bound to obey the Mother-Church when ever commanded I entreated Mr. Freake to give me a Copy of the Heads of the directions that were given unto those who were licenced to perform what this Bull had permitted which was thus Observe how in Cromwell's days Marriages were altered for this purpose They were permitted to marry upon two accompts First because they might not be suspected Secondly Heretical Marriage is no Marriage if their Matrimonial Ceremonies be contrary to the Romish Orders Several of these so licenced are to take divers Callings according to their inclinations Thus Rome taught Dissention in the late usurped times yet to Preach and Expound and in case they be asked upon what grounds they came by this Science they must reply by the Spirit of God by revelation and by searching of the Scriptures In case they be asked upon what grounds they take upon them to Preach In the usurped days they generally called it Teaching and not Preaching they must reply We Preach not but Teach But in case they ask and say Why do ye then Teach it self Let Statesmen consider of this Jesuitical fetch for Teaching ye must reply because the Sons of the Prophets did Teach so did Jehoshaphat and his Princes likewise did the Disciples before Christ's Resurrection also the Scribes and Pharisees and divers of the Church of Corinth and these were not Church-men If they say by this means every man may Preach that listeth A further Jefuitical fetch to adorn the Schisms of Rome you must reply I could wish we were all Preachers and Prophets because Moses wished all the Lords people were Prophets If we should make but one or two divisions amongst the English Hereticks Jesuitical Policies not to permit the Popish Laity to read Scripture it were all in vain and our labour lost and this the Council of Trent a little before its dissolution left to our Society to handle who from Paris Rome and from several places of Italy corresponded with each other and concluded that Rome her self had not continued in that splendor as she hath done hitherto in case her Popes and Council had not brought in novelties to please peoples fancies by which means it confounded the capacities of the Laity and common sort as they were not permitted to read or search the Scriptures How they have deluded the Protestant Laity by misconstruing the Scripture knowing they be permitred to read them But by reason that the Hereticks of England and other Provinces permitted them to read it was necessary before they were well grounded in their Principles to preach variety unto them to some the Doctrine of Free-will to some that Children should not be baptized till they come to Age to others a Monarchy of earthly happiness after this temporal life to others that the righteousness of man dependeth not upon the Faith of Christ but upon charity and affliction and that any gifted man may either give or receive the Sacrament All these and several such like observations as shall daily spring forth must ye undertake to perform outwardly with great fervency for thereby ye will not be suspected or discovered for that one method being duly observed will absolve ye and hide your designs designed Then receiving these Instructions I lest Paris What he delivered to Shane O Neal from Father Freake whilst he was a Papist and journied and came to Callis from thence I sailed into Scotland and so came for Ireland where I gave the Papers delivered unto me by Father Freake unto Shane O Neale which was in the year of Christ 1564. Judgments falling upon the Head of Shane O Neal for his Treachery and Rebellion against our Sovereign Lady the Queen How he came to be Converted I said within my self God doth not prosper these unjust means yet continuing still in my profession of the Order of Mount Carmel I perceived always the Roman Catholicks projects to fail them which smote my Conscience very often so that I resolved to repent that I might lay my bones in the Grave in peace with hopes of a joyful Resurrection when I and all mankind shall come before our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ before whose Tribunal all must appear and receive according to their works and Faith in him alone Witness my hand this 28th of October Anno Dom. 1584 Malachias Malone The Original of this was sent to her Majesty and Council from Sir John Perrot Knight then Lord Deputy of Ireland and that Council as a signal assurance of this Convert's Reformation to the Protestant Church of England now established Although we should have placed these following Memorials before the Conversion of Mason or Malone yet hapning to cast an eye thereon being entred amongst my Fathers Manuscripts and given unto him from John King some time Dean of Tuum I have here set them forth that the Reader may see how sensible the Lord Cicell was of the Romish Conspiracies against the Church of England and her Majesty Worthy Sir You can assure her Highness of my care and charge which I undertook at my departing from her Grace and the Honourable Privy Council I assure you I do not miss-spend my little time it being so precious as you and others can testify by my former Intelligences sent by the hands of Captain Russel of which I was assured came safe to the Council I intended to have presented this inclosed with my own hands to her Grace but her lost message to me hath been the occasion of sending it sooner upon two accounts it being a matter of sudden prevention and likewise having so sure a hand and the conveniency of Mr. Edward Maxwell's and others of our English Factors here going from hence and guarded by her Graces Ship called the Swallow I shall make all the speed I can possible and with God's help see your Worship as chearful as ever though I am somewhat altered by this last Voyage God preserve your undertakings both at home and abroad for the publick good of her gracious Majesty and welfare of the Nation Your assured Servant E. Dennum Venice April 13th 1564. A list of several consultations amongst the Cardinals Bishops and others of the several Orders of Rome now a contriving and conspiring against her gracious Majesty and the established Church of England Pius having consulted with the Clergy of Italy and assembling them together it was by general consent voted that the immunity of the Romish Church and her Jurisdiction is required to be defended by all her Princes as the principal Church of God And to encourage the same the Council hath voted that Pius should bestow her Graces Realm on that Prince who shall attempt to conquer it There was a Council ordered by way of a Committee who contain three of the Cardinals two of the Archbishops six of the Bishops and as many of the late Order of the Jesuits who daily encrease and come into great favour with the Pope of late These
the Papists rejoycing at the conjunction of England and France by the Marriage of Charles the First and Queen Mary of France hoping thereby to raise such another claim to the Crown of Egland as France did in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth by that Match of Mary Queen of Scots they contrived a way to set Ireland in an uprore for King Charles the First was no sooner setled in his Throne when Ireland was full of the rumour of Lewis the 13ths preparations and intentions for the invading of the same as appears as well by the Records of the Council if doubted as also by Sir James Ware 's Memorials The noise of these preparations caused the Lord Henry Faulkland then Lord Deputy of this Nation to advise with the Privy-Council what course to take for to oppose these French intentions They upon consultation in this affair set forth a Proclamation that the chief of the Kingdom should meet at Dublin and then to demand a general Contribution of the Inhabitants for to raise and maintain Forces to oppose that King The Castle of Dublin being first appointed for that Assembly St. Patrick's Church in Dublin was afterwards ordered for this Assembly to meet at The Papists were upon high terms The Papists would not assist their King but upon terms and would not contribute towards the safety of this Nation unless the Lord Deputy and Council would grant them a toleration for their Religion and also leave to build themselves Churches and pretended Religious Houses as many as they listed and where they pleased in all Cities and Corporate Towns These their proposals put a stop to these proceedings for the present so that this Assembly was for the present dismissed it being about Michaelmass Term anno 1626. And another day was nominated for them to meet again until they had acquainted his late Majesty with their demands yet in the interim James Vsher late Primate of Ardmagh assembled all our Protestant Bishops together and so prevented these Popish demands by this their protestation as follows The Protestant Clergy of the Church of Ireland their protestation against these Popish terms The Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous Their Faith and Doctrine Enormous and Heretical Their Church in respect of both Apostatical To give them therefore a toleration or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and profess their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sin and that in two respects For first it is to make our selves accessary not only to their Superstitions Idolatries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of Popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the deluge of the Catholick Apostacy For the second to grant them toleration in respect of any Money to be given or Contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the Souls of people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious Blood And as it is a great sin so also a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we commend to the Wise and Judicious beseeching the Great God of Truth to make them who are in Authority zealous of God's Glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery and Idolatry Amen Signed Ja. Armachanus Anto. Midensis Ro. Dunensis Coronensis Richard Cork Cloyn Roscensis Tho. Killmorensis Ardahensis Mich. Waterfordensis Lismorensis Mal. Cassilensis Tho Fernensis Laughlanensis George Derensis Andr. Aladensis Theo. Dromorensis Franc. Limiricksensis This being confered and agreed upon the 26th Novemb. Anno 1626. Upon the 23d of April following Doctor George Downham then Bishop of Derry the next Assembly being then to meet in the midst of his Sermon in Christ-Church Anno 1627. Dr. Downham then Bishop of Derry his protestation against these terms in Christ-Church in Dublin took occasion to speak something to this purpose saying that many amongst us for gain and outward respects were ready to consent to a toleration of a false Religion which if they did they were guilty of putting to sale not only the souls of Papists but their own souls also This is not my opinion said he only but the opinion of the Archbishops Bishops and of the Protestant Clergy of his Majesties whole Kingdom which I think fit to publish He had no sooner uttered these words when all the Protestants then in that Church cried out aloud Amen Amen Then making a respit till the people had done crying out Amen I spoke nothing to hinder the Kings Service for we all of the Clergy desire not only the sole Army of 5500 men that being the number may be maintained but also a far greater Army besides the Trained-Bands and could wish that his Majesty would reserve to himself the most of those particular Graces of late offered and granted to the dishonour of God and to himself the prejudice and impeachment of true Religion and what was wanting might be supplied by the Countrey to which he exhorted all true Christians and faithful Subjects The people upon this cried unanimously Our Lives and Fortunes be at his Majesties command for the good of the Protestant Faith of England The next day the late Lord Primate Primate Vsher his words against the same toleration Vsher Preached before the same Auditory and took these words for his Text Love not the World nor the things that are in the World Which words he applied according to those times These two Sermons so prevailed with the Protestants so strengthened their resolutions that they proposed so largely towards a maintenance for an Army to oppose the French King that these Popish Proposals which we have already mentioned fell and the Papists much ashamed and discontented then the Lord Deputy and Council dismissed this Assembly There is one material thing to be observed by the Reader The Lord Faulklands Lady known to be a Papist that this Lord Faulklands Lady was a great Heiress to an Estate in England which caused her Husband to seek all means the more to please her she being a fickle minded woman in her judgment The Papists of this Kingdom depended much on this Ladies being of their own Religion although outwardly whether out of compliance to her Lord or by the advice of Popish Policies she went to Church but going out of this Kingdom into England she returned unto her Popish inclinations which then was a signal testimony of her Religion all along These Jesuitical projects were not sufficient to satisfie a Romish appetite A Riot committed by the Popish Clergy anno 1629 seeing that these devices could take no effect the Jesuits and Friars of Dublin out of spleen began to Preach Sedition unto the Papist Inhabitants within that Metropolis continuing after this method for certain days it came at last to Lancelot Buckley alias Bulkley his ears then Archbishop of the same See who
went and related what he had heard touching this seditious Doctrine and desired of Adam Loftus Lord Viscount Elye and Richard Earl of Cork then Lords Justices of the Nation to send a file of Musqueteers and a Warrant to seize on these Malefactors but coming to the Friar Carmelites-House then in Cook-street in Dublin where these Friars were infusing of Rebellion into several of the then Popish Aldermen and Citizens of this City they arose unanimously joyning to confront the Archbishop and his attendance in a very high nature by wounding some of the Souldiers and those who assisted the Archbishop that not being sufficient they went to assault the Bishops person who for safety was fain to run through the Streets of Dublin and cry for help and so obtained safeguard by running into a House or otherwise he had been in danger of his life This Riot of the Friars was committed about Christmass 1629. The Lords Justices upon this committed the Popish Aldermen and others of the Citizens amongst which of the Aldermen one Mr. Jyans was one On the ninth of January the Lords Justices and Council gave his Majesty and the Lords of the Council of England an account of these disasters which coming to those Lords hands they returned this answer By your Letters dated the ninth of January The Lords of the Council of England to the Lords of the Council in Ireland Jan. 31. 1629. we understand how the seditious Riot moved by the Friars and their Adherents at Dublin hath by your good order and resolution been happily supprest and we doubt not but by this occasion you will consider how much it concerneth the good Government of that Kingdom to prevent in time the first growing of such evils for where such people be permitted to swarm they will soon grow licentious and endure no Government but their own which cannot otherwise be restored than by a due and seasonable execution of the Law and of such directions as from time to time have been sent from his Majesty and this Board Now it redoundeth much to the Honour of his Majesty that the World shall take notice of the ability and good-service of his Ministers there which in person he hath been pleased openly in Council and in most gracious manner to approve and commend whereby you may be sufficiently encouraged to go on with like resolution and moderation till the work be fully done as well in the City as in other places of your Kingdom the carriage whereof we must leave to your good discretions whose particular knowledge of the present state of things can guide you better when and where to carry a soft or harder hand only this we hold necessary to put you in mind of that you continue in that good agreement amongst your selves for this and other services which your Letters do express and for which we commend you much that the good Servants of the King and State may find encouragement equally from you all and the ill-affected may find no support or countenance from any nor any other contrivances used but by general advice for avoiding of further evils shall be allowed and such Magistrates and Officers if any shall be discovered that openly or under-hand favour such disorders or do not their duties in suppressing them and committing the offenders you shall do well to take all fit and safe advantages by the punishment or displacing of a few to make the rest more cautious This we write not as misliking the fair course you have taken but to express the concurrency of our judgments with yours and to assure you of our assistance in all such occasions wherein for your future proceedings we have advised And his Majesty requireth you accordingly to take order first that the house wherein Seminary Friars appeared in their habits and wherein the Reverend Archbishop and the Mayor of Dublin received the first affront be speedily demolished and be the mark of terror to the resisters of Authority and that the rest of the Houses erected or employed there or elsewhere to the use of suspitious Societies be converted to Houses of Correction and to set the people on work or to other publick uses for the advancement of Justice good Arts or Trades and further that you find out the Lands Leases or Revenues applied to their uses and dispose thereof according to the Law and that you certifie also the places and institutions of all such Monasteries Priories Nunneries and other Religious Houses and the names of all such persons as have put themselves to be Brothers and Sisters therein especially such as are of note to the end such evil Plants be not permitted to take root any where in that Kingdom which we require you to take care of As for the supply of Munition which you have reason to desire we have taken effectual order that you shall receive it with all convenient speed and so bid you heartily farewell Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Lord President Lord Privy-Seal Lord High Chamberlain Earl of Suffolk Earl of Dorset Earl of Salisbury Earl of Kelly Lord Viscount Dorchester Lord Newbergh Mr. Vice Chamberlain Mr. Secretary Cooke Sir William Alexander His Majesty beholding and considering how rebellious his Popish Subjects have hitherto been The Papists design to take off the Earl of Straffords Head as we have already exprest even from the first entrance into his Throne some few years after sent over Thomas Lord Wentworth afterwards Created Earl of Strafford to Govern his Kingdom of Ireland who executed that place to that Kingdoms advantage by civilizing the Inhabitants and bringing them to an English Station as to this day appears by those English Plantations by him ordered in the Counties of Longford Wicklow and other places These acts or good deeds of his pleased not some peoples fancies especially not the sancies of the Irish Natives of the Popish Religion during this Nóble-mans Government He obtained a Grant of four Subsidies for the maintenance of an Army which was irksome to the ancient Natives of that Land He being recalled about the year 1640. was not long in England before he was Indicted of High-Treason his Enemies at that time casting all aspersions imaginable to make him odious to most men amongst which aspersions they gave out as if he were inclined to Popery but his actions during his Government in Ireland shews yet to the contrary He was beheaded in the Month of May 1641. then his Enemies having removed so great a Pillar of State as this Noble-man was began to shew their teeth for upon the 23d of October following by their Popish Rebellion they testified what they aimed at And the better to accomplish their design for the Plot of 1641. one White wrote this Letter following to a Popish Peer of Ireland that the City of Dublin might be at that appointed time under a Popish Jurisdiction A Letter to a Popish Peer of Ireland how he may secure the City of Dublin against the Protestants at the
and Mutation will cause a Relaxation which will serve as so many violent Diseases as the Stone Gout c. to the speedy distraction of our perpetual and insufferable anguish of body which is worse than death it self We proceed now by Councel and mature deliberation how and when to work upon the Dukes jealousie and revenge and in this we give the Honour to those which merit it which are the Church Catholicks There is another matter of consequence which we take much into our consideration and tender care which is to stave off Puritans that they hang not in the Dukes ears they are impudent subtil people And it is to be feared lest they should negotiate a Reconciliation between the Duke and the Parliament at Oxford and Westminster but now we assure our selves we have so handled the matter that both Duke and Parliament are irreconcilable For the better prevention of the Puritans the Arminians have already lock'd up the Dukes ears and we have those of our own Religion which stand continually at the Dukes Chamber to see who goes in and out We cannot be too circumspect and careful in this regard I cannot choose but laugh to see how some of our own Coat have accoutred themselves you would scarce know them if you saw them And 't is admirable how in speech and gesture they act the Puritans The Cambridge Scholars to their wosul experience shall see we can act the Puritans a little better than they have done the Jesuits They have abused our Sacred Patron Saint Ignatius in jest but we will make them smart for it in earnest I hope you will excuse my merry digression for I confess unto you I am at this time transported with joy to see how happily all instruments and means as well great as less co-operate unto our purposes But to return unto the main Fabrick our Foundation is Arminianism the Arminians and Projectors as it appears in the premisses affect mutation This we second and enforce by probable arguments In the first place we take into consideration the Kings Honour and present necessity and we shew how the King may free himself of his Ward as Lewis the Eleventh did And for his great splendor and lustre he may raise a vast Revenue and not be beholden to his Subjects which is by way of imposition of Excise Then our Church Catholicks proceed to shew the means how to settle this Excise which must be by a Mercenary Army of Horse and Foot For the Horse we have made that sure they shall be Forreigners and Germans who will eat up the Kings Revenues and spoil the Countrey wheresoever they come though they should be well paid what havock will they make then when they get no pay or are not duly paid They will do more mischief than we hope the Army will do We are provident and careful that this Mercinary Army of two thousand Horse and twenty thousand Foot shall be taken on and in pay before the Excise be setled In forming the Excise the Countrey is most likely to rise If the Mercenary Army subjugate the Countrey then the Souldiers and Projectors shall be paid out of the confiscations if the Countrey be too hard for the Souldiers then they must consequently mutiny which is equally advantageous unto us Our superlative design is to work the Protestants as well as the Catholicks to welcome in a Conqueror and that is by this means We hope instantly to dissolve Trade and hinder the building of Shipping in devising probable designs and putting on the State upon Expeditions as that of Cadiz was in taking away the Merchants Ships so that they may not easily catch and light upon the West-India Fleet c. This Account was sent unto the Lord Deputy Falkland from some Members of his Majesties Council of England viz. from Suffolk Salisbury Morton and the Bishop of Durbam together with this Epistle following My Lord KNowing that his Sacred Majesty and his Privy-Council assembled for the calling of this Parliament have formerly given you the reasons and urgent necessities for the same we omit it but by this late discovery here inclosed we are jealous that most of the Members herein chosen be of a factious crew and so you will find by the Copy of the discovery at Clarken-well there being taken amongst an Assembly of Recusants divers Jesuits amongst whom several treasonable Papers were found this being one amongst the rest in which you may perceive the Papists great spleen to his Grace the Duke also the treasonable Conspiracies against his Majesty Foreign and Domestick notwithstanding the discovery hereof for divers reasons we have not set this enclosed to publick view his Grace and some others having acquainted his Majesty that they will undertake to find out the bottom of this mystery and thereby politickly have advised his Majesty to permit the sitting of this Parliament from the seventeenth of this instant the better to find out their inclinations and how they be affected according to this discovery We are sensible now Ireland was in some danger of an Invasion by the French Papists and that the Papists of Ireland and they have correspondence together The Jesuits be not only a subtil Society but also an audacious sort of people fearing no punishment no not the Halter it self The D. B. his advice how to banish Friars and Jesuits out of these Dominions so that we are at a nonplus how to devise a means to banish these Wasps from His Majesties Dominions his Grace the Duke propounded in Council the other day no punishment fitter for the driving out of these sorts of Cattel than gelding them and gave very good reasons for it one of them was shame ever after to shew their faces the other was being guelded they could not execute their Priestly Function according to the Ecclesiastick laws wanting their members Your Clergie of Ireland in opposing the Popish offertures made unto his Majesty which your Lordship unto us have signified have not only through Gods Blessing protected that Dominion The Bishops and Clergy of Ireland commended for not tolerating of Popery but also saved His Majesty and this Nation from future Broils Thus concluding We bid your Lordship heartily farewel Your Lordships Humble Servants Suffolk Salisbury Morton Durham White-Hall March 2. 1627. The better to confirm the Letter directed to the Rector aforesaid this Letter is also entred and Printed amongst Mr. John Rushworth's Historical Collections pag. 474. Nothing excepting to be discerned in our Copy saving in the conclusion of the Letter these words Joyn Prayers with us imploring the Blessed Virgin and all the Host of Angels and holy Martyrs to intercede for us Thus hoping to see Count Tylley and Marquess Spynola here about July come a twelve-month I rest In the mean time we pray for an happy success in Germany and the Low-Countries Your Loving Friend c. This conclusion is wanting in Rushworth's Collections in the Letter to the Rector aforesaid When the
Heresies it must be the Spirit of Error Let Separatists look well to it for it concerns their Souls and Bodies and those of many thousands who if they be not in that way of Truth are in the broad way that leads to destruction But is this Spirit that is in you either the Spirit of Grace or Truth that doth not comply with the Orders of the Church lately purged and cleansed from Schism and Idolatry F. C. Therefore I endeavour to make it * The pretence of all Dissenters for their Separation purer as far as God permits A. B. How do you endeavour to make the Church purer when you neither communicate with her in Sacrament or in Prayer F. C. Yes I endeavour it when I pray to God that he would open the eyes of men to see their Errors and several have joyned with me when I have prayed among them and I have both given and taken the body of Christ to those of †The very exact Language of Dissenters and the Original of tender Consciences a Popish pretence tender Consciences who have assembled with me in the fear of the Lord. A. B. By your words then you have a Congregation that follows you F. C. I have A. B. Of what Parish and in what Diocess F. C. (a) The first Independent Congregation in England gathered by a Popish Dominican Friar Neither of any certain Parish nor in any certain Diocess A. B. Where then I pray F. C. Even in the wide World among the Flock of Christ scattered over the whole Earth Queen Your Diocess is very large Mr. Commin Then being commanded to withdraw the other two Witnesses were called into the Council Chamber and examined as follows Queen Mr. Draper What have you to say to this Faithful Commin Draper He came to my House at the Maidenhead in Maidstone with several of his followers where he bespoke a joynt of Mutton and two Hens for Dinner hearing that my Profession was a Cook I shewing him a Room for him and the Company that came with him perceiving several to come and enquire for this Mr. Commin but by chance going up the Stairs I heard one (b) These passionate and taking ways are no demonstrations of a true Protestant though joyned with Extempore Prayer grone and weep which caused me to lift up the Latch at first I was startled and stood in a maze but enquiring of one of his Followers what ailed the man He replied Do you not see we be all at Prayrs The Maid wondering where I was came to seek me and found me among them and can testify the same The Queen Are you Mr. Drapers Maid Maid Yes may it please your Grace Queen What is your Name Maid My Name is Mary Dean Queen Did you see this Faithful Commin that was here now before Vs praying to the people Maid I saw him and thought he was distracted when I heard him pray but the people said * See here the Extempore Prayer of a Popish Dominican Friar fathered upon the Spirit of God and the people deluded by this pretence to the Spirit he was an heavenly man and that it was Gods Spirit made him weep for the sins of the World Queen How long continued they at Prayers do you know Mr. Draper Draper May it please your Grace (c) Exactly like our pretenders to the Spirit in the late times who made long Prayers and devoured Widows houses about two hours Queen What did they after they had prayed Draper Some went from the house and about ten or thereabouts stayed to eat what they had bespoken and paid me to the utmost penny Then the Queen commanded to call in Faithful Commin to whom she thus spoke Mr. Commin If you will receive Orders and become of the Church of England you may otherwise you must not be permitted to Pray and Preach among my Subjects and though you have as appears by several other Witnesses preached against the Pope yet you have (d) Observe the Queen thought unordained and unlicensed Preaching an Usurpation Let Dissenters answer this and clear themselves for he that usurpeth over the Magistrate resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that refist shall receive Damnation usurped over the Power both of Church and State in doing contrary to the Order that We our Council and Parliament have unanimously agreed on by and with the consent of the whole Clergy of my Realm Fa. Com. Give me time to consider and I shall give your Grace a further Answer in a short space Queen Is there any will be bound for your appearance otherwise you must be kept a (e) Was this Tyranny in Queen Elizabeth or a wise and just Defence of the Protestant Religion close Prisoner for we have other Examinations to take and Questions to demand F. C. I have three who will answer for my appearance Then one Richard Bland Brother to the said Commin by the Mothers-side and two others gave Bond for his appearance upon the 12th day of April Upon which day Commin with his Bail came and appeared before her Majesty and the Council but the Spanish Embassador being that day to have his Publick Audience of the Queen the further Examination of the said Commin was put off till the next day But Commin coming from the Council to his Followers told them that Her Majesty and the Council had acquitted him and that he was warned of God to go beyond the Seas to instruct the Protestants there and that e're long he would return to his Flock with better success * Of which he was a good confirmation being a Papist and one would think this were enough to banish this Popish Idol Extempore Prayer out of England He told them that Spiritual Prayer was the chief testimony of a true Protestant and (a) A Papist Author of that common slander against the Common Prayer that the set form of Prayer in England was but the Mass translated So after he had with a multitude of tears like a Crocadile first prayed an Extempore Prayer the better to prey upon these poor deluded people he took his leave of them telling them he had not one farthing to support him in his journey yet being Gods Cause he would undertake it out of Charity An holy Cheat. and he was assured that the Lord would raise him up friends where ever he travelled This Speech set most of the people a weeping especially the Women who requested their Husbands to contribute towards his necessities and it was made appear after his escape out of England that they collected for him 30 l. (b) It is by some supposed that this Practice is continued to this day besides what the compassionate Sex bestowed upon him unknown to their Husbands The next day April 13. Her Majesty and the Council being assembled and several others attending to hear this Examination but no Faithful Commin appearing Bland and the other two who were his Bail were sent for
they coming before the Board and being demanded where Commin was and the reason why he did not appear made answer that they had performed as much as they undertook which was that he should appear the day before A cunning Evasion to save both the Friar and their money that if they had received any further directions from Her Majesty and the Honourable Board to have brought him as that present day they would have obeyed the Commands but in regard the party accused was only spoken to to appear they supposed themselves discharged by his first appearance and not bound for his second with which nicety they drew their necks out of the Collar and Commin got an opportunity to make his escape Her Majesty sensible of this Affront which was the greater in regard it was to be a Publick Hearing caused diligent search to be immediately made all over London and Kent but all in vain for he went away that very Evening and was not heard of till some months after However by this search they found out most of his Followers who were examined before Her Majesties Council and said in their (c) Let their Opinions of men be what they will it is impossible for Dissenters who hear unlicensed Preachers to distinguish a true Protestant from a disguised Papist Opinions they had never seen so zealous and heavenly a man as he seemed to be from their Examinations the Council also came to discover the particular sums of Money of which this Religious Jugler hath cheated these deluded people There was no farther account of Commin till on the fourteenth of September one John Baker Master of a Ship called the Swan of London arriving at Portsmouth said he had seen the said Faithful Commin in the Low Countries Her Majesty being informed thereof sent for Baker to the Council Board who there gave them this relation That he had seen the said Faithful Commin in the Low Countries and that coming to unlade some Goods at Amsterdam one Martin van Daval a Merchant of that City hearing him talk of the said Commin told him that this Faithful Commin had been lately at Rome and that the Pope Pius Quintus had put him in Prison but that Commin writing to the Pope that he had something of importance to communicate to him the Pope sent for him the next day and as soon as he saw him said Sir I have heard how you have set forth me and my Predecessors among your Hereticks of England by reviling my person and railing at my Church to whom Commin reply'd I confess my lips have uttered that which my heart never thought but your Holiness little thinks I have done you a most considerable Service notwithstanding I have spoken so much against you to which the Pope returned How in the Name of Jesus Mary and of all his Saints hast thou done so Sir said Commin I Preached against set Forms of Prayer and I called the English Prayers English Mass and have perswaded several to pray spiritually and Extempore and this hath so much taken with the people that the Church of England is become as odious to that sort of people whom I instructed as Mass is to the Church of England (d) It is to be hoped he will be a lying Prophet who was a false one and that this Relation will contribute to the removing that stumbling Block and this will be a stumbling Block to that Church while it is a Church upon which the Pope commended him and gave him a Reward of 2000 Ducats for his good Service Her Majesty and the Council thanking Mr. Baker for his information ordered him to withdraw and upon this the Queen writ over to her Agents beyond Sea if possible to have Commin taken and sent over into England but the thing taking Air and it being the common Discourse how the Pope had rewarded this Imposter some of his Friends gave him advertisement of his danger which made him quit the Low Coontreys and seek a safe retreat in the Romish Territories However this produced that (e) This gave occasion to the Act for 12 d. per Sunday for missing Divine Service Act for preventing Popery and other Sects which enjoyned all people from ten years old and upwards not having a lawful Impediment to repair every Sunday to hear Divine Service under the penalty of forfeiting twelve pence for every such default What is observable in this Narrative is the original of Separate Congregations of Extempore Prayer the vilifying the publick Church-Service stiling it English Mass the pretences to the Spirit the denying the King's Supremacy despising lawful Ordination and Licenses to Preach in stated Parochial Congregations the jugling people out of their Money and their Loyalty are all Arrows that originally came out of the Romish Quiver and that there can be no doubt but ever since this mans success the Pope and Colledge de propaganda fide the Jesuits and Priests have been industrious to improve this Advantage and to stock us with disguised Emissaries who increase our Differences and exasperate all the Separations against the Church of England in hopes by our Divisions to destroy both But that in the mouth of two Witnesses Truth may be justified I will present the Reader with an exact Counter part of the same Romish Indenture whereby they have all bound themselves to work the ruine of the Church of England by this method of raising somenting supporting and exasperating Divisions and Separations among us The following Narrative is a true Copy taken out of the Registry of the Episcopal See of Rochester in that Book which begins Anno 2 3 Phil. Mar. and continued to 15 Eliz IN the year 1568 A strange Discovery of a Jesuit counterfeiting a Protestant to sow Division and raise Sects being the 11th of Queen Elizabeth one Thomas Heth Brother of Nicholas Heth Bishop of Rochester in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth came to the Dean of Rochester and pretending to be a poor Minister made Application to him to present him to the Bishop in order to some Preserment The Dean thought it fit to hear the said Thomas Heth Preach in the Cathedral Church before he would interest himself in his behalf to the Bishop Accordingly he appointed him to Preach upon the 21th of November where he took his Text Acts 12. ver 6. Peter therefore was kept in Prison but Prayers were made without ceasing of the Church to God for him But so it happened that while he was Preaching casually by pulling out his Handkerchief a Letter dropt into the bottom of the Pulpit directed to him by the name of Thomas Finne from one Samuel Malt a notorious English Jesuit then at Madrid in Spain This Letter being found in the Pulpit by Richard Fisher Sexton of the Cathedral he carried it immediately to the Dean who upon perusal went presently with it to the Reverend Father in God Edmond Gest then Bishop of that See who upon the
But the wiser sort will look to their Claws and clip them The Solemn Rites of Coronation have their ends and utility yet neither direct force or necessity they be good admonitions to put Kings in mind of their duty to God but no encreasement of their Dignity For they be God's Anointed not in respect of the Oil which the Bishop useth but in consideration of their Power which is ordained of the Sword which is authorized of their Persons which are elected by God and endued with the gifts of his Spirit for the better ruling and guiding of the people The Oil if added is but a Ceremony if it be wanting that King is yet a perfect Monarch notwithstanding and God's Anointed as well as if he was In-oiled Now for the Person or Bishop that doth Anoint a King it is proper to be done by the chiefest but if they cannot or will not any Bishop may perform this Ceremony To condition with Monarchs upon these Ceremonies the Bishop of Rome or other Bishops owning his Supremacy hath no authority but he may faithfully declare what God requires at the hands of Kings and Rulers that is Religion and Vertue Therefore not from the Bishop of Rome but as a Messenger from my Saviour Jesus Christ I shall most humbly admonish your Royal Majesty what things your Highness is to perform Your Majesty is God's Vice-Gerent and Christ's Vicar within your own Dominions and to see with your Predecessor Josiah God truly worshipped and Idolatry destroyed the Tyranny of the Bishops of Rome banished from your Subject and Images removed These acts be signs of a second Josiah who reformed the Word of God in his days You are to reward Vertue to revenge Sin to justify the Innocent to relieve the Poor to procure Peace to repress Violence and to execute Justice throughout your Realms for Presidents on those Kings who performed not these things The old Law shews how the Lord revenged his quarrel and on those Kings who fulfilled these things he poured forth his Blessings in abundance For example it is written of Josiah in the Book of the Kings thus Like unto him there was no King before him that turned to the Lord with all his heart according to-all the Law of Moses neither after him arose there any like him This was to that Prince a perpetual fame of dignity to remain to the end of days Being bound by my Function to lay these things before your Royal Highness the one as a reward if you fulfil the other as a judgment from God if you neglect them Yet I openly declare before the Living God and before these Nobles of the Land that I have no Commission to denounce your Majesty deprived if your Highness miss in part or in whole of these performances much less to draw up Indentures between God and your Majesty or to say you forfeit your Crown with a clause for the Bishop of Rome as have been by your Majesties Predecessors King John and his Son Henry of this Land The Almighty God of his mercy let the light of his countenance shine upon your Majesty grant you a prosperous and happy Reign defend you and save you and let your Subjects say Amen God save the King After his Majesties Coronation and the death of King Henry the 8th several of the foreign Protestant Clergy wrote to his Son King Edward and to that Honourable Councel whom his wise Father had carefully nominated for to instruct and advise that hopeful Prince amongst whom Mr. John Calvin was one as appears by his Letters to Archbishop Cranmer yet extant and Printed amongst others of his Epinies in which he offers his service to assist that King in the Reformation of the Church of England but King Edward and his Council refused his proffer The parties instrumental for disswading of this Prince from these offertures of Calvins and the reasons why he was not admitted to be one in this Assembly were not known until about the 9th year of his Siller Queen Elizabeth her Reign about which time Sir Henry Sidney some time Lord Deputy of Ireland and one of her Majssties Honourable Privy-Council having then the liberty to view the Papers of State within her Majesties secret Closet he happen'd to find a Letter directed to the Bishops of Winchester and of Rochester These two Bishops were Gardner and Ponett dated from Delph which he in a manuscript of his own afterwards in the custody of the most learned Dr. James Vsher late Primate of Armagh which was after transcribed by Sir James Ware and is now entred in a manuscript of that Knights number xliiii Running in this manner following Memorandum taken out of Sir Henry Sidney his Book called the Romish Pollicies numb 6. pag. 37. in fol. a manuscript with Archbishop Vsher Her Royal Highness giving me the freedom to search the affairs of State ever since her Royal Fathers denying the Jurisdiction of the See of Rome Sir Henry Sidney's words amongst other of his discourses within this Book amongst others of this sort I found a Letter directed to the Bishops of Winchester and Rochester part of the Contents being for my purpose be these as they were translated out of the Low-Dutch Edward Son of Henry the Heretick King of England by his crasty and politick Councel hath absolutely brought in Heresie which if not by art or other endeavours speedily overthrown and made infamous all other foreign Hereticks will unite with your new Heresies now amongst your selves lately planted and so have Bishops as you have and it is the opinion of our learned men now at Trent that the Schisms in England by Edward's Council established will reclaim all the foreign Sects unto their Discipline and thereby be one body united For Calvin Bullinger and others have wrote unto Edward to offer their service to assist and unite also to make Edward and his Heirs their chief Defender and so have Bishops as well as England which if it come to pass that Heretick Bishops be so near and spread abroad Rome and the Clergy utterly falls You must therefore make these offertures of theirs odious to Edward and his Council Receive N. S. and E. L. from Rotterdam their lessons are taught them take you their parts if checked by the other Hereticks for these be for Rebaptizing and not for Infant-Baptism Their Doctrine is for a future Monarchy upon carth after death which will please the ordinary kind well and dash the other that rageth now amongst you Reverend Fathers it is left to you to assist and to those you know are sure to the Mother-Church From Delph the 4th I de of May Anno Christi 1549. D. G. Her Highness one day discoursing of matters in this kind Queen Eliz. opinion at the sight of this Letter I told her of this Paper at the sight whereof she was startled the Letter being amongst her Sisters papers which caused her to express these very words I had rather than a years
was to the Council of Trent in the year 1559. How the Jesuits to ingratiate themselves with the Pope and to mislead the Commonalty make him and his acts above God and the holy Scriptures just at my coming thither that the Pope and the Council were above all that is called God and of greater force than the Scripture was for which opinion one Veratus returned this Society thanks from the Council and so it was upon the Jesuits opinion voted in that Council that their Acts and the Popes were beyond the Law the Prophets and the Scriptures The Messenger between the Council of Trent and the Jesuits of Paris Ludovick de Freake the Council of Trents Messenger between them and the Jesuits of France who brought them these Instructions to destroy the Church of England from Beneventum the Archbishop named Casa was Ludovick de Freake formerly a Priest in England who brought with him up to Paris from the Council several kind of Indulgences and Instructions for that Society to undertake and grant and teach Part of the Instructions were thus to take notice of the confessions of the people of France especially of the Nobles and Gentry and in case they suspect any thing detrimental to the Holy See of Rome then to confer with three or more Confessors of the suspition and so to take memorandums of certain questions to be asked of the party so suspected the next time Also to converse with the Noblest and to discourse variously until they find which way he is inclinable most and to please them accordingly in their discourse and in case any of you be or chance to be any of their Confessors ye are to take memorandums of things doubtful and suspitious and at the next Confession to urge them to those parties then confessing by which any three or more are to consult and give the See of Rome and her Councils intelligence more or less that the Mother-Church might be informed and all evil prevented that is or shall be intended against her You are to associate with all strangers Heretical This Dispensation of the Pope hath beguiled many wise men in England as well as Christian Catholick if Heretical to be civil and not to discover your profession and for the better procurement of these designs designed or to be accomplished ye may with leave of any three of the Society be permitted to wear what dress or habit you think convenient provided the Society hear from the party so dispenced Any of you thus dispenced with may go with the Heretick to any of their heretical Meetings permitted by Acts or Contracts of Peace between Princes by this contrivance ye may both inform the Mother-Church and in case any of you be employed to assist her to go into any of the heretical Villages or Territories you will be the more able to serve the holy See of St. Peter and keep your selves from suspition In case any of ye be thus employed The Popes Dispensation with Impostors to Preach all Doctrines in England to confound that Church ye are dispenced with either to go with Hereticks to their Churches or as you see convenient If you own your selves Clergy-men then to Preach but with caution till ye be well acquainted with those Hereticks you converse with and then by degrees add to your Doctrine by Ceremonies or otherwise as you find them inclinable If ye be known by any of the Lay Catholicks you are to pacify them by saying secret Mass unto them or by acquainting other Priests who are not able to undertake this work with your intentions who doth generally say Mass unto them If the Lay men be of any Parts or of Wit you may dispence with them also reserving the same provisoes and thereby he may acquire an Estate and be the more able to serve the Mother-Church In case they scruple in taking of Oaths you are to dispence with them assuring them that they are to be kept no longer than the Mother-Church sees it convenient The Popes manner of dispensing with Oaths a good memorandum for Protestant Juries to recollect and to consider Or if they scruple to swear on the Evangelist you are to say unto them that the Translation on which they swear his Holiness the Pope hath annull'd and thereby it is become Heretical and all as one as upon an ordinary Story-Book In case in strange Countreys ye be known by Merchants or others trading or travelling thither for to strengthen your designs the more for your intention you are dispenced with to Marry after their manner and then ye safely may make answer that Heretical Marriage is no Marriage for your Dispensation mollifies it so that at the worst it is but a Venial Sin and may be forgiven Ye are not to Preach all after one method The Popes contrivance to demolish the Protestant Church of England but to observe the place wherein you come If Lutheranism be prevalent then Preach Calvanism if Calvanism then Lutheranism if in England then either of these or John Husses opinions Anabaptism or any that are contrary to the Holy See of St. Peter by which your Function will not be suspected and yet you may still act on the interest of the Mother-Church there being as the Council are agreed on no better way to demolish that Church of Heresy but by mixtures of Doctrines and by adding of Ceremonies more than be at present permitted Some of you who undertook to be of this sort of the heretical Episcopal Society This Dispensation shews how the Pope for his purpose dispenceth even with the Protestant Church of England it self for her gain bring it as near to the Mother-Church as you can for then the Lutheran Party the Calvinists the Anabaptists and other Hereticks will be averse thereunto and thereby make that Episcopal Heresie odious to all these and be a means to reduce all in time to the Mother-Church You are further during the time you take these shapes on you to observe thus much of the rules of the Mother-Church This Dispensation shews that the Pope and his Emissaries be the Factions between the King Parliament and Subjects the Mother-Church disowneth the Regal Power to be her Superior especially the Heretical Powers Regal or otherwise Upon this ye are to take these measures You must bemone your Followers and Auditors saying Are not we persecuted for righteousness sake What Flesh and Blood can endure this We be more zealous against the Pope than they and yet we be persecuted By these means your cotrivances will light on those ye lead along and not on your selves This will advantage you much hang you or burn you they dare not but their perpetual acts against the party that follow you will take off the late severities they lay on us in saying We burnt the Hereticks their Ancestors and so at last bring that odium upon that Heretical Church in England which they have thrown on us And as you will
do present weekly methods ways and contrivances for the Church of Rome which hold the great Council for the week following in employment how to order all things for the advancement of the Romish Faith Some of these contrivances coming to my hands by the help of the Silver key be as follow 1. The people of England being much averted from their Mother-Church of Rome they have thought fit sounding out their inclinations how the common sort are taken with the Liturgy in English for to offer her Grace to confirm it with some things altered therein provided that her Grace and the Council do acknowledge the same from Rome and her Coucil which if it be denied as we suppose it will then these are to asperse the Liturgy of England by all ways and conspiracies imaginable 2. A Licence or Dispensation to be granted to any of the Romish Orders to Preach speak or write against the now established Church of England amongst other Protesters against Rome purposely to make England odious to them and that they may retain their assistances promised them in case of any Princes invasion and the parties so licenced and indulged dispenced with to be seemingly as one of them and not to be either taxed checkt or excommunicated for so doing and further for the better assurance of the party so licenced and indulged the party to change his name least he be discovered and to keep a quarternal correspondence with any of the Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors or others of the chief Monasteries Abbeys c. At which quarternal correspondence shall not only give the Pope intelligence of Heretical conspiracy but be a full assurance of their fidelity to Rome This proposal was much debated in the Council which caused some of the Council to say how shall we prevent it in case any of the parties so licenced flinch from us and receive a good reward and fall off from our correspondency 3. It was then ordered that there should be several appointed for to watch the parties so licenced and indulged and to give intelligence to Rome of their behaviour which parties are sworn not to divulge to any of those so licenced or indulged what they be or from whence they came but to be strange and to come in as one of their Converts so that the party shall be cautious how and which way he bendeth It was afterwards debated how it should be ordered in case any of the Heretical Ministry of England should become as they who had these Licences and what should be done in that case 4. It was then answered by the Bishop of Mens that that was the thing they aimed at and that they desired no more than separation amongst the Hereticks of England and by so doing in case any animosity be amongst them the Church established by the Heretick Queen as they so termed her Grace there would be the less to oppose the Mother-Church of Rome when-ever opportunity served This reason of the Bishop pacified the whole Council 5. It was granted not only Indulgence and Pardon to the party that should assault her Grace either private or in publick or to any Cook Brewer Baker Physitian Vintner Grocer Chirurgion or any other Calling whatsoever that should or did make her away out of this World a Pardon but an absolute Remission of Sins to the Heirs of that parties Family sprang from him and a perpetual Annuity to them for ever and the said Heir to be never beholding to any of the Fathers for pardon be they of what Order soever unless it pleased himself and to be one of those Privy-Council whosoever Reigned successively 6. It was ordered for the better assurance of further intelligence to the See of Rome to give Licences to any that shall swear to that Supremacy due Obedience and Allegiance to her Powers to dispence with Sacraments Baptism Marriages and other Ceremonies of our now established Church in England that the parties so obliged may possess and enjoy any Office or Employment either Ecclesiastical Military or Civil and to take such Oaths as shall be imposed upon them provided that the said Oaths be taken with a reserve for to serve the Mother-Church of Rome when-ever opportunity serveth and thereby in so doing the Act in Council was passed it was no sin but meritorious until occasion served to the contrary and that when it was so served for Rome's advantage the party was absolved from his Oath 7. It was also ordered that all the Romish Orders as well Regular as Secular to cherish all the Adherents of the Mother-Church of Rome whenever occasion serveth to be in readiness at the times that shall be appointed and to contribute according to their capacities what in them lieth for the promotion of the Romish Cause 8. It is ordered that the Romish Party shall propose a Match for the Queen of the Catholick Princes for to further or promote the Romish Faith 9. It is ordered upon pain of Excommunication and of a perpetual Curse to light on the Families and Posterities of all those of the Mother-Church of Rome who will not promote or assist by means of Money or otherwise Mary Queen of Scotlands pretence to the Crown of England 10. It is also ordered that every Romish Catholick within England and Ireland or any of Englands Territories to contribute to those Romish Bishops Parish Priests c. that are privately or shall be by Rome set over them to pay all the Church duties as if they were in possession upon pain of Excommunication of them and their Posterity 11. It is ordered that the See of Rome do dispence with all parties of the Roman Faith to swear against all Hereticks of England as elsewhere and that not to be a crime or an offence against the soul of the party the Accuser taking the Oath with an intention to promote or advance the Roman Catholick Faith The Original being kept private in her Majesties secret Closet amongst other Papers of secrecy at that time not to be published having a Correspondent at that time in Italy to send her Majesty Intelligence of forreign conspiracies and contrivances This same noble Peer mentions in the same Book of his Memorials this relation which is also suitable for our purpose In the month of June A Relation of a Puritan Preacher permitted by the Jesuits to Preach dissention at Norwich Anno 1584. was Francis Throgmorton seized on in London and several Treasons were laid to his charge although he was a Papist yet he was a great friend to one Samuel Harper who several times Preached after a Puritannical manner in the Town of Norwich This great conversation of his with this pretended Minister caused great suspitions to arise in that Town amongst the Inhabitants there being more than ordinary betwixt these two It chanced that one Richard Cade an Inhabitant of the same Town being present then at London How it came to be discovered and at the Trials of Edward Arden and
John Summervile who were both condemned but the year before for Conspiracy and Treason against the Queens Majesty at which Trial he heard Edward Arden confess that this Throgmorton was engaged in the same Conspiracy Now this Mr. Cade being well acquainted with Throgmorton informed the Lord Mayor of London of what he had heard who upon this Information apprehended Throgmorton but treasonable Papers being found then in his Pocket verified Mr. Cade's Evidence Amongst the Papers was found a Letter dated at Norwich the second of June from the above-named Richard Harper By Harper's Enquiry it is plain that the Plot of 1588 was then a hatching with these expressions Let us know how our Friends from Spain and yours in London do correspond and whether that King continues his purpose that the Engagers may be satisfied and have notice Upon these words exprest Mr. Cade advised that his Chambers both at Norwich and in London might be searched and that Samuel Harper may be seized on which was approved of and so ordered but Samuel Harper by some notice having warning fled not above three hours before the Pursuivant could come to Norwich yet several Papers of Treason were found in this Throgmorton's Chamber The treasonable Papers that were found in Throgmorton's Chamber amongst which there were Licences and Pardons from the Jesuits Convent at Sevill The undertakers were to be of what Trade or Calling soever they pleased to teach what Doctrine to be of what Opinion or Religion soever provided that they assembled quarterly together and keep a monthly correspondence with that Convent Papers to the same effect from that Societies Convents at Paris and at Rome were found dated from thence How the Jesuits stiled the D. of N. touching the D. of N. who was only stiled by the name of Thomas Howard Gent. our very good Friend Had these Papers been extant at his Trial they would have satisfied her Highness and her Council very much yet being discovered at this present they give us great insight how Rome contrived the Wars of Scotland and so many Traytors against her Highness and that Queen Mary of Scotland was correspondent with them The Originals her Highness is loath to have published for several reasons best known to her Majesty This Francis Thogmorton being condemned for High Treason was drawn from Newgate unto Tyburn where he was hanged bowelled and quartered on the 10th of July following Observe how the Pope licences Jesuits and Friars to Preach in a Dissenters Habit to make a faction with Protestants before his Execution he confessed that there were in England above a dozen that he knew who were permitted to Preach by the Jesuits Licences purposely to breed a Faction in these Dominions but by reason that he was condemned and to be hanged he thought he was not bound to discover their names This account I have from the Sheriffs certified from the Records of Guild-Hall where he was Tried and received his Sentence Many more things of this nature may we bring during this gracious Queens days but we shall abbreviate and draw nearer to her Successor King James of happy memory Pope Clement the 8th consulting with his Emissaries how this King had married into a Protestant Monarchy Pope Clement the 8ths project to hinder King James his succession to Queen Elizabeth set all his Engines at work to defraud this Monarch of the succession after Queen Elizabeth for about the year 1601. this Pope sent his Breves as they call them into England warning all the Clergy and Laity that professed the Roman Faith not to admit after the Queens death any Prince how near soever in Blood to the King of England unless he should bind himself by Oath to promote the Catholick Roman Religion to the utmost of his power To promote this their wicked conspiracy at the same time came into Scotland two factious and wicked spirited Jesuits viz. John Hamilton and Edmond Hay the first especially for that he was known to have been a chief Instrument of the Seditions raised in the City of Paris in the time of the league King James having intelligence of their repairing into his Dominion set forth a Proclamation inhibiting their resort under the pain of Treason In which Proclamation to make them the more odious these two were compared to Bothwell and Gowry his Majesty declaring at that present that he would judge no otherwise of their Receptors than of those that did treasonably pursue his own life yet notwithstanding this Kings Proclamation they found holes to lurk in amongst those of their own Religion in the Northern parts and by this means kept in the Countrey till after some years that John Hamilton was apprehended and carried to the Tower of London where he died before he came to Trial. Still they continued their projects against this King and his Title to England knowing they had lost all hope of gaining his affection or obtaining any promise of the toleration of their Religion when he should come to that Crown Thereupon they fell to treat of a Marriage betwixt the Lady Arabella and Robert Prince of Savoy and that not succeeding then they proposed a Match betwixt the said Lady and a Grand-child of the Earl of Hartfords judging by this conjunction many would befriend them to the excluding of this King from the succession of the Crown of England but the Queens Majesty who truly favoured the Right of this Monarch though she would not openly profess so much dashed all these Jesuitical projects and so caused an eye to be kept upon the Lady Arabella as also upon all who resorted unto her by whose Majestick wisdom this high Monarch came peaceably and was invited by an unanimous consent of her Majesties privy-Privy-Council to his Crown of England as may appear by that Councils proceedings after the Queens death by their Letter subscribed by that Council then in being which Bishop Spotswood specifies in his History of the Church and State of Scotland pag. 473. This King was scarcely setled in his Throne to settle the affairs of his Realm of England when this Papal Society contrived to have executed a quick dispatch of King and State as appears by their bloody contrivance of the Gun-powder Plot which being already set at large to publick view the Narrative we refer to the Reader and so omit it Many more Jesuitical Plots of this nature we could bring in during this Kings days contrived as that of Gundymores and others but shall lay them aside and treat of matters of this nature contrived during the Reign of his Son Charles the First of happy Memory We have already mentioned the Papal contrivance for a Match for the Lady Arabella How the Papists thought by the late Kings Marrying of Qu. Mary to bring in the French Kings Forces into Ireland to invade that Nation and so to claim a Title to that Crown as a means to defraud the Kings of Scotlands Right to the Crown of England
whence the Reader and whole Nation may take notice especially those in present Power who should prevent such dangerous growing mischiefs with greatest care not connive at them any longer 1. See Cromwells Speech in the Painted Chamber Sept. 4.1654 p. 16 17. That there are multitudes of Romish Emissaries and Vermin now residing and wandring up and down freely amongst us to seduce and divide the people by setting up new Sects and Separate Congregations in all places and broaching new Notions and Opinions of all sorts or old Heresies or Blasphemies not saying Masses praying to Saints and Images or crying up the Popes Supremacy c. as heretofore 2. That they are the chief Speakers and Rulers in most Separate Congregations and particularly amongst the Quakers amongst whom the Franciscan Friars act their parts as well as the Jesuits 3. That they have their several Missions and Directions into all parts from their Generals and Superiors of their respective Orders residing commonly in London * Cromwell's Speech p. 16 17. where they have a Consistory and Council sitting that rules all the affairs of the things of England besides fixed Officers in every Diocess and are all fore-acquainted both with the places and times of their several Missions seeing Coppinger could so certainly predict the time of their Mission and coming to Bristol where they have done much harm and assaulted and disturbed the Ministers both in publick and private 4. See Thomas Campanella de Monarchia Hispanica c. 25.27 That the Popes and these his Emissaries chief endeavors are to draw the people from our Churches publick Congregations Ordinances Ministers and Religion and to divide and tumble us into as many Sects and Separate Conventicles as they have Popish Orders and thereby into as many civil Parties and Factions as possibly they can to ruine us thereby Matth. 12.25 27. 5. That by this their new Stratagem and Liberty they have under the disguises of being Quakers Seekers Anabaptists Independents Ranters Dippers Anti-Trinitarians Anti-Scripturists and the like gained more Proselytes and Disciples and done more harm in eight or nine years space to the Church and Realm of England more prejudice dishonour and scandal to our Religion and Ministers than ever they did by saying Mass or Preaching Printing or any point of the grossest Popery in 80 years time heretofore And if not speedily diligently restrained repressed will soon utterly overturne both our Church Religion Ministery and State too in conclusion having already brought them to sad confusions and distractions Now that which gives great cause of suspicion See Regula Fratrum minorum sub Francisco Militantium Ven. 1500. that these Quakers are either disguised Franciscan Fryers or their seduced Disciples and Emissaries is 1. Their rambling about from place to place by two and two together to vent and spread their Errors as the Franciscan Friars use by the †See Regula Fratrum minorum sub Francisco Militantium Ven. 1500. Rules of their Order are bound to do and the Queens Franciscans did here of late 2. Their use of vile and course Array and condemning not only all Pride and Luxury but lawful decency in Apparel in themselves and their Proselytes in imitation of the * See Surius Ribadeniera in vita Regula Fratrum Minorum Sancti Francisci Franciscans 3. Their perswading people to desert their lawful Callings and Employments to embrace a kind of idle monkish lasy life and ramble about from place to place to vent their pretended Visions Revelations Prophecies Messages and New Lights a practice usual with Franciscan Friars and St. Francis their Founder 4. Their rude and uncivil behaviour in refusing to salute or shew any reverential respect honour or humble deportment towards Magistrates or other persons of what quality soever either in words or gestures of which the rude Cynical Franciscans are most guilty of all other Popish Orders contrary to express Scripture Precepts and Presidents Exod. 20.12 Deutr. 5.19 Matth. 15.4 Ephes 6.2 5. Rom. 13.1 2 7. Hebr. 12.9 1 Pet. 2.13 14 17 18. an observable Text against them Tit. 3.1 2. 1 Tim. 6. v. 1 2 3. a notable Text Ephes 5.33 Gen. 18.2 3. c. 19. 1 2. c. 23.7 c. 24. v. 31. c. 27.19 c. 33.3 4 6 7. c. 37.9 10. c. 41.43 c. 42.6 c. 43.26 28 29. c. 48.12 c. 49.8 Exod. 11.8 Ruth 2.10 1 Sam. 20.41 c. 24.8 c. 25. v. 23 24 25 41. c. 28.14 2 Sam. 9.8 c. 14.22 23. 1 King 1.16 23 31 47. c. 2.19 2 King 2.15 c. 4.26 27 37. 1 Chron. 21.21 Est 3.2 which compared with Matth. 10.12 c. 5.4 Mar. 9.15 Lu. 1.40 Acts 18.22 c. 21.7 c. 25.13 1 Cor. 16.21 2 Cor. 13.13 Phil. 4.21 22. Col. 4.10 12 15 18. Rom. 16.15.7 9. to 17. 2 Thes 3.17 may teach these rude Quakers and their Disciples far better manners and civility both in their gestures behaviours and words than now they exercise 5. Their Doctrines that the Saints are perfectly holy in this life and do not sin being able to stand perfect in their own power That they are as equally holy just good and free from sin as Christ and God himself maintained by * The perfect Pharisee p. 1 2 11 14. Fox Naylor affirmed of St. Francis the Father of the Franciscans and justified by them in their Writings as you may read in Surius Ribadeniera in the Life of St. Francis and the blasphemous Book Conformitatum Beati Francisci ad vitam Jesu Christi l. 3. cum addition Heir Bucchii Bon. 1590. first writ by Bartholemaeus de Pisa and approved by a General Chapter of the Franciscans held at Assise Aug. 2. 1389. and ratified by their Popes Antonini Chronicon Tit. 24. c. 1 2. Vincentius Belvacensis Speculum Hist lib. 3. c. 97. and Mornay his Mistery of Iniquity London 1612. p. 347 348. It is the observation of many learned intelligent (a) And of G. Emmot a late reclaimed Quaker in his Northern Blast Protestants who have pryed into the Opinions and Practices of all our late New Sects That in their Books Writings Speakings Preachments (b) Witness Extreme Vnction used by many Separate Congregations and their recusancy to hear our Ministers or come to our publick Ordinances and the like Practices are interlarded and mixed with some Jesuitical and Popish Tenents Opinions Ceremonies Practices by which we may as visibly discover a Jesuit a Popish Priest or Fryer in them as we may a Lion by his paw And nothing in my judgment more clearly detects the Popish Fryers Priests and Jesuits to be the principal inventers erectors of Actors Rulers Speakers amongst our Quakers and other New Sects then their pretended (c) See G. Emmot his Northern Blast with Gilpin's book both relenting Quakers extraordinary sudden extravagant Agonies Trances Quakings Shaking Raptures Visions Apparitions Conflicts with Satan Revelations Illuminations Instructions in new divine Mysteries and Seraphical Divinity whereof they pretend they were wholly ignorant