daies after his resurrection When as it is written x Act. 1. 2. 3 in expresse words he gaue through the Holy Ghost Commandements vnto the Apostles whom he had chosen and spake of those things which appertaine to the Kingdome of God Now doth it not especially appertaine to the kingdome of God that Christians should sanctifie their Lords day wherein y 1. Cor. 1. 23. 24. Christ crucified z 1. Tim. 3. 16. The mystery of godlines and a Mat. 1. 21. Sauiour of the world should be * Act. 10. 42. 43. preached as well as the Iewes had their Sabbath on which Moses A schoole master b Gal. 3. 24 to Christ and A minister of the Letter c 2. Cor. 3. 6. which killeth was d Act. 15. 21. preached Againe If in those 40. daies Christ e Eph. 4. 8. 10. 11. appointed what Ministers should teach his Church for euer how can it be but that thē also he appointed some Sabbath wheron they should ordinarily performe the worke of their ministerie as hee was wont f Luk. 4. 16. to do himselfe Seeing it is prophecied g Psal 110. 2. 3. That the power of his rod should be such that His people should come willingly at the time of assembling his army in holy beauty Seeing his Father whose works * Ioh. 5. 19. he imitateth appointed h Leuit. 16. 2. 29. as an high Priest so a time when once in a yeere he should enter into the Most holy place and as other Priests i Exod. 29. 44. 38. so morning and euening sacrifices and considering it is written k Eccles 3. 1. To euery purpose vnder heauen there is an appointed time Lastly If the Sonne be like his Father as in teaching his Apostles 40. daies for so long l Exod. 24. 12. 18. 39. 42. was Moses with the Father vpon the mount so in speaking those things which appertaine to the kingdome of God as his Father taught Moses al things belonging to the furnishing of the Tabernacle and If the Sonne be like his Father in sanctifying a day to his owne honor as hath been declared Why may not Christians beleeue that Christ sanctified The Lords day within those 40. daies as the Father m Deut. 9. 9 confirmed The seuenth day in those 40. daies that Moses was with him on the mount And the rather because it is te be obserued That the Disciples n Ioh. 20. 19. 26. assembled the two first daies of the two weeks immediatly following Christ his resurrection and that our Lord not only of purpose sanctified both those assemblies with his holy and miraculous presence but also immediatly before his Ascension commanded his Apostles o Act. 1. 4. 5. 7. 9. to wait a few daies for the promise of the Father Which by his prouidence in whose power bee times and seasons as Christ affirmed euen in this case was fulfilled p Mark 16. 1. 2. Leuit. 23. 15. 16. Act. 2. 1. 4. 14. vpon a Sonday and at the same time the Apostles first began the execution of their ministery and preached Christ publiquely But publique preaching q Num. 10. 7. 8. Isa 58. 1. Ezech. 44. 23. 24. Act. 23. 14. 42. is a speciall worke of the Sabbath day It may therefore bee gathered That Christ appointed his Apostles to sanctifie Sonday whereon he would manifest himselfe r 1. 6. 7. 8 to be King of Israel as his Father instituted A seuenth day as on which he was manifested to bee GOD of heauen and earth To conclude If Saturday were made common not by man but by God himselfe and that not for a Ceremony but for some other cause If God sanctified a Sabbath as well to Christians as to Iewes If euery ordinance of Christ were an ordinance of God If Christ were as faithfull in all his owne house as Moses about the Tabernacle If Christ came to fulfill the fourth Commandement which prescribeth one day of seuen If the Church of God bee not easily to bee condemned as neglecting the ordinance of God in sanctifying Sonday for many hūdred yeeres If Christ were like his Father in sanctifying that day to his owne honor whereon he was declared to be the Sonne of God and King of Israel to wit Sonday If the day be so appointed that the Creator is glorified with the Redeemer If it appeare by the Word that the first day of the week was confirmed by the Apostles practise and preceptiue exhortation If by the first day of the week be meant that day wheron Christ did rise againe and that was Sonday If in the Word Sonday be called The Lords day to the honour of Christ our Lord If the warrant of Sonday consisteth not in the ordinarie authoritie of the Church because it was established by the Apostles If euery spirituall man be to acknowledge the ordinances of the Apostles to bee the ordinances of the Lord and If the Apostles were informed by Christ touching the Lords day within those 40. daies after his resurrection I may safely hold this my Position The Lords day commonly called Sonday is an ordinance of God THE SECOND POSITION THE CHVRCH OF ROME IS not the Catholike Church neither yet hath continued an apparant member of the same euer since the Apostles time 1 THe Church is said to be Catholike in regard of the vniuersality thereof for this word Catholike signifieth Vniuerfall The Vniuersalitie thereof consisteth in Times Persons and Places For there is no age of the world no nation on the earth and no sort of people that can be exempted from the same And therefore it is called The celestial Hierusalem and said to be the congregation Heb. 12. 22. 23. of the first borne which are written in heauen So that we are to beleeue That as there hath been euer an head to wit Christ so there hath been also a body to wit the Church some where or other but the Church of Rome is a particular Church confined within a certaine compasse and hath not been a Church but since Christ his comming in the flesh therfore it is not the Catholique Church 2 The Catholique Church is an obiect of faith according to the Apostles Creed and therefore inuisible howsoeuer the members thereof called by Peter Liuely 1. Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 11. 1. stones be visible as they be men For faith is the euidence of things not seene But the Church of Rome is visible therefore not the Catholique Church 3 I grant that as one man so one particular Church may be called Catholike but it is only in regard of the Catholique faith as being one the same throughout the Catholique Church which that one man or that one Church professeth But the Church of Rome professeth not indeed the Catholike faith as shal be in part shewed hereafter therefore in no sense it can be truly called Catholique But suppose it held the Catholique faith yet were
it not for that cause an obiect of faith according to the Apostles Creed more than a particular man or any other particular Church holding the faith Here it is to be vnderstood that howsoeuer we may say This man or that Church is Catholique yet we may not say and speake properly This is the Catholique man or That is the Catholique Church 4 That the Church of Rome holdeth not the Catholike faith neither yet hath done for many yeeres may be demonstrated in sundry fundamentall points Let it be sufficient to produce though but one yet that most fundamental sith it is called by an excellency The Word of faith preached Rom. 10. 6. 8. by all the Apostles And the rather that One because it is the principall argument of that worthy Epistle which Paul wrote Cap. 1. 8. to the Romans whose faith was then published throughout the whole world So that if the Church of Rome swarue from this truth it is manifest that it is the ofspring not of the true members of the Primitiue Church of Rome but of the troublers of that Church of whom Paul thus writeth Now I beseech you brethren Cap. 16. 17. 18. marke them diligently which cause diuision and auoid them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus but their owne bellies and with faire speech and flattering deceiue the hearts of the simple But what is that most fundamentall point Euen that same which Paul after a large and learned disputatiō setteth downe as his peremptory iudgement in these words Therefore Rom. 3. 28. we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the Law But the Church of Rome that now is holdeth and for many yeeres hath held That a man is iustified both by faith and works contrary to the conclusion therefore the Church of Rome is not Catholique but Antichristian 5 I say Antichristiā because it may be proued such by many reasons and that because it erreth in this point but I only propound to wise and religious consideration this deduction That Antichristian Apostasy or Antichrist is called The Mystery 2. Thess 2. 7 of iniquitie that is a mysticall iniquity that is an iniquity which is indeed iniquity but not perceiued as Christ is called The Mystery of godlinesse that is a 1. Tim. 3. 16. mystical godlinesse that is godlinesse indeed but not perceiued But wherefore is Antichrist a mysticall iniquitie Because his Righteousnesse though glorious in shew is iniquity in deed because he attributeth Gal. 5. 4. Rom. 3 27. 1. Cor. 4. 1. Rom. 1. 16. 17. 4. 5. Iustification thereunto Now this is a mysterie to flesh and blood which would faine reioyce in it selfe that Righteousnes should be Iniquitie Euen so is the Gospell a mysterie for by it the Righteousnes of God is reueiled which otherwise could not be perceiued of flesh and blood For is it not a mysticall paradox to carnall reason to say God iustifieth the vngodly which yet is cleere to him who vnderstanding the Scriptures doth not only abhorre his foule iniquitie but also Phil. 3. 9. Esa 64. 6. disclaimeth his owne defiled righteousnes and by faith layeth hold on the righteousnes of God which is only by Christ or Who trusteth not to his righteousnes inherent which tasteth of the caske but to righteousnes imputed which maketh vs blessed These things well considered It may appeare that as Christ is the mystery of godlines not only because he is very God though in the shape of a seruant but also because the Word of Christ viz. the Gospell teacheth a mystical righteousnes So the Pope is Antichrist not only because he is an aduersarie in exalting himself aboue all that is called God though he pretend to be the seruant of seruants but also because his doctrine is a mysticall iniquitie Heere it is to be remembred that on the forehead of the Reuel 17. 5. 9. 18. Whore of Babylon to wit Rome was written this word A mysterie and it is also to bee vnderstood that on the Popes Mitre is the same word set with precious stones If then for the doctrine of Iustification and merit by workes the Church of Rome bee Antichristian it followeth that it is not Catholique and therefore hath not continued an apparant member of the Catholique Church euer since the Apostles time 6 The later point inferred may be the rather admitted if wee marke well that Paul saith That the Mystery of iniquitie 2. Thess 2. 7 was working in his time So that it is likely that those troublers of whom mētion is made in the 4. section ouergrew as weeds the good corne in time and preuailed still vntill that mysterie of iniquity was reuealed and consumed by the Spirit of God in the mouth of Luther and other the seruants of Christ Iesus 7 For the better manifestation of this point let vs seriously consider that howsoeuer the Church of Rome were now an apparant member of the Catholique Church which indeed is not to bee imagined yet sith it is not the Catholique and inuisible Church but a visible and particular Church and hath not any speciall promise that it should continue the same from the first constitution how can we be assured but that in so many hundreds of yeeres there haue been some alterations and innouations as well as in the Church of God among the Israelites Rom. 9. 4. to whom pertained the adoption glory couenants giuing of the Law seruice of God and the promises And yet it is written 2. Chro. 15. 3 of the Church Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God and without Priest to teach and without Law 8 As for that promise of Christ Thou Mat. 16. 18. art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of hell shal not ouercome it it appertaineth to the Catholique Church as builded vpon Christ the 1. Cor. 3. 11. only foundation of his Church and not to the Church of Rome more than to the Churches of Asia which are ouercome or any other particular Church which may be ouercome yet that promise remaineth Gen. 9. 13. inuiolable as the couenant whereof the Raine-bow is a signe is inuiolable notwithstanding sundrie particular countries be ouerflowen 9 Indeed Augustine did once take that Rocke to bee Peter the Apostle and his successors the Bishops of Rome but hee after altered that his opinion and vnderstood Rocke to signifie Christ by Peter confessed For that Christ did not say to Peter I will build me vpon thee But his words were so Augustine conceiued them as if hee had said I will build thee vpon me and not me vpon thee His meaning Col. 1. 24. is It is absurd that the Church which is Christs bodie and is therefore called 1. Cor. 12. 12. Christ because it cannot consist without the head therof which is Christ himselfe should be builded vpon Peter who is but a
hath the title for otherwise they need not make such adoe to proue that Peter was at Rome seeing it were sufficient to proue if they could that he accepted the title then those 6. Popes howsoeuer they were in title Bishops of Rome yet in truth they were Bishops of Auignion and therefore no apparant successors of Peter and therefore no apparant heads of the Church and therefore for 70. yeeres the Church of Rome was not an apparant member of the Catholike Church according to the sense of the Papists themselues Fourthly Onuphrius a Popish writer telleth of 30. Schismes in the Church of Rome Of which the 29. lasted 50. yeeres together Wherin there were sometimes two Popes together and sometimes three All which three were remoued by the Councel of Constance Can any say that all this while there was an apparant head If not it must necessarily follow That the Church of Rome hath not been euer since the Apostles time an apparant member of the Catholique Church according to the sense of the Papists themselues 20 Lastly As when the eye is darke Matth. 6. 23 the whole body must needs be darke So if the head viz. the Pope be so corrupt as that it cannot be perceiued to be an apparāt member of the Catholike Church how can the Church of Rome whose being is altogether in that head be an apparant member But most of the Popes haue been such Ergo. For howsoeuer that cannot be verified of al the Popes which was said of Boniface 8. commonly called A diuell incarnat That he entered like a Fox raigned like a Lion and died like a Dog yet some of them entered by Coniuration or the diuels helpe as Siluester 2. and Gregory 7. first called Hildebrand or The brand of Hell Some by harlots as Christopher 1. and Iohn 11. Some by poysoning their predecessors as Damasus who also did drinke of the same cup and the said Hildebrand who besides his Coniuration made way to the Popedome by poysoning sixe of his predecessors and many by Simony or Violence Were they apparant members of the Catholique Church when they were Popes Nay sundry of them were heretiques As Liberius was an Arrian Honorius 1. a Monothelite Anastasius a Nestorian Iohn 2 2. denied the Life to come and the resurrection of the body and this was laid to his charge when he was deposed by the Councell of Constance and Eugenius 4. was condemned and deposed as an heretique in the Councell of Basil As for their Liues In respect of all it is no lesse truly than commonly said of Gregory 1. That he was the worst Bishop but best Pope of Rome But some of them Platina no Protestant called Beasts and Monsters and of Iohn 12. Cardinall Turrecremata writeth thus Because the life of this Pope was detestable therefore Christ himself gaue out the sentence of condemnation For while he was abusing a certaine mans wife the diuell stroke him sodainly and so he died without repentance To set downe in particular the monstrous offēces of most Popes is too large and too filthy a field for me to walke in I will therefore shut vp with the words of Genebrard a Popish Chronicler who writeth thus For the space almost of seuen-score yeeres and ten from Iohn 8. to Leo 9. about fiftie Popes did reuolt wholy frō the vertue of their auncestors and were Apostaticall rather than Apostolicall Yea some did get into the See by force or bribery Wherefore it is no maruell if they were monstrous sith they entered in not by the dore but by a posterne gate To conclude If the Church of Rome be not the Catholique Church because it is confined visible faileth in the faith without which faith personall succession is of no validitie If it haue no promise of perpetuity the words of Christ to Peter not seruing the turne and therefore may be ouercome as well as the Church of Israel whereunto the promises did appertaine If Papists cannot proue that Peter was at Rome nor that hee was Bishop there nor that he was Vniuersall Bishop nor that his authority was sufficiently cōueyed ouer to the Bishops of Rome vpon which succession standeth the being of that Church If the Pope vpon whom as their head the Church of Rome dependeth be Antichrist and sundry times yea many yeeres together there hath bin no apparant Pope at all and most Popes haue been no apparant members of the Catholike Church because of their heresies or monstrous liues it followeth euidently that the Church of Rome is not the Catholique Church neither hath bin an apparant member of the same euer since the Apostles time And therefore it is to be wondered that any Christian man or woman should bee so simple as to hang their saluation vpon such a Synagogue as out of which God from heauen biddeth his people to depart Reuel 18. 4. THE THIRD POSITION PRIESTS ARE EXECVted not for Religion but for Treason IT is not to bee denied that Priests are executed for affirming the Popes Primacie and reconciling to the pretended Church of Rome c. which are points of their supposed religion But yet they are not executed for these or like points or parts as they be religious but as they bee trayterous or dangerous to the State in ciuill consideration 1 For if Priests were executed for these or like poynts as they be religious then the Church would proceed against them in Ecclesiasticall maner before the secular power execute ciuill punishment As against Anabaptistes and other in this Queenes raigne hath bene performed So that Priests their case differeth from Hackets only Secundum magis minus the one being more dangerous in ciuil consideration then the other 2 Secondly they should be executed as wel for affirming the Popes primacy and reconciling c. as Story for his misdemeanure though beyond seas For such affirming the primacie and reconciling c. are as damnable in religious consideration on one side of the seas as on the other but not so dangerous to our state in ciuill consideration 3 Thirdly they should be executed as well for other points of popery as giuing the glory of the Creator to wit prayer and praise to creatures Angels Saints stockes and stones c. being no lesse damnable then such affirming the Popes primacy and reconciling c. in religious consideration but not so dangerous to the state in ciuill consideration As may appeare by a like case propounded If Anabaptistes denying magistracy and that Christ tooke flesh of the Virgin Mary should swarme in England and if Magistrates should punish in a more ciuil manner of proceeding not the latter though no lesse damnable as it is religious but the former being more dangerous to the state in ciuill consideration who would say that Anabaptistes did suffer for religion and not for treason or felony 4 That affirming the Popes primacy and reconciling c. may appeare directly to be dangerous to the state in ciuill consideration and therefore
Saturday is still sanctified Which to be sufficient to celebrate the Creator the fourth Commandement prescribeth neither this nor that seuenth day but one of seuen doth euidētly proue So that wheras Sonday is The Lords day and withall A seuenth day we may obserue that Christians * Ioh. 14. 13. glorifie the Father in the Sonne and celebrate the Creator with the Redeemer By whom a New creation though spirituall was performed x Isa 65. 17. 66. 21. 22 according to the prophecy of Isaiah Lastly If it may appeare by the word that Sonday was confirmed by the Apostles practise and preceptiue execution then Sonday hath authoritie not from the Church but from Christ But it appeareth by the word that Sonday was so confirmed therfore it hath authority not from the Church but from Christ. That the sequele of the Maior may better appeare I will manifest the Minor by these three places of holy writ viz. Act. 20 6 7. and 1. Cor. 16 2. and Reuel 1 10. For in the first place three things are to be obserued 1. That Paul abode at Troas seuen daies 2. That it is not said The Disciples were called of purpose to his preaching but Being come together to breake bread that is to be partakers of the Lords Supper And 3. That ready to depart on the morow he cōtinued his preaching till midnight Then it will appeare that Sonday there called The first day of the weeke in respect of the Iewes their account to whom Saturday was the seuēth that is the last day of the weeke was sanctified to holy meetings and exercises And that Paul waited as at Philippi y Act. 16. 12. 13. for the Sabbath of the Iewes so at Troas for the Christians their Lords day Which he would not haue done being an Apostle and hauing such hast of departure if Sonday had not been sanctified by greater authority than the ordinary authority of the Elders and Brethren If it be obiected that according to the originall the words bee One of the Sabbathes in the two former places and therfore it is vncertaine whether Sonday bee meant in those places rather than Saturday I answere That by the same reason it is vncertaine whether our blessed Sauiour did arise againe the third day z 1. Cor. 15. 4. according to the Scriptures For all the Euangelists a Mat. 28. 1 Mark 16. 2. Luke 24. 1. Ioh. 20. 1. vse the same words when they report That Mary Magdalen went to seeke Christ when he was risen But more fully to confute this Argument three things are to be noted 1. That in the originall the numerall One is put for the ordinall First For Marke hauing said in the second verse of his 16. chapter One of the Sabbathes speaking of Mary Magdalen her seeking of Christ chaungeth the words in the 9. verse and saith The First day shewing that Christ was risen And that Sabbathes is put for Weekes As in Leuit. 25. 8. it is written Thou shalt number 7. Sabbathes that is weekes of yeeres Secondly it is to be obserued That in both places only Christians are said to haue these meetings For they who came together are called Disciples Churches and are said To breake bread that is To receiue the Communion b 1. Cor. 10. 16. 17. 18. which none but Christians may do And therefore in both places the Spirit of God in two sundry writers Luke and Paul vseth these words The first day of the weeke rather than The Sabbath day more distinctly to expresse that day which was sanctified by Christians Whereas at Philippi where no Disciples were as yet Paul is said c Act. 16. 12. 18. to go on The Sabbath to the place where the Iewes were wont to pray after he had bin there certaine daies For what neede had the Christians being none but themselues to neglect the Lords day for the Iewes Sabbath Thirdly note that it is said Euery first day 1. Cor. 16. 2. and consider whether there be any probability that the Apostle would haue them come together euery Saturday If not it followeth necessarily that by The first day of the weeke Sonday is vnderstood In 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. we are yet further to consider that the Apostle saith As I haue ordained in the Churches of Galatia which argueth Generality and Euery first day which argueth Perpetuity So that by this place holy assemblies vpon Sonday may seeme as generall in those times so confirmed for euer by a preceptiue exhortation For as in this speech d 2. Tim. 2. 19. Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie a preceptiue exhortation to call on the name of Christ is implied howsoeuer only departing from iniquity bee expressely commaunded So in this speech deliuered by an Apostle Euery first day of the weeke let euery one of you put aside is implied a preceptiue exhortation to come together vpon the first day of the weeke howsoeuer only putting aside be expresly commanded If it be obiected That these meetings were only to gather for the Saints I deny it For it is said Act. 20. 7. That the Disciples came together to break bread which importeth other holy exercises Againe If no more were vnderstood than expressed then Christians cōfirmed in the faith were lesse religious vpon their setled and sanctified holy day than they were ordinarily if not euery day at their first enterance into their holy profession For then they mette together e Act. 2. 42. 46. not only to breake bread but vnto doctrine also and prayers Lastly The Apostle who was so zealous to sanctifie the Lords day at Troas would no doubt reproue in this place so great neglect of The Lords day if such a matter were then to be supposed As for Reuel 1. 10. if nothing else were vrged but the consideration of the two former places it doth sufficiētly appeare that by The Lords day is meant The first day of the weeke now called Sonday according to the iudgement of all the learned Against which streame to striue by making a doubt without reason at least probable is to bewray a proud conceipt of a priuate opinion But howsoeuer this be sufficient yet for the godly their sake I will say somewhat more than inough It is the iudgement of the learned and I see nothing to the contrarie That as Paul praying in the Temple * Act. 22. 17 fell into a traunce so Iohn sanctifying the Lords day was rauished in spirit If so how can we imagine That Iohn banished f Reuel 1. 9 in the isle Patmos hauing no cause to cōstraine him nor occasion to induce him should rather sanctifie the Iewes Sabbath than the Christians holy day Againe If we find these titles Our Lord or The Lord so attributed to the Sonne that he is called g 1. Tim. 6. 14. 15. The Lord of Lords and by the title Lord h 1. Cor. 12. 4. 5. 6. Ephes 4. 4. 5.
trayterous it is to be knowne considered that Pope Pius Quintus by his bull declaratory pronounced our gracious and Christian Queene an hereticke and excommunicated all such as yeeld obedience to her If then the Popes authority be perswaded as a matter of conscience if by reconciliation her Maiesties subiects become vowed members of such an head as is her capitall enemy we may be assured that so many as are so perswaded and reconciled are prepared to obey the Pope and disobey the Prince Is not then such affirming the Popes primacy and reconciling c. dangerous to the state in ciuill consideration and therefore trayterous 5 In that I say prepared it is yet further to be knowne and considered that whereas the Northerne Earles had ill successe in executing the said Bull other deuises were frustrated and the hope of Papists their present preuailing much failed Parsons and Campian English Priests being to come into England to vrge the sayd Bull and doubting that in the rigour thereof it would not be readily obeyed did craue and obtaine of Pope Gregory the thirteenth this exposition more plausible to Papists but more dangerous to the state That the said Bull may alway bind the Queene and heretiques but Catholikes that is Papists in no sort things standing as they do but then only when there may be publike execution thereof 6 Philopater a louer of his country as he pretendeth by that fained name no Englishman if ye will beleeue him yet descended of the English nation as he saith himselfe in a poysonfull and trayterous booke often printed in diuers places beyond the seas such liking find such books with such subiects as Papists be graunteth that Priests are sent with authority Sect. 3. from the Pope to pardon excommunicate reconcile and teach according to the Bull expounded that subiects are not to obey the Queene in spiritual matters but in ciuill and that for the present state of things 7 What is implied in this last clause Philopater himselfe discouereth when he saith that it is agreed among diuers Lawyers and schoolemen that if a Prince Sect. 3. faile from the Romane faith and endeuour to withdraw other subiects may and ought oppose themselues depose their Princes if they haue force Which prouiso he inculcateth and vrgeth with this reason Last religion should be indamaged and aduanced attempts not preuailing 8 The same Philopater doth peremptorily pronounce as tyrannicall this question moued to Priests fugitiues recusants and such like If the Pope or other in his behalfe and cause of religion should inuade the land what part would you take the Popes or the Princes His reason of mislike is because a right Papist cannot answere freely thereunto without offence to God or Caesar As if God were offended if Caesar defended against the Pope By which exposition of the bull doctrine of the Priests and mislike of a question so necessary it doth clearely appeare that the end of affirming the Popes primacy and reconciling c. is to prepare her Maiesties subiects to be ready vpon paine of excommunication to ioyne with such forces as shall be imploied against our Queene and state in a pretended cause of religion Is not this dangerous to the state in ciuill cōsideration and therefore trayterous 9 Let the affects and effects of such teachers and schollers be obserued and the truth of this assertion will be so euident as that nothing can be more manifest To let passe their broad speeches whē and where they dare their concealing and abetting traytors and trayterous designes as they may possibly without danger their reioycing at and spreading abroad newes importing successe to the Pope though danger to the Prince c. To omit I say these and many such arguments of their trayterous affection the shamefull practises of many bewray the Popish preparation of most if opportunitie once serue Many haue been the conspiracies against her Maiesties person to take away her life But O Lord haue mercy vpon vs to preserue her Many haue bin the treasons against the Land to destroy it But O holy one of Israel defend this thine inheritance Who haue bin the authors and actors of all these tragicall attempts but such teachers and schollers What were the Rebels in the North And were they not prouoked to rebellion by Nicholas Morton Priest sent from Pope Pius to vrge the execution of his bull What were the Rebels in Ireland And was not Nicholas Sanders a Iudas that is a leader to the Popes army that came in pretence to relieue them Parry and Sommeruile went about to murther her Maiestie The one was encouraged in his diuellish enterprise by Cardinall Como in the name of the Pope and shall we thinke that the other wanted the holy counsell of Hall the Priest arraigned Babington and his complices conspired against Prince country Was not Ballard Priest a chiefe counsellor to them and did not Bost a Priest keepe counsell at least as he lately confessed If then Teachers and Schollers Priests and Papists concurre in seeking and following all opportunities to subuert our State can any other end be imagined of Priests their perswading and reconciling but to prepare their Schollers to ioyne together against Prince and country when force shall answere their affection 10 That the multitude of resolued Papists be thus poysoned and prepared let this be your last consideration for this time and not the least at any time That as the King of Ashur purposing to besiege Hierusalem sent from Lacish Rabshaketh 2. Chron. 32. 9. 12. 13. and others to weaken the hands of the people by disgracing their King Hezechiah as one without religion in that he had taken away Altars and defaced high places and by aduancing Saneherib as one that preuailed against all Gods So these Locusts which haue faces of men Reuel 9. 3. 78. 10. 11. and haire of women but the stings of scorpions in their tailes to wit Priests who pretend a tēder care of sauing soules in the beginning but intend a cruell destruction of Life and Land in the end are sent into this Realme by their King the Isa 7. 4. Angell of the bottomlesse pit out of the smoke thereof namely by the Pope in his fume but without flame I trust before inuasion intended to weaken the hands and withdraw the hearts of the people from our gracious Queene by disgracing her Maiestie as one without religion in that shee hath taken away sacrificing Altars and defaced religious houses and by aduancing their King as one that preuaileth against all Gods all States all Religions The like practise of sending Priests to prepare people against the comming in of Spaniards is to bee perceiued in Scotland 11 What successe this deuice hath is also to be considered The Pope is certified by Cardinall Allen and the King of Spaine by Parsons the Priest that there shall be found ready secretly within her Maiesties dominions many thousāds of able people that wil be ready to assist such power as shall be set on land Of whose names they haue deliuered bead-roles especially of such as dwel in port Townes and on the sea-coast with assurance that Priests shall continue their reconciled people in their lewde constancy So hath her Maiestie published in her Declaration Anno 1591. But Philopater denieth it Sect. 4. impudently and barely without any reason But if Ballard Priest sent such a beadrole into Spaine and Throgmorton had gathered the names of popish Noblemen and Gentlemen to the same purpose It may bee in reason supposed that to Priests intelligence is sent by Priests what schollers they haue perswaded and prepared for Treason and Rebellion To conclude 1. If the Church proceed not against Priests in Ecclesiasticall manner before the Secular power execute them 2. If Priests suffer not for affirming the Popes Primacy and reconciling c. beyond seas 3. If Priests be not executed for other points of Popery no lesse damnable then these as they bee religious 4. But if the Pope by his Bull hath vpon paine of Excommunication discharged her Maiesties subiects of their allegeance 5. If Papists be dispensed with for obeying her Maiestie till time serue to the contrary 6. If Priests come of purpose to reconcile and teach according to the Bull expounded 7. If it bee a Catholique doctrine that subiects hauing force ought to depose their Prince maintaining Religion contrary to the Church of Rome and 8. In that case to ioyne with forreigne power 9. If maisters and schollers haue from time to time attempted to put the said Bull in execution 10. If Priests bee sent before inuasion to prepare the people and 11. If thousands be notified euen by Priests prepared then it may be auouched that Priests are not executed for affirming the Popes Primacy and reconciling c. as they be religious but as they be trayterous or dangerous to the State in ciuill consideration FINIS