so much to search out the truth as to expose another party Well the same Pamphleter proceedeth to tell us that h Id. pag. 93. If we mark well we shall find that in this last Century of years there hath been more Princes Deposed and Murthered for their Religion by these Protestants of Integritie then have been in all others since Christ's time by the Popes Excommunication or the attempt and means of Roman Catholicks i Id. pag. 98. By all which it is plain that Rome is so far from being the Author and Fountain of these Rebel-Doctrines that all Loyalty is in the Reputation of these Protestants of Integritie Popery For he would make you believe of the Romanists that they a Id. pag. 104. are to fight onely with Prayers Arms against Princes have no warrant Quis est Judex si Rex transgreditur Conditiones Regni solus Deus Who is Judge if the King transgresseth the Conditions of his Kingdom onely God Navar. Cunerus and all the Catholick Doctors that ever I have seen agree perfectly in this same sentence But who so bold as blinde Bayard And therefore whence must these Treasonable Doctrines Opinions and Practices come he will tell you and hopeth you will as freely credit him b Id. pag. 110. From Rome it cannot be for its Doctrines with the Opinions and Practices of all its Doctors are quite contrarie and all that is said against that Church in this particular is meer Calumnie And so much for this shameless Libel which is since well Answer'd by the Reverend Dr. Peter du Moulin the Learned Son of a Learned Father T. C or be who it will that was the Author of Labyrinthus Cantuariensis will by no means allow the Romanists to hold any disloyal Assertions His words are c Preface Neither doth Mr. Fisher or any of his Profession allow or use any such nets as the Relator viz. Archbishop Laud mentions that is they neither practice nor hold it lawful to dissolve Oaths of Allegiance to depose and kill Kings to blow up States for the establishing of Quod volumus c. But I would know of the Author for what things they do allow them And in another place he thus undertakes to Apologize for the Popes d Labyrinth Cant. p. 226. § 7. Nor did the Popes ever attempt or so much as pretend to bring the Emperours under them in Civil Affairs which is another aspersion the Bishop layeth upon them Gregory VIII and Innocent III were indeed very prudent men and worthy Champions of the Church to assert her just Liberties but they never endeavour'd to subject the Emperour to themselves in Temporal matters And Mr. Serjeant according to his usual way will thus in a few Idle words vindicate the Popes e J. S. Answer to Dr. Pierce's Sermon pag. 116. Nay but the Court of Rome trod upon Crowns and Scepters An Hyperbole fetcht from the Horns of the Moon When where what Crowns and Scepters Another who undertook to answer the said Sermon would gladly thus cleer the Romanists f The Primitive Rule before the Reformation in the Afternoons Exhortation pag. 18. We Catholicks declare Kings to be free from any Coercive power from their own Laws and Subjects to which they are not bound civiliter but naturaliter onely for if once a Coactive power be allowed Ex coactione sequitur saltem paritas summitatis divisio as the Civilian speaks and Kings once compell'd by their Subjects are no more Scripture-Kings Gods Kings Titular Popular Kings onely For Gods Kings saith Otho Frisigensis being above all Laws are reserved to the Divine judgement hereafter they may not be punished by the secular Laws g Id. pag. 20. As for Catholicks and their fidelitie to Kings none speak it more none advise or practice it more in all secular obediences then the Roman Pastours and the Catholicks in their Communion h Id. pag. 22 23. Yea so far is this Sea Apostolick from frequent practices of that nature upon Kings viz. to depose them of which the Reformed Churches are so guilty that it is evident more Rebellions have been rais'd against Princes for Religion onely in this last Reformed age in a few Protestant Countries then have been rais'd by Catholicks for any cause whatever in seven Ages before throughout all Christendom And whereas this Indirect Power of the See Apostolick is so much traduced as derogatorie from the Rights of Kings the Histories of this last confused Age do manifest that even this Power is and hath been rather a Fortress to Princes against their Rebellions Subjects Yet Id. pag. 22. he is unwilling to speak too plain and therefore tells us that as for the Popes Indirect Power over Kings in Ordine ad Spiritualia to Censure and Deprive Kings I leave that Question to be decided by the two Supreme Powers viz. Pope and King when occasion shall be for it And then probably our Author will declare for the Pope as some Priests did in Queen Elizabeths time anno 1582. Lastly for in these assertions a man might be endless one in his Animadversions upon Dr. Bates and his Elenchus Motuum in which the Doctor is sometimes partial or faulty this a Elenchus Elenchi pag. 17 20 21. Animadvertor I say will by all means have it to be an old and false Calumny to think that the Romanists were not always the best Subjects But words are cheap and why did he not Answer my positive proofs against it as well as make b Id. pag. 26. use of my Book to shew the villany of our Non-conformists and by them to insinuate a discredit of our Church of England to those beyond Seas who through ignorance may suppose the Presbyterians to be true sons of our Church But what they cannot answer some make it prudence to pass by with silence and then the Gentile Romanist who seldom troubles himself with reading any thing but what makes for himself faileth not to vapour that his Champion hath got the day putting most of his confidence in the Title-page seldom or never examining the honesty or exactness of the Writer Thus self-interest perswades and then assures him of the Conquest so that with him to write against the Church of England is the same to confute and confound Thus we see how they would cunningly bear the people in hand what peaceable men they are what good subjects they are and always make a noise of their Obedience and Loyalty as a main Argument to perswade our Kings to embrace their Religion But as for us of the Church of England alas we are nothing but Traytors and Rebels Treachery and Sedition being the chief Articles of our Faith whilst at Rome nothing is taught but peace and loyalty And if we must believe Father Parsons we must thus know the difference of the two Religions for with the Romanists out of England c Three Convers of Engl. part 2. pag. 581 582. All Modestie
THE HISTORY OF POPISH TREASONS AND USURPATIONS THE HISTORY OF ROMISH Treasons Usurpations Together with A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT Of many gross CORRUPTIONS and IMPOSTURES In the CHURCH of ROME Highly dishonourable and injurious to Christian Religion To which is Prefixt A Large PREFACE to the ROMANISTS Carefully Collected out of a great number of their own approved Authors By HENRY FOVLIS B. D. Late Fellow of Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford S. Joh. 18. 36. Jesus answered My Kingdom is not of this world S. Luke 12. 14. Who made me a Ruler over you LONDON Printed by J. C. for Richard Chiswell at the two Angels and Crown in Little-Britain 1671. THE PREFACE Gentlemen I Am apt to fancy that at the first sight of these Papers I shall be loaded with your severest Censures condemn'd as the worst of Hereticks nay and branded as the greatest of Lyers and Slanderers And all this because I onely tell you what the Pope and his boldest Champions would have you to believe because I tell you what grand Authority his Holiness hath what great power and jurisdiction lyeth in your selves what bloudy actions have been done to maintain these priviledges and as a Preparative to all have afforded you the Glories Commendations and Prerogatives of your Religion from Brutes and Blocks Fools and Devils themselves with suchlike odd Arguments as some of your Graver Wits have troubled themselves confirm'd their Religion and pleasured us with But My Masters I may assure my self of a mitigation of your Fury when you have seriously considered that here I say nothing but what is asserted and vindicated by your own Authors approved of by your own Authority and agreeable to the Sentiments and Doctrine of the Pope himself From whence will follow that with what ill will or names you prosecute me for these Collections you must do the same to his Holiness and the greatest Assertors of his Religion I being but the Compiler or Transcriber of their words and actions which used to be your Patterns and Examples to live by and now to turn tail to oppose and contradict the Pope and his Learned Doctors not to believe in his infallible Documents might renew a Dispute about your disagreements or that there might be two contradictory Truths this may be true at Rome and yet the quite contrary also true in England as Father Coton and other Jesuits affirm'd at Paris In short thus to withstand the Pope would shew your selves no good sons of his Church though it might good subjects to your King which is a great part of a good Christian But by way of Apology for my self I must add that your own Writers occasioned and provoked these Collections that their slanders ingaged me to a Vindication and this Retort and I think Duty and Truth obligeth me to justifie my Mother the Church of England as well as they theirs of Rome And to deny us this favour would be a Restraint beyond all Story for if yours take upon them the liberty to oppose and defame our Church it would be strange if you would not allow us in England to vindicate her And by the by it had been well if they had not so much troubled themselves in opposing our Oath of Allegiance and clamouring against the Magistrates for requiring it which yet is more talk'd of then done seeing these Papers will shew both from Principles and actions that some mens Doctrines are so dangerous and pernicious that the strictest Oaths are scarce strong enough for them and that this especially is favourable enough considering the occasion of its making and the seditious Principles of some people 'T is said that those of ill names are half hang'd and the poor woman that durst not kill her Landlords ill-lucky Dog got her designe by crying out he was Mad whereby the Neighbours presently knockt him on the head And thus it fares with our Religion Of all names nothing more odious then a Traytor and the Romanists will scarce have any to be such but those of the Reformed Church which Charge they lay so heavy upon us and with such often Repetitions that most of their Gentry who in this and other things are apt to be Priest rid now use it as the onely Argument to bespatter the Church of England and I fancie have got some Proselytes by the strength of these Reproaches But I would have them to remember once for all that every one in England is not of the Church of England and for other Churches at this time I shall not concern my self and for ought that I know our Presbyterian and Independant are as great enemies to our Church as the Romanist Certain I am the Papists ought to be cautious in their Accusations against these mischievous Non-Conformists also lest at the same time they do but condemn themselves and I a Utinam eorum nonnulli qui rectissime damnant non pessimè imitarentur Bp. Sanderson de jurament Prael 7. § 3. wish there were no reason for such a supposition yet it is too true that at the same time that the former were Rebels against the King in England the Romanist was as active in Ireland despising and vilifying his Majesty through his Viceroy then Marquess of Ormond as much as those did the King in England And though here the Presbyterians imprison'd the King renounced him by their Non-Address and by their other villanies set up the Scaffold and the Independants and other Phanaticks struck off the Head yet will the Irish-Romanists gain small honour by this Objection seeing they did as much as lay in their power to act the same to their Viceroy by fighting against him excommunicating him combining to take away his life or to deliver him up to the Independant Army by trayterously offering themselves and Kingdom to the command of Forreigners as Lorraine the French the Spaniard nay the Pope himself Not to insist here how grateful the Kings Murther was to several Romanists and how formerly they have gloryed in the Murther of other Princes Yet will their Writers take the confidence to declare their innocencie and loyalty to the face of the whole world and thereby not onely seem to quit and clear themselves but at the same time bespatter and asperse what in them lyeth us wicked Hereticks as they are apt to call us Pedro de Ribadeneyra a Jesuit of no small Sanctity and credit amongst them being a Disciple and acquaintance of their Founder Ignatius though as arrant a Railer as the best of them would gladly perswade the world that a Hoc i. e. Evangelium mentiri docet hoc pejurare hoc fingere hoc dissimulare hoc adulare hoc Hypocritas esse hoc Principes ovinam pellem induere nihilominus laniare occidere sanguinem prosundere more luporum gregem dominicum devotare Quantas Deus bone seditiones quantas turbas tumultus novum hoc vestrum Evangelium ab eo tempore quo primum eme◠sit in mundo excitavit Quot
Pope being known 't is the custom of the King of Spain c. to send instructions to his Ambassadour or some other Confident at Rome how to carry on the Conclave that a friend of his might be chosen and also nominates five or six any of which he is willing to be Pope and at the same time sends the names of some others whom by no means he will not allow to be elected by which means Cardinal Baronius lost the Title of Holiness the Spaniard wholly excluding him for a An. 1097. This Tract is left out in some Edition of his Annals the King of Spain having made an Edict against it See D'Avily les Estats p. 235. scratching a little upon the Spanish Territories of Sicily The instructions being come the Cardinals of his Faction act accordingly And he though he deserve the Chair never so much as for Example Baronius who is thus excepted against by a King 't is an hundred to one he shall never change his red Hat for a Triple Crown 'T is true sometimes a few Cardinals in the Conclave when they see they cannot bring their own ends about exclaim pittifully against this mode of submitting their suffrages and consciences to the pleasure of this or that King and now and then Pen and Paper are imploy'd in making little Tracts of Oppositions and Justifications of such Actions but this scribling and crying out of a few Cardinals never hinders the rest from prosecuting their intended designs And thus we see that yet the Temporal Authority hath a main stroke if not all in the election of Popes And here I cannot but smile at Thomas Bozius who makes a great deal of noise and blustering in behalf of the Popes jurisdiction and De Italiae statu lib. 4. c. 3. p. 388. 390. what an horrid danger and judgement 't will be to cross the Bishops of Rome For saith he the Emperours Honorius and Valentinian the Third restrained the Popes of some Temporal Power and then the Goths Vandals and Heruli wasted Italy Again that the Emperour Justinian made a Law that the Popes should not be consecrated without first consulting the Emperour and paying a certain Id. p. 395. sum of money for it and so the Plague or Pestilence seis'd upon Italy and Totila the Goth took Rome Again long after this another Law was made that the Pope should not be consecrated but in the presence of the Emperours or their Deputies and therefore besides Pag. 403. Plagues great Earth-quakes troubled Italy and the Saracens and Huns lorded it there also And suchlike consequences as these he hath store of and all as true as the Star fell down and therefore the Astronomer shot it with his Jacobs-staff And truely the rest is much after the same fashion the sum of his whole Book being onely this Italy is more fruitful hath more and greater Cities and Towns brave Monasteries and Churches better Houses and Colledges and more knowing men and women for these last twelve hundred years than it was or had before Ergo the Pope and his Authority is the greatest happiness that can happen to Italy And is not this a notable wonder that building should increase in so many hundred years If this way of Argumentizing be authentick 't is coming time not Scripture or Antiquity that must prove any Religion the which upon this account must grow better and better and so as they say Modern Protestantism must be held a greater blessing and benefit than that which they call ancient Popery in those Nations where the reformed Religion bears the sway Sect. 3. An Essay upon this Quere Whether for some years past there hath been according to their Decrees and Orders really any true Pope HAving thus hastily discours'd something concerning the Election of Popes it will not be amiss to add these few following Observations which may add some light to the business and by a farther prosecution may be of greater consideration than at this time I shall trouble my self withal but leave it to the censure of every man In the time of Paul the Fifth who began his Popedom in 1605 there lived in Italy a great Scholar and a severe Roman Catholick who being troubled at the odd carriage of the Popes and their Election thought it convenient to have a General Council to rectifie all but knowing the Bishops of Rome to have a natural aversness from this look'd upon himself obliged as a true son of the Roman Church to endeavour as much as lay in his power the promotion of such a publick benefit to his Religion And therefore knowing the Popes against it he drew up a a Supplicatio ad Imperatorem Reges Principes super causis Generalis Concilii convocandi Petition to the Emperour and other Christian Kings to bring this noble and charitable design about And possibly fearing that if this his supplication should onely come into the hands of the Potentates of the Roman Catholick perswasion it might there be stifled by the over-perswasion of their interested Favourites and Councellors To prevent this seeing our King James of a publick spirit for the benefit of the Church he directs it onely to him that by his means his necessitating reasons might be discover'd to the Emperour and the other Christian Princes Upon this the Author a An. 1611. dyeth at Rome leaves this Petition with a dear Friend of his who delivers it to an English Gentleman then there who accordingly convey'd it to King James who presently dispers'd it all Europe over As for the Author I shall positively say nothing but that he appears one to have been very well versed in the Roman affairs the common opinion is that it was the famous Neapolitan Civilian Dr. Marta of whom we have formerly hinted and indeed his very subscribing himself to the Supplication NOVVS HOMO doth intimate that he had now in something changed his Opinion and we cannot but observe that this Supplication carryeth all along a grand respect and veneration to Temporal Authority over Rome it self in some things whereas Dr. Marta in his other Volumes is so resolute a Champion for the Popes very Temporal Prerogative that he screws up the power and jurisdiction of the Romish Bishops even to trample upon all other Potentates in this world If Marta be the man it must be the discovery of some grand iniquities that could thus alienate his affection from Pope Paul the Fifth In this his discourse is indeavoured to prove a failing in the succession of Popes raising the Foundation from the Simoniacal entrance of Sixtus the Fifth But probably one might fetch a farther rise than this even by viewing over their own schisms where sometimes we shall finde such odd chopping and changing of Popes that the wisest then living could not tell which or where was the Head of the Church and yet every party creating Cardinals and declaring himself Christ's Vicar Now this is certain since the time they have acknowledged
And his Countryman Paulus Melissus seems as it were to bestow his whole time in her c Poet. Germ. vol. 4. pag. 342 418 425 428 440 441 443 452 462 468 478 486 493. praises and at last endeavours to go as high as his wit could reach so far will he have her above all other Goddesses d Id. pag. 475. Te Venerem te Junonem te Pallade quisquis Dixerit haud abs re dixerit ille puto Quin idem Charin Musam te dixerit imo Musa es Musarum tu Charitumque Charis Ignoscas Regina minus quam par sit aequum Dicenti laudis copia quanta tui est Divitiis Juno forma Venus Indole Pallas Dote Charis cedit nomine Musa tibi Junones Veneres Charitas Musasque Minervasque Omnes una simul tu superare potis Cui culper si te Divis ex omnibus unam Natam Pantheiam virgo Britanna loquar Amongst the Belgians e Poet Belg. vol. 2 pag. 681 718 719 721 Janus Gruterus so famous for his Learning is her great admirer And of later days f De laudibus vica Elizabetha Adolphus van Dans hath wrote a whole book in her Commendations Nay Johannes Bochius of Bruxels who was so inveterate against her Government and Religion that he assisted Richard Verstegan in the composing of his lying and bloudy Theatre yet cannot let her pass without this grand applause g Poet. Belg. vol. 1. pag. 800. Pallas Juno Venus nemorosae in frondibus Idae Discrimen formae cum subiere suae Inter formosas si tu Dea quarta fuisses Vicisses reliquas O Dea pulchra Deas Quam Juno jejuna foret quam pallida Pallas Quam Dea vana Venus quam Dea sola fores How ready she was to answer Ambassadors and other people in several Languages on the sudden Historians do h Edm. Howe 's enlargement of Stow pag. 813 814 815. testifie at large But one thing I finde Recorded of her which is not usual that when three Ambassadors viz. the Imperial French and Swedish addrest themselves to her at the same time she on the sudden i Rog. Ascham Epist Sturmio answer'd each of them in different Languages the first of them in Italian the second in French and the third in Latine k Epist dedicat ad artem Gram. Vossius l Hist Belg. l. 1. Meteranus m Lib. 82. l. 119. Thuanus and a world of other Learned Writers have weilded their Pens in her Commendations and though some Popes have endeavoured as far as in them lay to over-cloud her Reputation by commanding the Commendatory expressions in her behalf to be dasht out of n Index librorum Prohibitorum Cambden and some other Writers yet I finde Pope Sixtus V a very Zealous Assertor of his Pontifical Chair to bestow upon her and Henry the Fourth of France this following noble Character a Persaepe auditus est cum dicerat toto orbe se unum virum â—oeminam videre dignos nisi labe sectaria infecti essent qui Regnarent quibus cum ipse de ingeâ—ribus rebus consilia quae animo agitabat communi caret Navarrum Elizabetham Reginam intelligens Aug. Thuan. Hist lib. 82 and Perefixe Hist Henry le grand part 1. That amongst all the Princes of the world he could finde but two viz. Queen Elizabeth and Navar setting aside their opinions in Religion who were worthy to Rule and with whom he could most fittingly consult and take advice Having thus somewhat hinted on her Commendations and at last brought the Pope himself to be an Advocate for her Discretion Prudence and good Government we may now the more exactly perceive where the Shooe pincheth and what is the cause of the ill will against her Not denying but that she as well as the best of Monarchs might have some miscarriages and oversights in such a long Raign as she continued especially since the Earl of Leicester and some others had the Fortune to sway in her time it being granted that Robert Dudly was as great an Oppressor as ever breath'd for a Favourite and so let him and all such never be mentioned but with ignominy As for her Religion whether Haeretical or not As the Question is too large to be here discuss'd so is it nothing to the purpose seeing Religion doth not intitle one to Kingdoms nor is Dominion founded in Grace a Pagan having as much right to his Goods and Territories as the best of Christians to what is his As to her personal concerns no question but she thought her self in the best and surest way to her Salvation And as she was a Princess of great Ingenuity and Parts understood many Languages read many Books and was so studious as to translate some her self out of Greek Latine and French so we need not doubt but thus furnisht and industrious in Learning she was able to give a good account of her Religion and to vindicate it and her self And as for Religion as it related to the publick it hath had famous Champious and Martyrs to justifie it and to wipe off all the pretended blots of Schism and Heresie which malice or ignorance could throw upon it for a farther proof of which it being not material to my History in hand I shall refer the Reader to Bishop Bramhal Bishop Morton Dr. Hammond Mr. Hooker Mr. Mason and suchlike Learned Defenders of our Church Certain it is that every Kingdom is supream within it self and 't is as true that the Religion in England was reform'd in a peaceable and legal manner by the greatest Authority in it viz. the Prince Parliament and Convocation of Divines Regulation here did not begin at the wrong end it was not carryed on by any b Vid Chr. 〈◊〉 Câ—ta 〈◊〉 Relig. â—â—ag 11. Rebellious Leagues or Covenants The Soveraign was free and not fought to a compliance and as we may suppose the reasons to be just so are we certain that it was acted by the highest Authority in the Kingdom which is according to the Laws of God and Mâ—n and the practice of other Potentates both ancient and modeâ—â— As 〈◊〉 â—he alteration it self we may suppose it was done with dâ—e â—â—â—sideration being acted by such a considerable Body and Authâ—rity and not on a sudden but by degrees as they found just occasion to reject and admit And as on the one hand we may suppose it was agreeable to the Majority of the Laity considering it past their Representives the Parliament nor opposed by any considerable number after so year 1559 may we justly conclude it conformable to the sentiments of the Clergy seeing that the Parishes Headships of Colledges and Halls in the Universities with the Prebendships Bishopricks and the other Dignities of the Church in England and Wales did then amount to the number of very neer ten thousand Yet of all that number of Preferments adding to them the Lord
qui nos in hoc supremo Justitiae Throno licet tanto oneri impares voluit collocare de Apostolica potestatis plenitudine Declaramus praedictam Elizabetham Haereticam Haereticorum Fautricem eique adhaerentes in praedict is Anathematis sententiam incurrisse esseque a Christi Corporis unitate praeeisos Quin etiam ipsam praetenso Regni praedicti jure necnon omni quocunque Dominio Dignitate Privilegioque privatam Et etiam Proceres Subditos Populos dicti Regni ac caeteros omnes qui illi quomodocunque juraverunt a juramento hujusmodi ac omni prorsus Dominii fidelitatis obsequii debito perpetuo absolutos prout Nos illos praesentium Authoritate Absolvimus Privamus eandem Elizabetham praetenso jure Regni aliisque omnibus supra dict is Praecipimusque Interdicimus universis singulis Proceribus Subditis Populi aliis praedict is ne illi ejusve monitis Mandatis legibus audeant obedire qui secus egerint eos simili Anathematis sententia innodamus Quia vero difficile nimis esset Praesentes quocunque illis opus erit perferre Volumus ut eorum Exempla Notarii Publici manu Praelati Ecclesiastici ejusve Curiae Sigillo obsignata eandem illam prorsus fidem in judicio extra illud ubique Gentium faciant quam ipsae praesentes facerent si essent exhibitae Datum Romae apud S. Petrum Anno Incarnationis Dominicae Millesimo Quingentesimo Sexagesimo Nono Quinto Kalend b b Their Bullaâ—ia Edit Rom. 1638. by a mistake hath V K al. Maii but the former Edit viz. Rom. 1617. in this is right enough Martii Pontificatus nostri Anno Quinto Cae. Glorierius H. Cumyn The Sentence declaratory of our Holy Lord Pope Pius V. against Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England and the Hereticks adhering to her Wherein also all her Subjects are declared Absolved from the Oath of Allegiance and whatever else due unto her and those who hereafter obey her are hereby Anathematiz'd Pius Bishop servant of the servants of God for a future Memorial of the matter HE who Raigneth in the Highest to whom is given all power in Heaven and in Earth hath committed one holy Catholick and Apostolick Church out of which there is no Salvation to one alone upon Earth namely to Peter the the chief of the Apostles and to Peters Successor the Bishop of Rome to be govern'd in fulness of power Him alone he made Prince over all People and all Kingdoms with power a To pluck up destroy scatter consume plant and to build that he may continue the Faithful who are knit together with the bond of Charity in the Unity of the Spirit and present them safe and unblameable to their Saviour In discharge of which Function we who are by the goodness of God call'd to the Government of the foresaid Church do spare no pains labouring with all earnestness that Unity and Catholick Religion which the Author thereof hath for the tryal of his Childrens Faith and for our amendment suffer'd to be punish'd with so great afflictions might be preserv'd whole and uncorrupt But the number of the ungodly have gotten such power that there is no place left in the whole World which they have not endeavour'd to corrupt with their most wicked Doctrines Amongst others Elizabeth the Pretended Queen of England and the servant of wickedness hath assisted thereunto in whom as in a Sanctuary the most pernicious of all have found a refuge This very woman having seiz'd on the Kingdom and monstrously usurping the place of Supreme Head of the Church of all England and the chief Authority and jurisdiction thereof hath again brought back the said Kingdom into miserable distraction which was but even then newly reduced to the Catholick faith and an hopeful condition For having by strong hand forbid the Exercise of the true Religion which Mary a lawful Queen of famous Memory had by the assistance of this See restored after it had been overthrown by Henry VIII a Revolter from the Truth She following and imbracing the errors of Hereticks hath removed the Royal Council consisting of the Nobility of England and fill'd it with obscure Heretical fellows hath supprest the embracers of the Catholick Faith setled dishonest Preachers and wicked Ministers abolish'd the Sacrifice of the Mass Prayers Fastings choice of Meats unmarried life and the Catholick Ceremonies commanded all the Kingdom over Books manifestly Heretical to be read and impious Mysteries and Institutions according to the Rules of Calvin which she her self entertains and receiveth to be likewise observed by her Subjects She hath presumed to throw Bishops Parsons and other Catholick Priests out of their Churches and Benefices and to bestow their and other Church-livings upon Hereticks and to determine of Ecclesiastical matters to forbid the Bishops Clergy and People to acknowledge the Church of Rome or to obey the Precepts or Canonical Sanctions thereof Hath compell'd most of them to obey her wicked Laws and to abjure the Authority and Obedience of the Bishop of Rome and by Oath to acknowledge her to be sole Governess as well in Spiritual as Temporal Affairs Hath impos'd penalties and punishments upon those who obey'd not the same hath exacted them of those who persevered in the Unity of Faith and their foresaid Obedience and hath cast the Catholick Prelates and Parsons into Prison where many of them being spent with long languishing and sorrow miserably ended their lives All which things seeing they are manifest and notorious to all men and by the clearest Testimony of very many so sufficiently proved that there is no place at all left either for excuse defence or evasion We seeing that impieties and wicked actions are multiplyed one upon another and moreover that the Persecution of the Faithful and Affliction for Religion groweth every day heavyer and heavyer through the instigation and means of the said Elizabeth We therefore understanding her minde to be so hardned and obdurate that she hath not onely contemn'd the Godly requests and admonitions of Catholick Princes concerning her amendment and conversion but also hath not so much as permitted the a a Abbot Parpalia 〈…〉 Martiningo 1560 1561. Nuncio's of this See to pass into England are necessitated to betake our selves to the weapons of Justice against her not being able to mitigate our sorrow that we are drawn to take Punishment of one to whose Ancestors all Christendom hath been so much beholden Being therefore supported by his Authority who hath placed Us though unable for so great a burthen in the Supreme Throne of Justice We do out of the fulness of our Apostolical power declare the foresaid heretical Elizabeth being the favourer of Hereticks with all her adherents in the matters aforesaid to have incur'd the sentence of Anathema and to be cut off from the unity of Christs body And we also declare her to be deprived of her pretended Title to the Kingdom aforesaid and
Question For no mortal sin is to be committed although thereby Life or Goods might be saved but these things which further and help to execute an unjust Warr are manifestly deadly sins It is permitted likewise to the Catholiques to perform such kind of Obedience to this Haeretical Queen as doth not oppugn the Catholique Religion Neither ever was it or could it be the meaning of the Pope to allow them to use that Obedience towards the Queen which doth manifestly contradict and oppose the end and scope which he had to promote the Catholick Faith and Religion in Ireland But that this was his meaning and scope his own Letters or Breves do manifestly declare From all which it remaineth sufficiently apparent that the most famous Prince Hugh O-Neil and other Catholiques in Ireland making warr against an Heretical Queen who opposeth her self against the True Faith are by no means Rebels neither do they deny due obedience or unjustly usurp any of the Queens Dominions But on the contrary they do rather vindicate themselves and their Countrey from an impious and wicked Tyranny by a most just Warr and do defend and maintain the holy and Orthodox Faith with all their power as becometh all Christians and Catholicks so to do All and every of which we whose Names are under-written do judg and approve as most certain and true Salananca VII of March 1602. I Juan de Ziguenza Professor of Divinity of the Colledg of the Society of Jesus of this famous City of Salamanca do so judg I Manuel de Rojas Professor of Divinity of the said Colledg do agree in the same I Gaspar de Mena Professor of Divinity and Holy Scripture in the said Colledg do assent to the said Opinions of these Fathers as altogether true I Piedro Osorio Expounder of the Sacred Canons in the same Colledg of the Society of Jesus am altogether of the same Opinions with the foresaid Fathers The same Censure or Declaration I find the very next year after thus dated and subscribed Datum Salmanticae secundo Februarii Anno Domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo Tertio Doctores Salmanticenses Fra. Franciscus Zumel Decanus Salmant Mag. Alphonsus de Curiel Sacrae Theologiae Primatius Professor Fr. Petrus de Herrera Mag. Doctor Franciscus Sancius Fr. Dionysius Juberus Mag. Andreas de Leon. Fr. Petrus de Ledesma Fr. Martinus de Paraza Doctores Theologi Vallisoselani D. Franciscus Sobrino Decanus D. Alfonsus Vacc◠de Santiago D. Johannes Garcia de Coronel Mag. Fr. Johannes Nigron D. Torre Fr. Josephus de Luxan Vallisoleti Octavo Martii Anno Millesimo sexcentesimo tertio Philip Osullevan thinks this Declaration enough to convert all good Hist Cathol Ibern. Compend Tom. 3. lib. 8. cap. 7. fol. 204. Romanists to Rebellion and is not a little proud of its Authority and thus cockered up in his usual vanity he accuseth all of folly and ignorance who sided with the Queen and her Loyallists and to think otherwise he saith is a mad and poysonous Doctrine Tir-Oen as aforesaid having submitted himself the Lord Deputy carried him the next day to Dublin intending to convey him into England and thither he carried him King James being proclaimed and received as the undoubted King who also pardoned Tir-Oen received him honourably at Court and by Proclamation forbidding any to shew him the least disrespect But the Romanists in Ireland shew themselves of another temper for hearing of Queen Elizabeth's death a great comfort to * Three Convers of Eng. part 1. an Addition to the Epist Dedicat Parsons and that James was King of England they rejoyce at the one and despise the other The Citizens of Lymrick with their Priests seized upon all the Churches in the City erecting their Altars resolving to re-settle their Religion again At Wexford they gave out that King James was Fynes Morysont Itinerary p. 285 286 c. a Romanist the better to embolden their Associates Those of Waterford secured the Cathedral Church to themselves defaced the Session-House at Black-Fryers by breaking the Doors pulling down the Benches and Seats of Justice ordering Masses to be celebrated publikely But those of Cork went farther refusing to proclaim the King ran to their Arms forbad the Commissioners to proclaim him upon which the Loyallists and the said Commissioners were forced to proclaim him upon an Hill near the Town They entertained one amongst them who call'd himself a Legat from the Pope went with them in Solemn Procession new hallowed their Churches kept strong Guards took the Sacrament to spend their Lives and Goods in the defence of the Roman Religion fell upon the Kings Forces encouraged a Priest to hearten the people on by preaching to them That James could not be a lawful King because he was not appointed by the Pope and sworn to maintain the Roman Religion They write also to all Towns and Cities to assist them in defence of the Catholick Faith and the better to carry on their Designs seized upon the King's Munition And as for Tir-Oen having staid a little time in England with leave and Reward he return'd for Ireland where after so many Promises and Obligations it was expected he would have lived civilly and obedient But here according to his old wont he falleth a plotting and contriving mischief again but with a great deal of secresie In the mean time Montgomery Lord Bishop of Derry and afterwards of Meath enters Bp. Carlton's Thankful Remembrance cap. 14. p. 168. into suit against Tir Oen for wrongfully keeping some of his Episcopal Lands a great sin but too much in fashion to cheat the Church upon this Tir Oen is summon'd to appear at an appointed time to expect the issue of the Tryal The Earl conscious of his late designs against the State and fearing that his Plots had been discovered prompted by his guilty Conscience he and his Family slipt privately into * 1607. Normandy thence to Flanders where he was entertain'd by Father * Jo. Gee's Foot out of the Snare p. 103. Musket with a Panegyrick Oration upon which King James puts forth a Proclamation against him not a little to the disgust of zealous * An. 1608. § de Sponde From Flanders he goeth to Rome where he lived upon the Pope's Allowance became blind for some years and so * 1616. dyed And his Son ended his days miserably in Bruxels being found strangled in his own Chamber but whether by himself or others as it is not certainly known so is it nothing to my purpose And thus much concerning these Troubles in Ireland whose effects were so lamentable that besides the Miseries and Depopulations by Warr the extremity of Famine grew so great that the very * Arch-bishop Vshers Speech at Dublin April 30. 1627. Vid. his life by Dr. Bernard p. 67. Women in some places by the way-side would surprise the men riding by to feed themselves with the flesh of their Horses And sooner might these Troubles have had an
Civitates evertit destruxit solo adaequavit quot Provincias vastavit quot Regna depredatum est quantum denique innocentis sanguinis prosundere non dubitavit dicat hoc Gallia dicat Belgium dicat Scotia dicat etiam vestra haec Anglia Siquidem omnis illa tyrannis barbarics crudelitas saevitia quae hodie apud vos obtinet aliud nihil sunt quam vestri Evangelii fructuâ— Quibus ita constitutis Evangelium adhue vestrum Deo attribuere ad illum reserre audetis Potestne blasphemia major ista reperiri Pet. Ribad Appendix sive Lib. 4. ad Nicol. Sanders de Schismate Angl. cap 17. You may see the same also in his Spanish Hist Ecclesiastica del Schisma del Reyno de Inglaterra lib. 3. cap. 17. Lying Perjury Deceipt Flattery Hypocrisie Tyranny Sedition Destruction Murther and what not is nothing but the fruit and result of our Religion upon which the man wonders how we dare intitle it to God or Christ but never remembers the treasonable Principles of himself and his Brethren with the Practices of his Church Jacobus Gretser another of the same stamp will have our Religion not onely to be the off spring but also the b Sectam vestram Martis Bellonae esse filiam parentem clarius est quam ut sine impudentia negare possis loquatur Gallia utraque Germania Anglia Scotia Jac. Grets Apol. pro vita Ignat. Loyolae lib. 3. pag. 475. Mother of War and Sedition to deny which he looketh upon as a grand piece of Impudence And c Ubique seditiones tumultus praetextu Religionis movent ubique jugum Principum quantum possunt excutiuâ—t sibi omnem gubernationem vindicant Discussio Decreti Magni Concilii Lateran pag. 129. Leonardus Lessius of the same Order but disguised under the false name of Guilielmus Singletonus is much of the same opinion and we need not doubt but these men speak the sentiment of their whole Order But to come neerer home No sooner was King James setled in the Kingdom here but the English Romanists drew up a d 1604. pag. 7 Supplication to his Majesty and the Parliament in which they do not a little vaunt of the loyalty of their Religion in these words The Catholick Subject is if any other the Glory strength and perpetuity of the Kingdom because he principally seeking Heaven in this world and will not for the world be diverted cannot be treacherous or disloyal or undutiful to your Highness but in every service and distress occurring valiant resolute and most faithful and all these fair words were to the same King and Parliament whose destruction they intended and had at that time contrived it Towards the latter end of the said King James his Reign Prince Charles was sent a wooing into Spain at which time the Romanists were fill'd with hopes though upon no certain grounds of the Conversion of the Prince a Free Toleration of their Religion or rather that the whole Kingdom would be at their Devotion As a preparative to this grand Expectation Father Pateson drew up a Book under the Title of Jerusalem and Babel or The Image of both Churches collected mostly out of the Answers to Anti-coton and Brerely This Treatise he dedicateth to the Prince the main designe being to vindicate the Popish Loyalty and to declare the Protestants to be absolute Rebels For proof of which he boldly affirms a Pag 347. Editionis Lond. 1653. Now it is manifest that in the short space of her Reign viz. of Queen Mary of England which was not much above five years she had more open Rebellions and Insurrections made agâ—inst her from such of her Subjects as were not well-affected unto her Religion then Queen Elizabeth had from Catholicks in full forty and five c. And to testifie farther what loyal people they were to Queen Elizaheth let Pope Spain or any other confederate against her never so much thus the same Penman taketh upon him the confidence to testifie b Pag. 491. Among so many Priests as by that time there were both in England and beyond the Seas and in so long a time as this pretended Confederacie was in framing when Spies and Intelligences were many and well paid by the State was there so much as one Priest nominated and accused to have been so corrupted or induced any way by these Princes or their Ministers to practice ought to the prejudice of their Country was there any one apprehended or convicted of such a Treason was there ever any subject of England call'd in Question for entertaining Priests that were sought after upon that account In a word when the Spanish Armado was under sail for England was there so much as one Priest or Seminary-man found or known to be in it Or at any time since discover'd to have been imploy'd in that service And lastly thus the same man characters the two Religions The c Pag. 560. Catholicks seek onely by way of Petition Supplication Prayer and humble Remonstrating of their sufferances the other viz. Protestants seek chiefly by Fire and Sword and Cannon-Bullet and by thundring of Ordnance With these Arguments or Weapons did Pateson endeavour to force the Prince from his Religion but they were too weak and blunt against such a noble and knowing Champion yet when he was in Spain he is there assaulted again and that by no less man then Zacharias Boverius the old Cappuchine who wrote a Folio Book call'd Orthodoxa Consultatio and dedicated it to the said Prince where he endeavours by might and main to bring a dislikeing in Prince Charles to the Church of England by hinting to him the Divisions of it as if forsooth the Romanists agreed in all things He would also perswade him to turn Romanist one of his encouragements being that the Pope can d Ortho. Coâ—sult part 2. Reg. 6. p. 286. Depose Kings a very excellent complementive Argument to convert a man out of his Rights and Dominions But this e Caeterum si Reges â—e oves esle aegre serent ac luporum more Ecclesiasticum Potestatem invadant sciant profecto eam potestatem Pontifici totius Ecclesiae Pastori à Christo esse collatam quae veâ—o Pâ—stori adveâ—sus Lupos gregâ—s vastatores ipso naturali jure permissa est nimitum ut Lupos à grege arceant Id enim postulat commissa sibi à Christo Dominici gregts cura qua Ecclesiae conservationi sedulo invigilare debet ut Lupos gregem invadences expellat ac modis omnibus Ecclesiasticae Reipub. utilitati atque incolumitati consulaâ— Praestat namque Principem à grege expelli quam gregem totum corruete Zach. Bover Demonstrationes Symbolorum verae falsae Religionis Tom. 2. Art 5. pag. 150. Doctrine Boverius had taught in his former Writings from which his Orthodoxa Consultatio if a man may be a Plagiary to himself is stoln for the nonce Dr. Benjamin Carier having plaid
ac impunitatem nedum in vita sed post obitum aere licet immodico comparari posse à Nundinatoribus illis Indulgentiarlis semel persuasum habent Verum si quis unde numeret habeat jam nedum Praesentes Indulgentur harum constitutionum transgressiones sed in futurum impune ut eas ipsas transgredi liceat indulto permittitur Quo fit ut ansam inde accipâ—ant ii cum quibus ita dispensatum est Pejerandi Homicidia Adulteria similia flagitia perpetrandi quando quilibet ex Sacerdotum vulgo Absolutionem emptitiam virtute indulti his impartiri potest Gravam German § 3 6. that the true Romanist would boldly commit any villany under the security or shadow of these Pardons or Indulgences which he by Tradition supposed to be Protection enough both to himself and sins But what need we talk of guilt or sins or trouble our heads about procuring Indulgences or Pardons as if he that is obedient to the commands of the Pope and a through-paced son of the Roman Church could in his so doing either commit the one or stand in need of the other As for the Church of Rome to which this grand All-obedience is due 't is nothing else but the a Cardinales cum Papa constituunt Ecclesiam Rom Quare Episc jurans fidelitatem Ecclesiae Rom. Papae successioribus ejus obligat se non tantum ipsi Papae sed Collegio Cardinalium Mar. Altercus disput de Censuris Eccles Tom. 1. lib. 5. disp 14. cap. 1. pag. 655. Pope and his Cardinals as some say or as others will have it by the Church there is nothing else to be understood but the b Jacob. Gretser defens Card. Bellarmin lib. 3. cap. 10. col 1450. Pope whose almighty Infallibility is not to be call'd in question Therefore if there be any doubt of any thing the Holy Scriptures Andr. du Val de Ecclesiastica Politica potestate pag. 88 89. and other such means must be thrown aside as being doubtful and like the Lesbian or Leaden Rule may be bended this way or that way and so may serve for any mansturn they must therefore not be credited or trusted to And so none is to be judge but the Pope who in his determinations cannot erre neither of right or matter of fact for which we need go no farther then the positive sentiment and judgement of their grand Masters the Jesuits of their Colledge of Clermont in their publick Theses publish'd by themselves to be held vindicated and maintained against all the World and that of very late days as appears by part of it as followeth XIX Christum nos ita caput agnoscimus ut illius Regimen dum in Coelos abiit primum Petro tum deinde Successoribus commiserit EANDEM QVAM HABVIT IPSE INFALLIBILITATEM concesserit quoties ex Cathedra loquerentur XX Datur ergo in E. R Controversiarum fidei Judex Infallibilis ETIAM EXTRA CONCILIVM GENERALE tum in Questionibus Juris tum FACTI c. Propugnabuntur Deo Duce auspice Virgine in Aula Collegii Claromontani Societatis Jesu die XII Decembris 1661. We acknowledge Christ so to be the Head of the Church that during his absence in Heaven he hath given the Government thereof first to Peter and then to his Successors and bestowed unto the Popes his Successors THE VERY SELF-SAME INFALLIBILITY WHICH HE HIMSELF HAD as often as they speak e Cathedra There is therefore Constituted in the Church of Rome an Infallible Judge i. e. the Pope of Faith and that even without a General Council as well in questions appertaining to Right as in matters of Fact These shall be defended by the assistance of God and the favour of the Virgin in the Hall of the Colledge of Clermont belonging to the Society of Jesus the XII day of December 1661. And by their Canon-law 't is as plain as a Pike-staff that the Popes b Dist 19. c. Si Romanorum Decretory Letters not onely carry Authority along with them and what he a Ib. c. Enimvero commands to be obey'd and are to be received as if they were the very words of b Ib. c. Sic Omnes St. Peter but they are also to be reckon'd and esteem'd as authentick as the Word of God or c Ib. c. In Canonicis Holy Scriptures themselves Therefore they say 't is d Dist 40. c. Non nos Gloss Quis enim Sacriledge to question the Popes actions and downright e Dist 81. c. Si qui sunt Paganism not to to obey him and he is f 25 q. 1. c. Generali decreto curst of God who violates the Popes Censures so we must be g Extra Com. l. 1. Tit. 8. c. unam Sanctam Si quid quod oculis nostris apparet album nigrum illa esse definierit debemus itidem quod nigrum fit pronunciare Ignat. Exercitia Spiritualia apud finem Regulae aliquot servandae ut cum Orthodoxa Ecclesia verè sentiamus Reg. 13. obedient to him upon peril of our Souls And no less man then their late great Saint Ignatius Loyola layeth this down for a certain and perpetual Rule of Obedience If the Church affirm that to be black which our own eyes judge to be white we ought also then to declare that it is black And we are not to question the Truth and Authority of this Rule being so strongly confirm'd commended and ratified by the h 1548. Bull of Pope Paul III as every thing also is which is contain'd in the said Exercitia Spiritualia and how can any thing be amiss in it if it was as some say by Inspiration from Heaven dictated to Ignatius And now who dares call himself a son of the Roman Church and not be of the same Religion with the Pope be of the same Opinion Obey his commands and dictates seeing there is no difference between the sentiment and judgement of the i Sententia Papae sententia Dei una est sententia August de Ancona Q. 6. art 2. Pope and that of God and what a grand Power and Authority the Pope hath for diversion sake take them thus in verse out of Andrew Melvin from their own Writers Quod Paepa Romanus vult norma est juris aequi Delit. Poet. Scot. vol. 2. pag. 150. Quod Papa cumque facit ratum habet Deus aethere in alto Posse Papam quodcunque Deus par aequa potestas Cumque Deo Christoque Papae commune Tribunal Est major Paulo Papa major foedere prisco Contra Evangelium statuit Papa Scriptaque Pauli Articulos fidei condens Oecomenicumque Concilium cogens decretaque sancta reformans Si currus plenos animarum ad Tartara trudat Secum ipse haud quisquam potis est contendere contra Dicere cur facis hoc Stat pro ratione voluntas The Papal Fiat of all right is the guide What he doth here in Heaven
is Ratifi'd He acts as God their Powers so equal are And God Christ Pope have but one judgement-chair Then Paul or th' Old-law he 's more great and true He can command ' gainst Paul and Gospel too Can frame new Rules of Faith the old Casheer And over General Councils domineer If he to Hell millions of Souls should draw 40 Dist c. Si Papa Yet none must ask him why His will is Law Nor need this seem strange to those who are assured by good Authority that some have held the Pope for no less then a a Aestimant Papam esse unum Deum qui habet potestatem omnem in Coelo Terra Johan Gerson Tom. 2. Resolut circa materiam Excommunicationum Irregularitat Consid 11. God and accordingly could command all both in Heaven and Earth Tindal disputing with one thought a Learned Doctor drave him to that issue that he burst out We had better be without Gods Laws then the Popes Tho. Fuller's Abel Redivivus pag. 127. Thus you see the more then Hogan Mogan Authority of which you shall hear more hereafter of your Infallible Lord whereby you cannot do amiss as long as you obey his hests and commands be it against King Country or Parents for against all these 't is said that he hath a jurisdiction to hound you And for a farther incouragement he maketh no small use of the word Heretick and all must be such who do not swear right or wrong to him or his Church And if a Governour be not of the Roman Church and so by their consequence be an Heretick this following Treatise will tell you what is to be done with him and their Bulla Coenae Domini publish'd every year at Rome and other places on Maundy-Thursday the Thursday before Easter will tell you how they are Curs'd and Excommunicated to the purpose And according to the b Non enim eâ—s homicidas arbitramur qâ—os adversus Excommunicatos Zelo Catholicae matris ardentes aliquos eorum trucidasse contigeret 23. q. 5. cap 147. Excommunicatorum Canon-law he that kills an Excommunicated person in meer Zeal for the Roman Church doth not incur the crime of Homicide Amongst other things this Bull damns to the Pit of Hell all those who shall assist or carry Arms to any Hereticks upon which c Marius Alterius starts this Quaere a De Câ—nsuâ—is Ecclesiasticis lib 5. Disput 8 cap. 2. pag. 527. â—â— postulabit quis If such prohibited things be convey'd to the subjects of a Prince expresly by the Papal sentence declared an Heretick whether then the Conveyers are by this Bull Excommunicated To which the said de Alteriis giveth this doughty and Roman Answer If the Subjects under the Heretical Prince to whom the Arms are carryed be of the Roman Religion hate their Prince and desire if they have ability to free themselves from his Tyranny or Government and to that end do secretly seek Arms to imploy them at the first opportunity for the destruction of the said Heretical Prince then as this great Doctor thinketh the Aiders or Assisters do no ways incur Excommunication Thus would they intrude upon us a pretty Salvo for Treason and no small incouragement for Rebellion if to Depose Kings may be titled such Again the Popes Infallibility being by some so highly cry'd up it is no hard matter to make a good-meaning Romanist believe that it is his best and safest way to obey the Pope in every thing he commandeth though it were against his King and Country of which this following History will afford many instances and this King-deposing Doctrine being so stifly maintain'd as a grand Article by their most Authentick Papal Writers the inferiour Romanist will think himself obliged to credit it and his great Judge the Pope who if he did erre in this point how can they rest assured that he did not erre in other points of Faith to retort a Joh. Clare The converted Jew part 3. pag. 17 Michaeas his Rule But concerning Infallibility I finde a war amongst themselves and our English men when it cometh to a pinch are as unsetled as they think their Neighbours are Father b Controversie-Logick pag. 212 213. White one of very desperate Principles as to Government doth in the name of the Romanists flatly deny that the Pope is Infallible affirming the contrary to be Injuriously impos'd upon them by Sectaries And Father c Remonstr Hibernorum part 5. cap. 28. p. 85 86 c. Caron of better Tenents then the former is of Opinion that the Pope with any other assistance whatever unless a General Council may erre and this of late he undertakes to prove at large And farther White confesseth that it is not yet known where this Infallibility lyeth For saith he d Controvers Log. p. 96. some place it in the Pope some in a General Council some in both some in the whole Church And a later Writer grants several Infallibilities e Labyrinth Cantuariensis pag. 177. The Infallibility of the Church Councils and Tradition depend so necessarily upon each other that whatever Authorities prove the Infallibility of any one do in effect and by good consequence prove the same of all the rest But methinks we need not stand so resolutely upon Religion or Church since the Author of Fiat Lux assures us that Time will alter any Religion f Fiat Lux pag. 73 74. A Religion once establish'd be it true or false when it is once received it is then taken for true in the space of some succeeding ages is reformed anew by other Teachers or Interpreters who in time lead men out of the former way into their own sometimes slowly gradually and insensibly that they are brought into another Religion before they be aware sometimes by open hostility to the former which whether by Covin or violence yeilds at last to the Ingress of a new one If thus Religion it self will vary and alter in time there needs not be such a confidence placed in their Infallibility and yet 't is pretty to observe that this their grand Rule which on all occasions they call to their assistance they do not know where to fix or finde and that which must judge the rest is of it self unsetled and uncertain And they grant that a Church that is g S. W. Schism disarmed pag. 22 26 28. fallible may lawfully be forsaken But this by the by and I shall confess nothing to the purpose as being besides my designe and so the less careful in its hasty scribling As for this King-deposing Doctrine though it be positively taught and believed at Rome by Pope Cardinals their greatest Doctors and every where by those whom his Holiness looks upon as through-paced sons to him and his Church and those who absolutely deny this Article as Widdrington Caron Barckley c. are with their books censured and prohibited as rotten unfound and false ware yet in Countries far enough
Defender of the Faith When I finde you refuse the Oath of Allegiance one reason being because it will not allow the Pope to have a true right and authority to depose Kings and to absolve subjects of their Oaths of Allegiance When I finde you in your very b Image of both Churches pag. 171 172. Apologies for your selves confess the Romanists to be but conditional Subjects i. e. onely to one of your own perswasion in Religion as is farther proved all along in this History that Heretical Kings may be depos'd When I finde you in your late c Vid. The Roman Clergy of Irelands Remonstr before P. Welsh's more ample Account Remonstrance and Petition to his present sacred Majesty King Charles II. come off so bluntly in relation to his Majesties life and your own loyalty in these really insignificant yet too much significant words And we do hold it impious and against the Word of God to maintain that ANY PRIVATE SUBJECT MAY KILL or MURTHER the ANOYNTED of God HIS PRINCE though of a different belief and Religion And what will they have to be the meaning of these idle words though they will not have a Ravaillac to kill a King will they allow of an English Rump or a French League to order the same though they will not allow a private person will they think it legal if done by a Representative a Popular Convention or the three Estates But a word is enough to the wise and 't is dangerous sometimes to speak too plain When I finde your selves confess that even since the happy Restauration of his Majestie d P. Welsh more ample Accompt pag. 32. Some of you have given sufficient demonstrations of their failing in the duty of good Subjects and that some of your Tenents have been e Id. p. 43 44. inconsistent and injurious to good Government And yet for all this to take upon you the confidence of declaring to the world your innocencie and loyalty and that Treason and Sedition are onely the Principles of us English Hereticks the Puritan and Phanatick I grant are as wicked as your heart could wish for so you are pleas'd to nominate all those who are true sons of the Church of England Upon these slanders in respect of this Church I could not but think my self obliged to shew to the world where as to this case the truth is and in so doing shew my self a dutiful son in vindicating his Mother A Church famous for her Loyalty and Sufferings not one of her Constitutions intrenching upon the Crown nor any of her sons faithless or rebellious to his Prince whereas that of Rome by her Popes Bulls Constitutions Pen-men and Sword-men have destroy'd Nations harras'd Kingdoms Dethron'd Emperours Depos'd and Murdred Princes trampled upon Crowns and Scepters In a word hath declared f Illos quod bella civilia abhorrerent à nobis Imperio deficere nollent crimen laesae Majestatis scelus perfidiae admittere recusarent Haeresios nota inussit Jo. Aventiâ— Annal. Boiorum lib. 7. pag. 613. Loyalty a Crime Treason a signe of true Roman Religion look'd upon her self as the Supreme Judge of the world in all cases usurp'd a power to dispose of all Dominions to dethrone Monarchs and absolve Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance Some may fancie a Surata 76. Edit lat 1550. or Surat 66. Mahomet in his Alcoran the first absolver of Oaths and that Pope Zachary presently after put it in practice against Childeric King of France But letting this pass we have it from good Authority that there were formerly a Sect amongst the Turks call'd Assasini whence we say to Assassinate they lived in the Mountains of Phoenicia towards Tyre their Government and chiefest Laws were Mat. Paris pag. 83. Hen. Spelman glossaâ—ium § Assasini these Their Governour or Master was not Hereditary but Elective He under the Notion of Humility as if he would be onely the servant of servants refused all lofty Titles being onely call'd the Old man of the Mountains Was honour'd and worship'd as Vicar to Mahomet and so their Father and Prophet They pretended to be such exact Observers of their Turkish or Mahometan Laws that all other seem'd but as meer cheats or Non-conformists in respect of them They were led with that Blinde Obedience that they never question'd their Masters command be the action never so dangerous difficult or wicked they never left off till it was finish'd Any Prince whom they either hated or thought to be no friend to them or their party upon the least hint they would Murther though they were sure to suffer for it Whosoever murther'd a Prince that was not of their Religion they believed him to have the second place next to Mahomet in Paradise For they also believed that the Old man their Head and Prophet could also dispose of Paradise 'T is said that this Sect was long ago destroy'd by the Tartars and whether any who call themselves Christians have espous'd their Tenents I shall not say But to return As for the Pope though the Pagan King of Peru might call him a b Hier. Benzo Hist Nov orbis lâ—b 3. cap. 3 great impudent fool though the great Turk might call him the c Jo. Gerhard loc Theolog. Tom. 5. de Ecclesia § 294. King of Fools or though Marbizan the Mahometan might term Pius Il's Bulls onely d Hist impressa ante Alcoran Edit lat 1550. p. 99. Epigrams yet it may seem to go hard when those he pretends to be his own sons should shew no more respect to him as when Philip King of France call'd him Your Foolishness and the Emperour Maximilian I should say he was onely e Discours d'un Bourgeois de Paris sur les Pouvoirs de Cardinal Chigi legat en France p. 80. King of Fools But methinks Sancho Brother to the King of Arragon if my Author mistake not another onely saith Spain was most ingeniously even with his Holiness and bit the closer by seeming to do him Lâ—uys Garan le chasse Ennuy-Cent 2. § 3. the greater honour the story in brief thus Pope Adrian IV supposing he had Authority to dispose of all Kingdoms in the world gave to the former Sanctius the Land of Aegypt then in Possession of the Sarazens yet he should have it if he would take but the small pains to conquer it and accordingly at Rome proclaims him King of Egypt so bountiful and noble was this English Breakspear Sancho informed of this would not be behinde-hand with his Holiness in courtesie and so very gravely proclaimed the Pope to be Caliph of Bandas which he might also conquer and possess if he pleas'd Yet others there are as may be seen in this following Treatise who are more wide on the other side and will be satisfied with nothing but I know not what strange Almighty Faculties Authorities and Blessings adhering to the Pope As if they were related to George the Suffragan of
Virgin 004 01 8 q Item To St. Thomas 954 06 3 0 Item To Christ 000 00 0 0 And this is that to which Mr. b Church-History Book 3. p. 36. Sect. 70. Fuller alludeth thus The Revenues whereof by Peoples Offerings amounted to more than 600 pounds a year And the same Accomptant when coming to set down what then or there was offer'd to Christ's or the High-Altar dispatcheth all with a Blank Summo Altari nil Yea whereas before Beckets death the Cathedral in Canterbury was call'd Christs-Church it passed afterwards for the Church of St. Thomas verifying therein the complaint of c John 20. 2. Mary Magdalen Sustulerunt Diminum they have taken away the Lord. Though since by the demolishing of Beckets Shrine the Church and that justly hath recovered his true and ancient name CHAP. III. For the glory of their Religion and their holy Chieftains the Romanists tell 1. Many foolish unchristian unmannerly filthy and nasty stories of their Saints 2. They invent many brave Utopian Saints who never breath'd in this World 3. They faign and devise several lying Stories and Wonders 4. Their pretty Tales of Brutes and senceless Creatures and what doughty Champions they are for the Romanists against Hereticks 5. How basely they abused and so vexed the poor Divel that at last he repented of his sins and as it seems had a good opinion of the Romish Religion by his great affection to the Mass 6. Their foolish description of Hell Purgatory and Paradise and what a simple and vain place they make Heaven to be THere goeth a story of a French-man that seeing his Master kiss the SECT I. Vnchristian Unmannerly and filthy Stories of their Saints Popes Toe sneak'd out of the Presence giving this for his Reason that if his Lord kiss'd his Feet he fear'd they would make him salute a worse place I shall not offer to make comparisons but since they father such foolish stories upon Christ we have little reason to suppose that they mend the matter when they come to the Saints men for ought that I know equal to themselves And the truth is 't is pretty to observe what simple and sottish Tales they invent to magnifie these their Saints as if they were agreed with the Mahumetans to fancy Folly to be a sign of Holiness so far are their actions from having any real badge of Sanctity or discretion unless you will allow the nakedness of a Ranter or Adamite and the stupidity of a Quaker to pass for true Holiness Thus to pass for excellencies in Religion they commend Moses the Marc. Marulus lib. 1. cap. 4. Abbot and Constantius the Monk for desiring and longing to be abused by any body Of one a Laurent Forerus Anatomia sive Antanatomia p. 70. Peter who had rather be held a companion of Women then a Holy man And St. Francis for making it his business to procure one to speak evil against him as to call him Clown Idiot lazy-fellow and suchlike Thus they honour b Pet. de Natalib l. 2. c. 45. Simeon Stylita for his mad-fashioned Devotion as his girding himself so hard about with a Cord that his Flesh putrified for his living several years in a Pit or Well for his living forty years on a Pillar twelve Cubits high till his very Thigh rotted and then he stood stock-still a whole year upon one Foot Or as c Marulus l. 1. 〈◊〉 another tells us he lived thus upon several Pillars one of which was thirty Cubits high as upon one he stood four years upon another twelve on another also twelve and on another four and lastly upon the highest of all till his dying day nay he dyed so standing and after his death they say he stood also still and might have stood so yet if Antonius had not been too busie and taken him down and buried him And thus do they mainly magnifie one d Id. pag 50. John for standing three years together upon one Stone not sitting or lying down all the while insomuch that odd corrupted matter ran from his Feet by reason of that continual posture To these senceless signs of Sanctity they continue their commendations to a Marulus l. 3. c. 8. Niceph. Callist lib. 17. cap. 5. Timotheus the Hermite and Mary of Egypt for going stark-naked To b Marul lib. 4. cap. 6. Agathon the Abbot for keeping a stone in his mouth three years together that he might not speak To c Id. l. 4. c. 7. Anianus of Alexandria for plucking out his eye for once looking upon a Woman To d Id. l. 5. c. 4. Peter Abbot of Claraval for rejoycing that he had lost one of his eyes To one e Id. Ibid. Egidius who being wounded by an Arrow was so far from suffering the wound to be cured that he earnestly prayed to God against it To one f Ibid. Sylvania for being so careless and sluttish that for sixty years she never wash'd Face Feet or Hands excepting the very tops of her Fingers And to g Id. l. 5. c 9. Apollo the Abbot for being so unchristian-unneighbourly as not to assist his friend to help out his Ox then upon perishing in a Quag-mire because forsooth he would not meddle with any worldly business They go on and add one glory to h Dauroult c. 7. Tit. 80. Sect. 8. Ronualdus for his so much love to silence that for seven years together he would not speak one word To i Ib. Sect. 4. Godefridus a Monk of Clugny for his whimsie that would rather suffer a Thiefto steal an Horse then he would speak one word to awaken the Keepers And all these as much badges of Christianity as that they tell of the Abbot k Jacob. de Voragine Hist 17. Petr. de Natalibus l. 2. c. 35. Macarius who all naked repented and tormented himself amongst Bryars and Thorns six months but l Apol. pour Herodot p. 367. Estiene seven years and all this onely for killing a flea Or the Religious Frolick of St. Francis to know Gods will which way he should go As some set up a Staff to observe its falling so he used Fryar m L' Alc. des Cord. l. 1. p. 60 61. Massy for such an Instrument bidding him turn and whirle himself about as fast and as long as he was able and which way his face stood when he had done that way must they go for so he said was the Will of God though sometimes the poor fellow got falls by reason of his dizziness To continue these holy pranks of Devotion they tell us that Fryar Ruffin once bad the Divel n Aperi os tuum ego in illud stâ—rcorizabo Id. p. 65. open his mouth and he would in it That another time St. Francis commanded the same Ruffin to go to Assisi and there preach o Id. pag. 66. naked onely his Linings on to the people and that he himself went also stark-naked and heard
Whether the Pope have power to discharge any of her Highness Subjects or the Subjects of any Christian Prince from the Allegiance or Oath of Obedience to her Majesty or to their Prince for any cause V. Whether the said Dr. Saunders in his Book of his visible Monarchy of the Church and Dr. Bristow in his Book of Motives writing in Both of them affirming that Kings may be deposed by the Pope allowance commendation and confirmation of the said Bull of Pius the Fifth have therein taught testified or maintain'd a truth or a to falshood VI. If the Pope do by his Bull or sentence pronounce her Majesty to be deprived and no lawful Queen and her Subjects to be discharged of their Allegiance and obedience unto her and after the Pope or any other by his appointment and authority do invade this Realm which part would you take or what part ought a good Subject of England take The Answer of Mr. Luke Kirby LUke Kirby To the First he saith that the Resolution of this Article dependeth upon the general Question whether the Pope may for any cause depose a Prince Wherein his Opinion is that for some causes he may lawfully depose a Prince and that such a sentence ought to be â—beyed II. To the second he thinketh that in some cases as infidelity or such-like her Majesty is not to be obeyed against the Popes Bull and sentence for so he saith he hath read that the Pope hath so done de facto against other Princes III. To the third he saith he cannot answer IV. To the fourth that the Pope for Infidelity hath such power as is mentioned in this Article V. To the fifth he thinketh that both Dr. Saunders and Dr. Bristow might be deceived in these points in their Books but whether they were deceived or not he referreth to God VI. To the last he saith that when the case shall happen he must then take counsel what what were best for him to do Luke Kirby John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. Thomas Cottoms Answer THomas Cottom To the first in this and in all other Questions he believeth as the Catholick Church which he taketh to be the Church of Rome teacheth him And other answer he maketh not to any of the rest of these Articles By me Thomas Cottom Priest John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. Lawrence Richardsons Answer LAwrence Richardson To the fifth he answereth that so far as Dr. Saunders and Dr. Bristow agree with the Catholick Doctrine of the Church of Rome he alloweth that Doctrine to be true And touching the first and all the rest of the Articles he saith that in all matters not repugnant to the Catholick Religion he professeth obedience to her Majesty and otherwise maketh no answer to any of them But believeth therein as he is taught by the Catholick Church of Rome Lawrence Richardson John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. Thomas Ford's Answer I. THomas Ford. To first he saith that he cannot answer because he is not privy to the circumstances of that Bull but if he did see a Bull published by Gregory the Thirteenth he would then deliver his Opinion thereof II. To the second he saith that the Pope hath Authority to depose a Prince upon certain occasions and when such a Bull shall be pronounced against her Majesty he shall then answer what the duty of her Subjects and what her right is III. To the third he saith he is a private Subject and will not answer to any of these Questions IV. To the fourth he saith that the Pope hath Authority upon certain occasions which he will not name to discharge Subjects of their Obedience to their Prince V. To the fifth he saith that Dr. Saunders and Dr. Bristow be learned men and whether they have taught truely in their Books mentioned in this Article he referreth to answer to themselves for himself will not answer VI. To the last he saith that when that case shall happen he will make answer and not before Thomas Forde John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. John Sherts Answer JOhn Shert To all the Articles he saith that he is a Catholick and swerveth in no point from the Catholick Faith and in other sort to any of these Articles he refuseth to answer John Shert John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. Robert Johnsons Answer I. RObert Johnson To the first he saith he cannot answer II. To the second he cannot tell what power or authority the Pope hath in the points named in this Article III. To the third he thinketh that the Pope hath authority in some cases to authorize Subjects to take arms against their Princes IV. To the fourth he thinketh that the Pope for some causes may discharge Subjects of their Allegiance and Obedience to their natural Prince V. To the fifth he saith the Answer to this Article dependeth upon the lawfulness of the cause for which the Pope hath given sentence against her But if the cause was just then he thinketh the Doctrine of Dr. Saunders and Dr. Bristow to be true Whether the cause were just or not he taketh not upon him to judge VI. To the last he saith that if such deprivation and invasion should be made for temporal matters he would take part with her Majesty but if it were for any matter of his Faith he thinketh he were then bound to take part with the Pope Robert Johnson John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. John Harts Answer I. JOhn Hart. To the first he saith that it is a difficult Question and that he cannot make answer thereunto II. To the second he saith that her Majesty is lawful Queen and ought to be obeyed notwithstanding the Bull supposed to be published by Pius the Fifth But whether she ought to be obeyed and taken for a lawful Queen notwithstanding any Bull or sentence that the Pope can give he saith he cannot answer III. To the third he cannot answer and further saith that he will not meddle with any such Questions IV. To the fourth he saith he is not resolved and therefore he cannot answer V. To the fifth he saith he will not deal with any such Questions and knoweth not whether Saunders and Bristow have taught well herein or not VI. To the last he saith that when such a case shall happen he will then advise what becometh him to do for presently he is not resolved This he did acknowledge to us after he had fully perused the same but refused to subscribe to it John Popham Da. Lewes Thomas Egerton John Hammond Mr. William Filbee's Answer I. WIlliam Filbee To the first he saith the Pope hath authority to depose any Prince and such sentences when they be promulgated ought to be obeyed by the subjects of any Prince But touching the Bull of Pius the Fifth he can say nothing but if it was such as it is affirmed to be he doth allow
not de jure to wit whether the Pope might justly in this or that occasion excommunicate or depose this or that Prince upon these or these causes or whether precedent Popes have done well therein or no then might some of those reasons which you say your Friends do alledge be admitted into consideration to wit whether it would be in aedificationem or destructionem do hurt or good be profitable or improfitable or whether the causes be sufficient or no for without cause none holdeth that the Pope may depose or whether the due form of admonition touched in your Letters were observed But for as much as the Question is de Potestate of the See Apostolick power what it may do upon any cause or against any Catholick Prince whatsoever these considerations of temporal hurt cannot enter Besides these I have conferred the matter with Cardinal Bellarmine and sundry others of great Learning and Conscience and all are of Opinion in this case that the form of the Oath as it lyeth is Heretical and no way may be admitted by him that will not deny the Catholick Faith I have had occasion twice to speak with his Holiness the first in company of Mr. Thomas Fitzherbert where we proposed certain manners of Mitigation suggested by Friends c. Where to his Holiness answered That as for any actual using Censures against his Majesty he meant not but rather all courtesie but as for the Authority of the See Apostolick to wit for using of Censures he was resolved and would rather loose his head than yeild one jot The second he being informed that some Priests did seem to incline to the taking of the Oath he answered He could not hold them for Catholicks c. What an enemy this Parsons was to his Native Country we may discourse of hereafter onely at this time we shall go no farther than what belongs to the Popes power now in hand yet we may observe by the by that whatever he writ he never put his own name to it but sometimes false ones and sometimes onely two Letters which he commonly alter'd in every new Pamphlet stuft up onely with evasions resolved to let the Romanists know what he meant but would never acknowledge any thing to be proved against him yet an indifferent Judge will acknowledge his hints to be bold enough In one place thus he tells the Learned Morton You know that deposition of Princes is an effect of Excommunication P. R. Quiet and sober reckoning pag. 64. and can never happen by Ecclesiastical Authority but where Excommunication hath gone before And I would ask M. Morton in good earnest out of his Divinty when a Christian Prince is lawfully excommunicated and shut out from all society of Christian Communion and he persists Impenitent how can he be head of a Christian Common-wealth for so much as he is no member nor hath any place or part at all in the whole body the head-ship being the chief part of all others In another place he telleth thus his own Principles from his learned Opponent Catholick Subjects do believe that in some cases there is power Id. Pag. 80. left by God in the Church and the Head thereof the Bishop of Rome over Princes to use not onely spiritual Censures for restraint of Exorbitant Excesses but Temporal Remedies also either directly or indirectly when urgent necessity of the Common-wealth should require All Catholick Subjects also of other Countries do hold and acknowledge Id. Pag. 81. this Doctrine In another of his Books against the foresaid Oath of Allegiance to the objection that some Roman Catholicks had taken it he thus answereth The judgement of a Catholick English-man in a Letter touching the Oath of Allegiance p. 18. § 30. I cannot but in charity assure my self that they being Catholicks took the said Oath for so much as concerneth the Popes Authority in dealing with Temporal Princes in some such lawful sence and interpretation as being by them expressed and accepted by the Magistrate may stand with the integrity and sincerity of true Catholick Doctrine and Faith to wit that the Pope hath not Authority without just cause to proceed against them But concerning the general Question to deny simply and absolutely Ib. Pag. 19. § 31. That the Pope is Supream Pastor of the Catholick Church hath any Authority left him by Christ either directly or indirectly with cause or without cause in never so great a necessity of the Christian Religion to proceed against any Prince whatsoever Temporally for his restraint or amendment or to permit other Princes to do the same This I suppose was never their meaning that took the Oath for that they should thereby contradict the general consent of all Catholick Divines and confess that Gods Providence for the Conservation and Preservation of his Church and Kingdom upon earth had been defectuous for that he should have left no lawful Remedy for so great and excessive an evil as that way might fall out And if you look but a little a Id. P. 85. § 25. farther you will see where the Shoe pincheth and that to deny the Popes power to depose Kings is one of the main reasons they have against this Oath the Affirmative being one of the greatest Pillars that upholds their puissant Hierarchy right or wrong And in another of his b Temperate Ward-word p. 53 54. Pamphlets you will see him close with Cardinal Allen Sanders and suchlike against Princes in behalf of the Popes power over them Nor need we question his attributing this Authority to the See of Rome when he alloweth the same to the People not onely telling them that they may Rebel against c See his R. Dolemans conference about the Crown but depose their King too and it may be worse of which in its due place But enough of Robert Parsons at this time unless he were better And if we consult some others abroad we shall finde d Con. in 2. 2. D. Tho. pag. 63. § 151. Johannes Wiggers e Com. in 2. 2. Aquin. Quest 12. art 2. Hieronymus de Medicis the Dominican f In 2. 2. D. Tho. in Summario Conclusionum d. 57. conclus 2. Luisus Turrianus the Spanish Jesuit g Com. in 2. 2. Quest 1. art 10. disp 8. Johannes Malderus Bishop of Antwerp and h De potestate Ecclesiastica fol. 154. Potest Papa jure optimo à gradu dignitate sua omnem Regem Principem dejicere non solum propter Heresim Schisma propter quam vis aliam sceleâ—osam impietatem verum etiam propter secordiam negligentiam ad regendum ineptitudinem si praesertim ejusmodi sit ut Regnum periclitetur Christianorum Johannes Antonius Delphinus allow that Kings may justly be deposed and that by the Pope and to these we may add Carolus Scribanius the Dutch Jesuit under the false name of i Amphitheatrum Honoris lib. 1. cap. 12. Clarus Bonarscius
e Non solum ei liceat Monarchae jus nomen sibi ipsi vendicare sed etiam suae ditioni subditos ad Principatus Regna Imperia utcunque ei visum fuerit assumere assumpto vero etiam sine Causa ab iisdem Regnis deponere ea Regna ex uno ad alterum pro suae voluntatis arbitrio transferre Quod si forte in reprobum sensum traditi has i. e. the Popes Censures quoque contempserint tunc Pontifex si tamen id Ecclesiasticae tran quillitati expedire cognoscet populos absolvere poterit à juramento Obedientiae quo se Dominis illis devinxerant cum adhuc juste imperarent ei quoque licitum erit ipsos Dominos incorrigibiles Ecclesiae Rebelles Principatuum suorum jurisdictione privare eorum jura ad alios Orthodoxos Principes transferre Sixt. Senens Bibliotheca lib. 6. Annotat. 72. Sixtus Senensis a man of great Reading but in this case he thought it not amiss to fin for company with the rest of his Party now affirming that the Pope at his own pleasure without any cause can depose of Kingdoms yet a little after he is willing to have a Reason and then the deposition is lawful enough CHAP. II. That the Pope can absolve subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance and their Obedience due to their respective Princes ME thinks 't is an odd humour that the Pope should be so much on Cock-horse above all the world besides as to expect that all Emperours and Kings should swear absolute obedience to him and yet allow other earthly Monarchs to have but a conditional subjection from their Subjects And this Allegiance though never so strongly tyed up with Oaths and Duty yet must the people be perswaded that an Item from Rome can quit them from its Obligation as poor Hortensius believed himself to be King of Poland because Roguish Francion and others told him so Though we abhor the action yet we cannot chuse but smile sometimes to see how many by the knavery of some Polititians are gull'd into villany many of our wicked States-men as the Devil turns himself into an Angel of Light wrap themselves in Religon to catch those who know nothing of it but the word And though we be tyed to Allegiance with the strictest bonds of Birth and Oaths yet from these if occasion serve the Grandees of Faction will ease us either as one Nail drives out another by taking a contradictory Oath to the former or some way or other procuring or making of and to our selves an Absolution the Pope and Disciplinarian being the Chief Masters of this Faculty Our Presbyterians after they had above two years impiously rebell'd against their King and Church to make their actions more plausible to the Vulgar took that abominable Covenant against both and so declaring their disobligation to either as if a latter unlawful Oath could quit one of the former which Law Religion and Nature did bind him to And I cannot but think here of the impious Guisian league in France who having fought a great while against their King Henry the Third and declared themselves not obliged to their Allegiance to him yet as a pretty trick to fool the world they sent to Pope Sixtus the Fifth that he would declare their war Vestram Beatissime Pater opem imploramâ—s Primum ut juramento quo nos Henrico III. quondam abstrinximus soluti declaremur Deinde ut bellum quod cum publica Religionis ac libertatis oppressere necessario gerendum est justum esse decernatur De justa Hen. III. abdicatione pag. 398. to be lawful and quit them from their Obedience to their Soveraign both Knaves of a double dye first to Rebel and then to make that sin lawful And that the Pope hath this power to absolve people from their Obedience is stifly maintain'd by the Roman Champions Amongst the rest Martinus Becanus is thus perswaded and he saith That nothing Pontifex absolvat subditos à debito seu vinculo subjectâ—onis quo obligati sunt suis Regibus nam sublato hoc vinculo ex parte subditorum jam sponte cessat potestas jurisdictio Regnum in suâ—diâ—os Pontifex qui utriusque i. e. King and People praeest in rebus ad salutem peâ—tinentibus potest mandaâ—e dâ—cernere ut subditi non teneantur praestare fidem regibus quando Reges non servant ipsis fidem nihil certius apud Catholicos Mart. Becon Controvers Angl. pag. 133. 135. is more certain amongst the Roman Catholicks than that the Pope may do not onely so but command the Subjects not to obey their Prince With him agreeth another of the same Order viz. a Jesuite but more voluminous and of greater esteem and this is Franciscus Suarez telling us in one place that the a Hos à ju ramento fidelitatis solvere vel solutos declarate Fr. Suar. defens fid Cathol lib. 3. c. 23. § 21. Pope can absolve Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance And in another place saith that to affirm the contrary is to act b Est contra Ecclesiasticum morem Conciliorumque generalium usum approbationem contra Catholicorum Doctorum consensum est etiam contra rationum Id. Lib. 6. c. 2. § 7. against the Custom of the Church the use and approbation of General Councils the consent of Catholick Doctors nay and against reason and is plainly c Propositio illa Haeretica est lib. 6. c. 5. § 1 2. Heretical And as for our English Oath of Allegiance he saith a man d Illud juramentum non ligat jurantem quia non potest juramentum esse vinculum iniquitatis quale illud esset ideo nemo potest ab illo solvi and the words before these are Nemo absolvi potest proprie qui legatus non est need never be absolved from it because 't was never binding to him e De sacrorum Immunit l. 3. Proem § 9 10. Anastasius Germonius f De Haeresi cap. 30. pag. 293 296. Antonius Sanctarellus Cardinal g Contra Barclaium cap. 27. Bellarmine h De Orig. progres S. Inquis lib. 1. Quest 1. Opin 4. § 55. 145. Ludovicus à Paramo i De potest Eccles Quest 40. Art 4. Augustinus Triumphus de Ancona k Summa V. Papa § 10. Sylvester de Priero and l Comment in Cant. Magnif lib. 3. cap. 27. dub 6. pag. 134. Rutilius Benzonius with others amongst the other Priviledges which they allow the Pope to have to straiten the Authority and Grandeur of Kings is the power to absolve their Subjects from their Oaths of Allegance and so to give them liberty either to chuse or take new Masters And m De utriusque gladli facultate Tom. 2. pag. 119. Robertus Cenalis is willing to bestow the same jurisdiction upon the See of Rome As for our Country-man n De visih Monarch l. 2. cap. 4. Nicholas Saunders
depose him and declare him an Enemy nay and act against his very Person too he then ceasing to be a Prince Franciscus Fenardentius one of the most furious of all the Franciscan Orders doth somewhat agree with the former as you will easily judge when you hear him speak b Conventus legitimus Ordinum tâ—â—us Regni qui ex Eccleâ—asticis Nobilibus populi selectis viris coalescit cum universi Regni Majestatem potestatem faciem referat sicut Concilium Generale Episcoporum universam representat Ecclesiam Regem Religioni populo perniciosum Tyrannum infestum potest exauthorare alium ejus loco substituere Franc. Fenard Com. in Esther pag. 87. The Parliament composed of the Clergy Nobility and Commons representing the Majesty and power of the whole Kingdom as a general Council of Bishops doth the whole Church may depose their King being a Tyrant and hurtful to Religion and the People and then may chuse another into his place To these Divines we may add an old noted Lawyer Andraeus de Isernia who tells us that to whom the Government of the Kingdom is given to the same person is also committed all things that belong to the Government whereby the people deprive themselves of all Relations to such authority c Non remansit apud Populum qui non potest revocare nisi Rex male se gereret tunc expelleret Regem Tyrannizantem sicut Tarquinium Romani Andr. de Isern Comment in usus Feudorum Tit. Quae sint Regalia V. Monetae pag. 743. Vnless the King do not govern well for then forsooth they may expel him the Nation as the Romans of old did Tarquinius Adamus Tannerus a German Jesuit of great repute in his Country both with the Emperour and other Princes yet for all the many favours received from them he must not contradict the Principles of his Order and Church and therefore he positively maintains that Kings may lawfully sometimes be deposed and because he would not seem to do any thing without Reason he thus tells you upon what goodly foundation this bad Principle stands because forsooth d Ratio est tum quia Respub uti in Principem suam potestatem contulit ita ab eodem potest ex justa causa auferre Tum quia quaeque Respub habet potestatem sibi prospiciendi de legitimo Câ—pite quale non est hic quâ— ex Pastore populi in Lupum degeneravit Ad. Tanner Theolog. Scholast Tom. 3. disp 4. Quest 8. dub 3. Num. 32 33. as the people do deliver their power up to the King so upon just account they can take it from him again and also because every Common-wealth hath the Authority to see that they have a lawful head and he who from the Pastor of the people turns to be a Wolf is no lawful Governour But now let us see the Opinion of a Scotch-man and that held one of the learnedst of his time his Divinity he got from Sorbonne but where he got his Politicks I know not unless from the practice of his Church of Rome however take it as it is a Totus populus est supra Regem in aliquo eventu potest eum exauthorare quemadmodum Romani Tarquinium superbum imperio exuerunt sed non potest de jure sine maxima evidentissima causa Jo. Major in quartum sententiarum Dist 11. Quaest 10. The people are above their King and in some cases may depose him as the Romans did Tarquin yet this they cannot do lawfully but upon urgent occasions This was a fit man to be Buchanan's Master who trod his steps to an hair in these Principles as appears by his ungrateful b De jure Regni apud Scotos Dialogue presented to King James But the Scholar had not so good esteem of his Masters skill in History as appears by the Satyrical Epigram against him though Major deserved better Cum scateat nugis solo cognomine Major G. Buchan Epigram lib. 1. pag. 337. Nec sit in immenso pagina sana libro Non mirum titulis quod se veracibus ornat Nec semper Mendax fingere Creta solet Since as he saith he 's onely Great in name And with false trifles doth his story frame No wonder that he calls himself so right Since greatest lyars sometimes truth may write But that we might not at this time think our Neighbours worse A conference about the next succession of the Crown of England Imprinted at N. with License 1594. Part. 1. cap. 2. pag. 32. Id. Pag. 36. than ourselves let 's hear an English-man speak to this case and this shall be the noted Jesuit Robert Parsons under the Visard of R. Doleman Yea not onely in this point saith he hath the Commonwealth authority to put back the next Inheritors upon lawful considerations but also to dispossess them that have been lawfully put in possession if they fulfill not the Laws and Conditions by which and for which their dignity was given them And again So yet retaineth still the Common-wealth her Authority not onely to restrain the same Prince if he be exorbitant but also to chasten and remove him upon weighty considerations In one place he seems to vapour with his Compact though I would gladly know when where by whom and how in England for that 's his drift this Agreement was and made conditional and by what Laws the people are made Judges and Punishers but let us hear the Jesuit himself speak Yea with such plain Exceptions Promises and Oaths of both Id. Cap. 4. p. 73. Parties I mean between the King and Common-wealth at the day of his admission or Coronation as if the same be not kept but wilfully broken on either part then is the other not bound to observe his Promise neither though never so solemnly made or sworn for that in all Bargains Agreements and Contracts where one Party is bound mutually and reciprocally to the other by Oath Vow or Condition there if one side go from his promise the other standeth not obliged to perform his In another place he turns the Condition into an Obligation affirming that the people not onely may but that they ought depose their Kings thus Then is the Common-wealth not onely free from all Oaths made by Id. Pag. 77 78. her of Obedience or Allegiance to such unworthy Princes but is bound moreover for saving the whole body to resist chasten and remove such evil heads if she be able And then again to weaken the succession by blood and to make an Heir-apparent but a trifle and to make the outward Ceremonies too much essential to the Office he thus in his fury gives you his Infallible Decree I must needs affirm to be most absurd base and impious that flattery Id. Cap. 5. pag. 120. before mentioned of Belloy and his Companions where he holdeth that onely succession of blood is the thing without farther approbation which maketh a King and that
munificentia largus erga indigentes Iâ—opes misericordia satis premptus ita ut non solum Princeps Populotum sed etiam Pater Pauperum vocari sit dignus lâ—â—dori Chron. magnified for a brave Souldier and King for one vertuous faithful prudent industrious just munificent and liberal that he ought to be call'd the Prince of his people and Father of the poor He had done well if his Subscription had been true to have corrected his History that they might not stand thus at defiance against each other to deceive Posterity we cannot plead â—sidores ignorance seeing he lived in the same time and Country and why may not this good Character in his Chronologie be more true and authentick than that other testified by his and the others subscription since the first was writ freely and privately without any obligation to flatter onely to inform Posterity whilst the other as is very a Marian. de rebus Hispan lib. 6. cap. 5. probable was onely subscribed to gratifie and pleasure Sisenandus a dissembling and powerful Usurper But 't is all one to my purpose were he good or bad And here we have another rancounter amongst Historians for the aforenamed Rodericus Ximenius Archbishop of Toledo and Alphonsus de Carthagena Bishop of Burgos with b De Reg. Hispan lib. 2. Michael Ritius c Arbori delle famiglie Regall di Spagna pag. 34. Cesare Campana and several others give not the least hint of any opposition that Suinthila had in his Government but that he dyed at Toledo and the learned Belgick Jesuit d Bibl. Hisp Tom. 1. p. 163. Andraeas Schottus agreeth to the last whilst other Writers are confident of his deposition the story of which is rather hinted at than told but in sum thus One Sisenandus or Sisnandus but of what relation Pens will not agree great in Wars and Authority having a desire to make himself King plotted Treason with some others of the Nobility and the better to carry on this Rebellion he sent to Dagobert King of France to desire his assistance the which he obtain'd by his great promises and treasure which he sent to this Dagobert who sent the Wealth to St. Denis where he had built the great Church since that the burying-place of the French Kings A strange piece of Policy commonly in practice for Kings not onely to assist but if beaten to protect Rebels against their Soveraigns when two to one it may a little after be their own case And as this is a strengthing so 't is an incouragement by the certainty if overcome of a refuge to Rebellion Dagobert accordingly sends Abondant and Venerand or e Jo. de Bussiers Hist Fran. Tom. 1. pag. 183. Venerabandus with an Army of Burgundians who enter Spain and march straight-way to Saragoza Upon this the Gothick Rebels revolt joyn to Sisenand by which he grew so powerful and strong that Suinthila with his Queen and Children were forced to flee and so Sisenandus by his treason obtain'd the f An. 631. Crown The Laity having thus proved themselves bold Rebels let us see if their Church be cleer from this vice Sisenand having thus usurp'd the Throne cunningly courted peace with all people and in the third year of his Reign pretending forsooth a great care for Religion and the Church though his g Jo. Mariana lib. 6. cap. 5. design was to get himself fully setled and the through extirpation of Suintila and his Relations call'd a Council at Toledo where met some LXX Spanish and French i. e. that part of it then under Spain Bishops The Bishops being met at Toledo in the Church de Santa Leocadia a h An. 305. 9. Decemb. Virgin-Martyr Sisenand like an Hypocrite humbles himself before the Council and with many tears and sobbings upon his knees desires their blessings and prayers and to mend the faults they found in the Church and suchlike good words After some Consultation and the making of some Canons they gratifie Sisenando to the purpose not onely by declaring of him true and lawful King and confirming of him in the Throne but by dashing in pieces all the hopes of Suintila whom they call Suinthilanis against whom they raunt very dapperly calling of him Fugitive and Runaway from his Authority A pretty jest that Titius should be call'd coward Qui propria scelera metuens se ipsum Regno privavit potestatis facibus exuit and worthy to loose his Lands when being over-power'd by a company of Robbers he is forced to flee to save his life And thus they deprive Suinthila his Queen and Children of all benefit there Having thus confirm'd Sisenando they go on and make strange curses and threats against any that shall indeavour to disturb him in his Throne or who shall intend by sinister ends to aspire to the Crown A pretty Type of Oliver Cromwel and his Parliament who having beat out the true Heir to the Crown and so made himself Lord Paramount they vote it high-Treason for any to oppose that Government or deny the Authority and Rule of his Highness forsooth as if it were vertue and godliness in him to depose a lawful Prince but Treachery and Villany in others to withstand an Usurper And Mariana the Jesuit himself though a great Patron to a De Institut Reg. c. 6. Treason doth confess that Sisnandus obtain'd the Kingdom either by Treachery or Rebellion though to me in the conclusion there is no difference Another of the same Society Sisenandi proditione an rebellione Suinthila sublatus est Jo. Marian. de reb Hispan lib. 6. cap. 4. viz. Andraeas Schottus doth confess that Sisenando obtain'd the Kingdom by force or b Sisenandus rex creatur qui per Tyrannidem Regnum fuit adeptus A. S. Bibl. Hispan Tom. 1. pag. 163. Tyranny and so to conclude this story we see not onely an action but also a Vindication of Treason and Rebellion and that by one of their Councils Nor is this any such wonder for they say that the twelfth Council of Toledo did the same courtesie to Flavius Ervigius or Ervingius Erigius or Hermigius after he had Trayterously endeavour'd the poysoning of the renouned King Bamba or Wamba and so got the Crown to which he had no c Hist of Spain pag. 150. Rob. Tolet. l. 3. c. 12. Alphons de Carthag cap. 1940. Andr. Schott pag. 170. Jo. Marian l. 6. c. 17. right And so much at this time for Spain Sect. 2. The Murther of Childerick the Second King of France with his Queen great with Childe ANd now let us walk over the Pyrenean Mountains and take a turn in France where we shall finde Childerick the Second King but in short time most barbarously murdered the story thus in short This Childerick but for what fault Authors will not tell us had caus'd on Bodilo or d Gaguin fol. 22. Bolidus to be bound and whipt with Rods Upon this he and some others of
their heads and revolted chusing for Emperour one Theodosius a good man but of no great birth being onely a Collector of Subsidies Theodosius thus Emperour though really against his will took Anastasius and gave him his life but made him a Monk but he continued not long for Leo who was General to Anastasius the Second resolves in vindication of his former Master to oppose him and so having got a great Army marched towards Constantinople and in the way took prisoner a Son of Theodosius Upon this the Father began to grow fearful and not daring to resist so great a power yeilded himself upon promise to have his life secured which was granted Theodosius and his Son as they say being both shorne and made Monks And Leo being thus successful was made Emperour having three who had sat in the Imperial Throne his Prisoners viz. I. Philippus Bardanes whom Anastasius had cast into prison and pluck'd out his eyes II. Anastasius who was forced into holy Orders by Theodosius III. Theodosius who thus submitted to Leo and was also put into holy Orders Sect. 4. The Popes censures and troublings of the Emperour Leo the Third about Images LEo the Third before this call'd Isaurus Conon from his Country Isaurus in Asia sirnamed also by his Enemies Iconomachus from his hatred to Images for which cause Pope Gregory the Second falling out with him was the occasion of great mischief to Christendom This Leo a Tollendi ut ipse dicebat Idolatriae causa Platin. vit Gregor II. declaring against Idolary as he said commanded that all Images in the Churches of Constantinople should be taken down and sent to Gregory the Second at Rome to have his Orders there also obey'd but this the Pope stifly withstands affirming the Emperour to have nothing to do in things of Religion and perswaded all people in this to oppose the Emperour which took such effect that in Constantinople it self some men did not onely reason against the Imperial Decree but the women assaulted those who according to Order went about to execute Leo's commands insomuch that he was forced to use severity against those who opposed his Edicts And in Italy so zealous were the people by the perswasion of the Church-men that in Ravenna where the Imperial Authority most resided they flew into such open Tumults or Rebellion that they murther'd Paulus the Fourteenth Exarch being the Emperours Lieutenant or Deputy in Rome it self they took Petrus the Duke and put out his eyes and in Campania they beheaded the Duke Exhilaratus and his Son Adrian who there took the Emperours part against the Pope who now began to shew themselves Enemies and two to one if the Emperour could have got the Pope into his clutches he had made him smart for his opposition But Gregory on the other side had play'd his Cards so well that he had dwindled the Imperial Jurisdiction in Italy to nothing by his Excommunication and suchlike Censures not onely forbidding any more Tax or Tribute to be paid him but that he should not at all be obeyed And here a Quo tonitru exitati fideles Occidentale mox desciscunt penitus à Leonis Imperio Apostoâ—ico Pontifici adherentes Sic dignum posteris idem Gregorius reliquit exemplum ne in Ecclesia Christi regnare sinerentur haereâ—ci Principes si saepe moniti in errore persistere obstinato animo invenirentur Baron anno 730. § 5. Baronius according to his custom huggs and applauds Gregory for his Censures against the Emperour whereby he got the people to his own Devotion and also left a good Example to Posterity not to permit obstinate Heretical Kings to Rule as the Cardinal saith who never lets any piece of Rebellion pass without commendation But for all this Leo kept his Imperial Seat in Constantinople and continued in his resolution against Images and so had them pull'd down nor could Gregory the Third who succeeded his Name-sake stop his proceedings though by his Censures with the consent of the Roman Clergy he did not onely declare him deprived from the Communion of all Christians but also deposed from his Empire But Leo never thought himself the worse for these brutish Thunderbolts and so raigned as Emperour to his dying day having sat in the Imperial Throne twenty four years And his Son Constantine the Fifth carryed the same Opinion against Images which did not a little perplex the Popes in his time But the Popes quarreling about these trifles was the occasion that the Emperour of Constantinople lost his jurisdiction in Italy Ravenna being about this time taken by Aistulphus the two and twentieth King of the Lumbards in Italy Eutichus the Fifthteenth and last Exarch forced to flee this Exarchical Government having ruled as the Emperours Deputies almost CC years in Italy keeping their Seat at Revenna but the Popes gain'd by this for the Popes as some say having made Pepin King of France in requital desired his assistance against the Lombards who accordingly march'd into Italy beat Aistulph took Ravenna from him which with many other Cities he gave to S. Peter whereby the Pope in a manner held himself Master of that which he now doth in la Marcha di Ancona Romagna di Vrbino Bononia and Ferrara which they say was confirm'd by his Son Charles the Great with the Addition of the Dukedoms of Spoleto and Tuscany and the Islands Sicily Corsica and Sardinia reserving to himself the Soveraignty of them but some men give that which is none of theirs to give and so might Charlemaign but right or no right the Popes do not use to loose any thing that is to be had This Charles the Great also b An. 774. beat Desiderius who succeeded Aistulph and was the last King of the Lombards and so that Kingdom and Rule ended after they had triumph'd in that part of Italy from them call'd Lombardy and the adjacent parts for above CC years and now the Pope began to strut it with the proudest throwing off the jurisdiction of the Western Empire having his daring Lombards thus brought to nought and Charles the Great the Champion of Europe his freind doubly ingaged to him the See of Rome authorising his Father Pepin to be King of France the first step to Charles his greatness and after as they say Crown'd him the first Emperour of the West in opposition to that of the East or Constantinople Sect. 5. The deposing of Childerick the Third King of France HAving here treated somewhat of Pepin and Charlemaign let us see how they came to their greatness and government There having raign'd in France Eighteen Kings since Merouce some say Grand-childe to Pharamund who was the first that brought these German people into France and there setled them there then succeeded in the Kingdom Childerick or Helderick by some falsely call'd Chilperick of which name there hath also been two Kings of France About the year DLIX Clotaire the First set up the Office of the Du
pag. 181 182 183. disagreements in the Copies themselves and yet all held authentick may add to its suspition But as this is not exactly the intent of my design no more is the History and Assertion of Pope Joane who is said to have flourish'd about this time But to be free as for those who are resolved to deny the story and being of such a Woman-Pope they may strengthen their Faith by the reading of f Annotat. in Platin. Onuphrius g De Rom. Pont. lib. 3. cap. 24. Bellarmine h An. 853. Baronius i Fabula Joannae Papassae Floromundus de Raemond and of late k Familier Esâ—laircisment de la Question David Blondell a French Protestant As for those who are willing to believe it I shall refer them for more confirmation to l Myst of Iniq. p. 167. du Plessis m Hist Eccles tom 1. cap. 9. p. 616 617. Hottingerus our learned Country-man n Pope Joane a Dialogue Mr. Alexander Cooke with the two French-men o Joannae Papissa restituta Samuel Marisius and Le Sieur p Traitè conâ—â—e D. Blonâ—ell Congnard As for my own judgement I shall wrap it up without partiality or passion in this that I am so far from being satisfied with the reasons brought against the being of such a woman Pope that I may fancie those who assert a Pope Joane afford better Authority Testimony and Arguments than those who deny it And as Cooke in English hath sufficiently answered Floromondus and the rest so doth Marisius in Latine and Congnard in French abundantly confute David Blondel though a man of great reading But be it this way or that way it shall never trouble me and so let every man think as he pleaseth for so they must and will Nor do I positively determine any thing here my self And so much for our Pope or No-Pope Joane a story that hath drawn forth to open Battalia and siding the greatest Pens in Europe some to vindicate others to annihilate the sitting of such a Lady in the Porphyrie Chair as Infallible Head of the Romish Church nor to this day will either party give ground or yeild but still fight it out and which is more both singing Victoria and triumphing as Conquerours and thus it hath the happiness or misfortune to fare as some other Articles of the greatest consequence in Religion never to want Friends and Enemies Thus have we seen the pious and victorious Emperour Lewes le Debonnaire miserably banded to and fro by his own unnatural Children and rebellious Subjects and by the consent of the chief of his Clergy and those too as Historians observe whom himself or his Great Father had rais'd and prefer'd from the meanest condition to these chiefest places of Honour and Riches used with all manner of reproach villany and ignominy yet they farther observe that severe judgements fell upon the chief of them who within Jo. de Bussieres Tom. 1. p. 368. a year were taken away by a Plague or Pestilence from Heaven And as for the sons themselves except Pepin who dyed whilst his Father lived after the decease of the Emperour Lewes we may finde them all together by the ears prosecuting one another with all manner of violence and fury But we shall conclude this Tragical story of good Lewes with his Epitaph as it is in the Monastery of St. Arnulf at Metz in Lorraine which is according to the riming fashion of those times by which we may judge the height of their Wit and Poetry for 't is to be suppos'd that such a great Emperour had none of the worst Poets of those days to celebrate his fame and memory thus upon his Tomb and yet we have had many worse made since upon other Emperours and Kings Imperii fulmen Francorum nobile culmen Erutus à seclo conditur hoc tumulo Rex Lodowicus pietatis tantus amicus Quod Pius à Populo dicitur Tumulo Heldegard sobiles Karoli Magni pia proles In Pacis metas colligit hunc pietas Rumelicum villam quicquidve refertur ad illam Arnulfo sancto contulit huicque loco Stirps à quo Procerum Regumque vel Imperatorum Quorum muneribus sistitur ille locus After this Lewes succeeded in the Empire his Son Lothaire who at last willingly resigned making himself a Monk to his Son Lewes the Second of whom I shall say nothing but that in his time the Popes began by degrees to neglect to have their Elections confirm'd by the Emperours whom by little and little they began to trample upon the greatest Monarchs being now I know not how fob'd into a servile reverence of those whose Predecessors had formerly been their Inferiours of which this Lewes the Second may serve for an Example Nicholas the First being chosen and Consecrated this Emperour being then at Rome one time the Pope in great State attended Anastas vit Nichol. I. Platina with all the chief of the City went to give Lewes the Second a visit who hearing of it resolv'd to meet his Holiness and being met the Emperour alights from his Horse and on foot with great humility like a Foot-boy led the Popes Horse by the Bridle and at his departure did the same though certainly it might have been commendable in Nicholas not to have permitted so ignoble an action if not manners to have descended too and gone a foot with the Emperour but with the Proverb When Humility vamps on foot Pride may ride on cock-horse Sect. 3. The Murther of Michael Emperour of Constantinople with Pope Adrian the Second his opinion of the Murtherer BUt as this Chapter begins with bloud so let it end And first we have about this time Michael one whose life and rule I shall not commend Emperour of Constantinople murder'd in his Chamber by Basilius one whom Michael had rais'd from the basest condition to the highest preferment from a common Horse-courser to the greatest Authority and had declared him the next Emperour as now he made himself by the Murther of his Master and Soveraign But Photius Patriarch of Constantinople made so by Michael Ignatius being turn'd out deny'd to give him the Sacrament as guilty of such an abominable crime and yet they declare this Basilius to be a Basilius vero pius Orthodoxus Coquaeus Antimorn tom 1. pag. 455. Pious and Orthodox which we may English a good Roman Catholick And the truth is no sooner was the murther done but Pope Adrian the Second congratulates him by his b Apud Bâ—n Concil General Letters calling of Michael a Tyrant but as for Basilius thus he salutes him Thou art in our time as another peaceful Salomon who hast hearkned to the words of God thy father and hast not forsaken the Law of thy Mother that is as they say the Church Which words put me in minde of Richard Baxter that motly of Presbytery who call'd his friend and name-sake Dick Cromwell the wise
Guiccard lib. 1. Ibero Hoc tulit invisum jure Navarra jugum Barbarus insulsum sed Rex f Lop. Gomar cap. 113. Atabaliba Papam Risit Insanit Papa superbus ait Regna datignotis qui sic aliena Dynastis Excidit Imperio sed tamen ille suo Heu quantas peperit Papa Donatio strages Millia g Joseph Acosta lib. 4. cap. 3. Bar. de Casao Epise This last viz Barthomaeus Casaus a Godly Spaniard and a Dominican and Confessor to the Emperor Charles V went into the West-Indies to preach the Christian Religion amongst those people And did write anno 1542 a particular Treatise to shew the barbarous cruelty and abominable Inhumanity of his Countrymen against those poor naked and simple Americans The which bloudy Butcheriâ—s are scarce to be parallel'd in all Histories nudorum quot cecidere virum Exuit humanum crudeli ex pectore mentem Qui legit salsis temporat à lachrimis Qualiter innocuos affixit Celtiber Indos Sed penes Historicos sint ea Lecta suos Thus we see that by the foresaid Articles neither our Kings nor the Church never intended any Spiritual Power and yet I know no reason but that a King or Queen may enjoy as much as some Female Romanists viz. their Lady Abbesses but onely a Civil jurisdiction and a coercive Power for the better Regulating their Dominions against home-bred Traytors and Forraign Enemies as you have seen it here interpretated and not onely our a His Notes upon the 37 Article Thomas Rogers and b Certamen Religiosum p. 159. Chr. Cartwright will inform you farther of it but also some Romanists themselves as one lately in his c Cap 6. pag. 25 26 27 28 c. Reflections upon the Oaths of Supremcie and Allegiance Another more ancient designedly written in Latine against the Book call'd God and the King the Romanist book is also call'd d Edit Colon. 1619. pag. 48 49. Deus Rex And Father Caron a true son to the Papal Chair is unwilling to boggle at this e Nâ—s enim Regem solum nostrum Ecclesiae Britanniae Hâ—berniae caput esse Civile Supremumque Gubernatorem agnoscimus nec aliud Rex ipse praetendlâ— aut Protestantes reipsa volunt Redmund Caron Remonstrantia Hibernorum part V. pag. 64. § 4. Supreme â—itle as people have formerly done And it is not the Sex that spoils the business f 1 Mar. 2 Parl. Queens being capable of and do enjoy all jurisdictions and Qâ—alifications that Kings do But enough concerning this Oath of Supremacie which was one of the main things that vext the Pope supposing by this his own Authority and gain struck at and indeed the g Post Divortiom nisi quod Pontificiam Poâ—estatem execratos se Caput Ecclesiae constituit nihil in Religione mutavit Jac. Aug Thuan Hist lib 3. In which Religion i. e. the Roman the King dyed Tho. Baily ' s life of John Fisher Bishâ—p of Roâ—hester cap. 21. pag. 164. Haereses paeuè omnes praeter illam quae Romani Pontificis Primaâ—um Monâ—sticas Religiones oppugnabat cohibuit repressit Nic. Sander de Schism Angl. lib. 2. pag 228. Parsons conversions of Engl. part 1. p. 170 235 238 241 242 244 246. part 2. p. 541 part 3. vol. 2. p. 408. Romanists confess that Henry VIII retain'd all the Articles of the Roman Church but this one and dyed in their Religion But let the King think as well as he pleaseth of his own Authority the Pope will have as good opinion of his own and to let King Henry see how far his jurisdiction reacheth Paul III h 30 Aug. 1535. draws up a thundering Bull against his Majesty in which he deprives him of his Dominions this for some time he keeps by him but at last sent it roaring i It was publish'd Decemb. 17. 1538. abroad and what a notable thing it was Father Paul one of the most judicious Fryars that ever set Pen to Paper shall tell you k Hist Coâ—cil of Trent lib. 1. pag. 86. A terrible thundering Bull such as never was used by his Predecessors nor imitated by his Successors The thing it self being very long and as tedious as idle I shall refer you for it to their Bullaria but the substance of it take as followeth IT begins with a Canting or Quaking Preface as most other Bulls do odly misapplying of the Holy Scripture to fob up the Papal power Rants dapperly against the King and his Subjects that obey him Interdicts all Cities Churches Places which favour or adhere to him Declares Him his Friends and their Children deprived of all benefiâ—s and priviledges and uncapable to obtain any Absolves all his Subjects from their Oaths of Obedience or Allegiance to him their King Pronounceth that he and his adherents shall be held as infamous their Wills Testimonies Credits and Authorities not to be of any validity Prohibits under Papal punishment to Deal Trade or have any medling with such wicked people Injoynes all Ecclesiasticks forthwith to avoid the Kings Dominions nor to return thither but by a Papal License upon sure Certificate of the said Kings repentance and submission Commands the Nobility Gentry and others to make it their care and business to expel and depose the said Henry from his Dominions Declares all Leagues Treaties or Agreements made by the said King with other Christian Princes to be null which if the said Kings and Potentates do not forthwith submit to as void and of none effect that then their respective Territories to lye under Interdiction and so to remain till the said Princes shall renounce all Amity and Alliance with the said Henry Exhorts and commands all the said Princes and others by vertue of their obedience to invade spoil take Arms and fight against the said King and all those who are subject to him And as for the Goods Ships and whatsoever else they take from the said English He by his Infallible and Papal Authority giveth to the said takers all right and propriety Willeth all Patriarchs Archbishops Bishops and all other Ecclesiasticks under pain of the severest Censures publickly to declare by Bell Book and Candle the said Henry and all his Adherents Excommunicated Requireth that none under the guilt of the same Censures any way hinder the publication of this Bull against the King And if any do withstand contradict or gainsay by any means signes or tokens whatever this Bull that then he or they so opposing shall incur the wrath of Almighty God and the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul Dated at Rome at St. Marks anno 1535. III d Kal. Septemb. In the first year of our Popedom And that neither King Henry nor any else should plead ignorance of these things it was therein provided and commanded that the said Bull should be affixed to the doors of the Neighbouring to England or the Kings Dominions and should be publickly read in the said Churches especicially
he should have them although there be some Meditations on the Penitential Psalms carryed about under his name yet a wicked man may make a good Book as the greatest Rebels pretend the most Religion but that he did ever really repent I am not convinced because then they would have given him a better Epitaph besides the story of his death maketh him then as bad as ever But enough if not too much of this As concerning the foresaid William Thomas take as followeth 1544. He got into Italy 1547. He wrote the foresaid Dialogue at Bologna la Grossa 't is call'd b M S. B. 2. 7. in Bible Bâ—dl Oxon. le Pelegrine and never printed that I know of 1543. He finish'd his Italian Dictionary and Grammar at Padoa undertook at the desire and for the instruction of Mr. John Tamworth then living at Venice and was afterwards viz. 1567 printed by the appointment of Sir William Mildmay 1549. I meet with him return'd to London when and where he Printed his short but methodical History of Italy which was Reprinted 1561. He was made Clerk of the Council to King Edward VI. 1553. He designed the Murther of Queen Mary or c Jo. Bal. de Scriptoribus Appendix p. 100. Steven Gardiner Bishop of Winchester 155â— â— February 20. He was sent to the Tower of London February 26. He had almost kill'd himself by thrusting a Knife under his Paps 1554. May 9. He was arraigned and condemn'd at Guild-hall May 18. He was drawn from the Tower to Tyborn and there hang'd headed and quarter'd 'T is said that he was an intimate with d Parsons thâ—ee Câ—nversious of Engl. paâ—t 3. pag. 220 221. Christopher Goodman that enemy to the Rule of Women and a fiery Puritan and no doubt that Thomas was too much warp'd that way and one of more misguided zeal then true Religion or Wisdom He translated some Books out of Italian and besides those Printed wrote a Tract call'd The Common Place of State for the use of King Edward VI discoursing whether it be expedient to vary with the time which with several other of his Writings may be seen in Sir Robert Cotton's e Sub Effigie Vespasianâ— D. 18. Library And so much of King Henry and his Champion William Thomas To this King succeeded Edward VI a most vertuous and hopeful Pâ—ince but too young to correct the villanies of the Grandees about him who loved the Churches better then they loved God yet a Reformation of Religion was carryed on which so vext some in the North that they took up Arms to restore Popery though to no purpose But those in the West were more stubborn especially the Devonshire and Cornish men who form'd themselves into an Army besieged Exeter which bravely defended it self against all their power and spight Nor would their Holy Zeal render them victorious though as a means to be so they march'd into the Field with a Crucifix under a Canopy which instead of an Altar was set in a Cart accompanied with Crosses and Candlesticks Banners Holy-Bread and Holy-Water to drive away the Devils and dull their Enemies Swords as Speed wordeth it And though they fought fiercely against the King his Commission and good Subjects yet they could conclude their demands or rather commands with an Item We pray God save King Edward for we be his both body and goods And this way of canting is always used by all other Traytors who the higher they run into Rebellion declare themselves the better Subjects In short though these peoples cause was bad enough and were soon quell'd yet a De Schism lib. 2. pag. 260. Sanders will not let them pass without some Papal holy Water being true Romanists and Father b Three conversions of Engl. part 2. pag. 594 619. Parsons will not allow them to be faulty because forsooth they fought for the Roman Religion as if to take up Arms for any Religion against their true and lawful Soveraign were warrantable for if so every Opinion and Phanatick will be its own judge and carver so that there will be no end of Wars and Bloudshed yet every man in the right at least the strongest can do no wrong however not commit Treason according to the too-much-practis'd Rule thus wittily condemn'd by Sir John Harrington Treason doth never prosper what 's the reason Epigram § 5. For if it prosper none dare call it Treason CHAP. II. A Vindication of Queen Elizabeth ANd now we come to the prosperous Reign of the so much famed Elizabeth in whose time England was in the heighth of its Glory and Repute being as an Umpire to the whole World flourishing at home and victorious abroad but prudent Cecils and vigilant Walsinghams are not always to be had and so we must be content with our decaying Lawrels And here by the by because a De Schism Aâ—gl lib. 3. pag. 319. Sanders and other Romanists are pleas'd to render her as the worst of all women-kinde I shall take the boldness to say something in her Vindication the better to confute her former Revilers and to satisfie the more ignorant somewhat in her behalf Her Piety and Religion have been celebrated by many Pens her Learning and skill in variety of Languages was admired by her greatest Enemies Besides her English b Arghâ—â—ium Praeâ—a § Elizabetha Christopher Ocklande whose Books were once order'd to be read in all Grammar-Schools will tell you of six other Languages she was perfect in Elizabetha piis primos imbuta per annos Moribus sophiae studiis instruct a sacrata Doctrina linguae Latiae Graiaeque perita Linguas Europae celebres intelliget omnes Quid Teuto Hispanus Gallusve Italusve loquatur Mr. c His nine Worthies pag. 282. Thomas Heywood one who loved to write concerning Women concludes thus of our Elizabeth Chaste Virgin Royal Queen belov'd and fear'd Much on the Earth admir'd to Heaven indear'd Single and singular without another A Nurse to Belgia and to France a Mother Potent by Land sole Soveraign of the Main Antagonist to Rome the scourge of Spain Though she was excellently skill'd in all manner of Needle-work was admired for her neat Dancing was very skilful and knowing in Musick playing well upon divers sorts of Instruments yet these and suchlike little pleasures could never call her thoughts from her Subjects good and the care of Government d La. Epist â—â—urmiâ— Roger Ascham speaks wonders of her ingenuity and knowledge and he had as much reason to know her as any but these you may say were English-men and so bribed by their birth-right though this with some of her Enemies is no Rule But should we run to all her Commendations beyond Seas we might be endless a Poet. Ital. vol. 1. pag 79. Cornelius Amaltheus a zealous Italian Romanist cannot withhold his Muse from her Encomiums b Poet. Germ. vol 5 pag. 827. Laurentius Rhodomanus is as earnest in his Anagrammatical mode
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
all before them another Fleet is prepared to invade England and for a further encouragement as well of English as others to be assistants in this enterprise their Lord high Admiral draws up a Proclamation which was printed and published and you may Dr. Mat. Sutcliff's Blessings on Mount Gerizzim or the happy Estate of England pag 292 293 294 295. take it as followeth as I meet with it COnsidering the Obligation which his Catholick Majesty my Lord and Master hath received of God Almighty to defend and protect his holy Faith and the Apostolical Roman Church he hath procured by the best means he could for to reduce to the ancient and true Religion the Kingdoms of England and Ireland as much as possibly hath been in his power And all hath not been sufficient to take away the offence done against God in damage of the self-same Kingdoms with scandal of whole Christianity yea rather abusing the Clemencie and Benignity of his Catholick Majesty the heads and chief of the Hereticks which little fear God have taken courage to extend their evil Doctrine with the oppressing of Catholicks Martyring them and by divers ways and means taking from them their lives and goods b b He hath forgot the Spanish Inquisition forcing them by violence to follow their damnable Sects and Errours which they have hardly done to the loss of many souls Which considered his Catholick Majesty is determin'd to favour and protect those Catholicks which couragiously have defended the Catholick Faith and not onely those but such also as by pusillanimity and humane respects have consented unto them forced thereunto through the hard and cruel dealings of the said Catholicks Heretical Enemies And for the execution of his holy Zeal he hath commanded me that with force by Sea and Land which be and shall be at my charge to procure all means necessary for the reduction of the said Kingdoms unto the obedience of the Catholick Roman Church In Complement of the which I declare and protest that these Forces shall be imploy'd for to execute this holy intent of his Catholick Majesty directed onely to the common good of the true Religion and Catholicks of those Kingdoms as well those which be alreadie declared Catholicks as others who will declare themselves such For all shall be received and admitted by me in his Royal Name which shall separate and apart themselves from the Hereticks And furthermore they shall be restored to the Honour Dignity and Possessions which heretofore they have been deprived of Moreover every one shall be rewarded according to the Demonstrations and Feats which shall be shown in this Godly enterprise And who shall proceed with most valour the more largely and amply shall be remunerated with the goods of obstinate Hereticks Wherefore seeing Almighty God doth present to his Elect so good an occasion therefore I for the more security Ordain and Command the Captains General of Horse and Artillerie the Master General of the Field the Captains of Companies of Horse and Foot and all other Officers greater and lesser and men of War the Admiral General and the rest of the Captains and Officers of the Army that as well at Land as Sea they use well and receive the Catholicks of those Kingdoms who shall come to defend the Catholick Cause with Arms or without them For I command the General of the Artillery that he provide them of Weapons which shall bring none Also I Ordain and straitly command that they have particular respect unto the Houses and Families of the said Catholicks not touching as much as may be any thing of theirs but onely of those that will obstinately follow the part of Hereticks in doing of which they be altogether unworthy of those favours which be here granted unto the good who will declare themselves for true Catholickes and such as shall take Arms in hand or at least separate themselves from the Hereticks against whom and their favourers all this War is directed in defence of the honour of God and good of those Kingdoms trusting in Gods Divine mercy that they shall recover again the Catholick Religion so long agone lost and make them return to their ancient quietness and felicity and to the due obedience of the holy Primitive Church Moreover these Kingdoms shall enjoy former immunities and priviledges with encrease of many others for time to come in great friendship confederacie and traffick with the Kingdom of his Catholick Majesty which in times past they were wont to have for the publick good of all Christianity And that this be put in execution speedily I exhort all the faithful to the fulfilling of that which is here contain'd warranting them upon my word which I give in the name of the Catholick King my Lord and Master that all shall be observed which is here promised And thus I discharge my self of the losses and damages which shall fall upon those which will follow the contrary way with the ruine of their own souls the hurt of their own Country and that which is more the honour and glory of God And he which cannot take presently Arnis in hand nor declare himself by reason of the tyranny of the Hereticks shall be admitted from the Enemies Camp and shall pass to the Catholick part in some skirmish or battel or if he cannot he shall flee before we come to the last encounter In testimony of all which I have commanded to dispatch these presents confirmed with my Hand sealed with the Seal of mine Arms and Refirmed by the Secretary underwritten Though Father Parsons was very solicitous to understand the W. Clarkes Reply unto a Libel fol. 65. success of these preparations yet he did not expect any great matters to be performed by them and so it fell out to the no small grief we need not question of many Romanists And to augment the sorrow of the Hispanioliz'd Faction the death of the Spanish King hapned the same year to whom succeeded his son Philip III of whose attempts against Queen Elizabeth you may hear in the next Century The end of the seventh Book THE HISTORY Of the HOLY League AND Covenant IN FRANCE BOOK VIII CHAP. I. An INTRODUCTION to the HOLY LEAGUE THE Beginning of this Century had like to have been year 1502 troublesom to Germany by a mischievous League designed in the Bishoprick of Spire by a Company of barbarous clownish rustick High-shooes and so by the Germans t is Nicol. Basel Addit ad Chroâ— Naucleri p. 394. L. ur Sâ—râ—â— Com p 3â— call'd Bundiscuch These like our Levellers were to raise themselves into as high a Grandeur as any by swearing to reduce all other men to their meanness by equalling all mankind into the same condition by rooting out all Magistracy Dignities and Laws As for the Church which is continually struck at by Traitors and such Sacrilegious Wretches she was not to escape their Villanies they designing to rob her of her Revenues Titles and Decency to
the Covenant and declare himself the Head of it Having done this beyond their expectation he resolves to be as cunning as themselves and so he desires since they seem willing for war to furnish him with Moneys to carry it on At this they demur for though they loved mischief yet were unwilling to lay their Moneys at the Kings disposal by which trick Henry seem'd left to his own discretion The Covenanters thus non-plus'd try other means First they move that the Council of Trent might fully be receiv'd into the Kingdom but this is rejected by a Majority of Nobility and Commons and a great part of the Interested Clergy as thwarting the Privileges of the Gallican Church for though they love the Religion yet they care not for the Popes Authority over them This not fadging they consult how to restrain the Kings power for which purpose they propound that his Council might be reduc'd to the number of XXIV and that the King should not chuse them but the Kingdom but this was also rejected many of the Covenanters themselves thinking it not safe too much to exasperate the King And thus the design but half done the Assembly break year 1577 up And the King doubting the greatness of the Guisians might too much inlarge their Interest a little to clip their wings by publick * Spond an 1576. §. 11. Order confirms the Preeminence and Priority to the Princes of the Bloud The Covenanters perceiving that the King had seen too far into their designs conclude it safe for some time to forbear all open endeavours but were very sedulous in their private Consultations by which means they whispered the people into discontent against the King and his Government scattering abroad Libels bewitching many * Jo. de Bassieres tom 4. p. 205 Nobles and others to their Faction And several other Plots and Contrivances they had to carry on which they took hold of any opportunity insomuch that many Fraternities being now brought into use for Devotion as Processions Prayers c. the Guisians under this †Davila 16. p. 447. pretence would meet the more boldly and openly to disperse their poison by their seditious discourses amongst the people The King also did not want his ways of Devotion assisting often in their Processions undergoing Penances wear Hair shirts had his Beads openly hanging at his girdle would observe Canonical hours and by such like shews of piety some of the people were persuaded that for all the ill speeches given out against him he was a good Romanist in his heart and so were the more willing to have the better opinion of him Journal du Hen. III. Mart 1583. Spond anno 1583. § 11. But others who pretended to see a little further were of a quite contrary judgment looking upon it to be but Hypocrisie Amongst the rest Dr. Maurice Poncet a Benedictine at Paris preach'd very bitterly against his new-invented Brotherhoods and their Processions calling of them Hypocrites and Atheists And indeed it cannot be deny'd that this King hath sometimes carried on his * Vid. d'Aubigne tom 2. l. 4. c 1. Confession Catholique de Sancy c. 8. Love-tricks under these shews of Religion being too much addicted to ease and pleasures as appear'd by his other Carnival actions for which he was †Journal du Hen. III. Fevrier 1583. twitted in the Pulpit by Dr. Guillaume Rose afterwards Bishop of Senlis and others Yet necessity did force him sometimes to look about him and nothing did he dread more then the Guises and their League whose power must now be all his study to diminish To which purpose he promotes as many into Places of Trust as he could conveniently and whom he could confide in and knew to be no Favourites of the House of Lorrain The Guisards not ignorant of this design and knowing full well that the King had really no good affection for them endeavour what they can to have the Peace broken with the Huguenot to which purpose a Pâ—erefixe Hist Hen. le Grand thousand affronts are committed against the King of Navarre the Prince of Condé and their Adherents But passing by these things the number of Male contents was increas'd for though the King advanc'd some of his trusty Friends yet many times Preferment went more by favour then desert and others were discontented to see themselves slighted these Male contents the Guisards attaque and more easily won to joyn with them and enter into their League And that the House of Lorrain might appear in its greatest lustre the Antiquitiy and Glories of that Family are thought fit to be shewn to all To which purpose François de Rosieres Archdeacon of Toul putteth pen to paper and writes a large Book of their Pedegrees and Relations making them as ancient and as near related to the French Crown as he could invent and this was printed at Paris 1580. by the Kings Licence But sometime after the Book being more nearly look'd into several things were taken notice of which gave some great offence For besides the unseasonable timing of it considering the designs of the Guises and his declaring * Fran. Ros Stâ—mmatum Lothar fol. 451. Hues Capet to be an Usurper which sounded the harsher seeing some will have the Valoises issued from Hues his Line but besides he had several odd Reflections on the †Id. fo 369 1583 King himself of Idleness Luxury and bad Government In short Rosieres is cast in prison the Duke of Lorrain cometh to Paris to pacifie the King at last Rosieres publickly confessing his faults craving pardon on his knees by the intercession of the Queen-mother is released and the book torn before his face Yet was it carefully spread abroad that the Guises were descended from Charles the Great related to Hugh Capet and had Title good enough to the Crown But against this by the Kings Command Pontus de Tyard afterwards Bishop of Chalon Cabilonum writ but for fear of the Faction conceal'd his name and Matthaeus Zampinus a Lawyer also took the task And the same year also I mean 1583 came out a little French * Discourse sur â—e droict pretendu par ceux de Guise sur la Couroune de France Tract of about two sheets of paper in opposition to the pretence of the Lorrainers but for all this the people will believe as they please CHAP. III. year 1583 Francis Duke of Anjou the onely Brother to the King dying the Guisards rejoyce not doubting but to make themselves next Heirs to the Crown by wheedling in Cardinal Bourbon with the several Declarations and Proposals between them and the King THE Leaguers who for some time that the King might not be too suspicious of them had proceeded but leisurely had now an encouragement offer'd them to be more brisk in their designs For Francis Duke of Anjou of a fickle and hair-brain'd humour year 1584 the only Brother to the King died not without suspicion and
Nevers he posts to Rome though contrary to the Popes desire and growing daily more jealous of the Leaguers intentions is very sollicitous for a perfect Agreement and Accommodation writing several times to Cardinal de Bourbon not to press too much upon the Kings patience and at last being fully convinced that the Guises had more a private Interest then a publick good in their thoughts quite forsook them and their Cause and joyn'd with the King The King in the mean time somewhat inform'd of the troublesome and warlike designs of the Covenanters was persuaded to consult his own security and therefore by a publick Decree forbids all raising or gathering 28 March together of Souldiers unless by his express Command and Authority commanding all his good Subjects at the ringing of the Toquesaint the Alarm bell to fall upon the said Souldiers as declar'd enemies But the Leaguers proceed cunningly and vigorously having strengthned themselves as they thought pretty well were resolved to make an open Rupture according to their former determinations To which purpose they overpersuade Cardinal de Bourbon to quit the Court under colour of keeping Lent at his Archbishoprick of Rouen so he went to Gailon a Palace belonging to that See in higher Normandy where a great company of the Covenanters of Picardy waited upon him and for his more pretended security conducted him to Peronne where the League was first framed as aforesaid and here he was met by the Dukes of Guise Mayenne Aumale Elboeuf and other Covenanting Nobles where a large Declaration is drawn up in his Name whom they call the First Prince of the Ploud and subscribed by him the substance of it is as followeth In the Name of God Almighty King of Kings be it known unto all c. That a design to subvert Religion hath been the cause of the late troubles That it is fear'd the King dying childless the Church and Kingdom may be ruin'd over which they are resolved never to let an Heretick sway the people being bound neither to admit or obey any Prince but of the Roman Religion That to hinder all mischiefs some remedy is to be applied That the great preparations of the Huguenots are sufficiently understood That it is also not unknown but * * Chiefly â—â—ming at the Duke of Espernon some people have so possest themselves of the Kings affection that they have as it were seiz'd upon his Authority and excluded those who ought to be more near him That these Favourites or Minions have got the chief Governments and Places of Trust whereby they may command all by Land or Sea That they have imbezell'd the Kings Revenues thereby making themselves more powerful and obey'd to the great oppression of the people which daily increaseth That though the Amendment of Abuses was hoped for at the meeting of the Estats at Bloys yet Private Interests spoil'd all That these Abuses are now grown so great that the Kingdom is almost ruin'd by them the Clergy surcharged and despised the Nobles debas'd abus'd and ruin'd and all the people in a manner beggar'd and impoverish'd by strange Taxations c. Therefore We CHARLES de BOURBON first Prince of the Bloud assisted with the Princes Cardinals Peers Bishops c. being the best and soundest part of the Kingdom DECLARE that we have sworn and faithfully promis'd to continue in Arms till the Church and Roman Religion be establish'd in her former Dignity the Nobles enjoy their Privileges the people eas'd the new Taxes abolished the Parlements left to their wonted freedom and liberty c. These and such others are the causes of our Arming which by these necessities is made justifiable though otherwise we should disclame such courses and so believing we cannot have a more honourable Funeral then to die in so holy and just a cause Yet protesting that we do not intend any thing against the King but on the contrary in defence of his Person Life and Estate being willing to lay down our Arms when he shall remedy these evils in doing of which he shall be more honoured and obeyed by us That seeing the Laws and their good Intentions are clear enough therefore they will not force the King to declare a Successour though in so doing the Nation might hereafter be eas'd of Troubles and Factions about it That as they have all a grand Veneration for the Queen-mother so they hope she will have a good opinion of them Humbly desire all people to assist them in this their good design and to have a favourable construction of their actions Protesting never to lay down Arms till we have accomplish'd all these our desires and so desire all good Romanists to assist them in their Prayers and Devotions CHARLES Cardinal de Bourbon At Peronne 31 March 1585. But this Declaration was drawn up and confirm'd by the Cardinal some time before and also Copies of it sent abroad by the Leaguers the better to confirm their Party for I meet with a Letter sent by the Dukes of Guise and Mayenne to the Parlement of Province meaning Aix the chief City of that County where that Parlement sits in which they tell Memoiâ—es de Nevers vol. 1. them That they have sent the copy of the said Cardinal de Bourbons Declaration to them by which they might perceive how unwilling they were to take up arms yet that in the quarrel they were resolved to venture life goods friends too exhorting and adjuring that Parlement to assist them telling them that as they shall aid those who joyn with them so they will endeavour the ruine of those who oppose their League Your most Affectionate Servants HENRY de LORRAIN CHARLES de LORRAIN Joinville 19 March 1585. As for the Declaration it self it was rejoyned to by the King in another well and cunningly worded endeavouring to answer all their Objections desiring them to lay down their arms and admonishing all his Subjects not to believe their idle pretences but to confide in and joyn themselves to him But it was not words that were to befriend the Covenanters so they draw their Forces together rendezvouz at Chalons in Champaigne whither the Cardinal Bourbon is conducted to them by the Duke of Guise with as great demonstrations of Honour and Joy as could be the better to insnare and bewitch the old man whose Name and Interest they wero to make so much use of And now Guise tampers again with Nevers assuring him that all things go better and better desireth his speedy assistance and is much troubled that Rochette one of his cunning Agitators is taken and carried prisoner to Paris fearing thereby some of their Plots may be discover'd Yet they look upon themselves strong enough to defie any opposition having muster'd about 12000 men expecting daily Recruits of German and Spanish Forces hir'd to joyn with them and thus fortifi'd they seize upon several strong places As for the King he is at a stand what to do not having strength
Cardinal de Guise and some others were great sticklers for the League countenanced there by Cardinal Pellevé◠The actions of which Cardinal being a Subject of France did so vex King Henry III. that we are * Journal De 1586. 1587 told that he order'd his Revenues to be seiz'd on and distributed to the poor The King being gone from Paris with an Army to oppose the Germans then marching into France to assist the Huguenots the Covenanters had some thoughts of seizing on the City in his absence according to Guise his Instructions who phansied that he might secure the Kings Person in the Country To this purpose they sent Lauchart to Guise for further information who upon maturer advice would not allow of the plot sâ—eing the King then to have such a Force about the City and a good Army under his command However they assure the Duke of their strength and willingness to attempt any thing that he shall command And the better to incite the Rabble to Rebellion the Pulpit the worst Instrument in Seditious design is made use of several turbulent Priests or Ministers being set on work to bespatter the King and his actions one of the chief of these Firebrands was Jean Boucher Preacher of St. Benoist a zealous wall-ey'd Fellow of whose wicked Doctrines we have told you formerly out of his book De justa abdicatione Henrici III. The King sent for him and publickly told him of his lies and slanders as how he had told the people in the Pulpit that the King caused one Burlart of Orleans to be put into a Sack and thrown into the River although the said Burlart was yet alive and daily kept company with the said Boucher by which the King told him he had committed two grand faults first so basely to bely his lawful Sovereign and then after telling such a lie in the Pulpit to go forthwith to the Altar and Sacrament without acknowledging his foresaid falsities although all confess that every one ought to confess his faults before he receive the Eucharist yet the King told him that at this time he would forgive all though he might revenge himself as Pope Sixtus V. did who year 1587 sent several Franciscans to the Gallies for traducing him in their Sermons Another call'd Prevost being Preacher of St. Severin amongst his many other Seditious prattlements had from the Pulpit told his Parishioners that The King was a Tyrant and an Enemy to the Church and People Upon which the King as became him sent for him which so netled the Covenanters that they forthwith spread abroad that the King was resolved to punish and imprison all the good and godly Preachers A thing very offensive to all manner of Zealots of what pretended Opinion soever Rebellious Experience making it a certain rule that none clamour up Preaching more then those who pretend to know Religion better then their Teachers the more ignorant the people be the more apt they are to think they comprehend the deepest mysteries and though they are bid to obey for Conscience-sake yet for all their crying up of the Bible they make a contrary fundamental-Rule viz. Rebell for Conscience-sake yet let these Toleration comprehensive or in sum Rebellious Villains for their actions hitherto in History hath not separated them be worse then can be imagined they shall never want some rascally upstart Nobles who raised themselves by fighting the King and cheating the Church to be their Treasonable and Sacrilegious Patrons especially where their Twatling Dames have more zeal then honesty and from such Vagabonds in Religion good Lord deliver all Kings Kingdoms and Churches but when Kings are subjects people will be Kings but a brave and daring Prince durst never yet be opposed to the ruine of the Undertakers but such can never be whose Favorites are more for pleasure then true honesty and a National interest as it hapned now in France Prevost inform'd that he was sent for was secur'd in an house of one of his Neighbors call'd Hatte a Notarie and for his farther protection Jean le Clerc Sieur or Landlord de Bussy one of the chief of the Covenanting Sixteen with several other Armed men put themselves into the foresaid house oppos'd and fought against those whom the King sent to enquire for the same Delinquents and made such an Hubbub and Riot that the Kings Messengers though headed by Seguier the Lieutenant-Civil or one of the Judges were forced to withdraw themselves and shift for their own security These and such like seditious actions so incouraged the Leaguers that the Town sounded nothing now but the misdeeds of the King and the Glories of Guise that if it had not been for him the Ark would have fallen into the hands of the Philistins and Heresie would have triumphed over the true Religion Nay the Sorbonists were so bold as to make as we are told a secret Decree That Princes might be depos'd from their Government Journal if they did not what became them as the charge taken away from a negligent Guardian And towards the latter end of this year 't is said that the King was Id. inform'd that the Duke of Guise had posted disguised to Rome where he stayed only three days with Cardinal Pellevé and that the Pope sent him a rich sword Another tells us that one Viliers was sent to Rome to desire the Popes assistance and that a Letter was found about him said to be writ by the Dutchess of Lorraine Mother to the Duke containing thus much I am very glad to understand the state of your Affairs and I advise you to Ant. Colynet p. 173 174. go forward for never a fairer Occasion was offered you to put the Scepter in your hand and the Crown upon your head The two last years we could not expect much matter from the Leaguers though we see their designs bad enough seeing most of the Souldiery in France were imployed against Navarre and his Huguenots many of the Covenanting Nobles being engag'd in those wars which diverted them from their attempts upon the King but we shall see the next year make amends for all The Duke of Guise the better to make all things sure hath a meeting 1588 Davila p. 667 669. D Aubigne tom 3. l. 1. c. 21. Spondâ—nus of the Chieftains of the House of Lorrain at Nancy a strong Town in that Dukedom where it is talk'd high of deposing the King of putting him into a Monastery of destroying the House of Bourbon to dispose of all things themselves and such like extravagancies But at last it was concluded that the Duke of Lorrain should keep the Forces of the League in action and that Guise and others should unite with Cardinal Bourbon to present a Petition to the King much for their own advantage which if granted their business might easily be done without clamour or any great opposition if denied they had force sufficient to obtain it Accordingly the Paper is presented to
assembled as well in publick congregation at the College of Sorbone having celebrated the Mass of the Holy Ghost as also privately at the meeting of the Delegates mature deliberation being had all the particulars being carefully truly and severally examin'd as much as could be at last have declar'd their judgments in manner following All Catholicks by Divine Law are forbid to admit any into the Throne that is an Heretick or a favourer of Heresie and a known enemy to the Church much more one that is relapsed and by name excommunicated by the Pope If it should chance that any guilty as aforesaid should procure a sentence of Absolution from these crimes and censures yet if there be evident danger of his hypocrisie perfidiousness and the ruine of the Catholick Religion he then for all his said Absolution is by the said Divine Law to be excluded from the Kingdom Whoever also endeavours that he should be King or doth partake with or favour him or doth suffer him to be set in the Throne when he might prevent it and was oblig'd so to do he for so doing doth violate the holy Canons is justly suspected of Heresie and is mischievous both to Religion and the Church therefore he may and ought to be oppos'd be he of whatsoever degree or quality Therefore seeing Henry de Bourbon is an Heretick a favourer of Heresie a known enemy to the Church is relapsed and by name excommunicated and though he might obtain sentence of Absolution yet there being evident danger of hypocrisie and perfidiousness with the ruine of Religion and though he had Absolution or any other lawful heir dead or yielding up his right yet are the French obliged to keep him from the most Christian Crown and to abhor the thoughts of making peace with him and those who do favour him are violators of the Canons may be suspected of Heresie are enemies to the Church and as such ought to he earnestly and carefully chaflized and punished As therefore those who favour the said Henry in his aspiring to the Throne and do any ways affoard him any help are deserters of Religion and remain in a perpetual mortal sin so those who for their love to Religion do oppose him as much as in them lieth do very much merit both of God and Men And as on the one hand it must be suppos'd that those people so obstinate in strengthening the Kingdom of darkness will be eternally damn'd so on the other it is most mtet to conclude that these who are slain in this cause against the said Henry as Champions of the Faith shall obtain an everlasting reward and be crown'd with the Trophies of Martyrdom And this is concluded on not one gainsaying it in the third general congregation held upon this business in the great Hall of the College of Sorbone all and every one of the Masters being summon'd thither upon oath 7 May 1590. In the mean time Mayenne was very busie in raising Forces in consuâ—ting with the Duke of Parma then Governour in the Spanish Netherlands to get Supplies from him the better to force the King to quit the siege and the truth is this affair did greatly perplex him for if he lost Paris the Cause was undone and if he relieved it by the Spanish assistance and without them he could not do it his own Interest might be lost For the Sixteen wish'd him not well because he had broken up their Council of Forty which contrary to his expectation bridled his Authority and they thinking to introduce a Commonwealth Government hâ— had crost that by creating another Council a Keeper of the Seals and four Secretaries of State with which he governed affairs without calling them except when he had need of money And thus having displeas'd the Sixteen he fear'd they would engage Paris under the Spanish Yoak if they saw Spaniards enough to deal with all But of two evils thâ— last is to be chosen and so he resolveth to reinforce his Army with Spanish Supplies In his absence he appoints his Brother the Duke of Nemours a courageous young man to command the City and assign'd him a * Their namâ—s in d'Aubâ—â—ne to 3. l. 3. â— 7. Council care is taken to fortifiâ— all suâ—pected Avenues and the people are Sermon'd up to such an height of madness that a great scarcity of provisions being in the City some for letting slip but some words as if peace were better then to be starv'd with hunger were by the fury of the Zelots either executed in publick or cast headlong into the River aâ— damn'd persons enemies to the Catholick Faith and infected with the poiâ—on of Heresie Whilst the Parisians were thus eager for the Cause their Kingling Charles X. or Cardinal Bourbon dieth in prison at Fontenay being 66 9 May 1590. yâ—ars old much troubled with the Stone and greatly addicted to old Wives Prophesies which pleas'd him the more because now and then he was told some which denoted his Kingship His death troubled some of the Leaguers having now no King and so one of their grand pretences vanished yet they continue resolute Mayenne keepeth to himself the Title of Lieutenant Genâ—ral of the State and Crown of France and the States General are ordered to meet for the Election of a new King the Sorbone renew their Decrees against the King as an Heretick and so not capable of the Crown And the better to keep the people up in their humours by order of 31 May Asâ—er si◠〈◊〉 the Legat a Procession is made of the Clergy to implore Gods assistance at the Head of these went Roze Bishop of Senlis with a Cross in his left hand and an Halbert in his right then followed the Monks and Friars according to their several Orders Capuchins Minims Franciscans Dominicans Fuâ—llans Carmelites c. In the Procession the Prelates Priests and Monks walked in their severâ—l accustomed Habits but over them armed openly with Head-pieces Croslets Coats of Mail c. all of them with Swords girt to their sides and in their hands carrying some sort of Arms or other some with Guns some with Spears others with Halberts Thus marched they along singing Hymns shooting off their Guns with which one was slain by chance and with them they carried all their Reliques as notable Assistants and Well-wishers to their Solemn League and Covenant and thus they foot it to the great Church After this followeth another Procession of the Duke of Nemours the Officers of the Army the Magistrates of the City with the Archbishop of Lyons and some other valiant Bishops These trudge also to the great Church where upon the great Altar laying their hands upon the Gospel they swear to defend the City to their uâ—most and to oppose the Heretical Prince And a little after to make all sure their Parlement at Paris by Act forbid any upon pain of death to talk of any Agreement Peace or Composition with Henry of Bourbon for so they called 15
June him By this time the City began to be in great want by reason of the Kings cutting off all assistance from them therefore to encourage the people Cardinal Pietro Gondy Bishop of Paris 't was made an Archbishoprick 1622 pittying the poor had all the Church-plate turned into money for them the Legat caused all his own Plate to be melted and coined Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour promised them six score Crowns a day in bread and of all his Plate he left himself but one Silver Spoon the Ladies and richest Nobles sold their Houshold-stuff Jewels and Ornaments the Legat also got fifty thousand Crowns for them from the Pope But all thâ—se helos were not enough for two hundred thousand persons then in the City provisions growing so scarce that a Bushel of Whâ—at wa 〈…〉 for one hundred and twenty Crowns the flâ—sh of Horses Dâ—gs Asses Mules c. are publickly vended but the poorer sort wanting moneys to buy such daintiâ—s were forced to feed upon such Hâ—rbs and Grass as tâ—ey found in the Yards Ditchâ—s and along the Ramparts whicâ— maâ—e them â—iâ— in hâ—aps yet were the Chieftains as if thâ—y wâ—re related tâ— the old Saguntines so far from yiâ—lding that they caused several to be exâ—cuted for desiring Brâ—ad or Peace Anâ— here we need nâ—t trouble our â—elvâ—s with the stories of former great Famines as of Hierusalem amongst the Turks 1595 in Poland and Bohemâ—a 1312 in Transylvania 1604 at Leyden 1574 at Sancerre and Rochel of Pegâ— 1598 of Caifung in China 1642 and several others since as is confess'd by all this Famine at Paris was not inferiour to any of them many being forced to make bread of dead mens bones and not onely feed upon Skins Tann'd hides c. but men eat one another and some women their own children and we may justly suppose a grand scarcity when there was but one little * Mem. de la Ligue tom 4. p. 332 333. Dog in all the City which the Dutchess of Montpensier kept for her self and refus'd two thousand Crowns onely for its brains though it was to preserve the life of Monsieur d Orlan one of her friends In short above twâ—lve thousand died of very Famine yet did the people really think themselves Holy Martyrs for dying in so good a Cause At last the King for mere pity permits as many to depart the City as would at one time there crauled out above four thousand glad they were delivered from such a misery then he sent Pasports to the Scholars Churchmen Ladies and even to his greatest enemiâ—s In the mean time the King presseth more upon them taketh S. Denis 7 July the Leaguers before their yielding it up having * d'Aubigne tom 3. l. 3. c. poison'd the Wells the better to dâ—stroy the Kings Forcâ—s at which siege the King himself was so vigilant that he â—atâ— on horse-back forty hours together Being entered S. Denis in the Presence-chamber were two Franciscan Friars Ant. Colynet p. 476. and another Priest sâ—iz'd on in the habit of Gentlemen who being imprison'd and strictly examin'd confâ—st that they were three of the six and twenty who had sworn the Kings death for which they were hang'd Then the King assaults and takes the Suburbs of Paris which so startled the Leaguers that they desire a Treaty onely to spin out time daily expecting relief the King grants it but their Propositions are so extravagant that nothing is done However the King having now the Parisians as it were by the throat the Doctors of Sorbone are at their wits end suspect the Integrity of the Legat grew angry at the Pope for not affoarding them more assistance and in this pet and fury drew up a Letter to be sent to his Holiness but the City was so closely besieged that the Letter and Messenger were seized on and so never got as far as Rome which the better to shew what fears jealousies and distractions they were possest with at the writing of it take as followeth as I meet with it then translated into English out of the Latin Copy Most Holy Father By those continual Letters partly touching the cruel and lamentable slaughter of our most Christian Brethren which your Holiness at sundry times hath received was easily to be known that all France hath fixed her eyes onely upon the See of Rome the Cause concerning the state of the whole Church and therefore the rather because it hath been always the chiefest refuge of those that were afflicted for the defence of Religion in their greatest misery and extremity Besides the good report that we daily hear of your Holiness Zele Wisdom Sincerity Justice and Hate of all Ungodliness did not a little increase our hopâ— the tokens whereof being brought unto us were very severe against all the wicked as are the heavy Censures and Sentences pronounced by your Holiness own mouth against the Hereticks and Politicians of our time and the Orations made in the sacred Assemblies of the Cardinals which we read with a great desire being now printed and also because there is ordain'd a Council of most reverend Cardinals for the redress of the state of France and favourable and Fatherly Letters written to the Princes and Magistrates of this Realm and moreover to many of sundry degrees and qualities whereby we perceive that your Holiness did commend and approve our purpose and enterprize promising us all aid and assistance to the furtherance thereof And lastly the sending of your Holiness * * Card. Caâ—etan Legat through such long and dangerous ways being a man of great parentage and singular wisdom with the full consent of all the most Honourable Council of Cardinals nothing more comfortable and to be desired in this our general and common grief We of our side for to encourage the hearts of the common people have caused to be printed in both the Languages that every man might understand them those Letters the which with great commendation of our College the renouned Cardinal of a a Nephew to this Pope Sixtus V. Montalto hath vouchsafed to send wherein was specified that your Holiness Legat was sent with men and mâ—ney and that the onely and chiefest care of your Holiness was touching this Realm how best to refresh and succour the afflicted and distressed people thereof that therefore we should not doubt but that your Holiness will out of hand in this our distress send us sufficient relief The private Communication of your Holiness Legat did also confirm your singular good will and affection towards us and the exquisite eloquence of b b Tâ—e old Translâ—tor might as well have said The Bishop of Asti Hâ—â— name was Franciseo Panigâ— rola He was an â—â—quâ—nt Pâ—ea her aâ—â— came into France with Gaecano the Lâ—gat Astensis did greatly enlarge and commend it in the Pulpit Wherefore we cease not daily to publish and declare unto all the world this your great benefit so ready and certain and are
at Rome that a Breve should be drawn up and sent the main Procurers of which were supposed to be Cardinal Bellarmine and Father Parsons the later of whom as a fore-runner of the Breves sent a Letter into England part of which take as followeth About some four or five Months ago it was consulted by seven or eight Id. cap. 10. Sect. 2. §. 53. 54 55 56. of the Learned'st Divines that could be chosen to give their judgment of it i. e. the Oath Their Reasons are many but all reduced to this That the Pope's Authority in chastising Princes upon a just Cause is de fide and consequently cannot be denied when it is call'd into controversie without denying of our Faith nor that the Pope or any other Authority can dispence in this For if the Question were de facto and not de jure to wit Whether the Pope might justly in this or that occasion Excommunicate or Depose this or that Prince upon these or these causes or whether precedent Popes have done well therein or no Then might some of these Reasons which you say your Friends do alledg be admitted into Consideration to wit Whether it could be in aedificationem or destructionem do hurt or good be profitable or improfitable or Whether the Causes be sufficient or no for without cause none holdeth that the Pope may depose Or Whether the due form of Admonition touched in your Letters were observed But forasmuch as the Question is de Potestate of the See-Apostolick Power What it may do upon any Cause or against any Catholick Prince whatsoever these Considerations of temporal hurt cannot enter Besides these I have conferred the matter with Cardinal Bellarmine and sundry others of great Learning and Conscience and all are of one opinion in this case That the form of the Oath as it lieth is Heretical and no way may be admitted by him that will not deny the Catholick Faith I had occasion twice to speak with his Holiness the first in company of Mr. * Kinsmanto the former Nic. Fitzherbert Thomas Fitzherbert where we proposed certain manners of Mitigation suggested by Friends c. Whereto his Holiness answered That as for any Actual using Censures against his Majesty he meant not but rather all Courtesie But as for the Authority of the See-Apostolick to wit using of Censures he was resolved and would rather lose his Head than yeeld one jot The second He being informed that some Priests did seem to incline to the taking of the Oath He answered He could not hold them for Catholicks c. Thus we see how the Plot was carried and how zealous the Pope and his Assistants were against the taking of this Oath as if it were enough to overthrow their whole Religion Though King James did assure them and the World That no decision of any one point of Religion was intended in this Oath For saith he as for the Catholick Faith Can there be one word found Apol. for the Oath pag. 63 in all that Oath tending or sounding to matter of Religion Doth he that takoth it promise there to believe or not to believe any Article of Religion Or doth he so much as name a true or a false Church there And as for St. Peter's Primacy I know no Apostle's Name that is therein named except the Name of JAMES it being my Christian Name Neither is there any mention at all made therein either disertis verbis or by any other indirect means either of the Hierarchy of the Church of St. Peter ' s Succession of the See Apostolick or of any such matter But however as if this Oath quite overthrew the Roman Religion and rendred the Pope no more powerful than his Predecessors were in the first Three hundred years out comes a Breve from his Holiness right or wrong expresly commanding the English not to take the said Oath upon any means whatever Part of which take as followeth Dilecti filii Salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem MAgno animi moerore Nos semper affecerunt Tribulationes Calamitates quas pro retinenda Catholica fide jugiter sustinuistis Sed cum intelligamus omnia hoc tempore magis exacerbari Afflictio nostra mirum in modum aucta est c. Non potestis absque evidentissima gravissimaque Divini honoris injuria obligare vos Juramento quod similiter maximo cum Cordis nostri dolore audivimus propositum vobis fuisse praestandum infra scripti tenoris viz. Ego A. B. c. Here was inserted the Oath it self Quae cum ita sint vobis ex verbis ipsis perspicuum esse debet quod hujusmodi Juramentum salva fide Catholica salute animarum vestiarum prastari non potest cum mulâ—a contineat quae fidei saluti aperte adversantur Propterea admonemus vos ut ab hoc atque similibus Juramentis praestandis omnino Caveatis Quod quidem eo acrius exigimus a vobis quia experti vestrae fidei Constantiam quae tanquam aurum in fornace perpetuae Tribulationis igne probata est Pro comperto habemus vos alacri animo subituros esse quaecunque atrociora Tormenta ac mortem denique ipsam constanter oppetituros potius quam Dei Majestatem ulla in re laedatis c. Praecipimus vobis ut illarum Literarum verba ad amussim servetis simpliciter prout sonant jacent accipiatis intelligatis sublata omni facultate aliter illa interpretandi c. Datum Romae apud S. Marcum sub Annulo Piscatoris x. Kal. Octob. 1606 Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo Dearly beloved Sons Greeting and Aposiolical Benediction THE Tribulations and Calamities which you have continually sustained for the keeping of the Catholique Faith hath always afflicted us with great grief of mind But for as much as we understand that at this time all things are more grievous our Affliction hereby is wonderfully encreased c. You cannot without most evident and grievous wronging of God's Honour bind your selves by the Oath which in like manner we have heard with very great grief of Heart is administred unto you of the tenor following viz. I A. B. c. Which things since they are thus it must evidently appear to you that such an Oath cannot be taken without wrong to the Catholick Faith and the salvation of your souls seeing it contains many things plainly contrary to Faith and Salvation Wherefore we admonish you That you do utterly abstain from taking this and the like Oaths Which thing we do the more earnestly require of you because we have experience of the constancy of your Faith which is tried like Gold in the fire of perpetual Tribulation We do well know that you will cheerfully undergo all kind of cruel Torments whatsoever yea and constantly endure Death it self rather than you will in any thing offend the Majesty of God c. We command you That you do exactly observe the words of those Letters and
Abbots Priors and Lady Abbesses and the whole number of these Roman-Nonconformists would not amount to 200. But waving her Religion I finde the greatest crime objected to her is her cruelty against others for their opinions in Religion and with this her Adversaries have made no little noise in the world To this I shall return some satisfaction with as much brevity as can be all this being but a digression and by the by As for several years of her Reign not one Priest had suffered death so when they did as afterwards I fear many of them are yet held for blessed Martyrs who justly dyed as wicked Traytors And in this I would have the unbyass'd Romanists but to consider That even long before the Reformation a 25 Edw. 3. cap. 2. IT was Treason to compass or imagine the death of the King the Queen or their eldest Son and Heir b Ib. It was â—reason to Leavie war against the King or to adhere to the Kings enemies or to give to the said Enemies aid or comfort c Cokes Institut part 3. chap. 36. 13 Rich. 2. Stat. 2. cap. 2. It was Felony to bring or send into the Kingdom any Summons Sentence or Excommunication against any person of what condition soever d 16 Rich. 2. cap. 5. He incur'd a Praemunire that got such Bulls or Excommunications from the Pope e Coke part 3. chap. 84. None was to go out of the Realm or beyond seas without the Kings leave or license f Of these things see more at large in Coke's Institut part 3. cap 36. and his Reports part 5. fol. 12 15 17 21 22 23 27 28. and Bishop Bramhals just vindication of the Church of England from Schism cap. 4. It was of old expresly against the Law of the Land to procure or bring in any Bull of Excommunication against any subject much more in all reason against the Soveraign in respect it gave way to Forreign Authority the Popes Excommunications according to our old Laws being of no force in England g Coke Institut part 3. cap. 67. It was not lawful for any Subject of England to take a Pension c. of any forreign King Prince or State without the Kings license although the said Princes or States be in Peace or League with England Let the honest Romanist farther consider that before any Priest did suffer death it was Enacted that a 28 Hen 8. cap. 10. and 5 Eliz. c. 1. THey should incur a Praemunire who did any ways assert or teach the Pope to have jurisdiction over or in this Kingdom b 26 Hen. 8. c. 13. It was Treason for any to write or affirm the King to be an Heretick Infidel Schismatick Tyrant or Vsurper c 13 Eliz. c. 2. It was Treason to bring procure or publish any Bull from Rome d 13 Eliz. c. 2. It was a Praemunire so to acknowledge the Popes jurisdiction as to bring or procure from him any Agnus Dei Crosses Beads or Pardons being trinkets and trifles of themselves not worth a Rush but as they are held privy Tokens of Papal Obedience or Allegiance Here we see a fair way of Caution and he is a madman and no Martyr who will needs hasten his own death when neither God nor man requires any such indiscreet Zeal at his hands Christianity and Salvation being not destroy'd by these Laws the substance of them being in force when the Romanists themselves confess England was of their side and the Law-givers declare as appears by the Prefaces to the Acts that these Regalities and Laws tended for the better Government Constitution Peace and happiness of the Kingdom of which we are to suppose them to be best Judges seeing no Article of Faith confirm'd either by the Holy Scriptures or the Primitive Church were null'd or made void by these Statutes Yet the better to expose the Queen and render her actions odious all the world over they were very careful to publish what lyes they could of her pretended cruelties amongst whom we may account John Gibbins Robert Parsons Jesuits and John Fen Priest who were the chief Authors of that Pamphlet call'd Concertatio Ecclesiae in Anglia Add to them the Book call'd Ecclesiâ—e Anglicanae Trophaea drawn in Pictures in the English Collâ—â—ge at Rome by Nicholao Circini ingraven by Jo. Bapt. de Cavalleriis and publish'd by Gregory XIII his Approbation anno 1584. where people are said to be worryed in Bears skins c. and printed by Bartolomeo Grasso To vindicate the English-Romanists from the false Aspersions and falsities against their Soveraign and Country mention'd in this Book I finde a e Over throw of the Protestants Pulpit-â—abels against Mr. â—â—â—shaâ— pag. 10. Romanist I. R. whether May the Priest I know not though I am f Tho. James corrupt â—â— Fathers in the Appendix to the Reader told that such an one wrote against Mr. Crashaw as this also diâ— to offer something by affirming that there was never any such Book printed in the English Colledge at Rome But nothing is got by this since it cannot be deny'd but that the foresaid Book was printed at Rome and publish'd by the Popes express Authority as appears by his Breve prefixt And farther the foresaid supposed cruelties were painted upon the Colledge-Walls by Nich. Circini by order and appointment of the English there Nor need we trouble our selves to shew the disaffection of the English of that Colledge to their Queen and Country seeing Histories do testifie their Actions and a A. Mundy the English Roman liâ—e Travelers their railing and bitter words To these we may add Richard Verstegan who put forth a Book call'd Theatrum Crudelitatum Haereticorum Nostri Temporis where in his Pictures he offers to view the former lying Bear-skin Tales Of this man because he afterwards afforded some light to Antiquities and our Historians are silent of his life and extraction a word or two by the by His Grand-father was call'd Theodore Rowland Verstegan born in Gelder-landt came into England about the latter end of King Henry VII marryed here and presently after dyed leaving a Son nine months old who afterwards to get a livelihood took upon him the profession of a Cooper in London Nor is this any discredit Wolfangus Musculus his Father being of that Trade This Cooper was Father to our Richard Verstegan which Richard was born in the Parish of St. Catherines in London he gave himself to the study of good Letters and imployed himself in Painting which makes me think that he engraved the Cuts in his own Books as the Learned Hevelius doth now Being a Zealous Romanist he left England went into the Spanish Netherlands where he compos'd the foresaid Theatrum Crudelitatum the Verses were made by b Vid. Delic Poet. Belg. vol 1. pag. 760 761 762 c. Johannes Bochius born at Bruxels but if I mistake not Register to Antwerp Afterwards the Rebellious League