to fear further Injuries and wrongs from this Father and that she was afraid lest he should also debauch her other Guests and perswade them to leave her desolate and by that means take away all her livelihood and being for without them she is not able to subsist As she was opening the Case and accusing of Father Patrick all her Guests or Lodgers came into the Room together to make also their several complaints and assist their old Landlady in her accusation The Marquess of Purgatory with all his Attendants went formost The Count Meritum and Viscount Free will with a long Train of Followers fill'd the Room where his Holiness was These Noble Persons that I have named are all Officers of our mother the Holy Church of Rome The Marquess of Purgatory is the great Purveyor and principal Cook to him it belongs to see that the Pot may boil well Count Meritum is the great Treasurer of the Catholick Church for he hath in his custody all the Riches and Treasures by which he intends to purchase the Kingdom of Heaven Viscount Free-will is the Fac-totum or Governour of the House he is the Porter or Usher to introduce or shut out whom he pleaseth He is also the Steward Controller of the mother Church for he disposeth of all at his pleasure He is a capricious and humersome Knave nevertheless the Catholick Church iâ— very well pleased with his services and cannot be perswaded to leave him Assoon as my Lord Marquess of Purgatory appeared every mothers son in the Room began to tremble for fear for he was cloathed with a fiery Garb most terrible to the eye out of his mouth burst forth flashes of extraordinary fire so that every one made room to him and was afraid to come near him but when the spectators had well viewed him they perceived that his terrible Countenance had nothing of reality and that this fire and the seeming flames were the effects only of their deluded imagination My Lord merit was clad in such a Garb and appeared with such a pleasant mean that he was more able to move laughter than fear for he seemed to be proud and high-minded His Countenance Behaviour and Courage was much like that of a French Coxcomb or of a proud and stately Spaniard He did blow and puff as a man out of breath and with Eyes full of contempt he did speak to every one Isa 65. 1. Come not near me for I am more holy than thou In his hand he held a large Purse full of good Counters with which men do commonly reckon with God Almighty to see how much he is in their debt My Lord Free-will appeared in another Attire and Behaviour not so ridiculous but no less extravagant for his inconstancy and unsetled Courage did make him appear very simple for he stood now upon one ley then upon another He had got a Switzers Garbe and Attire of several Colours to express the diversity and variableness of our Free-will but that which was most remarkable in his appearance was that he had got a Steeple upon his head that did bear a Cross with a VVether-cock on the top to represent how that in the business of our Salvation signified by the Cross It was in his power to turn himself any ways At first all these Noble Lords were ready to enter into a cruel dispute and quarrel because they all pretended to the priviledge of speaking first my Lord Marquess had a large wide mouth as great as that of an Oven and much heat to animate his discourse and therefore a greater advantage to speak first than the rest my Lord merit did produce his worth and excellency and therefore that he deserved to be the spokesman my Lord Free-will alledged that merit was indebted to him for the advantages by which he pretended to the priviledge of speaking first for there could be no merit without Free-will To please 'um all the Pope commanded 'um to speak all together and told 'um that he was well able to understand all their discourses together That although he appeared but with one Head he had got one that was worth many for it was able to bear three Crowns That it were to do him wrong to fancy that he had less ability than the Beast of the Revelations that had Seven Heads and therefore could understand the Speeches of seven persons And that as he was the Head of the Church he must needs have this power of an Head to understand the complaints and feel the griefs of several members at once when they endure pain when the Pope had granted to them this permission and leave to speak all at once every one began to declare their complaints to this effect That Father Patrick had done them all the greatest injury that could be by divorcing and carrying away the Mass their dear Companion from them That they had long lodged together peaceably with much unity and love at the Palace of my Noble Lady my Lady Traditio That to part with their Companion they could as well part with Heart and Soul and therefore that they did reckon that Father Patrick had done them a notable prejudice to place the Mass in Holy Scripture without them That they had as good reason to pretend to that Honour as well as she for there be some places of Holy Scripture that favour as much their being as that place doth the Mass The Marques of Purgatory alledg'd a passage of the first of Corinthians where these words are to be found 1 Cor. 3. 15. VVhâ— are saved as by fice why said he may not one add to the translantion by the fire of Purgatory Meritum brought forth a passage of the Revelations where the persons are mentioned Rev. 3. 4. VVhom God will cause to walk in white Cloathing because they are worthy He desired that one might render the words because they do merit it My Lord Free will fancied that the passage of Denteronomy made for him where God told the Children of Israel Deut. 36. 40. That tbe VVord was near them in their mouth and in their Heart to do it vvherefore said he may not vve translate it is in thy Free-vvill to do it Therefore every one of them did conclude that his Holiness must needs if he will deal impartially do of two things one either restore the Mass to its old Lodging and former Camerades or grant to them to dwell with her under the same Roof In the heat of the dispute they fell from reasons to threatnings against his Holiness in case that they did not receive due satisfaction for the Marques of Purgatory threatned to be even with his Holiness when his Soul should enter into his Dominions if he did not grant his desire and do Justice for he that frees others by his authority from burning in Purgatory cannot exempt himself from those Torments Therefore he threatned to cast so much Brimstone and combustible matter into the scorching Flames that he would
A FAMOUS CONFERENCE BETWEEN POPE CLEMENT the X th AND CARDINAL de Monte Alto Concerning the late Discovery of the MASSE IN Holy Scripture MADE By the Worthy Father Patrick An Excellent Engineer of the CHURCH of ROME in ENGLAND Latet anguis in herba Ridendo dicere verum quis Vetat LONDON Printed by T. R. and N. T. for Moses Pitt at the Angell in St Pauls Church-yard 1674. Honest Reader FAther PATRICK the Popes known Agent in England and the rest of his Disguised Brethren study Night and Day how to cheat poor Souls into a Belief and Profession of that Religion that is destructive to the good of both Body and Soul Subtilty and Fraud as you may perceive in this Conference are not wanting to this good Father in the prosecution of this evill Designe His Looks Carriage and Speech proclaime him to be a Saint I doubt not but some upon whom he hath prevailed to deny their Religion and their God Judg him to be no less But that their mistakes may better appear to our World and that none may be deceived with his fair Face and Countenance nor with that groundless Affirmation That the Mass is to be found in Holy Scripture of which the Papists make great use This short Conference which presents you with nothing but that which may be proved if Questioned hath been Written by a Sincere Friend of the Protestant Religion A CONFERENCE Between a Noted CARDINAL of ROME And the Present POPE CLEMENT the X About a New Discovery of the Popish MASS in Holy Writt Most Holy Father YOu 'l pardon my Curiosity that desires to know wherefore there appears upon your Pontificall Face such extraordinary Expressions of joy His Holiness returned to the worthy Cardinall this answer If my Face bears some testimonies of my Inward satisfaction and joy I have just cause for it for I have even now learnt a Discovery that hath been made in my time that will render my Reign most famous to all Posterity Pope Alexander the 6th was over-joyed to see that in his dayes such a naked and an excellent part of the World as is America was found out I have far more reason to rejoyce because that in my days things of greater concernment that relate to Heaven and Happiness have been searcht out and happily discovrred the Holy Mass is found to be hid in a corner of holy Scripture The Mass in holy Scripture quoth the Cardinall full of admiration how can that be I know not how many have been enquiring for it there and have turned over every page to see whether they could spy any appearance of it in that place and as Obadiah said to Elijah concerning Ahab There is no Nation or Kingdom whither my Lord hath not sent to seek thee and when they said he is not there he took an Oath of the Kingdom and Nation that they found thee not thus as I may say our holy men have dealt with the Scripture and the Mass there is scarce a page or a Verse that hath been diligently examin'd and enquired into and when our Holy and Religious Brethren have seen no shape of the Mass in Scripture themselves they have as it were taken an Oath from the Prophets and Evangelists that they found it not but all their study enquiry hath been hitherto to so little purpose so that they have at last freely confest that the Mass is only to be found in our Old storehouse of rotten Traditions It maybe that these sacred Books were not yet neer the time of their full Delivery or it may be that a wise and experienced Midwife was wanting till now to help into the world the birth of this great mistery from holy Scripture doubtless this noted production was reserved for these happy and refined dayes but may it please your good Holiness to tell me who is that man or rather who is that Angel that hath made this admirable discovery It is replied the Pope a secular Priest named Father Patrick who is Invested with a rich Abbey worth five hundred pounds a year scituate in Burgundy which I have granted unto him in consideration of the notable services that he hath rendred unto me amongst the English Hereticks he hath promis'd to proceed further and is engaged by my liberallity to be mindfull of my Interest and I am perswaded that there is none so able to settle my Concerns in that Kingdom for amongst the Ladies I understand that he is in an high esteem because of the excellency of his Naturall parts he wants no Impudency to usher him into every place and to cause him to thrust himself into every busines and his nose into every matter He can also make use of pious frauds and Religious Cheats in an excellent manner and with fair promises gain many a good proselite I am certain there is never a famous a noted Curtisan or Religious Votary in the Kingdom but he hath by his subtilty drawn to me and my holy Church Not to mention the multitudes of Irish whom he hath possest with a blind resolution of obeying my Orders nor the simple English that he hath bewitcht with the vain hopes of future preferment pleasure happiness and his Ptiestly favour I must needs acknowledg that he is a most admirable man to manage my Concerns with Discretion he is no less suctesful as appears by his late Initmation of bringing to pass the totall and entire conversion of men able to byass all things for me in that Kingdom and to promote my long designed purpose It is true he hath lost something of his good Reputation amongst the silly and precise Puritans the fantastick Protestants by being too free of his person in a publick Baudy-house in Holland and by visiting those of London too often and more then I have allowed him but this reputation he makes good and raises again amongst the better sort of men by helping them to a Whore in time of need These things I do approve of I have granted the liberty of such actions to all holy and Religious men of his Order and to the rest of my Clergy Clergy for I am of my predecessors good opinion let St. Paul say what he will that the most regenerate and pious Christians as well as the men of the world must and do burn with the flames of Lust and Fornication and may sometimes tast a little of the forbidden Fruit I would rather have him do so then commit Matrimony because by this meanes he is very gracious with the generallity of brave Fellows of the Time and he may by this proceeding be better able to do me service for men commonly love the Religion that approves and allows the fulfilling of our desires but when these little Piccadillos Veniall Sins acts of his humanity should have disgraced him and his name amongst the sottish Vulgar that cannot understand how that the things that I permit and confirm by my example become Vertuous when St Peter whose
unto the Lord. I am very well pleased with his Ingenuity and no body must think this proceeding strange for if he hath the power to transform and cause a metamorphosis of solid substance and turn Bread and Wine into other things of so great a disparity as flesh bones and blood It is no wonder if Father Patrick this Ingenious Priest hath also transformed and changed one expression into another if he can by his breath alone make the glorious Body of Christ now ascended up into Heaven to be found in a few Crums of Bread and a few drops of Wine Why may not Patrick by the same art cause the Holy Mass to be found also in a passage of holy Scripture where it was never before If he can so far command him who is named the Word to come down from Heaven as often as he pleaseth he may with more ease obliege him to speak what and when he listeth In the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he hath met with a motive that hath Incited him to this perform this metamorphosis for he hath met with certain happy Spirits of the Primitive World who have Informed him that in the Council of Chalcedon this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was Interpreted by saying Mass therefore the Council furnishes him with an excellent proof upon which he depends much because in the Actr of this Council the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Translated by a Latine Author facere-missas perform Masses as Julian tells us who himself was of that Councill And because this word is so to be understood in the deeds of this Council therefore it hath the same signification by very good reason in the Acts of the Apostles Don't you think that this reasoning is right and good I admire quoth the Cardinal the subtilty of this Priest but I am afraid that some damned Heretick will draw from this kind of reasoning advantages against us and as such kind of people do already say that we affirm of our Mass that it is not what it appears to be that appears Bread but that it is nothing less then Bread so they will talk of this passage Translated by Father Patrick that it is not what it seems to be That in appearance the Mass is in the Translation but in the Original there is no shape of the Mass to be seen They will also say that the arguing from the Interpretation of the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 found in the Acts of the Counsel of Chalcedon is not just nor reasonable for a word may have a different signification in Ages so much at a distance from one another for that Counsel was held 400 years after the Apostles besides these Hereticks may say that the word Missa Mass that was then lately found out has since in this Age changed its signification for it is with the Mass as with men their Faces differ before they come to an age of understanding look upon a man in his Chilhood and consider him afterwards in his old Age and you shall searce know him so it is with this Name If you look upon it in its first rise and afterwards take notice of it in the glorious appearance that hath been given to it in these last Ages and you will scarce believe them to be the same you will find a strange alteration It may be said of the Mass as of Noahs Ark and Theseus Ship that it was the same and yet not the same for the letters syllables and pronunciation is the same but the use and signification is not the same then it did signifie the dismission of the people or the leave to depart out of the Congregation granted to the Catechumenes who were dismist after Sermon or to the Rest of the Faithful sent away after the Administration of the Sacraments at the end of Divine Service Then they did say Facere missum Catechumenis or Facere missum fidelibus that is to dismiss the Catechumenes or the Faithful this word did then signifie generally all the publick Service of God at the end of which this dismission was thus performed Missa est So that then they called the publick Prayers of the Church the reading and preaching of the Word of God and the administration of the Sacraments by the Name of Mass these things Bellarmin hath confest Since the word is strangely changed to signifie the holy Sacrament of the Altar which is now its ordinary meaning Some therefore may say that in the Translation of the Counsel of Chalcedon to express the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it was never employed in the meaning that Reveend Father Patrick employes it in the 3 chap. of the Acts but doubtless this excellent Abbot so well kill'd in Transmutation can solve all the difficulties that may be made against him and his Interpretation But what benefit doth your Holiness imagine that we receive from this bold attempt of Father Patrick I conceive that he may have well encreased the glory of the Mass by raising it upon such a noble Throne and placing it to be seen upon the Theatre of Holy Scriptures He doth also by this meanes discover its profound Antiquity for it seems to be far more ancient than Christ and his holy Apostles for he may easily prove by this Word that all the Priests under the Law did say Mass very reverendly as well as the Briests under Luke 1. 23. the Gospel for St. Luke tells us that Zachary had accomplisht 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we must for the time to come Translate The dayes of his saying Mass And St Paul represents Moses sprinking the blood upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb 9. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we must also render thus All the Vessels employed in saying Mass In the same place Heb. 10. 11 the Apostle tells us that every Priest did daily 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is according to this good Translation Say Mass and elsewhere he discovers how Christ doth continually say Mass in Heaven for in the same Ep. to the Heb. he tells us that we have an high Priest that is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty of God in Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that means saying Mass in the Holy places I conceive that the Holy Angels are Christs Deacons and Clarks in Heaven to answer him because in the same Epistle they are named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are to understand by these words Spirits that say Mass Your Holiness that hath communication with Heaven may know something more of these Heavenly matters Well replyed the Pope we have just cause to expect the speedy conversion of all the Hereticks and if Father Patrick hath boasted of having made many a good Proselyte and turned them from protestantisme to popery although it was then but a Lye he may have said so by the spitit of prophecy such kind of deceits and falsehoods are to be considered and excused as so many pious frauds
Successor I am should have said the contrary and proclaimed them to be Vices He hath done enough to deserve our esteem for ever for he hath found the Masse in Holy Scripture This discovery will do us a great deal of good it will confirm our indulgence approve of our grants of liberty to sin It will secure and fortifie our Monastrical Garrisons and inspire into our noble Monks an invincible courage It will defeat and destroy all the enemies of our State and Kingdom 1 Cor. 3. 15. In a word I am in hopes that this new and seasonable discovery will furnish me with that by which I shall be able to maintain the Authority of St. Peter's Keyes in the World to enlarge my vast Dominions to embellish the palaces of pleasure where Peter took his delight and where I have caus'd his name to be engraven as testimones that I have them from him to encrease my Guards that are not neer so numerous as those that did wait upon St. Peter when he went from place to place to publish the Gospel to maintain his Triple Crown that In the Castle of St. Angelo and elsewhere St. Peter's Name is engraven he hath left me in possession It is very well quoth the Cardinal if it be true but I am in doubt whether it be so and that when the discovery be examin'd it will be found as vaine and groundless as your Temporall power upon those words here are two Swords or your Holinesses preeminency and Infallibility upon that other Text It shall lead you into all truth for your Holiness knows as you did lately avow that unless your possession were stronger and more aparant than your Right you should never obtaine what you now enjoy Your Holiness is obliged to the Ignorance of the Times and the sharpness of your Sword for your Dignity Infallibility and Papal power and not to any weak Text of holy Scripture It is true answered the Pope but this discovery is not to be doubted of and Father Patrick hath convinced me by sending to me a Bible turn'd into French by the Doctors of Lorrain printed at Paris 1664. for in the 3 ch verse 2. of Acts these blessed words are to be read of the Apostles saying Mass to the Lord Although this Translation be in French it is no less useful to England for that Nation naturally loves admires and embraces whatsoever appears to them in a French garb and countenance let it be never so rediculous It is easie to put the words into English as I understand Father Patrick hath already done and confirmed it by the Translation of the English Jesuites of Rheims who have done something more for they have very well mingled their holy Gloss with the obscure Text of Scripture so that we may with ease find in it all our Doctrines in express words Sure saith the Cardinal this Father Patrick hath most excellent Spectacles of an admirable temper seeing they have made him perceive things altogether Invisible for I have often read that passage but I must needs confess my dulness and the dimness of my sight and my Ignorance I could never perceive any such thing nor Imagine that the words could be so Translated for I find in the Greek Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where I have always Imagined that the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did signifie to Minister and serve Now the service and Ministry Intended is to be known only by the circumstances of the Discourse the Latine Translations do thus render the words Ministrantibus illis Domino and the Version of Louvain in French Eux servans en leur Ministere au Seigneur that is they serving in their Ministry to the Lord the very Sequel of St. Lukes discourse discovers what he means by this service and the Ministration for he speaks of certain persons amongst whom were Barnabas and Paul that whiles they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ministring unto the Lord when they had Fasted the Holy Ghost warned them to separate from them Barnabas and Paul for the work unto which he had called them therefore he adds when they had fasted and prayed they laid their hands upon them and sent them away where the words when they had fasted and prayed do sufficiently discover the end and accomplishment of the Ministration attributed unto these men From whence we may easily conclude that St. Luke understands by their prayer and fasting acts of Devotion the accomplishmnt of what he had spoken of when he tells of these persons that they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Syrian Translation and the Arabick do discover the Evangelists meaning for they have rendred these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whilst they were praying besides we may consider the quality and employments of these men concerned St. Luke tells us that they were Prophets and Doctors It is therefore to be supposed that when he sayes that they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Fasting that they were employed about the Functions and Offices proper to their Callings that is they did minister unto the Lord by prophecying and teaching and that afterwards they did Fast and pray to obtain Gods blessing upon their Labours and Teaching I am certain Cajetan favours this Interpretation for he speaks thus upon this Text The nature of their service and ministry is not here mentioned but because St. Luke names them Prophets and Deacons we are to understand that their Ministry was performed by teaching and preaching Untill this moment may it please your Holiness I was of the opinion of Cajetan that these words do represent the Apostles employed about the duties of their Function and that they did minister to the Lord by teaching and preaching the word to the people by administring the Sacraments and by other acts of piety and devotion I beseech your Holiness to make me understand more perfectly this discovery and how this Reverend Priest hath found the Mass in these words and wherefore he hath given to them this Interpretation I can't very well tell you replyed the Pope I don't much trouble my self to understand the Scripture nor to seek into the Original Text You know very well that these sacred books have no better nor more Honourable place assigned them in our publick Assemblies but my footstool for I am above all Holy Scripture I must not therefore so much abase my self and my dignity to pry and search into it with too much curiosity as if I were to depend only upon that but I l ' tell you as I conceive how he comes to make this good Discovery He is by profession one of my Priests whose employment is daily to Transubstantiate the Bread and the Wine into the Body and Blood of Christ By degrees he is become such an excellent Artist in the Mistery of Transubstantiation that he hath found out an expedient how to Transubstantiate also this and other passages of Holy Scripture and change the words Ministring unto the Lord into these saying Mass