of all other seeketh most to do them good yf they had vnpassionate eyes to see it VVherfore we shal runne ouer breefly some few more that concerne him especially and so make an end hauing receyued from him and others particular information of the truth and falshood of the matters obiected VVherfore to touch them briefely as theyâ—ly in this their book of Important Considerations for we wil omit eyther all or the most part of those that are in their other libel tearmed their Relation of wisbich wherin there are so many heaped togeather in a certayne mad and furious innectiue of VV. VV. prefixed in name of the rest before the said bookâ— as these only with the spiteful maner of vttering the same are sufficieÌ„t to make them knowne and to discreedit not only the wryter but all his ayders and approuers with all honest and sober men of what religion soeuer For first they affirme heere that F. Persons hath seâ—t sundry of his subiects into Ireland already in the behalf of the Spaniard and that that warre was plotted and sollicited by him and his that he hath intituled the K. of Spayne to all the 3. kingdomes of England Scotland and Fraunce and the lady Infanta to the same kingdomes that he did constrayne the students of the Semynaryes in Spayne to subscribe to her interest forcing them to promise that when they should returne into England they would aduance her title to their vttermost abillity power and poyse of words that for not applauding to this Spanish pretence of the Infanta the L. Dacres was dryuen out of Spayne and all other Spanish dominions being slaundered to be a spy for England and to haue intended to haue set the Spanish fleet on fyre That F. Persons hath caused diuers of our countrey to be vtterly disgraced discredited yea and to leese their lyues in Spayne for not yeilding to his desyre therin That after he came in post to Rome and would needs haue the book of Tytles read in the Refectory of the Colledge yf it had not byn resysted and that for hatred to the secular Seminary priests he gaue out that book of Tytles to haue byn made by M. Dolman a secular priest c. These and a great multitude more of like accusations and calumniations which for breuity and lothsomnesse we omit are heaped togeather in this place and sprinkeled againe throughout the whole book as occasion is offered And albeit the most of these are so euidently false and ridiculous as theyneed no answere yet wil we say somwhat to each of them in order and first of that of hauing sent diuers of his subiects already into Ireland to set forward that warre all men knowe that F. Persons hath authority ouer none but only English Iesuits wherof yf any one can be proued to haue byn sent hitherto into Ireland or any one to be there at this day or any one priest of those Seminaryes to haue byn directed by him that way for diuerse yeares then may these slaunders haue some shew or pretence of this their malicious sycophancy but none being at all it maketh them more in excusable Moreouer weâ— adâ— that we haue seene a letter lately wrytten out of Spay ne by a man o credit about the protestation of two worshipful and honorable gentlemen Sir VVilliam Stanley and M. Thomas Fitzherbert concerning this affaire of Ireland wherin they bothe affirme and protest vpon their soules and coÌ„sciences that to their knowledge neyther they nor any one English-man els was euer so much as asked his opinion in this late affayre of Ireland nor any one hitherto of our nation imployed or sent in that action And M. Thomas Fitzherbert nameth in that letter one Hewghe Boye an Irish-man Agent for the Earle of Tyron in the court of Spayne who residing there many monethes to deale in this matter and seing M. Fitzherbert euery day as lying in the same court neuer yet broke the matter with him nor was willing that any English-man at all should be priuy thervnto as whome both he and other Irishmen treating therabout presumed to be contrary to their desires and designments therin And this can and wil the said Boye testifie seing since that tyme he is passed from the said Earle of Tyrone to her Maiesties seruice And further more the said two gentlemen do protest in like maner vpon occasion offered that both they F. Persons and F. Creswel who haue had hitherto most dealings with the spanish King and counsel did neuer treat in their lyues nor consent that the said king should haue any temporal interest in the crowne of England for himselfe and much lesse that any such conquest of our countrey should be made or attempted as these folish malitious people do faygne and giue out And further they protest by the same asseueration that neyther the old king now dead nor his sonne now raigning did euer pretend the same in word or deed but alwayes assured the contrary to wit that their only meaning and desire was and is by their warres against England that the Catholiks might be releeued from their most greeuous pressures and oppressions for religion and themselues deliuered from continual molestations which in Flanders Indies and other places they receyued from England hauing a desire in themselues to lyue in peace and loue with that crowne aboue all other forraine nations as in former tymes they did when the State was Catholike This and diuers other such poynts do the foresaid two worthie gentlemen auow in manner aforesaid is testified by the foresaid letter which we haue seene dated in Madrid the first of October last past 1601. By this then most of the foresaid calumniations against F. Persons are discouered concerning his dealing with and for the king of Spayne which is greatly confirmed and made euident by a certaine letter wrytten by the said Father himselfe in great confidence and cyphar also as his aduersaryes say to F. Holt in Flaunders from Genua vpon the 15. of March 1597. when the said father arryued there towards Rome which letter or the copy therof being stolne afterward as it seemeth from F. Holt and giuen to his aduersaryes which in some places they haue shewed and is like to be that which heere they brag of saying that his owne books handwrytings wil be brought out as witnesses against him But hitherto they are not brought or alleadged and it semeth that this in particular wherof we haue the copie serueth not their turnes so much as they dare to alleadge it finding more sincerity religion wisdome and grauity conteyned therin though wrytten in secret and confidence where he might vtter himselfe boldly than their malignant enuy wil suffer them to be glad to see which yet we be inforced in this place through their malignity not to thinke amisse to acquaint somwhat the Reader therwith The superscription was thus To the Reuerend Father F. VVilliam Holt c. And then
a parte or for that in iudgement and affection they concurre heerin with Protestants and hate them euen for religions sake that is for their eminent zeale in Catholike religion And what credit this may be to them throughout the world with all good Catholiks themselues may easily consider as also what wisdome it is to exasperate without cause so great a multitude of men dispersed ouer all Christendome who haue done them euery where much good and may do and both they and theirs haue need of them in diuers places of our banishment abroad and persecution here at home being subiect to so many necessityes both spiritual and temporal wherin these mens help vnto vs hath and may be very beneficial And in this kynd also is the inconsideration of our said brethren notorious that hauing receaued for so many yeares and receyuing daylie in forraine contreys most principal releefe from the kinges of Spaine both the father now dead and the sonne raigning and our Cathol English mens affayres beyond the Seas and namely our Seminaryes depending in such sort of their good likings and liberalityes as yf they should faile vs the greatest part of all our stay must fal therwith these men not-withstanding as though they had byn hired by the common enemy to ouerthrow our owne cause seeke occasion in these books to alienate them both and the whole nation together by contumelious iniuryes layd vpon them with so intemperate a tongue as no mouth of heretike or other enemy could vtter worse Let vs heare yf yow please some of their speches touching both the one and the other king The K. of Spaine say they ayming at the crowne of England with the death of her Ma. and subuersion of the whole state togeather with the vtter ruyne desolasion and destruction of the whole Isle and the ancient inhabitants therof neuer once shewed any care or respect he or his had to the restoring of the Catholike Râ—mish faith amongst the English nay his direct course was taken quite contrary scilicet to extirpate the name of all Catholiks that were English out from the face of the earth Thus they wryte of his Cath. Ma. And further they are not ashamed in the same place to assure the reader out of the Duke of Medina his owne confession that he had order rather to spare protestaÌ„ts yf he had peruayled in warre then Catholiks And what heretike was yet euer so impudent as to affirme this seeing that both the kings owne Edict published in Spayne concerning that enterprise as also the declaration of the late Cardinal from his Hol. do testifie and protest the quite contrary namely that the old good kinges intention was principally for the aduancemeÌ„t of Catholike religion and relief of poore afflicted Catholikes himself often protesting as most certaynly wee are informed that he neuer ment or pretented in his life any temporal interest for himself to the crowne of England and that if he might haue had any reasonable hope or satisfaction in the other two poynts by any competent moderation or toleration he was desyrous to haue helde peace and good frendship with her Maiestie and the crowne of England aboue all other princes and kingdomes in Europe and the self same disposition wee persuade ourselues by many and great argumentes to be in his sonne the king catholike present of whome notwithstanding our men that spare none do ad also diuers contumelious speches saying that it is not religion which the king present doth care for more then his Father did before him but maketh that only a pretence to seduce all Catholiks c. Making them and yow all deare Catholiks to cut one anothers throat c. thus they say of him And as for his nation and people the Spaniards they raile at them most impudently calling them base villaynes swaggering mishapen swads and knowne to be the cruellest tyrants that liue vpon the earth c. which intollerable spiteful insolency comming to their eares as it cannot choose but do let vs imagine what that bountiful king and his people that haue so many of our brethren and children in their hands and dominions and do cherish them most tenderly may or wil thinke of this barbarous ingratitude not only in heretiks which were more tolerable but also in Catholiks yea priests and most of them maintayned and brought to that they are eyther in Doway Rhemes or Spaine by the said king and nations liberality And this is the deep wound indeed which these inconsiderate and passionate people not to vse more greeuous tearmes haue giuen do giue vnto their nation and to the publike cause of religion which they wil neuer be able to cure wholy nor scarse perhaps any other for them But passing forward from the kings of Spaine they go to the Popes themselues according to that saying in the psalme superbia corum ascendit semper their pride mounteth higher and higher and truly a man would not easily beleeue that priests professing themselues Catholiks and to haue byn brought vp in the Seminaryes and that they would haue no other iudge of their cause but his Hol. himselfe wold presume to be so audatious as to cal in question and condemne the actions of so many Popes togeather noe lesse contemptiously then those of the K. of Spaine before mentioned whome comonly they do conioyne with the Popes and Sea Apostolike affirming that both Pius 5. Gregory the xiij and Sixtus 5. did conspire with him yea thrust him into the inuasion of England Did not Pius 5. say they by way of a fayned obiection practise her Ma. subuersion she good lady neuer dreaming of any such mischeefe c. Did not Pius 5. mooue the K. of Spaine to ioyne in this exployte c. Had not the Pope and K. of Spayne designed the duke of Norfolke to be the head of this rebellion Did not k. Philip at the Popes instance determyne to send the duke of Alua into England with all his forces c. Thus and much more they complayne of that holy Pope and the like of his successor in these words Now whilst these practises were in band in Ireland Gregory the xiij reneweth the saidâ— Bull of Pius 5. denounceth her Ma. to be excoÌ„municated with intimation of all other particulars in the former Bull mentioned And of the same Pope Gregory they ad further thus The attempts both of the Popes and Spaniard fayling in England his Hol as a temporal prince displayed his banner in Ireland c. Of Sixtus 5. also his successor they complayne in like manner speaking of the armada in the yeare 1588. VVe doubt not but that the Pope as a temporal prince did ioyne and contribute towards this intended inuasion c. And marke that alwayes they ad as a temporal Prince for that as a spiritual and Ecclesiastical Magistrate they hold throughout the whole book that he hath no power at all to concurre or appoynt
not worthie to beare But let vs see som what of their dealing with D. Sanders and the Card. in particular It little became eyther M Saunders Say they otherwayes an excellent man or M. Persons or any other of our nation to haue intermedied with these matters and to wryte as they haue very offensiuely done in diuers of their books and treateses c. Lo heere their censure and reprehension But let vs heare further In the yeare 1572. say they out cometh M. Sanders book de visibili monarchia wherin he taketh vpon him to set downe how the Pope had sent M. Morton and M. VVebbe two priests before the Rebellion of the North to excite the Lords and gentlemen to take armes And the rather to persuade them therunto they signified vnto them by the Popes commandement that her Ma. was excommunicated c. Behold here the condemnation of three ancient Doctors ioyned by these our yong maisters with that of the Pope himselfe and then they go forward Then M. Sanders building castles in the ayre amongst his books doth magnifie the said Rebelles to the great discredit of the Church of Rome and his Hol actions in such matters c. And from this passing to his goyng into Ireland they say thus The Pope himselfe in the yeare 1579. abused stil by false pretences did set forward that course and sending thither certayne forces M. Saunders too much Iesuited did thrust himself in person into that action as a cheif ringleader c. But heere we would aske these men how they do know that D. Saunders did thrust himselfe into that action wherin all good men do wish that he had neuer byn considering the great good he might haue done to all Christendome by his most learned books yf his lyfe had not byn shortened that way But these yonkers his schollers or rather not worthie to be his schollers that so resolutely do accuse him heere of voluntary putting himselfe in that peril how can they proue it and much les that he was a cheife ringleader in that warre or what sure ground haue they of this malitious imputation For sure we are that we haue both heard and seene by letters that he was not only induced but also commanded in his Hol. name by Bishop Sega then Nuntius Apostolicus in Spayne and afterwards Card. to go in that voyage not to be ringleader in matters of warre as these men do odiously obiect but rather to be a moderator and vmpire in Ecclesiastical affayres for direction to that people as occasion should fal out But howsoeuer that was those things being now past and the man dead and with almightie God as we hope and persuade our selues for these men now to reuiue the same againe with so great hatred and enuy as they do for flattering of the present state which yet we persuade our selues beleeueth them little sheweth with what spirit they are replenished and we feare we shal daylie more and more see the fruits therof And this of him But now let vs heare a little how they handle their old good maister and foster father and late Superior Card. Allen of whome in their first two books both in latyn and English they glory greatly that he was their common father and founder that begone the Seminaryes and brought them all vp therin taught and directed them most prudently and kept all in right good order while he was aliue and that he misliked on the other syde the Iesuits education and gouernment of our youth and that he was disunited with F. Persons as misliking his nature and manner of proceeding himself giuing contentment to all beloued and approued of all c. These things and diuers others were in their first two books often incultated which now are contradicted in these later according to the growth of their spirit in passion malice and folly and according to the necessity they haue put themselues in vpon these motiues to bid warre not only to D. Sanders Card. Allen and all the good and learned men of our nation besides but to all Cath. wryters of other Nations also as before hath byn said about their fond and foolish assertion set downe in these their absurd libels But yet especially and aboâ—e all others to Card. Allen who hauing seene a false and pestiferous libel of the very same argument with this of Important ConsideratioÌ„s cast abroad in the years 1583. made by some malitious heretiks in defamaâ—ion of Catholiks and their sufferings whoâ—e little was The execution of iustice in England the said learned man made an answere therunto intituling it A true sincere and modest defence of English Catholikes that suffer for their faith both at home and abroad c. And then is added another paragraphe wherin is declared how vniustly Catholiks are charged with treason how vntruly their persecution is denyed to be for religion and how deceytfully heretiks seeke to abuse straungers about the cause grearnes and manner of their sufferings c. And finally is added vt obstrâ—atur â—s loquentium imqua all this is done to stoop the mouthes of such as speake vniustly VVhich these our priests may take now also to themselues as all the rest in like maÌ„ner which in that learned booke of the Cardinal contayning nyne large chapters is vttered against slanderous heretiks and that lying libeller that set forth the said Execution of iustice seing these men haue aduentured to take their parts and persons vpon them and to rayle ly and defame the actions and intentions of the best Catholiks no lesse then the other did VVhich things being so and the said late good Card. being indeed the most opposite and earnest enemy which they haue or many haue in this their last argument of Important Considerations hauing shaken in peeces by his former booke all the fond reasons and flaunderous calumniations which they alleadge before they came forth no maruaile though they do handle him conteÌ„ptuously and most spitefully in this book though tempering the matter somtymes in respect of their former praises giuen him with saying that the good man was abused that whatsoeuer he did or wrote to their dislike was by F. Persons induction help and persuasion which in a man of his wisdome and authority is the greatest reproch that can be obiected as though he had byn able to haue done nothing of himself but that all he did camefrom F. Persons so they say of him concerning his booke or epistle vvrytten in the yeare 1587. about the lawfulnes of the fact of Sr. VVilliam Stanley his giuing vp Dauentry to the true owner wherof we shal haue occasion to speak afterward in this book now we shal adde a word or two of their reprehension or rather calumniation in that behalf The defence of that disloyalâ—y say they made by a worther man but by the persuasions as we thinke of Persons was greatly disliked by many both myse and learned especially that he
the lavv of Premunire Policron lib. 7. c. 44. Tho. VValsingh ab an 1343. vsque ad an 1376. ex arâ—hiuis Reg. stat impressis Registrum Symonis Islepij Nicol Harpes feld in hist. Eccles. Angl. saeculo 14. Cap. 5. Sander de Schismaâ—e li. 1. Iohn Stovv anno 1530. The â— point of the argument Pag. 19. Ibidem * Deuines D. Th. 22. qu. 40. artic 2. q. 12 art 2. Caetan in Apol. â—om 1. Opâ—se tract 2. l. 13. ad â— 22. qu 43. Th. VValdeÌ„sis l. 2. doct fidei artic 3. cap. 67. 77. 78. Franc. de Victor â—elect 1. de pieâ—ate Eccles q. penultima cum relect de Indis Insulanis p. 1. Paludanus l. de pietate Eccles. Soâ— iâ— 4. sent dist 25. q. 2. art 1. Dominic Baunes in commeÌ„t 22. q. 12. artic 2. Molina 22. tract 2. disput 29. art 3. Bellarm. Car. to 1. coÌ„tâ—ou Ibi. 5. ca 6. 7. 8. Greg de Valent 22. disp 1. qu. 12. puncto 2. Canonists S. Anton. 3. p. tit 22 l. 5. §. 2. Siluester de verbo Papa q. 7. à qu. 10. vsque ad 14. verbo legitimus q. 4. Ioan Paris de pietate regla papali in principio c. 11. Nauar. I nono de indicijs notab 3. alij Greg. NaziaÌ„z in orat ad populum trepidatem Imper comotuÌ„ The 4 point of their argument Ibid. The fifth point of their argument Pag. 17. Aposing of the iumultuons The sixt point of their argument Pag. 5. Pag. Ibid. The 7 poyâ—â—â— of the subiect Pag 4â— Ibid. 4â— The extreme passionate proceeding of the seditious A ridiculous beginning or entrance Epistle to Important Considerations c. Pag. 1â— Pag. 19. Malitions speeches of VV. VV. An example of folly and malice ioyned to geather Praef Relat. VVisbich Pag. 1. The Archpriests mild and fatherly speech proudly censured by his subiects Another kynd of straÌ„g folly and medres Pag. 17. F. VVest religious vvords malitiously interpreted * Cap. 6. Pag. 23. Pag. Ibid. Note this obseruation Iob. 1. â— Pag. 44. Ibid. â—al 6. Pag. 46. Apol. cap. â— 9. Great folly passion not to see vvhat maketh for theÌ„ or against them Apol. c. 6. Seauen articles giuen vp by the quiet part for reformation of the rest Pag. 25. Care of keepinge peace and charitie * Loe these men also admit not equivocation incase of lavvful tryal Care of modesty Great confidence Ponder this Pag. 26. Pag. Ibid. Pag. 26 Satisfaction required formatters past A threat to all accusers A mere eâ—asion A confession vvith a Prouiso Shifts and cautions to â— anoyd all coÌ„petent vvay of ending matters Very grosse folly in relatinge their ovvne perticulies abuses Their highest foly Most intollerable railing sueches of these distracted priests against their Superior Pref. to relat Epist. before Impert Consid Ibid. Epist. Ibid. Ibid. pag. 49. Relat. pa 57. 5â— 65. â— Epist. relat pag. 5. Against Iesuits relat pag. 42. Epist. relat pag. â—â— Import Considerat pa. 14. Epist. pag. 9. Epist. relat pag. 10. Ibid. pag 34. 35. c. Epist. Import pag 4 5. Ibid. pag. 3â— Relat. pag. 3. 4. 7. 23. Ibid pag 22. 23. 30. c. Import Consid pag. 55. Ibid. pag. 36. 43 53. Epist. Important pag. 20. 22. 23. Extreme foolish vvanton speache Relat pa. 46. A great preiudice against the contentious parte in V Visbich The argumeÌ„t of the sixt booke inti ruled Import 〈◊〉 The AppeÌ„dis of the Apologie in ansvvere of the 3. and. 4. libels Luc 9. A fond applicatioÌ„ of scripture to defend their dealing vvith the aduersary Hope of peace pag. 13. 14. Appendix fol. 14. Epi. Import Conâ—id A most absurd aâ—â—ertioÌ„ about the synnes of a Cath. man Ibid. pag 3. A 〈◊〉 catioÌ„ 〈◊〉 Intolerable spyte and malice against Iesuits Ibid. pag. 5. 2. Tim. 3. Luc. 10. Rom. 13. Their vvarre vvith M. Blackvvel the Archpriest About their appeale from the Archpriest Se the Apologie capâ—â— Their abusing of the Iesuits Inconsiderate exasperating the K. of Spaine Epist. p 67. Ibid. Epist. pag. 2. Ibid. 41. A deep vvouÌ„d giuen to the publike cause by these passionate people Psal 73. Insolent dealing against his Hol. and diuers his Predecessors Against Pius quintus Pag. 9. ibid. Against Gregory the xiij Pag 14. Against Syxtus quintus Pag. 27. * Supra ca 1. Pag. 39. Pag. 40. There dealinge vvith Clem. viij Se the Apologic cap. 3. 4. 11. Apol. cap. 11. AppeÌ„d Pa. 10. Epist. to Import Consid. pag. 15. Their aduersaryes in VV isbich Sc Apol. ca. 6. M. Barlovv M. Pond * M. Bagshavv * M. Bluet Se the Apology cap. 6. M. ChaÌ„pney M. Barnaby Apol. ca. 6. Cardinal Allen and Doctor sanders ther aduersaryes Pag. 7. Pag. 12. Against M. D. Sanders Pag. 13. Pag. 14. Their speches against D. Allen Card. D. AlleÌ„s ansvvere to iustit Britannica Reproches against the Card. Pag. 24. pag. 25. Page 26. 27. Pag. â— Their vvarre against F. Persons Apol. ca. 12. * Cap 6. Apol. ca. 9. An example of defence out of Cicero Orat. Pro Milone Ca pag. 6. Their vvarre vvith the martyrs of England Pag. 16. 17. CoÌ„tradicting them selues Pag. 15. Pag 1â— CaluÌ„niatioÌ„s against M. Shervrin Pag. 20. CalumniarioÌ„ against F. Campion his felovv Martyrs grouÌ„ded vppon ignorance Pag. 27. Pag. 28. Declaratio Motuum Pag. â— Amere caluÌ„niation Cypr. de mortalitate versus finem Bragging designed martyrs â— Baronius Rom. 9. Cyprian Ibi. Pagâ— 35. Vntruthes before detected and refuted Import consid Pag. 14. Ibid. pag. 24. Their slaunders conuinced to be false by many particulers Slaunders against Iesuites after their coming in t England The ouer throvv of M. Fr. Throgmorton by the factious About D. Parry In the booke intituled a true â—layne declaration of vvilliam Parry his treasons at London by C. B. 1584 pag. â—3 14. Import Consid Pag. 23. About M. Arden M. Someruile The Earle of Northumberland M. Shelley Ibid. Very great falshood and malignity in these factious priests Discouery of the treasons c. by FraÌ„cis ThrogmortoÌ„ c. 1584. Import Consid Pag. 23. About the matter of Babington and his fellovves * F. Southvvel Ant. Ty. G. G. c. Euident reproof of thâ—â— falshood Import CoÌ„siderat Pag. 24. About Sir VVilliaÌ„ Stanleyes reÌ„dring of Dauentry An example clerely conuincing the caluÌ„niators The fact of Sr. VVillem Stanley examined by Cath. diuinity Ep. to Import Consid. Pag. 1. The first point about restitution The 2. poynt about restitution of goods vvroÌ„gfully beteyned The 3. poynt about him that svveareth not to restore S. VVilliam incurred no dishonor by restoring but rather the contrary Card. Allen greatly abused by them Pag. 25. The letter of S. Frauncis Inglefeld to M. Hopkins in Paris anno 1588. Import Consid Pag. 25. About this point they bely M. VVinstade Epist. Pag. 7. Vntruthes vttered against F Persons Se the 12 Chap. of the Apol. Epist. to Import Consid. Pag. 7. 8. 9. 10.