for the University thither was he sent and entred into Baliol Colledg in Oxford but in what year I cannot tell In 1564 I meet * Lihb Matriâ— Antiq. Oxon. with three Parsons in that Colledg two of them Batchelors of Arts and one an Vndergraduat who comparing the time with the Customs of that Colledg must be this same Parsons In the year 1568 he was admitted Socius Sacerdos commonly call'd Chaplain-Fellow and so went into Holy Orders though but Batchelor of Arts. In the year 1573 he took his Degree of Master of Arts and in the next year viz. the 13 of February 1573 4 he resigned or quitted the Colledg But the manner how he left that place hath not hitherto been agreed to on all hands * A brief Apology fol. 193 194 c. himself to keep up his credit will tell a fair Tale and endeavour to lay some blots upon Dr. Bagshaw on the other side the * Answer to the brief Apol. p. 32 33 c. Doctor though a great Romanist undertakes to clear himself to confute Parsons his story and to render him faulty enough Seeing these were both then Fellows of that Colledg and both afterwards turn'd zealous Romanists yet Enemies and could understand this story best yet finding them in different Tales and so not willing more to believe than to dis-believe either I shall take the story from a third hand who was also Fellow of this Colledg and afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury but when he wrote this following Letter which I transcrib'd from the Original was Master or Head of University Colledg To my worshipful loving Friend Mr. Dr. Hussye at Mr. Haiden's House who dwelleth at the Sign of the Tunn in Watling-Street Give these YOV write unto me to know what is in record any way against Mr. Parsons and I return you here inclosed word for word so much as is in the Register of Baliol Colledg In the Resignation as you may see he had written Sponte coactus but now it is Sponte non coactus being blotted out and non being set * * Thus non et over Which I am deceived if it be be not alter'd by some body else of late in as much as I am verily perswaded that since my coming to the Colledg I have seen it Sponte coactus which although it carry a contradiction yet intimateth that he resigned against his will The particular reasons whereof no man can tell better than Dr. Turner now dwelling in Fetter-lane or Dr. * * In the Proctor's Book I find one Tho. Hyde proceeded Master of Arts the same year with Rob. Parsons viz. 1573. Hide of Sarum for as I take it they were both present at his Removing The causes and manner of his giving over as far as I could ever comprehend were these * * Christopher Bagshaw admitted Fellow 1572 let the Colledg 1582 was made Priest in France lived a while in the English Colledg at Rome proceeded Doctor some say at Padoa A. P. Reply p. 1â—6 others at Paris and was one of the Faculty at Sorboune He was active against the Arch. Priest in the stirrs at Wishich He lived to be very old Bagshaw being a smart young man and one who thought his penny good Silver after that he had his Grace to be Batchelor of Arts was with some despight swindged by Parsons being Dean of the Colledg Hoc manet altâ— mente repostum And Bagshaw afterward coming to be Fellow was most hot in prosecution against Parsons It was the more forwarded by Dr. Squire 's displeasure who was then Master of Baliol Colledg and thought himself to have been much bitten by vile Libels the Author whereof he conceived Parsons to be who in truth was a man at that time wonderfully given to scoffing and that with bitterness which also was the cause that none of the Company loved him Now Dr. Squire and Bagshaw being desirous of some occasion to trim him this fell out In the year 1572. Parsons had been Bourser and being joyn'd in Office with one Stanclit a very simple Fellow he took the advantage of the weakness of his Colleague and falsified the Reckonings much to the damage of the Colledg as also deeply polling the Commoners Names whereof there was store in the Colledg and withall not sparing his own Scholars By all which means it was thought that he had purloin'd One hundred Marks His Office expiring at St. Luke ' s Tide there were some that between that and February 1573. scanned over the Books being moved thereto by the secret Complaints of some of the Commoners their Scholars and finding it apparent as also being now certified that he was a Bastard whereas it is the first quality there required by Statute That every Fellow should be Legitimo Thoro natus they proceeded to have his Expulsion solemnly Where by the way you may add that Parsons was not of the best fame concerning * * Dr. Sutclyf's Blessings on Mount Gerizzim pag. 288. Incontinency as I have heard some say who lived in Oxon at that time but whether that were then objected against him I have not heard Parsons being put to this push in the Colledg Chappel and ways sufficient concurring to expel him and in truth no man standing for him maketh humble request That he might be suffered to resign which with some a-do was yeelded to him and then he wrote as you have here inclosed Afterwards before the Assembly broke up he entreated that his giving over might he conceal'd by reason that it would be disgraceful unto him with all men but especially with his Scholars and their Friends and for these causes humbly prayed That he might keep his Scholars Chamber c. and be reputed as a Fellow in the House the matter being concealed from all the Boys and the younger sort in the House which then in words was yeelded unto and that other Decree which now you see razed was enacted for the time but afterward was soon crossed as you may behold And soon after their coming out of the Chappel by Bagshaw's means a Peal of Bells was rung at Magdalen Parish-Church being the Parish wherein Balliol Colledg standeth the reason of which ringing as it was imparted to some few to be to ring out Mr. Parsons so generally it was not known to the world or in the Colledg which gave occasion to this farther jest When Parsons was expell'd he was one of the Deans of the Colledg and so by his Place was to keep Corrections in the Hall on the Saturdays The next time therefore of Corrections which was the day of Parsons his Expulsion or soon after Dr. Squire causeth Parsons to go into the Hall as Dean and to call the Book and Roll c. and then cometh Dr. Squire himself in and as if it had been in kindness to countenance him but in truth more profoundly to deride him he calleth him at every word Mr. Dean and desireth him often to
on the Table and feeding her with I know not what Would they not have us to think that they work and labour at their respective Trades in Heaven as we do upon Earth when they tell us that the Virgin Mary brought a a Specul Exempl dist 4. Sect 6. Garment thence and gave it to Boniface That she brought another out of Christ's b De Thesauris filii mei Alphons de Carthag Anacephal Reg. Hispan cap. 38. Jo. Mariena Hist Hisp l. 6. c. 10. Treasury which she gave to S. Ildephonsus Arch-bishop of Toledo but whether it is now kept in that c Gononus pag. 96. City or in d Jo. Eus Nieremburg de Mirac Europae l. 1. c. 18. Oviedo in the Asturias let them agree about it I shall let it alone as doubting to finde it in neither yet this Garment probably might be made on earth since e Ib. Nieremburgius tells us that some are of opinion that our Saviour ware it himself when he first celebrated the Sacrament of the Eucharist But they tell us nothing to the contrary but that the f Ib. Girdle which she gave to a Priest and as they say is yet to be seen at Tartosa in Catalonia was made in Heaven but by whom I know not What can I say against the Cistertian Monks since she was so favourable to them who used to wear black Habits as to come from Heaven and bring a white Cowl or Hood with her put it on the head of their second Abbot g Gonon p. 154. Albericus at which instant all the Cowls of the Monks singing in the Quire were also miraculously turned white which colour they have kept ever since Thus h Id. p. 177. Specul Exempl dist 9. Sect. 122. Thomas of Becket received another Garment from her Thus she gave a sweet-sented curled or crisped skie-colour Vail to i Gonon p. 351. Lyuvina Another of Cloath of Gold to Francisca put it on her and laid her head in her lap And another time brought a rich k Id. pag. 322. Crown from Heaven and placed it on the head of St. Brigit As she bestowed a l Id. pag. 202. golden Cross upon Waltherus Besides this would they not have us to think that there are brave Gardens and Flowers in Heaven when they tell us that she brought thence two baskets full of m Specul Exemp dist 9. Sect. 117. Roses and gave to two women as a proof of their pure Virginity And another time walked along by a Fryar being stuck about with white and red Roses and having a n Id. dist 9. Sect. 118. Chaplet of Roses on her head which look'd as fresh as if they had been newly pluck'd from Paradise Another time brought a o Coâ—on p. 209. Garland of Flowers and put it on the head of a German Woman call'd Mary But methinks she was most kinde to Jacobus Calipetus who p Id. pag. 459 dying and it seems none of the greatest Saints she at last procured some way or other that his soul should be restored to him again and being thus alive upon earth again he made himself a Caelestine Monk so call'd from their Founder Pope Caelestinus the Fifth where they say he lived very godly and did a great many pretty Miracles and one time whilst he was celebrating Mass the Virgin Mary went into the Chappel with a troup of Saints and Angels and placed a Garland of Flowers upon his head And this not long since for he dyed the second time but Anno 1538. Besides these we might question from what Apothecaries Shop in Heaven she procured the formerly-mentioned Electuaries or the strange q Caesar lib 7. cap. 19. Oyntments wherewith she anoynted and cured the wounded leg or knee of the German Nun. But letting these pass what honour do they do her when they make her a drudge as to come from Heaven with many Saints and Angels to assist Catherine of Siena to make r Gonon p. 323 bread Another time to descend with a company of she-Saints to some Monks working in Harvest whom she kist and embraced and with Å¿ Dauroult c. 2. â—it 41. Sect. 4. Goton p. 168. Spec. Exempl dist 3. Sect. 24. Towels which they brought down with them wiped the sweat durt and dust from their faces Another time to get all the sweat of the labouring Monks and put it into a t Specul Ex emp. dâ—st 9. Sect. 103. Vessel because it afforded a pleasant smell to her and Christ Another time to come from Heaven to u Nicol. Jâ—â— senius vita St. Dominici l. 2. c. 12 p 1â—7 Gâ—â—â—â—s p 212. besprinkle with holy Water a company of sleeping Monks nay they make her so officious and subservant that they tell us how one time she came from Heaven and mended Thomas of Beckets a Tho. Cantipratan lib. 2. cap. 29. Sect. 12. pag. 285. Specul Exempl dist 8. Sect 77. Hair-shirt for him when he himself knew not how to get it patch'd up but she stitch'd it neatly up with red Hair To these we might add many other ridiculous Fopperies as of a woman having her son taken from her by the Enemies earnestly desired the assistance of the Virgin Mary in getting her son again but finding all these prayers in vain she takes another course goeth to Church upbraids the Virgin of her negligence and tells her plainly she will take her Son from Jacob. de Voragine hist 126. her and keep it till she have her Childe restored and forthwith takes the little Image of Christ from the Virgins Arms and home she trots and locks it up safely in a Chest Upon this the Virgin Mary seeing no remedy hyeth her that night to the Prison where the womans Son was opens the door lets him out bids him haste home to his Mother and having thus restored him bids him desire his Mother that she might have her Son Christ again which accordingly was performed and so all were friends And such another Tale they tell us of a German Woman call'd Jutta whose young Childe being snatch'd away by a Wolf and carryed into the Woods of this the Mother informed runs to the Chappel and took the Caesar l. 7. c. 46. Image of Christ from the Virgin Maries Arms telling her she should never have her Son again unless she had her childe restored to her safe and sound At this the Virgin Mary was puzled fearing she should b Quasi timeret carere filio suo loose her Son Christ upon which she commands the Wolf who left the Childe which being found and carried to its Mother she went to the Church and restored the Image Nay they would make her descend to take up the tears of a certain devout Youth in a c Gonon p. 222. Cloth that she might the more conveniently shew them to our Saviour as if he understood not all things as well as her self But though the Protestants
sent to Robert Gâ—iscard Chief of the Normans and Lord of Pulia and Calabria to beg his help at a dead-lift who though then in Wars against the Grecian Emperour Alexius sends him sufficient relief who deliver him from Castle St. Angelo thence they convey him to Salerno in the Kingdom of Naples where he a An. 1085. Baron anno 1098. § 13. dyed Sigebert and lately Father b Remonstrantia Hibernorum part 5. p. 2. Caron tells us that being neer his death he confess'd that he had stirr'd up all these troubles by the suggestion of the Devil c. But the Popes Champions would not have us to believe this but on the contray that he is a Saint for more confirmation of which they have placed his name in their c 25 May. Calendar and if we look for Miracles to prove it we might begin at his Infancie where we finde him being the Son of a Carpenter which d An. 1073. § 16. Baronius thinks a good hint strangely to foretell by his Fathers Chips his own Dominion over the World from Sea to Sea And if we take him towards his latter end lest his actions which so many question should be held as illegal or any what amiss we are told Baron an 1084. § 10 11 12. pretty stories how they were all approved of and declared authentick from Heaven by the holy Ghost And thus much for Gregory the Seventh or Hildebrand after whom his partakers in Italy chose Victor the Third who followed the steps of his Predecessor Gregory by which divisions Italy and Germany were pittifully harass'd especially Rome having daily wars and fightings in her very streets between the Souldiers of the two Popes Clement and Victor but the latter lived not long dying the second year of his Popedom After whom the Anti-Imperialists chose Vrban the Second by An. 1088. some jeeringly call'd Turbanus who also shew'd himself a fierce Enemy against the Emperour which broyls were no small detriment to Christendom Clement and Vrban cursing one another and their adherents to the purpose insomuch that between them there were few Christians in Germany and Italy left uncurst or damn'd and blest and saveâ— again at the same time But that which greatly strengthned Vrban was the revolt of Conrade Eldest Son to Henry whom the Emperour leaving in Italy in his absence he rebell'd An. 1093. against his Father and took part with Vrban who acknowledged him to be King of Italy and accordingly was Crown'd so at Millan and to make him more sure they had him marryed to the Daughter of Roger Duke of Sicily besides this they had taught this their young King so much obedience to the See of Rome as to hold the Popes e Baron an 1095. § 8. Stirrop And this revolt or unnatural rebellion lost Henry all his interest in Italy many of his old Friends adoring the rising Sun not thinking but Conrade would be Emperour But death spoils many a design for Conrade dyed before his Father year 1100 and so did Vrban and Clement Upon which several pretended to the Chair of St. Peter but Paschal the Second got the surest footing between whom and the Emperour was no more agreement than with those gone before This Paschal confirming all the thundring Excommunications and Deprivations against Henry who was now fallen into a great trouble For his now Eldest Son Henry Conrade being dead was perswaded by wicked counsel that it was best to look about him and take the Government upon him his Father having no right to Rule by reason of the Roman Decree against him And many fine words did they tell him of St. Peter of Christs Vicar of the power of the Church c. And thus under the pretence of piety was he perswaded to rebel against his Father This being known Germany was divided some standing for the Father others for the Son and both parties behaved themselves so carefully that both their Armies were powerful and between them much bloud was shed but at last the Marquess of Austriae and the Duke of Bohemia An. 1105. turn'd tail and fled over to the Son basely leaving the old Emperour in the lurch which so lesned his Force that he was constrain'd to take advice and shift for himself with a few trusty Friends Being thus down the winde there were small hopes of recruting every one now running over to the Conqueror To be short a meeting is appointed at Mentz where meet many Bishops and Nobles and trusty cards for young Henry and to carry more Authority Paschal had sent thither his two Legats and to make all sure young Henry himself was there who made pretty canting Speeches to the people telling them that he intended no harme to his Father neither desired his deposition onely took care for the Glory of God and the honour of St. Peter and Christ's Vicar c. which hony-words pleas'd the seditious people exceedingly so that here they conclude the old Emperour not fit to Rule and that his Son ought to be the man and Governour Having gone thus far it was not now for them to look back and so they very fairly go and have him deposed The story it self being somewhat lamentable take as followeth out of their own approved Authors The Bishops of Mentz Colen and Worms were order'd to go to Car. Sigonius de Regno Ital. anno 1106. Helmoldus Hist Sclavorum c. 32. Aâ—b Krantzius Hist Saxon. lib. 5. c. 20 21 22 23 24. him and to bring from him the Imperial Ensigns viz. the Cross Lance Scepter Globe or Golden-ball and Crown with the Sword They went and demanded of him these Badges of which things he demanded the reason they replyed Because he had committed Simony in nominating to Bishopricks and Abbies To whom the amazed Emperour thus answered You my Lords of Mentz and Colen tell me by the Name of God what I have received from you They confess'd that he had received nothing Then said the Emperour Glory be to God that in this We are found faithful for your great Dignities might have brought great gain to me had I gone that way My Lord of Worms likewise knows that he received his Bishoprick freely My good Fathers break not your Oaths I am now old and you need stay but a little But if there be no remedy I shall deliver the Crown to my Son with mine own hands But they making offer to lay hands upon him he retired himself put on his Imperial Ensigns and returned to them saying The goodness of God and the election of the Princes gave these to me and God is able to preserve them unto me and to with-hold your hands from this action although We want Our Forces though I doubt not of any such violence c. Hereupon the Bishops stay'd a while as if they knew not what to do yet at last incouraging one another they bolted up the Emperour took the Crown from his head and then taking him out
at Canterbury as a premonition that no man for the future should lay violent hands on Bishops or their Possessions But if the Statues of all such sacrilegious people were now to be erected neither the Porches nor Churches themselves in all England and Scotland could contain them Old King Henry was now at Argentan in Normandy when news came to him of the Murther which so afflicted him that he was over-whelm'd Bar. anno 1171. § 4. with tears and lamentations changing his Royalty into Hair cloths and Ashes almost for three days together retiring into his private Chamber not receiving either meat or comfort insomuch that the people about him fear'd he would pine away with grief though for the clearing of his innocency he protested a Omnipotentem Deum se testem invocare in animam suam quod opus nefandum nec sua voluntate nec Conscientia commissum est nec artificio perquisitum Baron As Almighty God should judge his soul that that accursed deed was neither acted by his will or consent nor done by any device of his Neither was this any counterfeit or dissembling grief but real and true and that so great that as a b Sa Penitence fut si grande qu'on nec lit point es Histoires que auâ—un Prince Christien ayt faict Penitence avec plus grande humilité Guil. Gazet Hist des Saincts tom 2. pag 980. Romanist confesseth never could any History afford such an Example of Penance and Humility in a Christian Prince For the King did not onely submit himself to the Papal Censures and as they say reject the ancient and wholesome Constitutions which we are told were not long after c Spelman Consil tom 2. pag. 111. confirmed again in the presence of the Popes Nuntios but also the Pope d Bar. an 1173. § 6 7. having Canonized Thomas for a Saint in Heaven Henry to compleat the rest of the Penance e Speed § 75. Bar. an 1174. § 6. injoyn'd him by the Legats went into England and being come within f Speed ib. three or g Fullers Ch. Hist l. 3. four miles of Canterbury clad onely in one woollen Coat went all that long way bare-footed to the Church the bloud running from his tender feet by the piercing and cutting of the sharp stones and in the Church bestow'd a whole day and night in fasting watching and prayer and the next day return'd without eating and drinking all the while bare-footed as he came Nor was this all for he also received on his bare back from the Monks above fourscore lashes with Rods. To such an height of Extravagancie had the awe of Papal Censures and Absolutions flown over the greatest Monarchs though really no way subject either to them or their brutish-Thunderbolts The Kings purse paid for it also by maintaining a great number of Souldiers by the Popes Order in the Holy-Land And what good-will he really had for Thomas may appear by his charity and care for his Relations one of his Sisters call'd Mary she not intending Fullers Ch. Hist l. 3. § 6â— to marry he made Abbess of Berking-Nunnery and another of his Sisters being married to one of the Botelers or Butlers he transplanted with her Husband and Children into Ireland conferring upon them high Honours and rich Revenues from whom the Dukes of Ormond are descended Nor was this all for he founded an Abbey call'd Thomas-Court in Dublin in memory of our Thomas Becket indowing it with large Revenues Thus have we seen the story of Thomas Becket which we have taken out of the Histories writ by his friends and admirers and followed that which hath most probability of Truth And we cannot but suppose that where a man is declared a Martyr for the Church and a Saint in Heaven but that Church-History will be crouded with his commendations by which we can expect but a partial relation at least little or nothing against him it being held an unpardonable crime not to believe with the Pope or to hint any thing against him whom his Holiness hath thrust into Heaven Yet enough may be gathered not onely from those who most commend but also from some ancient Historians whereby we may justly lay the fault rather upon him than his Soveraign For the King looked upon his cause to be so just having all the other Bishops of his Dominions approving of him that he freely offer'd the Controversie to the Tryal even of the a Speed § â—4 Parisian Divines and the Church of France though their King shew'd himself a great friend to Becket But Thomas was so cunning that he would stand to no mans judgement but his own and the Popes for then he was sure to come off Conqueror And if Thomas durst not stand to the determination of those Churches who in all probability understood the business best and to oppose all his own Country Bishops as if none of them were as wise or honest as himself And farther seeing presently after Thomas his death nay and Canonization too it was a strong dispute amongst the Divines beyond Sea whether Thomas was b Caesarius Hist Memorab l. 8. c. 69. damn'd for his Treason or a true Martyr I see no reason why we should be so confident of his Saintship and merits however as to use his bloud for a means to our Salvation as those do who pray c Horae B. Virg. secundum usum Sarum Paris 1534. fol. 53. b. Tu per Thomae Sanguinem quem pro te impendit Fac nos Christe scandere quo Thomas ascendit For Thomas his bloud sake which he for thee did spend Let us O Christ where Thomas is ascend Again when we consider the malapert humour of Thomas with his betters as because the King would not agree to his humour he must accuse him of d Bar. an 1166. § 45. perverse ways as e Id. anno 1167. § 26. criminous that he f § 34. grows worse and worse that he is a g Id. anno 1170. § 25. jugler a corrupt man and a deceiver Again when we consider how all the other Bishops declared him guilty of h Id. anno 1164. § 29. Perjury of i An. 1167. § 45. injuring the King of ingratitude of his rash and preposterous Excommunications that he by k Ib. § 61. his bitter provocations stir'd up the discord that his actions savour nothing of fatherly devotion or pastoral patience and that to the Pope himself they all l Ibid. vindicate the Kings actions And farther when we see the Peers not onely of England but also of France impute the want of peace to his m An. 1168. § 88. arrogancy and those who had been the very Mediators for his peace yet could not but tell him that he was n Ibid. always proud high-minded wise in his own conceipt a follower of his private fancie and opinion and that it was a mischief to the Church that ever he was
Part of a Letter from an English Jesuit the first of it nothing to the purpose take as followeth Good Father THe inclosed to my Lord I pray you read and take it as written to your self c. The Lord Seatoun in whose house I sojourn sometimes salutes you Of the affairs of the Catholicks here I leave it to them to write and relate by whose means these Letters shall be convey'd My Lord Seatoun hath an c c It may be he means some eight miles East off Edinbrough upon the South shore of the Fyâ—th viz Cokeny-Haven Haven of his own which may be hereafter very commodious for our purpose Commend me I pray you to F. Barth Pere c. Mr. Dudley Ilper Knight and John Thules which upon some sudden pushes of persecution have made their repair hither are in health and salute you And Mr. Syal a Priest dyed here lately in Edinbrough Love me and pray for me I beseech you all Solito And if you send any into these parts let them come furnisht with as ample faculties as you may Let them enquire for one Mr. Jonas which will be a token betwixt us Our Lord bless us and send us to meet once ere we dye Yours ever most assured Joan. Cecilio Seytoun this 2 of Octob. 1592. A Letter from the Earl of Angus to Mr. William Creichtoun MY most affectionate commendations premitted this present is onely to know of your well fair and friends and of the estate of matters where you remain and to shew a testimony of my good affection towards you For God be prais'd if you were in this Country I could do you greater pleasure then I was able to do before albeit good-will lacked not at any time as you know The a a Mr. George Ker. bearer hereof can inform you of such things as occur with us for we are daily subject to alteration you may credit him as my self for so his vertues do deserve It is not needful that I trouble you with his commendation seeing he is to you that he is you know his honesty and good intention and the causes of his departing to whose sufficiencâ—e referring the rest my hearty salutations and my bed fellows with all our company young and old remembred unto you and your company commits you with them to the protection of God Yours ever to his power Anguss Edinbrough the X of October MDXCII Mr. James Gordon sent also a Letter to Creichton under counterfeit and false names which runs thus The Superscription To his assured friend b b William Creichton George Crauford Trusty friend AFter most hearty commendations your friends who are here have directed this c c George Ker. Bearer to you for full resolution of all your affairs in these Quarters we have delaid overlong I grant but he will shew you the cause of all The best is that next you use all expedition in time coming against the next Summer otherwise you will loose credit here with your d d i. e. The confederate Romanists Factors If you come you will finde more friends then ever you had but otherwise you will finde fewer because the next Summer many are bound to other Countries and will not stay for you any longer Haste hither some word to your friends that we may put them in good hope of you and they will tarrie the longer The Bearer is an honest man and verie sufficient you may credit him as my self I should have come with him my self were it not that I was perswaded that you would remain satisfied with our Answer and because I had a stop from Flanâ—ers As the Bearer can shew you you have gotten all that you e e i. e. The Blanks desired therefore make haste The Bearer is come unto you on his own charge therefore you must have respect to him The last Messenger that you sent came behinde hand here and hath got no satisfaction as yet because nothing could be gotten here and we could finde no man but this that would pass on his own charge and I fear if he had not undertaken it on his own expences you should not have receiv'd an answer so soon and therefore you should intreat him the better We look for your self here shortlie and I would that you brought the rest of your f f i. e. The Spanishe â—y friends with you that are beyond the Sea For if your g g 〈…〉 in the 〈…〉 Copy purpose pass forward they must be also present otherwise we must come and h h i. e. be foâ—ced to flâ—e the Coâ—untâ—y visit you All other affairs of this Countrie I will commit to the Bearer who is faithful Your i i â—he 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 wife and your i children commend them unto you and look to seâ— you shoâ—â—lie If I or k k 〈…〉 bâ—â—â—umby Sandesoun your friend receive any silver from the Bearer you shall be advertised by another Ticket how much it is and subscribed with both our hands The rest I will refer to the Bearer God preserve you ever from all evil Your most affectioned to his power a a i. e. James Gordoun J. Christesoun At Dundee the XX of November M D XCII There was a Letter also writ by Robert Abircrumbie the Jesuit to the said Creichton under false names part of which take as followeth To his trusty friend b b Will. Creichton George Crauford AFter my due and humble salutations and offer of service I grieve and lament heavilie the slouth and negligence your c c The Catholicks Merchants have used in answering of your last suit you proposed unto them For apparentlie if they had made answer in due time our d d The Spanish Army wares had been here in due time with our great profit and consolation The stay and stop of the matter apparentlie was lack of expences that no man would of his own charges take that voyage in hand yea some craved a thousand Crowns for his expences So the matter was once whollie given over and almost clean forgot until it pleas'd God of his Divine Providence to stir up this e e Dr. Ker. Bearer to take the matter in hand on his own expences as he hath been ever bent in that Cause not onely to spend his goods but also the thing that is more dear to him that is his life Therefore I think he should be more acceptable as also for the affinitie of bloud for both his Grand-mothers were Creichtons And as for wit and abilitie in treating of those affairs he is not inferiour to any of your Merchants which you desired as you will perceive by experience God willing And albeit that he of his couragious liberalitie and Zeal to the Cause hath taken the matter in hand on his own charges yet all your friends in these Quarters think it were reasonable that all should be repaid him again cum usura with promotion till any other accident
England then that our persecution hath been so great For name one Nation I know none can under Heaven where the Subject especially if they were Catholicks ever sought the death of their Soveraign though of a different Religion from them The conquest of their Native Land the subversion of the State the depopulation of the Weal publick the alteration and change of all Laws Customs and Orders and in few the utter Devastation Desolation and Destruction of all the Ancient Inhabitants of their Land in so unnatural unchristian uncatholick a manner as the Spanish Faction have sought it in our own flesh and bloud against this Realm c. e Id. pag. 278. which seeing her Princely heart hath forborn as no Soveraign on Earth would ever have suffer'd the like to have past unpunished as she hath I must conclude and end as we began THAT HER LAWS AND PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN BOTH MILDE AND MERCIFUL And at a Id. pag. 303 3â—4 last doth confess that she was even bound to do as she did such was their Treasonable Practices and Opinions for deposing of Princes To him we might add Clark the Priest who also suffer'd death with Wâ—tson for Treason against King James he b Reply to a Lybel fol. 43. â— confessing and declaring that the Queens Laws and Government were not to be defamed traduced and cryed out against so much for tyranny seeing their Treasonable Actions were the occasion of them And to them we might add Father c Concert Ecciel Angl. paâ—â— 2. fol. 39. b. Parsons himself when he writes his minde freely to his friend But leaving these single Testimonies take these following confirm'd and subscrib'd by above a Jury of true Sons of the Papal Religion d The Protestation it self you may see at large in Roger Widdâ—ingtons Theological Dispute concerning the Oath of Allegiance part 2. Sect. 1. pag 346 347 348 349. Having first thank'd the Queen for her Clemencie and testified that she desired nothing of them but a true Profession of their Allegiance We whose names are under-written in most humble wise prostrate at her Majesties feet do acknowledge our selves infinitely bound unto her Majesty therefore Whereas for these many years past divers conspiracies against her Majesties Person and Estate and sundry forcible attempts for invading and conquering her Dominions have been made under we know not what pretences and intentments of restoring Catholick Religion with the Sword a course most strange in this world and undertaken peculiarly and solely against her Majestie and her Kingdoms among other Princes departed from the Religion and Obedience of the See Apostolick no less then she by reason of which violent Enterprises her Majesty otherwise of singular Clemencie toward her Suctjects hath been greatly moved to ordain and execute severer Laws against Catholicks which by reason of their Vnion with the See Apostolick in Faith and Religion were easily supposed to favour these Conspiracies and Invasions then perhaps had ever been Enacted or thought upon if such Hostility and Wars had never been undertaken William Bishop All Secâ—lar-Priests John Colleton a a Concern'd in the Quarrels at Wiâ—bich wrote in behalf of the Priests John Mush Robert Charnock John Bossevile Antony Hebborne b b Such an one preach'd and dyed by the fall of the Chamber at Blackfrieâ—s 1623. Robert Drury c c Wrote against Mr. Mason Antony Champney d d I finde two Brothers of that name at the latter end of King James his Raign John Jackson Francis Barneby Oswald Needham e e Translated Theodorets History into English Roger Cadwallader Robert Button November 5. 1602. In short we have it from good a Cambden Eliz. anno 1581. Authority that the Queen used to complain with grief that she was driven by necessity to prosecute such Laws for the preservation of her self and Subjects And an honest b Roger Widdrington's Confutation es the intemperate Reply of Tho. Fitz-Herbert Preface pag. 66. § 81. Benedictan Monk doth assure us that the Queen designed a mitigation upon security of their Allegiance but that this toleration was both talk'd and written against at Rome as very disadvantagious to the Papal Cause If they thus oppose her Favours 't is not her fault If they be angry with her for banishing the Priests she did no more then France and Venice once did with the Jesuits If she did amiss in taking their lives away yet was she not so cruel as the Spanish Inquisition or the French Massacre nor so fiery as her Sister Mary If she be blameable why should the others be commended Her Prudence may be shown by her prosperous Reign Her Courage by overcoming all difficulties and assaults Her Clemencie by her often pardoning her Enemies Her good Government by the Love and Honour her Subjects bare her and the esteem which England yet hath for her And as she was beloved at home so was she indear'd and fear'd abroad and as she was bless'd and happy in all her undertakings here so let her not be vilified and bespattered now she is gone to another world honour'd with many years and triumphs CHAP. III. The Pope undertook to depose Queen Elizabeth which occasioned some troubles in England to the ruine of the undertakers QUeen Mary being dead her Sister Elizabeth succeeded in the Throne though White Bishop of Winchester and Watson Bishop of Lincoln were very forward and eager to have her Excommunicated which they would have undertaken to perform but that others more wary advised them against such rashness For some years of Queen Elizabeth's Reign we hear of no great troubles the Papists themselves privately within their own Houses exercising their own Religion quietly enough without any disturbance and others of them without any scruple but deeply herein charged by a De Schism lib. 3 pag 342 343. Sanders for their dissimulation going to the Reformed Churches there to hear and enjoy Divine-Service Nor could they perceive any thing in the English-Liturgy that might any way offend a wisemans conscience it being judiciously composed of Godly Prayers waving all Disputes and the nicer Points of Controversie And in this peaceable condition they might have long continued if Father Parsons and some such Zealots had not baul'd against such a security and got a beyond-Sea Order against their joyning with the Reformed in any of their Pious Devotions No sooner is Elizabeth acknowledged Queen but we are b Peter Heyliâ—'â— Ecclesia Restaâ—â—ata pag. 102 103. told that she sent to the English Agent at Rome viz. Sir Edward Karn sent thither by Queen Mary to acquaint the Pope Paul IV of her Sisters death of her own Succession desiring that all good Offices might be reciprocally exchanged between them But the Pope Answer'd that the Kingdom of England was held in Fee of the Apostolick See that she being Illegitimate could not succeed and therefore it was great boldness to assume the Name and Government of it without
is saith S. John a sin unto death I say not that any should pray for it Which may be understood either of the sin it self as if he should say for that sin or for the forgiveness thereof I will that none should pray because it is not pardonable or else in the same sense for that man who committeth such a sin unto death I say not that any should pray for Of which our Saviour himself hath spoken in S. Matthew saying that He that sinneth against the Holy Ghost shall not be pardoned neither in this world nor in the world to come Where he setteth down three sorts of sins viz. against the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and that the two first are less heinous and pardonable but the third unpardonable All which difference proceedeth from the distinction of the attributes as the Divines teach which severally are appropriated unto every several person of the Holy Trinity And although as the essence of all the three persons is but one so also is their power wisdom and goodness as we have learned by Athanasius his Creed where he saith The Father is Almighty the Son Almighty and the Holy Ghost Almighty yet by attribution power is ascribed unto the Father wisdom unto the Son and love unto the Holy Ghost whereof every several as they are termed Attributes so are they proper unto every several person that they cannot be referred to another By the contraries of which attributes we can discern the distinction and greatness of sin As the contrary to power which is onely attributed unto the Father is weakness and therefore that which we do amiss through infirmity of nature is said to be committed against the Father The opposite to wisdom is ignorance through which if any man sinneth he is said to sin against the Son therefore that which we commit through natural infirmity or ignorance is more easily forgiven us The third attribute which is the Holy Ghosts is love and hath for its contrary ingratitude a fault most odious for hence it happens that men do not acknowledge the love and benefits of God but do forget despise and hate them whence it followeth that they become altogether obstinate and impenitent And this way sin is committed against God with greater danger and peril then if it were done through ignorance or weakness of the flesh and therefore it is termed a sin against the Holy Ghost And because such sins are seldom or difficultly pardoned and that not without a great abundance of grace and so in some fort are said to be unpardonable whereas indeed they become simply unpardonable only through unrepentance For whatsoever is done amiss in this life although it be against the Holy Ghost yet by repentance may be forgiven before death but they that persevere therein till death are excluded from all grace and mercy And therefore for such sins and sinners it is that the Apostle hath forbidden to pray after their decease Now therefore because we understand not without our great grief that the aforesaid King is departed out of this world without repentance and impenitent to wit in company of Hereticks his a Suppose it did would any wâ—se man lâ—â—â—â— is Kingdom rather then borrow another mans sword who agrees not with him in every circumstance in Religion army consisting of such men and that by his last will he had commended the Kingdom and Crown to the succession of b And good reason being the lawful next Heir Navarre a declar'd Heretick and excommunicated as also when dying and ready to yield up his Ghost he desir'd of him and such like standing by him that they would c That this is false read Davila l. 10. p. 818. Spondan anno 1589. § 15. revenge his death upon those whom he judged to be the cause thereof For these and such like most manifest tokens of unrepentance we have decreed that his death be not solemnized with Funerals Not that by these we would seem to determine any thing concerning the secret judgments of God against him or of his mercies who could according unto his good pleasure at the point of his expiring convert and turn his heart and deal mercifully with him but this we have spoken moved by these external signs and tokens God grant therefore that the rest being admonished by this fearful example of Heavenly judgment may repent and amend and that it may further please him to continue and accomplish that which be hath so mercifully begun as we put our trust he will to the end we may give everlasting thanks to him for delivering his Church from such great and imminent dangers Thus with his blessing he brake up the Consistory and by this may appear with what * Davila p. 868. great demonstrations of joy he received the news of the Kings murder But here it may be we may meet with a blunt and bold Objector who possibly may affirm that there was never any such Speech made by the Pope To answer this we shall take Bellarmine for our Adversary First then the * Vnder the name of Mat. Tortus Respon ad Apâ—l Angl. p. 70. Cardinal doth not possitively deny there was any such Speech and if he had known there had been no such thing he would at this time being pleaded against him by King James have boldly denied it and he could not be ignorant being then famous and Praelector of Controversies at Rome intimate with the Pope and Cardinals and so not willing to be catch'd in a lie he endeavours to shuffle it off as well as he can One time he saith it was onely published by the enemies to the Roman Church But to this we answer that it was first published by the Romanists themselves presently after it was spoke and * Antifixtus in answer to this Speech was printed at London 1590. printed at Paris 1589. by Nicolas Nivelle and Rollin Tierry by Authority of the Holy Union and the approbation of these three Sorbonne Doctors Boucher Decreil and Anceline Then again the Cardinal argueth that the Pope himself did neither publish the Speech nor command it to be published This we may grant and yet never the worse this being no argument to prove he never spoke it Bellarmine proceeds intimating no such Speech could be divulged seeing none took notes of it as it was spoke To this may be answer'd that it is true that the Cardinal whose office it was to have noted the Popes Oration not dreaming of such a design neglected the providing of Pen or Ink but yet how it was taken this following story will tell The Oration and Consistory being ended and the Pope departed towards his Chamber certain Cardinals with a greedy desire flocked about Cardinal Allan an Englishman created 1587 there in the Chamber intreating him that he would call to remembrance and write down what he had heard there spoken Allan won by their importunity they being his friends promised to do his best
The same Afternoon he began to write the Speech as near as he could remember Which done he commanded Mr. Warmington one of his Chaplains and two other his Gentlemen to write out Copies thereof which he afterwards presented to the Cardinals his friends for which they thank'd him and upon perusal affirm'd it to be the very Oration which Sixtus had utter'd in the Consistory And as his Chaplain confesseth it is said the Pope liked his doing therein acknowledging it to be really his Speech And all this the said * A Modeâ—ate Deâ—â—â—â—â— p. 148. Mr. William Warmington Chaplain to Cardinal Allan and an honest and loyal Roman Priest doth publickly confess and testifie And so we need trouble our selves no more about it since Bellarmine at last doth in a manuer acknowledge it and falls a vindicating of it Amongst the rest who in these troubles set themselves to scrible down obedience was an Englishman viz. William Reynolds then in the Low Countries under the Spanish Dominion what he writ on this subject was by the desire of some of the chief French Covenanters and under the false name of * His book was calâ—'d De justa Christianae Reipub. in Reges impios Haereticos autoritate Guillielmus Rosseus Mr. Warmington sent a Copy of the Popes speech from Rome to him for which Reynolds returned him many thanks glad that he had so got the approbation of the Roman Bishop to vindicate his Arguments of a Conditional subjection of whom I hope by the way will not be taken amiss this following story as we find it This Mr. William Reynolds was at first a Protestant according to the Church of England and of New College in Oxford and Brother to him was John Reynolds him of Corpus Christi College in Oxford famous for his great Reading who was bred up in Popery beyond Sea William as the story goeth with an intent to reclame his brother John makes a journey to him beyond Sea where in a Conference it so fell out that John as they say being overcome by his Brothers Arguments returns into England and as people use to love and run into extremes was a little teâ—â—ing to Puritanism as his siding in Hampton Court Conference may somewhat testifie yet he died a true Church of England man every way conformable to the Canons nor was he ever but peaceable and moderare loving obedience and his studies more then frantick zele and innovations according to the giddy fury of our hot-headed Puritans On the other side his brother William as they say being convinced by the reasons of his brother John staid beyond Sea where he proved a violent and virulent Papist by his writings declaring that Protestants were no better then Turks nay that they were worse then Pagans Of this strange change Dr. William Alabaster an excellent Poet and one who had made trials also of both Religions made this following Epigram Pella inter geminos plusquam civilia fratres Traxerat ambiguus Religionis apex Ille Reformatae fidei pro partibus instat Iste reformandum denegat esse fidem Propositis causa rationibus alterutrinque Concurrere pares cecidere pares Quod fuit in votis fratrem capit alteruterque Quod fuit in fatis perdit uterque fidem Captivi gemini sine captivante fuerant Et victor victi transfuga castra petit Quod genus hoc pugni est ubi victus gaudet uterque Et tamen alteruter se superasse dolet Which is thus rendered by the Ingenious Doctor Peter Heylyn Cosmogr l. 1. p. 267. In points of Faith some undetermin'd jars Betwixt two brothers kindled civil wars One for the Churches Reformation stood The other thought no Reformation good The points propos'd they traversed the field With equal skill and both together yield As they desir'd his brother each subdues Yet such their fate that each his Faith doth lose Both Captives none the prisoners thence to guide The Victor flying to the vanquish'd side Both joy'd in being conquer'd strange to say And yet both mourn'd because both won the day I have been the longer upon this William Reynolds because he was a great stickler in the French Covenant after the murther of the King coming from the Netherlands to Paris where he vindicated their actions by finishing his former book and dedicating it to the Duke of Mayenne and it was sometimes after printed at Antwerp with great applause of the Roman Party CHAP. VII Cardinal Bourbon declared King by the Leaguers Paris besieged and its Famine relieved by the Duke of Parma HENRY III. a little before his death declared Henry of Navarre to be next Heir to the Crown of France desir'd all the Nobility so to acknowledge him and advised him himself to turn a Romanist as being the onely way both to gain and continue without danger in the Throne And some will tell us of some prophetick observations in behalf Andre du Chesne les Antiquitez de France p. 109 632. of the Family of Bourbon As how Louis de Bourbon the third Duke of that Line who died 1410 building his house call'd Hostel de Bourbon near to the Louvre caused to be written over the Portal in Capital Letters this word ESPERANCE viz. Hope as if he expected some of his Race would ascend the Throne and joyn the two Houses And 't is further observed that in the fine Chapel of Bourbon l'Archambaut de Lys that the same day that the former Henry was stabb'd a clap of thunder whisketh away a Bar which cross'd and touch'd the said window without any damage or harm to the Glass or Painting But leaving these guesses as nothing to our purpose we shall find our Henry IV. no more call'd Navarre but King in great perplexities how to behave himself at this mishap For though the Huguenots freely acknowledged him as King of France yet he was not to trust too much to them lest he should offend the Romanists some of whom shewed also a willingness to allow him for their King without any conditions but the greater part absolutely denied it unless he would assure them to maintain the Roman Religion and give hopes of his own Conversion whilest others of them absolutely renounced him and presently ran over to the Leaguers By which jealousies and Factions this conquering great Army was on a sudden so dwindled away that the King was necessitated to raise the siege and retire for his own security On the other side the Covenanters rejoyce and daily increase many of them persuade the Duke of Mayenne to take upon him the Title of King but this for the present he waveth as thinking his own Interest as yet not strong enough and so with a general consent of the Leaguers old Cardinal Bourbon then in prison at Chinon is declared in their Paris Parlement and publickly proclam'd in the streets of Paris King of France under the names of CHARLES the TENTH coyning their moneys with the Effigies Name and Title of
would bring up and marry according to their Interests thinking thereby also to oblige many of the Nobility to their Cause upon hopes of having her to Wife and with her the Crown She was now at Comb the Lord Harrington's House in Warwich-shire where to secure her they contrived a great Hunting-Match to be the Sixth of November on Dunsmore-Heath under which pretence many Romanists would meet well Appointed and surprise her by force As for a present supply of Moneys Sir Everard Digby promised Fifteen hundred pounds Mr. Francis Tresham Two thousand pounds and Piercy all that he could get of the Earl of Northumberland his Kinsman his Rents which was about Four thousand pounds They also contrived how to keep the Slander of such a Villany from themselves and Religion so determined to throw the Crime upon the Puritans a sort of people bad enough of themselves that we need not load them with other mens Faults by declaring them to be the Traytors who blew up the Parliament To carry on which false report they had framed a Proclamation which they had got printed and ready for publishing upon the Sign given which they supprest and burnt upon the discovery though some of them by chance came to view and were seen and read by Dr. Parker Dean of Lincoln Sir W. Ellis Recorder of the said City and other persons And the better also to get the same Credit with the people Keys Brother-in-law to Mr. Pickering had a few days before either borrowed or bought the swift Horse well known in London and thereabouts of Mr. Pickering of Tichmarch-grove in Northamptonshire a noted Puritan whom they also designed to kill upon which Faux having fired the Match and Touchwood leading to the Train was to escape as they bore him in hand but their design was to kill him at his taking Horse for Pickering's Man which the people would easily believe seeing the Horse so well known to them and the multitude once perswaded of this would be more facil to joyn with them under notion of doing Justice upon such supposed Traytors and Wretches They also consult how to keep the Romish Lords from going that day to Parliament the better to strengthen their Cause by their preservation But in the height of all their hopes and expectations a discovery is made thus Some of them supposed by Monteagle to be Piercy but Bishop * Ans to Sir Ant. Weldons Court of K. James pag. 73 M. S. Goodman saith it was Tresham who wrote the Letter having a great affection to the said Lord Monteagle Son and Heir to the Lord Morley had a mind to preserve him also from the intended slaughter So one Evening a Letter sealed is delivered in the Street the Strand by an unknown Fellow to one of the Lord's Foot-men charging him to deliver it with care to his Lord. Monteagle opens it finds it without Date or Subscription writ with a very bad hand and in a stile he knew not what to make of thus My Lord OVT of the love I bear to some of your Friends I have a care of your Preservation therefore I would advise you as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance this Parliament For God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time And think not slightly of this Advertisement but retire your self into your Countrey where you may expect the Event in safety For though there be no appearance of any stir yet I say they shall receive a Terrible blow this Parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them This Counsel is not to be contemned because it may do you good and can do you no harm for the Danger is past as soon as you have burn'd this Letter and I hope God will give you the Grace to make good use of it To whose holy Protection I commend you Monteagle wondred at the Letter and its delivery and thinking it might relate to some mischief thought it his duty to make it known so away he goeth to White-Hall shews it to the Earl of Salisbury then Secretary of State who tells some other of the Privy-Council of it and the King being returned from his Hunting at Royston they deliver it to Him His Majesty having seriously considered it and all other circumstances concluded that it might relate to some Design to blow up the Parliament and in this jealousie ordered the Rooms and Vaults about the House to be searched which was done the night before the Sessions when in the foresaid Cellar under the Lords-House were found the Barrels of Powder and at the door standing Guido Faux booted and spurr'd with a large Dark-Lanthorn now to be seen in Oxford Library with Matches Tinder-Box and other Materials for his Design Faux was presently carried to Court and examined where he appeared sturdy and scornful maintaining the Design to be lawful That James was not his King because an Heretick was sorry that the Plot fail'd and that he had not blown up the House with himself and those who were sent to search affirming That God would have had the Plot conceal'd but it was the Devil who reveal'd it At last Faux himself confest all that he knew of the Treason Thus far discovered the King suspecting some Commotions or Risings sent with all speed to prevent them by timely notice by Lepton and others This was that Mr. John Lepton of York-shire who rid so often betwixt London and York in one Week viz. in May 1606 who though he won his Wager yet was a Loser never getting his winnings Piercy Wright c. who now lurked about London to expect the fatal Blow informed of the discovery take Horse making what haste they can to their Companions appointed to be at the Rendezvous on Dunsmore In brief according to their abilities they run into open Rebellion but to their own Destruction The High-Sheriffs with other Magistrates and Loyal Subjects so hunting them that they were either all dispersed slain or taken and the chief of them afterwards condemned and executed Mr. Osborn whose Observations and Principles are not always approvable Memoires of K. James pag. 38. tells us that his Catholique Majesty sent an Agent on purpose to congratulate King James his great preservation A flattery so palpable as the Pope could not refrain laughing in the face of Cardinal D'Ossat when he first told it him Thus he This Agent was Don Juan de Mendoza who brought very rich Presents with him Whether it was Flattery or Hypocrisie or no is no great matter it being the custom of Princes though Enemies to use such Ceremonies And I can tell him farther That a little after the Plot a sudden report being spread that King James was kill'd and Sir Lewis Lewkenor then Master of the Ceremonies being sent by the Council to certifie the Forreign Minister of the King's safety and health Don Pedro de Cunigo the Spanish Ambassador at London seemed almost mad for joy and for