inuincible courage constancie of the Pope often brought to penance and extremitie that in fin by armes he droue the said Pope out of his sea and placed an Antipape An Antipape that is to say one so opposite to Christs vicar as Antichrist shal be against Christ which by armes and patronage of this wicked Emperour vsurped and occupied the Apostolical throne against the true Pope Gregorie the seuenth whom the Libeller after the vulgar vaine of Rebellious Heretiques voutsafeth not the name of Gregorie the seuenth but calleth him commonlie Hildebrand as the Heretiques when they were in armes in Germanie against their Emperour Heretical malice would not name him Charles the fifte nor Emperour but Charles of Gaunt And now because this good and notable Pope The coÌ„tentioÌ„ betvvene Pope Gregorie the seuenth and Henrie the third Emperor was â—ot able in fin to resist th'emperours forces the which Emperour as al the histories of that time record was a most wicked sacrilegious simoniacal and heretical person th' aduersaries of Gods Church doe triumphe as the Libeller here doth ouer the blessed man as Herode might haue done ouer Iohn Baptist whos admonition was taken in so euil gré that it cost him his life as also th'executing of the Churches sentence which is Gods hath done to manie a Prophet and Bishop in the world By which euent of thinges who so euer measureth the right of causes wil make a good religion and a good defence of th' execution of iustice For so most Tirants might be iustified for a time against al the Saints of God This Gregorie say they was in sin banished by the Emperour and so was S. Chrisostom by Archadius and Eudoxia and dyed in banishment as Gregorie the seuenth did yet they were but homelie Christians that would iustifie the Emperours and condemne S. Chrisostome And indeed this Pope whom they speciallie hate because as it may be thought he was the first man that authenticallie condemned the Berengarians heresie in open disputation refuted it though certaine of the said Emperours flatterers enimies of the sea Apostolique as the fashion of our Heretiques is at this day wrote slaunderous Libels against him Pope Hildebrand a good man yet was he a very notable good man and learned and did suffer what so euer he did suffer for mere iustice in that he did godlie honorablie and by the dutie of his Pastorship what so euer he did against the said Emperour wherof we could alleadge al the best writers of thos dayes or near that time but that we should be tedious Of whom yet this one graue testimonie of Baptista Fulgosius a noble and learned man that was Duke of Genua aboue an hundred years past we shal not let to set doune as we finde it in latine Constantissimus habitus est Gregorius septimus Pontifex Lib. 3 Cap. vlt. factoruÌ„ memorabilium qui quòd Henricum tertium Imperatorem propter aperta nimis Symoniae crimina pro pastorali officio reprehendebat grauibus ab eo iniurijs affectus est itaque iniuriarum magnitudine compulsus Henricum Gregorius vt haereticum Imperij honore priuauit Cum autem Henricus solui ecclesiastica censura non emendatione vitae sed armis quaereret alium creare Pontificem enixus capta Vrbe obsidere Gregorium coepit Quae mala cum Gregorius pateretur nunquam tamen a iusto proposito dimoueri potuit That is Gregorie the seueÌ„th was notable for his constancie who for that according to his pastoral charge he had admonished Henrie the third The testimonie of the Duke of Genua for Pope Hildebrand Emperour to leaue his knowen impietie of Simonie was by manifold intollerable iniuries vexed by the said Emperour and by the greatnes of his wickednes was compelled to depriue him as an heretique of his Imperial dignitie But Henrie seeking not by amendment of his life but by armes to be absolued from the censure he went about to set vp a new Pope and beseiged the citie of Rome and brought the Pope into great distres In al which miseries Gregorie could neuer be remoued from his iust purpose So he writeth of the parties both See Vspergen lib. 5. Annal. And of the horrible crimes for which the Emperour was most iustlie iÌ„ the sight of al good meÌ„ deposed Thus Trithemius reporteth iÌ„ breef of the wickednes of this Emperour Episcopacus CoÌ„staÌ„tiensem c. He sould the Bishoprikes of Constance Bamburgh Mentz diuers other for money thos of Ausbourg Straisburgh for a sword that of Munster for Sodomie and the abbacie of Fulde for aduoultrie Trithem in Chron. heauen and earth witnesse and crie out of thes and for the same abhominations he standeth excommunicated depriued and therfore hath no power nor iust title to reigne ouer vs Catholiques But to goe forward this same Gregorie the seuenth did the like commendable iustice vpon the king of Pole Bolislaus the second Chrom lib. hist PoloÌ„ li. 4. aswel excommunicating as depriuing him for murthering of his Bishop S. Stanislay at the verie Altar Against which sentence though he stoode by force and contempt for a time Kinges of later times excoÌ„municated yet at length he was forsaken and resisted wholie by his subiects fled and in fin slew him self For Heresie also was George K. of Boemland excommunicated and thervpon by the forces of the king of Hungarie at length actuallie depriued As also Iohn Albert had half his kingdome of Nauarre taken from him by Ferdinandus surnamed Catholicus of Aragon for that he gaue aide to Levves the twelueth beiÌ„g excommunicated by Iulius the second For great iniuries also done to holie Church for persecution of Bishops and religious was Iohn one of our kinges of England Kinges of England with his whole land interdicted and brought after long strugling against God and the Sea Apostolique to yeeld his Croune to the courtesie of the Popes Legate and to make both his Realmes of England and Ireland tributaries Lib. 1. de Repub. Cap. 9. The authentical instrument wherof Iohn Bodin saith he hath seene For like causes and namelie for that he was vehemeÌ„tlie suspected of the murther of the blessed Bishop S. Thomas of Canterburie was Henrie the second driuen by Alexander the third to order and penance A number of the like examples moe we might recite of our countrie and of the christian world wherby not onelie the practize of the Church in al ages may be seene but also Catholique men warranted that they be no traitors nor hould assertions treasonable false or vndutiful in answering or beleeuing that for Heresie or such like notorious wickednes a Prince otherwise lauful and annointed may be excommunicated deposed forsaken or resisted by the warrant of holie Churches iudgement and Censure Whervnto we wil adde onelie the sentence of Gregorie the great and first of that name whom the aduersaries confesse to haue bene both learned and holie who being as
heauen as it is reported were so partiallie or rigorouslie scanned by the malice of his great and potent professed enemie that many yeares hath sought his ruine together with his zealousnes in the Catholique faith brought him to his most pittiful end to the great regret of the whole countrie But the importunitie of the aduersarie hath brought vs somewhat out of our intended cours To returne backe therfore to our famous Prelates deposed in this Queens dayes the principal wherof was Archebishop of Yorke D. Heath Archbishop of York highe Chancelour of the realme the Primate of Canterburie being deceased before which worthie man this Libeller hipocriticallie commendeth for his loyaltie though in Religion differing from them therby to make the Q. Maiesties mercie towardes him a paterne forsooth of clemencie not to be matched as he wiselie writeth in Q. MARIES time which Queene notwithstanding pardoned a number of heretiques and ranke condemned traitors both of life and landes whom we could name al the world knoweth yet aliue And further he addeth which is a notorious vntruth that the said Prelate voluntarilie left both his Chauncelorship and Archbishopricke wher al wise men wil witnes with him and for him that he was most vniustlie with the rest of his Suffraganes and brethren Bishops for refusing to take that absurd othe of the Q. Supremacie and to vse the new Caluinistical seruice in his prouince deposed by violence from his spiritual function dignitie Who 's courage and resistance for quarel of Gods religion how loial and obedient so euer the Libeller would make thos men in comparison of vs therby to insinuate that the more bloodie rigour is vsed now towardes vs then in the beginning towardes them was such in them specially in the said Archbishop that he worthelie and as became his Excellencie refused to anoint or crowne the Q. Maiestie that now is though it apperteined to his special office to doe the same the Metropolitan being dead as hath bene said before and so did al the rest of the Bishops refuse the same vntil with much a doe they obteined the Bishope of Carlisle The Bishop of Carlisle the īferior al most of al the rest to doe that function Which is here remembred by me for that the Libeller of his good discretion recordeth it for special courtesie of that man towardes his Princesse Which refusal of him specially that by office should haue done the same might in reason haue bene construed to as hainous and treasonable a purpose as most thinges that afterward haue bene done for the Catholique cause by anie of the later years if the malice of that time had bene as ripe then as now it is against Gods Church and Priestes The cause why they durst not thē nor could be adduced by anie humane feare or authoritie to inuest her was VVhy the Catholique Bishops refused to croune this Q. for that they had euident probabilities and arguments to doubt that she ment ether not to take the othe or not to keepe the same which al Christian kinges and speciallie ours in England doe make in their Coronation for maintenance of holy Churches lawes honors peace and priuileges and other duties due to euery state as in the time and graunt of K. Edward the Confessor They doubted also lest she would refuse in the verie time of her sacre the solemne diuine ceremonie of vnction accustomed in the consecration of al Christian princes through the euil aduises of certaine yōg counsellers being then in the heate prime and pride of their Heresie wherby great scandal might arise and hurt to the Realme Which they the rather doubted because they saw not lōg before her Highnes at her first entrāce to that high estate commaund a certaine Bishop euen the same of Carlisle now named stāding readie to say Masse before her a strange case in a woman towardes a Bishop not to eleuate the holy consecrated Hoste but to omit that ceremonie because she liked it not Which the said Bishop to his great honor constantlie refused to obey A thing that in one of vs poore men now perchaunce would be accompted high treason and disloialtie towardes our Soueraine And of this his courage in Gods cause it neuer repented him but for doing the other office at the Coronation when he sawe the issue of the matter and both him self and al the rest of his sacred order depriued and the Churches Holie lawes and faith against the conditions of her consecration and acceptation into that royal roome violated he sore repented him al the dayes of his life which were for that special cause both short and werisome afterward vnto him Otherwise doubtles al the Bishops and the rest of the principal of the inferior Cleargie did stoutlie and worthelie as could be wished as was possible in that sodaine assault of Heresie fearing at the same time their personal peril so litle The intention of the Clergie to Excōmunicate the Q. that they were manie of them of that mind that it should be good to vse the censure of Excommunication against her Highenes and some of her leaders into that reuolt so dangerous and shameful to the state so latelie reconciled to the sea Apostolique and by othe and promis of al estates confirmed But the wiser of the Bishops or at least the mylder sort persuaded the contrarie for manie inconueniences that might ensue and so they rather resolued the matter to be remitted to the high Pastor of Christes vniuersal Church then to be executed by them that were her subiects not without peril perhaps of some further tumult scādal and trouble to the whole Cleargie whom they would haue interpreted to haue done it of malicious and rebellions mind rather thē of loue and dutie of which al such censures indeed doe proceed how so-euer the partie affected and sicke in soule especiallie Princes except they be verie wel trained in the feare of God accept the same wel remembring that manie Kinges had killed their Pastors in like cases Al this we put doune that no man be abused by the enemie to thinke that the Reuerend Prelats at the first were lesse zealous which he calleth more loial or more obedient to the Prince in lauful thinges then we their scholars and of-spring be or we lesse loial thē they and therfore more punishable then they were though in deed their perpetual imprisonment and pining away in miserable desolation their tossing and shifting from one superintendents house to an other from one keeper to an other from one prison to an other subiect to extreme wantes and to a thowsand daylie vilanies besides wherof some of thē now haue tasted for twentie fiue years together is worse then any death in the world This then is a true Persecutiō indeed when such men for such causes against al reason and lawes be so vexed by such as owe them al reuerence dutie and obedience Such is also the miserable fortune of the Catholique Nobilitie
yet for that he was a cruel man and would ether haue killed or spoiled thē they were excused in obeying him Thus doth this notable schoolman write nether doe we knowe anie Catholique diuine of anie age to say the contrarie Cap. Aliu cū sequen xv q. 5. Cap. fin de Haeret. We wil not alleadge the Canon lawes which for that they be the decrees speciallie of Popes whom our aduersaries accompt partial shal weigh litle with them though they be authentical in al the lauful tribunals of the Christiā world and make al Heretiques not onelie after they be namelie particularlie denoūced but by the law it self ipso facto as soone as they be Heretikes or de iure excōmunicated for the same to be depriued of their dominiōs though the subiects vntil denuntiation need not take knowledge therof Onelie it is not good to omit the definition and wordes of the famous general Counsel of Laterane The sentēce and definition of the great learned ad general Councel of Laterane celebrated aboue 300. years since wherin ther were Patriarches and Archbishops 70. Bishops 412. and other Prelats 800. In al of the most chosen learned men of al nations 1282 with th' Ambassadors of the Romane Emperour of the king of Hierusalem of England of Fraunce of Spaine and of Cipres as also of other Christian states then which ther can be no surer iudgement vpon earth which assemblie representing the whole Christian world would neuer agree vpon anie assertion traiterous Cap. 3. de Haeret. Thes thē are the words of their most renowned decree put onely in English for breuities sake Yf anie Lord temporal required admonished by the Church neclect to purge his state from Heretical filth let him be excommunicated by the Metrapolitane and conprouincial Bishops but yf he contemne to come to order within one years space let relation be made to the supreme Bishop that from thenceforth he may declare al his subiectes to be discharged of their fealtie towardes him and giue vp his land to be possessed by Catholiques which Catholiques without al contradiction when they haue driuen out the Heretiques shal haue and hould the same and so preserue it in puritie of faith the interest and right of the cheef Lord euer remaining safe whole so that him self giue no impediment to th' execution of this decree And the same law to take place in such also as be soueraigne Lords and haue no superiors Thus both Schooles and Lawes speake and resolue for the matter in hand both Catholiques and Protestants agreing that Princes may for some causes and especiallie for their defection in Faith and Religion be resisted and forsaken though in the maner of executing the sentence and other needful circumstances Protestants folowe faction and populer mutinie we reduce al to lawe order and iudgement But for the further clearing of this cause we meane now in the next chapter by the helpe of God to declare and plainlie deduce al that hitherto hath bene said in the premisses from holie Scriptures and warrant of Antiquitie that al indifferent men may see how far we be from treason or vndutifulnes to our Princesse in thes our opinions especially when by a certaine violence we be coacted to vtter the same OF EXCOMMVNICATION AND DEPRIVATION OF PRINCES FOR heresie and falling from the Faith speciallie of vvarres for Religion and of the office and Zeale of Preists of th' old and nevv lavv in such cases CAP. V. PRinces being not subiect to superiours temporal The dāgerous state of a tēporal Prince if he be not subiect to spiritual coūcel nor patient of correction or controlment by their inferiours may easelie fal to greeuous disorders which must tend to the danger and ruine of whole countries In respect wherof great spirite power courage freedome of speech haue bene from the beginning graunted by God as wel ordinarie to Priestes as extraordinarie to some Prophets and religious persons in al ages and times both of the new old testamēt So by Gods great prouidence who by his Prophet warned kinges to take discipline Psal 2. and to serue him in feare lest in his ire he should suffer them fal to iniquitie the first kinges of his peculiar people had lightly some Prophets or Priestes in maner as ouerseers that might from time to time charge them boldlie and as it were by office with their enormities and namelie with their fal from Faith the God of their Fathers to denounce his threatnings yea and execute the same vpon them at sometimes if need so required which ministers of their Lord God al godlie Princes did heare honor obey as contrariwise the kinges that were wicked and disloyal to God haue euer sought cruellie their death and destruction that so their wickednes might passe without controlment Saul the first temporal king that euer the Iewes being then Gods peculiar had 1. Reg. 10 15.16 though chosen and inspired by God was for al that led and directed by Samuel so long as he was in order Saul deposed for vsurping spiritual function But afterward for aspiring to spiritual function and other disobedience was by Gods appointmēt and sentence pronounced by the said Samuel deposed of his kingdome and an other named Dauid annointed by him Which Saul now after his depriuation or after as it were his excommunication by Samuel was inuaded by an euil spirit that prouoked him to kil not onelie Dauid that was now made the rightful owner of his crowne 1. Reg. 22 but also to seeke for Samuels death yea and to cōmaund al the holie Priests of Nobe fourescore and fyue in number as holy Scripture recompteth to be slaine murdered in most pitiful wise as traitors to him and fouorers of Dauid the competitor of his kingdome And so it was done at last though at the beginning his gard refused to execute so vile horrible an act in this sort he remained enemy many years against God and Samuel and kept the kingdome by tirannical force notwithstanding his deposition Dauid neuertheles in whom was the right of the croune was laufullie vp in Armes with one of the principal Priests whose name was Abiathar that escaped the foresaid murther not of such power as the pretensed king was til at length the vsurper whom as S. Augustine deduceth August cōtra Adamantium he might laufullie haue killed but would not being slaine in batail Dauid obteined his right first of a part of the kingdome and afterward of al the rest which Isboseth did for two years by the pretended right of Saul his father vsurpe By which it is plaine that the Priests and Prophets of God Priests most subiect to danger in time of vsurpation being the executors of his sentences and rule of the people in such doubtful and partial times of varietie for claime and competencie are most subiect to the hatred of vsurpers as also to death and danger for the same You
shal be said in the next chapter and others folowing The Libellers importunate insolency inforcing vs therunto like as the Ciuil Magistrats most captious and bloody conceipts coÌ„strained some of our blessed brethern before their martirdomes to speake more therof then otherwise they desired though nothing so much as by warrant of Gods word and holy writ they might haue done THAT IT IS MVCH TO THE BENEFITE AND STABILITIE OF COMMON vvealthes and speciallie of Kinges scepters that the difference betvvixt them and their people for Religion or anie other cause for vvhich they may seeme to deserue depriuation may rather be decided by the supreme Pastor of the Church as Catholiques vvould haue it then by popular mutinie and phantasie of priuate men as Heretikes desire and practize CAP. VI. THE Libeller once or twice in his discours seditiouslie calleth vpoâ— the Monarches and Princes of the world warning theÌ„ of the doubtful and seruile state they be in whiles the Popes may be suffred to make and vnmake kinges and Princes at their pleasure The seditious sleight of the Libeller and to licence their subiectes to resist them And the man perchance might haue his tale heard if he spake to the simple sort or to such Kinges as feared nether God nor man nor sought otherwise not anie longer to vphould their estates but by desperate force and practize and for their owne time without regard of their posterity But speaking to them whos wisdomes susteine the world whos Crounes are worne Swordes are borne for Christ his spouse whos glorious Auncestors partlie first rose partlie were established and them-selues yet safelie stand and happilie florish which our Lord God long coÌ„tinue by the benediction of the Sea Apostolique and good intelligence correspondece with the high Bishops of the same good audience hardly can they looke for Th' example of some other Princes Protestants about â—hem forsaking the felowship of the Catholique and Apostolique sea and speciallie of king HeÌ„rie th' eight â—â—rst his sonne and daughter after him in EnglaÌ„d 〈◊〉 man a child and a woman not onely seuering them â—elues from the same but annexing to their regalitie â—y strange lawes al Apostolical and Papal power spiâ—itual with infinite emolumentes made by confiscatioÌ„ of al religious mens landes and goods in the whole Realme which was the beginning of that new Ecclesiastical regiment thes thinges being of greater â—emptation then the Libellers bare wordes could â—et neuer moue th'Emperour nor either of the great Monarches nor anie other king of wise counsel in the world to breake with Gods Church and the cheefe Pastors therof Knowing by the recordes of al ages siâ—hence Christ that what Princes or PoteÌ„tates soeuer haue formallie opposed theÌ„ selues to Christes Vicar and refused to communicate with him in the faith and felowship of the Catholique Church were euer in them selues or their posteritie confounded and their kingdomes ouerthrowen or brought to miserable seruitude of Turke or other heathen Tirant It is not the good fortune of a few yeares felicitie that moueth the graue and sage gouernours of the world though the Libeller to make fooles faine The vvise considerations of Catholique Princes vrgeth their good lucke in England much since their breach with Gods Church but they wil looke farther about them and see the euents of thes strange attempts in vs and the iudgements of God for the same not onelie til th' end of K. Henrie th' eight his race who was Radix peccati but afterwarde if our Lord deferre his sentence so long to some new generations to come Ouer which as vpon the Prince and state present of our Countrie we humblie on our knees with continual teares desire God to haue mercie and to auert his indignation from them and vs that the Princes and people of the world may rather be edified by th' example of our conuersion and returne to Gods Church then be instructed by the sight of our punishment and confusion But now for the coÌ„ceipt that this good man would driue into mens heades that no state should be in safetie if the Pope might depriue the Prince at his pleasure it is a bugge fit onelie to feare babes Al wise men in the world that ether see the present times The Popes authoritie touching Princes regalities or looke backe into the ages past knowe that the Pope neither chalengeth nor vsurpeth nor vseth anie such authoritie at his pleasure to depose or exalt whom he list And al learned deuines confesse that he hath not anie direct or immediate iurisdictioÌ„ or superioritie ouer the temporalities Ciuil states or regalities of secular Princes or Magistrates and therfore can not dispose of their kingdomes nor actions alter nor abrogate their lawes as he daylie doth and may doe at his good pleasure of Prelates Bishops and Priests affaires vpon whom he hath direct power and iurisdiction but that he may onely intermedle indirectlie with temporal Princes as he is the Cheefe officer vnder Christ and hath charge of their soules and therbie hath to looke whether their regimentes tend anie way to the iniurie of the Church and true Religion or to their owne and their subiects damnation as in case of Schisme Heresie Apostasie Idolatrie Sacriledge and other intollerable defectes in gouernmeÌ„t for which he being their Bishop is bound to admonish them sondrie times with al lenitie if that serue not to excommunicate them and if they contemne that and the Churches discipline and authoritie then be they esteemed as heathens and vnworthie of superioritie ouer Gods people This is not to depose Kinges at his pleasure nor is cause sufficient why anie iust and Christian Prince should stand in doubt of the Popes censures onelie such as be Heretiques or intend to shake of the yoke of Christ and their faith in him VVhat Princes only feare the Pope haue cause in their conscience to doubt both the Churches discipline the plagues of God which wil not faile them how so euer by humane force and violence they protect them selues for a time from his Ministers sentence sweet corrections Al iust and Catholique Kinges are so far from doubting or misliking Gods ordinance and the practize of the sea Apostolique herein that they perceiue it most necessarie for the stabilitie of their kingdomes and the continuaunce of their posteritie in the glorie therof that for their regiment in faith and life they stand in some reuereÌ„d awe of their cheefe Pastors which is a necessarie and honorable bridle of Princes in their youth and al the dayes of their life to stay them from dangerous disorders and so to temper them in ther gouernmeÌ„t that they may raigne loÌ„g and happilie ouer their people wher otherwise they might fal into infinite calamities and be ether forsaken deposed or shamefullie destroyed by their owne subiects whether they be depriued by holie Churches censure or no. Nether doth anie godlie Christian Prince at this day as we thinke wishe their Empire ether
doune to the world if you can anie one word writing or approued witnes that anie Iesuite Priest or Seminarie man of al thos whom you haue executed thes late yeares were ether authors persuaders or dealers therin and then you may haue some shadow of defence for your iustice Proue only that his Holines euer communicated his doings or intentions whatsoeuer they were that way to anie one of them al and we wil confesse that you haue reason in the rest If Pius quintus addressed Doctor Nicholas Morton D. Mortō sixtene yeares since about the matter of the excommunication into England shal al Priestes Iesuistes be deemed traitors therfore If Doctor Saunders D. Sāders ether vpon his owne zeale and opinion of the iustnes of the quarel or at the Popes appointmēt were in the warres of Ireland emploied for defence of the Catholique Religion against the Protestants may you by your lawes or anie other diuine or humane ordinance condemne therfore to death a number that neuer knew ether the man or the matter Some pretence you may haue to be offended with the Pope and perhaps lacke no lawes to punish the said two Doctors that neuer were ether of the Societie or Seminaries but to make al the Priestes and Catholiques at home or in banishmēt traitors therbie it is to vnreasonable and to murther so cruellie one man for an others fault is tooto foule and intollerable iniquity And as for his Holines action in Ireland The vvarres of Irland we that are neither so wise as to be worthie nor so mallepert as to chalenge to knowe his intentions councel and disposition of thos matters can nor wil nether defend nor condemne it Onelie this is euident that thos smal succours which were giuen by him to the Irish or rather suffred at their owne aduenture to goe into thos warres came vpon the importunate sute of the sore afflicted Catholiques and some of the cheefest nobilitie of that countrie Of whos continual complaints knowen calamities and intollerable distresses of conscience otherwise it may be he was moued with compassion and did that in cause of Religion against one whom he tooke in his owne iudgement rightlie by his predecessours sentence to be deposed and in a quarel in his sight most iust and godlie which both her Maiesty and other temporal Princes sticke not to doe verie often towardes their neighbours with whom otherwise they pretend good amitie and no breach of their league at al in cases which ether they esteeme lauful or at lest behoofful for their owne estate and affaires And it is a strange case that thes men should with such ful mouth cry out against the highe Preest and Pastor of Gods Church for vsing the sword or geuīg his consent therunto against a Prince not any way his superior if no way his subiect wheras the Ministers and maisters of their sects both in Flanders Scoteland and other places doe not only councel and persuade subiectes to take armes agaīst their owne lauful Princes and sacred Kinges but also doe practise and in person oppose them selues against them yea in Scoteland against a Prince of their owne Religion For tel me Sir Libeller if you please were not the Ministers of Scoteland the principal fannes and firebrandes of the last Conspiracy and open rebellion against his Maiesties person and the state of that Country Were not they in person at Starling and els wher both in feeld and councel with the Erles of Anguish Marre other rebels against his Roial person Were not al their pernicious machinations of betraing their country and their Princes blood detected by the Erle of Gory before his late behedding for that Conspiracy Are not Patrike Galovvay minister of S. Ihonson Andrevv Pollard subdeane of Glasco Iames Carmihel minister of Haddingtō Andrevv Hay person of Ranfroe Andrevv Meluin professour of diuinity in S. Andrews and diuers other cheefe ministers of that country fled into England for this traiterous fact and ther receaued cherished and protected And since that time wheras in a Parliamēt houlden in Edenburgh by his Maiesty and al the three states of Scoteland begonne the 19. of May last past certaine lawes were amongst others enacted for the restraint of thes Ministers tumultuous authority and to bring them vnder their owne Bishops iurisdiction a thing so resonable and consonant to Gods word as nothing can be more and practised not only in Englād amōg their fellow-sectaries but also thorough-out al Christendome disorderly and seditious Geneua only excepted and when thes lawes that were made by authority of the three Estates and published not only in the Councel-house called Toulbooth but also at the Crosse of Edēburgh by Heraldes at armes for the state did not Robert Pont and VValter Baquanquel two most impudent and rebellious Ministers of that toune by the consent and prouocation of Iames Lauson cheefe preacher ther as afterward appeared oppose them selues in publique against the Kinges authority therby to raise vp some commotion by their open protestation made by instrument in the handes of George VVakeson publique Notary and toune-Clarke of that Citty and did not al thes three named Ministers by night flye presently into England after their insufferable insolency and are ther receaued harboured and maintained Againe in the last Parliament before this being about two yeares agone did not thes Ministers intending therby some dangerous reuoult and seditious defection demaund of their king in most impudent wise to be admitted into the Parliament as equal or aboue their Bishops whom they deny by Gods word to haue any supereminent authority Is not this one of their articles for which their archebishop of S. Andrews doth withstand them and hath bene of late in England to cōferre with the Protestāts of that Country about the same Is it not an other of their articles that it is an Heresy for any Prince to cal him self Head of the Church within his owne Realme that he may be excommunicated and deposed by the Ministers Haue not they excommunicated and held out by violence thes two yeares and more their archebishop of Glasco elected by the King named M. Robert Montgūmery vntil now that this last Parliament of May hath absolued and restored him vnto his archebishoprike againe You exclame against the Pope being the first and cheef prelate of al Christendome euē by your owne confession for geuing his consent that any thing be done or attempted by armes and violence against any lauful or annointed Prince whatsoeuer be it for Religion or any other neuer so rightful or iust cause in his conceipt but what would thes good-fellowes of your Ghospel doe if they had his authority his power and his pretence against foraine Princes of a contrary Religion seing in quarel of faction and fauour of ranke traitors they deale thus against their owne Leege and against their owne annointed sworne King of their owne country blood educatiō and Religion who as he neuer iustly offended them
of conscience if for feare they obey or of their vndoing in the world if they refuse The taking of their deare children from them by force and placing them for their seduction with Heretiques which violence can not be done by the lawe of God to Iewes them selues the burning of our Priestes in the eares the whipping and cutting of the ears of others carying some in their sacred vestments through the streetes putting our chaste virgins into infamous places appointed for strumpets other vnspeakable vilanies â—ot inferiour to anie of the said heathnesse persecutions They haue pined and smothred in their filthie prisons aboue thirtie famous Prelates The sufferinges of Catholiques aboue fourtie excellent learned men of nobles gentlemen and maâ—â—ones a number whos Martirdome is before God as â—lorious as if they had by a speedie violent death â—ene dispatched euerie dongeon and filthie prison 〈◊〉 England ful of our Priestes brethen al Prouinâ—es and Princes christianed witnesses of our banishâ—ent In al this we yeeld them our bodies goods â—ountrie blood liues nothing wil queÌ„ch their haâ—red of our Priesthood faith and profession Thus in 〈◊〉 causes we suffer and yet they would not haue vs â—omplaine they say al is sweet clement and merciful â—n this regiment But as we said we no otherwise â—omplaine of this persecution against vs but as it is exercised for that faith and quarel which the lawes of God and man approue and iustifie in vs That it is done by the sheepe and subiectes of Godes Church against their owne Prelates and pastors to whom in causes of religioÌ„ they ar bound to obey by th'expresse word of God When the lauful magistrate bearing sword by God for punishment of offenders putteth theeues heretiques or murderers to death who accompteth it crueltie who complaineth of persecution But when contrariwise by anie violent disorder the malefactors get head and take hart in a commen wealth and kil a lauful officer iudge or superior that is a cruel and horrible fact though it be done but in one or two persons in stead of a thousand wicked men executed by iust lawes So wheÌ„ the Prince and Prelate proceed together against such as by the sentence and law of the Church of Christ ar adiudged to be heretiques and iniuries to God that is Iustice but when the temporal Prince or lay people rebel against their owne Bishops to whom in spiritual matters they ar bound by Godes word to giue eare vnder paine of damnatioÌ„ yea wheÌ„ mere lay meÌ„ most of theÌ„ wholie vnlearned disorderlie take vpon theÌ„ to prescribe vnto their owne pastors what they should beleeue how they should minister the SacrameÌ„ts force vpon them false and impious othes and articles and that in Parliament wher the Bishops by the lawes of our countrie hauing the principal suffrages and the rest of the whole Conuocation representing the Church of England honorablie and vniformelie resisted whoÌ„ thes meÌ„ afterward deposed of their honors toke their pulpits churches titles prerogatiues from them imprisoned their sacred persons and abused some of them True persecution namelie the noble Confessor and Bishop of London by al sortes of vilanie This loe is a persecutioÌ„ indeed wher the sheep subiects and inferiors violentlie oppose them selues against them whom the the Holie-ghost hath placed to be the guides gouernours and curates of their soules Yea when they depose disauthorize spoile punishe imprison their owne rulers Gods annointed Priestes giue warrant by wicked lawes to the temporal powers to visit correct iudge discerne of the doctrine of their Maisters in religion that is a persecution sedition and rebellion in the highest degree And we may trewlie say hereof to our lost Countrie with the Prophet Osee 4. Populus tuus sicut hi qui contradicunt Sacerdoti the state of the persecution being wholie agreable to the mutinie of Chore DathaÌ„ AbiroÌ„ and their confederats in the desert against their lauful Priestes and Gouernors yea properlie against the high Priesthood of Aaron as our contries reuolt now is against the sea Apostolique and al lauful spiritual regiment proceeding from the same And therfore the Libeller guilfullie iÌ„ respect of the simple but fondlie and falslie in our eyes disproueth our lauful refusal to obey men before God and our resistance in matter of conscience by th' example of Chores conspiracie which toucheth al their rebellions froÌ„ the sea Apostolique Catholique Church and confirmeth al our endeuours for maintenance of the same against what aduersaries so euer And their rebellion is the more plaine The nevv cleargie and persecution more hateful and intollerable for that they haue not onely vnnaturallie done this violeÌ„ce to their owne spiritual rulers but therupon also haue chosen at their pleasures and intruded into their places a sort of greedie wolues vnordered Apostats amarous and godlesse companions the very filth and chanel of the Realme who for hatred of the Catholique faith from which they ar Renegates and through a kind of competencie or emulatioÌ„ of the true Bishops whos roomes by secular force they vniustlie haue inuaded and doe deteine beare such vnquenshable malice to the true annointed cleargie to their obedieÌ„t folowers that they cease not to iÌ„cite the powers of the Realme against vs and exercise them selues vnder the pretensed title of their vsurped dignities and other temporal commissions the greatest tirannie and crueltie in the world standing in feare of their state so long as they see anie true Bishop or Catholique man aliue Who 's actioÌ„s are the rather intollerable for that they know and hath beene prooued in open court that they not onelie vsurpe thos places against Gods and the Churches lawes but that they were not made and inuested according to the new lawes of the Realme speciallie made for creation of them So as our true pastors being vexed spoiled tormented and slaine against lawe nature and al reason by temporal men hauing no authoritie in causes ecclesiastical and by a new forged cleargie that exerciseth no Iurisdiction but by euident vsurpation against both the Canons of the Church and the lawes of our countrie who is of so dul a wit as not to see the difference of the discipline of the Church and Realme done towardes offendors in Catholique times and states by lauful authoritie both spiritual and temporal and the iniust persecution of the Church and her children now proceeding of nether lauful authoritie temporal nor spiritual VVhat clemencie vvas vsed to them of the old Clergie at the beginning Therfore let not the Libeller here so much extol the equitie and mercie vsed in her Maiesties regiment to certaine of the old principal cleargie because they put theÌ„ not to death as they haue done others sitheÌ„ce Cicero wil not sticke to tel them what a benefit is done to an honest man when his purse is taken from him and yet his life saued and what thankes ar to be rendred in that case to the
enimies of Gods Church of anie one point of fact or doctrine wherwith they be by vs charged Lastlie the said Priestes which passe into England of whos couert working disguising close keeping they so much cōplaine as though that were inough to proue them traitors would haue appeared openlie in their owne Priestlie habite Offer of opē dealing vvith disputation if it may be receaued and haue done their holie functions in the sight of al men if in any sort whatsoeuer they had bene permitted As also at this present not onelie vpon her Maiesties graunt and desire insinuated here by the Libeller for thē to vse openlie their deuotion doctrine and profession according to the maner of their schooles but vpon anie sufficiēt warrant of safetie they are further also then that most redie and willing to giue an accompt of al their doctrine publiquelie in the Vniuersities of England or before her Highnes and Councel whersoeuer A thing which by manie bookes petitions and supplications our brethren haue oftē humblie and instantlie asked and could neuer yet obteine The Libeller putteth vs in hope that if the Priestes and Seminarie men would deale openlie the persecution and blood should cease And we assure him that the persecution first ceasing and her Maiesties pleasure herin vnderstood which is the natural order and not contrariwise al Priestes religious and Catholiques wil appeare and present them selues and wil doe al such Christian exercises duties and functions as now by persecutiō they are forced to doe in secret in the face of the whole Realme no man thankes be to God being ashamed of his order faith profession or Maister though euerie one be bound otherwise by the lawe of our Religion to saue him self so long as it shal please Christ from the persecutor And it is a great signe of our Priestes and Catholiques innocencie and of our aduersaries ignorance and malice that seeking to appeach a Christian man or Priest of treason they haue no more to lay against him then that he sheweth not him self openlie but dealeth secretlie and weareth an other habite thē is belonging to his degree The holie King and Prophet Dauid in place of danger did not onelie otherwise couer his person often and fled from his enimies That men may flie and hide them selues in persecution but feined him self a plaine mad man before Achis king of Geth in al his behauiour to escape peril How often doe we reade in the Euangelistes that our Sauiour fled that he did hide him self that he walked not openlie 1. Reg 21 that he went vp to Hierusalem on the feast day not openlie but in couert Ioh. 10. Who can be ignorant that it was no offence for Nicodemus that he came to Iesus in the night for feare of the Ievves Who knoweth not that the Apostles as wel before as after the comming of the holie-Ghost kept them selues often secret in priuate parlers and chambers as the first holie Bishopes of Rome for feare of their persecutors kept their meetinges misteries and councels in caues and grots vnder the ground How can they forget what holie Athanasius did in the daies of his persecution Or not be mindful how holie Barlaam feined him self in apparel and al other behauiour a marchant Apud S. Damasc to gaine Prince Iosophat to the Christian faith Or of the notable example of the holie Martir and Bishop Eusebius Samosatenus The exāple of Euseb Samosatenus most like to the practise of Priestes in England who in the time of Constantius the Arrian Emperour seeing manie Churches occupied by the Heretiques and voide of true Pastors went like a souldiar through Syria Phenicia and Palestine making Priestes and Deacons and ministring the Sacraments to the Catholique people destitute of their holie rightes then by the Arrians as they be now in England by Caluinistes The case is ruled in al diuinitie that anie religious Priest or Christian to auoide danger of his person may in the places of Infidels leaue the habite of their profession or vsage Men may change habite and couer them selues from the enimie by anie disguise And if we knew not the arte and cunning of Heresie we might wonder to see our protestants so religious now as to require of our Priestes to goe priestlike with open and present danger of their liues when their owne Cleargie at home make scruple to vse distinct attire from the vulgar accompt it plaine superstition to weare anie religious or clarkly apparel at al. But yet I must confesse that they haue good reason to wishe euerie one of our Priestes would shew him self opēly for so they might soone make an ende of al as they thinke and atteine the victorie that they desire Math. 10. Luc. 10. But our maister admonishing his disciples that he would send thē as sheepe amongst woolues warneth them and vs in them that men should not onelie be simple as the doue but wise as the serpent speciallie among woolues that is Heretiques which are of al creatures most cruel and subtile But to returne to our purpose and to the Libellers profer of mitigation or ceasing this persecution vpon condition we would deale no more in secret but openlie We protest before God and al his Saints that we wil vpon anie reasonable securitie of our persons libertie of conscience permission to exercise Christian Catholique offices to the saluation of our owne soules and our brethren doe the same thinges publiquelie which we now doe secretlie in al peaceable and priestlie sort as hitherto we haue accustomed and that so thos things which now you suspect to be done against the state for that they be done ī couert may plainlie appeare vnto you nothing els indeed but mere matter of conscience and religion as in veritie they are Therfore if such as gouerne our state vnder her Maiesty at this day can not be induced to reuoke thē selues and the whole Realme which were absolutelie the best to the former Catholique state and cōdition wherin their auncestors left it and them selues found it in respect perhaps of some litle cheke or dishonour which they may conceiue would ensue by acknowledging their former errour though in sincere truth it must needes proue finallie more dishonorable and dāgerous to perseuer yet at the least let their wisdomes cōsider that their principal worldlie errour was that in the beginning or long since they gaue not libertie of conscience to Catholiques being farre the greater and more respectiue part of the Realme as other of their religion and profession haue done to their owne great aduantage in Germanie and other Prouinces adioining which errour no doubt might yet in great part or wholie be redressed if they would but now at length haue some pitie of their people the greater part wherof languisheth away in bodie and soule most lamentablie onlie vpon an obstinate punto formalitie as is thought of some few particular aduersaries who wil not seeme to yeeld in any one