inhumane dealing we wil not impeach the superiour magistrate much lesse the Soueraigne but surelie the inferior ministers of that pretended Iustice cannot be excused of most cruel and sacrilegions dealing towardes Godes Priestes and other innocent persons And as for the particular handling of father Campion and M. Briant whom the libellers make examples of their milde and gentle intertainment vpon the torture we refer al indifferent readers to the said Briants owne latine epistle of that matter In the end of the booke of the persecution in England And for th' other they say true indeed that after his first racking and at the tyme of the protestantes disputes with him in the Tower he was not so bereaued of his handes but he might with paine write or subscribe his name But afterward vpon his second or third racking he was so benommed that he could neither take the cuppe and lifte it to his mouth nor drawe of his cuffe at the barre nor streight after his last torment nor manie dayes following had he anie feeling or vse of his lymmes as he confessed to his keeper asking him how he felt his handes Not euil quoth he for I feele them not at all The like we could prooue of M. Paine M. Paine the Priestes tormenting and diuers others but this is inough to controlle thes shameles vntruthes of the libeller and to make demonstration of the pitiful violēces Slaunders and tribulations which our brethren haue constantlie borne and yet doe beare for professiō of their Faith which to some rebuke of our nation we wold neuer so particularlie vtter here and els where yf our blamelesse defence droue vs not therunto And speciallie for that we wold christianelie giue warning to al Princes and Prouinces that yet happilie enioye the Catholique religion and the onelie true libertie of conscience in the same A vvarning to other contries yet Catholique to take heed by our miseries how they let this pernicious sect put foote into ther states which by promis of libertie and sweetnes at the beginning entereth deceiptfullie but when she is once in and getteth the maistery as she often doth wher she is not in season cōstantlie resisted she bringeth al to most cruel and barbarous thraldome procuring her followers to hate and persecute the Church their owne onelie true and olde mother far more deadlie then the Heathens them selues doe and turneth al the lawes made by godlie Popes and Princes for punishment of Heretiques and malefactors to the spoile and destruction of innocēt men and Catholiques for whos defence they were made Into which miserie our countrie to vs most deare being fallen and hauing no other humane helpes to recouer it and our Prince and Peres excepting this case of heresie of excellent good nature and clemencie with millions of soules that ther doe perishe we wil not feare nor faile to pray and aske it of God with teares and blood as we haue begonne donec misereatur nostri til he be merciful both to vs and to our persecutors Our dayes of affliction cannot be long their felicitie wil haue an end bothe sides shal shortlie haue their doome wher the dealinges of vs al shal be trulie discussed and the iust shal stand with great constancie against them that vexed them Interim in the testimonie of a guiltlesse conscience in al thinges wherof we be accused by our aduersaries and in ioyful expectation of that day we wil continew stil this worke of God to our owne and our countries saluation Per infamiam bonam famam as the Apostle willeth vs and through other miseries what so euer mans mortalitie is subiect vnto THAT F. CAMPIAN AND THE REST OF THE PRIESTES AND Catholiques endited condemned and executed vpon pretence of treason and vpon statutes made of old against treasons vvere neuer yet guiltie of anie such crimes but vniustly made avvay CAP. II. HItherto we haue made it cleare that diuers contrarie to the drift of this Libel haue bene cōdemned and put to death ether without al lawe or els onelie vpon new lawes by which matter of religion is made treason Now it foloweth and is next to be considered whither such other as were accused and appeached of old treasons vppō a statute made in the dayes of Edward the third in the 25. yeare of his reigne were indeed guiltie of anie such crimes The intent of that lawe is to register diuers cases that were to be deemed treason in which the first and cheef is to conspire or compasse the death of the Soueraine or to leuie men of armes against him and therof can be by open fact conuinced Vpon which special clause father Campian good man and his fellowe Priestes and Catholique brethren were to the wonder of the world The enditement of F. Campiā and the rest arreigned Namelie endited that at Rome and Rhemes the last daye of March and May in the 22. yeare of her maiesties reigne they cōpassed the Q. death the subuersion of the state and inuasion of the Realme feigning for better coloring of the collusion the forsaid places dayes and tymes when this conspiracie should be contriued Which forgerie and false accusatiō is now so clearlie discouered to al Englishmen of anie cōsideration protestantes and others that for excuse of that soule sinful practise they haue set out at length to strangers as they did with like lucke before at home this late Libel by which God almightie the protector of his Saintes and our innocēcie hath marueilouslie confounded them selues and iustified the cause and conscience of his holie Martyrs as by the declaration folowing shal appeare When the Politiques of our countrie The intent and drift of Politiques in England pretending to be protestantes sawe the Catholique religion contrarie to their worldlie wise counsels and determinations and against their exquisite diligence and discipline twentie years endeuour in which tyme they thought verelie to haue extinguished the memorie of our Fathers faith to be reuiued in the hartes of the greatest number noblest and honestest sort of the Realme and that neither their strange violent and capital lawes for the Q. spiritual superioritie against the Popes preeminence the power of Priesthood in absoluing penitents the saying and hearing of Masse hauing or wearing of Agnus-deis or other external signes of our societie with the Catholique Church of al tymes and nations nor th' execution of manie by death and other penalties and punishment according to the said lawes wold serue nor were of force to hold out of England the Priestes of the Societie and Seminaries to whom Christ had giuen more Apostolike spirite courage zeale and successe then of so smal a beginning was looked for by whom the protestantes began to feare lest great alteratiō in religion wheron they thinke their new state that is to say the weale of a verie few in comparison dependeth might ensue they thought good by their long exercised wisdom to alter the whole accusation from question of faith and
heauen as it is reported were so partiallie or rigorouslie scanned by the malice of his great and potent professed enemie that many yeares hath sought his ruine together with his zealousnes in the Catholique faith brought him to his most pittiful end to the great regret of the whole countrie But the importunitie of the aduersarie hath brought vs somewhat out of our intended cours To returne backe therfore to our famous Prelates deposed in this Queens dayes the principal wherof was Archebishop of Yorke D. Heath Archbishop of York highe Chancelour of the realme the Primate of Canterburie being deceased before which worthie man this Libeller hipocriticallie commendeth for his loyaltie though in Religion differing from them therby to make the Q. Maiesties mercie towardes him a paterne forsooth of clemencie not to be matched as he wiselie writeth in Q. MARIES time which Queene notwithstanding pardoned a number of heretiques and ranke condemned traitors both of life and landes whom we could name al the world knoweth yet aliue And further he addeth which is a notorious vntruth that the said Prelate voluntarilie left both his Chauncelorship and Archbishopricke wher al wise men wil witnes with him and for him that he was most vniustlie with the rest of his Suffraganes and brethren Bishops for refusing to take that absurd othe of the Q. Supremacie and to vse the new Caluinistical seruice in his prouince deposed by violence from his spiritual function dignitie Who 's courage and resistance for quarel of Gods religion how loial and obedient so euer the Libeller would make thos men in comparison of vs therby to insinuate that the more bloodie rigour is vsed now towardes vs then in the beginning towardes them was such in them specially in the said Archbishop that he worthelie and as became his Excellencie refused to anoint or crowne the Q. Maiestie that now is though it apperteined to his special office to doe the same the Metropolitan being dead as hath bene said before and so did al the rest of the Bishops refuse the same vntil with much a doe they obteined the Bishope of Carlisle The Bishop of Carlisle the īferior al most of al the rest to doe that function Which is here remembred by me for that the Libeller of his good discretion recordeth it for special courtesie of that man towardes his Princesse Which refusal of him specially that by office should haue done the same might in reason haue bene construed to as hainous and treasonable a purpose as most thinges that afterward haue bene done for the Catholique cause by anie of the later years if the malice of that time had bene as ripe then as now it is against Gods Church and Priestes The cause why they durst not thē nor could be adduced by anie humane feare or authoritie to inuest her was VVhy the Catholique Bishops refused to croune this Q. for that they had euident probabilities and arguments to doubt that she ment ether not to take the othe or not to keepe the same which al Christian kinges and speciallie ours in England doe make in their Coronation for maintenance of holy Churches lawes honors peace and priuileges and other duties due to euery state as in the time and graunt of K. Edward the Confessor They doubted also lest she would refuse in the verie time of her sacre the solemne diuine ceremonie of vnction accustomed in the consecration of al Christian princes through the euil aduises of certaine yōg counsellers being then in the heate prime and pride of their Heresie wherby great scandal might arise and hurt to the Realme Which they the rather doubted because they saw not lōg before her Highnes at her first entrāce to that high estate commaund a certaine Bishop euen the same of Carlisle now named stāding readie to say Masse before her a strange case in a woman towardes a Bishop not to eleuate the holy consecrated Hoste but to omit that ceremonie because she liked it not Which the said Bishop to his great honor constantlie refused to obey A thing that in one of vs poore men now perchaunce would be accompted high treason and disloialtie towardes our Soueraine And of this his courage in Gods cause it neuer repented him but for doing the other office at the Coronation when he sawe the issue of the matter and both him self and al the rest of his sacred order depriued and the Churches Holie lawes and faith against the conditions of her consecration and acceptation into that royal roome violated he sore repented him al the dayes of his life which were for that special cause both short and werisome afterward vnto him Otherwise doubtles al the Bishops and the rest of the principal of the inferior Cleargie did stoutlie and worthelie as could be wished as was possible in that sodaine assault of Heresie fearing at the same time their personal peril so litle The intention of the Clergie to Excōmunicate the Q. that they were manie of them of that mind that it should be good to vse the censure of Excommunication against her Highenes and some of her leaders into that reuolt so dangerous and shameful to the state so latelie reconciled to the sea Apostolique and by othe and promis of al estates confirmed But the wiser of the Bishops or at least the mylder sort persuaded the contrarie for manie inconueniences that might ensue and so they rather resolued the matter to be remitted to the high Pastor of Christes vniuersal Church then to be executed by them that were her subiects not without peril perhaps of some further tumult scādal and trouble to the whole Cleargie whom they would haue interpreted to haue done it of malicious and rebellions mind rather thē of loue and dutie of which al such censures indeed doe proceed how so-euer the partie affected and sicke in soule especiallie Princes except they be verie wel trained in the feare of God accept the same wel remembring that manie Kinges had killed their Pastors in like cases Al this we put doune that no man be abused by the enemie to thinke that the Reuerend Prelats at the first were lesse zealous which he calleth more loial or more obedient to the Prince in lauful thinges then we their scholars and of-spring be or we lesse loial thē they and therfore more punishable then they were though in deed their perpetual imprisonment and pining away in miserable desolation their tossing and shifting from one superintendents house to an other from one keeper to an other from one prison to an other subiect to extreme wantes and to a thowsand daylie vilanies besides wherof some of thē now haue tasted for twentie fiue years together is worse then any death in the world This then is a true Persecutiō indeed when such men for such causes against al reason and lawes be so vexed by such as owe them al reuerence dutie and obedience Such is also the miserable fortune of the Catholique Nobilitie
cōtention betvvē the spirit and the flesh hovv far tollerable and contrariwise the spirit the flesh eche one of them seeking after a sort to enlarge his owne limites and commodities by some hinderance of the other which combat conflict notwithstanding is ether tollerable or not damnable so long as the inferiour which is the flesh by ouer greedie appetite of her owne aduancement destroieth not the superiour which is the soule So doubtles in a Christian Common-wealth the spiritual and temporal state being ioined together as it were in one bodie must needes keepe some moderate strife and combat for maintenance of ether of their limites in external regiment which may be borne withal of eche side so long as nether part seeketh ouer obstinatelie the destruction of the other but doe agree and conioine in preseruation of the principal But where the bodie politique as it is now in our miserable Countrie by intollerable disorder doth striue not so much with the Sea Apostolique The intollerable proceeding of England and bodie mistical of Christ for thinges ether indifferent or not merlie necessarie to the spiritual regiment but by euident rape and violence against the lawes of God man bereaueth Christes Vicar of his whole soueraintie high Preisthood and Prelacie and the Catholique Church of al the rightes douries which our Master her spouse endowed her withal and tirānicallie draweth al to the Princes REGALITIE altering by the authoritie therof the whole faith and true worship of God into abhominable Apostacie Scisme and desolation ther the Libeller can find no example in anie Christian Lawes or Countries through out the world in any age to proue his purpose though vainlie and impertinentlie he alleage thes Concordates of Fraunce other Nations as also the compositions of England with the Pope or what orders and lawes soeuer besides ether lauful or vnlauful concerning restraint of any Papal or Ecclesiastical power which serue nothing at al for defence of the late English general and most impudent reuolt from the vnitie of Gods Catholique and Apostolique Church Manie things might the wordlinges of our Countrie euen in Catholique times attempt for their owne aduantage Some vncōscionable lavves might passe in a Catholique time against the commodities of the Church Our Kinges other in times of dissention with certaine Popes of their dayes might driue the weaker to vnequal conditions and serue their owne ambitious humours to the Churches disaduantage Some lawes might also passe by the powerablenes of Princes in their owne dominions the Sea Apostolique vtterlie reclaiming against them which though they were not directlie against anie point of Faith or Religion yet might be verie preiudicial to the state ecclesiastical and liberties of holie Church as the lawe of Premuniri was which is mentioned by the aduersarie Against which diuers Popes speciallie Gregorie the eleuenth and Martin the fift opposed them selues earnestlie The lavv of Premuniri and dealt with K. Edvvard the thrid and Henrie the sixt for abrogating the same which they both promised to doe but neuer did and cōsequētly it remaineth stil in his first vncōcionable force if the makers had any such meaning as their folowers haue found out for that it may by calumnious interpretation be vsed at the onlie pleasure of the Prince to the confiscation of al Church-mens goodes imprisonment of their persons destruction of the whole Cleargie wherof king Henrie the eight in the beginning of his Scisme gaue an horrible example Which iniquitie the Libeller him self is not ashamed to commend and to propound to other Princes for imitation Thes iniustices and the like may be by some Kinges committed and are as we haue said for peace and Charities sake borne by thē who are taught by their Maister and by the Apostolical Bishops of the primitiue Church to set more by one soule then by al the honours goods priuileges in the world otherwise So that God be honored whether causes at the first instance or by appeale onelie be differred to the Court of Rome or no whether the Pope Prince Cleargie or people appoint the Pastours or no a thing diuerslie vsed in diuers ages the Church can beare al and turne al to good so long as the true Faith and substance of Ecclesiastical iurisdiction be not destroied Wherin yet this may be comfortable to al obedient children of the Church Ecclesiastical restraintes haue not proued so profitable and worthie to be considered of discret persons that in al or surelie in most part of such limitations restraintes diminishinges or alteratiō of the Popes Churches authoritie thinges haue afterwardes so fallen out that wise men hartilie wish no change euer had bene made And for the euidence therof we refere al men to the pondering of this one point speciallie amongst manie concerning the nominations and elections of Bishopes Abbots and other Prelates whether the world wēt not as wel when such thinges passed by canonical election or the Popes prouision as it hath done since or hereafter euer is like to doe At the beginning of such alterations men pretended reasons for the particular Churches commodities of sondrie Nations which a few yeares experience and the euent of thinges haue in most matters controuled But were it wel or euil it can nether be example nor warrant to our present Contrie to destroy Abbeis kil the religious murder Gods Priestes imprison al the sacred persons of Bishops through out the Realme to hate blaspheme abolish al authoritie and iurisdiction Apostolical yea and to make a solemne publique prayer in the litanie That God vvould deliuer our Country from the Pope in stead of that which the whole Christian world deuoutlie singeth and saieth daylie Vt Dominum Apostolicum omnes ecclesiasticos ordines in sancta religione conseruare digneris Barbarous malice of English Heretiques against the Sea Apostolique Would anie man thinke that ether they should fal to such barbarousnes or to such impudencie as to defend so grosse impietie by the examples of other Catholique Kinges Contries and times in the cases aforesaid Or can it be possible they could imagine the difference betwene K. Henrie the vij and the Pope that then was The grosnes of the Libeller about a matter of Alume should warrant her Maiesty that now is or her Councellours to stand against the high Priest of God and to goe to lawe with him for his spiritual Prelacie What a Grossehead is this Libeller or rather what a deceiptful person for he can not be so rude as not to knowe the difference of thinges so farre distant that alleageth the warres sometimes fallen out betwixt certaine Popes and Princes about their temporal interests to proue that Catholique kinges care not for the Pope or that them selues may resist him by armes and contemne his authoritie in matters of Faith Religion Wherin his exāples also are very euil chosen when he goeth about to make vs beleeue that Charles the fift cared not for
and prayers depending vpon his soueraine determination a thing that al nations haue to take heede of by our example for the redresse of which pernicious absurditie so manie of our said brethren so willinglie haue shed ther blood The ridiculous varietie of Heretiques about the Headship of the Church In the first Parliamēt of her Maiesties reigne it was indeed in a maner thrust vpon her against her wil because otherwise ther could haue bene no colour to make new lawes for change of Religiō and this title of Cheefe gouernesse was thought to be a qualification of the former tearme of Headship But in truth it is al one with thother or rather worse for in some kinde of improper speach the King may be called the Head or cheef of the Church of his countrie for that he is soueraigne lorde and ruler of bothe persons spiritual and temporal al sortes bound to obey his lawful ciuil lawes and commandementes and so in that sense is he Head of the cleargie and of al others But when in the new forme of our statute it is expreslie and distinctlie added that she is the onelie Supreame gouernour euen in al causes as vvel Spiritual and Ecclesiastical as temporal Ciuil and furthermore enacted that al iurisdictions priuiledges superiorities and preeminences ecclesiastical as by anie power spiritual haue bene or may be exercised are taken frō the Pope to whom Christ gaue them in most ample maner and are vnited or rather as they say restored by an old decree to the crowne of England this can haue no excuse nether trew or likelie sense in the world Absurdities that in sevv vppon making the temporal prince head of the Church making indeed a King and a Priest al one no differēce betwixt the state of the Church and a temporal common wealth giuing no lesse right to heathen Princes to be gouernours of the Church in causes spiritual then to a christian king it maketh one parte of the Church in different teritoires to be independent and seueral from an other according to the distinction of realmes and kingdomes in the world And finallie it maketh euerie man that is not borne in the kingdome to be a forreiner also in respect of the Church thes and a thowsand absurdities and impossibilities more doe ensue which for breuitie we omitt onelie this which is in most mens memories we may not ouerpasse that the verie same yeare that this new preeminence was giuen by lawe to the Q. and th'othe accordinglie ministred to many some hauing remorse of the matter for to auoide daunger pretended for their refusal that it seemed to them by the wordes of th'othe and acte that the Q. might minister also the Sacramētes wherunto they wolde not sweare by anie meanes Wherupon in her next visitation of the cleargie a special iniunction was printed and published by her commaundement declaring that in truth she had no such intent Marke this circle in declaration of the title and that no suche thing was implied in her title or claime of spiritual regimēt nor no other thing nor more then was before graunted to her father by the tearme of Supreame head requiring al her louing subiectes to receiue th'othe at least in that sense and so it should suffice her highnesse By which it is now cleare by ther owne authentical declaratiō that we speake no vntrewth as this libeller sayth nor abuse not the world when we say she is called and taken for the Supreame head of the Church of England albeit the thing it self being far more absurde and of more pernicious sequele then the makers of the law which were mere laymē and most of them vnlearned could then perceiue their folowers now would disauow the same For this article therfore as the famous bishoppe of Rochester Sir Thomas More and a great number more in king Henrie the 8. his dayes so did thos twoo last named martyrs and diuers others before them most gladlie and constantlie yeld vp their lyues and so consequentlie dyed for mere matter of religion onelie And to end this point we lastlie referre the aduersarie to the late Martyrdome of Cartar a poore innocent artisan who was made away onelie for printing a catholique booke De schismate in which no worde was found against the state the quarel onelie most vniustlie being made vpon a certaine clause which by no likelie honest construction could apperteine to the Q. person viz. that the Catholike religion should once haue the vpper hand of heresie and Iudith cutt of the head of Holophernes which they in their extreame ielousie and feare of all thinges wold needes wreast against her Maiestie And the place serueth here to saye some-what of the cause also of their racking of Catholiques which they wold haue strangers beleeue neuer to be done for anie point of religion Fol. 20. As for example say they in the addition to th' end of the libel none is asked by torture vvhat he beleeueth of the Masse or Transubstantiation or suche like Questions asked of catholiques vppon torture As though forsooth ther were no question perteining to faithe and religion but touching our inward beleefe Wheras in deed it concerneth religion no lesse to demaund and presse vs by torture wher in whos houses what dayes and tymes we say or heare Masse how manie we haue reconciled what we haue hard in confession who resorteth to our preachinges who harboreth catholiques and Priestes who susteineth aideth or comforteth them who they be that haue their children or pupilles in the Societie or Seminaries beyond the seas wher such a Iesuite or suche a Preist is to be found wher catholique bookes ar printed and by whom and to whom they be vttered in England which thinges being demaunded of euil intēt and to the annoyance of the Catholique cause Godes Priestes and innocēt men no man may by the lawe of God and nature disclose though he be expreslie commaunded by anie Prince in the world for that God must be obeyed more then man Yet thes were the Interrogatories for which the famous confessor M. Briant M. Briant was tormented with needles thrust vnder his nayles racked also otherwise in cruel sorte and speciallie punished by two whole dayes and nightes famine which they attribute to obstinacie but indeed susteined in Christes quarel it was most honorable constancie The like demaundes were put to the blessed martyrs Campion Sherwin and others vpon the torture M. Shirvvine and of this later namelie was asked where F. Persons and Campion were and whether he had said Masse in M. Roscarockes chamber and what money he had giuen him M. Thomson M. Thomson a venerable and learned Priest was put to tormentes onelie to get out of him to what end he kept certaine Superaltaries and wher he entēded to bestowe them The said yong man Cartar Cartar of whos martyrdome we last treated was examined vpon the racke vpon what Gentlemen or catholique Ladies he had bestowed or
put none to death for religion you haue no lawes to put anie man to death for his faith you haue purposelie repealed by a special statute made in the first yeare and parliament of this Q. reigne The difference of proceeding in Catholiques and protestaÌ„tes al former lawes of the Realme for burning heretiques which smelleth of something that I need not here expresse you haue prouided at the same time that nothiÌ„g shal be deemed or adiudged Heresie but by your Parliament Conâ—ocatioÌ„ you haue not yet set doune by anie new lawe what is Heresie or who is an Heretique Therfore you â—an nether adiudge of our doctrine as of heresie nor of â—s as of heretiques nor haue you any lawe left wherby â—o execute vs and so to put anie of vs to death for religion is against Iustice lawe and your owne profession and doctrine But neuerthelesse you doe torment and punish vs both otherwise intollerablie and also by death most cruel and that as we haue prooued for Agnus deis for ministring the holie Sacraments for our obedience to the Sea Apostolique for persuading our frendes to the Catholique fayth for our Preisthod for studying in the Societie or Colledges beyond the seas and such like which you haue ridiculouslie made treason but after-ward being ashamed of the foule absurditie acknowledge them to be matters of religion and such as none shall die for And therfore we most iustelie make our complaint to God man that you doe vs plaine violence persecute vs wythout al equitie and order On thother side Q. Marie against the Protestants executed onely the old lawes of our countrie and of al Christendome made for punishment of heretiques by the Canons and determination of al Popes Counsels Churches Ecclesiastical tribunals of the world allowed also and authorised by the ciuil and imperial lawes and receaued by al kingdomes Christian besides and who theÌ„ hath any cause iustly to be greeued Why should any man complaine or thinke strange for executing the lawes which are as ancient as general as godly against Heretiques as they are for the punishment of traitors murderers or theeues Secondly we complaine iustly of persecution for that our cause for which we suffer is the faith of al our Forefathers the faith of our persecutors owne auncestors the faith into which our countrie was conuerted and by which we ar called Christian the faith of the Catholique Churches Kingdoms round about vs the faith that we promised in our regeneratioÌ„ and therfore can not be forced from it nor punished for it by any lawe of God Nature or Nations VVhy Heretiques may be forced to the Catholique faith though born and bredd vp in Heresie Wher contrariwise thos that in our time or otherwise haue fallen from that faith which not onely their elders religiously receaued but them selues also for most part were many years brought vp in or if not yet had they promised and vowed the same by their parentes and spiritual suerties though protestants in their Baptisme wherin solemne promise is both made and taken to folow the Catholique Church faith with abhomination of al heresies sectes whatsoeuer thes men I say though borne of pareÌ„ts ether Arrians Macedonians PelagiaÌ„s Anabaptistes Zwinglians Protestants or other sect or opinion are not permitted and much lesse charged or bound as the Libellerful ignorantly surmiseth to hold that profession of peculiar Heresie Fol. 9. wherin they were first brought vp seing they can not be deemed to haue professed that sect in their Baptisme or as idly this poore deuine addeth in their Confirmation which was first taught them by their maisters of error according to the time or place of their first education but are to be instructed how that their profession in Baptisme was of the true Catholique receaued knoweÌ„ Christian faith dispersed ouer the world in Christ his Church wherunto they afterward stand bound and consequentelie by al lawe both deuine and humane may be inforced albeit their actual baptisme or education were neuer so much amongest heretiques So that as no lawe of God or man can force vs to be protestantes no more can any reason be alledged nor iust excuse made for ether yong or old why being baptized or brought vp amongst Arrians or Caluinists they may not be forced to returne to the Catholique Church and faith againe And we may maruel in what age or world those people were borne which the Libeller noteth to haue bene burned in Q. Maries time Fol. 9. hauing neuer heard as he sayeth of any other religion then that for which they suffred For the sect which they pretended to die for was not extant in England aboue fiue or six years before in the short reigne of K. Edward the sixt or rather of his protectour for before that in K. Henries dayes the same profession was accompted heresie and the professours therof were burned for Heretiques and that by publique lawes no lesse then in the reigne of Q. Marie But the truth is that because we Catholique Christian men doe iustly ground our selues vpoÌ„ the former professioÌ„ of our faith notoriously knowen to be and to be called Catholique thes men apishlie would imitate our phrase and argument in a thing as far differing as heauen and hel Thirdlie we say that we haue iust cause to complaine of this present persecution The maner of proceediÌ„g in persecuting protestants for that the maner of it is such and the proceding so conformable to the old Pagane Heretical and Apostatical fashion and dealing against Gods Church and children that nothing can be more like They hated al Catholiques and compted them traitors so doe you They speciallie persecuted Byshops Priestes and religious so doe you They killed them indeed for their beleef but yet pretended otheâ— crymes more odious and speciallie matters of conspiracie and rebellion against the ciuil magistrate so doe you They droue the innocent by captious interrogatories into dangers of lawes that neuer offended the lawes so doe you They pressed men by torments to denie their fayth vnder colour of trying their secret intentes against the Prince so doe you They punisshed and haue put to death one Catholique for an other mans fault of the same profession and vpoâ— general supposals common to al of the same faith made away whom they lyst so doe you I referre thâ— indifferent readers to the persecution of Iulianuâ— Apostata of the Gothes and Vandals in Italie and Affrique It is not onelie the slaughter of manie and them speciallie the Priestes of God which is most proper to heretical persecution but th' other infinite spoile of Catholique mens goods honors and libertie by robbing them for receyuing Priestes hearing Masse retayning Catholique Schoolmasters keeping catholique seruantes mulcting them by twentie poundes a moneth which by their cruel accompt they make thirtene-skore a yeare for not repairing to their damnable Schismatical seruice By which a number of auncient gentlemen fal to extremitie ether
our cōtentmēt this Libeller so often alleageth if in scoole booke or pulpit it had bene affirmed that for Heresie or Atheisme a Prince or her self might be deposed Yf in the famous vniuersitie of Paris or honorable college of Sorbon VVhat forraine Princes accōpt of such propositions that conclusion of diuinitie were defended that the Pope in case of Heresie might censure their king would that trouble his most Christian Maiesty who desireth no longer to reigne then he doth aduaunce the glorie of Christ The like might be said of th' other great Monarch of Spaine who would not haue his owne issue which God almightie blesse succede him if it were not Catholique No more would th' Emperours sacred Maiesty no nor the Popes Holines in spiritual affaires and regiment of our soules superior to al the rest count anie of his owne subiects traitors for houlding that in case of Heresie or Apostacie he might be deposed or loose the right of his place and dignitie We aske here the Libeller by what law or custome Canon Ciuil or National of our countrie or other is this made treason Or why it should be more treason in England then in anie other place seing no lawe hitherto hath passed by authoritie against the same nor anie opinion to be compted preiudicial to anie Prince or state no assertion treasonable that is true in diuinitie for that no truth agreable to Gods lawe and mans can be contrarie to the lauful soueraigntie of anie power or potentate in earth But you wil say and that is al you can say that though the general proposition An obiection vvith the ansvver that Princes for Heresie may be deposed were true yet th'application therof to her Maiestie in particuler may be treason for that it is made high treason by act of Parliamēt in the thirtenth yeare of the Q. reigne for anie to cal her an Heretique or a Shismatique vnder paine of death To which we answere first that our affirming that she may be deposed for Heresie doth not at al auouch her to be one no more then the like assertion of the K. of Spaine would implie him to be such an one or vs to thinke him such an one and therfore if your owne conscience accuse your selues or giue you suspition that what soeuer is said toucheth you it is you that applie the general speach to your owne particuler and not we Secondlie we say that your said law may bind vs that be subiects not to speake so vnreuerentlie of her to whom God hath giuen power ouer vs in this lyfe as to cal her Heretique Infidel or Schismatique for thos be the termes of your statute though we should know her damnably to erre in Religion but the Pope is not subiect to that lawe but he may according to th' authoritie giuen vnto him determine by the lawes of God holie Church who is an Heretique and so wil the learned of forraine schooles whether you wil or no applie the definition of Heresie or of an Heretique to what person they please As for vs our brethren executed you know none euer called the Q. Heretique voluntarilie contemptuouslie or malitiouslie as your statute runneth but when they were driuen by you of set purpose to offend the lawe so to haue some quarel to make them away The malice of our persecutours in driuing and inforcing men to offend their lavves For example of your charitable and no lesse politique dealing in such matters we wil set doune the holie Martyr Iohn Nelsons case This man being brought before the Magistrate was demaunded what Religion he was of to which when he bouldlie answered that he was a Catholique they further asked what he thought of that Religion and seruice which was vsed in England and to that when he answered that he tooke it to be heretical and schismatical then quoth they what is Schisme A volūtarie reuolt said he from the Romane and Catholique Church Wel then said the Magistrate goe toe what thinkest thou of the Q. is she a Schismatique or no for of anie thing said before they had no iust pretence of law to cōdemne him of treason the man of God answered that he neuer so called her for reuerence of her highe dignitie nor could tel for that he knew not her Maiesties meaning whether this Religion were established by her special commandement and authoritie or no and therfore humblie prayed them not to vrge him wittinglie to commit anie crime wherin hitherto he had neuer offended But they would not so cease but said they could wel resolue him in that that in deed this English religion was established by her and by her mainteined the Confessor refused stil to answere saying that he knew not so much for al that of her mind cōscience but it might proceed rather of some of her ministers more then of her self in which sort as S. Augustine noteth a man may be deceaued by heretiques but yet properlie no heretique Haereticis credens non propriè Haereticus A differēce betvvene an Heretique and one that beleeueth Heretiques But because they would needes haue the poore mans death they left him not so but what say they if she were the author of this religion then whether were she a Schismatique or Heretique or no The Confessor being loth to exasperate the Prince on the one side and more loth to offend God or giue scandal on thother after he had paused a while and asked strength from aboue finallie he said if she be the setter forth and defender of this Religion then she is a Schismatique Heretique in deed And so they got the holie person into the cōpasse of their lawe for which afterward he was Martired Now we doe appeale to the equitie of al Christian people how loth our brethren be to offend by word or deed the honour of the Q. The offence of Catholiques coacted after what a shameful captious sort they be forced to doe or say that which the enemie chargeth them withal euen to death Alas it is not Catholiques that applie thos vniuersal truthes of schooles to the particuler case of our state but it is their owne vneuen driftes questiōs feares and suspicions that make them imagine and conuert al to them selues As also it is their errour in regiment wel near as may be doubted incorrigible that hath brought them selues to thes perplexities and vs to thes coacted miseries and complaints Lastlie we say that how soeuer anie one Catholique or other hath bene driuē or shal be forced hereafter to offend against the said Statute of Supremacy or Heresy or against any new law made in that behalf yet in equity they can not be pursued to death for that cause seing our aduersary protesteth here publiquely in his Libel that no other trespasses shal be obiected to vs as matter capital sauīg treasōs so made by th' olde lawes of the Realme As we for our partes eftsons doe protest and
shal be said in the next chapter and others folowing The Libellers importunate insolency inforcing vs therunto like as the Ciuil Magistrats most captious and bloody conceipts coÌ„strained some of our blessed brethern before their martirdomes to speake more therof then otherwise they desired though nothing so much as by warrant of Gods word and holy writ they might haue done THAT IT IS MVCH TO THE BENEFITE AND STABILITIE OF COMMON vvealthes and speciallie of Kinges scepters that the difference betvvixt them and their people for Religion or anie other cause for vvhich they may seeme to deserue depriuation may rather be decided by the supreme Pastor of the Church as Catholiques vvould haue it then by popular mutinie and phantasie of priuate men as Heretikes desire and practize CAP. VI. THE Libeller once or twice in his discours seditiouslie calleth vpoâ— the Monarches and Princes of the world warning theÌ„ of the doubtful and seruile state they be in whiles the Popes may be suffred to make and vnmake kinges and Princes at their pleasure The seditious sleight of the Libeller and to licence their subiectes to resist them And the man perchance might haue his tale heard if he spake to the simple sort or to such Kinges as feared nether God nor man nor sought otherwise not anie longer to vphould their estates but by desperate force and practize and for their owne time without regard of their posterity But speaking to them whos wisdomes susteine the world whos Crounes are worne Swordes are borne for Christ his spouse whos glorious Auncestors partlie first rose partlie were established and them-selues yet safelie stand and happilie florish which our Lord God long coÌ„tinue by the benediction of the Sea Apostolique and good intelligence correspondece with the high Bishops of the same good audience hardly can they looke for Th' example of some other Princes Protestants about â—hem forsaking the felowship of the Catholique and Apostolique sea and speciallie of king HeÌ„rie th' eight â—â—rst his sonne and daughter after him in EnglaÌ„d 〈◊〉 man a child and a woman not onely seuering them â—elues from the same but annexing to their regalitie â—y strange lawes al Apostolical and Papal power spiâ—itual with infinite emolumentes made by confiscatioÌ„ of al religious mens landes and goods in the whole Realme which was the beginning of that new Ecclesiastical regiment thes thinges being of greater â—emptation then the Libellers bare wordes could â—et neuer moue th'Emperour nor either of the great Monarches nor anie other king of wise counsel in the world to breake with Gods Church and the cheefe Pastors therof Knowing by the recordes of al ages siâ—hence Christ that what Princes or PoteÌ„tates soeuer haue formallie opposed theÌ„ selues to Christes Vicar and refused to communicate with him in the faith and felowship of the Catholique Church were euer in them selues or their posteritie confounded and their kingdomes ouerthrowen or brought to miserable seruitude of Turke or other heathen Tirant It is not the good fortune of a few yeares felicitie that moueth the graue and sage gouernours of the world though the Libeller to make fooles faine The vvise considerations of Catholique Princes vrgeth their good lucke in England much since their breach with Gods Church but they wil looke farther about them and see the euents of thes strange attempts in vs and the iudgements of God for the same not onelie til th' end of K. Henrie th' eight his race who was Radix peccati but afterwarde if our Lord deferre his sentence so long to some new generations to come Ouer which as vpon the Prince and state present of our Countrie we humblie on our knees with continual teares desire God to haue mercie and to auert his indignation from them and vs that the Princes and people of the world may rather be edified by th' example of our conuersion and returne to Gods Church then be instructed by the sight of our punishment and confusion But now for the coÌ„ceipt that this good man would driue into mens heades that no state should be in safetie if the Pope might depriue the Prince at his pleasure it is a bugge fit onelie to feare babes Al wise men in the world that ether see the present times The Popes authoritie touching Princes regalities or looke backe into the ages past knowe that the Pope neither chalengeth nor vsurpeth nor vseth anie such authoritie at his pleasure to depose or exalt whom he list And al learned deuines confesse that he hath not anie direct or immediate iurisdictioÌ„ or superioritie ouer the temporalities Ciuil states or regalities of secular Princes or Magistrates and therfore can not dispose of their kingdomes nor actions alter nor abrogate their lawes as he daylie doth and may doe at his good pleasure of Prelates Bishops and Priests affaires vpon whom he hath direct power and iurisdiction but that he may onely intermedle indirectlie with temporal Princes as he is the Cheefe officer vnder Christ and hath charge of their soules and therbie hath to looke whether their regimentes tend anie way to the iniurie of the Church and true Religion or to their owne and their subiects damnation as in case of Schisme Heresie Apostasie Idolatrie Sacriledge and other intollerable defectes in gouernmeÌ„t for which he being their Bishop is bound to admonish them sondrie times with al lenitie if that serue not to excommunicate them and if they contemne that and the Churches discipline and authoritie then be they esteemed as heathens and vnworthie of superioritie ouer Gods people This is not to depose Kinges at his pleasure nor is cause sufficient why anie iust and Christian Prince should stand in doubt of the Popes censures onelie such as be Heretiques or intend to shake of the yoke of Christ and their faith in him VVhat Princes only feare the Pope haue cause in their conscience to doubt both the Churches discipline the plagues of God which wil not faile them how so euer by humane force and violence they protect them selues for a time from his Ministers sentence sweet corrections Al iust and Catholique Kinges are so far from doubting or misliking Gods ordinance and the practize of the sea Apostolique herein that they perceiue it most necessarie for the stabilitie of their kingdomes and the continuaunce of their posteritie in the glorie therof that for their regiment in faith and life they stand in some reuereÌ„d awe of their cheefe Pastors which is a necessarie and honorable bridle of Princes in their youth and al the dayes of their life to stay them from dangerous disorders and so to temper them in ther gouernmeÌ„t that they may raigne loÌ„g and happilie ouer their people wher otherwise they might fal into infinite calamities and be ether forsaken deposed or shamefullie destroyed by their owne subiects whether they be depriued by holie Churches censure or no. Nether doth anie godlie Christian Prince at this day as we thinke wishe their Empire ether
doune to the world if you can anie one word writing or approued witnes that anie Iesuite Priest or Seminarie man of al thos whom you haue executed thes late yeares were ether authors persuaders or dealers therin and then you may haue some shadow of defence for your iustice Proue only that his Holines euer communicated his doings or intentions whatsoeuer they were that way to anie one of them al and we wil confesse that you haue reason in the rest If Pius quintus addressed Doctor Nicholas Morton D. Mortō sixtene yeares since about the matter of the excommunication into England shal al Priestes Iesuistes be deemed traitors therfore If Doctor Saunders D. Sāders ether vpon his owne zeale and opinion of the iustnes of the quarel or at the Popes appointmēt were in the warres of Ireland emploied for defence of the Catholique Religion against the Protestants may you by your lawes or anie other diuine or humane ordinance condemne therfore to death a number that neuer knew ether the man or the matter Some pretence you may haue to be offended with the Pope and perhaps lacke no lawes to punish the said two Doctors that neuer were ether of the Societie or Seminaries but to make al the Priestes and Catholiques at home or in banishmēt traitors therbie it is to vnreasonable and to murther so cruellie one man for an others fault is tooto foule and intollerable iniquity And as for his Holines action in Ireland The vvarres of Irland we that are neither so wise as to be worthie nor so mallepert as to chalenge to knowe his intentions councel and disposition of thos matters can nor wil nether defend nor condemne it Onelie this is euident that thos smal succours which were giuen by him to the Irish or rather suffred at their owne aduenture to goe into thos warres came vpon the importunate sute of the sore afflicted Catholiques and some of the cheefest nobilitie of that countrie Of whos continual complaints knowen calamities and intollerable distresses of conscience otherwise it may be he was moued with compassion and did that in cause of Religion against one whom he tooke in his owne iudgement rightlie by his predecessours sentence to be deposed and in a quarel in his sight most iust and godlie which both her Maiesty and other temporal Princes sticke not to doe verie often towardes their neighbours with whom otherwise they pretend good amitie and no breach of their league at al in cases which ether they esteeme lauful or at lest behoofful for their owne estate and affaires And it is a strange case that thes men should with such ful mouth cry out against the highe Preest and Pastor of Gods Church for vsing the sword or geuīg his consent therunto against a Prince not any way his superior if no way his subiect wheras the Ministers and maisters of their sects both in Flanders Scoteland and other places doe not only councel and persuade subiectes to take armes agaīst their owne lauful Princes and sacred Kinges but also doe practise and in person oppose them selues against them yea in Scoteland against a Prince of their owne Religion For tel me Sir Libeller if you please were not the Ministers of Scoteland the principal fannes and firebrandes of the last Conspiracy and open rebellion against his Maiesties person and the state of that Country Were not they in person at Starling and els wher both in feeld and councel with the Erles of Anguish Marre other rebels against his Roial person Were not al their pernicious machinations of betraing their country and their Princes blood detected by the Erle of Gory before his late behedding for that Conspiracy Are not Patrike Galovvay minister of S. Ihonson Andrevv Pollard subdeane of Glasco Iames Carmihel minister of Haddingtō Andrevv Hay person of Ranfroe Andrevv Meluin professour of diuinity in S. Andrews and diuers other cheefe ministers of that country fled into England for this traiterous fact and ther receaued cherished and protected And since that time wheras in a Parliamēt houlden in Edenburgh by his Maiesty and al the three states of Scoteland begonne the 19. of May last past certaine lawes were amongst others enacted for the restraint of thes Ministers tumultuous authority and to bring them vnder their owne Bishops iurisdiction a thing so resonable and consonant to Gods word as nothing can be more and practised not only in Englād amōg their fellow-sectaries but also thorough-out al Christendome disorderly and seditious Geneua only excepted and when thes lawes that were made by authority of the three Estates and published not only in the Councel-house called Toulbooth but also at the Crosse of Edēburgh by Heraldes at armes for the state did not Robert Pont and VValter Baquanquel two most impudent and rebellious Ministers of that toune by the consent and prouocation of Iames Lauson cheefe preacher ther as afterward appeared oppose them selues in publique against the Kinges authority therby to raise vp some commotion by their open protestation made by instrument in the handes of George VVakeson publique Notary and toune-Clarke of that Citty and did not al thes three named Ministers by night flye presently into England after their insufferable insolency and are ther receaued harboured and maintained Againe in the last Parliament before this being about two yeares agone did not thes Ministers intending therby some dangerous reuoult and seditious defection demaund of their king in most impudent wise to be admitted into the Parliament as equal or aboue their Bishops whom they deny by Gods word to haue any supereminent authority Is not this one of their articles for which their archebishop of S. Andrews doth withstand them and hath bene of late in England to cōferre with the Protestāts of that Country about the same Is it not an other of their articles that it is an Heresy for any Prince to cal him self Head of the Church within his owne Realme that he may be excommunicated and deposed by the Ministers Haue not they excommunicated and held out by violence thes two yeares and more their archebishop of Glasco elected by the King named M. Robert Montgūmery vntil now that this last Parliament of May hath absolued and restored him vnto his archebishoprike againe You exclame against the Pope being the first and cheef prelate of al Christendome euē by your owne confession for geuing his consent that any thing be done or attempted by armes and violence against any lauful or annointed Prince whatsoeuer be it for Religion or any other neuer so rightful or iust cause in his conceipt but what would thes good-fellowes of your Ghospel doe if they had his authority his power and his pretence against foraine Princes of a contrary Religion seing in quarel of faction and fauour of ranke traitors they deale thus against their owne Leege and against their owne annointed sworne King of their owne country blood educatiō and Religion who as he neuer iustly offended them
euer haue bene Which euery indifferent man that behouldeth the immortal workes of Charitie which this one blessed Pope hath done in the dayes of his high Priesthood must of necessity confesse Wherof we thought meet to make some mention in this place The seditious practise of this Libeller for that both other Protestantes are not ashamed to accuse the Holie Sea of Robberie and rapine in getting and houldīg the temporal state which now it hath so manie ages occupied to the great honour of God as also for that this Libeller oftē glaunceth at some iniuries which he pretendeth to haue bene done by the Popes tirānous excessiue power as he termeth it to the Princes of the world ī this case sometimes seditiously and subtellie suggesting to the Emperour and other the greatest and best Kinges of Christendome to abbridge his power sometimes craftelie commending them vpon a deuilish and deceiptful fiction of his owne that they onely tollerate his title and iurisdiction for a time and of pollicie so farre as they see it is not preiudicial to their owne states otherwise nether caring for his curses excommunications canons nor commaundements no more thē the protestāt Princes doe who haue withdrawen from him in their states al both temporal emolumentes and spiritual prerogatiues Of which restraint limitation or plaine contempt of the Popes power and censures the writer alleageth certaine examples of diuers Catholique Kinges and Countries that the English may seeme to haue done no new thing in this their shameful reuoult from the Sea Apostolique and contempt of the Ecclesiastical curse and excommunication Which this prophane Atheist affirmeth none but the simple people to feare or care for wise men Princes to haue no scruple or conscience at al in such matters but to resist by armes al lawes and ordinances as they list For proofe whereof he bringeth to no purpose how diuers kinges of Fraunce haue by their lawes pragmatiques restreined the Popes of diuers claimes prerogatiues and profits Touching Catholique Princes restraint of the Popes iurisdictiō How they in England in old time limited and abbridged his iurisdictiō by the law specially called Praemuniri How the noble Emperour Charles the fift feared not their curses when by his Captaines he beseiged tooke and sacked Rome imprisoned and ransomed the Pope him self How his sonne the King Catholique now raigning nothing respected excommunicatiō when his armie was led before Rome walles by the conduction of the Duke of Aluas How King Henrie the seuenth resisted the Pope in a matter of Alume and his neece Queene Marie her self as much as she was deuoted to the Romane religiō withstood him in the fauour of her cosin Cardinal Poole against doctor Peyto about a Cardinals Hat the bringer of which hat and the Buls for the said Peyto she did forbid to enter the Realme commanding thē to be staied at Calles and finally that Cardinal Poole him self hauing the Queene for him in the cause had no feare to disobey the Popes commaundementes and his threatned excommunications or curses but continued Legate and made the other poore Peyto being an obseruant frier to goe a begging stil Thus much in sense saith the Libeller in defence of their resistance of the Pope and contempt of his Censures But looke attentiuelie into the particular reasons and examples of this his discours The ansvver to the exāples alleaged and you shal find nothing but fraude and falshood First it is a most impious and godles conceipt that the Emperour and other great Kinges and Potentates of Christendome ether of old or at this present haue suffred or doe yet endure the Pope to command or haue iurisdiction in their countries onely for some respectes in policie and so farre as they list rather then vppon conscience and for religion when it is certaine that his spiritual authoritie and high Prelacie ouer al faithful Princes and people as instituted by Christ clearlie deduced out of the Scriptures approued by decrees of ancient Councels testimonies of al the old Doctors and by both imperial and national lawes of the Christian world is acknowledged in conscience of al Catholique Kinges that haue bene or yet be within the happie vnitie of holie Church And it is a most shameles slaunder of their sacred Maiesties that this Atheist would make the world beleeue that pretending conscience deuotion religion and sinceritie in their obedience to the Sea Apostolique they doe al in deed of policie As wel might this Machiuilian beare men in hand that the Christian religion is no otherwise admitted in Common-weales but so farre forth as it serueth for pollicie and the aduauncement of the Prince or temporal state And God graunt this be not the marke that our Protestantes and Politiques shoot at much it is to be feared that it is our English elne and analogie of Faith for measure of al actions And certes to no other end they vse their pretended Ministerie new cleargie of their creation occupying them to interteine and amase the people VVith the vvord of the Lord whilest they accomplish their worldly and wicked intentions as apparant it is that the good author of this Libel would not if he were a Prince as such be to neare Princes elbowes thes dayes admit ether Peter Paul or Christ him self into anie iurisdiction ether spiritual or temporal within his Realme nor would be depriued or excommunicated by anie of thē more then now by the Pope nor further deale with them then his aduantage and policie requireth And indeed by the meanes of such Lycurgians as this we haue in England new lawes against al claime of iurisdiction spiritual or temporal The Machiuilian drift of this Libeller that can be made by anie person whosoeuer borne out of the Realme Which no question might exclude Christ and his Apostles no lesse then their successours being as wel forreiners as they Wherin it seemeth singularlie to be noted that this craftie Politique putteth no difference betwixt spiritual regiment and temporal yea rather taketh away al ecclesiastical iurisdiction calling in this his pestiferous Libel which you shal not as we thinke read in anie other of the Heretiques writīges of thes dayes the Queenes spiritual power which she chalengeth against the Popes supremacie her REGALITIE The Q. REGALITIE seeking by al meanes possible wholie to extinguish the Hierarchie and Prelacie of Christes Church and concluding al in Kinglie authoritie Wherby as also by the Scriptures which they foolishlie in the sight of wise men but to the simple perswasiblie alleage That al men must obey the King as the Cheefe or precellent they exclude Peter frō his high spiritual function which he had in the time of Nero and giue vnto the said Nero as his regalitie no lesse thē now they yeeld both Papal and al other Bishoplie Ecclesiastical authoritie in England to the Queene as a peece of her Regalitie As though ther were no difference betwene a King and a Priest The
enimies of Gods Church of anie one point of fact or doctrine wherwith they be by vs charged Lastlie the said Priestes which passe into England of whos couert working disguising close keeping they so much cōplaine as though that were inough to proue them traitors would haue appeared openlie in their owne Priestlie habite Offer of opē dealing vvith disputation if it may be receaued and haue done their holie functions in the sight of al men if in any sort whatsoeuer they had bene permitted As also at this present not onelie vpon her Maiesties graunt and desire insinuated here by the Libeller for thē to vse openlie their deuotion doctrine and profession according to the maner of their schooles but vpon anie sufficiēt warrant of safetie they are further also then that most redie and willing to giue an accompt of al their doctrine publiquelie in the Vniuersities of England or before her Highnes and Councel whersoeuer A thing which by manie bookes petitions and supplications our brethren haue oftē humblie and instantlie asked and could neuer yet obteine The Libeller putteth vs in hope that if the Priestes and Seminarie men would deale openlie the persecution and blood should cease And we assure him that the persecution first ceasing and her Maiesties pleasure herin vnderstood which is the natural order and not contrariwise al Priestes religious and Catholiques wil appeare and present them selues and wil doe al such Christian exercises duties and functions as now by persecutiō they are forced to doe in secret in the face of the whole Realme no man thankes be to God being ashamed of his order faith profession or Maister though euerie one be bound otherwise by the lawe of our Religion to saue him self so long as it shal please Christ from the persecutor And it is a great signe of our Priestes and Catholiques innocencie and of our aduersaries ignorance and malice that seeking to appeach a Christian man or Priest of treason they haue no more to lay against him then that he sheweth not him self openlie but dealeth secretlie and weareth an other habite thē is belonging to his degree The holie King and Prophet Dauid in place of danger did not onelie otherwise couer his person often and fled from his enimies That men may flie and hide them selues in persecution but feined him self a plaine mad man before Achis king of Geth in al his behauiour to escape peril How often doe we reade in the Euangelistes that our Sauiour fled that he did hide him self that he walked not openlie 1. Reg 21 that he went vp to Hierusalem on the feast day not openlie but in couert Ioh. 10. Who can be ignorant that it was no offence for Nicodemus that he came to Iesus in the night for feare of the Ievves Who knoweth not that the Apostles as wel before as after the comming of the holie-Ghost kept them selues often secret in priuate parlers and chambers as the first holie Bishopes of Rome for feare of their persecutors kept their meetinges misteries and councels in caues and grots vnder the ground How can they forget what holie Athanasius did in the daies of his persecution Or not be mindful how holie Barlaam feined him self in apparel and al other behauiour a marchant Apud S. Damasc to gaine Prince Iosophat to the Christian faith Or of the notable example of the holie Martir and Bishop Eusebius Samosatenus The exāple of Euseb Samosatenus most like to the practise of Priestes in England who in the time of Constantius the Arrian Emperour seeing manie Churches occupied by the Heretiques and voide of true Pastors went like a souldiar through Syria Phenicia and Palestine making Priestes and Deacons and ministring the Sacraments to the Catholique people destitute of their holie rightes then by the Arrians as they be now in England by Caluinistes The case is ruled in al diuinitie that anie religious Priest or Christian to auoide danger of his person may in the places of Infidels leaue the habite of their profession or vsage Men may change habite and couer them selues from the enimie by anie disguise And if we knew not the arte and cunning of Heresie we might wonder to see our protestants so religious now as to require of our Priestes to goe priestlike with open and present danger of their liues when their owne Cleargie at home make scruple to vse distinct attire from the vulgar accompt it plaine superstition to weare anie religious or clarkly apparel at al. But yet I must confesse that they haue good reason to wishe euerie one of our Priestes would shew him self opēly for so they might soone make an ende of al as they thinke and atteine the victorie that they desire Math. 10. Luc. 10. But our maister admonishing his disciples that he would send thē as sheepe amongst woolues warneth them and vs in them that men should not onelie be simple as the doue but wise as the serpent speciallie among woolues that is Heretiques which are of al creatures most cruel and subtile But to returne to our purpose and to the Libellers profer of mitigation or ceasing this persecution vpon condition we would deale no more in secret but openlie We protest before God and al his Saints that we wil vpon anie reasonable securitie of our persons libertie of conscience permission to exercise Christian Catholique offices to the saluation of our owne soules and our brethren doe the same thinges publiquelie which we now doe secretlie in al peaceable and priestlie sort as hitherto we haue accustomed and that so thos things which now you suspect to be done against the state for that they be done ī couert may plainlie appeare vnto you nothing els indeed but mere matter of conscience and religion as in veritie they are Therfore if such as gouerne our state vnder her Maiesty at this day can not be induced to reuoke thē selues and the whole Realme which were absolutelie the best to the former Catholique state and cōdition wherin their auncestors left it and them selues found it in respect perhaps of some litle cheke or dishonour which they may conceiue would ensue by acknowledging their former errour though in sincere truth it must needes proue finallie more dishonorable and dāgerous to perseuer yet at the least let their wisdomes cōsider that their principal worldlie errour was that in the beginning or long since they gaue not libertie of conscience to Catholiques being farre the greater and more respectiue part of the Realme as other of their religion and profession haue done to their owne great aduantage in Germanie and other Prouinces adioining which errour no doubt might yet in great part or wholie be redressed if they would but now at length haue some pitie of their people the greater part wherof languisheth away in bodie and soule most lamentablie onlie vpon an obstinate punto formalitie as is thought of some few particular aduersaries who wil not seeme to yeeld in any one