church of God where it is saied Oportet â—iscopum sine crimine esse sicut Dei dispensatorem Tit. 1. Biohop must be without crime as the steward of God â—here S. Peter saith to such Pascite qui in vobis â— gâ—egem Domini Feede the flocke of God which is â—ong you Neque vt dominantes in Cleris sâ—d formae 1. Pet. 5. â—i gregâ— Neiâ—â—er as ouerruling the Clergie but exaÌ„â— of the flocke Where S. Paul saieth to S. Titus â—hop Huius reigâ—atia reliqui to Cretae vt ea quae Tit. 1. 〈◊〉 corrâ—gas constituas per â—iuitates presbyteros â— â—go disposui tibi For this cause lest I thee in â—e that thou shouldest reforme the things that are â—ting and shouldest ordaine Priestes by cities as so appointed thee Here they be Rulers Goâ—nourâ— Fathers and so they must needs be â—oured reuerenced and obeyed of theâ—r â—iects and chiâ—dâ—en And as the Scripture â—h expressely commaund temporall obeâ—ce vnto temporal Rulers Aâ—mone illos Tit. 3. â—cipibus Potestatibuâ— subditos esse dicto obedire â—onish them to he subiect to Princes and Potestats â—y at a word So it doth most expresly and â—tly commaund obedience and subiection â—ese our spirituall Rulers Obedite Prae oâ—â—â—estris Heb. 13. subiacâ—te eis ipsi eâ—im peruigilant quasi â—â—m pro animabus vestris reddiâ—uâ—â— Obeye your â—â—s and be subiect to them For they watch as â— to render account for your soules Ignatius Successor to S. Peter at Anâ—h saith Quid aliud est Eâ—iscopus quâ—m is qui Principatu Potestate superior est Episcopi sunâ— Sacerdotes baptizant sacrificant eligunt inanus imponunt Nemo Episcopo honorabilior in Ecclesia Sacerdotium Deo gerenti pro mundi salute Pre byteri Diaconi atque omnis Clerus simul cum populo Militibus atque Principibus sed Caesares obebiant Episcopo Decet obâ—dâ—re Episcopo in nullo illi refragariâ— terribile namque est tali contradicere Episcopo subiect estote velut Domino ipse enim vigilaâ— pro aniâ—abâ— vestris vt qui rationem Deo reddiâ—urus sit Necâ—â—itaque est quicquid facitis Vt sine Episcopo nihil tâ—â—â—eâ—is Quemcunque Paterfamilias miâ—tit ad gul ernaâ—dam familiam â—unc it a accipere debetis vt illum ipsâ— qui mâ—etit Episcopum aspicere oportet vt ipsum Dâ—minum Sine Episcopo nâ—mo quicquam faciat eorun quae ad Ecâ—lesiâ—m spectant Honoâ—a Deum vt omnuâ— authorem Dominum Episcopum verò vt Princips SacerdotuÌ„ Imaginem Deâ— referenteÌ„ Dei quideÌ„ prop Principaâ—um Christi veâ—ò propter Sacerdotium Hoâ—rare oportet Regem neque enim Rege quisquâ— praestantior aut quisquam similis illi in rebus omnilâ— creatis neque Episcopo qui Deo consecratus est â—totius mundi salute quit quam maius in Ecclesia Wâ— else is a Bishop but he that is Superiour to all prinâ—palitie and power Bishops are Priestes they Baptizâ— they offâ—r sacrifice they chose others they impâ— hands None is more honourable then the Bishop the Church excricising Priesthood before Allmight God for the Saluation of the world Priestes Deacâ— and all the Clergie together with the people Souldiâ— and Princes yea and Kings should obey the Bishâ— and not contradict him in any thing Be yea subâ— vnto the Bishop as vnto our Lord for he doth wâ— â—uer your soules as who is to render an account to God Therefore it is necessarie that whatsoeuer you doe that you attempt nothing without the Bishop VVhom so euer the good man of the house doth send to gouerne his familie you ought so to receiue him as if it were himselfe who sendeth him You ought to receiue the bishop as our Lord himselfe VVithout the Bishop let no man doe any thing which appertainetâ— to the Church Honour God as the Authour and Lord of all but the Bishop as the Prince of the Priestes bearing the â—maâ—ge of God of God indeede for his principalitie and of Christ for his Priesthood you ought also to honour the King for neither any is chiefer then the King â—r any licke vnto him in all created things nor is there any in the Church of God greater then the Biâ—hop who is conjecrated to God for the health of the whole world 4. S. Clement Successour to S. Peter at Rome saieth from S. Peters mouth Omnes Principes terrae â—unctos homines Episcopis obedire capita sua ubmittere eorumque adiutores existere praeâ—iâ—iebat Peâ—rus Apostolus Omneâ— qui eis contraâ—eniant ita damnatos inâ—amâ—s vsque ad satisfactionem monstrabat nisi conuerterentur à liminibus Ecclesiae alienes esse praecipiebat O Episcope saith he stude mundicie operum excellere cognoscâ—nâ— locum ac dignitatem tuam tanquam locum Dei obtinens eò quòd praees omnibus Dominis Saccrdotibus Regibus Principibus Patriâ—us Filijs Magistris atque Subditis simul omnibuâ— Iudica ô Episcope cum potestate tanquam Deus Episcopus est mediaâ—or inter Deum vos Is pietatis magister est is post Deum Pater vester â—s princeps dux vester is Rex vester Dynasta denique is terrenus Deus post Deum cui à vobis honor debetur Episcopus Dei dignitate ornatus est quaâ—enus Clero prâ—eâ—â— omni populo imperat Peter the Apostle commanded all Princes of the earth and all men to obeye the Bishops and to submit their heads vnto them and to be their helpers All those which should speake against â—hem he did declare them so to be infamous an damned vnâ—ill they had made satisfaction And vnlesse they would be conuerted he commanded that they shoulâ— not pâ—rticipate of the Chuâ—ch O Bishop saieth he studie to excell in the puritie of thy workes considering thy place and dignitie as possessing God his place in that thou goest bâ—fore all Lords Priests Kings Princes Fathers Soones Maisters and also all subiects O Bishop iuâ—ge wiâ—h all power as God The Bishop is mediatour betweene God and you He is the maister of pietie he after God is your Father he is your Prince and Captaine he is your King and Ruler and lastly after God he is your terrene God wâ—om you ougâ—t to honour and reuerence The Bishop is adorned with the dignitie of God as he is chiefe of the Clergie and ruleth all people 5. The like haue S. Dionysius the Areopagite S. Anacletus and others our English Protestantâ— so confessing So they teach with holy Scriptures there is no other inferior Order of Priesthood Deacons or others to preach or minister any Sacrament or doe any spirituall thing in the Church but by consecration
God with men and he will dwâ—ll with them And they shall be â—is people and he God with them shall be their â—od And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and death shall be no more nor mourning nor crying neitâ—er shall there be sorrow any more which first things are gone All you shall or can giue or raâ—her lend for such a recompence of sure Inheritance for euer was giuen you by him that for but lending him the same againe for a time will with so great honour returne you all againe yâ—a an huÌ„dred for one Omnis qui reliquerit domuÌ„ velfraâ—â—es aut sorores aut Patrem aut Matrem aut vxoâ—em aut filios aut agros propter nomen Matth. 19. meum cenâ—â—plum acâ—â—piâ—t vitam â—â—ernam possidebit Euâ—ry one that haâ—â— lâ—ft house or bretherne or sisters or father or mother or wife or childrne or â—andâ—â— for my sake shâ—ll â—eâ—eiue on hundreâ— fold and shall possesâ— life euerlasting 3. You that be great and Noble and Noble Cathoâ—â—kes be not troubled â—or not enioying such â—â—mpoâ—all and fading honours in Court or Countrie which your equals or inferiours enâ—oye not being of your Religion but rather pâ—rsecuting it are exalted or that you haue lost or let any such for this holy cause If there was danger you could not exercise â—uch without offence to God or hurting his Sâ—ruants it is your honour and securitie in conscience to want or loose them Qui amat pericuâ—um in illo peribit Coringrediens duâ—◠〈◊〉 3. â—â—as non habebit successâ— He that lâ—ueth danger shall peâ—ish in it A â—eart that goeth two waâ—es sâ—all not haue Successe And God hath prouided better Lâ—euâ—enanciâ—s and Offices for you in a bettâ—r kingedome Iudicabunt Nationes domâ—nâ—â—untur 〈◊〉 3. populis regnabit Dominus illorum in perpetuum They shall iudge Nations and haue dominion ouer peoples and their Lord shall reigne for euer Let it be your comfort that neuer had the that if you had enioyed such you would as your holy Religion teacheth you haue performed them to you vttermost power to the honour of God our king and Countrie as they which had and lately loste them did euer most faithfull and dutifull to our king in his commaunds and as readie as any Protestants to doe him all seruice and supplies they could by themselues or other meanes they might or were able to procure and more then diuers Protestants did well approue or commend in them for such duties which all Catholikes without exception generally and vpon all occasions in their degree most readily and willingly performed Let it not be a griefe vnto you that you are driuen out of Parlaments whose chiefest and onely members you with the Catholike Bishops and some priuiledged Abbots were with the kings of England long before any howse of Commonâ— was in power Your lawfull and iust refusalâ— of an Oathe made and as it was expounded by king Iames by greatest spirituall power vnlawfull to be taken giueth you lawfull excuse from all assent to Acts of persecution England euer was a noble Nation your Auncestors and of vs all that be truely English came by all Antiquities from a most honourable people and progenitors Saint Gregorie the great so called and in great parte our Apostle and Father in Christ compared them not onely for name but endowments of nature vnto Angells and the liues and conuersation of many thousands of your holy Auncesters when England was holy England were Angelicall and you now with other Catholikes made for profession of your faith a spectacle to the world Angells and men shall 1. Cor. 4. be for your rewarde thus perseuering as Angells Matt. 22. of God in heauen sicut Angeli Dei in caelo Your renowned Priests haue giuen you example in the highest degree of perfection in this kinde and cause in forsaking all at once and with his Apostles following Christ with an Ecce reliquimus omnia secuti sumus te Behold we haue Matt. 19. lâ—fâ— all things and haue followed thee So depriued and persecuted onely in England because we are Priests and borne in England Be not afraide to followe such guides with some hazard losse or diminution of your honours esteeme with carnall mindes Ritches and reuenewes for the like cause aÌ„d for that you are Catholikes of EnglaÌ„d For others both Priests and Catholikes not of England are otherwise entertained here in England not onely â—n times of peace but in times of open hostilitie betweene England and their Countries from whence they are of such by some some Ielousie might be made of English Priests and Catholikes no possible place is left to inuent the least suspition Our Priests haue so long and voluntarily professed pouertie and liued therein that no man of vpright Iudgment can thinke they would disorderly or vniustly seeke for Ritches with hazard of their friends And if his Maiesty should allowe to laie Catholikes which receiue no spirituall good from Protestant Ministers to paie Tithes to others of their Religion this would not be offesiue to God nor hinder but rather further a noble great Nation hauing now more neede of chaste then married of such sorte 5. If we had not preferred our loue of England before all earthly things no doubt but both the Bishop of Calcedon and diuers renowned Priests of England might haue founde farre greater amitie fauour and wordly preferment in other parts then they could euer expect or looke for in their owne Countrie We neuer had hand or singer in these late warrs and contenuons or euer â—aue the least occasion of any daunger difficultie or hazard our dearest Countrie is subiect or exposed vnto as diuers publick Proâ—lamations and other Protestant Relation publish We neuer were of Counsaile or acquaintance with any great Councellour oâ— Courtier dead or liuing full at this time oâ— any such which as many Protestans or â—uritans haue thought did not good offiâ—â—s to this kingedome We were and are 〈◊〉 to all meÌ„ or womeÌ„ Courtiers or others which haue bene suspected to haue furthered the driuing â—â— the French Bishop Priests Ladies and others from the Queene and placed theÌ„selues â—â—â—riends for them the beginning of daba ewith France We are as Innocent of the breath with Spaine either Maâ—â—iage or peace oâ— with any other Prince We haue not disturbed it at â—ome or abâ—oad The rebellion of the Netherlanders Hungarians Austrians 〈◊〉 Luâ—atians Sileâ—ians Moranianâ— French and whatsoeuer Protestants against their Princes were by Protestants not Catholiks allowing but allwayes condemning them As in England in all oppositions of Parlamentarie Protestants against our king hindering or witholding duties from him euen in his times of needs and wants the Catholiks euer yelded to and most readily performed all allthough by Parlament they were charged with double subsidies without any freedome or release of any penalties for Religion All Priests of the Clergie Bishop and others haue vtterly condemned the deniers