vndoubtedly beleeue of saving our liues eternally We doe not presume our dread Soueraigne to begge the allowance of some fewe Churches for the exercise of our Religion nor yet the allotting of any Ecclesiasticall liuing towards the maintenance of the Pastors of our Soules a benefite that is not denied by the Princes State politique of d Toleration is graunted in other Countries of necessitie and disability of the Papistâ— part to expugne and ruine the Protestants other Countries where diversity of religion is tolerated and infinite e If toleration brings with it such infinite good wherefore doe not the Papists perswade the Pope and all Popish Princes to embrace the saâ—e good found to arise therof but the only degree of favour that wee seeke at your Maiesties handes in thâ—s case is that out of your Princely compassion you would be pleased to f An vnreasonable request as may appeare manifestly in the sequele reverse the penall lawes enacted by our late Soueraigne against Catholike beleeuers and to license the practise of our Religion in private houses without molestation to Priest or lay Person for the same For this most gracious Prince we intreat for this we shall ever continue our humble petitions and the suite being as our faith assureth vs for the not abolishing of g Antichristian Religion every true Christian knoweth is neither the Cause nor honor of GOD but extreame dishonor and blasphemy againest God Gods noblest cause and honor vpon earth and no waies against the h Popery is most pernicious vnto the peace strength and safetie of the kingdome as appeareth in the Answere vnto the Reasons of State peace strength or safetie of the Kingdome but rather much conuenient it haply not necessary for the good preseruation thereof and also for that the obtaining of the suite would bring vnspeakeable renowme to your Maiestie with all the chiefest Rulers of the Christian world and endlesse comforte to thousands who otherwaies living against their conscience must needes abide in continuall horrour of Soule wee cannot thinke it a breach of dutie and lesse thinke it a pointe of disloyaltie ever lowly to solicite yea petitionarily to importune your Maiestie for the happie graunt of so manifold farre-spreading and vniversall a blessednesse And because wee would not be thought to speake vnadvisedly in the premisses we crave leave of your gracious Maiestie to adioyne a few briefe reasons for remonstrance of that which is said ANSVVERE TO speake nothing of this exceeding ioy wherewith the Papistes pretend they are affected by his Highnesse most quiet accesse into the kingdome although wise men may well suspect their affection herein to be rather in shew then in deed and truth and my selfe can testifie that here in Oxford at what time his Maiesty was proclaimed King of England c. A man might easily haue traced culled out every Papist within this City if the rest were so affected as those whom I haue either seene or heard of by his extraordinary and vnmeasurable yelling howling sobbing for griefe that their long * Weston de trip Hom. Offic. lib. 3 cap. 8. pag. 122. lin penalt expected day was not yet come that their hopes were frustrated and their exspectational in vaine some of the simpler sort crying out in expresse tearmes Alas alas how shall the poore Cathôlikes do now we are all vndone we are vndone whereas al his Maiesties liege Subiects by manyfold tokens declared their extraordinary reioycing To speake nothing I say hereof I will come to the maine Proposition of the Supplication which is That his Maiestie would be pleased to reverse the penall lawes enacted by our late Soveraigne against Papisticall beleevers and to license the practise of their Religion in private houses without molestation to Priest or lay Person for the same And because the Papists would not be thought to craue any thing vnadvisedly the adioyne their reasons for remonstrance of what they desire The Papists Reasons for toleration of their Religion THe Reasons which the Papists alleadge for toleration of their Religion in England are of two sortes Reasons of State and Reasons of Religion But how forcible these are for their purpose the sequele will declare vnto the indifferent Reader First therefore let vs heare their Reasons of State Reason of State I 1. REASON OF STATE THe world knoweth that there are three kinds of subiects in the Realme a A malicious calumniation of our Christian state the Protestant the Puritane the b Note the Petitioners policie in this tearme they say not Catholikes but Catholikly affected to the inâ—ent that to make their partie the stronger they might challendge vpon exception all such as be not zealous Protestant children neutrals such as be ready to embrace any ReligioÌ„ these the Petitioners tearme Catholikly affected Catholikely affected and by general report the subiect Catholikely affected is not inferior to the ProtestaÌ„t of Puritane either in c If you mâ—ane plainly Papists the world knoweth that in comparison of the Protestants they are but as it were a handfull of theeues amoÌ„gst honest subiects howsoever you are bold to bragge that at this present there are within the Realme more Catho ikes and Catholike Priestes theÌ„ there were forty yeeres since Matth. Kellison in his Survey in the Epist Dedic almost at the latter end number or alliaÌ„ce or generosity of spitite and resolution Which multitude or thirde kinde of subiects would through the benefite ot the dispenall vse or toleration of their religion holde themselues infinitely obliged to your Maiâ—stie and be ready in all occurrences very willingly to sacrifice their liues and last drop of blood in any service soeuer belonging to the defence of your Maiesties person crowne or dignitie whereas being debarred of the saide fauor and freedome of conscience in which consisteth the true comfort of soule and all Christian courage they must be forcibly driveÌ„ to d These be faire shews but their third Petition even in the very beginning by the example of the Jsraelites Petition vnto Rehoboam and the effect thereof which they alleadge declareth what loyall harts the Papists beare vnto his Maiesty in case of deniall of their request But his Highnesse is wise enough God be praised ti prevent such revoults lament their hard fortunes to lie groaning vnder their crosses and consequently without spirite or forwardnesse in action vnapt for any imployment as persons overwhelmed with griefe and desolation of their most piteous miserable state Resolution of the 1. Reason The Papistes through the benefite of the dispenall vse or toleration of their religion would holde themselues infinitely obliged vnto his Maiestie and be readie in all occurrences verie willingly to sacrifice their lives and last drop of blood in any service soever belonging to the defence of his Maiesties Person Crowne or dignity Ergo. Toleration of their religion is to be graunted vnto them ANSWERE THIS reason the Papistes haue vrged heretofore
their Emperour Basilius Macedo sent vnto theÌ„ to teach them the Christian Catholike faith by what powerfull and divine signe he would witnesse the truth of his doctrine The signe was that if the booke wherin the said doctrine was written should not burne being cast into the fire then they al with one accord would presently beleeue and receiue his doctrine A great fire was made the Priest putting the book which was the holy Bible into the midst therof said with a lowd voice Glorifica nomen tuum Christe Deus Christ our God glorifie thy holy name The flames gaue place to the booke and the booke lay so long in the fire as the people themselues thought meete and when it was taken out it appeared sound whole no one leafe either scorched or blemished In the tenth age the Polonians by l Cromerus alij de reb PolonoruÌ„ 965. Aegidius Tuseulanus f Adamus l 2. c 78.10.11 Ditmarus chron lib. 2.971 and others sent by Pope John the 13. The Selavonians by g A.D. 989 h Cartuitias in vita Steph. Hungar. reg c. 1.2 3. Aeneas Sylvius Hist Bohem. cap l 16. S. Adelbert and the Hungarians by i Aenâ—as Sylvius another Adelbert surnamed their Apostle In the eleventh age the k A. D. 1106. Bozius lib 4 cap. 5. Vindians and multitudes of Prussians be side the reclaiming of the lapsed l Circiter A D. 1150. Ranulph l. 4 c. 22 Hungarians In the twelfth age the Pomeranians the Norvegians by Nicholas an English Moncke employed in that holy worke by Pope Eugenius the third The which Nicholas was afterward chosen Pope of Rome and named Hadrian the south and gaue the dominion of Ireland to King Henâ—â— 2 wiâ—h coâ—drioÌ„ of propagating the Christian faith there Stowin anno 7. Henrici 2. of preserving the rights of the Church entire and inviolated and of paying a yeerely pension of a penny for every house in the Kingdome In the 13. age the a Anno Dom. 12 5. Liâ—onians by b Cranâ—zius lib 7 cap. 13. 〈◊〉 Medardes the c Anno Dom. 1230. Lâ—tuanians by d Martinus Chromer lib. 8. the knightes of S. Marie the e Anno Dom. 1270. Sabellicus Guilielmus de Nangiaco Emperour Cassanes with it numerable Tarâ—arians In the fouretenth age f Anno Dom. 1300. Niceph. Gregor Histor lib. 4. Azatines Emperour of the Turkes the Isles of the Canaries the g An. Dom. 1344 Bâ—zius lib 4 cap. 5. revolted Lituanians the h Anno Dom 1346 Sebastianus Munsterus in Cosmograph Cumans the Bosnians the Lipnensians the Patrianians other Sclavonian nations by â—ope Clement the 6. and Leves king of Hungary In the sifteenth age the i Anno Dom 1350 Michael Rit lib. 2. Bonfin deca 2. lib. 10. Same getians the kingdomes of Bentonine Guinea Angola and k Anno Dom. 14â—2 Martin Chrom li 18. Congo In the sixteenth last age to speake ingenerall without descending to any particulars more provinces Nations and numbers of rich Kingdomes and Empires were brought to the knowledge of Christ embracing the Catholike Romane faâ—th by the labors of the g Iudas and other reprobates may preach the Gospel yea worke miracles in Christs name Mat. 7.22 Dominican and Franciscan Friers and the Fathers of the societâ—e of Iesus God attesting his cause truth by several miracles then all Christendome twice yea perhaps more then thrice told contained before which beside the record of all Cosmographies and Histories of this subiect may plainly be demonstrated in that before the last Centenarie or not many yeeres different the Christian Religion extended not it selfe beyond the river Ganges Eastward and the Isles of the Canaries in the West which scope and space is counted no more then of an hundred twenty degrees but the circuite of the world which is now sailed every or most where portes of Christians found therin is of three hundred and three score degrees whâ—ch is full out thrice as much The fewe precedents most renowned Prince collected out of many that might be added do very cleerely shew not only that the aboue rehearsed end other prophecies promises of God of dilating the place of his Tentes and of spreading out the curtaines of his Tabernacle Esa 54.2 that is the boundes of his Church Christs Spouse and tempora Kingdome are to the eâ—e fulfilled in the encreasing societies and continuance of h Begging of the question our religion but that also the Word of wisedome and the Word of knowledge graces given by the tâ—stâ—monies of saint Paule 1 Cor. 12 8. in the Church by the holy Ghost to the profit of others haue their residences in the l Proue that teacheâ—s of â—ur religion and â—hat in how eminent and most powerfull manâ—â—er the conversion of the former Nations beareth most apparant witnesse â—or there can be no doubt made but that some if not the most part of the foresaide Nations and sorts of people were of excellent dexterity and iudgment therefore very vnlike that they were ledde away especially from the religion and riâ—es they were bred borne in without store of solide substantiall reasons mouing them therevnto And it is as little questionable whether some of them were not also of a knotty vntractable or vntameable nature of a prowde obstinate and hawty disposition drowned in vncleanes and delighting in the varieties of liberty lets and strongest impeachments of embracing the discipline purenes austerity of our k Popish Antichristian superstition Christian Catholike religioÌ„ and the conquering of them a plaine demonstration that their Coverters all stout professours of the Romane religion taught that doctrine which the Prophet calleth a law converting soules and the Apostle the liuely and forcible word more piercing then anie two edged sword Ps 18.8 Heb. 4.12 Likewise that they fought not with the leather sheath the letter onely of Scripture but with the letter true sense which onely is the Sword of the spirit that reacheth vnto the division of the soule Eph. 6 17 Heb. 4 12. The bright Candel Luk. 11.37 that illuminateth those that sit in darknes Luk. 1.79 And the seede to which God promiseth to giveraine for the rich fructifying thereof Esa 30.23 And finally that they were also true imitators of the Apostles in doctrine and office as becomming Fishers of men Matth 4 16 Mark 1.17 drawing them out of the Sea of infidelity into the harbour of Christianity a badge or attribute giuen to the Apostles and verified in none but in Catholike teachers Neither did theÌ„ nor doth now the word of wisdome knowledge 1 Cor 12 8. a gift proper to Gods Church worke in our Catholike teachers vpon Infidels onely but the same extended and still extendeth his power divine â—fficacie to the bringing forth of as rare or more rare effectes vpon beleeving Christians namely in exciting men and women of
any time the Divels goe out of the possessed by Popish exorcising vndoubtedly he is not cast out but doth willingly how vnwilling soever he seemes to be leaue the body to gaine many soules 3 The Protestantes haue power to cast out Divels out of the Possessed by Praier and Fasting which are the ordinary meanes which Christ left in his Church for that purpose Mark 9.29 And doe so as is certaine by Experience Pet. Martyr in ver 65. Cap. 8 lib. 1. Reg. loan Chassan Loc. Com. lib. 1 Cap. 17. p. 6. pag. 62. Melancth in Concil Iudicijs Theolog. part 2. pag. 117. Beza Hist Pass Hom. 26 pag. 656. Vogellius in Thesaur Theol pag. 980. Danaeu quast 38 in Marcum pag. 147. Mark Kemait Exam part 2. de sacram Ordinis Which in effect is the same with the Word of God 4 Origen saith Si aliquando oportuerit nos eirca curationem Daemoniacorum permanere non adiuremus neque interrogemus neque loquamur quasi audienti Spiritui immundo sed permanentes in Orationibus Ieiunijs impetremus patients salutem à DEO abigamus Ieiunijs Orationibus nostris Spiritus maliguos Orig. Tom. 2. in Matthaum Tract 4 pag 57. edit Froben An. 1545. Reason of Religion 38 38. REASON OF RELIGION FInally a Religion that we descend to a They haue bin tedious enough already no more particulars which by more meanes stronger then any other kinde of religion keeketh b How true this is appeareth in the answere by the nature of her doctrine and holy ordinances the subiectes allegeance to their temporall Lords teaching that (a) D. Tho. 1.2 q 96. art 4 CoÌ„cil Ephe to 4. ca. 16 Peltano interpr the iust lawes of Princes doe binde in conscience and some kindes also of vniust lawes vpon feare of scandall and likewise decreeing (b) Conâ—il To let 5. cap. 1. Concil Meldense ca. 14. 15. that all such as moue sedition against their Soveraigne or obstinatly impugne or disobey his lawful commandements should be c And why not presently hanged presently excommunicated and all the faithful debarred to keepe them companie And a religioÌ„ which hath evermore blessed the kinâ—s that were her d The lovers of the great whoore are made partakers of her plagues lovers and children with more peace with more loue of their subiects with more prosperitie with more victories with more true glory with more temporall and eternall renowne then other Princes who were her enemies or aliens at any time attained to as the registers of former ages and the memorials of the present are most cleere and e We deny it and you can never proue it vndeniable witnesses Resolution of the 38. Reason Popish Religion by more meanes and stronger then any other kinde of religion keepeth by the nature of her doctrine and holy ordinances the subiects in due alleageance to their temporall Lords Ergo Popish Religion is true and consequently to be tolerated ANSWERE I To the Antecedent 1 THE vanity of this reason is detected in many places before especially in the Answere vnto the first reason of state pag. 6.7 But more particularly 2 What dare not these brasen-faced Suppliants affirme if happily thereby they may obtaine their desires They say Popish religion by nature of her doctrine keepeth the subiects in due allegeance to their temporall Lords yea and that more then any other kind of religion A bold assertion This dependeth vpon the triall Let vs open their bookes and see what their Rabbiues teach 3 Behould the whole torrent of their writers CoÌ„mentators Positiue writers School-meÌ„ Canonistes vniformely with one and with open mouth proclaime these Suppliants impudeÌ„t Lyers dissembling Hypocrites For all of them hould this Position as an article of faith Heretical Apostaticalls Princes are to be deposed not to be obeyed by their subiectes Let vs heare them speake 4 FIRST the Popish CommeÌ„tators say Our Kings may bee deposed in many cases either by the Pope or by their owne subiects Alphonsus Tostatus Com. in 3. Reg. cap. 11. quest 35. 5 SECONDLY their Positiue writers speake The Pope by the fulnes of power which he hath over all ChristiaÌ„ Princes may for the sin of heresie deprive heretical Kings Princes from their Kingdomes and Empires in temporal things exempt the Christian an people from their obedieÌ„ce subiection vnto theÌ„ Ioanes Driedo Tom. 2 lib. 1. de Libert Christian cap. 14. pag. 40. D edit Lovan Anno 1552. in fol. 6 THIRDLY amongst their Schoole-men Thomas Aquin as disputeth this Question Whether a Prince for his Apostasie from the faith looseth his dominion over his subiects so that they are not bound to obey him farther and concludeth it affirmatiuely The. in 2.2 q. 12. a. 2. Petrus Aragonius holdeth the same point as an article of faith Arago in 2.2 Tho. q. 12. a. 2. pa. 363. col 1. 2. edition Salmantica 1584. And so doth Caietanus Com. in eundeÌ„ locum And Seraphinus Capponus who addeth this reason thereof Whosoever violateth his faith vnto God must haue the faith of others violated vnto him Cappou in 2.2 Tho. q. 12. a. 2. Gregorius de ValeÌ„tia hath these words For the sin of Apostasie any maÌ„ may be deprived of his dominioÌ„ over his subiects There is * Note no doubt of this assertion amongst true Catholikes Yet heretikes deny it least if they should approve this they might seeme to pronounce senteÌ„ce against themselues Greg. de Valent Tom. 3. Commentar Theologic q. 11. punct 2. col 439. D. And againe They inourre the deprivation of their politique power de facto who for heresie are excommunicated by the senteÌ„ce of an Ecclesiasticall Iudge so all the Devines do commoÌ„ly hould who also do absolve the subiects from their oath alleageance forbidding them to obey them to wit if they can * Note well deny their Kings such obedieÌ„ce without some notable detrimeÌ„t or losse for so this is to be vnderstood Thus farre Greg. de Valentia tom 3. Com. col 444. C. who faith farther Subiects may lawfully deny their obedieÌ„ce to an Hereticall Prince Ibid. E. And Hoe that demieth his faith vnto God is worthy to whom his subiects should deny their fidelity Ibid. col 446. A. Dominicus Bannes writeth thus After that the declaratiue senteÌ„ce is giveÌ„ for heresie the Prince doth vniustly possesse his kingdome princedome doth vniustly exercise iurisdiction over his subiects And the subiects are bouÌ„d to exempt themselues from his obedieÌ„ce yea to wage warre against him * Oh note if they hane sufficient streÌ„gth But if it be to their great hinderaÌ„ce as ioyned with the daÌ„ger of Death losse of their goods c then such subiects are not bouÌ„d to wage warre against their Prince nor to exampt themselues from his obedience if they be not in mortall daÌ„ger to fall away froÌ„ the faith Out of this CoÌ„clusioÌ„ it followeth that the * Note best of
all faithfull Catholikes in EnglaÌ„d in Saxonie are to be excused who doe not exempt themselues from the power of their Superiours nor wage warre against them for commoÌ„ly they have not wealth strength inough to warre against their Princes they are in great danger So saith Dominicus Bannes in 2.2 Tho. q. 12. a. 2. col 479. A. B.C. edit Lugdun 1588. Martinus Ledesmius in 2.4 Tho. q. 15 a. 5. fol. 120. col 4. is of the same iudgment 7 FINALLY their Canonists decree ratifie the same Conclusions Gregorie VII saith We keeping the statuts of our holy predecessours by our Apostolicall auctoritie do absolve froÌ„ their oath alleageance such as are so bouÌ„d vnto them that be excommunicated we forbid them by all meanes that they observe no faithfulnes nor obedience vnto them vntill such come to make satisfaction Caus 15. q. 6. c. Nos SanctoruÌ„ Iac. Simancha writeth For the Kings heresie not onely the KING himselfe is deprived of his kingdome but also HIS * Note still SONNES caÌ„not succeed after him Iac. Sim. lib. de Catholic Institut Tom. 11. tract Illustr in vtraquex Iuris facultate IurisconsultoruÌ„ part 2. tit 9. f. 132. nu 259. The same Position houldeth Ioannes Lupus Deture Navarra par 1. § 7. Also Antonius Corsetus saith A ChristiaÌ„ King becomming an Heretike looseth his Kingdom which is given vnto * Good again a Catholike possessour Cors de Pot. Reg par 5. nu 6. See Bald. in l. 1. in 13. Col. in repe C. de emaÌ„ci libe Notat in C. 1. de praescr 8 Note I beseech you in the bowels of our Saviour Christ Iesus marke I say you illustrious thrice renowmed Kings whose eies harts GOD hath opened to behold his truth and vnfeignedly to embrace the Gospell of his Sonne this is the king-quelling doctrine of Popety this al their writers teach professing that all their Divines hould so that al true Catholikes beleeve so and calling them Heretiques that doubt of it Behould Popish religion armed to cut your throates And that you haue beene hitherto safely protected it was no through the innocency of Popery or defect of Papists malice hatred against you as Dominicus BaÌ„nes acknowled â—â—eth poison to stab to murder you through the special blessing and preservation of Almighty GOD who never faileth such as trust in him faithfully call vpon his name 9 But that all men may see the vanitie falshood of this wicked and divellish doctrine of Poperie What can all the Papists in the world or all the Divels in hel say to this that followeth No King by the lawe of Nature or by the law Divine can be deprived of his Kingdome or dominion over his subiects for falling away froÌ„ the faith the reason hereof is plaine because Faith is not the foundatioÌ„ of dominion but some other politique title having force and strength from the law of Nations as the title of hereditarie Succession of Election of Conquest or iust acquisitioÌ„ by lawful warre c. which titles may remaine and stand firme without Faith 10 This I haue argued vpon supposition But our Kings and Princes haue not by the mercies of GOD fallen from the faith they are no heretikes as wee are ready to demonstrate out of the word of GOD against al Papists powers of Satan The Popish Princes are they who fell froÌ„ the faith and worship the Beast and therefore their decrees stand in force against themselves not against vs. II To the Consequence If Popish religion did teach nothing against the lawfull auctoritie of Kinges and Princes yet were it not therefore true religion for it might erre in the foundation of faith against other partes of the Scriptures as it is manifest it doth wherefore it is neither true nor to be tolerated in any Christian societie Nor are these ô most gracious Soveraigne the only respectes that thus embolden vs to become humble suiters at your Hignesse foot for toleration of Catholike religion a Yet more reasons but our manifold b Causelesse complaintes daungers vnder-gone our several losses and indignities sustained and the stoore of Catholike blood that hath bin shed for affecting your mothers Rightes and Title and for seeking how to succour her piteous distresses person the worthiest Queene that many ages enioyed living a long imprisoned Confessour and dying a most glorious Martyr serue also to plead and cry to your Maiestie for commiseration of our case grant of the Petition we make And as our true loue zeale and tribute of service did not then dilate and extend it selfe on y towards your Highnes deare mother but in throuâ—h her reached also to c Sore against the Papists wils your sacred Maiesty so since the time of her happy Crowne of Martyrdome our wishes indevours actions haue ever levelled as much as lay in our power to the most advauncing of your d Proue that Parsons denyeth it Maiesties Title Yea the pressures and afflictions lâ—aded on vs for this cause were in a sâ—rt comfortable or not discomfortable vnto vs in hâ—pe of the relaxation and ease we assuredly expected by your Highnesse actuall arrivall to the Crowne So that now if your excellent Maiestie may not bee mooued to permit the free exercise of the Catholike Religion Oh our hopes fedde on are not only frustrate and our long expectations vaine but our temporall lots by reestablishing of penal laws against vs become more abiect servile desperate and forlâ—rne then euer before Puritanisme differing from ProtestaÌ„cy in e Mere slanders and impudent calumniations 32 articles of doctrine as their owne bookes and writings doe witnesse looketh vp spreadeth is neither suppressed with penalties nor oppressed with indignities but her professourâ— receiue grace and holde high auctority in the government only the Catholike Religion whose professours suffred most for your good Mothers sake and euer least offended your Maiestie is despised troden vnder foote maligned punished and must bee alas by all violence f Amen abolished without regard of her venerable antiquâ—ty or respect of the large dominions shee other-where hath to her dowery or of the innumerable conquests shee hath made ouer all other Sects froÌ„ Christs time hitherto or of the multitude and impregnablenesse of her proofes which her professors are ready yea presse and doe most earnestly long to bring in publike Dispute for testimonie of the doctrine shee teachâ—th And that which moueth not the least admiration here in is for that neither the inward beleefe of the Catholike Romane faith nor the outward profession or defence thereof in words seeme to bee the transgressions which are so sharpely animadverted but rather the only fault which is punished and neuer sufficiently as some thinke punished in vs is the vndissembled profession of our inwarde faith in refusing to go to the Protestant Church A necessity which vnder guilte of dead y sin breach of our Churches vnity
A CONSIDERATION OF the Papists Reasons of State and Religion for toleration of Poperie in England INTIMATED IN THEIR Supplication vnto the Kings Maiestie the States of the Present Parliament Mich. 7.10 Shee that is mine enemie shall looke vpon it and shame shall cover her which said vnto me VVhere is the Lord thy GOD Mine eies shall beholde her now shall shee bee TRODEN DOVVNE as the mire in the streetes AT OXFORD Printed by JOSEPH BARNES and are to bee sold in Paules Church-yarde at the signe of the Crowne by Simon VVaterson 1604. To the Christian Reader AS I haue professed heeretofore in my Treatise against the Papists first Petition so heere again I protest that this fourth Supplication beeing directed vnto his Maiestie I haue not presumed to Answer any thing at all thervnto because I know his Highnes Christian heroicall Spirit is only worthy to giue Answer in this case Notwithstanding seeing the impudencie of the Petitioners is so intolerable that in so flourishing an age vnto so learned a Prince they dare exhibite their idle fancies and vaine toies being vtterly devoide of better Arguments which they haue scraped out of the often-refuted writings of their owne Sophisters and couched togither without forme or methode I haue bin once againe imboldened to consider of their Reasons which I hope I haue proved in sufficient to force such a CoÌ„clusion as should bee the overthrowe of our Christian Church and State of the Gospell his excellent Maiestie I confesse my paines heerein might well haue bin spared and indeed had I known so much in time I would not haue made this parénthesis in my Studies considering that a thrice-learned reverend Father of our Church M. Doctor Sutcliffe the worthy Deane of Exceter hath even already as the report goeth although I haue not yet seene his Booke amated these importunate shamelesse Petitioners made them as mute as a fish not daring to exspect any other ANSVVERE in reason at his Maiesties handes but Le Roy ne le veu't pas yet forasmuch as diverse books being written in diverse methods of the same argument or subiect are not vnprofitable I haue bin bold not to suppresse what I had done already committing the suâ—cesse vnto Almightie GOD and my selfe herein vnto the Censure of the learned who I presume can not but iudge Christianly and charitably of my good meaning and endevour to promote the common cause against the common adversarie Farewell Oxford from St. Marie Hall 13. of Aprill 1604. Thine ever in the Lord Gabriel Powel THE PAPISTES SVPPLIcation vnto the Kings most excellent Maiestie c. Most high and mightie Prince and our deerestly beloued Soveraigne a How can Papists without blushing acknowledge his Maiesties title vnto the Crown of England to be DIRECT seing they haue heretofore by tooth naile most indirectly moâ—t vniustly oppugned the same Which traiterous Parsons confesseth albe it for excuse he assureth himselfe that whatsoever hath bin said writen or done by any Catholike against his Maiesty which with some others mâ—ght breede disgust hath beene directed to the end for sooth to make his Maiestie nrst a Cathoâ—ike and then our King as if treason â—â—â—ed treacherie against his Highnesse could make him a Catholike or the denying and impugning of his direct and iust title tended to make him our King Rob. Pars in his Treat of three Convers in the Dedicat. Addition to the Catholikes SO many causes concurre wheresoever we turne our thoughts and these most great of reioycing as we know not with which wee should begin the count nor on which to ground our chiefest ioy Your Maiesties direct tide to the Imperiall Crowne of the Reasme both by lineall descent and prioritie of blood your Highnesse most quiet accesse to the same Gods onâ—y worke aboue the expectation of man do as by most right they should exceedingly pâ—ssesse and englad our harts Also the thrice fortunate vniting of the two Kingdomes which not seldome in former times haue bin much infestuous one to the other and this after so sweete a meane as by rightful deuolution of both Scepters to the immediate issue of either Nation cannot but in semblable proportion multiplie and advaunce our ioyes nor can we any way doubt but that thest egth of the Monarchy now in de inuincible by the vnion will ever be most able to preserue these our ioyes vnto vs and make them perpeâ—ual either kingdome being such a fortres and countermure to other and both so abounding with men and shipping as no forraine enemie howe potent soever vnlesse he fiâ—st be wearie of his owne forâ—unes dare ever adventure to offend or picke quarrell vnto Likewise the hope and strongest affiance which your Maiesties raigne over both nations yeelds of reducing the bordurers of either Countrey to Christian order of turning to coÌ„moditie the vast quantity of ground which by reason of the sauage demeanor among them hath time out of mind layne wast and vnoccupied and of enioying peace commerce and trafficke with all Nations a blessing most soveraigne and which alreadie is lighted on vs in good measure Then the vnspeakeable benefite of your Highnesse fitte yeeres to governe and your long successefull experience in the affaire being the Arte of Artes office of God farre more intricate dâ—fficult and combersome then anie other kinde of ministration or state of life on earth Then also the speciall consolation which all men take in your Maiesties regatdfull loue toward the Nobilitie of the Realme as hauing alreadie restored some to their lost dignities and endowed others with honor and authoritie in State Lastlie to omit other infinit particulars of lesse moment the good triall of your Highnesse prowesse wisedome iudgment clemencie bountie compassion the edification of your exemplar life of like force to your subiects for fashioning their manners therevnto as were the twigges of partie colour which the Patriarch Jacob laid before the flocke of sheepe he had in keeping at the time of their conceiving the noblest disposition of our yong Prince and his brother the rare vertues of their Queene-mother our most respected Princesse and the hope of such store of children from both your bodies as may to the worlds end most renowmedlie spread and perpetuate the roiall coniunction name familie We saie all these and other like gracious respects doe so aboundantlie replenish our harts w th ioy as no temporall thing can more in the world And to the end these our ioyes may ever inhabite in our soules prosperoulsly without change or diminution we your Maiesties reuereÌ„tly affectionate subiectes doe prostrately beseech your most Princely consideration to commiserate our b Causelesse coÌ„plaints not of persecution for Religion but of Christian Justice for treasoÌ„ grieuous long indured pressures for confessing the Catholike Romane faith the c Popish Religion is the high and brode way to destruction which we have elsewhere proved as large all onely meane as we
persecuting other as is the custome in such commotions without regard of God or country Which disastrous and most deadly mischiefe cannot in probability approach or ever grow to head so long as the Catholike findeth favour with your Maiestie in enioying the free vse of his religion Or put case the Puritan should ever adventure to make such an attempt yet the ods agains him he hauing two sorts of adversaries the Protestant and the Catholikely affected by the foresaid favour are much greater then any way in reason or likelyhood the victory may be iustly doubted of Resolution of the 2. Reason The Papists should be specially respected and made much of because they are profitable members and the powerablest let to hinder and curb the Puritanes who increase dayly aboue the Protestants in number c. Ergo Toleration of Papistry must needes be granted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IS not the Kings Maiesty and the whole Church of England infinitely beholding vnto the Papistes for their hote service against the Puritanes Poore fools who doth not know that al their proiects plots machinatioÌ„s treacheries designements and bloody attempts haue ever beene practised for the overthrow of the Protestant and not of the Puritane whose bookes haue they answered whose livings haue they gaped for whose bloode haue they thirsted after was it not the Protestants witnes hereof their naked swords their bloody pistols their deadly poyson wherwith they haue oftentimes attempted the overthrow of our late Soveraigne Queene ELIZABETH of eternall memory of other principal Protestants of note Witnesse also their bookes and writings wherein they solely fight against the Protestantes vomiting and disgorging their immortall hatred against them and infintly commending the Puritanes before them Westonus li. 3. de Trip. Hom. Offic. Cap. 16. pag. 226. ProtestaÌ„tibus sure sacraprastabiliores Puritant Qui enim estis Protestantes hominum indicamens iguavissimi omnium religionis etiam fuco destituti impijssimi aeruscatores parati iurare in cuiusvis verba modo inde emolumentum rebus vestris accrescat And in the 227. pag. Puritani saâ—è multò solidiùs ac sincerius sua dogmata profitentur 2 It is a manifest calummation sclander of our Christian Church and State I thinke to affirme that there are any Puritanes amongst vs who are of a presuming imperious and hate disposition and zeale to reduce all things to the forme of their owne Idea or imagination conceaved who attempt the overthrow of the Protestant and to bring the Ecclesiasticall state to a paritie or popular forme of governement and that such do in number increase aboue the Protestant 3 But suppose there were such Puritanes in this kingdome yet the presuming imperious turbulent and hote disposed Puritane may be easily restrained without the Papists helpe by conference perswasions penallawes in case of obstinacie c. II. To the Consequence 1 To tolerate the Papist to exercise his Idolatry for curbing of the Puritane were as much as to suffer the Iesuit to goe on with his proiectes for repressing of the Secular Priest or contrarywise to license the Priest to practise his policie for grubbing vp and rooting out of the Iesuit 2 As the Priest and the Iesuit are not to be licensed to warre the one against the other but are both to be expelled out of all peaceable Common-wealthes so is neither the treacherous and seducing Papist nor the imperious and turbulent Puritane to bee tolerated to roost in any Christian State the one to impugne the other but both are absolutely to be repressed and banished 3. REASON OF STATE MOreover toleration of Catholike religion seemeth very convenient for strengthning and securing your Maiestie against all worldly a Fond suggestions as appeareth in the Answere attempts forraine and domesticall Against forraine in respect the cause why any such trouble should be once intended must needs be in al probability the restoring of Catholike religion which pretext or cause iâ— quite remooued by your Maiesties graunt of the free exerciâ—e thereof Or if it should fall out that not withstanding the happynes of the said most soveraigne fauour any forraine Prince or Princes confederated either on envy of your Maiesties greatnes or vpon feare of what consequence the vnion of the three Kingdomes might proue in time should be so intemperate as either to incâ—te coÌ„panies within the Realme or invade vpoÌ„ the aboue named preteÌ„ce no doubt but all Catholikes would eftsoone disclose the practise and most willingly straine the vttermost of all their possible forces resistance for withstanding the said enterprise made by whomsoeuer and vnder what shadow of title or authority soeuer And if intestine warre or any vproare should happen through any disloyalty of the b There is no subiect likelier to make any vp roares or mutiny then the Papist subiect or other accident there can be likewise no doubt the Catholike religion teaching all temporall obedience to Princes and more severely censuring and punishing all sores of c Either the Suppliants speake by contraries or they equivocate in chic worde Rebellion rebellion then doth either the Puritane or the Protestant doctrine but that all Catholikes would presently flocke to the banner of your Maiestie wiâ—h the effusion of their best blood first guarde protect your royall person and then defend all and singular your Highnesse rightes and prerogatiues Abounden duety as our selues doe right widingâ—y acknowledge and the contrary a most detestable and treasonable offence neverthelesse the readines and performance of our serviles heerein cannot but d They speake by contraries increase your Maiesties strength and safetie of the Crowne and Realme the thinges we desire to haue beleeved would remonstrate Resolution of the 3. Reason Toleration of Popery is very conuenient for strengthening securing his Maiestie against all attemptes forraine and domesticall Against forraine for Princes woulde not attempte vvarre against him the cause wherefore they shoulde doe so the restoring of Popish religion being taken away Or if anie did fight against the King of meere envy then the Papistes would disclose their practises and manfully take his Maiesties part Against domesticall for then also the Papists would play the meÌ„ defend his Highnes against al intestine adversarie Ergo. Toleration is not to be denied ANSWERE I To the Antecedent THE Antecedent is altogither false in everie parte and particle thereof 1 Popish religion cannot be convenient for securing his Maiestie being a Protestant King Yea the Papistes themselues confesse that in this case it is most dangerous and pernicious both to his Person and estate Principis salus non patitur promiscuous conventus aut religionum cultur confusaneos Weston lib. 3. de trip Hom. Offic. cap. 14. pag. 198. 2 It caÌ„not streÌ„gthen his Maiestie against forraine atteÌ„pts For the cause wherefore forraine Princes should attempt any thing against this kingdome must be in al probabilitie not only Restoring of Papistry which indeed the Papists have ever attempted to doe by
right colours they will needes divide their obedience and serve his Maiesty in temporall maiters as farre forth and so long as pleasâ—â—h their spirimall Lord. Inferences that would make a horse breaks his Iuidle temporall alleageance or wherein soever the omission may taint or endanger the safety of his soule Of that which is saide wee would vnder your Maiesties gracious leaue inferre that the Catholike subiect is if any other the glorie strength and perpetutie of the Kingdome because hee prin pallie seeking heaven in this world g Abraham said to Dives Remember that in thy life time then receavoof thy pleasures Luk. 16.25 And Christ vnto his Disciples for the world you shall haue affliction Ioh. 16.33 The Popists looks for heaven heare for hell loveafoor will not for the world be diverted cannot be treacherous or disloyal or vndutiful to your Highnes but in every seruice distresse occourring vndiant re oues most faithfull By which it seemeth maniest that it the Lawes of our deceased Queene should not be repenled but more if they should bee re established a rigor which in it selfe presently imbarketh vs into all calamities alas your Grace doth not only thereby deprue your h They hopely monacing his Maiesty is exters their request Imperiall crowne and Realme of the best meriting aflection and suppressingly disable those your subiects who otherwise would for their qualities stand your Maiestie and their Country in good service and due much ong for opportunity to make known their readines that way but your Highnesse by the same shall also giue occasion to the frailer sort of adventuring their soules to everlasting damnatioÌ„ by dissembling their faith and religion Which inconstancy and vomanly part of theirs how little credite or reputation it ought to bring vnto theÌ„ or is cause of trust to your Maiestie we leaue that prudent and heroicall example to informe your Highnes which k Niceph lib. 6. cap. 35. Nicephorus others record of the Emperour Theodocius who seeing aspeciall minion of his to haue changed his religion therby to please and wind himselfe into greater favour iudged him to loose his head saying i That is how can Papistes who are mainers vnto GOD but be Traisours also vnto then Prince Si Deo fidoÌ„ sincorow non â—â—â—sli quoinodo mini qui homosum conscieniant sanam prestabis Thou that hast violated thy faith with God how is it possible thou should lest keepe thy sidelitie with mee being a man Resolution of the 4. Reason The Papistes who are constant obediout and faithfull to God in the Religion they boleeve will bee likewise true subiective faithfull to then King in all dwens appartarring Ergo. The Papistes ought to be â—â—lâ—râ—â—â—d firsty to exercise thâ—â— Religion ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 IT is not enough that a man bee constant obedient and faithfull in that ReligioÌ„ which he beleeveth except that his Religion be the only true Christian ReligioÌ„ given of GOD for the saving of our soules 2 Constancy and obedience in any Religion doth not inferre subiection and faithfulnes of conscience towardes the Magistrate but only constancy in the true Religion 3 The Papists are not constant obedient and faithfull vnto GOD in their Religion because their Religion is not of GOD but of the Divell and therefore the worship which they performe in their Religion is not done vnto GOD but vnto the Divell See Deut. 32. ver 17. This Reason is thus coÌ„vertibly verified of the Papists The Papists who are traitours vnto GOD are also traitors vnto the Magistrate Againe The Papists who are traitours vnto the Magistrate are also traitours vnto GOD. 5 If the Papists were constant obedient and faithful in their Religion yet can they not be so vnto the Magistrate because their ReligioÌ„ in the Articles therof is treason against the Magistrate as I haue proved before HeÌ„ce it seemeth that the Petitioner aequivocateth in these words in all duoties APPERT AINING for happily he will inferre that in what displeaseth the Pope at APPERT AINETH not vnto Papists to obey 6 The more devout and zealous the Papists bee in their Religion the more treacherous and pernicious they are vnto his Maiesty and the State 7 His Highnesse and the State haue had too much experience already of the loyalty and fidelity of Papistes towards their Magistrates II. To the Consequence 1 If the Papists were true subiectiue and faithfull vnto the Magistrate yet cannot the Magistrate permit the free exercise of their Religion being so repugnaÌ„t vnto the lawes of God 2 If the Magistrate coulde permit this yet were hee not in policie to doe it considering that scabbed sheepe will sooner infect the whole then the whole cure the scabbed Reason of State 5 V. REASON OF STATE BEsides the good that to a Blinded with affection and partialitie our vnderstanding woulde redound to your Highnes and the whole Realme by the grant of a toleration is b Still they speak by coÌ„traries manifolde and very greate for that the same coulde not but c Melancholike speculations of idle and vngodlie persons beget and foster a right earnest and zealous aemulation or holy strife among your Maiesties subiectes differing in Religion who should exceede the other in duety service and loue towardes your person and affaires whiles every one enioyed the freedome of his conscience a meane of all others most likely d Weston and others denie it and affirme the contrarie to make your ovvne state and person very secure renowneable and blessed your kingdomes opulent peacefull and invincible your subiects studious serviceable and loving and in all imployments pressing to surpasse one the other in care and diligence Then the which nothing can bee thought that is either more happy more glorious or more general and which earthly heauen if it be any other way to bee attained it seemeth soonest by graunting a e Wherefore do not Popish Princes procure this earthly heaven by graÌ„ting of toleratiâ—â—â— toleration of Religion and by indifferently preferring the Professors according to every mans desert quality and sufficiency because all beeing in this manner in eressed in your Graces favour and vnpartially tasting the sweet therof cannot be but all fastest vnited in the defence of the Realme and in tenderest safegard of your Maiesties person crowne and dignity Resolution of the 5. Reason Toleration of Papistry would beget and foster an earnest zealous emulation or holy strife among his Maiesties Subiects differing in Religion who shoulde exceede the other in duety service and love towards his Person and affaires Ergo. Toleration is to be granted ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent 1 THe Papists with intolerable boldnes with LuciaÌ„like impiety horrible iniury vnto his Highnes imagine nay would haue others thinke the Kings royall Maiestie to bee an Atheist or an Epicure that cared not for Religion nor for GODS worship so his estate might be secured and his Person honored of all men
their sinnes our religion abhorreth detesteth as a prophanation of the whole Gospell especially of the satisfaction of Christ 5 Prescript fasting daies set times of abstinence the Papistes borrowed of Montanus the Heretike as we haue declared before But a religious fast that is when a man wanting some blessing or seeing some eminent calamity abstaineth not from flesh for a season but also from al delights sustenance that therby he may make a more diligent search into his owne sinnes and offer most humble praiers vnto God c. our religioÌ„ teacheth we practise 6 Vowes made vnto GOD of things honest lawful possible our religion teacheth ought to be performed But Popish vowes of Pilgrimages of offring to Idols of perpetual single life of MoÌ„kerie our religion accoÌ„pteth not honest nor lawful but made vnto the Devill and exsecrable 7 One vniforme stint of faith coÌ„tained only in the holy Scriptures we teach but the coÌ„tradictions dissentioÌ„s of the Papists are innumerable as we have proved before 8 MortificatioÌ„ that is that part of sanctâ—ficatioÌ„ wherby the power of sinne is crucified in the faithfull Rom. 6.2.3.4 Galat. 5.24 we religiously teach But Popish externall maceratings we condemne II. To the Consequence The Argument is rather thus to be concluded Popish religioÌ„ teacheth auricular coÌ„fession to a Priest perverteth the doctrine of repentance restitution satisfaction fasting vowes the sufficiency of the Scriptures and mortification Ergo. Popish religion is the. Apostolicall religion of Antichrist Reason of Religion 21 21. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion for whose desence the Title of Defender of the Faith vvas first given to the Kings of our Nation the Title of Most Christian to the kings of France of Most Catholike to the kings of Spaine the still retaining of which Titles doth a I marvel how the Suppliants are not ashamed to deduce a consequeÌ„ce the falschood wherof is notoriously evident argue the allowance of her iurisdiction And there is b No one of the ancient Fathers did ever expound that place of the Popish Church no one of the ancient Fathers who doth not vnderstand these words of the Prophet to be only meant of this Church The NatioÌ„ and Kingdome that will not serue thee shall perish Esa 6.12 Resolution of the 21. Reason Popish Religion is that for whose defence the King of England was called Defender of the faith the K. of France Most Christian and the K. of Spaine Most Catholique Ergo Poperie is true Religion and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 WHat coherence is there between the AntecedeÌ„t and the Consequence When the Pope gaue vnto the King of England the title DefeÌ„der of the faith as Caiphas prophecied against him selfe so the Pope prophecied his own destructioÌ„ For even that King which hee so first called King Henry VIII of famous memory was the first King in all Europe that cut his combe Defended the faith indeed which all his noble Successours haue with singular constancy hitherto continued GOD bee praised excepting only Queene Marie whose raigne was but fiue yeares Reason of Religion 22 22. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion into whose society and profession whosoeuer truely entreth by and by liveth in a Stil they speak by contraries as appeareth in the Answere more awe of God and feare of sinne changeth his former life to the better and of the other side whosoever leavâ—th ouâ— and departeth from heâ— fellowshâ—p communion beginneth incontment to lead a worse liâ—e then whiles he liued her childe frequented her Sacraments Of both which there be store of examples and of the latter too many verifying what is said and not vnknowne to thousands yea the case is so fain liar as it is now growne into a Proverb with many b A new coyned Proverb which is to be vnderstood contrarywise That the Protestant Religion is good to liue in but the Papist religion good to die in Resolution of the 22. Reason Popish Religion is that into whose profession whosoever truely entereth by and by liveth in more awe of God and feare of sinne and changeth his former life to better Ergo Popish Religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 THe Antecedent is most false For Popish Religion is the Policie of Satan yea the very chaines and fetters of the Divell to detaine men as slaues in the misery thraledome of sinne And that the Christian Reader may know that I do not vse any hyperbolicall speeches herein I beseech him in the bowels of our Saviour IESVS CHRIST seriously to waygh these things that follow 2 What could be fitter for Satan for the continuance and enlargement of his Kingdome then the Popish doctrin of the Popes supremacie over al of his fulnesse of power of receiving both the Scriptures and their exposition from him of obeying that he coÌ„manded of not iudging him though hee carryed ten thousand yea innumerable Soules togither with him selfe into HEL Dist 40. c. 6. Si Papa of devout ignorance of iudging them heretiks who speake against him of pursuing and persecuting them with fire sword of purgatory of auriculer confession of the immunities exemptioÌ„ and priviledges of his Cleargy of the pompe and idlenes of his hierarchie and of all their suttle and serpent-like contrived false worship 3 The practises of Egypt toyling Israel with al base service and villanie of killing their male childreÌ„ or of the barbarous tyranny of wasting the west Indies was not nor is not more suttly divellishly devised to detaine those free nations in perpetual bondage slavery then the Popish doctrine was is to establish the kingdome of Antichrist and to detaine the people of God in everlasting servitude and slauerie both of body and soule 4 And as for Christian honestie of life duties towards men the Popish doctrine of Absolutions of Dispensations of Pardons of Satisfactions of Sanctuaries is for the impunity easie discharge of all malefactors a maine cause and mother of al abominations and wickednesse 5 Furthermore their sundrie rules orders of hypocrisy contention idlenes their constrained abstinence from marriage their permissioÌ„ defence of the Stewes are causes of all enormities of vncleanes of infinite murders other manifold offences So that the waters of Noahs floud did not so high drowne all the olde world as those flouds of wickednes which by such occasions have risen did and do still overflow al such kingdomes nations as this doctrine of theirs like a sea of sinne might breake into 6 Hence it appeareth evideÌ„tly Note that if a man were assured of the salvation of his soule in Popery ther is NO Religion BETTER to live in For There is NO religion vnder heaven which coÌ„taineth greater licenciousnes in it nor giveth more liberty vnto the flesh then doth POPISH RELIGION Reason of Religion 23 23. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion which now hath and had in al ages the most famous meÌ„ for a
Jupudent bragges wit learning reading iudgment vertue true piety qualities of all other likeliest to discerne and abandon error to her Teachers Doctors ever enioyed the like store of such lights as our Oppositors had never reason to compare with or if they do the extant monumeÌ„ts in schoole positiue mysticall divinity and in all other literature will quickly shew the inequalitie and disproportion of the comparison Resolution of the 23. Reason Popish religion hath now and in all ages hath had the most famous men for wit learning reading iudgment vertue true pietie to her Teachers and Doctors Ergo. Poperie is true religion and so to be tolerated ANSWERE 1 WHat other Answere should I make vnto a bold impudent shamelesse false assertion without proofe or shew of probability but Thou lyest Satan 2 I will not name any now-living to avoide suspition of flatterie ONE Calvin ONE Peter Martyr ONE Melancthon ONE Iuell ONE Vrsine ONE Zanchius ONE Humfreyes ONE Whitakers ONE Iunius ONE Perkins to let infinite others passe had more sound learning infinitely more true pietie then ALL the Popish Teachers and Doctors that ever were are or shall bee ever had now have or ever hereafter can haue Reason of Religion 24 24 REASON OF RELIGION A religion whose publike and a Popish church service is blasphemie against GOD and a mockerie of religion Church service is executed with that maiestie honorable grauity and reverence the severall parts and b Popish Ceremonies are mens precepts conemed by Christ Mat. 15. ceremonies thereof so aptly and admirablie composed ordered for annuall commemoration representing of our Saviours incarnation birth life passion buriall resurrection ascension of the comming downe of the Holy Ghost of the mystery of the Trinitie and of other passages as well of Christ our head as of his members the Saints as it begetteth feedeth reneweth singular devotion in the actors hearers is also so comfortable in her c The comfors which the Popish SacrameÌ„ts afforde is deceaveable like vnto the hungrit mans dreame Esa 29.8 SacrameÌ„ts especially so easing and acquieting soules in the Sacrament of penance as no testimonie or demonstration vnder heaven is or can be of like seeling proose for the reall goodnes verity of that Sacrament as is the supernaturall sweetest divine consolation tasted therein as is the Sacrament of the Eucharist Resolution of the 24. Reason Popish Religion hath her church-service executed with maiestie honorable gravity and reverence her Ceremonies admirable and her Sacraments comfortable Ergo. Popish religion is true and to be tolerated ANSWERE I. To the Antecedent I THE Popish Church-service is not Maiesticall honorable grave and reverent but blasphemous and full of apish trickes and toyes I For the substance of it it is full of idolatrous invocations of Angels and Saints II It is performed in an vnknowne tongue to the derision of GOD and mockerie of religion against the expresse words letter sense of the Scriptures 1. Cor. 14. III The theatricall attire and gesture the skipping friskes and gambols the in constant murmuring crying out and whispering of the Priest the bellowing piping and chanting and the lighting of candels at noone-day is not true maiestie gravity reverence but manifest demonstration of giddines levitie wantonnes and flat apostacie from true religion For our Saviour saith Iohn 4.24 they that worshippe GOD must worship him in spirit and truth 2 Popish Ceremonies are execrable Christ saith Mat. 15. 9. In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrines mens precepts 3 If Popish Religion were true it is most certaine that Popish Sacraments are very coÌ„fortable For the Papists teach that the Sacraments of the new Testament do containe do conferre of themselues and merite grace that they iustifie that they forgiue sinnes sanctifie by the worke wroght yea without any good motion or disposition of the receiver or vser that is without faith This cannot choose but be very comfortable for be a man never so vile a villaine bee he never so vngracious of so wicked yet if he can bee made partaker of the Sacraments according to their doctrine he shall haue his sinnes actually forgiven him and be instantly iustified But alas this doctrine is not true it hath no warrant out of the Scriptures which restifie that without faith it is impossible to please GOD. It is the deceaueable learning of Antichrist to detaine miserable men captiues in his kingdome and to make them slaues vnto sinne by committing it with boldnes and to appease the stinging thereof in their consciences for a time II To the Consequence The Antecedent being false the Consequence falleth of it selfe Reason of Religion 25 25. REASON OF RELIGION A Religion whose secular and religious Cleargy liue without wiues free from care of providing for a But not for providing for bastards children the later sort no way distracted with the affaires and encombrances of the world but b But the Apostle saith that Pure religion and vndefiled before God is to visite the fatherlesse and widdowes in their adversitie Jac. 1.27 encloistered passe their whole time in praier watching fasting in continuall study of scriptures and in dayly exercise and dispute for ful perfect vnderstanding of them Helps that doe most further the attaining of truth and such as are not c An impudent lie sound in the adverse party and which in common reason Catholike Divines being not inferior to other Divines in wit or other talents shew that our teachers God being no acceptor of persons are more likely to haue vsing d Vutruth fitter meanes for the same the e No Papist dares expound the Scriptures truely See the Answere true intelligence and vnderstanding of scripture then are our adversaries or contradictors Resolution of the 25. Reason Popish Religion is that whose Cleargie liue without wiues c. Ergo What will the Suppliants conclude Popish Religion is the Doctrine of Divels ANSWERE 1 I graunt both the Antecedent and the Consequence Their Popish Cleargy although they keepe store of whoores and concubines yet they haue no wiues their popish doctrine is indeed the doctrine of divels 2 Their glory herein is to their shame For the Apostle saith 1. Tim. 4.1.2.3 Nowe the Spirite speaketh evidently that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith and shall giue heed vnto Spirits of errour doctrine of divels Which speake lies through hypocrisie and haue their consciences burned with an hoteâ—â—on Forbidding to marrie and commanding to abstaine from meates c. Both these notes of the Apostatical Church the Papists cannot by any shift depell from themselues so that out of this place vvee may demonstratiuely conclude that the Popish Church is the Church of Antichrist as I haue declared at large Lib. 1. de Antichr cap 28. 3 A sober and moderate care of providing for Children is no hinderance to godlinesse 4 As for the helpes which