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
of the Nation which the King with the advice and by the consent of the wisdom of the Nation has judged and therefore established for the publick good So that the Contest of Dissenters appears to be for Empire and Sovereignty and who shall be the Supreme Judge of the Goodness and Expediency of Laws Answer to Dr. Stillingfleet's Sermon and they do very ill to quarrel at Clergie-mens Coaches and Liveries who themselves are grasping at Crowns and Scepters And if any or many private men shall not judge these Laws so good as those they would have imposed they ought to submit and study to be quiet and not make the greater Duty of Mercy and Peace of the Church submit to the Sacrifice of what may be is but Opinion and still sub Judice I have a Theme before me too copious for an Epistle and shall therefore that I may not transgress the bounds of one dismiss the other I only offer these following discoveries of the Danger to which Protestant Religion and these Nations are exposed by obstinate Separation to your cool and retired thoughts and hope you are too good men and Christians to esteem me Your Enemy because I tell you the Truth Philirenes ERRATA PAge 34. line 24. for her read his p. 39. l. 1. for Cecil read Civil p. 69. l. 6. for Coronensis read Connorensis p. 80. l. 14. for their read you p. 129. l. 26. for Lord read Letter FOXES AND FIRE-BRANDS c. THat the Papists have ever since the Reformation of Religion in Europe The restless design of Papists to regain England to Rome been most invincibly industrious in these Kingdoms to bring the Church of England to ruine and a total subversion there cannot remain the least doubt or scruple For besides apparent matter of undeniable Fact during the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth King James and King Charles the First and our present Gracious Sovereign whom God long preserve there are these Reasons which have and do animate them in the repeated prosecution of that desperate Enterprize First A vain Enthusiastick Opinion The Reasons moving them vigorously to prosecute their wicked Design which in this last Century they have generally embraced That there shall be a Fifth Monarchy of their Church For the erecting of which they embroil their Brains 1. An Enthusiastick Belief of the Fifth Monarchy of the Church of Rome and the whole Christian World wrest the Prophecies of the Scripture and the pretended Writings of the Sybils to countenance this beloved Chymaera Now they look upon the English Nation become Heretick and revolted from the Faith as too potent and considerable in this part of the World to permit them to hope for any success till that Church and State be either so broken as to be disabled to oppose them or be reduced to the Roman Faith and Obedience Secondly 2. The Church of England the only Bulwork of the Protestant Religion and their most potent Enemy They look upon the Church of England therefore as the only Bastion or Bulwork of the Protestant Religion and Interest from whence there have sprung so many and such a constant succession of able Champions for Truth and so long as that Church continues are like to do as will eternally baffle all the Arguments and Reasons they have hitherto or can produce to support their tottering Cause and in all probability will in time so expose them as to convince the World of the Apostacy of Rome from the ancient Primitive Christianity and induce them to knock off the shackles of blind Obedience which their Ignorance and the Romish Artifice have fastened upon the hands of all Princes and People under the Papal Jurisdiction and whatever some people may imagine * This is apparent because they raise them themselves there is nothing formidable to Rome in these little Sects of Separatists who being by their own Eternally sub-dividing Principles like the Sheaf of Arrows in the Apologue unbound will be broken without any great difficulty but the Church of England being a Body compact firm and well put together and wearing so much of the Primitive Purity and Antiquity both in Doctrine and Discipline is the Gordian knot which till by the Sword of Pope Alexander they can untie they can never hope to conquer the World by that of Peter and therefore that Church is the constant mark of their Hate and Envy and to undermine her Foundations they set themselves and all their Engines to work with all possible Diligence and Application I remember to have heard a pretty odd Relation An Instance of a Pope's Charity to the English Hereticks which came from a Person of Quality of this Nation who was at Rome in the time of our late Troubles This Noble Person having demanded liberty to have an Audience of his Holiness obtained it and was treated with great Civility and Respect After the Formalities of the Visit were over the Pope enquired what News from England to which the Gentleman replied with great testimonies of Compassion and gave him a short recital of the Tragical Adventures of the Civil War at which the Pope fell into such an indecent laughter that the English Gentleman smartly repartee'd Sir Certainly this is a Scene for Pity not for Laughter Well young man said the old Pope having gravely composed himself you say true and I take your reproof in good part but added he I cannot forbear this testimony of Joy when I consider that God is about to convince you of your Errors by these severe Methods and by their own hands to destroy one of the best drest Heresies that ever appeared in the World since that of the Arians Thirdly 3. Secular Interest Ambition and Honour the Romish Clergy look upon themselves to be extreamly injured in point of Interest and that they are unjustly and violently dispossessed of all the Dignities and Revenues of the Bishopricks Cathedrals Abbeys Monasteries and other religious Houses and these Promotions Dignities and Revenues are from time to time conferred by the Pope upon titular Bishops Deans c. who de jure pretend a Right to them and hope de facto to possess them so soon as they can by any Arts or Ways reduce these Nations to the Obedience of the See of Rome Nay the Pope himself has the Vanity or Impudence to be tickled with the sweet imagination of Sovereignty and to pretend from the Resignation of King John to Pandulphus his Legate a Title to the Imperial Crown of these Realms Now ambitious men animated by these Hopes and professing as matter of Faith that they are free from all the Obligations of Duty and Allegiance to Heretical Princes and Vsurpers as they term ours and at least in pretence being inflamed with an ardent Zeal for the conversion or confusion of us poor Hereticks and having always the dazling beams and lustre of Interest and secular Advantage in their eyes together with the hopes of Heaven as the merits
Revenue that my Brother Edward and his Council had seen this Letter nay rather than twice my Revenue I had seen it sooner and so caused me to lay it where I found it The Councils opinion The Council upon her Highness discourse concluded that Calvin would have established Episcopacy beyond Seas had he been consulted herein and that the hindrance of this offerture caused much animosity between Reformers Having no more of Sir Henry's words of this nature in this Memorandum we shall go forward in the Memorials of other learned men of this kind You have seen already our Narrative of Faithful Comin and Tho. Heth formerly mentioned in the Book entituled Foxes and Firebrands Printed at London anno 1680. and also the Life and Death of George Browne with the Confession of Philip Corwine which Confession was formerly written by John Garvey some time Primate of all Ireland which we have already put out to publick view We shall therefore also lay before you the Confessions of two great Penitents viz. the one of Samuel Mason some time bred up with the Jesuits at Paris the other of Malachias Malone a Carmalite Friar who were converted to the Protestant Church of England the former being converted an 1566 the latter an 1584. the former being a memorial of that Learned Statesman Sir Henry Sidney as also written by John Garvey the latter a memorial of that Eminent Statesman the Lord William Cecill as follows Samuel Mason his Conversion to the Protestant Church of England now established by her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth our Gracious Sovereign Lady of England France and Ireland together with his Speech in the Cathedral of Christ-Church Dublin June the 6th 1566. and also his Narrative presented to Sir Henry Sidney on the 25th of August following being made before him being then Lord Deputy the Archbishop Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Dublin formerly written by John Garvey Primate of Armagh and Dean of the said Cathedral It is usual upon Confession to shew some sorrow for sins committed The Converts Speech and also to promise an amendment for the future But that sorrow without a performance is the committing of Sin afresh besides the committing of the sin of lying when the party performeth it not These sorts of sorrows and promises be odious both to God and Man But my Confession is not Auricular as I publickly here declare it therefore I hope to be the more credited and it would redound to my disgrace from henceforth to dissemble either with God or Man So that I shall not make a rash vow that I will not return to my evil ways yet with Prayer I shall seek my God for his assistance lest I be led into temptation reserving within my self this saying in my mind Teach me O Lord to number my days that I may apply my heart unto Godly wisdom It was not want drove me hither for had I complyed at Paris where I abode about eight years I might have been entertain'd yet my frailties were such I here openly declare for two years and upwards before I departed from thence I dissembled with the Society called the Society of Jesus But spending my time partly in learning the Language of that Kingdom and also by searching the Records and Libraries of the Vniversities there I found out variety to disswade me from that impious way of living Therefore I have come hither to acknowledge both mine ignorance and perversness when I was of a contrary opinion for to embrace the truth which I have for a long time scandalized and rejected hoping all here present will be pleased as Christians to take this my Recantation for a real and true one So the Lord of his mercy recall Sinners to his Church duly from henceforth Amen After this Recantation of Mr. Masons Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy took him for one of his Chaplains after which Adam Loftus after Primate of Armagh upon the resignation of Hugh Corwine Archbishop of this See Adam our Primate resigning up the Primacy to succeed Hugh Corwine in this Diocess he preferred this Convert to the Parish of Finglas two miles distant from this City of Dublin After the Recantation of this Convert upon the Feast of St. Bartholomew soon after his Conversion he presented Sir Henry Sidney with this Narrative following The covetousness of the Bishop of Rome for these several hundred of years past have increased more than ordinary The Converts Narrative after his Speech given to Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy of Ireland First their covetousness caused them to forget God by neglecting his Will and Commandments Secondly it hath caused them to accept of the earthly pleasures of this world which Satan offered to our Saviour but Christ rejected his offerture by rebuking him and shewed that he cared not for the riches therein by his saying My Kingdom is not of this World hath not only caused the Bishops of Rome to assume to themselves the Titles due to Emperors Kings and Princes but above all to assume the name of God to them and their Successors which in a word is Blasphemy At Paris during my stay there I improved my self by searching the Records and viewing the Books in that University amongst which I lighted upon the Clergy of Leige their Apology to Pope Paschal the Second as touching the Oath of Allegiance which he had granted against the then Emperor Henry the Fourth The substance of this Clergies Apology being thus translated out of French Who can justly blame a Bishop for favouring his Lords party The Clergy of Leighs their apology against Pope Puschal the Second circa ann 1105 or near that time to whom he oweth Allegiance and hath promised by Oath to observe it No man doubts but that Perjury is a grievous offence God only sweareth and repenteth not because wisdom keeps the commandment of Gods Oath But for us who often repent that we have sworn we are forbidden to swear If a man swears God enjoyns him to perform his Oath unto the Lord which is not unknown to those that rend the Kingdom and the Priesthood by a new Schism and with their upstart Traditions promise to absolve from all sins such as incur the crime of Perjury towards their Sovereign never reading what God said to Zedekias by the mouth of Ezekiel the Prophet who had committed Perjury against his Sovereign Nebuchadonozor He that hath broken the Covenant shall he escape Which St. Hierome expounds thus Hence we may learn that we ought to keep touch even with our enemies and not consider with whom but by whom we have sworn Considering on this Apology my soul was smitten within me and such a terror seized on my Conscience that I said within my soul surely that if Paschal was thus reproved by this Clergy so long since how wicked are his Successors grown by this time At this time Pope Pius the 4th his contrivance against the Protestants of England anno 1560. viz. anno
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-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
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
reading of it instantly caused the said Heth to be apprehended and the next day being Monday Novemb. 22. brought him to Examination Bishop Mr. Heth how long have you Preached in England Heth. About six years and more Bishop Were you of any certain Order formerly before this late Reformation of the Church of England Heth. Yes I was Bish What was that Heth. It was the Order of Jesus Bish Are you not still of that Order and have you not now and then some correspondence with that Order Heth. The Ministry will venture to instruct one another but your Lordship seeth how I have retired my self from those whom you call Jesuits Bish We suppose Mr. Heth you have not totally forsaken their Tenents though you have their Persons Heth. Wherein may I be suspected not to forsake their Tenents as well as their Company Bish There is great suspition that you are not of the Church of England by the words which you spoke yesterday in your Sermon Heth. What words were those my Lord Bish You said that it was not those Prayers of the Church of England as are now established that brought Peter out of Prison but * Observe the Design of the Papists from the beginning of the Reformation to bring the Prayers and Church into contempt not being spiritual Prayers and how well the Dissenters have copied this Original spiritual Prayers Heth. And were they not spiritual Prayers that availed him And where have we (a) The Language exactly of Separatists Scripture for any set Form in the Church Bish (b) A good answer to both Papists and Dissenters Quare whether the Directory were warranted by express Scripture If there be no Scripture for any set Form in the Church of England much less for any set Forms among your Fraternities for what we have established is out of the written word of God (c) Diversity and Variety of publick Prayers taken from a Popish Pattern no where warranted in Scripture But as for your Popish Orders viz. Augustines Dominicans Franciscans Jesuits c. you all differ in the Prayers of the Mass one from another where then is your Scripture for so many Varieties of Prayers and Masses Heth. They have Antiqiuty on their side and for the alteration of Prayers every Fraternity and Convent hath power among themselves as is most fit for that Congregation assembled Bish Now seeing you have begun to talk of Antiquity pray Mr. Heth tell me (d) The Jesult entrapped by his own Plea Were all the Orders of the Church of Rome ordained at once No surely for some Orders are ancienter than others by reason they have been allowed by several Popes But as for yours that Order was but of late days established therefore you have little or no Antiquity to plead Heth. My Lord You see I am fallen from that Society which I perceive by your passages in examining me so strictly you suspect me to be one of them still I confess (e) Observe that the Jesuits are enemies to Episcopacy and for a purer or in the language of Dissenters a thorough Reformation I am not so totally of the Episcopal Party of England (f) A Jesuit pretends to refine but intends to destory and it is evident that whoever do so do their work because I have laboured to refine the Protestants and to take off all smacks of Ceremonies that in the least do tend to the Romish Faith Bish Hath our Gracious Queen by her Learned Council and Assembly of Divines who several times sate for the Reformation of Religion now declared and confirmed by Her Highnesses High Court of Parliament established the Forms and Manners thereof (g) An unanswerable Question to all Dissenters who are no more but private persons what hath any particular man to meddle any further Heth. (h) From the good will of such Pretenders whether Papists or Dissenters Good Lord deliver us For we know by woful Experience the fire of Reformation pretends to refine but being over-hot does consume It was but my good will in endeavouring to make it purer Bish You are a pure Steer I must needs say in pretending that you are reformed yet let me ask you one Question Mr. Heth Had not you of late any Letters from any of your Society Heth. I might have had Letters must I therefore be of their Order still because they write to disswade a man from his Principles No sure my Lord. Bish Your Society write Mr. Heth not to disswade you but that you may disswade others However tell me Did you ever know or hear of a man called Samuel Malt Heth. I have heard of such a man Bish Yes and you know him full well Heth. It may be so my Lord. Bish Mr. Dean Shew Mr. Heth the Letter and let him tell whether he knows the hand-writing and call in Richard Fisher to come into the Court. Richard Fisher Here my Lord. Bish How came you by this Letter R. F. I found it yesterday after Even-song in the Pulpit Bish You know it if you see it is this the same R. F. The very same The Letter was as follows Brother THe Council of our Fraternity have thought fit to send you David George Theodorus Sartor and John Huts their Collections which you may distribute where-ever you may see it may be for your purpose according to the peoples inclinations These mixtures with your own will not only a little puzzle the Understandings of the Auditors but make your self famous We suppose your wants are not considerable at present by what we have heard how your Flock do admire you every day more and more Be not over-zealous in your proceedings in the beginning but gradually win on them as you visit them and according as you find their inclinations bend to your Design let us hear how you have proceeded for it will satisfie your Brethren much and inable them the better to instruct you for the future Hallingham Coleman and Benson have set (i) (i) The Original of the Sects in Germany among the Protestants from the Jesuits a Faction among the German Hereticks so that several who have turned from us have now denied their Baptism which we hope will soon turn the scale and bring them back to their old Principles This we have certified to the Council and Cardinals (k) (k) The Reader is desired seriously to observe that the Jesuits Pope and Cardinals have laid this down as a Maxim that Divisions and Separations are the most effectual way to introduce Popery and ruine the Protestant Religion That there is no other way to prevent people from turning Hereticks and for the recalling of others back again to the Mother Church than by the Diversities of Doctrines We all wish you to prosper Madrid Octob. 26. 1568. Sam. Malt. Bish Look here Mr. Heth here is a Letter and it is to be supposed to drop from you when you Preached yesterday for none stood in the Pulpit but your self
1560 a strict Bull issued out of Pope Pius the 4th commanding all the Learned of the several Orders of that Church to find out proofs and reasons for perswading of Subjects to break their Oaths of Allegiance with their Kings and Princes and to gloss this device the better he dispenced with several of the learnedst of the Franciscans Dominicans and of the Society of Jesus to Preach amongst the Protestants of England nay with some of them to marry saying that the Marriage of England established by the Queen and her Clergy was no Marriage but plain Heresie All these so dispenced were to give monthly intelligence if from France to the chief Cities there if from Spain or from other Territories to those places and for fear any of these should be disswaded from their Orders others were sent to discover them if they found their inclinations so bending before they came to be fully resolved to turn this one Andrew Mr. Gibbons a Scotch Frier assured me who was sent for this purpose and betrayed one John Gyles who was then a recanting at the City of Glocester but Gyles ingeniously confessing all the contrivance and desiring proof might be brought who was his accuser Andrew Mr. Gibbons was summoned to appear and to proceed but Andrew suspecting that himself was catch'd straitly seemed to go but pretending to go into his Lodging for some papers to give the Bayliffs of Glocester went out the back-way and so took Horse and fled into France and came to Paris what became of John Glyes I did not enquire How the Penitents thoughts were when he searched after these writings first and how he altered his opinion after Still being desirous to search after all Indulgences Absolutions and Dispensations for Oaths Allegiance and for Rebellions to strengthen the Church of Rome supposing thereby to have made my self a Fortune and to be esteemed well of by the Clergy and Laity of Rome I for the most part made it my purpose to collect all things of this nature these being some of my Collections Paul the Third granted an Indulgence for Harlots to use their bodies with any men Paul the 3d. his Indulgence for Whoring and Adultery for money and to trade in this Sin as I found by his Bull in the third year of his Papacy granted upon the pretence that the flesh being so unruly a member could not be mortified although several Laws had been made against those evil sins yet the Sin was to be excused with those who could not consist in the state of Chastity provided the man gave a certain fee to the spiritual See and that the woman paid a yearly Revenue also and entred her name in the Registry to pay her fees accordingly which was to be gathered weekly this was pretended to go for the redemption of Slaves and Prisoners of the Roman Religion either with Turk or Heretick Every House or Stewes appointed for this purpose to have an Iron-Trunk or Box fastned in the Wall of these Stewes wherein the party thus inclined was before he could be permitted to take his pleasure to put in his summ through a slit in the said Box And three Testees were to wait on these Houses weekly to take out what summs there were thrown in whereof one third part was for the House the Whores were to have another third part and the See of Rome another third part at this time it being calculated that the Registry contained in Paul the Thirds days 45000 Harlots that paid him Tribute and that by Pius Quintus his Papacy it encreased to the number of 64360 Harlots paying him weekly Tribute and all those who went to any secret Whore were to be excommunicated if they were so catch'd until he had paid seven-fold the rate of the Whore's permitted which was seven Julies so permitted An Indulgence was granted by this Pope for to kill any that followed Luthers opinion The Popes Pardon for killing a Lutheran a thousand years pardon for his Sins besides the honour to be enrolled by the name of Rome's faithful Souldier This Pope Paul by his Bull entred at Paris runs Pope Paul's Indulgence to Rebels c. Englished thus Whereas we find the Hereticks now concord in the Administration of the Sacrament of the body of Jesus We grant full remission of Sins to those our Sons of our Mother Church that shall stop or hinder their union amongst Hereticks We also absolve all Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance unto their Heretick Kings Princes or States as they be enemies unto the holy See of St. Peter All men from their tye of Matrimony with Heretick Wives or Wives from their Heretical Husbands Also all Children from their Parental obedience either to an Heretick Father or Mother Also We absolve all Parents not giving to their Heretick Children their Benediction or Portion either to give their Estate to the next Catholicks of the Mother Church a-kin to the Family or to give or to dispose of it to any other persons use Paul the Third the Servant of the Servants of Jesus Christ and to Fernesius our Trusty and Faithful Son and Champion for the Holy See of St. Peter the Blessings of the Holy Trinity attend on the Person of our Well-beloved Son Fernesius of St. Peter of St. Paul of the Mother of God The Benediction of the holy Host of Heaven of the Arch-Angels Angels Saints Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and holy Martyrs assist thee and those fighting under thee in our holy Cause Paul the 3d. his Indulgence granted to Fernesius who went to fight against the Protestants in Germany We grant to thee our Son and Faithful Souldier Fernesius a true and plenary Pardon for all thy sins committed or to be committed by thee or any other fighting under thee fighting for the holy Cause of St. Peter our Predecessor of this See of Rome We will and command the Arch-Angels and Angels to carry into Heaven the Souls of those our Souldiers that shall be slain in Battel for our Holy See of Rome fighting in so just a cause immediately upon their Expiration not suffering or enduring the least pain of Purgatory Also an Absolution of sins of one hundred years to all the Children of those dying or being slain in this our holy Cause against the Hereticks and Enemies of our Holy See of St. Peters 4th I de June in the third year of our Pontif. Paulus Tertius Julius the Third continued the Council of Trent Beneventum that Archbishop upholds so doing and we find in the Universities of Paris a piece of a Letter of this Julius written to Casa the Archbishop of Beneventum wherein he returns him thanks and absolves this Bishop for a Book written by this Casa defending the sin of Sodomy Which I do heartily lament that I took not a Copy thereof but can assure that I saw that Letter and the Books name specified therein for Toleration and defence of Sodomy The Jesuits of Paris their opinion
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
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