opinion of learning of his disloyall carriage of his number and dependencie at home and abroade IIII. REASON The French King hath graunted a toleration of both Religions Out of the 7. Section which is the cause of quietnes in his kingdome Ergo The King of England may doe so likewise ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 The cause of quietnes in Fraunce was not toleration but the banishment of the Iesuites See the Counterpoyse Sect. 7. 2 The contrarie religion in Fraunce is tolerated of necessitie and disabilitie of the Catholikes part to expugne and ruine the other as it was in the time of Charles the ninth and Henrie the third 3 Such as the French King doth tolerate doe in opinion derogate nothing from his Soueraigntie nor in action attempt any thing against his person But it is and euer was otherwise with Papists in England II. To the Consequence 1 Men liue by the rule of Reason and law not by examples 2 The French King holdeth correspondence in religion with the Pope therefore in a question of the worship and seruice of the Lord he cannot be a fit president to a Christian Prince professing the Gospell 3 Though the French King permitteth the free exercise of the Gospell a doctrine lawfull in it selfe and holie which derogateth nothing from Princes soueraigntie yet may not the King of England permit Papistrie the doctrine being Antichristian and vnlawfull in it selfe ioyned also with dishonor and perill 4 The French King alloweth toleration to such who acknowledge him for their lawfull Soueraigne who neuer plotted against his Crowne and life nor can be induced vpon any suggestion so to doe whereas his Maiestie of England is solicited to yeeld it to such who hold that he is an Heretike that hee may be diuested by the Popes Bull of his imperiall Crowne and regalities who haue disposed of their allegeance to a forraine Prince who neuer cease from proiects and practises for alteration who in fittest oportunitie vpon mandate from the Pope are readie to take armes for the subuersion of his Scepter and state of his royall person and of the Gospell V. REASON Vpon graunt of toleration England will not be odious to all Christian Nations for cruell persecution of Catholikes Out of the 8. Section as now they are Ergo Toleration should in good reason be allowed and maintained ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 England is not odious to all Christian Nations neither did it euer within the supposed time persecute Catholikes but punish Traytors Toleration being admitted yet will not such as hate England cease to hate her still because of the disgrace that must relie vpon Poperie his Maiestie the State and almosy all the subiects professing the Gospell II. To the Consequence 1 To graunt toleration that England might not be slaundered for proceedings against Papists and hated by those of that faction were for curing of the headach to knock out the braines If we consider the parties that hate vs the insufficient ground they haue for their hating vs the little measure of preiudice or dammage that commeth thereof and on the other side the ineuitable dishonour the daunger and mischiefe of toleration we shall see that the former is not worthie any regard when there is question of the latter 3 The surcease of Catholike-hate being altogether vncertaine and accidentarie it cannot be in policie a sufficient ground for imbracing of dangerous toleration VI REASON Toleration will stay hostile attempts of Catholikes against the Realme and so Traffique will be free Out of the 8. Section Subsidies and Taxes shall not be so many c. Ergo Toleration is to be imbraced ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 It is not the cause of Religion though it hath been some part of their pretence that embarked enemies against this land But violent humours of ambition to a Monarchy of malice and reuenge vpon supposed indignities the securing of their owne greatnes by impayring their Neighbours c. therefore toleration cannot redresse hostilitie 2 Suppose Religion the cause yet it is not toleration but alteration that they aime at and therfore their hostile practises and machinations are vnlikely to cease for toleration 3 Hostile attempts may cease without toleration as by disabilitie on the aduerse part necessitie compulsion c. II. To the Consequence 1 Euill must not be done that good may come thereof Toleration of Idolatrie cannot be denied to be euill 2 Of two euils the lesser is to be chosen Hostile attempts may endaunger the bodie Toleration damneth the soule VII REASON Toleration will be gratefull to all Catholike Princes abroad Out of the 9. Section Ergo It ought to be granted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 Alteration would be more gratefull vnto Catholike Princes then toleration should alteration therefore be graunted II. To the Consequence 1 Should his royal Maiestie graunt an impietie and hazard his royal estate and person yea his subiects and the Gospel to gratifie Catholike Princes 2 Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather then God iudgeye Act. 4.19 3 If I should please men I were not the seruant of Christ saith the Apostle Galat. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VII REASON Out of the 9. Section All English subiects would be acceptable to all Catholike countries who are now almost abhorred of all if toleration were graunted Ergo Toleration is not to be denied ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 It is false that Englishmen are abhorred of all Catholike countries otherwise then for their religion as all other Protestants be 2 Suppose a toleration yet dissension in religion extinguisheth acceptation in affection therefore it is not probable that English subiects being Protestants in religion should be esteemed and accepted among such as are of a contrarie faction 3 Nullus est fidus eorum affectus quorum est diuersa fides saith Hierome 4 Not toleration but plaine alteration would peraduenture make English subiects acceptable II. To the consequence 1 No sinne must be committed against God for gaining of particular aduantage 2 It is a grosse error in pollicie in hope of idle and accidentarie reputation to make choice of certaine mischiefe IX REASON Out of the 9. Section Vpon toleration of Catholike Religion we shall enioy assured peace Swordes shall bee changed into ploughes and launces into sithes Ergo Toleration is to be admitted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 Religion is not the cause of disturbance of peace and hostile attempts against this kingdome as hath been said alreadie 2 If it were the cause yet the Gospell which is the thing they would extirpate should remaine still for all toleration so that warres are not likely to cease 3 Toleration would hatch simultation iarres discord dissension and at last deadly warre rather then peace 4 If Papists still attempted treasons in time of their restraint in Queene Elizabeths dayes is it not probable that hauing more libertie they would be more treacherous
molestation or disgrace in your Graces fauour Now therefore the hereditarie right of the Scepter being lawfully deuolued vnto your Maiestie who is he amongst vs that will not flie vnto your Court offering himself as b See the Edict of the Peeres of England Martij 24. 1603. hostage for his friends to lose lands and liuings to the effusion of his dearest blood to liue and die in your Graces quarrell if euer aduersarie shall once dare to oppose himselfe against the equitie of your cause 5 The maine of this Realme if we respect Religion consisteth vpon two parts Papists who in the latter yeares of our late Queenes time c See the Queenes edict Nouemb. 5. 1602. Anno Reg. Regin Eliz. 44. by generall neglect in executing of good lawes and the slumber of iustice haue crept vp apace amongst vs And Protestants who as they are opposit to the Papists so are they detested of them because Errour was euer an enemie to Truth 6 These two cannot possibly stand together * 2. Cor. 6.14 15. For what fellowship hath righteousnes with vnrighteousnes And what communion hath light with darknes what concord hath Christ with Belial or what part hath the beleeuer with the Infidell the Christian Protestant with the Popish Idolatour And therefore we beseech your Maiestie to affoord vs as much fauour as other Princes of contrarie religion to that which is publikely professed in England doe yeeld vnto their Subiects Other Princes tolerate no Protestants to liue and serue their God in spirit and Truth amongst their Popish Subiects And we hope your Maiestie will tolerate no Papists to liue and to blaspheme our God with Idolatrie and false worship among your Christian Subiects For if our case be like or better then theirs is in equitie our vsage ought to be like or better then theirs is 7 The Gates arches and pyramides of Fraunce proclaimed the present King Pater patriae pacis restitutor because that kingdome being welnigh torne in peeces with ciuill warres and made a pray to forraine foes was by his prouident wisedome and valor acquited in it selfe and hostile strangers expelled the which he principally effected by d Vide Ant. Arnaldi actionem contr Iesuit Et Orationem ingenuā veram ad Regem Galliae de Restitut Iesuitarum Lugdun an 1602. adiudging the Iesuites the firebrands of sedition and rebellion to perpetuall exile out of his kingdome So shall your Highnes be truely called Pater patriae fidei defensor if you vindicate your owne sacred Person from the treacherous attempts of hollow hearted Subiects your Realmes from the inuasions and assaults of forraine foes and the Maiestie of the euerliuing God from being blasphemed and profaned by vile Idolatours all which you shall wisely and valorously effect by adiudging seditious Iesuites treacherous Priests and all their Schollers the stirrers vp of commotions and broyles to perpetuall banishment out of your kingdoms and dominions 8 Questionlesse dread Soueraigne the kingdoms of England and Ireland by vnnaturall disloyall and traiterous practises of cruell Romish Catholikes e Who rebelled at any time sithence the beginning of Queene Elizabeths raigne but Papists Who were rebels compartners abbettors and fauorites but Papists and consequently who were the cause of so many subsidies and taxes but the same men haue been almost wasted and made a spectacle to all Christian Nations Trade and traffike is much decayed warres and blood hath seldome ceased subsidies and taxes neuer so many discontented mindes innumerable all which your Maiesties princely regard of the humble sute of your deuoted Suppliants the faithfull Protestants will easily redresse especially at your Highnes f See 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. pag. 29. ingresse * 1. King 18.21 Si Iehouah sit Deus ipse sequere eum sin autem istorum Baal sequere eum was the wise counsaile of holy Eliah vnto the people of Israel But to admit of two contrarie Religions were to halt betweene two opinions 9 How gratefull wil it be to all Christian Princes abroade and honorable to your Maiestie to vnderstand how Queene Elizabeths sinceritie is continued by your royall constancie and that the courage of a man reedified that which the not informed Iustice of a woman winked at That the Lyon rampant trampleth vnder foote the enemies of God and his truth of their Prince and Countrie whereas the passant had been nothing lesse then rampant How acceptable shall all your subiects be to all Christian countries who lately feared the apostasie of your kingdomes when they shall perceiue your highnesse still maintaineth true Religion and g See 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 1. pag. 19. permitteth not Idolatrous Papists to perturbe molest the sincere professors of the true faith or to prophane the worship of God by profession and vse of their superstition Then shall we see with our eyes and touch with our fingers that happie benediction of Esay in this land that * Esay 2.4 swords are changed into ploughes and launces into sithes And all Nations admiring vs will say Hisunt semen cui benedixit dominus 10 We request no more fauour at your Graces hands then that you would compell all your Subiects to seeke the Lord and his face continually that you would h See 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 1. pag. 19. prohibit Idolatrie represse blasphemie abolish false worship and cause all within your dominions to embrace that onely true religion which your happie predecessors King Edward the sixt Queene Elizabeth of blessed and famous memorie constantly maintained yea which also your sacred Maiestie hath euer hitherto with singular i See 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 1. pag. 5. 20. 21. constancie and doth now zealously and sincerely professe 11 A Religion venerable for antiquitie maiesticall for comely order admirable for power and vertue certaine for truth irreprehensible for Doctrine inducing to all kind of vertue and pietie disswading from all sinne and wickednes A religion approued by God himselfe allowed by his wisedome and confirmed by his holy spirit rooted in the elect beloued of all primitiue pastours established by the best Oecumenicall councels vpheld by all ancient Doctours maintained by the first and most christian Emperours recorded in the holy Scriptures sealed with the blood of millions of Martyrs and constantly professed by all holy confessors that neuer was doubted of but by her enemies neuer saw change but of Heretikes being the onely Religion that is taught in Gods sacred word and Gospell Popish Idolatrie it is that we craue to be repressed if not by a new decree at leastwise by strict execution of such good lawes that in such cases are alreadie enacted 12 Assure your Grace that howsoeuer some Papists incited by morall honestie of life or innated instinct of nature or for feare of some temporall punishment pretend obedience vnto your highnes lawes yet certainely the onely Protestants for conscience sake obserue them For they defending these
THE CATHOLIKES SVPPLICATION VNTO THE KINGS MAIESTIE FOR TOLERATION OF Catholike Religion in England WITH SHORT NOTES OR Animaduersions in the margine Whereunto is annexed Parallel-wise a Supplicatorie Counterpoyse of the Protestants vnto the same most excellent Maiestie Together with the reasons of both sides for and against toleration of diuers Religions BY WISDOME PEACE BY PEACE PLENTY AT LONDON Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Edmund Weauer and are to be solde at his shop at the great North doore of Paules Church 1603. THE CATHOLIKES SVPPLICATION Most puissant Prince and orient Monarch 1_SVch are the rare perfections and admirable gifts of wisedome prudence valour and iustice wherewith the bountifull hand of Gods diuine Maiestie hath endued your Maiestie as in the depth of your prouident iudgement we doubt not but you foresee what concerneth both the spirituall and temporall gouernment of all your kingdomes and dominions 2 Notwithstanding your Graces most afflicted subiects and deuoted seruants the Catholikes of England partly to preuent sinister informations which happily may possesse your sacred eares before our answere be heard partly almost as men 1 Impudent fellowes A manifest vntruth as all the world knoweth ouerwhelmed with persecutions for our consciences we are enforced to haue speedie recourse in hope of present redresse from your Highnesse and to present these humble lines vnto your royall person to pleade for vs some commiseration and fauour 3. What allegeance or dutie 2 What dutie Fidelitie and loyaltie which the Papists by vertue of their Religion can affoord no potentate but the Pope can any 3 These men hold that no temporall Prince ought to desire or expect any thing at their hands which may preiudice the Pope temporall Prince desire or expect at his vassals hands which wee are not addressed to 4 True conditionally if they thinke it be not preiudiciall to the Pope performe How many Noble-men and worthie Gentlemen most zealous in the Catholike Religion haue endured some losse of lands and liuings some exile others imprisonment some the effusion of bloud and life for the aduauncement of your blessed Mothers 5 The Papists iudged Queene Elizabeth hereticall and iustly deposed by the Bull of Pius V. and therefore thought themselues free from their allegeance vnto her and so traiterously gaue away her right vnto another Otherwise how could any pretend RIGHT vnto the scepter of Albion Queene Elizabeth being yet liuing and there is great difference betweene RIGHT and TITLE right vnto the scepter of Albion Nay whose finger did euer ake but Catholikes for your 6 What loyall hearts Papists beare the Kings Maiestie appeareth by their sundrie conspiracies against his sacred person from time to time especially by that in the yeere 1591 recorded in publike print Maiesties present title and dominion 4 How many 7 If any so fled it was not for their good behauiour and wise Princes doe well know how to esteem of such mens offers fled to your Court offering themselues as hostages for their friends to liue and die in your Graces quarrell if euer Aduersarie had opposed himself against the 8 Who forged and furthered the Jnfantaes pretended title but Papists yet now they acknowledge Gods right and their owne madnes equitie of your cause If this they attempted with their 9 Good and loyall subiects forsooth vnto their owne Prince in the meane while Can trayterous hearts vnto Queene Elizabeth be good subiects vnto King James Princes disgrace to obtaine your Maiesties grace what will they doe nay what will they not do to liue without disgrace in your Graces fauour 5 The maine of this Realme if we respect Religion setting pettie sects aside consisteth vpon 10 A manifest slaunder of our Christian Church and Sâ—aâ—â— foure parts Protestants who haue dominiered all the former Queenes daies Puritanes who haue crept vp apace among them Atheists or Polititians who were bred vpon their brawles and contentions in 11 A flat vntruth the dissension betweene them is onely concerning externall matters of discipline and ceremonies which belong rather to the policie of the Church then to faith and doctrine matters of faith And Catholikes who as they are opposite to all so are they detested of all 12 An argument from the staffe to the corner because Errour was euer an enemie to Truth 6 Hardly al or any of the first two three can be 13 They would faine suppresse the Kings Maiestie also among other Protestants if they could tell how God preserue his grace from such subiects Amen suppressed and therefore we beseech your Maiestie to yeeld vs as much fauour as 14 Will you haue as much fauour as the Atheists haue Like lips like lettuce others of contrarie religion to that which shall be publikely professed in England shall obtaine at your hands For if our fault be 15 No likenes at all Protestants are loyall subiects so are not Papists Atheists we haue none at least none that professe themselues so to be so would God we had no Papists Puritane is a name proper vnto the Anabaptists and Famelians whom our state doth no way fauour like or lesse or none at all in equitie our punishment ought to be like or lesse or none at all 7 The Gates Arches and Pyramides of France proclaimed the present King Pater patriae pacis restitutor because that kingdome being well nigh torne in pieces with ciuill warres and made a pray to forraine foes was by his prouident wisedome and valour acquited in it self and hostile strangers expelled the which he principally effected 16 Non causa pro causa Read the Counterpoyse by condescending to tolerate them of an aduerse religion to that was openly professed 8 Questionlesse dread Soueraigne the kingdome of England by cruell 17 An impudent lye persecution of Catholikes hath been almost odious to all Christian Nations Trade and traffique is 18 And all by reason of Catholikes treason rebellion and other disloyall practises stratagems decayed warres and bloud hath seldome ceased Subsidies and taxes neuer so many discontented mindes innumerable all which your Maiesties princely 19 If the Papists haue practised treason and rebellion in time of their restraint what will they not dare to atteÌ„pt hauing further libertie conniuencie to your humble Suppliants the afflicted Catholikes will easily redresse especially at your Highnesse ingresse * 3. Reg. 12.7 Si loquaris ad eos verba lenia erunt tibi serui cunctis diebus said the sage Counsellors of Salomon to 20 The Kings Maiestie is not such an infant in gouernment but he knoweth No subiect can faithfully serue two masters the Pope and his liege King Rehoboam For enlargement after affliction resembleth a pleasant gale after a vehement tempest and a benefit in distresse doubleth the value thereof 9 How gratefull will it bee to all 21 Syrenicall fond suggestions as if his Highnes cared what account the Turke or Pope
daungerous and damnable k Vide Orat. ad Reg. Galliae de Restit Iesuit Eman. Sa. in aphorism Confessariorum Bellarm lib. de Exempt Clericorum propositions 1. That the Pope hath power to excommunicate Kings 2. That he hath power to absolue subiects from their faith and alleageance 3. That the Pope may depose Princes from their Scepter and Crowne and giue the same vnto another 4. That any priuate man may be made executioner to murther or to poyson the excommunicated King 5. That faith must not be kept with Heretikes 6. That whosoeuer is not within the communion of the Romish Church is an Heretike and consequently that your highnes is such a one 7. That no Cleargie-man can commit treason against any temporall King because he is not the Kings subiect but the Popes and such like care not in conscience at the Popes becke nay thinke it high merit if he so commaund not onely to transgresse your lawes but also to lay violent hands and to murder your sacred person which God forbid But Protestants hauing learned to * Matth. 22.21 giue vnto Caesar the things of Caesar and to God the things of God and to obey the * Rom. 13.1 higher powers which are the ordinance of God cannot but in soule be grieuously tortured for the least preuarication of the Magistrates iust necessarie or conuenient lawes 13 Wherefore most gracious Soueraigne wee your euer-faithfull subiects in all dutifull submission vow and protest before the Maiestie of God and all his holy Angels as loyall obedience and as immaculate allegeance vnto your Grace as euer did faithfull subiects in England or Scotland vnto your Highnes progenitors and predecessors and intend as sincerely with our goods and liues to serue you as euer did the loyallest Israelites King Dauid or the trustie legions the Romane Emperours 14 And thus not doubting of your Maiesties constant profession of true Religion and godly care for the rooting out of all Idolatrie we rest your deuoted suppliants to him whose hands doe mannage the hearts of Kings and with reciprocate Honor will honor them that honor him Your sacred Maiesties most faithfull Seruants The Protestants of England A BRIEFE CONSIDERATION OF THE CATHOLIKES REASONS FOR TOLERATION OF THEIR Religion in England intimated in their Supplication to his Highnes I. REASON The Catholikes are readie to performe any allegeance or dutie that the King can desire or expect at their hands Out of the 3. Section of the Supplication Ergo It may please his Maiestie to graunt them a toleration of their Religion ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 The Antecedent must be vnderstoode conditionally vid. If the King will graunt a toleration then the Papists say they will be dutifull else they will not but will runne on the old bias againe for practise and treacherie against his Royall Person and the State as they were wont in Queene Elizabeths time But if they will not bee dutifull Subiects for conscience sake as they are bound to be Our dread Soueraigne in my opinion shall haue small good of their mercenarie seruice 2 Popish Religion in the Articles thereof is treason against the lawfull authoritie and state of our King See the Counterpoyse Sect. 12. Therefore whatsoeuer the Papists either protest or pretend it skilles not they can be no loyall Subiects so long as the Pope may discharge them from allegeance to their Prince See note 35. 3 By vertue of Popish Religion the Ecclesiasticall state challengeth immunitie and exemption from his Highnes power iudiciall courts and in case of ordinarie contributions they withdraw their allegeance from the King vnto the obedience of a forraine Potentate denying him an absolute power in his owne Dominions II. To the Consequence 1 Howsoeuer his Maiestie in policie might wish all Papists within his Dominions to be dutifull and obedient Subiects yet cannot his Highnes allow and accept of the course leading thereunto vnlesse he finde it warranted by the law of God such as toleration of Popish Idolatrie can neuer be 2 The practises of the Papists being vncertaine it fits not the deepe reach of a Prince to remedie vncertaine and lesser accidents by opening free passage to more assured and greater perils II. REASON Out of the third and fourth section The Catholikes haue been very forward in maintaining and defending the Kings iust and lawfull title to the Scepter of Albion Ergo His Maiestie might doe well to gratifie them with a toleration ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 If the Papists were so firme as now they say for the Kings lawfull title they would not haue been so forward for the Infantaes pretended title as they haue 2 Graunt they were so forward for his Maiesties title yet it is very credible that they were but mercenarie Iudases for Quid vultis mihi dare ego tradam c. They would doe somewhat vpon hope of toleration els iust nothing for conscience and equitie 3 This which they pretend should seeme to be in Queene Elizabeths daies which if it were so on their part was great disloyaltie to their Prince And it may well be thought that traiterous hearts to Queene Elizabeth can be none of the faithfullest Subiects to King Iames. II. To the Consequence 1 Suppose it lawfull in Queene Elizabeths daies for Catholikes to flie from their countrie and to be factiously forward for the Kings lawfull title they did but their dutie Yet is it not lawfull for his Maiestie to permit the free exercise of Idolatrie which were plaine impietie 2 If this also were lawfull in it selfe yet were it no policie to graunt the Papists a toleration considering their intention and aime for alteration their number dependencie confederacie forraine and domestike and other correspondent abilities strong and to be suspected III. REASON Puritanes and Atheists being of contrary Religion to the Protestants are tolerated in England Out of the 6. Section Ergo His Maiestie may with like reason tolerate the free exercise of the Catholike Religion ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 Such as doe scandalouslie or schismaticallie withdraw themselues from our publike congregations and refuse to serue the Lord together with vs are not permitted but punished by our lawes 2 Puritanes as they terme them are not contrarie to the Protestants in Religion See before note 11. 3 As for Atheisme it is not publikely professed in England and therefore there can be no permission thereof See note 15. II. To the Consequence 1 Vpon supposed toleration of the factious and schismaticall Puritane there is no reason for toleration of the Papist for diuers causes videl I. The Puritane holdes no opinion directly opposit either to the Maiestie of God or his Highnes Soueraigntie But the Papist doth II. If the Puritaine did offend any of these wayes yet should not the Papist be admitted for so the number of bad subiects should be encreased 2 The Papist is more daungerous then the Puritaine or Atheist by reason of his