Woman in Scotland and had maried another one Mistresse Wiseman in England with whom he cohabited here in London The Scottish Woman claymed him but she being poore and none to protect her after two yeares suite he was declared to be Wisemans husband money was his Cause for himselfe assured me it cost him in gifts feasting his Advocates and Clerks above 150. pounds What intollerable Injustice was this it being notoriously knowne that the Scottish Woman was his wife The chiefe Extortioners are the Registers of the Court Stephen Knight and his companion Brother in law to Sir Iohn Limbe When his Grace foresawe the Parliament would call them in question he presently deposed them and made the said Knight principall Proctor in his Court who fearing to be questioned for the same misdemeanours fled with his whole Family to Norwitch and there bought of that Bishop the Registers office and so is like to continue his accustomed trade of extortion except this Honourable Court call him coram to answer his innumerable oppressions which are to be seene in the Registers booke of the high Commission He hath two bonds of mine and two letters of Atturney made by me to him His ordinary course was this to take for every one twenty shillings for that he should have had but two shillings sixpence which extended to a great summe in the yeare And out of Terme he had Fees for six Clerkes and so many Promoters which went throughout England plaging the poore and inriching themselves and their Master Knight Likewise the other extortioner was Bonnyragge the greatest Knave in the Country For money he would doe any thing He carried in his Pouch a number of Citations and when he pleased for money dismissed any one A Master Quashet Mr. Smith the Iesuite and Mr. Fisher of the same Order And one Cutbert a lay brother of theirs of whom I spoke before A great number of lay persons Recusants whom I know have beene dismist by him some for forty shillings some for twentie shillings but the least was ten shillings Of a great part of Anabaptists and Brownists some that were poore he imprisoned But the rich for money escaped as themselves will depose It is fit this Bonnyragge and also the Bishop of Londons Pursivants be called in question with many other of his Promoters and under Officers As Arthur Huffe living in Saint Peters street in Westminster I come now to the fourth point concerning the Popes aspiring to the temporall government of these Kingdomes NOTE and the manner how he proceedes which I will clearely set downe You shall be informed what his Ambition was seeing himselfe exalted to Saint Peters Chaire being before Cardinall protector of the Scottish Nation And which is ominous the two former Popes Clement the eight and Paul the fifth his Predecessors having been in minoribus protectors of Scotland He thought to do something more to reduce both under one King to the Romish Church NOTE And as Clement the seaventh had by his miscarriage beene the Cause of this diâ—coriation from the obedience of the sea of Rome he might be the meanes of their reconciliation Wherefore he was no sooner made Pope but the same day with his owne hand a thing not accustomed he writ a letter to King Iames of good memory shewing his election promotion to saint Peters Chaire and offering his correspondency with his Majesty at the same instant he nominated Signiour Georgio Conne a Scottish youth who was Schoole fellow with his Nephew Signior Francisco afterwards Cardinall who should informe him of all important businesse of England and Scotland This Signior George was a very faire youth of some fifteene yeares of age and of a faire disposition having also accesse to his Holinesse you may understand my meaning for in minority being Legat in Pâ—lonia hee was much suspected of incontinency And assoone as any English Scottish or Irish Runagates came to Rome he went to their lodgings in the Popes behalfe and brought them of his Holinesse Bread and Wine and other rarities as Boligman Sauseges and other dainties letting them see all the Antiquities of Rome and their Churches though they were not of their Religion and feasting them on the Popes charge when they visited the seaven Churches as the Lord Craven and others And now the Pope with his politique braine began to excogitate the meanes to have correspondency with the King by fortune there was at Rome a Hollender expert in drayning of Lands to make the Marish grounds pasturable and arrable who having got accesse to his Holynesse Informed him that all the Marish grounds in the champaigne of Rome which was above six miles might be drained and made profitable The Pope for his profit gave a great eare and understanding by this man the meanes to effect if in a short time that he needed great store of men to worke and that of all Nations the English were most expert The Pope presently takes hould thereof apprehending it as a fit occasion to treat with our K. wherefore he sends hither the Hollander in post hast by whom Signior Georgio writ to sundry of his frinds viz. to some of the Queenes Court Note by whose meanes at last he got accesse to his Majesty signifying from whence he came and the great profit which would redouud to this Kingdome if he would permit some two thousand Familyes of his People with their Wives and Children to goe and inhabit there and after successively more For he had gotten promise of the Pope that they should not be troubled but use their consciences without any vexation at all More this Hollander signified to his Majesty the great Commodity it would be to the trade in those parts for transporting from hence Cloth pewter lead and other Commodities and from thence Wines Raysins Oyles Capers and other fruits with a great quantity of Allome The businesse is remited to the Councell to consider if his Majesty might have correspondency with the Pope Note as a temporall Prince as he hath with other Princes and States who are not so potent as Holland Venice Florence c After mature deliberation it was concluded he might for the causes prementioned The Hollander returnes with speed to Rome shewing how well he had dispatched together with His Majesties Declaration and Order of the Councell with Letters and answers of sundry persons to Signior Georgio whom hee had feasted at Rome and knew of the Queenes Court being his Countrymen Then was it thought fit by those about Her Majestie to begin the Treaty and to breake that holy Ice for the Popes honours sake then was nominated Sir Robert Douglas Couzin Germain to the Marquesse Douglas an ancient friend to Father Philips and Signior Georgio a discâ—eet Gentleman who had much travailed and was expert in the Italian French Spanish and Germain languages A Courtier yet modest and discreet But the Cardinall Richleau must be the man Note who should have the honour to direct him
probability and other Circumstances that there is in the said King and his Ministers as ready a disposition as formerly you have found to proceed further in such a Treaty you may open unto them that you are come accompanied and Authorized with power sufficient on Our part to Treat and Conclude But if you doe discerne any alteration or coldnesse from the former demonstration not onely of a sincere meaning but of a very great desire to give us satisfaction you may then forbeare to make use of your Commission which we must referre to your discretion and advertise us what you perceive If you shall find things in such Case as you shall have cause to fall to Treaty of particulars then for your direction therein you shall understand That this businesse doth consist of two principall parts The one concerning matter of Religion and the other of civill considerations matter of Portion and other charges on their part and Dower and assurance of Dower on our part The matter of Religion is to Us of most priâ—cipall consideration for nothing can be to Us dearer then the honour and safety of the Religion which we professe And therefore seeing that this Marriage and Alliance if it shall take place is to be with a Lady of a different Religion from Us It becommeth Us to be tender as on the one part to give them all satisfaction convenient so on the other to admit nothing that may blemish our Conscience or detract from the Religion here established And although We cannot for the present give you precise and particular direction and warrant for all points that will come in question in this subject of Religion yet in generall we have thought good thus farre to authorize you that whereas while you were in Spaine certaine Articles for matter of Religion after a Consultation had by some of their Divines were delivered to you as poynts they were like to insist upon which seeming to you unworthy to be by Us hearkned unto you did utterly reject and refuse yet afterward upon a private conference between you and some others to whom that cause had been committed there was between you a qualification conceived therein though never delivered as a matter approved there We have perused those Articles and added something to them by way of explanation for Our clearer satisfaction and have signed them with our owne hand in a Schedule hereunto annexed And doe let you know that if they shall be admitted there as we have signed them and no further matter in poynt of Religion urged We can be content you proceed and expresse your liking and that you hope it will give Us satisfaction And that you will speedily advertise Us but you shall not so farre consent or conclude at to bind Us untill you have advertised Us and received Our expresse pleasure and assent But if you find any haesitation or doubt made upon them or any new matter added to any of those poynts which you shall find to varie from the true sense of them you shall suspend your proceeding to the approving of any such Alteration and advertise Vs thereof and attend Our further direction and pleasure c. Given at Lincolne the 14. day of Aprill 1617. Tho. Lake The Articles for Religion specified in these Instructions THat for the taking away of all scruples NOTA. and the better Justification of the Match The Dispensation of the Pope is to be procured but thereof His Majesty need to take no kind of notice but to be the meere Act of the King of Spaine That the Children of this Marriage shall no way be compelled or constrained in poynt of Conscience of Religion wherefore there is no doubt that their Title shall be prejudiced NOTA. in case it should please God that they should prove Catholiques That the Family which the Infanta shall bring with her being strangers may be Catholiques and that the Nurses which shall give milke unto the Childreâ— shall be chosen with her consent and shall be accounted of her Family That the place which shall be appointed for Divine service shall be Decent Capable Free and publike for all those of her Family and that there shall be Administred in it the Sacraments and Divine service according to the Use and Ceremonies of the Church of Rome That in case the Infanta her selfe shall onely have a secret and particular Oratory There shall be appointed for her Family a setled Chappell for the Administring of the Sacraments and for the burying of the dead of the said Family and that this publike Exercise of Religion begin from her first entrance into England That it shall be lawfull for the Ecclesiasticall and Religious persons of her Family to weare their owne Habit. That after the Dispensation granted by the Pope the Marriage shall be celebrated in Spaine per verba de praesenti by a Procurator according to the Instruction of the Councell of Trent And that the yeers and ages â—e without supplement waiting the ten dayes and the Infanta receiving the Nuptiall Benediction But that within certaine dayes to be Limited after her arrivall in England there shall be infacie Ecclesiae used such a solemnization as by the Lawes of England shall make the Marriage valid and takeaway all scruple touching the Legitimation of the Issue That shee shall have a competent number of Chaplaines and a Confessor being Strangers and that amongst them shall be one that shall have power and authority for the government of the rest of her said Family in matters concerning Catholique Religion That there be sitting Assurances given for performance of the said Conditions Given at Lincolne the 4. of Aprill 1617. Tho. Lake KIng Iames being so farre wrought upon by the Popish Faction as thus publikely to engage himselfe in this Marriage Treaty with one of the Romish Religion wherein the Popes owne Dispensation must necessarily be first procured ere the Match could finally be accomplished they then begin to play their game to the best advantage and by tedious delayes and new demands gaine more and more ground upon the King in favour of the Roman Catholiques and their Antichristian Religion First the Commissioners designed for this Treaty multiply and enlarge the former Articles touching Religion in reference to the Infanta and her Family which after two yeers debate were fully concluded on by the Commissioners and both Kings But their agreements were to little purpose the consent of the Roman Pontife the Arch-contriver and Directer of this Plot for the best advantage of the Catholique Cause must be likewise procured and super-added to compleat the Articles without which they were but Nullities and no Dispensation could be expected from him which is first of all provided for in the Conditions Hereupon the Articles were sent to Rome to Pope Gregory the xv who then held that Chair of Pestilence who after many tedious consultations alters and enlargeth divers of the Articles by the advice of his Conclave for the furtherance of
Regnaque quae Deus indulsit Nobis in ipsius Progenie quasi constabilita ad posteros propaganda transmittamus Rogamus itaque majorem in modum statuat taudem ac deceâ—nat Serenitaâ— Vestra ut negotium hoc omne ea celeritate conficiat quanta res tanta confici potuerit Erit hoc aequitatis prudentiae Vestrae cogitaâ—e quanti hoc Nostra intersit qui filium habeamus hunc unicum quantum porro conditio in hoc Nostra abs Vestra discrepet quem Deus sobole tam multa copiosa locupletavit Quem Vos Vestrosque omnes diu incolumes volentes velit etiam atque etiam obtestamur Dat. ex aedibus Nostris Theobaldinis 27. Aprilis 1620. UPon this Letter and Liberty indulged by it the Jesuits Priests Recusants in England grew very bold insolent daring and multiplied exceedingly insomuch that the King assembling a Parliament at London Anno 1621. the Commons House taking notice of their formidable dangerous increase and desperate designes to extirpate the Protestant Religion both at home and abroad under pretext of this Nuptiall Treaty drew up this ensuing memorable Petition and Remonstrance with an intention to present it to King Iames. The Petition and Remonstrance intended to be sent to King Iames by the house of Commons in December 1621. Most gratious and dread Soveraigne WEE Your Majesties most humble and loyall Subjects the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in Parliament who represent the Commons of your Realm full of hearty sorrow to be deprived of the Comfort of Your royall presence the rather for that it proceeds from want of your health wherein we all unfainedly doe suffer In all humble manner calling to mind your gratious Answer to our former Petition concerning Religion which notwithstanding your Majesties pious and princely Intentions hath not produced that good effect which the danger of these times doth seem to us to require And finding how ill your Majesties goodnesse hath been requited by Princes of different Religion who even in time of Treaty have taken opportunity to advance their own ends tending to the subversion of Religion and disadvantage of your affaires and the estate of your Children By reason whereof your ill affected Subjects at home the Popish Recusants have taken too much encouragement and are dangerously encreased in their number and in their insolencies we cannot but be sensible thereof and therefore humbly represent what we conceive to be the causes of so great and growing mischiefs and what may be the remedies 1 The vigilancy and ambition of the Pope of Rome and his dearest Sonne The Causes the one aiming at as large a temporall Monarchy as the other at a spirituall Suptemacy 2 The devillish positions and doctrines whereon Popery is built and taught without authority to their followers for advancement of their temporall ends 3 The distressed and miserable estate of the Professours of true Religion in forreign parts 4. The disastrous accidents to your Majesties Children abroad expressed with rejoycing and even with contempt to their Persons 5. The strange confederacy of the Princes of the Popish Religion aiming mainly at the advancement of theirs and subverting ours and taking the advantages conducing to that end upon all occasions 6. The great and many Armies raised and maintained at the charge of the King of Spayne the chiefe of that league 7. The expectation of the Popish Recusants of the Match with Spayne and feeding themselves with great hopes of the consequences thereof 8. The interposing of forreigne Princes and their agents in the behalfe of Popish Recusants for connivence and favour unto them 9. Their open and usuall resort to the Houses and which is worse to the Chappels of forreigne Ambassadours 10. Their more then usuall concourse to the Citty and their frequent Conventicles and Conferences there 11. The education of their Children in many severall Seminaries and houses of their Religion in forreigne parts appropriated onely to the English Fugitives 12. The grants of their just forfeitures intended by your Majesty as a reward of service to the Grantees but beyond your Majesties intention transferred or compounded for at such meane rates as will amount to little lesse then a toleration 13. The licentious printing and dispersing of Popish and seditious Books even in the time of Parliament 14. The swarme of Priests and Jesuits the common Incendiaries of all Christendome dispersed in all parts of your Kingdome And from these causes as bitter roots The Effects We humbly offer to your Majesty that we foresee and feare there will necessarily follow very dangerous effects both to Church and State For 1. The Popish Religion is incompatible with ours in respect of their positions The Effects 2. It draweth with it an unavoydable Dependency on forreigne Princes 3. It openeth too wide a gap for popularity to any who shall draw to great a party 4. It hath a restlesse spirit and will strive by these gradations If it once get but a connivence it will presse for a toleration if that should be obtained they must have an equality from thence they will aspire to superiority and will never rest till they get a subversion of the true Religion The remedies against these growing evils which in all humblenesse we offer to your most Excellent Majesty are these 1. That seeing this inevitable necessity is fallen upon your Majesty The Remedies which no wisdome or providence of a pious and peaceable King can avoyd your Majesty would not omit this just occasion speedily and effectually to take your sword into your hand 2. That once undertaken upon so honourable and just grounds your Majesty would resolve to pursue and more publikely to avow the aiding of those of our Religion in forreigne parts which doubtlesse would re-unite the Princes and States of the Union by these disasters disheartned and disbanded 3. That your Majesty would propose to your selfe to mannage this Warre with the best advantage by a diversion or otherwise as in your dâ—ep judgment shall be found fittest and not to rest upon a Warre in these parts onely which will consume your treasure and discourage your people 4. That the bent of this Warre and poynt of your sword may be against that Prince what soeuer opinion of potency he hath whose Armies and treasure have first diverted and since maintained the Warre in the Palatinate 5. That for the securing of our peace at home your Majesty will be pleased to review the parts of our humble Petition formerly delivered unto your Majesty and hereunto annexed and to put in execution by the care of choyce Commissioners to be thereunto especially appointed the lawes already and hereafter to be made for the preventing of daâ—gers by Popish Recusants and their wonted evasions 6. That to frustrate their hopes for a future age our most Noble Prince may be timely and happily married to one of our owne Religion 7. That the Children of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdome
all grounds of civill jealousies removed will not onely command a reall performance of what you are pleased to promise in their favour but sutably to your owne royall heart enlarge the benefit of your Princely goodnesse I have therefore Sir â—inding them thus affected thought it sutable to your service to let them understand that since they expect these things from a Prince who yeeldeth to no man either in esteeming or returning a Benefit they may safely promise themselves all good successe and give way to their owne good dispositions of respect and affection towards your Majesty and the rather I have done so because I perswaded my selfe that your Majesty is of the same opinion with him who speaking of the Romans to King Bocchus said Licet Pâ—â—entes abundè habeamus Amicorum neque Nobis neque cuiquam mortaâ—um satis fuit I send your Majesty Letters from the Cardinals Bandino and Lodevisio NOTE which they writ in answer of your Majesties to to them who above all others sought to oblige your Majesty as by Letter to Master Secretary you will perceive After the Easter-Holydayes I shall begin my journey towards Florence and Parma to performe your Majesties commands there whereof I will give your Majesty account in due time It will be the end of May before I shall get out of Italy during which time I shall with deâ—otion expect your Majesties orders if in any thing further you shall be pleased to command my service So I humbly pray the divine goodnesse to give your Majesty many faire yeeres of life thereby to enjoy the fruits of this noble alliance and to make happy your Subjects by your gracious government Your Majesties most humbble and loyall Subject George Gage After which on the 7. of Ianuary these two Letters from King Iames and Secretary Calvert were sent into Spaine by Master Digby to the Earle of Bristoll RIght Trusty c. The dispatches which We have received from you by Endimion Porter doe give Us sufficient assurance that there hath not wanted in you nor in Our ordinary Ambassadour Sir Walter Aston that faithfull endeavour and diligence to expedite those great businesses you have in charge which We could expect or require at your hands for which We are pleased to returne you both Our gracious acceptation and thanks You will see by that which We have subscribed unto the Articleâ— you sent Vs and by the Letters which We and Our Sonne have both written unto Our Brother the King of Spaine how well We approve of what hitherto hath been done and what you have promised and undertaken in your name which being as We hope the period of all their demands in that kind We wish you to proceed unto the temporall Articles and to conclude and consummate the whole businesse now according to the Commissions you have as soone as possibly you may that there may be no further delay Concerning that other unfortunate knotty affaire of the Palatâ—â—ate to say the truth as things stand We cannot tell what you could have done more then you have already And whereas you write that the King of Spaine and his principall Ministers there did find Our last Propositions somewhat strange you shall understand that the cause why We sent you such strict and peremptory Instructions was for that the Chancelour of Our Exchequer found nothing but palpable and grosse delayes at Brâ—â—â—llet whilest in the meane time Heidelberg was besieged and afterwards taken Manheim beleaguerâ—d and all hostility used that might be Besides Gage comming from Rome about the same time instead of bringing the newes which was expected of the Dispensation granted NOTE presents Vs certaine exceptions taken against the Articles by the Pope with an intention as it seemes to ingage Vs in a Treaty or dispute with him about the said Articles which was never the meaning but that the King of Spain should have undertaken that businesse himselfe This was the reason that moved Vs at the earnest instance and perswasion of Our Councell to urge the matter so as to bring it to a speedy point not but that the very precisest of them were alwaies of opinion that if the March were once concluded the other businesse would be accommodated to Our satisfaction Neverthelesse these doubts and causes of jealousie occurring they did all una voce represent unto Vs how highly and importunately it concerned Our estate and service to be at some certainty and to know what to trust to neither is the usage and respect We yet find from the Infanta at Bruxelles and that Kings Ministers any thing at all amended notwithstanding all the great demonstrations We have made of Our confidence and good correspondency with them and the meanes We have alwayes sought to oblige them as no doubt you have understood by sundry late dispatches from Our Secretary And now lastly when We out of Our especiall trust in the Infanta had made an offer of late to â—equester the Towne of Franâ—endale into her hands upon no other assurance then shee her selfe had offered Vs before Manheim was lost by Don Carlos Coloma which was to restore it and those other places againe which were at that time also required either upon the conclusion of the peace with the Emperour or upon a rupturâ— in case that proceeded not the same propositiâ—â— being now againe revived by Vs shee is fallen away from the conditions first propounded by Our Selfe offering onely to accept it upon trust if We will put it into her her hands without obliging her selfe to restore it againe which VVe take to be a great disrespect if not a scorne And therefore being resolved not to treat with her any more about it it is Our pleasure that you shall presently deale with the King of Spaine to the same purpose and to make him an offer of Frankendale from Vs by way of sequestration upon the condition aforesaid of restitution in the State as it now stands whether the peace with the Emperour succeed or not and if he accept it that he will signifie so much to Vs under his hand and give order for the present receiving it accordingly for the case will not admit any long time of treaty In your last dispatch you advertise Vs that the King of Spaine hath written againe very effectually unto the Emperour about these affaires of the Palatinate VVe doe much desire to know what the particulars of that Letter were and to what effect and what other endeavours that King intends to use for procuring Vs satisfaction therein whereof VVe require you to informe Vs as particularly as you may because you know it concernes Vs much to have that businesse at a point There are some other matters concerning Our service which VVe have commanded Our Secretary to impart unto you and therefore will hold you no longer now but wish you health and a good successe in your affaires White-hall 7. Ian. 1622. My very good Lord BEcause I know you will with much longing
a popish Clergy more numerous by farre then we NOTE and in the fall exercise of all Iurisdiction Ecclesiasticall by their Vicars-generall and Officials who are so confident as they excommunicate those that come to our Courts even in Matrimoniall causes which affronâ— hath been offered my selfe by the popish Primates Vicar-generall for which I have begun a processe against him The Primate himselfe lives in my Parish within two mile of my house the Bishop in another part of my Diocesse further off every parish hath his Priest and some two or three apeecâ— and so their Masse-houses also in some places Masse is said in the Churches Frieries there are in divers places who goe about though not in their habits NOTE and by their importunate begging impoverish the people Who indeed are generally very poore as from that cause so from their paying doubtâ— Tythes to their owne Clergy and ours from the dearth of Corne and death of therâ— Cattell these late yeers with the contributions to their Souldiers and their Agents and which they forget not to reckon among other causes the oppressions of the Courâ— Ecclesiasticall which in very truth my Lord I cannot excuse and doe seeke to reforme For our own there are some seven or eight Ministers in each Diocesse of ' good sufficiency and which is no small cause of the continuance of the people in Popery still English which have not the tongue of the people nor can performe divine offices or converse with them and which hold many of them two three four or more Vicarages apeece Even the Clerkships themselves are in like manner conferred upon the English NOTE and sometimes two or three or more upon one man and ordinarily bought and sold or let to farme c. His Majesty is now with the greatest part of this Country as to their hearts consciences King but at the Popes discretion c. Your Lordships most obliged servant in Christ Iosâ— Wil. Kilmoren and 〈◊〉 Kilmere this 1. of Aprill 1630. This was the condition and state of the Papists in Ireland then who the very same yeere Novemb. 22. 1630. presented this Petition to the Lords Justices and Counsell thus indorsed with Bishop Laâ—dâ— owne hand The Petition of the Recusants in Ireland to the Lords Iustices and in some things concerning the Church To the right honourable the Lords Justices and Counsell The humble Petition of the Lords Knights and Gentlemen here attending in the behalfe of themselves and the rest of his Majesties Subjects of this Kingdome Novemb. 22 1630. Most humbly making Petition THat whereas the late imployed Agents did humbly offer to his Highnesse three Subsidies to be granted and confirmed by Parliament in this Kingdome and for that the said Parliament was not called accordingly yet the Inhabitants of the Country are compelled to goe on forward with the payment of the same with which if â—thers that have imployments NOTE and are of greatest meanes in this Kingdome had been â—axed or had borne according as they would have been by the authority of Parliament the said three Subsidies and the summes whereat they were estimated would have been long since levyed and whereas his most gracious Majesty in compassion of his Subjects did grant divers Favours Graces and Benefits to them and did manifest his princely care of them that they should have favours and graces in regard of the great burden they did and doe beare in payment of so great summes Your Suppliants humbly beseech your Honours to consider of the humble request of your Suppliants under-written being some of these particulars wherein they conceive the Country and people are over-heavily burthened which doth not onely discourage but also disable them to beare the charges which they doe and that your honours will be pleased to take such order for their ease and reliefe in the same as shall stand with Justice Equity and the intimated favours which your Suppliants well hope and conceive his Highnesse of his owne royall disposition and gracious inclination is willing shall be conferred upon them And your Suppliants shall ever pray c. That in regard his Majesty signified his pleasure in his Instructions that an Act should passe in Parliament that no Tythes should be inquired of above lx yeerâ— past that your Lordships will give order that all Commissioners and Officers shall forbeare inquiring of Tythes for his Majesty before that time and that Plantations grounded upon such Tythes may be forborne and that the holding of the Parliament may be certained That your Lordships may direct a course that the Clergy doe not proceed with the great burden and charge they doe lay upon the poore people for clandestine Matriages Christnings and Burials c. That your Lordships likewise will direct a course to ease the poore Subjects of the unreasonable fines imposed by the Clerks of the Market and also to ease them of the intolerable charges they beare by means of the suing forth Recognizaâ—ces for building of Churches fines for Bridges and High-wayes The Commissions that are issued to examine what payments are made of the Subsidies to be renewed That there may be free liberty for transporting all Commodities of the Kingdome that may be spared without paying any thing for Licences Tha◠〈◊〉 advantage be taken for not inrolling the Surrenders of Connaught according to 〈◊〉 Majesties Instructions and former Graceâ— The Complaints of the Common-wealth to be annexed to the former Petition delivered by the Noble-men and Gentlemen of the Country to the Lords Iustices and Counsell December 6. 1630. That the Bishops Court shall hold no longer then one day at a sitting That the Inquisitors comming to doe service to the same Court shall not pay foâ— their entrance The Subsidy of the Bishops and Clergy if they have paid the same no ease done to the Country thereby That no Eâ—cheator shall bring paroels of Records into the Country to be found by a Jury but that the whole Record or a true Copy thereof be brought and the same to be testified by the Officer of the Court. That your Lordships lay downe a rate for the issues for respit of homage according each terme or yeere for which the said respit of homage shall happen to be in arreare proportionably to the respit of homage it â—elfe That the King at Armes or any of his shall demand no fees or duty belonging to him by colour of his Office of any Noble-man or Gentleman unlesse he be sent for That School-masters shall not be disturbed from teaching so they â—each nothing concerning Religion That the houses may be restored to the Inâ—erâ—tors which were seized on by vertue of a Proclamation to wit that forementioned How this Petition came to the Bishops hands appeares by this Letter thus indorsed by him Feb. 10. 1630. My Lord Primate of Armagh about the Recusants Peâ—â—tion to the Lords Iustices c. To the right Reverend Father in God my singular good Lord the Lord Bishop of
Dublin And moreover the aforesaid Priests doe professe that the same Illustrious Arch-bishop is a favourer and a Patron of certaiâ—e new and never heard of Heresies published by the Fryars of his Order and others of the which heresies or rather blasphemies being advertised by a Petition he utterly refused to heare the Accusers and Witnesses And thâ—y prâ—â—est that in so doing he exereâ—seth a tyranny in the Church of God contrary unto the canons of holy Church and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome 5. Most illusâ—rious Lords and reverend Fathers â—n Christ the aforesaid Priests dâ—e complaine that the same most illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis did not suppresse extinguish or correct according to the canons of the Church and as the lawes of Princes doe command a certaine infamous Lâ—bell made prâ—â—ted and published under the false and faâ—â—ed name of Edmund Uâ—sulan against the good name fame and reputation of certaine venerable Priests of the Clergy who in the aforesaid libell are expresly and by name mentioned but on the contrary the same Arch-bishop reads commends publisheth and defends the same to their irrepâ—rable dishonour and infâ—â—y by whose example also others especially of the Regulars of this Kingdome are inâ—ited provoked and animated to doe the like And they protest that in so doing he exâ—rciseth a tyranny over the Clergy contrary to the canons of holy Church and the lawes and statutes of this Kingdome 6. Most illustrious Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Prâ—sâ—s doe complaine that the same most illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis being given to understand by way of petition on the behalfe of the Clergy of Dublin that a certaine parish Priest by name Patricke Brangan with his assistant James Quin NOTE but a few monethâ— agoe thorow extreame negligence had lâ—st the blessed Sacrament consecrated in many hosâ—s Papists may lose their God irrecilably and that without hope of recovery Our aforesaid Arch-bishop making small or no account of so great a sacriledge permits notwithstanding the aforesaid Priests whereof the one iâ— most unlearned the other 〈◊〉 to execute all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction by whose ministery he daily exposeth the Sacraments of the Church to prophanation and abuse And in so doing they protess that he offends against the divine Majesty and the sacred canons of the Church They professe also that in these aforesaid excesses he hath the Regulars his Counsellours orders and abettours especially one John Preston a Fryar of his order a most seditioâ—s and a turbulent fellow to the ruine of the Clergy and disturbance of the Christian Common-wealth 7. Most illusâ—rious Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priâ—sâ—s die complaine that the most illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis doth make parish Priests young men unlearned and unbred others famous for their learning gravity and vertue being neglected and mâ—re it is to be lamented for that such are the times and state of things as if we had Augustines Ambroses and Hieroms it were meet to preferre them unto the pastâ—rall office others omitted But what may we expect of this our Prelat who hath ordinarily in his mouth To what end should parrish Priests be learned or Preachers for asmuch as these matters belong unto Regulars Moreover the aforesaid Priests due complaine that the most illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis aâ— the comming unto his Prelature found within the wals of Dublin five parish Priests men of learning ripe yeers and uncorrupt conversation in place of whom eithâ—r taken away by death or exile he hath placed onely two and such as we are not willing to speake of what condition so as it seemes he desireth nothing more then by this extâ—rpation of the Clergy a more easie and compendious way may be made unto those armies of Monks and begging Fryars who in this Kingdome observing no Regular discipline doe labour to create a Monarchy unto themselves as already they have done under this Bishop to the destruction of the Church the impoverishing of the Iuhabâ—tants and no small detriment â—o the Common-wealth NOTE And they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergy contrary unto the canons of holy Church and the lâ—â—wes and statutes of this Kingdome 8. Most illustrious Lords and reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe complaine that the illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis is accustomed to answer the Clergy complaining of their grievances unto him if I doe you wrong you may goe to Rome to complaine In the meane time reporting himselfe to be so powerfull in the Court of Rome that he feares no Adversary And of this that Reverend Priest Father Patrick Cahill Doctor of Divinity had experience who for a yeere treating of his injuries and grievances done unto him by the Arch-bishop of Dublin There iâ— then small 〈◊〉 to be had at Rome could by no meanes prevaile once to be admitted unto the presence and audience of the most eminent Cardinall Ludovisiuâ— Vice-chancellour of Rome Which Cardinall notwithstanding is gâ—ven by his Holinesse unto the Irish as the onely 〈◊〉 and protector of the Irish Nation These things we may remember with griefe but amend them we caâ— not But we professe before Almighty God his Holinesse and all faithfull people that this is nothing else but to tyrannize over the Clergy to the dishonour of the Church and no small contempt to the See Apostolickâ— For which and other causes besides to be alleadged and in their due time and place to be proved against the above-named Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis we the aforesaid Priests and hereafter to be named doe set before your eyes most illustrious and Reverend Lords these our grievances as meet and honourable witnesses of this our deed writing and publike Instrument and as farre as is possible and lawfull for us by the Canons of holy Church declining the Iurisdiction of our aforesaid Ordinary by this our present writing and from this time fâ—rth we appeale unto the See Apostolike from all Ecclesiasticall censures hereafter to be inflicted upon us by the same illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Francis And in the mean time providing for our innocency safety according to the example of Saint Paul and Saint Athauasius we doe invocate the aid of the secular arme for our present remedy against the aforesaid illustrious Arch bishop Thomas Flemming of the order of Saint Franciâ— and all Regulars of what order soever as well Monks as begging Fryars Abettors counsellours and participants with him in the promises as Violators and contemners of all lawes divine and humane and â—on by the law excommunicate Humbly beseeching your Lordâ—hips in the bowels of the crucified that you would be pleased to intimate with as much speed as
which I then expected daily seased on me I had not seene this heavy day After this when I was able to sit up he came to me againe and told me It was his Majesties pleasure that I should receive some instructions from some Bishops of Scotland concerning a Lyturgie that he was imployed about it I told him I was cleare of opinion that if His Majestie would have a Lyturgiâ— setled there different from what they had already it was best to take the English Lyturgie without any vaâ—iation that so the same Service book might passe through all His Majesties Dominions To thiâ— hee replyed that he was of a contrary opinâ—on and that not he only but the Bishops there thought their Countriemen would be much better satisfied if a Lyâ—urgie were made by their owne Bishops but withall that it might be according to the forme of our English Booke I added if this were the resolution I would doe nothing till I might by Gods blessing have health and opportunity to waite upon the King And heare give me leave I humbly beseech you to tell your Lordships that this was no new conceit of His Majestie to have a Lyturgie framed and Canons made for the Church of Scotland For he followed the example and care in the businesse of his Royall Father King Iamâ—s of blessed memory who tooke Order for both at the Assembly held at Perth Anno 1618. As appeares in the Acts of that Generall Assembly and the Sermon which the late Reverend Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrewes preached before it pag. 40. 68. When I was able to goe abroad and came to His Majesty I represented all that passed His Majesty avoyded the sending of Doctor Maxwell to me and the busines but then agreed to my opinion to have the English without alteration And in this case I held the businâ—ssâ— foâ— two if not three yeare at least Afterwards the Scottish Bishops still pressing His Majestie that a Lyturgie made by themselves and in some things different from the English service would relish better with their Countrymen they prevailed with His Majestie at last to have it so notwithstanding all I could say or doe to the contrary Then His Majesty commanded me to give the Bishops of Scotland the best assistance I could in this way and worke I delayed as much as I could with my Obedience When nothing would serve but it must goe on I did not only acquaint His Majesty with it but writ downe most of the amendment or alterations in His Masties presence And doe hope there is no one thing in that Book which may not stand with the Conscience of a right good Protestant Note Sure I am his Majestie approved them all and I have his warrant under his Royall hand for all that I did about that Booke As for the way of introducing it I ever advised the Bishops both in his Majesties presence and at other times that they would looke carefully to it and be sure to doe nothing in any kinde but what should be agreeable to the Lawes of that Kingdome And that they should at all times as they saw cause bee sure to take the advice of the Lords of his Majesties Councell in that Kingdome and governe themselves accordingly Which course if they have not followed that can no way as I conceive reflect upon me And I am able to prove by other particulars as well as this that for any thing concerning that Nation I have beene as carefull their Lawes might be observed as any man that is a stranger to them might be The 18. of October 1635 the Archbishop procured this Warrant of Instructions from the Kings Majesty to this Scottish Prelates touching the Service Book and other pâ—â—ticulaâ—s Charles R. Instructions from his Sacred Majesty to the Archbishops and Bishopâ— of Scotland THat you advert that the Proclamation for authorizing the Service Booke â—t derrogate nothing from Our Prerogative Royall That in the Kalender you keep such Catholike Saints as are in the English that you pester it not with too many Note but such as you insert of thâ— peculiar Saints of that 〈◊〉 Kingdome that they be of the most approved and here to have regard to those of the blood Royall and such Holy Bishops in every Sea most renowned But in no case 〈◊〉 Saint George and Patrick That in your Booke of Orders in giving Orders to Presbyters you keepe the words of the English Booke without change Receive the Holy Ghost c. That you insert amongst the Lessons ordinarily to be râ—ad in the Sâ—rvice Note out of the Book of Wisdom the 1 2 3 4 5 and 6 Chapters and out of the Booke of Ecclâ—siasticus the 1 2 5 8 35 and 49 Chapters That every Bishop within his own Family twice a day cause the Service to be done Note And that all Archbishops and Bishops make all Universities and Colledges within their Diocesses to use daily twice a day the Service That the Preface to the Booke of Commâ—â— Prayer signed by Our hand and the Proclamation authorizing the same be printed and inserted in the Booke of Common Prayer Given at New-market the Eighteen day of October 1636 and of Our Raigne the 11. The originall Booke of Common Prayer imposed on the Church of Scotland one principall cause of the late Commotions there I found in the Archbishops Chamber in the Tower when I was enjoyned by Authority to search it May 30. 1642. with all the Additions and Alteratioâ—s wherein it varies from the English written made and inseâ—ted with the Archbishops owne hand as it was afterward printed and published in Scotland Anno 1637. conceâ—ning which I shall give you some briefe materiall observations First That to countenance these Alterations he caused this Warrant in the Kings Name written with his own Secretaries Mr. Dels hand to be inserted into the Booke just after the Table for the Psalmes and Chapters and before the begining of the Common Prayers which Warrant without doubt as appears by the Conâ—ents of it was procured long after the date thereof and I presume counterfeited Charles R. being not the King owne hand though somewhat like it but Master Dels as I conceive who writ the Warrant which runs thus Charles R. I Gave the Archbishop of Canterbury command to make the Alterations expressed in this Booke Note and to sit a Liturgy for the Church of Scotland And wheresoever they shall differ from another Booke signed by â—s at Hampton Court September 28 1634. Our pleasure is to have these followed rather than the former unâ—esse the Archbishop of St. Andrewes and his Brethren who are upon the place shall see apparâ—nt reason to the contrary At Whitehall April 19 1636. This Warrant and that for the Canons were both writ by his Secretary Dell this having a Date or rather Antedate but the other none at all that it might 〈◊〉 with any time if questioned Secondly That these Alterâ—tions are of different natures and may
end there may be little left he that Officiates is required to consecrate with the least and then if there be want the words of Consecration may be repeated againe over more either Bread or Wine the Presbyter beginning at these words in the prayer of Consecration Our Saviour in the same night that he was betrayed tooke c. Finally in the commination against sinners he hath made these insertions Prayers to be used diverse times of the yeare AND ESPECIALLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF LENT COMMONLY CALLED AS HWEDNESDAY is added Brethren in the Primitive Church there was a godly Discipline that at the begining of Lentsuch persons as were notorious sinners were put to open penance and punished in this world which he thus alters were put to open penance did humbly submit themselves TO UNDER GOE PUNISHMENT IN THIS WORLD Note Which alteration makes way and gives good coulor for the introduction of Popish Confession and Penances imposed by Priests the end no doubt for which it was made To conclude Whereas there were diverse godly-prayers printed at the end of the common Prayer Book after the Psalms to be used for sundry purposes some whereof were made use of in private families Morning and Evening the Arch-Bishop gives this direction in the Margin concerning the expunging of them with his own hand His Mâ—â—â—sty commands That these prayers following or any other for they are different in severall editions BE ALL LEFT OUT and not printed in your Lyturgie Which command was accordingly observed Now I beseech you judge by all these particulars what the Archbishops designe was in making all these alterations additions and indeavouring to obtrude this Common-Pâ—ayer Book and new Lyturgy upon the Church of Scotland without consent of their Parliament or Generall Assembly and what just cause our Brethren of Scotland had to oppose and resist them as they did This Service Book being printed in Scotland Note with these and sundry other alterations and additions wherein it differed from the English in the Yeare 1637. the Arch-Bishop having first caused Mr. Prynne Doctor Bastwicke and Master Burton to be severly censured pillered stigmatized cropped off all their Eares and sent them close priâ—oners to sundry remote Castles for opposing his popish Innovations here in England which strook an extraordinary terror into many here as he conceived would have terrified all from any future opposition of his Popish designes elsewhere tooke occasion immediately after their censures to endeavour to set this Service Book on â—oote in Scotland by a meare Arbitrary power For which purpose he gave order that this Book should be publikly read in all Churches within the City of Edenborough in Iuly 1637. about which time he writ this Letter to the Lord Treasurer of Scotland concerning the Priory and other Lands which the Bishops of Scotland laboured to get in possession to augment their revenues and the affaires of that Church My good Lord S. In Christo. YOur Lordships of Iune 26. came to my hands on Sunday Iuly 2. And they were the first I received out of Scotland since your returne thither save onely that I had one from the Kings Advocate in answer to mine and one from my Lord of Breâ—â—en And I confesse I did and doe a little wonder at it considering how many Letters I writ and what their contents were So I was glad to see one come from Your Lordship till I read it but then I confesse I was much troubled to see things goe on there in such a way For I thought we had beene happily come to an end of those troubles My Lord I have much a doe to read some words in your hand-wrigâ—ting and some things concerning that Kingdome I understand not Betweene these two if I mistake any thing I heartily pray you it may goe pro non scripto And now for Instance I confesse I doe not well understand what that particular is at which my Lord of St. Andrewes checks but what ever it be I am sorry his Grace will not privately debate it before it come in publike Or since he cannot gaine his Commission in Exchequer hee will take a course before the Commission of surrenders that may bee prejudiciall to the Archbishoprick For I hope hee will not thinke of any advantagious way to particular persons with disadvantage to the publike His Majesties intention certainly is that all mortifications to Bishopricks or other pious uses should have all immunities for the advantage of the Church that may bee had And if my Lord of Saint Andrewes either by the Commission to which His Majesties hand was gotten or by valuation before the Commission of surrenders depart from the good of the Church in the particular of the Prioâ—y I must be sorry for it but certainly the Kings bounty must not be abused Only I beseech your Lordship looke carefully to it that my Lord Arch-Bishop have no prejudice for it seemes exceeding strange to me that any thing should be attempted by him in this that is not pregnantly for the Churches good For the Commission of surrenders you know my opinion of it and of whom I learn'd it And I hope before these Letters come to you you will understand His Majesties pleasure concerning that Commission from the Earle of Sterling To your Lordships demands and desires I give you briefly this answer First I heartily thanke you that you are minded once more in a private way to move my Lord Chancellour to alter his intended course by debate there or from hence if there bee any use of me and I heartily pray you so to doe And if you think fit you may tell him t is my desire as well as yours For I have not at this time written any one word of this businesse Secondly If the Kings intentions for the laying the foundation of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Andrewes will in this way my Lord Chancellour now takes bee wholly eluded you must by all good and faire meanes prevent it And if you cannot so doe it you must acquaint His Majestie with it before it be too late Thirdly I doe hereby heartily pray you to stop all things which come to your knowledge NOTE if you finde the Church prejudged or any thing intended contrary to the generall course introduced in favour of the Church And I assure my selfe that His Majestie will thank you for the service Lastly Your Lordship did understand me right and I am still of opinion that more care is to bee taken in the settling of all these Church businesses for the dignitie and advantage of the places themselves And that course I beseech you hold for those things which come within your power And yet I shall still desire the present incumbent may be considered also where it may be without prejudice to the place it selfe in perpetuity This hath been one of the heavyest Termes that ever I indured NOTE and it seemes you have had troubls enough The best is the
magni Apostoli exemplo doctum ut Iudeis sias tanquam Iudeus iis qui sunt sine lege tanquam sis sinè lege dummodo Sedis Apostolicae dignitatem promoveas Ideo cum in magnam Brittaniam mittere statuerimus dilectum filium Comitem Rosseti nostrum sedis Apostolicae cum potestate legati a latâ—re Nuntâ—â—m Iuvenem zelo Dei accensum Note Apostolicae soliâ—itudini nostrae satisfactum credidimus si eum tuae curae committeremus Iussimus igitur ut tibi communicet Instructiones sibi datas a dilecto filio Nepote nostro Francisco Sanctae Reverendis Ecclesiae Card. Barbarino subscrîptas teque pro eo quo pro sede Apostolica zelo ardes rogamus in quantum opus est tibi mandamus ut predictum filium Nuntium nostrum in omnibus dirigas moneas instruas lapsus errones ejus qui per juventutem facilè accidere possunt corrigas ut sedis Apostolicae decor inviolatus permaneat ut denique in omnibus èi te Angelum custodem prebeas Note Magnam certè spem concepimus predictum filium Nuntium tuis consillis adjutum non parvos in Ecclesia Catholica fructus producturum Labora igitur dilecte fili opus fac Euangeliste Ministerium tuum imple Catholicos zelo Dei accende ipsos conforta sed praecipue Amazones illas quae ut a dilecto filio Georgio Conneo audivimius die ac nocte streâ—ue decertant pro dignitate sedis Apostolicae Non dissidimus de Domino neque de potentiae ejus quia sicut occasione * * Q. Elizâ—b unius â—aeminae authoritas sedis Apostolicae in Regno Angliae suppressa fuit sic nunc per tot Heroicas faeminas illas imitantes quae-à -Galilea sequebantur Dominum societatem ejus assidue sequentes Note BREVI in eodeÌ„ Regno restituenda sit Adhortare igitur illas ut opus aggressum viriliter prosequantur de sede Apostolica quae devoti Faeminii sexus peculiarem curam gerit bene mereri pergant Rogamus patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi ut tibi spiritum sanctum suum mittat quite in omnibus per omniâ— custodiat Apostolicam nostramque benedictionem dilecte fili iterum atque iterum tibi impartimur Datum Romae apud S. Petrum sub annulo Piscatoris pridie idus Maii. About January 1640. next following this Bull there was this notable discovery of the Iesuits and Papists Practises made to the House of Commons by one Brown a Popish Priest which makes some mention of it and I cannot pretermit The voluntary Confession of Iohn Brown a Romish Priest of the age of 72. yeerâ— a prisoner in the Gate-house who being twice examined by a Committee of the Honorable House of Commons did thereupon further explicate himself for the good of the Commonwealth and ease of the House THe Honourable House takes notice of the Partie who delivered this Petition Note to be one of the most eminent in these Dominions of this Age who hath read Divinity Mathematicks and Philosophy in the speciall Universities of Christendome as Salamanca and Alcala in Spaine in Tholous and Avignon in France in Rome Venice and Genoa in Italy and hath preacht in speciall Cities in thesâ— Kingdomes and in presence of the French King at Paris and in the Low Countries at Antwerpe Brussells Dunkirke c. who desires to enforme concerning some speciall points for the Weale of this State as himself hath observed above fifty yeers past which are reduced to these Heads First concerning the Iesuits and danger they have done to these Kingdoms labouring that the Oath of Allegiance might not be taken And the wayes they use with their Penitents and projecting of Monopolies of the Ministers and Substitutes they use and the way quite to roote them out of these Dominions Secondly the reformation of some things in the Queenes Court and of some persons which are fiâ— to be removed Thirdly the Archbishop of Canterbury and of the great dammages done partly by himself and in his Court of High Commission Fourthly Note of the manner whereby the Pope means to intrude himselfe into the Temporall Monarchy of these Kingdoms and to eschewe all future danger in time coming What persons are to be removed from hence and that there should not be permitted any Resident to remain at Rome for the Queen nor none here from the Pope nor for foraign Princes to stir sedition in the State namely France and Spain Fiftly that Roman Catholiques shall be stopt from going over Sea with their goods and all First concerning the first the whole Christian world doth acknowledge the prediction which the Vniversity of Paris doth foresee in two severall Decrees they made Anno. 1565. where the society of Iesuits did labour to be members of the Vniversity Note Hoc genus hominum natus est ad interritum Christianae Reipublicae et subvertionem literarum that is This society is erected to be the overthrow of Christendome and ruine of Learning as wofull experience hath taught us They were the onely cause of the troubles which fell out in Muscovia when under pretence to reduce the Latine Church and plant themselves and destroy the Greek Church which is onely profess't in the Empire of Russiae the poor King Demetrius and his Queen and those that followed him from Polonia were all in one night murthered by the monstruous usurper of the Crown and the true Progeny rooted out They were the onely cause that moved the Swedes to take Armes against their lawfull King Sigismund and chased him to Poland and neither he nor his successors were ever able to take possession of Sweden For the Iesuits intention was to bring in the Romish Religion and root out Protestants They were the onely cause that moved the Polonians to take Armes against the said Sigismund because they had perswaded him to marry too Sisters one after the other both of the House of Austria They have been the sole cause of the Warre entered in Germany since the year 1619. as Pope Paulus Quintus did tell the Generall of their Order called Vicelescus for their Avarice pretending to take all the Church-Lands from the Hussits in Bohemia to themselves which hath caused the death of many thousands by the Sword Pestilence and Famine in Germany They have been the cause of civill Warres in France during all which time moving the French King to take armes against his own Subjects the Protestants where innumerable people have lost their lives as the Seige of Rochell and other places will give sufficient proof For the Iesuits intentions were to set their society in all Cities and Townes Conquered by the King and quite to abolish the Protestants They were the cause of the murther of the last King of France They were the only Projectors of the Gunpowder-Treason and their Penitents the Actors thereof They were the only cause namely Father Parsons that incensed
the Pope to send so many fulminate Breeves to these Kingdomes to hinder the Oath of Allegiance and lawfull obedience to their temporall Prince that they might still fish in troubled waters Their damnable doctrine to destroy and depose Kings hath been the cause of the Civil Wars likely to befall these Kingdoms if God in his mercy do not stop it They have been the cause of the Monopolies projected in this Kingdome especially concerning Soape the Forrest of Dean and marking of * Granted to Captain Read chief Agent for the Iesuits See Romes Master-piece pag. 20 21 2â— Butter Caske where all the Parties were Partners and Confederates of the Iesuits as Sir Bazill Brookes sir Iohn Winter and a brother in Law of the said sir Iohns that lived in Worcestershire and Mr. Ployden whose servant called Baldwyn in my presence about a yeare since did deliver to Captaine Read a substitute of the Iesuits a hundred pounds to be given to a Iesuite who lived in his house They have their Lay Brethren which collect duely their Annuities and Rents and play the Merchants transporting Cloth other Merchandizes of great value I doe know one Brother in Law to Captaine Read who continually Trades in Merchandizes who is a Novice of theirs and one Cuâ—bert of Lancaâ—hire who collects their Rents and one Grey of Barwicke they are protected by the Spanish Embassadour and live at his house They have their Merchants in London namely one Evans worth fifty thousand pounds who meanes to make them his Heires and dis-inherit his Kindred Doctor Moore also is their Agent and puts out this money to Interest This Evans who was appointed to be Sheriffe of London last yeare by their perswasion did goe out of London and refused to accept of it and by them was sent into the Country and lived retired till Michaelmas was past and escaped to be Sheriffe of Middlesex and paid no Fine for refusing the said Office being till the time was past in obscurity * See Romes Master-peece p. 2â— to 25. Captaine Read a Scotish man now Lieutenant Colonel in Ireland under Col. Henry Bruce is also one of their Agents and lets their buildings in Long Acre and other parts of London for their use especially the faire buildings in Lincolnssnne-fields inhabited sometimes by George Gage and at his death left to my Lady Gardner where the Iesuits ordinarily resorted It is thought that Mr. Newton who built all those faire houses in Queenes-street is their Agent for of himselfe he was never so able as to build the hundreth part of them It is strange to see the straâ—agems which they use with their Penitents concerning to Oath of Allegiance If they be poor they tell them flatly when they are demanded to take the Oath that it is damnable and no wayes to be allowed by the Church If they be of the richer sort they say they may do as their Conscience will inspire them And there be some of them that make no Conscience at all to have it taken so oft as they are demanded It is no lesse strange to see Note what great Treasures they have heaped up and made four Colledges in Flanders onely of Annuities of their moneys and such houses as are now appertaining unto them From Mr. Sackvile they got ten thousand pounds and afterwards most miserably dismist him Note so that he was constreined to begge And after great threatning they allowed him of all his meanes only a hundred pound per annum during life The like deceâ—t they did use to the whole Regiment of my Lord Vaux in Flanders which for the most part were composed of younger Brothers who at their perswasions sold their Lands and Annuities and gave them their moneys assuring them that they should lose nothing and get all again But when they came in their great necessities and demanded it they absolutely refused them and so they saw the most part of those younger Gentlemen perish for want in Hospitals The like they did with above two hundred Gentlewomen of good extraction whom they seduced and got from them their portions the least having a thousand pounds for lesse they would not take and when they came to Flanders Note they were committed to the charge of Mistresse Mary Ward who forced them to labour with their hands and live in great misery with bread and water And at last like gallopping Nuns made thirty of them to take their Iourney to Rome and Naples and there to teach young Children When it came to the Popes knowledge he made a thundring Bull against them either to enter into a Monastry or else within fifteen dayes to depart the Territorirs of Rome and within forty dayes all Italy but afterwards this Bull was retracted The Colledge of Saint Omers is no lesse memorable which was erected by Pope Gregory the thirteenth and partly indowed by the King of Spain with great meanes The Iesuits neverthelesse insatiable cormorants have by their allurements got great wealth from England under pretence to nourish some Students which in time might labour in this Vineyard some by Testament others by Donation have left meanes to bring up some two some three and payd twenty five and thirty pounds per annum But since they are not willing to undergo the toil to take it yeerly but have enticed the Donators to give them some three some four and some five hundred pounds and in my knowledge they got in this manner for nourishing above two hundred so that they have extorted and got great sums of money from this Kingdome to the great prejudice of the State The wise State of Venice foreseeing their ambition to creep into the knowledge of their Government Note and to Conquer high Territories by tricks unlawfull means and sleights By Order of their great Councell they were adjudged to be banished for ever their Dominions and never to return thither till they had the consent of the whole Senate which is impossible to be obtained although the French King and the Pope have laboured sundry times yet in vain And also the said State did declare That whosoever should speake in their favour for their re-establishing should be degraded of his Honor and his Posterity after him and loose all his goods and the like should befall to them that send their children to their colledges Would to God such Lawes were made in these Dominions severely to punish the Parents for sending their Children to Iesuits Colledges And to conclude they should be expelled from all humane society as unsit to be dealt with for their equivocation and mentall reservation never telling the truth being mortall enemies to all charity and the true fore-runners of Antichrist oppugning all verity and taking all for themselves without Communication of good to others And as for those that are beyond Seas in their Colledges it were more then necessary to make a Decree that within a short time prefixed they should return to their Native soil under
law in this case shall be put in execution and further there shall be letters written to the Lord Ireamrer and also to the Lord Admirall that all the Pâ—rts of this Realme and the creeks and members thereof be strictly kept and â—â—eight 〈◊〉 made to this end a Proclamation shall be to recall both the children of Noble men and the children of any other men and they to returne by a day also 〈◊〉 of Seminaries or Schollers there shall be punished according to the law â— That no popish Recâ—sanâ— be permitted to come within the Court unlesse your Majesty be pleased to call him upon speciall occasion agreable to the Stature of 〈◊〉 5. And whereas your Majesty for the preventing of any apparant mischiefs both to your Majesty and the State have in your princely wisdome taken order 〈◊〉 none of your naturall borne Subjects not professing the true Religion and by law established be admitted into the service of your royall Consort the Queen we give your Majesty most humble thanks and desire that your order herein may be observed Answ. If his Majesty shall find or be informed of any concourse of Recusants to the Court the law shall be strictly followed and his Majesty is pleasedâ— that by proclamation the Brittish and the Irish Subjects shall be put in the same case and as his Majesty hath provided in his treaty with France so his purpose is to keep it that a a 〈…〉 〈◊〉 of his Subjects shall be admitted into his service or into the service of his royall 〈◊〉 sort the Queen that are popish Recusants 6. That all the lawes now standing in force against Jesuits Seminary-priests and others having taken orders by authority derived from the Sea of Rome be put in due exâ—â—â—ion and to the intent they may not pretend to be surprized that a speedy and certaine day be prefixed by your Majesties Proclamation for their departure out of this Realme and all other your Dominions and not to returne upon the severest penalties of the law now in force against them and that all his Majesties Subjects may be thereby admonished not to receiveâ— comfort entertaine or conceale any of them upon the penalties which may be lawfully inflicted and that all such Papists â—esuits and Recusants who are and shall be imprisoned for recusancy or any other cause may be so strictly restrained as that â—one shall have conference with them thereby to avoyd the contagion of their corrupt Religion and that no man who shall be suspected of 〈◊〉 be suffered to be keeper of any your Majesties prisons Answ. The law in this case shall be put in execution and a Proclamation shall be to the 〈◊〉 desired and such restraint shall be made as is desired and no man that is justly suspected of popery shall be suffered to be keeper of any of his Majesties prisons 7. That your Majesty be pleased to take such order as to your Princely wisedome shall be expedient that no naturall borne Subject or strange Bishops nor any other by authority from the Sea of Rome confeâ—â—e any ecclesisticall orders or exercise any ecclesiasticall Function whatsoever toward or upon your Majesties natural Subjects within your Dominions Answ. This is 〈◊〉 to be ordered according as it is provided and it shall be so published by Proclamation 1. That your Majesties learned Counsell may receive order and commandement to consider of all former grants of Recusants lands that such of them may be avoyded as are made to the Recusants use or interest our of which the recusant receiveth any benefit which are either voyd or voydable by the law Answ. The King will give order to his learned Counsell to consider of the grants and will â—â—e according as is desired 9. That your Majesty will be likewise pleased strictly to command all your Judges and â—inisters of justice ecclesiasticall and temporall to see the lawes of this realme against Papist recusants to be duely executed and namely that the censure of excâ—mmunâ—◠〈◊〉 declared and certified against them and that they be not absolved but 〈◊〉 satisfaction by yeelding to conâ—ormity 〈…〉 leaves the lawes to their course and will give order in the point 〈…〉 as is desired 〈…〉 your Majesty wil be pleased to remove from all places of authority and government all such persons as are either popish Recusants or according to direction of former acte of State to be justly suspected Answ. This his Majesty thinks fit and will give order for it 11. That present order be taken for disarming all popish Recusants legally convicted or justly suspected according to the lawes in that behalfe and the orders taken by his late Majesties privy Counsell upon reason of State Answ. The lawes and acts in this case shall be followed and put in due execution 12. That your Majesty be also pleased in respect of the great resort of Recusants to and about London to command forthwith upon paine of your indignation and severe execution of the lawes that at they retire themselves to their severall Countries there to remaine confined within five miles of their places Answ. For this the lawes in sorce shall be forthwith executed 13. And whereas your Majesty hath strictly commanded and taken order that none of the naturall borne Subjects repaire to the hearing of Masses or other superstitious service at the Chappels or houses of forraigne Ambassadours or in any other places whatsoever We give your Majesty most humble thanks and desire that your Order and commandement therein may be continued and observed and that the offenders herein may be punished according to the lawes Answ. The King gives assent thereto and will see that observed which herein hath been commanded by him 14. That all such insolencies as any popishly affected have lately committed or shall hereafter commit to the dishonour of our Religion or to the wrong of the true professors thereof be exemplarily punished Answ. This shall be done as is desired 15. That the Statute of 1. Eliz. for the payment of 12. d. every Sunday by such as shall â—be absent from divine service in the Church without a lawfull excuse may be put in due execution the rather for that the penalty by law is given to the poore and therefore not to be dispenst withall Answ. It is fit that this Statute be executed and the penalties shall not be dispenst withall 16. Lastly that your Majesty would be pleased to extend your Princely care also over the Kingdome of Ireland that the like courses may be there taken for the restoring and establishing of true Religion Answ. His Majesties cares are and shall be extended over the Kingdome of Ireland and will doe all that a religious King should doe for the restoring and establishing of true Religion there NOTE And thus most gracious Soveraigne according to our duty and zeale to God and Religion to your Majesty and your safeâ—y to the Church and Common-wealth and their peace and prosperity we have made a faithfull declaration
of the present estate the causes and remedies of this encreasing disease of Popery humbly offering the same to your Princely care and wisedome The answer of your Majesties Father our late Soveraigne of famous memory upon the like Petition did give us great comfort of Reformation but your Majesties most gracious promises made in that kind doe give us confidence and assurance of the continuall performance thereof in which comfort and confidence reposing our selves we most humbly pray for your Majesties long continuance in all Princely felicity This Petition as I find by the Commons Iournall was ordered to be drawne up by a speciall Committee upon a complaint made in that House of the liberty of Priests and Iesuits 21. Iunâ—â— 1. Car. On the 7. of Iuly following it was voted in the House answered by the King the 7. of August and the Answer thereunto reported Aug. 8. But this Parliament being unhappily dissolved in discontent the twelfth of that August these plausible answers vanished into smoake and notwithstanding them the execution of Priests and Jesuits apprehended during and after the Parliament and the proceedings against Recusants by well affected Justices and people were stayed in some places by warrants under the privy Signet and other under-hand meanes Yet in December following the King being necessitated to summon a new Parliament to prevent clamours and complaints in not making good his Answers to the foresaid Petition caused a Commission to be awarded under the great Seale for executing the lawes against Recusants which was read in all the Courts of Iustice at Redding and withall sent this Letter to the then Arch-bishop of Canterbury Abbot to be by him conveyed to all the Bishops of his Province to present and excoâ—municate all Recusants within their Duresse as will appear by this Letter of the said Archbishop to Doctor Land then Bishop of Saint Davids and his Letters to his Officials in pursuance of it the Originall whereof is in my custody AFter my hearty commendations c. It will appeare by the severall Copies under written from his royall Majesty to the Lords Grace of Canterbury and from my Lords Grace to me what care his Majesty hath for the preservation of true Religion setled and established in this Kingdome the tenour of these Letters are as followeth Right Reverend Father in God my very good Lord I have received from the Kings Majesty a Letter the Tenour whereof here followeth MOst Reverend Father in God Right trusty and Right Well beloved Counsellour We greet you well Whereas upon sundry weighty considerations Vs especially moving We lately awarded Our Commission under Our great Seale of England for the due and effectuall putting in execution of the severall laweâ— and statuteâ— remaining in force against popish Recusants and did cause Our said Commission to be publikely read in Our severall Courts holden the last terme at Redding That all Our loving Subjects might take notice of Our princely care and speciall charge for the advancement of true Religion and suppression of Suâ—erstition and Popery We have now thought fit out of the same care to adde a further charge to you and all others having Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction under Us that no good meanes be neglected on Our part for discovering finding out and apprehending of Iesuits Seminary-priests and other Seducers of Our people to the Romish Religion or for repressing popish Recusants and Delinquents of that sort against whom you are to proceed by Excommunication and other censures of the Church not omitting any other lawfull meanes to bring them forth to publike justice And as Our pleasure is that due and strict proceeding be used against such as are open and professed Papists of whom Ouâ— temporall lawes will more easily take hold So We doe recommend to the vigilanâ— care of you and the rest of Our Clergy for the repressing of those who being ill affected to the true Religion here established doe keep more close and secret their ill and dongerous affections that way and as well by their example as by secret and underhand slights and meanes doe much encourage and encrease the growth of popery and Superstition in sundry parts of this Kingdome And therefore We doe not onely require that none of them may have any manner of cover protection countenance or connivance from you or any of the rest as you tender Our royall commandement in that behalfe but that all possible diligence be used as well to unâ—â—ske the false shadowes and pretences of those who may possibly be wonne to conformity letting all men know that We cannot think well of any that having place and authority in the Church doe permit such persons to passe with impunity much lesse if they give them any countenance to the imboldning of them or their Adherents and because We understand that the number of Recusants is much more encreased in some Dioâ—esses then in others We shall impute the same to the negligence of those Bishops who have the same meanes and power of restraint unlesse they can shew Us some particular reason by which that contagion is become greater under them then others and not by their defaults and We doe hereby require you to send transcripts of these Our Letters to all the Bishops and Ordinaries within your province for the present execution of thisâ— Our generall direction and also to transmit the same our Letters to the Lord Archbishop of Yorke that he may take the like course within his Charge and Jurisdiction Given under Our Signet at Our Castle of Windsor the fifteenth day of December in the first yeere of Our Reigne By this you see the Royall and Christian care which his Majesty hath for the advancement of true Religion within this Kingdome and the suppressing of the contrary I doubt not but your Lordship will take it into serious consideration and by your Officers and Ministers give execution thereunto so that presentments be duly made and excommunication against the obstinate be issued forth as some few yeers past was accustomed and his Majesty doth expect that to shew your diligence and zeale therein yout Lordship soone after Easter returne unto me the list and number of all Recusant Papists within your Diocesse which without faile I doe expect and so I leave you to the Almighty and remaine Your Lordships loving brother G. Cant. Croydon the 21. of Decemb. 1625. These are therefore to will and require you and every of you through the severall Arch-deaconries within my Diocesses that there be all possible care taken of such as are any way backward in points of Religion and more especially of known and professed Recusants that they may be carefully presented and proceedings had against them to excommunication according to forme and order of Law and that there be a true List and Catalogue after every Easter yeerly sent unto me that according to the order of these Letters I may be able to have it ready and deliver it up to my Lord of Canterbury and for the