endeavours to remove all mis-understandings between the King and his people and to do all good offices between them * * See the Commons Iornall Feb. 3. 1640. Diuinall Occurrences of both Houses p. 31 32. A Message sent from the Queenes Majesty to the House of Commons by Master Comptroller Feb. 3. 1640. THat her Majesty hath been ready to use her best endeavours for the removing of all mis-understanding between the King and Kingdome That at the request of the Lords who Petitioned the King for a Parliament her Majesty at that time writ effectually to the King and sent a Gentleman expresly to perswade the King to the holding of a Parliament That She hath since bin most willing to do all good offices between the King and his people which is not unknowne to divers of the Lords and so * * Quere how well this Clause hath ever since bin performed shall ever continue to do as judging it the onely way of happinesse to the King her Selfe and Kingdome That all things be justly setled between the King and his people and all cause of mis-understanding taken away and removed That her Majesty having taken knowledge Note that having one sent to her from the Pope is distastefull to the Kingdom She is desirous to give satisfaction to the Parliament within convenient time she will remove him out of the Kingdome That understanding likewise that exception hath bin Note taken at the great resort to her Chappell at Denmarke House she will be carefull not to exceed that which is convenient and necessary forthe exercise of her Religion She further taketh notice That the Parliament is not satisfied with the manner of raising money for the assistance of the King in his journey to the North in the yeare 1639. at her entreaty from the Catholikes She was moved thereunto meerly out of her deare and tender affection to the King and the example of other His Majesties Subjects she seeing the like forwardnesse could not but expresse her forwardnes to the assistance of the King If any thing be illegall she was ignorant of the Law and was carried therein onely out of a great desire to be assisting to the King in so pressing an occasion but promiseth to be more cautious her after * * Her raising men monyes horse Armes Ammunâ—tion in forraine Parts to maintain a bloudy civill War in Ireland and England is a very reall performance of this promise not to do any thing but what may stand with the established Lawes of the Kingdome Her Majesty being desirous to employ her owne power to unite the King and people desireth the Parliament to looke forwards and passe by such mistakes and errours of her Servants as may be formerly and this your respect she promiseth shall be repayed with all the good offices she can do to the House which * They have done sowith a witnesse ever since you shall find with reall effects aâ— often as there shall be occasion How sincerely and cordially her Majesty hath performed all these her Princely promises to the Parliament Kingdome King and his people her Actions both at home and in Forraigne parts with our bloudy Warres and Massacâ—es since both in Ireland England and Scotland proclaime to all the World God deliver us all from such Court-holy-water such Popish Dissimulation which may seeme commendable in Romish Catholikes who hold * See Master Hen Mason of Equivocation Surins Concil Tom. 3. p. 860. Equivocation lawfull and that no faith is to be kept with Heretickes as they esteeme all Protestants But to returne to our Papists activity in the Scottish Watres to which this Message relates it is very well known that many if not most of the Captains Officers imployed in the last expedition were either professed Papists or persons Popishly affected how the Earle of Arundell the General of the Army against the Scotâ—â— together with his Lady family stand affected in Religion and what active 〈◊〉 they were to promote this Warre you may read at large in †Page 17 22 23 24-32 Romes Master-peece Their Contributions towards this Warre were so large and their assistance so chearefull that some of our Episcopall Preachers and * Mr. Whites First Cenâ—â—â—y of Randalous Malig. Priests p. 25. 29. Mr. Squire of Shoreditch London by name preached openly in his Pulpit That the Papists were the Kings best Subjects and better then Protestants for three reasons First their Loyalty Secondly THEIR LIBERALITY having like Arauna contributed like Kings to the King in his necessity Thirdly For their Patience adding that they were the good Samaritan who poured Oyle into the wounds of that man the King that was fallen among Theeves who wounded him Especially the Irish Papists And Audomarus Ioannes Abbot of Wurtzburge in Germany in a letter of his to Secretary Windebancke Dated 13. August 1639. endorsed with Windebanks owne hand writes that his Majesty had a sufficient tryall of the fidelity of his Catholike Subjects in this accident I shall insert the whole letter because it discovers Windebanks intimacy with this Abbot and other Papists whose letters inclosed under his own packet to prevent intercepting he usually dispersed to their Agents here Right Honourable THree Months agoe and more I wrot signifying to your Honour that after I came from London it being moâ—e then a quarter of a yeare before I could reach the wished place I did aime at to see the desolation of which and generally of all the parts I did passe through I was so disconsolated that all be it I oft thought to discharge my respective salutes to your honour yet present cares and occasions did ever prevent my intention Notwithstanding at last I did take the boldnesse to intreat that your Honour would let me know your commands in discharge of which your Honour God willing shall finde me most solicitous and carefull But least such my former letters hath miscaried as severall to Sir William Howard and other honourable friends has done I resumed the boldnesse to make a Briefe repetition of the same letting your honor know that I have found King Iames letter of happy memory which my Lord Hay then Embassador after his return to London moved his Majesty to write to Prince Godefrid then Bishop of Wurtzburge wherein his Majesty was pleased to give thanks to the Bishop for the favours done NOTEâ— as to himselfe Moreover his Majesty was pleased to take * notice of us his poore Subjects commending us to the Bishops noble charity I finde also Prince Godefrids answer to his Majesty wâ—it by occasion of Abbot Ogilby whom the Bishop did commend to his Majesty intreating that at his request the said Abbot Ogleby might have free passage to see his native Country out of the which he had beene 40. yeares and more The Prince who is now does truely honour his Majesty and respect his Subjects of the which my Lord Arundell about two yeare agoe being here
sayd Father Philips hath placed many unfit persons about her Majesty Sir Iohn Winter to be her Majesties Secretary Seignior Georgeos Conne late Agent of the Pope his Brother was by his means admitted to be servant Extraordinary to the Queen a man altogether unfit for that place a most scandalous person having three wives all now alive Sundry persons by the sayd Father Philips have been admitted to be the Queens servants Extraordinary by some supposed office or other as Master Labourne George Gage brother to Colonell Cage both Oratoriant Priests the one of the French Faction very seditions the other of the Spanish whose brother is now left Resident at Rome for therby his Master Sr. William Hambleton late Agent at Rome Penricke is sworne servant Extraordinary to her Majesty who is a sworne Spaniard and Intelligencer for Rome in respect his Brother is Agent here by Father Philips These and many others who are factious and turbulent spirits have by Father Philips his means received Protection from the Queens Majesty The sayd Philips hath been much ruled by Sir Toby Matthewes Sir Iohn Winter and Master Walter Mountague He was very forward with his Complices for the breaking of the Ice to begin the Treaty here for the Popes honours sake and when Sir Robert Douglasse and Seignior Georgio were nominated whom he thought most fit Cardinall Richlieu was thought fittest to be the man who should direct him to begin the correspondency betwixt the Pope and the Queen and therefore he was sent to France with many Letters and from thence he was dispatched for Rome by the Cardinall where he was received with great respect and after a viatick he was dispatched again for England with some few small gifts Pictures Crosses Agnus Deies and such like Popish stuffe to Father Philips and other of that Function The savd Father Philips was the chiefe Agent in correspondency with and bringing in of Signior Georgio Panzani the Oratorian Priest by whose direction this Priest being at Paris left wearing of Priests clothes and went in the habite of a Gentleman and because he had a shaven Crowne therefore he wore a Perriwigge and Father Philips directed all those that sent to him to write to him as to an Italian Gentleman desirous to see these Kingdomes and by Father Philips his direction he afterwards came hither who did here continue for the space of two years practising great and dangerous Innovations from place to place and then having dispatched his businesse returned to Rome with great Presents from the Catholikes of the greater sort Whereas it hath pleased God to blesse us with a hopefull Prince to the comfort of our King and Kingdome Note Yet the sayd Father Philips hath attempted to traduce his tender yeares to Popery But God hath prevented him of his purpose and let us pray to God to preserve that Royall Race from Popery and the whol Land from all Innovation that our Cracious King may Rule Gloriously and the whole Land live in peace to the honour of God and comfort of us all Amen Father Philips during his Imprisonment in the Tower was visited by many Iesuits Priests Papists who refused to take the oath of Supremacy some whereof were committed and many suspected persons who had taken by Lodgings neere the Tower with an intention to surprize it as was feared were apprehended and restrained * * Ibid. p. 284. 285 286 287 Iuly 13th 1641. The Commons were informed of the Queenes intention to passe beyond the Seas under pretence of going to the Spaw for her health and carrying over the Lady Mary into Holland Whereupon the Houses being jealous of some ill designes to be acted by her against the Realme in Forraigne parts appointed a speciall Committee of both Houses to attend His Majesty and the Queen at White-hall and to present them with reasons against their intended journey which they accordingly presented to the King the 15th of Iuly and the next day to the Queen her Selfe The Reasons were these 1. There is a great cause to doubt least the Papists have some designe upon her Majesties journey Note because the House hath been informed that divers of them have sold off their Lands to a good value and used other means to get ready money 2ly It is observed some of them have been very diligent gathering great quantities of gold 3ly It is informed that more than an ordinary number of Papists are gone beyond Sea already and those of the better sort 2. The great number of English fugitives now beyond the Seas who by their late designes and practises are knowne to be full of malice to the State and will no doubt seeke all opportunities of accesse to her Majestie and as much as they can labour to infuse into her Majesty such evill Councells as may trouble the peace of the Kingdome whereof at this time there is more danger because the affaires of the Kingdome are not yet fully setled and upon disbanding of the Army all parts will abound with Souldiers and such others as will bee apt to be provoked to tumults and seditions and especially in the time of the Kings absence in Scotland 3. That the House of Commons have received information of great quantity of treasure in Iewells Note Plate and ready mony packt up to bee conveyed away with the Queene not only in such a proportion as the present occasions with due respect to her Majesties honour may seeme to require but a farre greater quantity and that diverse Papists and others under pretence of Her Majesties goods are like to convey great summes of monyes and other treasure beyond the Seas which will not onely impoverish the State but may bee imployed to the fomenting of some mischievous attempts to the trouble of the publike peace 4. That as it will be great dishonour to the State if Her Majestie should not bee attended and furnished sutably to her quality so it will be a very heavy burden in this time of great necessity and occasions of other publike charges if she should be provided in so royall a manner as shall be fit for her Majesty and the Honour of the King and Kingdome 5. That because we understand by Sir Theodore Mayern that the chiefe cause of her Majesties siâ—knesse and distempers proceed from some discontent of her mind The House of Commons have thought good to Declare That if any thing within the power of Parliament may give Her Majesty contentment they are so tender of her health both in due respect to His most Excellent Majesty and Her Selfe that they will be ready to further Her satisfaction in all things so far as may stand with that Publike to which they are obliged 6. That the Commons conceive it will be some dishonoâ—r to this Nation if Her Majesty should at this unseasonable time go out of the Kingdome upon any griefe or discontent received here And therefore we shall labour by all good meanes to take away and prevent
the siege of Our Garrisons during the Treaty upon a pretext of want of authority So as for avoyding of further dishonour We have been forced to recall both Our Ambassadours as well the Chancelour of our Exchequer who is already returned to Our presence as also the Lord Chichester whom We intended to have sent unto the Emperour to the Diet at Ratisbone Seeing therefore that meerly out of Our extraordinary respect to the King of Spaine and the firme confidence We ever put in the hopes and promises which he did give Vs desiring nothing more then for his cause principally to avoyd all occasions that might put Vs into ill understanding with any of the house of Austria We have hitherto proceeded with a stedfast patience trusting to the Treaties and neglecting all other Meanes which probably might have secured the remainder of Our Childrens Inheritance those Garrisons which We maintained in the Palatinate being rather for honours sake to keepe a footing untill the generall accommodation then that We did rely so much upon their strength as upon his friendship and by this confidence and security of Ourâ— are thus exposed to dishonour and reproach You shall tell that King that seeing all those endeavours and good Offices which He hath used towards the Emperour in this businesse on the behalfe of Our Sonne-in-law upon confidence whereof that security of Ours depended which he continually by his Letters and Ministers here laboured to beget and confirme in Vs have not sorted to any other issue then to a plaine abuse both of His trust and Ours whereby VVe are both of Vs highly injured in Our Honour though in a different degree VVe hope and desire that out of a true sense of this wrong offered unto Vs he will as Our deere and loving Brother faithfully promise and undertake upon his Honour confirming the same also under his hand and seale either that the Towne and Castle of Heidelberg shall within threescore and ten dayes after your audience and demand made be rendred into Our hands with all things therein belonging to Our Sonne-in-law or Our Daughter as neere as may be in the state they were when they were taken â—nd the like for Manheim and Frankendale if both or either of them shall be taken by the enemy whilest these things are in treating As also that there shall be within the said terme of 70. dayes a Cessation and Suspension of Armes in the Palatinate for the future upon the severall Articles and Conditions last propounded by Our Ambassadour Sir Richard Weston and that the generall Treaty shall be set on foot againe upon such honourable termes and conditions as We propounded unto the Emperour in a Letter written unto him in November last and with which the King of Spaine then as VVe understood seemed satisfied Or else in case all these particulars be not yeelded unto and performed by the Emperour as is here propounded but be refused or delayed beyond the time aforementioned that then the King of Spaine doe joyne his Forces with Ours for the recovery of Our Childrens honours and Patrimony which upon this trust hath been thus lost Or if so be his Forces at this present be otherwise so imployed as that they cannot give Vs that assistance which VVe here desire and as VVe thinke have deserved yet that at the least he will permit Vs a free and friendly passage thorow his Territories and Dominions for such Forces as VVe shall send and imploy into Germany for this service Of all which distinctively if you receive not from the King of Spaine within ten dayes at the furthest after your audience and proposition made a direct assurance under his hand and seale without delay or putting Vs off to further Treaties and Conferences that is to say of such restitution Cessation of Armes and proceeding to a generall Treaty as is before mentioned or else of assistance and joyning His Forces with Ours against the Emperours or at least permission of passage for Our Forces thorow His the said Kings Dominions that then you take your leave and returne to Our presence without further stay otherwise to proceed in the Negotiation for the Marriage of Our Sonne according to the Instructions VVe have given you Given c. Hampton-Court Octob. 3. 1622. RIght Trusty c. We have given you certaine Insturctions signed with Our hand to direct you how to expresse unto the King of Spaine the feeling We have of the dishonour put upon Vs by the Emperour through Our trust and confidence in that Kings promises wherein you have order to come away without further delay in case you receive not satisfaction to your demands in such sort as We have commanded you to propound them Neverthelesse We are to put you in remembrance of that which We have heretofore told you in case a Rupture happen between the King of Spaine and Vs that We would be glad to manage it at Our best advantage And therefore howsoever you doe not find the satisfaction which We in those Instructions crave from the King of Spaine and have reason to expect yet would We not have you instantly come away upon it but advertise Vs first letting Vs know privatly if you find such cause that there is no good to be done nor no satisfaction as you judge intended Vs Note this though publiquely and outwardly you give out the contrary that VVe may make use thereof with Our People in Parliament as VVe shall hold best for Our service And this see you doe notwithstanding any thing in your other Instructioâ—â— to the contrary Octob. 4 1622. The Pope and Spaniard upon these Letters and new Instructions seemde very desirous to proceed to the accomplishment of this Match but their chiefe designe being to advance the Romish Catholique Religion and reduce England by degrees thereto the Pope to make sure worke NOTE insisted stiffely on this Article that the Children of this Marriage SHOVLD BE BROVGHT VP CATHOLIQVES VNDER THE MOTHER VNTILL THEY VVERE 12. OR 14. YEERES OLD He well knew the verity of the ancient Proverb Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorâ—m Testa diu Horace That if they were bred up Papists in their infancy they would questionlesse continue such and not turne zealous Protestants in their riper yeeres No wonder then he stood so much upon this point King Iames to shew his willingnesse to consummate the March though he refused totally to condescend to this Article in open shew to preserve his Honour yet he was contented privately to oblige himselfe that the Mother should have their education till they were nine yeeres old as is evident by this ensuing Letter of Master Secretary Calvert to the Earle of Bristoll sent by Vaccanâ—aâ—y My very good Lord BEcause I would not omit any thing that should conduce to the accomplishment of that worke which your Lordship hath in hand and which His Majesty desires so much to bring to an issue Although I conceive Master Porter had
it the King of Spainâ— and all the world shall see he hath just cause And whereas also his Majesty obligeth himselfe by the like oath that he will use his power and authority and procure as much as in him lyes that the Parliament shall approve confirme and ratifie all and singular the Articles agreed upon betwixt the two Kings in favour of the Roman Catholiques by reason of this Match and that the said Parliament shall revoke and abrogate all particular lawes made against the said Catholiques whereunto the rest of his Majesties Subjects are not liable As also all other generall lawes as to the said Roman Catholiques which concerne them together with the rest of his Majesties Subjects and be repugnant to the Roman Catholique Religion and that hereafter his Majesty shall not give his royall assent at any time unto any new lawes that shall be made against the said Roman Catholiques His Majesty hath ever protested and doth protest that it is an impossibity which is required at his hands NOTE and that he may safely and well sweare it for he is sure that he is never able to doe it And last of all his Majesty protesteth that this which he now undertakes to doe and is sworne is meerly in respect and favour of the Marriage intended betwixt his Sonne and the Infanta and unlesse the same doe proceed he doth hold himselfe and so declareth by this Protestation acquitted and discharged in conscience of every part of his Oath now taken and that he is at full liberty to deale with his Roman Catholique Subjects according to his owne naturall lenity and clemency and as their dutifull loyalty and behaviour towards his Majesty shall deserve These Articles being thus sealed and sworne e Mercure Francois An. 1624. pag. 29 30. Don Carlos Coloma the Spanish Ambassadour laid the first stone for a Chappell which was to be built for the Infanta at the Princes Pallace at Saint James which building was advanced with all expedition to the great regreet of many Protestants and to the contentment of most Roman Catholiques to see a Catholique Church built in the Metropoliticall City of the Realme by publike authority after one hundred yeeres space during which they did nothing else but destroy such Churches All Catholiques that were Prisoners throughout England Ireland and Scotland were released all Pursevants and Informers established to search for apprehend and prosecute the Catholiques were prohibited to attempt any thing against them They had all free ingresse into and egresse out of the Realme without taking the Oath of Supremacy having onely a passe-port They resorted freely to heare Masse at the Spanish Ambassadours Chappell in so great number and so publikely that they were sometimes two or three thousand persons so the French Mercury truly records Besides the Papists grew so insolent that they had open Masses and Sermons in divers private houses about London and elswhere Among others their f See M. Gee his foot out of the Snare meeting at Black-fryers in a large chamber at a Sermon on the fifth of their November is most remarkable where Drury the Priest that preached and neeere an hundred Roman Catholiques were slaine and smothered with the fall of the floore of the chamber which they over-burthened with the multitude of people and many sore hurt and bruised to their great astonishment g Mercure Francois ibid. p. 30 31. The Marriage was now thought to be compleated the greatest enemies of this alliance submitted themselves to the Kings will you could see nothing but the picture of the Infanta within mens houses and in the streets A Fleet was prepared to goe to attend the Prince and Infanta at the Port of Saint Andrew in Biscay His Majesty had also assigned the Dower of his faire future Daughter and had sent to the Marquesse of Buckingham the title of Duke of Buckingham and to the Duke of Lenox the title of the Duke of Richmont In fine all seemed to be done in England but things went as slow as Leâ—d at Rome and in Spaine But here comes in the new h Pag. 43 44 anti-dated Loyall Vindication of the King and demands this silly question by way of objection If King James and the Prince had really condescended ane sworne both to the generall Articles of the Marriage being such as the Pope with his Cardinals of the Conclave had approved and likewise to those private Articles being so infinitely advantagious and for the weale of the Roman Catholike Religion how could the match being fully concluded on all parts be broken off Had this Objector well remembred that of the Poet Multa cadunt inter calicem Supremaque labra he would never have demanded so frivolous a question to evade such a palpable matter of fact as the sealing and swearing of these Articles so publikely knowne in the Courts of England and Spaâ—ne But to give him a full answer as the Spaniard never really intended this match but to worke his owne mischievous designes by confirming â—nd protracting the treaty about it â—o â—e tooke this occaâ—ion to interrupt it * Mercure Francois p. 539. Pope Gregory the 15. soone after the dispensation granted departed this life which the Spaniards promised should be no remora to the match as is evident by this letter of the Earle of Bristoll to Mr. Francis Cottington then Secretary to the Prince GOOD Mr Secretary yesterday Master Clerke went from heâ—ce but I wrote not by him neither have I now much to tell you Especially â—or that I am in doubt whether these letters will finde you in England or not Yesterday we had the â—â—wes of the Popes death but this King out of his owâ—e mouth and the Coâ—de de Olivares and the Nuntio do assure the Prince that this accident will neither makâ— alteration â—or delay in his â—usines they being all of Opinion that it will be dispatched by the Dean of the Cardinalls the Conclave The Insanta is now by all the Court and by this Kings approbation called la Princessa dâ— Inglaterra and she mâ—kes not nice to take it upon heâ— She now commeth Puâ—liquely to thâ— Commody and â—â—â—teth by the Queene and I am told that as soone as two papers which are already drawne are signed by the King and Prince they will giue her the right hand of the Queene com a knefreda which I conceive the Prince will not be displeased withall for by that meanes it will â—all out that the Prince and his Mistresse will ever sit together This day Don Fernando de Giron invited my Lord Duke my selfe and Sir Walter Ashton to diâ—ner where we were accompanied by Don Augustin â—exa the Marquesse of Montes Claâ—os and the Conde de Gundâ—mar and conceive we shall againe fall to good â—ellâ—wship You have heard that the Marquesse of Montesclaros is made President 〈◊〉 Hasiâ—nda the other in the â—unta began to speake invectively and against the match thereupon the King the same
in the North were very active which caused some combustions in the Court even among the Roman Catholicks and the businesse grew so high that some private advises were given to his Majestie concerning these particulars expressed in these three insuing Papers seised among Windebankes writings who was privie to all their counselsâ— as you shall heare anon Advises upon the present state of English Catholicks as well of the Queenes House as of his Majesties Dominions THe constant report approved by Father Philips the Queenes Confessor is Note That the Pope upon the Treaty of Marriage reserved to his owne or Delegates Iurisdiction the Queen of Englands whole family principally the institution and destitution of her Ecelesiastiques Testifie the confession of the Bishop of Menda who contrary to his opinion and certaine knowledge was forced to advance and defend joynt with the pretended Bishop of England the pernitious Paradox for the deposition of Princes saying to A. B. for his justification that although upon that subject hee had written against Baronius and Bellarmine for the contrary neverthelesse for the present his hands were bound Tesâ—ifie the unitie of maxims councels and daily practices which he held with the foresaid pretended Bishop Testifie the negotiations held at this present in Rome and England for the procuring of Excommunications and suspension against all those Catholiques Note Priests or others which shall stand for the Kings authoritie against that damnable doctrine brought already into his Majesties Kingdomes as their favourites boast and to bee executed by the Bishops agents particularly by Mr. Musket a Priest living in London Testifie the Popes Letters to the King of France now in the Catholiques hands wherein hee complaines to have beene abused Note in that contrary to the King of France his promise neither Toleration was granted in England nor the oath of Allegiance suspended All which duly considered directly tends to a manifest sedition and division of the Kings authoritie and state and that not in qualitie or proprietie of Religion but in particular manner and condition of dutie obedience and naturall Allegiance withdrawne from their true Prince and Soveraigne In remedy of which pernitious opinions and practises pleaseth his Majestie in imitation of his predecessors as well to continue the reall defence of his owne right and authority as the Pope doth his pretended and usurped which two wayes may easily bee done The first by lively pressing his naturall subjects to take the oath of Allegiance in as much as it concernes the abjuration of the Popes authoritie for the deposition of Princes as of late the State of France hath proceeded against the Jesuites without any respect to matter of Religion or Priesthood for the obligation of a Subject to his lawfull Prince being founded in the Law of Nations Nature and God the deniall thereof is crimen laesae Majestatis and so may bee ordained by act of Parliament or otherwise and so those who shall bee punished by death for refusing thereof cannot pretend cause of Religion the oath being propounded in forme as it is now stiled or the forme altered in substance onely reserved as prudent men shall define The second by constrayning all French servants to King or Queene to disavow or detest according to the late ordinances of State Parliaments Universities of France namely of Sorbon that damnable and erronious doctrine for the deposition of Princes against the Iesuites And that it may please his Majestie not to admit any Catholique servant which shall refuse either of the foresaid manners of oathes or detestations Besides that diligent search and punishment bee used against all Agents and Negotiators which in these Realmes advance the contrary errour to the prejudice of his Majesties authoritie and peace of his State For the reservation of the Queenes house to the Pope it is evident in all antiquity and now practised in all Christian Nations that the institution and destitution of Ecclesiastiques in regard of their persons and as members of the State depends of the Prince or of his Subjects by his consent although their spirituall faculties or internall jurisdiction may bee derived from a superiour Prelate Patriarck or Pope but all by equitie justice and Canon whereby the King of England propounding such his Subjects Ecclesiastiques as hee thinkes fit for the Queenes service cannot bee refused by the Pope or other untill they have shewed and proved sufficient cause of refuse Finally how dangerous prejudiciall and dishonorable such reservation is to the Kings authoritie Note State and posteritie upon what end or colour soever every man of smaller judgement cannot but see An Answer to the Principles pretended against his Majesties establishment of Ecclesiasticks in the Queenes house TWO be the Principles upon which the F. C. pretends the establishment of the Ecclesiasticks in the Queens home to belong unto the King of France The first is That the King of great Brittaine hath not power because as he saith He is an Heretike Which ground is false NOTE because the King of great Brittaine neither by Councell nationall not generall nor by any Act authentick or legall of Prelates having authority to doe the same hath been defined or declared such besides heresie deprives no man of his temporall right such as is the collation of temporall Beneâ—tees giving of domesticall charges and offices yea no Prelate of the Greeke Church living under the Turke can exercise his function but with civill dependance and approbation of that Prince The second Principle it That all established by the King of great Brittaine's authority are by him threatned to be forthwith by the Pope declared Apostates NOTE In answer whereof it is evident that such royall establishment is neither Heresie nor Apostacy and when the Pope should undertake such a matter he should grosly abuse his authority against the Commons and Common law of the Church yea Ecclesiasticks by the King will and may by Catholike lawes and right defend their establishment to be good as the contrary to be erroneous to wit to seek to deprive our King of his right and aâ—thority therein SUpposed that the King of great Brittaine for avoiding for greater inconvenienceâ— condescendeth to the reception of some French in the Queens house at the instance of the King of France or choyce of the Queen of England some conditions are necessarily to be observed First that albeit salvo jure proprâ—o Regis magnae Britanniae the choice be in the Queen of England yet the confirmation and approbation of all and every one be in the King of great Brittaine according to the last clause of the eleventh Article of the Treaty Secondly that concerning the French Bishops and Priests sent into England by the Popes authority two things are to be considered the first is the spirituals power Catholike Religion and Jurisdiction as well in the head as members the second is the exaltation of the Popes temporall power in prejudice of the Kings sovereigue authority
difference which lately arosâ— about Lindores may be laid a sleepe and that no other may hereafter rise up in the place of it to disturbe either the Kings or the Churches service or disorder any of your selves who are knowen to be such carâ—ull and direct servants to both And to the end this may go on with the better successe his Majesty precisely Commands that this mutuall relation betweene the Earle of Traquare and you Note be kept very secret and made knowne to no other person either Clergy or Lay for the divulging of these things cannot but breed jealousies amongst men and disservices in regard of the things themselves And therefore the King bids me tell you that he shall take it very ill at his hand who ever he be that shall not strictly observe these his directions This is all which I had in Command to deliver to you and I shall not mingle with it any particulars of my own therefore wishing you all health and happinesse and good speed in your great affaires I leave you to Gods blessed protection and rest Your Graces very loving freind and Brother W. Cant. On December 1. 1635. Canterbury writ this enâ—uing Letter to the Archbishop of Saint Andrewes concerning Fasts on the Lords day their Booke of Canons The Copy whereof I found in his Chamber at the Tower thus indorsed with his Secretaries hand A Copy of my Letters to the Lord Archbishop of Saint Aâ—drewes for the prohibiting of all Fasts on the Lords day throughout the Kingdome My very good Lord S. in Christo. I Have but one thing at this present to trouble you with but that hath much displeased the King and not without very just Cause For now while the King is setling that Church against all things that were defective in it and against the continuance of all unwarrantable customes â—nknowne to or opposed by the ancient Church of Christ the new Bishop of Aberdene hath given wâ—y to and allowed a publick Fast thorow out his Diocesse to be kept upon the Lords Day contrary to the rules of Christianity and all the antient Canons of the Church I was in good hope that Church had quite layed downe that ill Custome but since it appeares the now Bishop of Aberdene hath continued it and perhaps others may follow his example if this passe without a checke Therefore his Majesties expres will and command to your Grace is that you and my Lord of Glascowe take order with all the Bishopps in your severall Provinces respectively that no man presume to command or suffer any Fast to be upon that day or indeed any publicke Fast upon any other day without the speciall leave and command of the King to whose power it belongs and not to them And further his Majesties will and pleasure is that if the Canons be not allready printed as I presume they are not that you make a Canon purposely against this unworthy custome and see it printed with the reâ—t And that you write a short letter to the Bishop of Aberdene to let him understand how he hath over-shot himselfe which letter you may send together with these of mine if you so please This is all which for the present I have to trouble you with therefore leaving you to Gods blessed protection I rest Your Graces very loving freind and Brother W. Cant. And to justifie himselfe if questioned he procured this Warrant writ with his owne Secretaries hand Master Dell without any date at all to be signed by his Majesty I doubt since his late questioning thus endorsed with his owne hand Warrant for the Scotch Canons Charles R. CAnterbury I would have you and the Bishop of London peruse the Canons which are sent from the Bishops of Scotland and to your best skill see that they be wâ—ll sitted for Church-government and as neare as conveniently may be to the Canons of the Châ—rch of England And to that end you or either of you may alter what you shall finde fitting NOTE And this shall be your Warrant Aprill 20. 1636. the Archbishop writ this Letter to the Bishop of Dunblane concerning the Communion in the Chappell royall the Booke of Ordâ—nation and the Litâ—rgy the Copy whereof is indorsed with his owne hand I Have received other Letters from you by which I finde you have written to his Majesty about the Communion in the Chappell Royall concerning which the King holds his former resolution That he would be very glad there should be a full Communion at all solemne times as is appointed But because men doe not alwayes fitte themselves as they ought for that great aâ—d holy worke therefore his Majesty will be satisfied if every one that is required to Communicate there doe solemnly and conformably performe that action once a yeare at least And in conâ—ormity to this you are to signifie once a yeare NOTE unto his sacred Majesty who have communicated within the compasse of that yeare and who not And of this you must not saile By these last Letters of yours I find that you are consecrated God give you joy And whereas you desire a Coppy of our Booke of Ordination I have heere sâ—nt you one And I have acquainted his Majesty with the two great reasons that you give why the Booke which you had in K. Iames his time is short and insufficient As first that the order of Deacons is made but as a Lay Office at least as that Booke may be understood And secondly that in the admission to Priesthood the very essentiall words of conferring Orders are left out At which his Majesty was much troubled as he had great cause and concerning which he hath commanded me to write that either you doe admit of out booke of Ordination or else that you amend your owne in these two grosse over sights or any thing else if in more it be to be corrected and then see the Booke reprinted I pray faile not to acquaint my Lord of Saint Andrewes and my Lord Rosse with this expresse Command of his Majesty I received likewise from you at the same time certaine notes to be considered of that all or at least so many of them as his Majesty should approve might be made use of in your Liturgie which is now in printing And though my businesse hath of late laine very heavy upon me yet I presently acquainted his Majesty with what you had written After this I and Bishop Wren my Lord Treasurer being now otherwise busied by his Majesties appointment sate downe seriously and considered of them all and then I tendred them againe to the King without out animadversioâ—â— upon them and his Majesty had the patience to weigh and consider them all againe This done so many of them as his Majesty approved I have written into a service booke of ours sent you the book with his Majesties-hand to it to warrant all your alterations made therein So in the printing of your Liturgie you are to follow the
the Pope to send so many fulminate Breeves to these Kingdomes to hinder the Oath of Allegiance and lawfull obedience to their temporall Prince that they might still fish in troubled waters Their damnable doctrine to destroy and depose Kings hath been the cause of the Civil Wars likely to befall these Kingdoms if God in his mercy do not stop it They have been the cause of the Monopolies projected in this Kingdome especially concerning Soape the Forrest of Dean and marking of * Granted to Captain Read chief Agent for the Iesuits See Romes Master-piece pag. 20 21 2â— Butter Caske where all the Parties were Partners and Confederates of the Iesuits as Sir Bazill Brookes sir Iohn Winter and a brother in Law of the said sir Iohns that lived in Worcestershire and Mr. Ployden whose servant called Baldwyn in my presence about a yeare since did deliver to Captaine Read a substitute of the Iesuits a hundred pounds to be given to a Iesuite who lived in his house They have their Lay Brethren which collect duely their Annuities and Rents and play the Merchants transporting Cloth other Merchandizes of great value I doe know one Brother in Law to Captaine Read who continually Trades in Merchandizes who is a Novice of theirs and one Cuâ—bert of Lancaâ—hire who collects their Rents and one Grey of Barwicke they are protected by the Spanish Embassadour and live at his house They have their Merchants in London namely one Evans worth fifty thousand pounds who meanes to make them his Heires and dis-inherit his Kindred Doctor Moore also is their Agent and puts out this money to Interest This Evans who was appointed to be Sheriffe of London last yeare by their perswasion did goe out of London and refused to accept of it and by them was sent into the Country and lived retired till Michaelmas was past and escaped to be Sheriffe of Middlesex and paid no Fine for refusing the said Office being till the time was past in obscurity * See Romes Master-peece p. 2â— to 25. Captaine Read a Scotish man now Lieutenant Colonel in Ireland under Col. Henry Bruce is also one of their Agents and lets their buildings in Long Acre and other parts of London for their use especially the faire buildings in Lincolnssnne-fields inhabited sometimes by George Gage and at his death left to my Lady Gardner where the Iesuits ordinarily resorted It is thought that Mr. Newton who built all those faire houses in Queenes-street is their Agent for of himselfe he was never so able as to build the hundreth part of them It is strange to see the straâ—agems which they use with their Penitents concerning to Oath of Allegiance If they be poor they tell them flatly when they are demanded to take the Oath that it is damnable and no wayes to be allowed by the Church If they be of the richer sort they say they may do as their Conscience will inspire them And there be some of them that make no Conscience at all to have it taken so oft as they are demanded It is no lesse strange to see Note what great Treasures they have heaped up and made four Colledges in Flanders onely of Annuities of their moneys and such houses as are now appertaining unto them From Mr. Sackvile they got ten thousand pounds and afterwards most miserably dismist him Note so that he was constreined to begge And after great threatning they allowed him of all his meanes only a hundred pound per annum during life The like deceâ—t they did use to the whole Regiment of my Lord Vaux in Flanders which for the most part were composed of younger Brothers who at their perswasions sold their Lands and Annuities and gave them their moneys assuring them that they should lose nothing and get all again But when they came in their great necessities and demanded it they absolutely refused them and so they saw the most part of those younger Gentlemen perish for want in Hospitals The like they did with above two hundred Gentlewomen of good extraction whom they seduced and got from them their portions the least having a thousand pounds for lesse they would not take and when they came to Flanders Note they were committed to the charge of Mistresse Mary Ward who forced them to labour with their hands and live in great misery with bread and water And at last like gallopping Nuns made thirty of them to take their Iourney to Rome and Naples and there to teach young Children When it came to the Popes knowledge he made a thundring Bull against them either to enter into a Monastry or else within fifteen dayes to depart the Territorirs of Rome and within forty dayes all Italy but afterwards this Bull was retracted The Colledge of Saint Omers is no lesse memorable which was erected by Pope Gregory the thirteenth and partly indowed by the King of Spain with great meanes The Iesuits neverthelesse insatiable cormorants have by their allurements got great wealth from England under pretence to nourish some Students which in time might labour in this Vineyard some by Testament others by Donation have left meanes to bring up some two some three and payd twenty five and thirty pounds per annum But since they are not willing to undergo the toil to take it yeerly but have enticed the Donators to give them some three some four and some five hundred pounds and in my knowledge they got in this manner for nourishing above two hundred so that they have extorted and got great sums of money from this Kingdome to the great prejudice of the State The wise State of Venice foreseeing their ambition to creep into the knowledge of their Government Note and to Conquer high Territories by tricks unlawfull means and sleights By Order of their great Councell they were adjudged to be banished for ever their Dominions and never to return thither till they had the consent of the whole Senate which is impossible to be obtained although the French King and the Pope have laboured sundry times yet in vain And also the said State did declare That whosoever should speake in their favour for their re-establishing should be degraded of his Honor and his Posterity after him and loose all his goods and the like should befall to them that send their children to their colledges Would to God such Lawes were made in these Dominions severely to punish the Parents for sending their Children to Iesuits Colledges And to conclude they should be expelled from all humane society as unsit to be dealt with for their equivocation and mentall reservation never telling the truth being mortall enemies to all charity and the true fore-runners of Antichrist oppugning all verity and taking all for themselves without Communication of good to others And as for those that are beyond Seas in their Colledges it were more then necessary to make a Decree that within a short time prefixed they should return to their Native soil under
much affrighted and the most of his friends in the Lords House forsooke him all the Popish Lords did absent themselves the Lord of Holland and Hartford were absent so was Bristol and others Savill and the Duke onely stucke close and faithfully to him and some sew other Lords God knowes the King is much dejected the Lords much affâ—ighted which makes the Citizens and House of Commons shew their heads some have braved little lesse than to unthrone His Majesty who if hee had but an ordinary spirit might easily quash and suppresse these people Our good Queen is much afflicted NOTE and in my conscience the Puritans if they durst would teare her in pieces this cannot be for the honour of France to endure a Daughter of that Nation and her Children should be thus oppressed and affronted The Earle of Holland is made Generall of the Army whither he is gone down the E. of Newport Master of the Ordnance Belfore Lieverenant of the Tower hath proved an arrant Traytor to the King NOTE who commanded him upon his Allegiance to receive a Captain and 1000 men into the Tower which he most traiterously refused to doe One clause is omitted which should have bin placed in the middle of the Letter which was to this effect That there was a Report in London that the Parliament House was on fire whereupon there was more than 1000 people very suddenly gathered together whereby you may easily perceive the heigth and 〈◊〉 of the peoples affections May 6. Anno Dom. 1641. There was another Letter sent from one Robert Phillips one of the Queenes Priests supposed to Master Mountagueâ— to this effect You may expect some company with you ere long Crofts Suckling Piercy Iermaine are gone all things here are in great incertainties Protestation is made and taken by both Houses much like but much worse than the Scottish Covenant I sent you some money by Mr. Iermaine but now that he is gone I make some doubt whether he might be mindfull of you to take it with him I haue spoke to the Queen about your occasions and will do what I can though I am not able to undertake much Your loving friend FRAN PHILIPS HEereupon Father Philips was sent for by a Messenger to appear before a Committee Ibidem p. 〈◊〉 that afternoone to be examined about it The Messenger comming to White-hall and finding him acquainted him therewith who sayd he would go in and eate something and come presently and goe with him But by a backe door he went and acquainted the Queen with his sending for and after some stay came and told the Officer that he had bin with the Queen who had commanded him that he should not go till she had spoke with the King and that he would obey her command before the Parliament Which being related to the House of Commons they were much distasted at it and sent another Warrant to apprehend and bring him forthwith the next day as a delinquent There was also a Warrant sent by the Serjeant at Arms for the Popes Nuncio NOTE and to bring him likewise before the House but he was not to be found The next day the King sent a Message to the Commons promising that the Popes Nuncio should be presently sent away out of this Kingdome Presently hereupon the Officer was again sent with a Warrant to apprehend Father Philips and waiting for him at White-hall complaint had bin made as it seemed to the King about it and the Lord Chamberlain at the Kings Command sent for the Officer to examine him by what Authority he came within the Verge of the Court to Attach any one who shewing his Warrant desired he would trust him with it to shew the King which the Officer did And the Lord Chamberlain soon after returning gave this answer That His Majesty would satisfie the House about it if Philips did not appeare But in the afternoon the sayd Philips appeared before the Committee and was examined and commanded to attend the House of Commons the next day After which Father Philips was committed prisoner to the Tower and these Articles of Impeachment drawn up against him most of them comprised in Brownes Relation The Impeachment and Articles of complaint against Father Philips the Queens Confessor Ibidem p. 400. to 411. lately committed to the Tower by the Honourable and High Court of PARLIAMENT THat the sayd Father Philips hath bin observed to have bin a great cause both in himselfe and his Adherents of a great part of the unquietnesse of this State He with Parsons and other their Assistants were the onely cause that the Pope was stirred up to send Breves to these Kingdoms of Englaud and Scotland and to hinder the oath of Allegiance Note and lawfull obedience of the subjects to our Gracious King that so they may still fish in troubled waters The damnable Doctrine which he and other Iesuits have taught to destroy and depose Kings hath bin the cause of the civill Wars like to be the fall of these Kingdomes if God in his mercy did not prevent it â—hey have bin the cause of the Monopolies projected in this Kingdome especially concerning the Forrest of Deane and marking of butter Caske where all the parties were partners and Confederates with them as Sir Basill Brooke sir Iohn Winter and a brother in Law of the sayd Sir Iohn that lived in Worcestershire and Master Ployden whose servant named Baldwin hath bin seen to deliver to Captain Read a substitute of the Iesuits an hundred pounds at a time to one Iesuite that lived in his house Father Philips hath bin a great Actor with the superiour of the Capuchions who is a most turbulent spirit and was sent hither by Cardinall Richlieu of France to be a Spye at this Court for the French Faction and hath therefore laboured by all means to breed dissentions Note for the French Aime at nothing more than to make a Schisme betwixt the English and the Scots that this State might be so weakned and made unable to withstand them that so they might have an opportunity to Conquor these Kingdoms these unquiet spirits having accesse to her Majesty may importune things not fit for the State The sayd Philips hath bin guided by a Grey-Fryar who by degrees hath intruded himselfe to be a Clerke of her Majesties Chappell and Chaplain Extraordinary in time of Progresse who when he is out of London goeth by the name of Mastor Wilson but his true name is William Tompson Doctor of Divinity as some Iesuites have affirmed but a most furious spirit and unquiet and therefore by a Nicke-name is by some called Cacafugo that is as much as if in English you should say Shit-fire by whom Father Philips hath bin so led that he hath bin very officious to perform whatsoever he would have done These two have ruled all the busines concerning the two Kingdoms on the Popish parts and for the most part of Rome also The
probability and other Circumstances that there is in the said King and his Ministers as ready a disposition as formerly you have found to proceed further in such a Treaty you may open unto them that you are come accompanied and Authorized with power sufficient on Our part to Treat and Conclude But if you doe discerne any alteration or coldnesse from the former demonstration not onely of a sincere meaning but of a very great desire to give us satisfaction you may then forbeare to make use of your Commission which we must referre to your discretion and advertise us what you perceive If you shall find things in such Case as you shall have cause to fall to Treaty of particulars then for your direction therein you shall understand That this businesse doth consist of two principall parts The one concerning matter of Religion and the other of civill considerations matter of Portion and other charges on their part and Dower and assurance of Dower on our part The matter of Religion is to Us of most priâ—cipall consideration for nothing can be to Us dearer then the honour and safety of the Religion which we professe And therefore seeing that this Marriage and Alliance if it shall take place is to be with a Lady of a different Religion from Us It becommeth Us to be tender as on the one part to give them all satisfaction convenient so on the other to admit nothing that may blemish our Conscience or detract from the Religion here established And although We cannot for the present give you precise and particular direction and warrant for all points that will come in question in this subject of Religion yet in generall we have thought good thus farre to authorize you that whereas while you were in Spaine certaine Articles for matter of Religion after a Consultation had by some of their Divines were delivered to you as poynts they were like to insist upon which seeming to you unworthy to be by Us hearkned unto you did utterly reject and refuse yet afterward upon a private conference between you and some others to whom that cause had been committed there was between you a qualification conceived therein though never delivered as a matter approved there We have perused those Articles and added something to them by way of explanation for Our clearer satisfaction and have signed them with our owne hand in a Schedule hereunto annexed And doe let you know that if they shall be admitted there as we have signed them and no further matter in poynt of Religion urged We can be content you proceed and expresse your liking and that you hope it will give Us satisfaction And that you will speedily advertise Us but you shall not so farre consent or conclude at to bind Us untill you have advertised Us and received Our expresse pleasure and assent But if you find any haesitation or doubt made upon them or any new matter added to any of those poynts which you shall find to varie from the true sense of them you shall suspend your proceeding to the approving of any such Alteration and advertise Vs thereof and attend Our further direction and pleasure c. Given at Lincolne the 14. day of Aprill 1617. Tho. Lake The Articles for Religion specified in these Instructions THat for the taking away of all scruples NOTA. and the better Justification of the Match The Dispensation of the Pope is to be procured but thereof His Majesty need to take no kind of notice but to be the meere Act of the King of Spaine That the Children of this Marriage shall no way be compelled or constrained in poynt of Conscience of Religion wherefore there is no doubt that their Title shall be prejudiced NOTA. in case it should please God that they should prove Catholiques That the Family which the Infanta shall bring with her being strangers may be Catholiques and that the Nurses which shall give milke unto the Childreâ— shall be chosen with her consent and shall be accounted of her Family That the place which shall be appointed for Divine service shall be Decent Capable Free and publike for all those of her Family and that there shall be Administred in it the Sacraments and Divine service according to the Use and Ceremonies of the Church of Rome That in case the Infanta her selfe shall onely have a secret and particular Oratory There shall be appointed for her Family a setled Chappell for the Administring of the Sacraments and for the burying of the dead of the said Family and that this publike Exercise of Religion begin from her first entrance into England That it shall be lawfull for the Ecclesiasticall and Religious persons of her Family to weare their owne Habit. That after the Dispensation granted by the Pope the Marriage shall be celebrated in Spaine per verba de praesenti by a Procurator according to the Instruction of the Councell of Trent And that the yeers and ages â—e without supplement waiting the ten dayes and the Infanta receiving the Nuptiall Benediction But that within certaine dayes to be Limited after her arrivall in England there shall be infacie Ecclesiae used such a solemnization as by the Lawes of England shall make the Marriage valid and takeaway all scruple touching the Legitimation of the Issue That shee shall have a competent number of Chaplaines and a Confessor being Strangers and that amongst them shall be one that shall have power and authority for the government of the rest of her said Family in matters concerning Catholique Religion That there be sitting Assurances given for performance of the said Conditions Given at Lincolne the 4. of Aprill 1617. Tho. Lake KIng Iames being so farre wrought upon by the Popish Faction as thus publikely to engage himselfe in this Marriage Treaty with one of the Romish Religion wherein the Popes owne Dispensation must necessarily be first procured ere the Match could finally be accomplished they then begin to play their game to the best advantage and by tedious delayes and new demands gaine more and more ground upon the King in favour of the Roman Catholiques and their Antichristian Religion First the Commissioners designed for this Treaty multiply and enlarge the former Articles touching Religion in reference to the Infanta and her Family which after two yeers debate were fully concluded on by the Commissioners and both Kings But their agreements were to little purpose the consent of the Roman Pontife the Arch-contriver and Directer of this Plot for the best advantage of the Catholique Cause must be likewise procured and super-added to compleat the Articles without which they were but Nullities and no Dispensation could be expected from him which is first of all provided for in the Conditions Hereupon the Articles were sent to Rome to Pope Gregory the xv who then held that Chair of Pestilence who after many tedious consultations alters and enlargeth divers of the Articles by the advice of his Conclave for the furtherance of
that the limitation of the time for the education of the Children be for six or seven yeers and in other poynts as you will find in this answer Of all which we require you to give speciall notice to that King that he may thereupon take into his Consideration the sincerity of of Our affection who have so roundly and really proceeded in this businesse so as in all reason We may and doe justly expect the like dealing from him which cannot better appeare then in the speedy dispatch thereof These resolutions he sent post into Spaine to the Lord Digby by Gresly inclosing in this Letter the Copy whereof with other ensuing papers were seized on by the sequestrators of the Lord Cottingtons goods and writings RIght trusty c. Your dispatch of the ninth of August gave us so much contentment and so great hopes of satisfaction in all those businesses which you have there to treat with that King as we could not expect any further difficulties Notwithstanding by that which hath come unto Our hands immediately after NOTE aswell by George Gage from Rome as from Our Ambassadour Sir Richard Weston at Bruxelles and our Ministers in the Palatinate We find that neither the Dispensation is granted for the march nor the treaty of Cessation so neer a Conclusion as we conceived it would have been now that the Auxiliaries and all other Obstacles are removed But on the contrary side that new delayes and excuses are invented our Garrisons in the Palatinate in the meane time blocked up and Heidelberg it selfe actually besieged Which proceeding though our Ambassadour hath expostulated with the Infanta and the Commissioners as injurious to Vs and ill-beseeming their professions hitherto yet is there not that readinesse shewed to give Us such contentment therein as we might justly expect but answers still protracted and put off for advantage whilest our Forces there remaine in great distresse and the Towne and Castle of Heidelberg likely in a few dayes to be lost for it cannot hold out longer as we are informed This dealing seems the more strange unto Vs for that the late dispatch of the King of Spaine was before the newes of this siege and that our Embassadour had propounded any thing concerning it come unto the Infanta But because you shall be particularly informed of the â—hole carriage of the businesse We have given order that Copies shall be sent you 〈◊〉 all the dispatch and then you shall see how these proceedings agree with the hopes and promises which are given Us from thence Hereupon therefore Our pleasure is that you shall immediatly and with as much speed as you may crave audience of that King and represent unto him the merit which We may justly challenge unto Our Selfe for Our sincere proceedings with the Emperour and Him in all the course of this businesse notwithstanding the many invitations and temptations which We have had to engage Our Selfe on Our Sonne in lawes part That We have had both from the Emperour and Him hopes given us from time to time of extraordinary respect howsoever Our Sonne-in-law had deserved which We have attended and expected even to the very last with much patience and in despight as it were of all the opposition that hath beene made to shake Our resolution in that behalfe If now when all impediments are removed and that the way is so prepared as that the Emperour may give an end unto the Warre and make some present demonstration of his respects towards Us in leaving Us the honour of holding those poore places which yet remaine quietly and peaceably untill the generall accommodation the same shall neverthelesse be violently taken from Vs what can we looke for when the whole shall be in his hands and possession Who amâ—sing Vs with a treaty of cessation and protracting it industriously as We have reason to beleeve doth in the meane time seize himselfe of the whole Country which being done Our Ambassadour shall returne with scorne and we remaine with dishonour I shall not need to furnish you with Arguments for the unfolding and laying open this unfriendly dealing more plainly unto them your owne reason and observation will find enough out of the dispatches whereof Copies are sent unto you as namely the withdrawing of the Spanish Forces and leaving the businesse wholly in the hands of the Emperour and the Duke of Bavaâ—ia the stile of the Inâ—anta in answering Our Ambassadour with recriminations which was not her manner heretofore the slight and frivolous answer given by the Marquesse of Bedmar unto Our Ambassadour when he acquainted him with the siege of Heidelberg The quarrellous occasion taken by the Emperour for calling the diet at Ratisbone contrary to his owne promise which in his Dispatch to Vs he confesseth to have broken as you will see by the Copy All which and many more which your owne judgement in the perusall of the dispatches will suggest unto you doe minister unto Vs cause sufficient of jealousie on the Emperours part as you shall plainly tell that King although We will not doe him that wrong as to mistrust that he gives the least consent unto it In this confidence with must earnestnesse We shall still solicite Him that for the affection He beares Us and the desire which We suppose he hath that there may continue for ever a perfect Amity betwixt Us and the whole House of Austria he will not cease to doe all good office herein letting him know directly that in these termes We cannot stand with the Emperour but that if Heidelberg be wonne and the siege continue or the Cessation be longer unnecessarily delayed We must recall Our Ambassadour from Bruxelles and treat no more as We have already given order hoping that whatsoever unkindnesse We shall conceive against the Emperour upon these occasions it shall not be interpreted to reâ—lect in any sort upon the entire affection that is at this present and as VVee hope shall alwaies continue betwixt Us and the Crowne of Spaine And therefore as We have sundry times heretofore promised in testimony of the sincerity of Our proceedings and of Our great desire to preserve the Amity inviolable between Us and the whole house of Austria NOTE that in case our Sonne-in-law would not be governed by Vs that then We would not onely forsake him but take part and joyne Our Forces with the Emperours against him so you may fairly represent unto that King that in like manner We have reason to expect the same measuâ—e from him that upon the Emperours aversnesse to a cessation and accommodation He will likewise actually assist Vs for the recovery of the Palatmate and Electorall dignity unto Our Sonne-in-law as it hath beene oftentimes intimated from Spaine To conclude We shall not need to say any more unto you touching this point but to let you see that Our meaning is to carry all things faâ—re with that King and not to give him any cause of distrust or jealousie if you
all grounds of civill jealousies removed will not onely command a reall performance of what you are pleased to promise in their favour but sutably to your owne royall heart enlarge the benefit of your Princely goodnesse I have therefore Sir â—inding them thus affected thought it sutable to your service to let them understand that since they expect these things from a Prince who yeeldeth to no man either in esteeming or returning a Benefit they may safely promise themselves all good successe and give way to their owne good dispositions of respect and affection towards your Majesty and the rather I have done so because I perswaded my selfe that your Majesty is of the same opinion with him who speaking of the Romans to King Bocchus said Licet Pâ—â—entes abundè habeamus Amicorum neque Nobis neque cuiquam mortaâ—um satis fuit I send your Majesty Letters from the Cardinals Bandino and Lodevisio NOTE which they writ in answer of your Majesties to to them who above all others sought to oblige your Majesty as by Letter to Master Secretary you will perceive After the Easter-Holydayes I shall begin my journey towards Florence and Parma to performe your Majesties commands there whereof I will give your Majesty account in due time It will be the end of May before I shall get out of Italy during which time I shall with deâ—otion expect your Majesties orders if in any thing further you shall be pleased to command my service So I humbly pray the divine goodnesse to give your Majesty many faire yeeres of life thereby to enjoy the fruits of this noble alliance and to make happy your Subjects by your gracious government Your Majesties most humbble and loyall Subject George Gage After which on the 7. of Ianuary these two Letters from King Iames and Secretary Calvert were sent into Spaine by Master Digby to the Earle of Bristoll RIght Trusty c. The dispatches which We have received from you by Endimion Porter doe give Us sufficient assurance that there hath not wanted in you nor in Our ordinary Ambassadour Sir Walter Aston that faithfull endeavour and diligence to expedite those great businesses you have in charge which We could expect or require at your hands for which We are pleased to returne you both Our gracious acceptation and thanks You will see by that which We have subscribed unto the Articleâ— you sent Vs and by the Letters which We and Our Sonne have both written unto Our Brother the King of Spaine how well We approve of what hitherto hath been done and what you have promised and undertaken in your name which being as We hope the period of all their demands in that kind We wish you to proceed unto the temporall Articles and to conclude and consummate the whole businesse now according to the Commissions you have as soone as possibly you may that there may be no further delay Concerning that other unfortunate knotty affaire of the Palatâ—â—ate to say the truth as things stand We cannot tell what you could have done more then you have already And whereas you write that the King of Spaine and his principall Ministers there did find Our last Propositions somewhat strange you shall understand that the cause why We sent you such strict and peremptory Instructions was for that the Chancelour of Our Exchequer found nothing but palpable and grosse delayes at Brâ—â—â—llet whilest in the meane time Heidelberg was besieged and afterwards taken Manheim beleaguerâ—d and all hostility used that might be Besides Gage comming from Rome about the same time instead of bringing the newes which was expected of the Dispensation granted NOTE presents Vs certaine exceptions taken against the Articles by the Pope with an intention as it seemes to ingage Vs in a Treaty or dispute with him about the said Articles which was never the meaning but that the King of Spain should have undertaken that businesse himselfe This was the reason that moved Vs at the earnest instance and perswasion of Our Councell to urge the matter so as to bring it to a speedy point not but that the very precisest of them were alwaies of opinion that if the March were once concluded the other businesse would be accommodated to Our satisfaction Neverthelesse these doubts and causes of jealousie occurring they did all una voce represent unto Vs how highly and importunately it concerned Our estate and service to be at some certainty and to know what to trust to neither is the usage and respect We yet find from the Infanta at Bruxelles and that Kings Ministers any thing at all amended notwithstanding all the great demonstrations We have made of Our confidence and good correspondency with them and the meanes We have alwayes sought to oblige them as no doubt you have understood by sundry late dispatches from Our Secretary And now lastly when We out of Our especiall trust in the Infanta had made an offer of late to â—equester the Towne of Franâ—endale into her hands upon no other assurance then shee her selfe had offered Vs before Manheim was lost by Don Carlos Coloma which was to restore it and those other places againe which were at that time also required either upon the conclusion of the peace with the Emperour or upon a rupturâ— in case that proceeded not the same propositiâ—â— being now againe revived by Vs shee is fallen away from the conditions first propounded by Our Selfe offering onely to accept it upon trust if We will put it into her her hands without obliging her selfe to restore it againe which VVe take to be a great disrespect if not a scorne And therefore being resolved not to treat with her any more about it it is Our pleasure that you shall presently deale with the King of Spaine to the same purpose and to make him an offer of Frankendale from Vs by way of sequestration upon the condition aforesaid of restitution in the State as it now stands whether the peace with the Emperour succeed or not and if he accept it that he will signifie so much to Vs under his hand and give order for the present receiving it accordingly for the case will not admit any long time of treaty In your last dispatch you advertise Vs that the King of Spaine hath written againe very effectually unto the Emperour about these affaires of the Palatinate VVe doe much desire to know what the particulars of that Letter were and to what effect and what other endeavours that King intends to use for procuring Vs satisfaction therein whereof VVe require you to informe Vs as particularly as you may because you know it concernes Vs much to have that businesse at a point There are some other matters concerning Our service which VVe have commanded Our Secretary to impart unto you and therefore will hold you no longer now but wish you health and a good successe in your affaires White-hall 7. Ian. 1622. My very good Lord BEcause I know you will with much longing
dutifuller or more prudent way upon inference and collections to have put a disgrace and disrespect upon so great and worthy a Princesse that was to be his Masters wife to have no way insisted for the makeing good of the publicke trust reposed in him by two so great Monarchs when the powers were deposited in his hands but to have put a great scorne upon the King of Spaine by nominating a day for the Mariage when the powers should be expired to have hazzarded the overthrowing of so great and important a businesse for to that issue it was brought and I required to take or leave either to proceed according to their capitulations or that this King would hould himselfe freed of them and the issue now sheweth the truth thereof or on the other side to have represented unto his Mastjesty with truth and syncerity the true estate of all things with his humble opinion the wrong and disgrace that the putting off the Mariage will be esteemed to the person of the Infanta the scorne that would be judged to be put upon the King of Spaine by the nominating of a day when the powers were expired The hard construction that would be made upon the detention of the powers without some new and immergent cause The danger that the Mariage would be in if hereby it should be disordered The likelyhood that the Match would be the greatest security for the restitution of the Palatinate and iâ— case these reasons should not be able to perswade his Majesty to proceed then there was intimated that there wanted sufficient warrant for the detaining of the powers which was desired might be clearly sent unto him In this interim all the aboveâ— said inconveniences were deferred that busines held up upon faire tearmes that his Majesty might have his way and choyce unsoild before him untill his Majesty was pleased clearely and positively to declare his pleasure in the point whereunto there was ready and exact obedience given soe that I shall willingly submit my selfe to the censure of the world whether an inintention so well and honestly grounded seconded with so exact and ready an obedience shall make me blame worthy I must confesse that if with out cleare and sufficient warrant I had so much disordered the affaires of his Majesty as I now conceive them to be I should have had a heavy and sad heart which I thanke God I now have not but confident of mine owne innocency I can be no wayes diffident of my Masters accustomed Grace and favour And so earnestly intreating you to present this my humble Answere to his Majesty and my Lords the Commissioners I remember my service affectionatly unto you and leave you to Gods holy protection Mad. the 28. Octb. 1623. Your affectionat freind to doe you service BRISTOLL To this Letter the King returned this ensuing Answer WEE have read your Letters of the 28. of October and the copie of that power which was left by Our deere Sonne We have examined and approved your reasons and we doe assure youâ— that if we had seene the power left by our son before our last Letters we had not written to you in the forme we did in ours of October the ninth touching the time of Christmas For we are so farre from having affection to deferre the Desposorios or make them fruitlesse as we desire to hasten them to a speedy good conclusion being of the like affection with our deere brother of Spaine with one act to make a match and an entire friendship according to the Count of Olivares his ground formerly delivered to our Sonne and Buckingham and mentioned in your owne letter for the reall effecting of which we have thought good to command our deere Sonne to deferre the present execution of the powers left and to renew the power by another herewith sent that there may bee no fault in us not in our Son if that King cannot give us satisfaction in the just things we desire which will containe the maine ground of our friendship in so short a time in which the first power should become inualid And yet we must tell you we have almost with astonishment observed one action of so great Checque and contradiction of our hope of the restitution of the Palatinate as we know not what construction to make of it The Berkstrot in the Palatinate the prime flower of our sonne in Lawes Revenue which is the maine motive that causeth us thus carefully and speedily to seeke satisfaction and urge so earnestly till wee may receive it and which was taken by the Armes and assistance of Spaine and as wee are informed in the possession of the Spanish Garison or under their command the Country or the revenue thereof which is a fortifying of their ancient claime freshly delivered into the hands of the Bishop of Mentz contrary to the last contract between his Majestie and the Infanta at Bruxelles and that without forme of justice upon an old pretence which must imbroyle it the more especially being to another person then any of these to whom interest or mediation hath beene formerly thought of These being only the Emperor Spaine and the Duke of Bavaria The consideration of which new difficulties done in the presence or without the contradiction either of Verdugo or any other Officer or Minister of the Infanta's or knowledge given to us gives us infinitely to thinke and to finde it requisite to deale clearely and plainely with you and to charge and require you to deale as plainly with our deare Brother that we are so much bound in honour naturall affection and interest to see our Sonne-in-Law have restitution of his estate and honour without which effect wee cannot rest satisfied as you have often heard the Declaration of our minde in that point the rather because it would bee a great discouragement to our Son-in-Law without whom we can doe nothing and a great disproportion to receive one daughter in joy and contentment and leave another in toares and sighes And to the end we may bee assured of the effects we require you before you deliver our deere Sonnes power or move to any contracting of him that you procure from that King by act or answer to you under his hand or by Letters to us that he will helpe us to the restitution of the Palatinate and dignity by meditation or other wise assist us if mediation faile and within what time the mediation shall determine and the assistance of armes begin The honourable conditions of restitution we hope remaine with you And to shew you how we desire to comply with our deere Brother of Spaine We shall bee ready to propound good wayes to satisfie the D. of Bavaria in point of title and honour and to continue our negotiation for the match of Our Grand-Child the eldest sonne of our Sonne-in-Law with the Daughter of the Emperor Our Sonne-in-Laws Letters we send you herewith and because we know his aversenesse to our Grand-Childs breeding
his Sermon page 30 31 32 urgâ—th their example to periwade submission to this loane and Doctor Sâ—bthorte in his Sermon intituled a 〈◊〉 P. 20 21. Apostoticall Obedience hath this passage to induce Protestants to contribute cheerfully and largely to this Loane The Papists lye at wait it they could find a rent between our Soveraigne and his Subjects to reduce Superstition unto England I speake no more then 〈◊〉 from themselves whiles I have observed their forwardnesse TO OFFER DOVBLE according to the current of a later law yea to professe that THEY WOVLD DEPART WITH THE HALFE OF THEIR GOODS And how or why can this FORWARDNESSE be in them but in hop to cast the 〈◊〉 of Frowardnesse upon us and to seeme that which the Jesuits will not suffer 〈◊〉 to be loving and loyall Subjects o. You may guesse at the end of this projcst by the Papists forwardnesse to advance it But notwithstanding this forwardnesse of the Papists and others to promote this Benevolence the best affected Gentlemen to Religion Parliament â—and the common Liberty in all Counties considering the danger thereof strenuously 〈◊〉 it for which diâ—â— of them were enforced to daunce attendance on the Counsell others imprisoned by whose examples this project was in a great in cause frustrated and a new Parliament resolved to be summoned by the Major Vote of the Counsell Table Ian. â—9 1627. though the now Arch-bishop with some others opposed it and accordingly a Parliament was summoned and assembled in March following A little before the beginning of this Parliament a Colledge of Jesuits who kept to other in Commons and had their officers and books of account duly kept was discovered in 〈◊〉 well neere the Church their Books Vestments Reliques were seized on and some of their persons hid in private owners of their Colledge 〈◊〉 ended by Iustice Long and sent to Newgate But when they were to be 〈◊〉 they were by their powerfull friends at Court I know not by what Warâ—â—â—â— and special commands â—â—â—cased upon baile and conveyed out of harmes way 〈◊〉 great offence and discontent both of the people and Parliament which examined this â—rand abuse but could not apprehend the Jesuits to doe exemplary justice on them to potent were their Patrons Among their papers there was found the copy of 〈◊〉 newly directed by them to their Father Rector at Braxels the extract whereof I met with in the now Arch-bishops Study thus indorsed with his owne hand March 1628. A Iesuits Letter sent to the Recter at Bruxels about the ensuing Parliament Wherein there are these memorable passages not fit to be concealed FATHER RECTOR let not the damp of astonishment seize upon your Ardent and Zealous Soule in apprehending the sodaine and unexpected calling of a Parliament We have not opposed but rather furthered it so that we hope as much in this Parliament as ever we feared any in Queen Elizabeths dayes NOTE You must know the Counsell is engaged to assist the King by way of Perogative in case the Parliamentary way should faile you shall see this Parliament will resemble the Pelican which takes a pleasure to digge out with her beake her owne bowels The election of the Knights and Burgesses hath been in such confusion of apparant faction as that which we were wont to procure heretofore with much art and industry when the Spanish match was in treaty now breaks out naturally as a both or boyle and spets and spues out its owne rankor and venome You remember how that most famous and immortall States-man the Count of Gondamare fed King Iames his fancy and rocked him asleep with the soft and sweet sound of peace to keep up the Spanish treaty Likewise we were much bound to some States-men of our owne Country to gaine time in procuring these most advantagious cessations of Armes in the Palatinate and advancing the honour and integrity of the Spanish Nation and villifying the Hollanders remonstrating to King Iames that that State was most ungratefull both to his predecessors Queen Elizabeth and his sacred Majesty that the States were more obnoxious then the Turke and perpetually injured his Majesties loving Subjects in the East Indies and likewise they have usurped from his Majesty the regality and unvaluable profit of the narrow Seas in fishing upon the English coast c. This great States-man had but one principall meanes to further their great and good designes which was to set on King Iames NOTE that none but the Puritane Faction which plotted nothing but Anarchy and his confusion were averse to this most happy Union We steered on the same course and have made great use of this anarchicall election and have prejudicated and anticipated the great one that none but the Kings enemies and his are chosen of this Parliament c. We have now many strings to our Bow and have strongly fortified our faction and have added two Bulwarks more for when King Iames lived you know he was very violent against Armininisme and interrupted with his pestilent wit and deep learning out strong designes in Holland and was a great friend to that old Rebell and Heretick the Prince of Orange Now we have planted that soveraigne Drugge Armintanisme NOTE which we hope will purge the Pretestants from their Heresie and it flourisheth and 〈◊〉 fruit in due season The materials which build up our other Bulwarke are the projectors and beggers of all ranks and qualities whatsoever Both these Factions cooperate to destroy the Parliament and introduce a new species and forme of government which is Olligarchy These serve as direct mediums and instruments to our end which is the universall Catholike Monarchy Our foundation must be mutation this mutation will cause a relaxation which will serve as so many violent diseases as the Stone Gout c. to the speedy destruction of our perpetuall and insufferable anguish of the body which is worse then death it selfe We proceed now by counsell and mature deliberation how and when to worke upon the Dukes jealousie and revenge and in this we give the honour to those which merit it which are the Church Catholikes There is another matter of consequence which we take much into our consideration and tendor care which is to stave off the Puritanes that they hang not in the Dukes eares they are impudent subtill people And it is to be feared left they should negotiate a reconciliation between the Duke and the Parliament 't is certaine the Duke would gladly have reconciled himself to the Parliament at Oxford and Westminster but now we assure our selves we have so handled the matter that both Duke and Parliament are irreconcilable For the better prevention of the Puritanes the Arminians have already locked up the Dukes cares and we have those of our owne Religion which stand continually at the Dukes chaâ—ber to see who goes in and out we cannot be too circumspect and carefull in this regard I cannot chuse but laugh to see how
Religion is opposed by open force in all other parts But We must tell Our people there is no undermining Practises at home against it If they practice not against it that seeme most to labour for it for while Religion seems to be contended for in such a factious way which cannot be Gods way the heat of that doth often melt away that which it labours earnestly but perhaps not wisely to preserve And for Gods judgements which We and Our people have felt and have cause to feare VVe shall prevent them best by a true and religious Remonstrance of the amendment of Our lives c. This Answer to the Parliaments Remonstrance and the publike calling of it in gave great offence to the House all true Protestants but infinitely imboldned augmented the Popish and Arminien Faction and so much disgusted the common people being seconded with a sodaine prorogation of the Parliament June 26. 1628 to prevent the Remonstrance of the House of Commons against the illegality of taking Tonnage and Poundage without grant in Parliament as appeares by the Kings owne Speech at the adjournment on this occasion printed after his royall Answer to the Petition of Right that the King to give the people some seeming satisfaction who were then speedily to pay in the greatest Subsidy ever granted and collected in so short a time published a Proclamation bearing date the 7. of Iuly 1628. intituled A Proclamation declaring his Majesties pleasure concerning the proceedings had and to be had against Popish Recusants according to the Lawes and for directions to his Majesties Commissioners for that service both in the Southerne and Northerne parts for making compositions with Recusants Which Proclamation though it appeared in shew to be against the Papists yet really it was in favour of them to compound at great undervalues for the Kings two parts of their Lands which Compositions came to little or nothing in the Southerne parts as I have manifested in my a P. 15. to 19. Royall Popish Favourate and not to much in the North as appeares by this note of Compositions made with Recusants in the North with an Estimate of their estates sound among Windebankes papers Compositions made by the Viscount Wentworth with Recusants Staffordshire  li. s. d.  li. s. d. FRancis Haâ—ecourt of Ranton Esq. per an  25 0 0 worth per an 200 0 0. Philip Gifford of Hyon Widow per an  20 0 0 worth per an 200 0 9. Walter Brooke of Lapley Esq. per an  30 0 0 worth per an 400 0 0. Dorothy Fowler of St. Thomas Widow per on  13 6 8 worth per an 200 0 0. Lancashire         Richard Massey of Rixton Esq. per an  40 0 0 worth per an 400 0 0. Abraham Laugton of Lowe Esq. per an  10 0 0 worth per an 150 0 0. Anne Shrburne of Laithgryme Wid. per an  24 0 0 worth per an 200 0 0. Sir Cuthbort Clifton Kt. Thomas Clifton Esq. and Mistris Iane Stanley of Lytham per an 100 0 0 worth per an 1500 0 0 Isabell Anderton and Hugh Anderton her Son of Euxton per an 8 0 0 worth per an 150 0 0 Sir William Norres of Speake Knight per an  60 0 0 worth per an 500 0 0. Thomas Hesketh of Poulton Esq. per an  15 0 0 worth per an 200 0 0. William Anderton of Anderton Esq. per an  20 0 0 worth per an 250 0 0. Roger Anderton of Birchley Esq. per an  21 12 3 worth per an 300 0 0. Thomas Dolton of Thurnbam Esq. per an  15 0 0 worth per an 200 0 0. Sir William Gerrerd of Bryn Baronet per an  66 13 4 worth per an 800 0 0. Iames Anderton of Clayton Esq. per an  40 0 0 worth per an 500 0 0. Iohn Preston of Mannour Esq. per an  80 0 0 worth per an 1500 0 0. Derbyshire         Sir Henry Merrie of Barâ—on Kt. per an  66 13 8 worth per an 600 0 0. George Poole of Sprinkehill Esq. per an  20 0 0 worth per an 250 0 0. Nottinghamshire         George Markham and Mary Markham his Mother of Ollertâ—n per an 15 0 0 worth per an 800 0 0 Lincolnshire         Sir Iohn Thymbleby of â—rnhan Kt. per an  1â—0 0 0 worth per an 1500 0 0. Anthony Munson of Lincolne Esq. per an  25 0 0 worth per an 400 0 0. Richard Townley of Norton Esq. per an  150 0 0 worth per an 1500 0 0.         there and in Lancashire Northumberland         Roger Widdrington of Cartington Esq. per an  60 0 0 worth per an 500 0 0. Marke Errington of Poâ—t-Island Esq. per an  45 0 0 worth per an 400 0 0. Thomas Haggerston of Haggerston Esq. per an  20 0 0 worth per an 250 0 0         there and in Lancashire Yorkshire         George Waâ—t of Laborne Gent. per an  10 0 0 worth per an 150 0 0. Marmaduke Holtlie of Scackleton Esq. per an  â—0 0 0 worth per an 150 0 0. Allen Aiscough of Greâ—â—hobottom Esq. per an  22 0 0 worth per an 600 0 0. Sir Ralph Ellerker of Riesby Knight per an  50 0 0 worth per an 600 0 0. By the Lawes of this Realme the King was to have two parts of Recusants Lands and Estates devided into three and 40. l. out of 60. l. per annum 200. l. out of 360. l. per annum But after the rate of these Compositions at undervalues one part of the Commons grievance in their forecited Remonstrance and Petition the King instead of his two parts of three had not above one part of 10. or 15. in the North where Compositions were highest and for ought I find not really and duly paid when made Now because the Fees in passing these Compositions were somewhat high the Recusants prefered this Petition to the King to mittigate them indorsed with Secretary Windebanks owne hand in this manner Poore Recusants for moderation offices To the KINGS most excellent Majesty The humble PETITION of the poore Recusants of the Southerne and Northerne parts of this your Highnesse Realme of England Humbly sheweth THat whereas your sacred Majesty hath been pleased to accept such of your Petitioners into Grace as should submit themselves by way of Composition to your Majesty which your Petitioners most willingly imbraced and with all thankfulnesse have submitted themselves thereunto But so it is may it please your most excellent Majesty that the great and excessive rate and charge of
London one of his Majesties most honoâ—rable privy Counsell My very good Lord SInce I wroâ—e unto your Lordship concerning the businesse of Sir Iohn Wishart and Master Elpheâ—sion all the Bishops Chaâ—cellours is â—he Kingdome were sent for to Dublin by the Lords Justices to answer such things as are objected against the exercise of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in a Petition exhibited unto them by the Recusaâ—t Lords of the Country Which being a matter of no small importance I thought it my duty to impart unto your Lordship the true Copiâ—s both of the Petition of the one and of the Answer of the other that you may be the better prepared to speake therein if the matter shall be brought over into England and give us direction here how we are to follow the businesse for I feare all the Bishops are to appeare about the beginning of Easter Tearme to declare their resolutions touching the same propositions I â—end likewise unto your Lordship a short Letter which I received even now from the Bishop oâ— Kilfâ—nora The Bishoprick of Killalow is contigâ—ous unto his and both being conjoyned together by a perpetuall union would make an indifferent good competency for one Bishop for that of Kâ—lfenora is otherwise in it selfe so poore and so farre from any good Benefice that might be annexed unto it that there is little hope it will ever be made fit for any man of worth I humbly thank your Lordship for the tender regard you had of my reputation in stopping the publishing of my book there before the faults committed in the reprinting thereof should be corrected for which and those other high favours which I doe daily receive at your hands I must alwayes professe my selfe to rest Drogheda February 10. 1630. Your Lordships faithfull Servant in all duty ready to be commanded Ja. Armachanus What answer was given to this Petition of the Recusants by the Bishops and their Chancellours will appeare by this ensuing paper thus 〈◊〉 by Bishop Laud The Answer of the Lords Bishops and Chancellours to such Articles of the Recusants Peâ—ition as concerne the Church An Abstract of those things which concerne the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction in the Petition exhibited to the Lords Justices 1. THat your Lordships may direct a course that the Clergy doe not proceed with the great burden and charge they doe lay upon the poore people for clandestine Marriages Christnings and Burials c. 2. That the the Bishops Courts should hold no longer then one day at a sitting 3. That the lâ—xâ—uisitors comming to doe service to the â—aid Court shall not pay for their entrance 4. The Subsidy of the Bishops and Clergy if they have paid the same no ease done to the Country therâ—by 5. That School masters shall not be disturbed from teaching so they teach nothing concerning Religion The Answers of the Lords Bishops and Chancellours that are now present to the Articles of grievance lately by your Lordships imparted to them Right honourable our good Lords AS to the imputation cast upon us to burthen and charge the poore people for clandestine Marriages Christnings c. We humbly propose to your Lordships consideration 1. That the cognizance of these causes doth by the Lawes of this Realme belong to the Judicature Ecclesiasticall with a very severe charge in Gods name to see to the due execution thereof as in the Statute of 2. Eliz. cap. 2. may appeare 2. That the resâ—actâ—rines of the people in not resorting to Church and being conformable to divine service and administration of Sacraments and other Rites according to the forme of the book of Common-prayer is no way to be cherished or fomented especially in the apparant endeavours which is now used by the popish faction NOTE to draw them away from the obedience of his Majesty to that of the Pope 3. That if it be permitted to them to marry and baptize without controle all other Sâ—ismaticks as Aâ—abaptists Brownists c. may claime the like 4. That they are in no worse condition then those of our owne and his Majesty in those very graces which their very Agents obtained and to which they have reference in their Petition did referre the Delinquents in these particulars to be proceeded against according to the ordinary course of Law Art 49. 5. That if this proceeding he stopt these inconveniences will arise The Bishops and Ordinaries are not able to answer the Kings writs which are by the common Law to be directed unto them as in cause of Bastardy and Certificate of marriage and the like as also the whole Common-wealth will swarme with Incest Adultery Whoredome c. if it be lawfull for popish Vicars to dispence and divorce at pleasure and voyd new marriages upon pretext they were not solemnized by the parish Priest according to the Trent Reformation and other like frivolous pretexts contrary to the law of God 6. As to the burthen of the poore people we doe humbly desire that the Delinquents may be informed against and upon conviction severely punished 7. And if it seeme to your Lordships that the fees of the Ecclesiasticall Courts be over-burthenous that the Commission for regulating them may be speedily executed 2. Touching the continuance of the Courts longer then one day at a sitting We conceive the same to be for the ease of the people and expediting of causes and the hindring of chamber-justice but if it shall appeare otherwise to your Lordships we desire your Lordships to set downe what order you shall think most fit for the ease of the people and due performance of that service 3. Concerning Inquisitors fees for their entrance We doe deny that ever any such thing was done and if any can be justly charged therewith let him be punished 4. Touching our Subsidy We doe think it is not unknowne to your Lordships how cheerfully we have strained our selves for the safety of the Country some of us having besides contributed to the Souldiers as deeply as they even of our mensall lands which we hold in our owne hands 5. Touching School-Masters We humbly desire your Lordships to consider 1. How much it concerneth the Reformation of the manners of the people that School-Masters be well-affected to Religion and to the present Government 2. That popish School-Masters doe breed up and prepare the youth of this Realme to be Priests and contrary to the Priviledges of his Majesties Progenitors to the University of Dublin doe teach them Logick and Philosophy 3. That under the name of School-Masters divers dangerous and seditious persons may be nourished in private Families to the corrupting and seducing the youth of this Realme and withdrawing them from his Majesties alleagiance 4. That whereaâ— if such be put downe the parents would out of necessity send their Children to the Ministers and Curates or Free-schools in every County and the Colledges at Dublin by the allowing them they will be still nouzeled in Superstition and Barbarisme Lastly whereas your Lordships lately desire us to certifie
and to strike off the Debts of your Crowne that for the enacting of all such profitable and wholsome Laws as a moderate and good people may expect from a Wise and Gracious King That this being the order of Nature Reason and Civility your Majesty expects it should be intirely observed and your selfe wholly intrusted by them which they are not onely to grant to bee fit in the generall case of King and Subjects but ought indeed to acknowledge it with thankfulnesse due to your Majesty in particular when they look back and call to mind how for their ease you were content to take six score thousand pounds which their Agents gave to bee paid in three in six yeeres and not barely so neither but to double your Graces towards them the whil'st which they'have injoyed accordingly much to their advantage and greatly to the losse of the Crown And that considering the Army hath been represented over to your Majesty from this Counsell and in a manner from the body of this whole Kingdome to bee of absolute necessity to give comfort to the quiet minds in their honest labours to containe the licentious Spirits within the modest bounds of sobriety it consists not with your Majesties Wisdome to give unto the World no not the apparence of so much improvidence in your owne Counsels of so much forgetfulnesse in a case of their safety as to leave that Pillar of your Auctority and their Peace unseâ— for continuance at least one six moneths before the wearing forth of their Contribution Therefore your Maiesty was well assured in conformity to the rules of Reason and Judgement they would presently grant three Subsidies to bee paid in three yeeres to disengage the Crowne of fourscore thousand pounds debt and continue their Quarterly payments towards the Army foure yeeres longer in which time it was hopefull suitable to your Gracious intentions some other expedient might bee found out to maintaine the Army without further charge to them at all VVhich Law passed they should have as much leisure to inact for themselves at after as they could desire either now or in winter Nay your Majesty 〈◊〉 be graciously pleased with the assistance of your Counsell to advise seriously with them that nothing might remaine either unthought of or denyed conducing to the publike good of this Kingdome But if they made difficulty to proceed with your Majesty in this manner other Counsels must be thought of and little to bee relyed or expected for from them I am not to flatter your Majesty so farre as to raise any hope on that side that all this should be granted but by pressing both and especially the continuance of the quarterly payments to the Army which they dread above any earthly thing I conceive it probable that to determine lay asleep as they think the contribution and in acknowledgement of your Majesties happy accesse to the Crown they may be drawn to a present Gift of three Subsidies payable in three yeares which alone would keep the Army on foot during that time and if my calculation hold almost discharge the debt of the Crowne besides For thus I make my Estimate the contribution from the Country is now but twenty thousand pounds sterling by the yeere whereas I have good reason to trust each Subsidy will raise thirty thousand pounds sterling And so there will bee ten thousand pounds for three yeeres over and above the establishment which thirty thousand pounds sterling well and profitably issued will I trust with Honour to your Majesty and moderate satisfaction to the parties strike off the whole fourscore thousand pounds Irish which in present presseth so sore upon this Crown And then Sir after that in Michaelmas Terme all beneficiall Acts for the Subject be thought of as many no fewer nor no more inacted then were fit in honour and wisdome to be granted If for a conclusion to this Parliament we could gain from them other two Subsidies to buy in Rents and Pensions to ten thousand pounds yearly value a thing they are inclinable unto as is mentioned in my dispatch to the Lord Treasurer I judge there were a happy issue of this Meeting and that it should through Gods blessing appeare to the world in a few yeeres Note you had without charge made a more absolute Conquest of this Nation by your wisdome then all your Royall Progenitors have been able to accomplish by theiâ— Armies and vast expence of Treasure and Blood These being the ends in my poore Opinion which are to bee desired and attained the best meanes to dispose fit all concurring causes thereunto are not to be forgotten and therefore as preparatives I make bold to offer these insuing particulars It seemes to mee very convenient a Committee bee forthwith appointed of some few of us here to take into consideration all the Bils intended when there was a Parliament to have been called in the time of my Lord Falkland such as shall be judged beneficiall to make them ready such as may be of too much prejudice to the Crown to lay them aside and to draw up others which may chance to have been then omitted this worke may bee by the Committees either quickned or fore-slowen as the Parliament proceeds warmer or cooler in your Majesties Supplies Next that your Majesties Acts of Grace directed to my Lord Falkland the foure and twentyeth of May 1628 may bee considered by such of your Counsell in England as shall please your Majesty to appoint there being many matters therein contained which in a Law would not futurely so well sort with the Power requisite to bee upheld in this Kingdome nor yet with your Majesties present proâ—â—t which hath perswaded me to except against such as I hold best to be silently passed over and to transmit a Paper thereof to my Lord Treasurer It is to be feared the meaneâ— sort of Subjects here live under the pressures of the great 〈◊〉 and there is a generall complaint that Officers exact much larger Fees then oâ— right they ought to doe To help the formeâ— if it bee possible I will find out two or three to make examples of And to remedy the latter grant out a Commission for examining regulating and setting downe Tables of Fees in all your Courts so aâ— they shall find your Majesties goodnesse and justice watching and caring for their protection and ease both in private and publike respects I shall indeavour the lower House may bee so composed Note as that neither the Recusants nor yet the Protestants shall appeare considerably more one then the other holding them as much as may bee upon an equall Ballance for they will prove thus easier to governe Note then if either party were absolute Then would I in private discourse shew the Recusant that the contribution ending in December next if your Majesties Army were not supplyed some other way before the twelve pence a Sunday must of necessity bee exacted upon them Shew the Protestant that
magni Apostoli exemplo doctum ut Iudeis sias tanquam Iudeus iis qui sunt sine lege tanquam sis sinè lege dummodo Sedis Apostolicae dignitatem promoveas Ideo cum in magnam Brittaniam mittere statuerimus dilectum filium Comitem Rosseti nostrum sedis Apostolicae cum potestate legati a latâ—re Nuntâ—â—m Iuvenem zelo Dei accensum Note Apostolicae soliâ—itudini nostrae satisfactum credidimus si eum tuae curae committeremus Iussimus igitur ut tibi communicet Instructiones sibi datas a dilecto filio Nepote nostro Francisco Sanctae Reverendis Ecclesiae Card. Barbarino subscrîptas teque pro eo quo pro sede Apostolica zelo ardes rogamus in quantum opus est tibi mandamus ut predictum filium Nuntium nostrum in omnibus dirigas moneas instruas lapsus errones ejus qui per juventutem facilè accidere possunt corrigas ut sedis Apostolicae decor inviolatus permaneat ut denique in omnibus èi te Angelum custodem prebeas Note Magnam certè spem concepimus predictum filium Nuntium tuis consillis adjutum non parvos in Ecclesia Catholica fructus producturum Labora igitur dilecte fili opus fac Euangeliste Ministerium tuum imple Catholicos zelo Dei accende ipsos conforta sed praecipue Amazones illas quae ut a dilecto filio Georgio Conneo audivimius die ac nocte streâ—ue decertant pro dignitate sedis Apostolicae Non dissidimus de Domino neque de potentiae ejus quia sicut occasione * * Q. Elizâ—b unius â—aeminae authoritas sedis Apostolicae in Regno Angliae suppressa fuit sic nunc per tot Heroicas faeminas illas imitantes quae-à -Galilea sequebantur Dominum societatem ejus assidue sequentes Note BREVI in eodeÌ„ Regno restituenda sit Adhortare igitur illas ut opus aggressum viriliter prosequantur de sede Apostolica quae devoti Faeminii sexus peculiarem curam gerit bene mereri pergant Rogamus patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi ut tibi spiritum sanctum suum mittat quite in omnibus per omniâ— custodiat Apostolicam nostramque benedictionem dilecte fili iterum atque iterum tibi impartimur Datum Romae apud S. Petrum sub annulo Piscatoris pridie idus Maii. About January 1640. next following this Bull there was this notable discovery of the Iesuits and Papists Practises made to the House of Commons by one Brown a Popish Priest which makes some mention of it and I cannot pretermit The voluntary Confession of Iohn Brown a Romish Priest of the age of 72. yeerâ— a prisoner in the Gate-house who being twice examined by a Committee of the Honorable House of Commons did thereupon further explicate himself for the good of the Commonwealth and ease of the House THe Honourable House takes notice of the Partie who delivered this Petition Note to be one of the most eminent in these Dominions of this Age who hath read Divinity Mathematicks and Philosophy in the speciall Universities of Christendome as Salamanca and Alcala in Spaine in Tholous and Avignon in France in Rome Venice and Genoa in Italy and hath preacht in speciall Cities in thesâ— Kingdomes and in presence of the French King at Paris and in the Low Countries at Antwerpe Brussells Dunkirke c. who desires to enforme concerning some speciall points for the Weale of this State as himself hath observed above fifty yeers past which are reduced to these Heads First concerning the Iesuits and danger they have done to these Kingdoms labouring that the Oath of Allegiance might not be taken And the wayes they use with their Penitents and projecting of Monopolies of the Ministers and Substitutes they use and the way quite to roote them out of these Dominions Secondly the reformation of some things in the Queenes Court and of some persons which are fiâ— to be removed Thirdly the Archbishop of Canterbury and of the great dammages done partly by himself and in his Court of High Commission Fourthly Note of the manner whereby the Pope means to intrude himselfe into the Temporall Monarchy of these Kingdoms and to eschewe all future danger in time coming What persons are to be removed from hence and that there should not be permitted any Resident to remain at Rome for the Queen nor none here from the Pope nor for foraign Princes to stir sedition in the State namely France and Spain Fiftly that Roman Catholiques shall be stopt from going over Sea with their goods and all First concerning the first the whole Christian world doth acknowledge the prediction which the Vniversity of Paris doth foresee in two severall Decrees they made Anno. 1565. where the society of Iesuits did labour to be members of the Vniversity Note Hoc genus hominum natus est ad interritum Christianae Reipublicae et subvertionem literarum that is This society is erected to be the overthrow of Christendome and ruine of Learning as wofull experience hath taught us They were the onely cause of the troubles which fell out in Muscovia when under pretence to reduce the Latine Church and plant themselves and destroy the Greek Church which is onely profess't in the Empire of Russiae the poor King Demetrius and his Queen and those that followed him from Polonia were all in one night murthered by the monstruous usurper of the Crown and the true Progeny rooted out They were the onely cause that moved the Swedes to take Armes against their lawfull King Sigismund and chased him to Poland and neither he nor his successors were ever able to take possession of Sweden For the Iesuits intention was to bring in the Romish Religion and root out Protestants They were the onely cause that moved the Polonians to take Armes against the said Sigismund because they had perswaded him to marry too Sisters one after the other both of the House of Austria They have been the sole cause of the Warre entered in Germany since the year 1619. as Pope Paulus Quintus did tell the Generall of their Order called Vicelescus for their Avarice pretending to take all the Church-Lands from the Hussits in Bohemia to themselves which hath caused the death of many thousands by the Sword Pestilence and Famine in Germany They have been the cause of civill Warres in France during all which time moving the French King to take armes against his own Subjects the Protestants where innumerable people have lost their lives as the Seige of Rochell and other places will give sufficient proof For the Iesuits intentions were to set their society in all Cities and Townes Conquered by the King and quite to abolish the Protestants They were the cause of the murther of the last King of France They were the only Projectors of the Gunpowder-Treason and their Penitents the Actors thereof They were the only cause namely Father Parsons that incensed
Woman in Scotland and had maried another one Mistresse Wiseman in England with whom he cohabited here in London The Scottish Woman claymed him but she being poore and none to protect her after two yeares suite he was declared to be Wisemans husband money was his Cause for himselfe assured me it cost him in gifts feasting his Advocates and Clerks above 150. pounds What intollerable Injustice was this it being notoriously knowne that the Scottish Woman was his wife The chiefe Extortioners are the Registers of the Court Stephen Knight and his companion Brother in law to Sir Iohn Limbe When his Grace foresawe the Parliament would call them in question he presently deposed them and made the said Knight principall Proctor in his Court who fearing to be questioned for the same misdemeanours fled with his whole Family to Norwitch and there bought of that Bishop the Registers office and so is like to continue his accustomed trade of extortion except this Honourable Court call him coram to answer his innumerable oppressions which are to be seene in the Registers booke of the high Commission He hath two bonds of mine and two letters of Atturney made by me to him His ordinary course was this to take for every one twenty shillings for that he should have had but two shillings sixpence which extended to a great summe in the yeare And out of Terme he had Fees for six Clerkes and so many Promoters which went throughout England plaging the poore and inriching themselves and their Master Knight Likewise the other extortioner was Bonnyragge the greatest Knave in the Country For money he would doe any thing He carried in his Pouch a number of Citations and when he pleased for money dismissed any one A Master Quashet Mr. Smith the Iesuite and Mr. Fisher of the same Order And one Cutbert a lay brother of theirs of whom I spoke before A great number of lay persons Recusants whom I know have beene dismist by him some for forty shillings some for twentie shillings but the least was ten shillings Of a great part of Anabaptists and Brownists some that were poore he imprisoned But the rich for money escaped as themselves will depose It is fit this Bonnyragge and also the Bishop of Londons Pursivants be called in question with many other of his Promoters and under Officers As Arthur Huffe living in Saint Peters street in Westminster I come now to the fourth point concerning the Popes aspiring to the temporall government of these Kingdomes NOTE and the manner how he proceedes which I will clearely set downe You shall be informed what his Ambition was seeing himselfe exalted to Saint Peters Chaire being before Cardinall protector of the Scottish Nation And which is ominous the two former Popes Clement the eight and Paul the fifth his Predecessors having been in minoribus protectors of Scotland He thought to do something more to reduce both under one King to the Romish Church NOTE And as Clement the seaventh had by his miscarriage beene the Cause of this diâ—coriation from the obedience of the sea of Rome he might be the meanes of their reconciliation Wherefore he was no sooner made Pope but the same day with his owne hand a thing not accustomed he writ a letter to King Iames of good memory shewing his election promotion to saint Peters Chaire and offering his correspondency with his Majesty at the same instant he nominated Signiour Georgio Conne a Scottish youth who was Schoole fellow with his Nephew Signior Francisco afterwards Cardinall who should informe him of all important businesse of England and Scotland This Signior George was a very faire youth of some fifteene yeares of age and of a faire disposition having also accesse to his Holinesse you may understand my meaning for in minority being Legat in Pâ—lonia hee was much suspected of incontinency And assoone as any English Scottish or Irish Runagates came to Rome he went to their lodgings in the Popes behalfe and brought them of his Holinesse Bread and Wine and other rarities as Boligman Sauseges and other dainties letting them see all the Antiquities of Rome and their Churches though they were not of their Religion and feasting them on the Popes charge when they visited the seaven Churches as the Lord Craven and others And now the Pope with his politique braine began to excogitate the meanes to have correspondency with the King by fortune there was at Rome a Hollender expert in drayning of Lands to make the Marish grounds pasturable and arrable who having got accesse to his Holynesse Informed him that all the Marish grounds in the champaigne of Rome which was above six miles might be drained and made profitable The Pope for his profit gave a great eare and understanding by this man the meanes to effect if in a short time that he needed great store of men to worke and that of all Nations the English were most expert The Pope presently takes hould thereof apprehending it as a fit occasion to treat with our K. wherefore he sends hither the Hollander in post hast by whom Signior Georgio writ to sundry of his frinds viz. to some of the Queenes Court Note by whose meanes at last he got accesse to his Majesty signifying from whence he came and the great profit which would redouud to this Kingdome if he would permit some two thousand Familyes of his People with their Wives and Children to goe and inhabit there and after successively more For he had gotten promise of the Pope that they should not be troubled but use their consciences without any vexation at all More this Hollander signified to his Majesty the great Commodity it would be to the trade in those parts for transporting from hence Cloth pewter lead and other Commodities and from thence Wines Raysins Oyles Capers and other fruits with a great quantity of Allome The businesse is remited to the Councell to consider if his Majesty might have correspondency with the Pope Note as a temporall Prince as he hath with other Princes and States who are not so potent as Holland Venice Florence c After mature deliberation it was concluded he might for the causes prementioned The Hollander returnes with speed to Rome shewing how well he had dispatched together with His Majesties Declaration and Order of the Councell with Letters and answers of sundry persons to Signior Georgio whom hee had feasted at Rome and knew of the Queenes Court being his Countrymen Then was it thought fit by those about Her Majestie to begin the Treaty and to breake that holy Ice for the Popes honours sake then was nominated Sir Robert Douglas Couzin Germain to the Marquesse Douglas an ancient friend to Father Philips and Signior Georgio a discâ—eet Gentleman who had much travailed and was expert in the Italian French Spanish and Germain languages A Courtier yet modest and discreet But the Cardinall Richleau must be the man Note who should have the honour to direct him