allow of none but such as are devoted vnto them for his ordinarie assistants 2. The second poynt concerneth the superiours there whose authoritie he saith is most grieuously and most dangerously contemned hee might iustly be accounted wise who should diuine a right that which is meant hereby There haue beene as many visitations on the behalfe of the Students as of the Iesuites and as for the superiours I haue seene a Letter of Fa. Parsons own penning dated the 5. of April 1599. wherein he saith that perhaps some one mans actions in the gouernmeÌ„t of the Colledge at Rome in some certaine points were not so much to Cardinal Allane his liking and without perhaps the orders which were misliked were by F. Par. contrary to his owne promise brought into the Seminary of Rome where indeed there are new buildings but they were not at the charge of the Iesuites but of the Colledge and if it be richer in chaÌ„bers it is poorer in vineyards and in this new building there are very few more theÌ„ halfe so manie students as were before the new buildings were erected and these fewe are so straungely diuided and debarred each others comfort as howsoeuer the Iesuites gaine therby or ioy therat themselues the students may iustly say vnto them for all this great boast of buildings Nec multiplicastis gentem nec magnificastis laetitiam That Colledge was first an Hospitall founded by our Princes for the reliefe of such as went on pilgrimage to those holie places afterward it was endewed with an Abbacie by Pope Gregorie of happie memorie the 13. of that name and Doctor Lewis Bishop of Cassana bore the name to be the erector of it as a Colledge as Cardinal Allane did of the Colledge at Rhemes now translated to Doway and no dispraise to anie those two Seminaries and their founders were those who brought England to that passe that as wel the Laitie as the Cleargie therof were admired throughout all Christendome for their fortitude in Gods cause and faithfulnesse in all their temporall affaires And it is well knowne that these two were of those who complained The one at the verie first beginning as one well acquainted with the Iesuites courses and had serued that mirror of pietie and wisedome Cardinall Boromeo Archbishop of Millane who discharged them of the gouernment of his Seminaries The other somewhat with the latest but yet in such sort as Doctor Haddock who pretendeth that he was the Cardinals Nephew moued in spirit after the Cardinalls death writ vnto a worshipfull Knight in Spaine these words to my remembrance Profecto bene mortuus est si enim vixisset sibi patriae suae maximuÌ„ dedecus peperisset He is dead in a good time for if he had liued he had most greatly dishonoured himselfe and his Country And why mast Doctor forsooth he was carried away against the Iesuites by his Nephew M. Hesket M. Throckmorton M. Fitzherbert all the Gentlemen of our nation who were then at Rome but especially by my Lord of Cassana through whose meanes M. Doctor Haddock was discarded as one that was factious against the students in the behalfe of the Iesuites and lost thereby as he said himselfe a Nephewes part which he had bene promised often by the Cardinall and he most certainly expected The Seminaries in Spaine haue bene builded by the Iesuites meanes with no small summes of mony which perchance would haue bene much better and with far more merit imployed in the reliefe of poore afflicted Catholikes as well of the Laitie as the Clergie who liued in exile either in Colledges which for want were many times in ieopardie to haue bene dissolued or elsewhere abroad and famished but the yce was broken and the way made by secular Priests before any Iesuites attempted it as in all honest matters it fareth F. Parsons entered into their worke and brought it indeed to this passe at which now it is by making the students do that of which since they repent themselues and he hath no great cause to glorie in as the subscribing to the title of the Infant and what else hee would hauing gotten their names to three seuerall blankes But these Priests who were in this sort the founders of the Seminaries in Spaine although not the storers for lyme and stone were knowen very well to haue bene of those who did complaine wheÌ„ they liued and the suruiuer is to this day one of them who do complaine Neither is this to discouer more then needeth although no doubt it be more then the Iesuites and their fauourites would haue talked abroad the matter is so honest for what Letters are written and published by them in all places wherein themselues and their associates to winne English Catholickes insert not their building of Seminaries which the Catholickes might haue built with more ease lesse charge if they consider what they are put to by reason of those plots by which the Seminaries haue bene built and the often attempts made against our Countrey vpon the foolish hopes which some haue had vpon those plots some likewise take exceptions that these matters are touched somewhat in the censure vpon F. Parsons Letter but they consider not that F. Parsons draue vs to it by laying to our charge that we were not so much hated of the Councell of England as the Iesuites and Archpriest His guiltie conscience gaue him what he and his associates had deserued although he thought it pollicie to conceale the cause thereof and to leaue such an obloquie as it could not be taken for other to euery man to scan theron and to seeke some cause for that which if they would they might see daily was voyd of all truth the greatest part without comparison of those who suffered hauing beene such as were not of the faction of the Iesuites and shall we be blamed if we solue those aenigmes which F. Parsons and his fellowes needlesly propose against vs and leaue to the worst sence which may be made of them 3. The third point he saith is cleare by his holinesse Breue Who calleth this in question or how doth this prooue that no lesse could be done theÌ„ to accept the authoritie and to accept it when it came at the first which was a whole year before the Breue came and without not only a confirmation from his holinesse but also without sufficient testimony to binde vs to accept thereof being to so great a preiudice to many in which case a Cardinals testimony doth not binde any to beleeue that which is affirmed by him much lesse if it euidently containe falshood and suppose nothing else but falshood for the foundation But neither was it so cleare perchance as he thinketh for a Breue may come from diuers places and be called an Apostolicall Breue and his holinesse no wâ—â—t acquainted therewith and there was no small cause to suspect so much of this not only for that it was a confirmation of a thing done vpon
THE HOPE of Peace By laying open such doubts and manifest vntruthes as are divulged by the Arch-priest in his Letter or Answere to the Bookes which were published by the Priestes Zacha. 8. Veritatem tantum pacem diligite Loue truth onely and Peace Imprinted at Franckford by the heires of D. Turner 1601. The Preface TWo Bookes haue beene lately set foorth by the Priests in the necessary defence of their good name and fame which were are to this day so irreuerently plaid vpō as people of all professions fooles and physitions make vp their morning and euening meditations with the most vnciuill termes which they may deuise against them How sottish would that Cobler haue beene accounted in these daies who being controlde by a Painter for presuming to giue his iudgement of a Picture aboue the shooe departed quietly and would not once replie vpon Ne sutor vltra crepidam Tractant Fabrilia Fabri was the olde saying euerie man was to attend that which belonged to his Trade but the age is now returned in which S. Hierome liued and of which he vsed this saying Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim Dist 19. can nulli fas The Iesuites might haue plaid with their Canon vpon such as resisted the Apostolicall Decrees and without blame haue made a breach yea and vtterly haue ruinated those whom in such cause they should assault but to disturbe and infect the aire which hath giuen them life with this breath Hearken ô ye factious ye are Rebels ye are Schismatikes ye are excommunicated persons Irregular no better then Sooth-sayers and Idolators and as Ethnickes and Publicans was neither commendable in such as make shewe to immitate Iesus nor euer will be iustifiable against those Priests who at the sight of the Breue gaue an inuincible argument of their obedience to Apostolicall decrees and haue a long time aduentured their liues for the dignitie of the Sea Apostolike as farre as the Iesuites haue for anie matter whatsoeuer Other who either immediately or by others haue a dependance of the Iesuits some for want of other inuētiō some to keepe their tongues in vre some to trie who can vtter the most despitefull speeches against those Priestes to whom perchaunce they haue beene most bounde some to winne all to goe one way which they may and do full euil must follow their dam and crow after kinde least their spirituall guides and grand-fathers should abandō them as a misbegotten brood And while they all euerie one at his Qu play their parts as shrewd boyes while they byte kick and scratch crie that they cannot be let alone they make a great shewe as though they would most gladly embrace a peace F. Garnet the head of the Iesuites here in England solliciteth some to be a meane for peace but with such condition as no satisfaction be talked on for the clamorous speeches before rehearsed and what hath vpon them ensued to manie who haue with the best deserued of Gods Church and a fresh offer of some things most seriously promised at the first attonement and not as yet performed At the same time flie Letters like Bats and are shewed in seret to such as haue no list but to lie still in a grosse and affected ignorance which manner of carriage what else could it portend other thē a defect of truth largenesse of conscience a fresh alarum to farther tumults and if F. Garnet the Superiour of the Iesuites were of counsel thervnto smal is his sinceritie whatsoeuer his charitie is which hee pretendeth in his mock-offer of peace The presumption that he was of counsell to these Letters of M. Blackwell is grounded vpō M. Blackwels instructions where after a commaundement of vnitie betweene the Priests and the Iesuites the Archpriest is willed to seeke the iudgement and counsell of the Superiour of the Iesuites in the greater matters Curabit Archipresbiter in rebus maioribus iudicium quoque eius consiliumque acquirere great follie it were to shut this Letter of the Archpriests from his matters of great weight being an answere to seditious Bookes as hee termeth them and such as may bring great hurt to the Church of God and cōsequently an endangering of the Archpriest to say that he did not take the aduice and counsell of the Prouinciall of the Iesuites herein especially the Bookes concerning them as much as him F. Lister being alwayes readie with his Canon Nulli fas est vel velle vel posse transgredi Apostolicae sedis praecepta It is not lawfull for any to be willing or able to transgresse the precepts of the Sea Apostolicke With the which he his fellow Iesuites and the Archpriest also are perswaded that the Priestes are shaken yea brought to vtter ruine These Letters of the Archpriest while we shal take the paines to answere for the instruction of such as either vpon their owne ignorance haue erred or by the double diligence of others haue bene misled and shewe how we are dealt withall by the one while an offer of a mock-peace is tendered by the other we craue no other then indifferencie in the Christian Reader and nothing doubt but to discouer the drift both of him who dissembleth not himselfe or his intentions and also of the other who to colour his owne and his fellowes misdemeanours in this matter as if hee were no partie much lesse the principall maintainer of this faction against vs pretendeth to be a stickler betweene the Archpriest and vs. Yours in all true hartie affection I. B. The Copie of M. Blackwell his Letter My verie Reuerend and verie louing Assistants TO my great sorrow two Bookes haue bene set out by our deare Brethren whom all you loue in the bowels of Christ and whō I haue sought by all Fatherly meanes to winne and reduce to vnitie great reason it had bin that a thing propounded to the Pope his holines should not with so great scandall of our cause and ioy of our aduersaries haue first bene divulged to all sortes of people before it could possibly come to his sight censure and perhappes neuer ment to be presented to him although meanes must be made by me that it may come to his reading and the view thereof will grieue him much because he loueth and euery where desireth peace It cannot be liked of that we should write one against an other and therefore no other answere shall be sent now then this And my desire is that all good Catholiques according to their duties do thinke well of their Superiours and if they haue any doubt do suspend their iudgements vntil they heare the full deciding of the cause for herein is touched the credit of all Superiours in the world The principall points they touch are these 1 The diuision at Wisbitch 2 The sedition of the Colledge at Rome and the gouernment of their Seminaries 3 The institution of our authoritie 4 The censuring them of schisme 5 The vsage of the two Agēts they sent
to Rome 6 The decrees I made and the execution of them 1 The first point was a thing being since ended with great edification and by the meanes principally of these which are most condemned It concerneth authoritie it being more auncient and hauing orders taken at the attonement by their owne consent It is well knowne at Rome by whose meanes they were disanulled neither was it more vnfitting for those which liued in one house to mislike rules for such as voluntarily demaunded and accepted them then to procure a sodalitie abroad 2 The second point concerneth the Superiours there whose authoritie is most greeuously and most daungerously contemned who had the hearing of the causes and by great reason ought to make orders for the Seminaries which they that complaine neuer built 3 The third point is cleare by his holines Breue and no lesse could be done then to accept the authoritie and to accept it when it came at the first For I haue desired to obey and I signified then how vnfit I was to haue so great a charge and am euer readie to depose it for the loue of God and the profite of his Church vpon the least knowledge of my Superiours will and commaundement for my delight is not so much in it as these authours do affirme neither was it published at any time with vntruthes nor by anie such vnseemly meanes which might giue shewe of anie litle ostentation 4 The matter of Schisme was according to my opinion which now I retaine yet with submission to holie Church what I shewed them was done in charitie for their better instruction and speedie reformation which also was sent them by mee in secret and therein no particular person was named It was but an arbytrarie matter discussed among the learned which bringeth no losse of credite to either part I gaue them all expresse libertie to thinke what they would heerein for it is but a matter of opinion and therefore not worthie to make a matter of contention which part soeuer was true I sought by learned discourses and censures not so much the forwardnes of my opinion as of their amendment What I sent them to view was in maner of a Fatherly admonition and not to stirre vp or to feede a further discention Our endeuours were for peace our allowance for our paines is their contentious and verie scandalous behauiours for which they can haue no excuse after three diuers Letters of the Protector our superiour and not Protector onely of the Colledge Nauar concil 1. de offic Iudic. deleg Iacobus Stroozzeus ab vrc de officio vicar Epi. qui dicit esse comunem as they say For before anie Seminary was we had a Protector of England whose Letters Pattents according to the best Canonists were to be credited were to be receiued verie obediently An attonement was made by which I hoped all variance had bin appeased what was said afterwards or done by me was done vpon their prouocation for cease they would not to write to speake to exact satisfaction and to publish vntruths of vs contrarie to the order which I had prescribed wherevpon I was enforced to write a large Latine admonition to one of them and to an other an English Letter to gaine a staie of wronges which were offered mee about the matter of schisme 5 For the vsage of the two Agents sent to Rome concerneth the Pope the two Cardinalls and the Fiscall of the reformation ordeined by his holinesse who were priuie to all and as one of these Cardinals appointed Iudges not long since haue written they were Interpretes voluntatis Papae non solum iudices If anie inferiour were culpable herein meete it were to complaine priuately to our Superiours and not with great scandall to offend all Christendome 6 My decrees were necessarie for they containe nothing but prohibition of things otherwise vnlawfull and partly also forbidden by Cardinall Caietane and the euent sheweth how necessary they were and the cause of their paines inflicted ipso facto was because scandals and seditions could not be preuented for heere I cannot well haue the vse of forum contentiosum neither could I cite or produce witnesses nor conueniently meete with euerie one post factum And surely my censures haue done good not to a fewe As for the execution of them since the appeale I proceed vpon other causes then vpon the appeale which doth not as they imagine take away authoritie but only if it be of validitie deuolueth the causes their specified to the Sea Apostolicke If I require submission an oath of obedience of such as haue spread abroad such greeuous complaints against me it is but a slender satisfactiō for such iniuries and not more then all vse now to do at their first mission how much more where there was transgressiō is so much to be looked for And here I am to warne all to consider what hurt may come to the Church of God by these seditious bookes and therefore desire all to be dutifull in their censure and carefull to hinder the divulging of such bookes now being expected and to be industrious in notefying vnto all the truth The points cōteined confute themselues though to my griefe they discouer ouermuch passion And whereas diuers of these whose names were subscribed to the appeale haue denied that euer they were priuie to it and I doubt not the most part of the same neuer knew of any such slaunderous writing These shall be to exhort them to signifie so much to my selfe or else by writing or in person to some of my Assistants and they shall haue me most readie to giue them all manner of comfort and so I desire you to haue a great care to compose all these contentions and procure peace and by all faire meanes to recouer such as by infirmitie haue erred The times are daungerous and enemies are watchfull many are scandalized the increase of Catholicke Religion is hindered God is offended with these contentious proceedings and therefore let vs seeke after peace Surely happie we shall be blessed for this our so godly a labour blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the sonnes of God to whose protection I commend you all humbly desiring you to to pray for me and so I take my leaue this 23. of Iune 1601. G. B. Archpriest Angl. Pronot Apostolicus IN these Letters of the Archpriest are so many and daungerous rockes against which not altogether sencelesse people waste themselues as it cannot be deemed a labor blame-worthie so to discouer them as such as will may perceiue them before their case become desperate Let his fatherlie loue and care of his deare brethren as he termeth vs be measured by his carriage toward vs. For our maintaining of our selues not to be schismatikes a matter of opinion not worthie as here in his answere to the fourth point he confesseth to make a matter of contention which part soeuer was true how many hath he suspended
bereaued of their faculties yea and interdicted for which he hath no colour to shew anie authoritie but those words in the Cardinals first Letters Post debitas admonitiones ac reprehensiones fraterna charitate praemissas liceat etiam paenis coercere Ecclesiasticis It shall be lawfull for you after due admonition warning in brotherly charitie to punish with Ecclesiasticall penalties Which sentence is presently limited by the words immediatly following Oblatione nimirum facultatum vel suspensione By taking away faculties or suspending How many haue herevpon bene disturbed out of their places of residence how many cleane abandoned of their friends how many haue bene laid open to most wicked detractious tongues how many in daunger to perish by famine hauing no other meanes to liue theÌ„ by the charitie of such as to whom they do minister the Sacraments and for what for maintaining an opinion which were it true or false were no matter worthie to make contention as M. Blackwell here confesseth Quis ex vobis patrem petit paneÌ„ nuÌ„quid lapidem dabit illi Luk. 11. c. If any of you saith our Sauiour asketh bread of his father will he giue him a stone Or if he aske him for fish in place of a fish will he giue him a serpent Or if he shall aske for an egge will he reach him a scorpion If no father would doo this how dooth M. Blackwell say that hee hath sought by all fatherly meanes to win and reduce vs to vnitie hauing sought by the aforesaid meanes to driue vs to say against our owne soules that we were schismatikes and to suffer others without any contradiction to lay it euery day in our teeth for defending that which as himselfe here confesseth was not worthy to make a matter of contention which part soeuer was true But to come to that which he thinketh great reason that is that a thing propounded to the Pope his holinesse should not first haue bin divulged to all sorts of people before it could possibly come to his sight and censure What if this were so litle against reason as the contrary had bene great folly for who knoweth not that the Iesuites do lie so in waight to intercept what passeth too and fro that a small Letter can hardly and that very seldome escape them how then should this booke by any secret coÌ„ueyance soeuer haue gone without danger of being at their deuotions before it could come to the Pope his viewe and censure It might therefore with great reason haue bene at the first propounded to all sorts of people that thereby some one Copie or other might come to his holinesse his view and if this course had beene taken in the divulging of these bookes what reason hath M. Blackwell to say that perhaps it was neuer meant to be shewed to his holinesse Could the Priests be so foolish in M. Blackwells conceit that they would make a discourse of their miseries with petition to be relieued by his holinesse dedicate the booke vnto him and publish it in that maner and neuer meane that it should bee presented vnto him how could M. Blackwell frame his imaginatioÌ„ to this who could not but knowe long since that of the 10. which were sent ouer for Rome some of his friendes tooke the tythe where it was not due What if that booke which M. Blackwell or his friend seised on were the booke that was meant to haue bene presented to the Pope who were they then that perhaps neuer meant the booke should be presented to him But the other 9. being safely deliuered as long since we vnderstood from Paris whether they were sent perhaps his holinesse hath had the view of one and if M. Blackwel do know any thing to the contrary we will yeeld him most heartie thankes to make the meanes to haue it come to his holinesse his reading for we doo assure him and all other who haue made doubt thereof that it is our speeciall desire as in time it will wel be seene and the more griefe his holinesse shall take thereat the lesse thankes will they haue who haue so long a time deluded him with false informations and no doubt will prouide in some better sort for a true and vnfeined peace to continue among vs. And therefore feare we the lesse that hereby wee may bee charged to giue any scandall to our friends or ioy to our aduersaries no man beeing to be accounted a friend which should take offence where no cause is giuen or esteemed our aduersarie who would ioy at our good or the furtherance of any honest cause how contrary soeuer he may bee to truth in some other kinde Praeceptor vidimus quendaÌ„ in nomine tuo eijcientem daemonia c. Maister saith Saint Iohn to our Sauiour Luk. 9. we sawe one cast out diuels in thy name and we forbid him it because he is not of our company and Iesus said vnto him doo not forbid him for he who is not against you is with you Shall we then call them aduersaries who shall reioyce at their reliefe who are vniustly oppressed and not rather pray vt iustificentur adhuc and thinke our selues much bound vnto them whosoeuer they be who shall fauour or further vs in our iust cause It cannot be liked of saith M. Blackwell that we should write one against an other How shall wee conster this was not and vnto this day is not the Iesuits libell against the Priests liked wherein the Priests are called Rebells Schismatikes fallen from the Church and spouse of Christ excommunicated irregular infamous disobedient to Christ and his Vicar factious nothing better then southsayers and Idollaters as Ethnicks and Publicans Dooth not M. Blackwell in his answere to the fourth point heere write abroad that he retaineth his opinion still that we were schismatikes and commendeth this rayling Libell of the Iesuits for a learned discourse and censure And can the purging of vs Catholique Priests from these wicked defamations being bound therevnto both for the defence of our good names which vnlesse we will be accounted cruell to our â—eâ—â—â—â— we cannot let lie bleeding to the death for their comfort whose soules haue a long time bin vnder our charge be disliked by any honest man Is it to be thought that Gods cause can suffer dishonour in any course which is necessarie for the recouery of his Priests their honour and doth he not well deserue to be robbed of all that he hath yea and basted vntill all his bones do rattell in his skinne who vpon enuie that an aduersary should ioy would omit a necessarie defence for his own reliefe would there not be as many houters as hearers of one perswading an other rather to let a third take away all his landes and goods then bring it to a publike triall vnder colour of a thing not to be liked that one should plead openly against an other would theeues desire to meete with better copesmates when they would enrich
themselues or refuse a triall where such Iudges should sit vpon the bench It falleth out many times that with lesse daunger a man may take a Beare by the tooth then awake a sleeping dogge Had not other meanes bene before in vaine attempted for the remedie of what we haue felt or were not the present extremities ouer great into whiche wee are brought by the trump of euerie loose tongue where before they were possessed with this spirite butter would not haue melted we might haue bin blamed for our publishing in this sort laying open thereby to the whole worlde who they are that disturbe the peace which ought to haue bene mainteined amōg vs. And if any doubt hereof shal grow in any our desire is as also M. Blackwell desireth that all do thinke well of their superiors and suspend their iudgements vntil they heare the ful deciding of the cause which howsoeuer the desire of some be therein satisfied is not to withdrawe their charitie from the reliefe of Priests who want for this is not to suspēd their iudgment but their charitie and not only to iudge but to punish also much lesse do they suspend their iudgements who turne Priests out of their housen or exclaime day and night against them shut them from the seruice of God and diuide themselues frō them and their Catholike friends in praier and communication of Sacraments vpon an opiniō which was not worthie to make a matter of contention which part were true as M. Blackwel affirmeth in his answere here to the fourth point I wish the ignorance were such as it might excuse but I feare it is too much affected where vnder pretence of obedience it must not be seen where superiors haue not done so well as they might haue done and how those who are condemned generally as disobedient factious against their superiours haue behaued themselues in all dutifull manner to all superiors which they knew and how farre they were bounde to shewe obedience And if the Priests haue bene compelled to this hard choyce as either they must sustaine infinite iniuries and obloquies or redeeme themselues in this sort from so vndeserued an oppression no superiour in the world can iustly finde himselfe touched in credit but such whom the Apostle calleth Principes potestates mundi rectores tenebrarum harum Ephes 6. M. Archpriest gathereth sixe principall points which he saith are touched and maketh answere to euery one in order as he putteth them downe 1. The first is the diuision at Wisbich to which hee saith that it was long since ended with great aedification and by the meanes principally of those which are most condemned But he doth neither name the parties nor giue to vnderstand who they are which condemne them He vsed silence perchaunce in this because he must haue named either those whom he would not or those whom he should not for it is so well knowne as none without great want of modestie can deny that M. Iohn Mush and M. Richard Dudly two Priests now condemned by the Archpriest Iesuites and their adherents came out of the North to their great paines and charge to Wisbich and from thence to London where after that they had bene often mocked by the head of the Iesuites at the last with maruellous importunitie wroong from him certaine Letters to his fellow Iesuites at Wisbich vpon the sight whereof there was a peace made such as it was it might haue bene much better and speedier as by this it seemeth if it had before so pleased the head of the Iesuites to haue enterposed himselfe as charitie would he should haue done the head of the Faction at Wisbich being at his commaund and one who rather then so great a scandall should haue risen for his cause should haue suffered himselfe to haue bin cast ouer the Castle wall which in those tumults hee affirmed some would doo rather then the matter of his preferment ouer all the secular Priests there and fellow prisoners should not goe forward At an other time M. Alb. Dolman should haue made peace but the Iesuite who should haue bene the Superiour there vnder the tytle of an Agent vnderstanding of some cōditiōs which he liked not a litle before that all should haue bene cōcluded found the meanes to rid him away And I do verily thinke that there are fewe who thinke and none who know that the diuisiō is as yet ended which is no great aedificatiō God pardon them who are the cause thereof And most vnworthily are those scandalous proceedings at Wisbich compared with the sodalitie which was to be procured abroad For the first foundation of them vvere detractious infamous speeches against such as in all times among Christians haue bene had in great reuerence their faults if they had any vvere concealed not published abroad to the vvorld much lesse vvas it liked that any should be falsly obiected against them for no such course vvas iudged in those dayes to stand vvith the glory of God The drift of those proceedings vvas to make a Iesuite Superiour ouer the secular Priests or to maintaine that scandalous diuision which hath euen to this day followed theron vpon some other ground doubtlesse thē that which their fauourites doo most seriously vrge to wit that some of that societie haue bene the maisters or trainers vp of some of the secular Priests beyond the seas for by this argument euery one whosoeuer is no Schoolemaister or trayner vp of youth yea all Princes must yeeld themselues to be vnder the gouernmēt not only of those who were sometime their Schoolemaisters but of euery pettie Schoolemaister because once they haue bene trained vp by some of that professiō and such as haue much greater knowledge facility in teaching or training must humble thēselues to euery Punie because they thēselues had once maisters of that profession of which this Punie is perchance no lesse absurditie thē this was that in Wisbich when many graue wise and learned men were to become subiect to a Iesuite because forsooth as these fauourites of the Iesuits alledge the Iesuits haue the bringing vp of some Priests beyōd the seas The sodalitie which was to be procured abroad was for such as voluntarily would ioyne themselues to liue vnder rules and superiors to be chosen by themselues with the priuitie of his holinesse and without any schisme or faction against those who would not be of the Sodalitie So that the difference was very great betweene the humour of the Iesuites in that diuision at Wisbich and the peaceable endeuours of the Priests abroad to which the Iesuites hauing no very good liking laboured to effect what before they had missed with a peece of more cunning and by sinister meanes procured a superiour ouer the Priests who vpō peril of being euery day to be put downe must like whatsoeuer they should lay before him and in the mean while they must be of his priuy coūcell in matters of greatest waight and
himselfe to bee made a Bishop Fa. Parsons laboured M. Charnock to name some of these or some other which might haue fitted such a turne but bicause he could not obtaine of him to name any of these before he should see the names of M. D. Barret and M. Doctor Ely he caused M. D. Barrets name to be blotted out againe which was written in hope and would not suffer M. D. Ely his name to be written nor any thing else concerning that interrogatorie which manner of carriage conferred with F. Baldwins Letter discouereth a good wil that F. Baldwin should haue written the truth in this point Thirdly he affirmeth in the same Letters that the two Priestes should say that experience would teach if they had not their request Quod indignabitur libertas si prematur these were their wordes saieth F. Baldwin Can any man thinke that they would so forget themselues as to threaten the Pope to his teeth if hee would not graunt them what they would haue but if F. Bald. writ doubtlesse as he was enformed by Fa. Parsons the greater is the confirmation of that which here we intend to shewe that is how it hath from time to time bene lulled a sleepe with falshood and therefore that the lesse this wonder is now that it is auouched by M. Blackwell neuer to haue bene proposed with vntruthes 4. The 4. point is touching the matter of schisme which he saith was according to his opinion which euen now he doth retaine The head of the Iesuites sendeth abroad his Letters by which hee signifieth that he would not be ashamed to humble himselfe to worke a peace can it be thought that he was not priuie to these Letters of the Archpriest whose counsell the Arch-priest in his instructions is willed to vse in matters of weight or can M. Blackwell forget that such an assertion of F. Robert Iones the Iesuite being maintained by him made a breach of the generall attonement which was made at the comming of the Breue and must he needs euen while he exhorteth to peace declare now that such is his opinion as void of all learning as it hath bene is farre from all charitie and publish his want of both in the same moment Is schisme so small a sinne as it is not worthie to make a matter of contention whether there were schisme or no or were schisme so small a matter as here it is made is it charitie for M. Blackwell to publish his opinion in this sort knowing that the speech of such an opinion hath diuided men and their wiues father and children brothers and sisters and the dearest friendes and hath bene the cause of the diuision among Priestes and infinite sinnes if detraction haue not lost the nature of a sinne in all sorts of people to the perpetuall infamy as much as lyeth in them of Catholike Priestes who perchance haue deserued much better of Gods Church then they who haue maintained so long the opiniō of schisme against them Can M. Blackwell expect any other thing of the Priests against whom hee still declareth his opinion concerning this supposed schisme then to write speake and exact satisfaction hauing receiued so many iniuries by the like and daily expect more But now hee salueth all in saying It was but an Arbitrarie matter discussed among the learned which bringeth no losse of credit to ether part I gaue them all expresse libertie to thinke what they would herein for it is but a matter of opinion and therefore not worthy to make a matter of contention which part soeuer was true Is it possible that M. Blackwell can say that he gaue all expresse libertie to thinke what they would as in an indifferent matter Aprill 1599. who in some of his Letters calleth it a soare for the which F. Listers Treatise of schisme was such a remedie 14. March 1600. as it must not be called in vntill this sore were healed In other Letters that our condemned deserts drew these names vpon vs Factious Schismatikes excommunicated persons Irregular as Ethnikes and Publicanes and nothing better then Southsayers and Idollaters Why did he publish that he had receiued a resolution from the mother Cittie that the refusers of the appointed authoritie were schismatikes and that hee would not giue absolution to any who should make no conscience thereof and gaue direction that they should make account thereof and before they receiued the benefit of absolution make satisfaction the manner whereof hee left to the discretion of a ghostly Fa. not touched with the note of schisme Is this to giue expresse libertie to all to thinke what they would herein 21. Feb. 1600. Did he not also sufficiently expresse his minde in other his Letters where he declared his determination that hereafter whosoeuer had faculties of him should first be content to recall his peeuish opinion did he not practise such authoritie vpon M. Benson when he would not giue him any faculties vnlesse hee would renounce the schismaticall conuenticle he declared also that M. Tho. Moore had written in preiudice of the Faith whē he writ in our behalfe concerning this matter of Schisme wherevpon neither his ordinary ghostly father would administer the Sacraments vnto him nor his ghostly children receiue any of him or be present when hee celebrated 29. May. 1600. Are not all Ecclesiasticall persons commaunded vnder paine of suspension and losse of faculties presently to be incurred and the Laitie vnder paine of being in the same sort interdicted that neither directly nor indirectly by word or writing they maintaine the censure of Paris although it were giuen vpon true informatiō because it cleared vs from schisme and sinne and can it now be iustified that hee gaue expresse libertie to all to thinke what they would as of a matter which was not worthie to make a matter of contention which part soeuer was true How often heretofore hath he commended that discourse of F. Lister the Iesuite and euen now calleth it a learned discourse censure as if the dearth of learned discourses continued still and for what is it so highly commended for that it prooueth a matter which were it true were it otherwise was not worthy to make any contention and proueth it very simply God wot in that only hee heapeth infamous names out of his charitie vpon those against whom it is intended Yet leaast that the discourse should be called learned without cause a principall reason is here touched that the authoritie was confirmed with three Letters of a Cardinall and not only a Cardinall but a Protector and not only a Protector of a Colledge but a Protector of England Let vs graunt that we saw three Letters of such a Cardinall although in verie deed there were but two shewed vnto vs vnlesse the altering of the first be accounted for one the one of those two was to this ende that the Arch-priest should informe of the manners behauiours of the troublesome so it
Archpriest as the Iesuits But the Archpriest not ioyning in this treatie which was begunne by the other the Priests could not thinke that it was sincerely meant in which they are now confirmed because so soone as Fa. Garnet vnderstood by M. R. B. the 27. of Iuly that the coÌ„ditions made at the first attonement were not as yet performed by the Archpriest The recalling of M. D. Bishop M. Charnock home from banishment and confinement he noted for a partie in this controuersie and that somewhat was expected to the same effect from the Archpriest whom this matter most concerned he mistooke it for a refusall to haue a parley of peace and so signified it to a friend of his vpon the last of Iuly beside that in these Letters last written by the Archpriest to his assistants in answere of our bookes doublesse not without the priuitie of Fa. Garnet whose counsell he is to haue in matters of moment he declareth his opinion which still he retaineth that we were schismatikes in the which renewing of so grieuous an infamie if we stir it is not without cause for we lie still open thereby to those iniuries and reproachfull speeches which were vsed by Fa. Lister in his libel are now so in the fashion abroad that the fayrest Catholike housen haue now the filthiest aire and all base scoldes who haue the most impudent clackes must giue place to their betters But as the Apostle saith Diligentibus deum omnia cooperantur in bonum All things turne to their good who loue God which I hope we do in seeking his glorie as F. Garnet knoweth we do and witnesseth as much in his Letters dated vpon Midsommer day last past and his glorie is our content and in him we hope to haue peace which also we wish to those who in their owne consciences haue giuen vs the greatest cause of offence and pray for them as we desire the praier of all good Catholickes for vs. After that this answere to M. Blackwell his Letter was printed an other copie of the same letter came to our sight which hath caused vs to amend the first copie by way of Errata although it contain nothing of moment more then the first except that in the 6. Page in the end of the first clause in answere to the first point these words are wanting It toucheth the greater part and better part of that coÌ„pany there To which if we would imitate others in their insolent comparisons we might say and perchance with more truth that the lesser part was the better and answer to that of the greater part Stultorum infinitus est numerus The world is full of Fooles But remembring that saying of the Apostle Rom. 14. What are you who iudge an others seruant We can conclude no otherwise then the same Apostle concluded 2. Cor. 10. He is approued whom God commendeth In the same 6. Page lin 23. where greatest must be put in place of most grieuously a word not likely to be so much mistake the sence might giue that the Pope is contemned by the complaint of the vsage of the Schollers if F. Parsons as at other times in his Letters to F. Holt dated 15. May 1597. did not confesse that he found errors in the Iesuites their carriage toward the Schollers and such as if many of those things had happened in their quietest Colledge in Spaine or Flaunders they would haue put the peace out of ioynt Also page 8. in the margent Zecchius de rep eccle is left out who in his Treatise de statu Ill. D. Card. Num 9. handling the office of a Protector saith not one word concerning his Letters Errata Page 6 lin 4. their the other l. 12 being long l. 15 It concerneth It nothing concerneth our l. 19. mislike instituted l. 23. most grieuously greatest pa. 7 l. 2. accept execute l. 3. dâ—sâ—ered learned l. 27. not not as a matter pag. 8. l. 4. the best the opinion of the best ibib credited credited dutifully l. 16. Agents Priests l. 22. any any one l. 30. cause cause otherwise marg Strozzeus Sbrozeus Zecchius de rep eccles pag. 9 li. 9 an and. l. 19. now more l. 21. The. Other l. 26. slanderous scandalous l. 30. you you all pag. 10 lin 3. and. our lin 7. this our this 11. 23. 73. pag. 33. lin 30. Strozz read Sbroz