A GRAVE ADVISE FOR THE SVPPRESSING OF SEMINARY PRIESTS JESUITS AND OTHER Popish Instruments without effusion of bloud or infliction of capitall punishment Presented to His Majesty by many persons of Quality LONDON Printed in the yeare of our Lord July 19. 1644. CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE REPRESSING of Priests Jesuites and Recusants without drawing of Blood I Am not ignorant that this later Age hath brought forth a swarm of busie heads which measure the great mysteries of State by the Rule of their self-conceited wisdome But if they would cōsider that the Common-wealth governed by grave Counsellors is like unto a Ship directed by a skilfull Pylot to whom the necessities of occasions and grounds of Reason why hee steereth the Helme to this or that point of the Compasse are better knowne then to those that stand aloofe off they would perhaps be more sparing if not more wary in their Resolutions For my owne particular J must confesse that J am naturally too much inclined to his opinion who once said Qui bene latuit bene vixit and freshly recalling to mind the saying of Functius to his Friend at the houre of his untimely Death Disce meo exemplo mandato munere fungi Et fuge ceu Pestem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 J could easily forbeare to make my hand-writing the Record of any opinion which neverthelesse I protest to maintaine rather deliberatively then by the way of a conclusive assertion Therefore without wasting precious time any longer with needlesse Prologue I will briefly set downe the question in the termes following Whether it be more expedient to suppresse Popish practises against the due Allegiance to his Majestie by the strict execution of the Lawes Touching Jesuites and Seminary Priests or to restraine them to close Prison during life if no reformation following The doubt propounded consisting of Two Branches necessarily requireth to be distinctly handled that by comparing either part the conveniency mentioned in the Question may be cleered with more facilitie 1. In favour of the first Division there are not a few who grounding themselves on an ancient Proverbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A dead man bites not Affirme that such are dangerous to be preserved alive who being guilty condemned and full of feare are likely for purchase of life and liberty to ingage their utmost in desperate adventures against their King and Countrey 2. No lesse is it to be feared that while the Sword of Justice is remisse in cutting off hainous offenders against the dignity of the Crowne the misled Papall multitude in the interim may enter into a jealous suspence whether that forbearance proceed from the feare of exasperating their desperate humours or that it is now become questionable whether the execution of their Priests be simply for matter of State or pretended quarrell for Religion 3. And whereas in a remedilesse inconvenience it is lawfull to use the extremity of Lawes against some few that many by terrour of the Example may be reformed what hope can there be that clemency may tame their hearts who interpret his Majesties grace in Transporting their Priests out of this Realme to be a meere shift to rid the Prisons of those whom Conscience could not condemne of any capitall crime 4. Neither are their vaunting whisperings to be neglected by which they seeke to confirme the fearefull Soules of their party and to inveigle the ignorant doubtfull or discontented persons for if the glorious extolling of their powerfull Friends and the expecting of a golden day be suffered to winne credit with the meaner sort the relapse cannot be small or the meanes easie to reforme the Errour without a generall combustion of the State 5. Let experience speake somewhat in this behalfe which hath evidently discryed within the current of few yeares That the forbearance of Severity hath multiplied their Roll in such manner that it remaines as a Corrasive to thousands of his Majesties well affected Subjects 6. To what purpose serves it to muster the names of the Protestants or to vaunt them to be ten for one of the Roman faction as if bare figures of numeration could prevaile against an united party resolved and advised aforehand how to turne their faces with assurance unto all dangers while in the meane time the Prorestants nestling in vaine security suffer the weed to grow up that threateneth their bane and mercilesse ruine 7. Sometimes the Oath of Supremacie choked their presumptuous imaginations and yet could not that infernall smoake be wholly smothered nor the Locusts issuing there out be cleansed from the face of this Land Now that the Temporall power of the King contained in the Oath of Allegeance is by the Papall Sea and many of the Adorers thereof impudently avowed to be unlawfull shall the broachers of such Doctrine be suffered to live yea to live and be received of us for whose destruction they groane daily 8. To be a right Popish Priest in true English sense is to beare the Character of a disloyall Renegade of his naturall obedience to his Soveraigne Whom if by connivence he shall let slip or chastice with a light hand what immunity may not Trayterous delinquents in lesser degrees expect or challenge after a sort in Equity and Justice 9 Jf there were no receivers there would be no Theeves Likewise if there were no Harbourers of the Iesuites it is to be presumed that they would not trouble this Isle with their presence Therefore Rigor must be extended against the Receiver that the Jesuite may be kept out of doores were it then indifferent Justice to hang vp the Accessary and let the Principall goe free namely to suffer the Priest to draw his breath at length while the entertainer of him vnder his Roofe submits his body to the Executioners hand Without doubt if it be fit to forbeare the chiefe it will be necessary to receive the second offender into protection Wherewith a mischiefe must ensue of continuall expence and scandalous restraint of so great a number 10. Reputation is one of the Principall Arteryes of the Common-wealth which Maxime is so well knowne to the Secretaries of the Papacie That by private Forgeries and publicke impressions of Calumniations they endeavour to wound us in that vitall part Howsoever therefore some few of that stampe being better tempered then their fellowes in defence of this present government have not spared to affirme That tyranny is vnjustly ascribed therevnto for so much as freedome of Conscience after a sort may be redeemed for money Notwithstanding there want not many Pamphleters of their side who opprobriously cast in our teethes the converting of the Penalty inflicted on Recusants and refusers of the oath of alleageance from the Kings Exchequer to a particular purse surely we cannot presume that these Libellers may be disswaded from spitting out their venome maliciously against vs when they shall see their Priests mewed vp without further processe of Law For either they will attribute this calme dealing to the Justice of their
they may be waited for at the Ports and from thence soone conveied to a safe Lodging But whence shall the streame follow that must feed this bounty It is a doubt easily satisfied If some thousands of pounds out of the Recusants penalties be reserved in stock and committed by his Majesty into the disposition of zealous distributers who will not be afraid to conclude Perdat fiscus ut capiat Christus neither need we seeke any further succour to repaire decayed Castles and therein to defray the charge of the Priests with a sure guard to keepe them then the foresaid forfeitures that by the Justice of the LAVV may bee collected which course if ever it come happily to bee entertained and that Recusancy cause to be an ignominous prey to the subjects the proceedings for Religion shall be lesse blamed and perhaps altogether unjustly accused by any gracelesse Gretzerus or Cacodaemon Joh annes tincting their pennes in Gall and vineger For besides occasion of calumniation given by suites of that nature it is evident that many Recusants that would be indicted for the King and the effecting of the project aforesaid shall escape without punishment and be borne out against the power of a private person begging them to no other purpose then hath heretofore bin used and albeit the penalty be rated at xx◠a moneth yet was it never the Law-makers intent that such as was not able to pay so great a summe should goe scot-free But that according to the proportion of their abilitie they should doe the penance of their purses for their disobedience whereas now if the voice of the People which is said to be the voice of God is to be credited the poorer sort is skipt over as if they ought no soules to God nor duty to their Soveraigne a poore man saith one is to be pittied if he offend thorow necessity but he doe amisse voluntarily he is more severely to be chastifed forasmuch as wanting friends and meanes to beare him out it sheweth that his fault proceedeth from presumption 10. Let us now presuppose that all the whole Regiment of Iesuites and Seminaries were lodged in safe custody may we then perswade our selves that Popery will vanish like a dumb shew I am cleerly resolved that though it receive a great Eclipse notwithstanding without other helpes the Kingdome of Antichrist will onely lye hidden as a weed that seemes withered in Winter and is ready to sprout out with the Spring Temporall Armes are Remedies serving for a time but the Spirituall sword is permanent in operation and by an invisible blow workes more then Mortall man can imagine The Word of God carryeth this two edged Weapon in its mouth which is to be vsed by faithfull Ministers of the Church whom pure zeale without respect to wordly promotion or persons ought to encourage Of Judges the Scripture saith Estote fortes and daily we see that sitting in their judiciall seares God inspireth them with greater courage then whē as private Persons they are to give their opinions No lesse is the power of the holy Ghost in his servants that out of the Pulpit are to deliver his Embassage Let them therefore not be dismai'd to speak out plainly and tell the truth without running a middle course betweene heate cold Unprofitable descanting upon the Scripture with an old Postell or for want of better matter waste the poore time shut up in an houre Glasse with skirmishing against the worthy Pillars of our owne profession Rumour which is ever ready to take hold of evill hath raised a secret though as I hope a causelesse suspition that there should be some secret combination under hand by changing the state of Questions to put us in our old dayes to learne a new Catechisme and when they haue brought us out of conceit with the Reverend Interpreters of the Word to use us then as the Wolves mentioned in Demosthenes Apologie handled the Shepheards when they had delivered up their Dogs Most sacred was that Speech of our most gracious King concerning Vorstius he that will speake of Canaan let him speake the Language of Canaan How can we draw others to our Church if we cannot agree where or how to lay our Foundation Or how may we cleanse the Leprous Disease of dissension which the Papists which are least assured to themselves and most doubtfull of their salvation are not ashamed to ascribe unto many of us I would not have Ministers indiscreet like Dogs to bark against all whether they know or know them not I like better the opinion of Aristotle who adviseth those that stand in guard of a place to be curst onely to such as are about to endammage the City If Pursevants and other civill Officers would learne to keepe this rule they might goe about their businesse with much credit The imagined feare of inviting the Romish faction by force to deliver their ghostly Fathers out of prison move me not a whit For I cannot believe that they esteeme them at so deare a price that they would runne the hazard by freeing others out of hold to put themselves into their places some will say that a man of straw is a head good enough for a discontented Multitude That the Papists are very Cholericke it appeares sufficiently by their writings yet it hath pleased God to send those curst Cowes short hornes that when they could not finde a man of sufficiency to serve their turne they were faine to doe homage to Garnets straw forgetfull as they are that such stubble cannot endure the tryall of fire but unto us that ought to be doers as well as Professors of the Gospell let this remaine as a memorable Theoreme Religion is the Mother of good Order good Order is the cause of prosperous Fortune and happy successe in all Counsels and enterprises wherefore in what estate soever their wanteth good Order it is an evident Argument that Religion goes backward 11. I have ever held it for a kind of injustice to omit the executiō of mean laws made to prevent the effects of idlenesse then to apply main extremity of the sword whē the proling habit gotten by the vice comes to light No lesse is the course uncharitable with pardon for this presumption be it spoken when vee spare them that have no Religion at all and censure those that can give account of somewhat tending to that purpose He that is in misery must be borne withall if he speak miserably and when the child from his Mothers Brest hath suckt nothing but Popery a man had need to be angry with discretion if he heare him speake in the voyce of a Papist God calleth some by miracle but the ordinary meanes is his Word if that means in many places of this Land be wanting of what Religion is it likeliest the people will be I suppose that few men will gainsay my assertion that outward sense will direct them to Popery which is fuller of Pageants then of spirituall doctrine
cause the strength of their party or patience or that tract of time hath discovered our Lawes importing overmuch sharpenesse in good policy to be thought fitter for abrogation by non vsance then repealed by a publicke decree 11. Moreover it is fore-thought by some that if these Seminaries be onely restrayned that they may prove hereafter like a snake kept in the Bosome such as Bonner Gardiner and others of the same Livery shewed themselves to be after Liberty obtained in Queene Maries dayes And if the losse of their Ghostly Fathers agrieve them it is probable that they will take Armes sooner and with more courage to free the Living then to set vp a Trophie to the dead 12. Howsoever the Iesuites Band is knowne in their Native soyle to be defective in many respects which makes them vnderlings to the Protestants as in authority armes and the Protection of the Lawes which is all in all Neverthelesse they insinuate themselues to forraigne Princes favouring their party with promises of strange assistance at home if they may be well backed from abroad To which purpose they have divided the Inhabitants of this Realme into foure Sects Whereof Ranking their Troupes in the first place as due to the pretended Catholiques they assumed a full fourth part to their property and of that part againe they made a Subdivision into two portions namely of those that openly renounced the established Church of England and others whose certaine number could not be assigned Because they frequented our service our Sacramēts reserving their hearts to their Lord God the Pope The second party they allot to the Protestants who retaine yet as they say some Reliques of their Church The third Ranke and largest was left vnto the Puritans whom they hate deadly in respect that they will hold no indifferent quarter with Papistry The fourth and last maniple They assigne to the Politicians Huomini say they Senza Dio Senz anima Men without feare of God or regard of their Soules Who busying themselves onely with matters of State retaine no sense of Religion without doubt if the Authors of this partition have cast their account aright we must confesse the latter Broode is to be ascribed properly vnto them For if the vndermining of the Parliament House the scandalizing of the King in Print who is Gods annoynted And the refusall of naturall obedience be workes of those that neither stand in awe of God or Conscience well may the Papists boast that they are assured of the first number and may presume likewise of the lasts friendship when occasion shall be offered For the preventing of which combination it is a sure way to cut off the Heads that should tye the knot or at least to brand them with a marke in the forehead before they be dismissed or after the opinion of others to make them vnwelcome to the faeminine Sexe which now with great fervency imbraceth them These are for the most part Arguments vented in ordinary discourse by many who suppose a Priests breath to be contagious in our English Ayre others there are who maintaine the second part of the question with reasons not vnworthy of observance Death is the end of Temporall woes But it may in no wise be accounted the grave of memory Therefore howsoever it is in the power of Justice to suppresse the person of a man the opinion for which he suffered conceived truly or vntruely in the hearts of a multitude is not subject to the edge of any sword how sharpe or keene soever I confesse that the Teeth are soone blunted that byte only out of the malice of a singular faction But where poyson is diffused through the veynes of a Common-wealth with intermixture of Blood good and bad separation is to be made rather by vacuation then by present incision The greatest byter of a State is Envie ioyned with thirst of Revenge which seldome declares it selfe in plaine Colours vntill a Jealousie conceived of personall dangers breaketh out into desperate resolutions Here comes it to passe that when one mal-contented member is grieved the rest of the body is sensible thereof neither can a Priest or Iesuite be cut off without a generall murmure of their Secretaries which being confident in their number secretly arme for opposition or confirmed with their Martyrs blood as they are perswaded resolve by patience and sufferance to glorifie their cause and to merit heaven Doe we not daily see that it is easier to confront a private Enemy then a society or Corporation And that the hatred of a State is more immortall then the spleene of a Monarchy Therefore except it be demonstrated that the whole Roman City which consists not of one broode but of a succession of Persons may be cut off at the first stroake as one entrei head I see no cause to thinke our state secured by sitting on the skirts of some few Seminaries leaving in the meane time a multitude of snarlers abroad who already shew their Teeth and onely waite opportunity to bite fiercely I will not deny that whom we feare we commonly hate provided alwaies that no merit hath interceeded a reconciliation For there is great difference between hatred conceived against him that will take away the life and him that may justly doe it and yet in Clemency forbeares to put it in effect For the latter breedeth reverent awe whereas the former subjecteth to servile feare alwaies accompanied with desire of innovations And although it hath bin affirmed of the Church of Rome Quod Pontificium genus semper crudele Neverthelesse out of Charity let us hope that all Devils are not so black as they are paynted Some or perhaps many of them there are whom Conscience or in default thereof pure shame of the world will constrain to confesse that his Majestie most graciously distinguisheth the Theory of Popery from the Active part thereof as being naturally inclined Parvis peccatis veniam magnis severitatem commodare nec poena semper sed Saepius poenitentia Contentus esse 2. Mistaking of punishments legally inflicted commonly proceeds from fond pitty or the interest which we have in the same cause both which beget blind partiality Admit then that the Papall side affecting merit by compassion may be meerely touched with the restraint of their Seminaries that cannot be denyed I hope except they had the hearts of Tygers that in humanity they will preferre their ease of durance before the Rigor of death And albeit that PARSONS BELLARMINE and the POPE himselfe constraine their spirituall Children to thrust their fingers into the fire by refusing the oath of alleageance Notwithstanding we have many Testimonies in Judiciall Courts and printed Bookes that the greater part of them are of that Theban Hunters mind who would rather have seen his Dogs cruell Acts then have felt them to his owne cost Garnet himselfe also in one of his secret Letters lamented that after his death hee should not be enroled amongst the Martyrs Because that no
matter of Religion was objected against him yet it plainely appeares in his demeanure That hee would gladly have survived the possibility of that glory if any such hope had remained neither is it to be presumed that being in prison he would ever have conceived that we durst not touch his Reverence or that the Law was remisse which had justly condemned him and left his life to the Kings mercy it was the distance of the place and not persons that interpreted the sending over Seas of the Priests to be a greater Argument of their innocency then of his Majesties forbearance For had Father Parsons himselfe bin Coram nobis his song would rather have been of mercy then Justice It is truely said that we are all instructed Better by examples then precepts Therefore if the Lawes printed indictments recorded cannot controle the Calumniations of those that wilfully will mistake Treason for Religion By the execution of 2. or 3. of that Backbiting number I doubt not but the question may readily be decided Namque immedicabile vulaus ense recidendum est ne pars sincera trahatur To dally with Pragmaticall Papists especially with those that by their example counsell pervert his Majesties Subjects I hold it a poynt of meere Injustice For what comfort may the good expect when the bad are by connivence freed to speake and imboldened to put their disloyall thoughts in execution For explaining therefore of my meaning it is necessary to have a regard vnto the nature of the Kings Liege people that are to be reformed by example of Iustice other forrayners who will we nill we must be censurers of our actions It hath been truly observed that the Nations of Europe which are most remote from Rome are more superstitiously enclined to the dregs of that place then the neare neighbours of Italy whether that humor proceed from the cōplexion of the Northern bodies which is naturally more retentive of old Customes then hotter Regions or that the vices of the City seated on 7. Hils are by crafty Ministers of that Sea concealed from the vulgar sort I list not now discusse but most certaine it is that the people of this Isle exceed the Romans in zeale of their profession Insomuch that in Rome it selfe I have heard the English Fugitives taxes by the name of Pichiapetti Inglesi Now as our Countrymen take surer holdfast of Papall Traditions then others so are they naturally better fortified with a courage to endure death for the maintenance of that cause For this Clymate is of that temperature out of which Vegetius holdeth it fittest to choose a valiant souldier where the heart finding it self provided of plenty of blood to sustain sodain defects is not so soone apprehensive of death or dangers as where the store-house of blood being small every hazard maketh pale Cheeks and trembling hands Angli say ancient writers bello intrepidi nec mortis sensu deterrentur And thereunto Botero the Italian beareth witnesse in his relations of many strangers therefore comming out of forraine parts among the Rarities of England desired to see whether report hath not bin too lavish in affirming that our condemned persons yeeld their bodies to death with cheerfulnesse And were it not that by daily experience we can call our selves to witnesse of this truth J could produce the Reverend Judge Fortescue who in commendation of our English Lawes made suteable as he well observeth to the inbred conditions of the Inhabitants of this Soyle avoweth that the English people in tryall for criminall causes are not compelled by Tortures to confesse as in other Nations it is vsed for as much as the quality of the English is known to be lesse fearefull of death then of Torments for which cause if the Torments of the Civill Law were offered to an innocent person in England he would rather yeeld himselfe guilty and suffer death then endure the horror of lingring paines Insulani plerumque fures saith one and so true it is that this Country is stained with that imputation notwithstanding that many are put to death to the end that others by their fall might learne in time to beware if then it doth appeare that terror prevailes not to keep men from offences which are condemned by Law and Conscience what assurance can there be to scare those who are constantly satisfied in their minds that their sufferings are either expresly or by implication for matter of Religion and health of their Soules In such a case to threaten death to Englishmen Quibus nihil interest humive sublimive putrescant is a matter of small consequence Purpuratis Gallis Italis aut Hispanis ista minitari to a setled resolution of death menaces to prolong a wearisome life prevaile much more in such cases Rightly did Clement the 8th consider that by burning two Englishmen in Rome for supposed Heresie he rather impaired his cause then bettered it Jnsomuch that many present at the resolute death of Mr. Marsh who was brought to dust in Campo di Santa Fiore spared not to proclaime him for a Martyr carried away of his ashes for a Relique wished their soules in the same place with his which newes brought to the Popes eare caused him as it was bruted about in Rome solemnly protest That none of the English Nation should publiquely from that time forward be consumed with fire On the other side if we read the volumes written in praise of their Priests constancy their Martyrologie or Kalender of Martyrs and Path way of salvation as it were chalked out vnto the Papists by sacrificing their lives for the Pope we shall find that by taking away of one we have confirmed and invited many whereof I could give particular instances if I thought any scruple were made in that point As for forraigne parts which hold with the Papall Supremacy it is cleere that they will be severe and partiall Judges in this cause For albeit that here in England it is well known to all true and loyall Subjects that for matter of Roman Doctrine no mans life is directly called into question But that their disobedience in reason of State is the only motive of their prosecution Neverthelesse where a great Canton of Christendome is rooted in a contrary opinion things in this world are for the most part esteemed by outward appearance this Land cannot escape malicious scandals neither shal there be want of Colledges to supply their faction with Seminaries Therefore again and again I say that if the state of the question were so set that it were possible by a generall execution of the Priests and their Adherents to end the controversie J could in some sortwith better will subscribe thereunto But seeing J find little hope in that course J hold it safer to be ambitious of the victory which is purchased with lesse losse of blood and to proceed as Tully teacheth his Orator who when he cannot wholly overthrow his Adversary yet ought he to doe it in some
And what is the cause that after so many yeares of preaching of the Gospell that the common people still retaine a sent of the Roman perfume The cause is for that the formall obedience of comming to Church hath bin more expected then the instruction of private families publique Catechising is of great vse but the first elements thereof are to be learnt at home and these which we learn from our Parents stick most surely in our minds What was the cause why the Spartans continued their governmeÌ„t so many Revolutions of times without mutations Histories record that learning their Countrie Customes from their infancy they would not be induced to alter them And in this our native soyle we perceive that the common Lawes which relye on antient Customes are better observed then late Statutes of what worth soever they be so doth it fare with the poore People which being once seasoned with the old Dregs of Papisme will hardly be drawne from it till the Learning of the true Faith be growne to a Custome I will prescribe no order or affaires to effect this But I suppose that the antient laudable course by the Bishops confirmation will not be sufficient to fulfill so great a taske the Ministers must and ought to be the principall and immediate haÌ„ds to give assistance to so gratious a worke and in case any be defective in their duty the Reverend Bishops may take notice thereof in their Visitations Perhaps it will be thought a hard taske to constraine old People to learne the A.B.C. of their Christian Beliefe But how hard soever it be I hold it no incivility to prepare people of all Ages for the Kingdome of heaven By the order contained in the Booke of Common prayer on Sundayes and Holidayes halfe an houre before the Evensong the Curate of every Parish ought to examine Children sent vnto him in some points of the Catechisme and all Fathers Mothers Masters and Dames should cause their Children Apprentises and servants to resort unto Church â—t the time appointed There obediently to heare and be ordered by the Cutate untill such time as they have learnt all that in the said Book is commanded And when the Bishop shall appoint the Children to be brought before him for their confirmation the Curate of every Parish shall send or bring in writing the names of those Children of his Parish which can answer to the Questions of the Catechisme and there ought none to be admitted to the Holy Communion untill such time as he can say his Catechisme and be confirmed many times I have stood amazed to behold the magnificence of our Ancestors Buildings which their Successors at this day are not able to keepe up But when J cast mine eyes upon this excellent Foundation laid by the grave Fathers of the Church and perceive their children neglect to build therupon with exceeding marvaile I rest almost besides my selfe For never was their better Ground-plot laid which hath bin seconded with lesse successe It was not the hanging vp of the Bull of Pius Quintus on the Bishop of Londons doores or the forbearing to hang vp Priests that hath wrought this Apostasie but the idlenesse and insufficiency of many Teachers conspiring with the Peoples cold zeale that hath bin the contriver of this unhappy Web. Untill the xith yeare of Queen Elizabeth's Raigne a Recusants name was scarcely knowne The reason was because that the zeale begotten in the time of the Marian persecution were yet fresh in memory And the late Persecutors wat so amazed with the suddaine alteration of Religion that they could not choose but say Digitus Dei est hic In those dayes there was an emulation between the Clergy and the Laity and a strife arose whether of them should shew themselves most affectionate to the Gospell Ministers hanted the houses of worthiest men where Iesuits now build their Tabernacles and poore Country Churches were frequented with the best in the Shire The Word of GOD was pretious Prayer and Preaching went hand in hand together untill Archbishop Grindals disgrace and Hatfields hard conceit of prophecying brought the flowing of these good graces to a still water The name of a Papist smelt ranck even in their owne Nostrills and for pure shame to be accounted such they resorted duly both to our Churches and exercises But when they saw their great Coriphaeus Sanders had slily pinned the name of Puritans upon the sleeves of Protestants that encountred them with most courage perceived that the word was pleasing to some of our own side they took hart agrace to set litle by the service of God duty to their Soveraign therwith start up froÌ„ among us some that might have bin recommended for their zeale if it had bin tempered with discretion who fore-running the authority of the Magistrate took upon them in sundry places and publikely to censure whatsoever agreed not with their private conceits with which crosse humours vented in Pulpits and Pamphlets most men grieve to be frozen in zeale and in such sort benummed that whosoever as the worthy Lord Keeper Bacon observed in those dayes pretended a little sparke of earnestnesse he seemed no lesse then red fire hot in comparison of the other And as some things fare the worse for an ill Neighbours sake dwelling beside them so did it betide the Protestant who seeking to curbe the Papist or reprove an idle Droane was incontinently branded with the ignominous note of a Precisian All which wind brought plenty of water to the Popes Mill and there will most men grind where they see apparence to bee well served 12. If without great inconvenience the children of Papists could be brought up out of their company it were a happy turne But I find it to be full of difficulty There is provision made to avoid Popish Schoolemasters but there is no ward against Popish Schoolemistresses that infect the silly Infants while they carry them in their Armes which moveth me to suppose that the former proposition to examine how Children and servants are brought up and truly to certifie the list of the Communicants and Recusants will be the readiest meanes to let his Majesty know the yearly increase or decrease of the church in every Diocesse And whosoever shall send his children or any of his Majesties subjects to be placed in Monasteries or Seminary Colledges or Popishly to be brought up in forraine parts I thinke that for punishment both the one the other worthily might be disfranchised of the priviledges due to natural English-men so far-forth as any good by the Lawes may descend to them But not to be exempted from the penalties thereof or the Regall jurisdiction of the Crowne J know well that contradiction is odious and makes a man seeme ambitious to be thought more understanding then others In which case the Spanyard useth onely to terme him presumptuous whom he would call Foole if civility would beare it But in my defence J hope it shall suffice againe to