Birchley in his Demonstrative Reasons against forcing of Conscience concludes That the intolerable yoke of Popish infallibility is shaken off and yet his whole discourse aâ—ms at nothing but a toleration First for himself and the Papists of the Kingdom and Countrey and then he doubts noâ— but in time either by Insinuation or an Inquisition all his fellow-subjects may be brought under the same yoke He taxeth the Parliament charging them with the Abrogation of the Articles of Faith * Moderator part 1. pag. 2. and calls the factious swallowing of the Covenant which was the work and ploâ— of some few and a Declared party and the rash mistake of many a Reformation of Religion He calls the late Assembly of Divines at Westminster a Synod which no Learning nor Antiquity will allow but condemn either as a seditious and schismatical or ridiculous and impudent meeting And as for the Confession of Faith the Assembly after long sitting presumed to hatch it is agreed that as their Proceedings were preposterous their Conclusions were dangerous as neither savoring aright of the Spirit of truth nor humility And as for the persons of those who sate so long and to so scandalous and ill as well as little purpose the World knows they had most of them taken former oaths as that of the Allegiance and Supremacy and then the Protestation but no engagements as it appeares were strong enough to oblige their fidelity whose ambitious minds were inflamed with the hopes of high authority whose covetous expectations were fed with 4 s. per diem and the choicest Bâ—nefices and their Brethrens just legall maintenance and livelyhood 2 The Author argues from the word of God That the Word being the sole Rule of Faith no humane Authority is impowred to bind up our assents in the interpretation of that Word a Conclusion so untrue an illogicall as may be For then the Commission of Ite Praedicate Go Preach and Teach was given to the Apostles to no purpose Then the Wife must not learn of her Husband at home Nor the Father teach his Children either the Commandements of God or the Articles of Faith if there were not an authority in the Teachers rightly and orderly sent Rom. 10.15 to oblige the Disciples and Scholars to the right Interpretation of holy Scriptures and if every â—ne be admitted to broach and defend his own sâ—nsâ— and opinion in divine Resolutions as in Baptism the Lords Supper or the like there must needs follow not a Communion but a Confusion amongst the Saints and best Christians To prevent wâ—ich dangerous inconveniency Saint Paul boldly rebukes the Corinthians charging them That they were carnall for whereas there is among you envying and strife and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divisions are ye not carnal and walk as meâ— For while one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollos are ye not carnal 1 Cor. 3.3.4 And as the Apostle sharply rebuked the Corinthians for their divisions so he meekly entreated the Ephesians to accord in the Articles of Religion and to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace for there is one Body one Spirit one Hope one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all Eph. 4.4 Thus Saint Paul laboureth and pleadeth for Vnity in the Church as the best preservation of Christianity But Mr. Birchley pleadeth for a toleration of diversity in opinions and so in practice which Doctrin is neither true Divinity nor sound Policy unless by the multiplicity of opinions Master Birchley and the Papists hope at last to bring in Popery which hath much thriven by late endeavors of their subtle insinuations 3 In the third Demonstration Mr. Birchley answereth himself and seems to cut his fingers with his own tools when he urgeth that straight is the gate and narrow is the path and confesseth that here we see but in part and know but in part and that the Spirit bloweth how and where it listeth from these Texts of Scripture concluding that we must not despise the weak mistakes of our brethren This conclusion like others is brought in without Reason or Logick it had been more properly resolved that because straight is the gate and narrow is the path that leadeth to life Therfore it is necessary that some faithfull Pastorall authority like that of Saint John the Baptist Io 3.5 should level the Mountains of Pride streighten the crooked perversness of carnall humours and abate the swellings of self-opinion that Pride being humbled and Mistakes rectifyed the passage into the straight gate and narrow path might be more easie and possible And Mr. Birchley pressing that here we see but in part and know but in part therefore it is the more necessary that we should have Guides and Seers as well as Lights and Lanthorns to direct us in the straight and narrow way of Truth lest otherwise following the glympses of our own opinions and dark lights we fall into the dark fire of the infernall Pit 4 In the 4th Argument Mr. Birchley seems to speak rejoycingly because of a deliverance from the Slavery under the Prelats and from the implicit faith of the Papists and yet whiles he Plougheth his ground with these Heifers he Sowes the seeds of Popery under whose Prelacy is truly the greatest Tyranny that is imaginable And it is to be admired that Mr Birchley presseth so sharply against Compulsion of Consciâ—nce and yet pleadeth for a toleration of that Religion wherein is not only taught a necessity of Auricular Confession but the Priest as well punisheth as rectifyeth the Conscience erring or offending 5 In the 5th he tels us That force is punishment and consequently not just If this Position be true * Omnis denegatur haereticis facultas militandi quinimo extra urbis moenia a centur Lex fuit Imper. Theodosti Valâ—nt Arcadâ—i Vide Cod. Theodo Tunc Episcopi ne viâ—us baereticum latius superet eosdem publice pronuntiâ—tos haereticos co porali disciplinae subdendos Catholico Principi tradiderunt qui Praecepit haereticae infamiae characterem frontibus corum inuri spectante populo virgis exercitos urbe eâ—pelli Guliel Neubrigens sub Henri 2. Rege Ang. then Heresie and Blasphemie are not punishable but Christ gave another Rule commanding his Apostles to shake off the Dust of their shoes where their words were not received Mat. 10.14 And teacheth that if thy Brother trespass against thee goe and tell him his fault betwixt thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother but if he shall not hear thee take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses every word may be established and if he shall neglect to hear thee tell it to the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be to thee as a Heathen or a Publican And as Christ taught the way the Apostles followed St. Paul exhorting the Corinthians being
they submitted and basely prostituted not only their Estates and Fortunes but even their Liberties Honors Bodies and Souls to be censured condemned excommunicated and finally concluded by the humors and pleasure of a few illiterate hot-brain'd phantastick Presbyters This flame and irruption broke forth in other Countreys as Geneva * Whence Mr. Calvins Platform of rigorous discipline was sent to Scotland where it quickly took fire Likewise in Germany Holland France and other places but never flashed so furiously nor grew so hot and high as to get a confirmation by a Law and to be establisht Iure Divino CHAP. VII IN other Countries and Cantons the Presbyters have got a toleration for their Religion by Supplication not by Laws and they are permitted to preach and pray but still salvo jure are under a Permission on which if they once intrench too near they are speedily silenced They presume sometimes to exhort and chide or publiquely to rail or at highest to retrench and refuse a Brother from the Communion and not that neither probably if a rich considerable benefactor and contributer Those of Scotland are more piert and impudent daring sawcily to taunt their Soveraigns and trample on the greatest Nobles chaining up the industrious Merchants and ingenuous Artizans from their Traffique and Trade if the Assembly fancy and then sentence that a work worthy of their humorous consideration and unlimited ambition These high-metald blades would march at no rate but an high speed framing proud thoughts to themselves that the Scotish Covenant should spred and be the Catholique Religion of all the World In this the Papists and the Presbyters meet and concenter uniting their ambitious lines in the same point and thoughts of Vniversality of Doctrine and Obedience of the Chair of Rome or to the Presbyters Assembly Henderson the prime late Ringleader with his English and Scotish Brethren in this project thought to be Alexander indeed and promised himself and others great matters as to this effect On this ground endeavours were made to introduce the same form and power of Assemblies in England where the blew Presbyters designed to tyrannize over a Countrey much more fat and fruitful than their own nasty valleys or barren Rocks CHAP. VIII BUt the English eyes quickly discern'd the Scotish trapps and though there was a concurrence pro tempore in a Nationall Covenant for some particular designes yet then the play ended the Curtains were drawn no Presbytery confessed much less established Iure Divino to command all power ordained without dispute This was but a dream of hot brains A Castle in the air an Ambitious Tower without any foundation which is not only tottering but faln and mouldring to dust the Reliques at present being the scorn and contempt of all learned and truly wise men in the world While these malitious but unskilfull Pyoniers were digging pits for their Brethren and thought of nothing but pulling down being themselves unable to build and to that purpose were very active and busily intrenching the Roman Foxes countermin'd their weak works and labouring day and night without any intermission as far outstep'â— the dull silly Presbyters as Rome exceedeth Edinburgh or the pleasantness of Italy the cold frozen misty Scotish air Some these acute Sophisters stagger'd with subtle and fallacious arguments Others they easily enticed with the golden promises of good Pensions and Preferments in these hungry and starving times Some they fool'd into a Resolution of opposing the present Government into which argument the Presbyters slipt very easily because they did not rule themselves and having blown the coals and rais'd aflame of a Civill War by the tongues and bellows of the deluded Zelots they still comply and hunt with great skill but if Presbyter be not Trump they quickly cast out that Suit and observe and follow the King of Clubbs and shufflle and cut and cast themselves into any shapes or new Sect pretending for better advantage Revelations and motions of the Spirit in the habits of Butchers Chandlers Shoo-makers and other Mechanick Artizans to insinuate their interest if possible into all Councels of Peace and War and into the secrets of Civil and Martiall affairs CHAP. IX BUt now the Roman Actors are grown more confident not staying longer in the Tyring house but drawing the Curtains enter boldly on the Stage and plead their Interest and Cause at least for a toleration for their Religion and a Repeal of all the penall Statutes as though there were no truth in the Reform'd Religion nor reason nor justice in those Lawes To which purpose Mr. Will. Birchley or some Romanists under that name hath lately Printed the first and second Part of his Moderator which piece like a venemous potion being full of dangerous ingredients as well as infectious dissimulations of truth reason and conscience deserves a strict Examination to prevent the operation of that Poyson which is administred as good Physick The Title is not to be slighted but to be weighed in the Scales which is CHAP. X. THe CHRISTIAN MODERATOR Or PERSECUTION FOR RELIGION CONDEMNED By The Light of Nature The Law of God Evidence of our own Principles But not by the practice of our Commissioners for Sequestrations Rom. 2. We rest in the Law and make our boast of God we know his Will and approve the things that are more excellent c. We therefore who teach another teach we not our selves we that Preach a man should not steal doe we steal c. Video meliora proboque Deteriora sequor CHAP. XI IT matters not much who was the Author of this mix'd and patch'd piece whether it was the Contâ—ivement of Will. Birchley or the Birth and Offspring or the Jesuites under that name ROMAN INSINUATOR had more truly become the Frontispiece than CHRISTIAN MODERATOR unless Master Birchley would by flattery and his own Principles creep into that Power in England which his great Patron claims of right who sits so high at Rome PERSECUTION AGAINST RELIGION is cryed down by all fundamental and sound truths of Holy Writ but then it must not be bare opinion faction or fancy but it must be evident that it is the true Christian Religion that is persecuted which was taught by Christ and his blessed Apostles professing and maintaining the true antient orthodox and Catholique Faith Otherwise Mr. Birchley pleads as much for Mahometism Judaism and Paganism for they are all under some Rules and Forms and so though false yet religions as well as his Romaa Religion which Mr. Birchley with all his Coherents can never be able to prove to be the truest and so the best Religion by the light of Nature and the Law of God though they would make the World believe so out of the Evidence of their own Principles The next words which follow are quotations of Holy Scripture Rom. 2. wherein the Author sheweth himself very full of Ignorance as not knowing the Scriptures or very full of Impudencie and Prophaness presuming to
is a Third Stella cadens wandring Star who for private ends seems fixed to another Orb the Church of Rome but his light is so dim and influence so dangerous that none but fools or mad men will follow this Ignis fatuus who is now cryed up for a good man and a Saint on Earth out of which Commendations he may creep in time to be a Confessor to some Revolted Ladies if they please to be so simply deluded CHAP. XXXV THe next who followes in the Legend is a bird of the same feather with Goff called Master Doctor Vane who timorous Lapwing was quickly afrighted out of the Nest and singed not with the flames but the fears of a Civil war in England took wings and fled to France where his Arivall was much more welcom to some for the company of the fair Dame his Wife than for any admiration of worth or parts in himself which by those who best knew him in the Pulpit or the Schools were never much admited And as for his starting and alteration in Religion that work is rather lookt on as a fair complyance to maintenance and subsistence in these sharper times than any fundamentall cause or ground Indeed the change of one who had been the Kings Chaplain though but extraordinarily might cause some noise and notice in a strange Countrey and the work of Changing being then more rare cause some pity and the Romish Priests and pity and interested friends might sollicit for the promise of a Pension but all this pretence was only as a bait to catch and secure the Gudgeon not to feed him the Priests and Jesuites who scrued him into their obedience engaged him to put forth his scandalous Libell against the Church of England which Vane called his Ovis perdita his Lost Sheep but with how many falsities that malicious Tract is stuffed is easily discern'd by a judicious Reader And an ingenuous Man cannot but blush that so young so raw so illiterate a proficient in Polemical Arguments who certainly scarce ever read one Greek or Latine Father intirely in all his life should so boldly though with the help of other learned Clerkes use Quotations and Cite so many Authors though impertinently or falsly in his late Tract Yet the Apostat once Revolted was so heightned with insolency and malice that he thought no venom strong enough to be spit at and then to destroy that tender good Nurse who had received him into her arms and given him so much innocent milk and fed an unthankfull child with so much solid Truth by the fruits of this bitter Root Vanes present he prevailed to get some acquaintance amongst Strangers who catcht with Novelties and his detestation of that which they hated became persons interested to sollicit and petition the Queen Regent of France for a Pension for the new Convert which the Court of France easily promis'd and importunity prevailed for the sum of one hundred Pistols to be paid but in the expence and strength of that the Family was to be considered and the Doctor was engaged to a Journey and Pilgrimage to Rome for an unerring Benediction after the kiss of his Holiness slipper which made the Doctor so infallible in his Conversation that he drank freely and daily the pleasant Wines of the Countrey to such proportions that he and his Comrades became the discourse of his own Countrymen and of the sober Italians Their money at last growing low and the Visit made to Rome over the Doctor returns as wise as he went to Paris where being of no great esteem notwithstanding his present of Ovis perdita his Lost Sheep the sneaking Wormb is crawled into the practice of Physick hoping by that Profession to gain something out of Patients of all complexions In this new guise savoring more of his Serpent than his Dove he is now return'd into England where under the colour of a Physitian he is to administer his Spirituall Pils to try how they can work in the veins of his Countrymen Thus the Theological-Physical Doctor works as he wanders abusing Hypocrates and Galen as well as the Fathers but if his Pils prove no better for the body than his rules and doctrine for the soul his Patients will have no more comfort of his Remedies than a company of starved Mice of Mercury or Rats-bane to their breakfast CHAP. XXXVI THe next who fitly followeth in the wooden Legend Mr. Hugh Cressie is Mr. Hugh Cressie whom the storms of Ireland and England have blown over into France and into another Religion than what he seemed to preach and profess to the world for many years It is very probable this discontented despairing creature was bred a Puritan and understood little of the doctrine or practice of the Church of England In his Apology for his Reconciliation to Rome he rails mightily against the persons of Luther and Calvin and the Protestants in General and through their sides strikes fiercely at the Divines of the Church of England whom he chargeth falsly That all of them contrary to their Oathes and Subscriptions had submitted to the late Covenant and so abrenuntiated their former obligations and tenets but how falle and notoriously untrue this scandal is is visible to all mens eyes who live in these sad dayes In other places of his Book he makes Calvin and Luther the Fathers and Founders of the Religion of the Church of England which is a charge equally mistaken as Mr. Hooker adviseth in his Eclesiastick Policy and as all men know who understand any thing of the Reformation of the Church of England begun in King Edward the sixths dayes This unsatisfied Seeker hath tasted of many waters in divers Countreys as Ireland England Italy France and Flanders and like a light Bowl having not been well byassed at first was apt to turn out of the way with the least Rub his wings could not endure the scorching heats of of a Civil war either in Ireland or England and therefore he composed himself for travell into other Countries where he did not only change the air and climat but his mind and resolulutions of his soul renouncing timorously and most unworthily his Religion and Profession and became a Roman Catholique insnared to that new choice by the hopes and promise of being to be admitted an idle Drone or Monk in the Charterhouse at Paris where he might live as warmely as lapt all over in Lambs skins and like a Bee in a plentifull Hive fed with the purest Amber honey With this golden delusion was Mr. Cressie caught and so strangely wrought upon to alter Truth for Falshood Religion for Superstition and the Church of England for that of Rome In this violent fit the deluders insulted on his bad humors being predominant at that season and gave him such Physick or rather Poyson as made him swell with venom and malice against primitive and antient Truth and in this mode he not only solemnly renounced the Religion which he had long
a dark Scotish mist others liked no air but what was breathed from Rome and having abjured and renounced what they had so long imbraced and admired they transplanted their thoughts to another Religion new interests and ways to thrive in the World at least expecting dissentiones augente licentia That dissentions much encreasing they might the better * Julianus primum securitatem suam slabilire ab hoc christianorum dissidio conatus Ammianus establish their own hopes and security by the rended opinions and distractions of the times and either to live in the ruines of what was to be destroyed at home or in the detestation of that which could not give them a farther support and maintenance and in that garb to travel abroad and shark in other Countries CHAP. XLVIII OR if these relations of temporizing sins seem to General leaving the Discourse of the deluded hot Presbyters to the sense of their own violent folly which now seems somwhat qualifyed with better temper and repentance for former impetuosities as not to touch the quick nor search the wounds to the bottom It may be proper and reasonable to discover particular instances that have inveagled and caused severall Revolts and sudden alterations * Motives to Revolt to Rome A design of getting great Favour great Power profitable places mixt with Curiosity and other self-interest * Ambition hath been a temptation too prevalent with many to change their Religion as Seamen and Mariners stand over to several shores if any Wind or Tide crosse them the better to gain the fair Haven of their own desires Some weak †Rashness Careat successibus opto Quisquis ab eventu facta notanda putat Ovid. rash judgements measure Truth in Religion by successe in humane Affairs concluding that Church is not well reformed nor is it sound in faith and doctrin which is not attended with victories and the Glory of Plenty and Prosperity and transported with the violent errors of self-opinion resolves not to be any longer of that Religion whose Defender and Professors have lost so many battels This Argument is fit for none but short-sighted censurers who are more guided by sense than reason and rather conclude as meer Animals then rational and understanding men Such a demonstration as this a Scotish Merchant used not long fince at Amsterdam who because he had many losses at Sea being a Christian was perswaded to be Circumcised to go to the Synagogue and turn Jew and so to get Mammon denyed his Saviour It any be of this opinion he may if he please become a loyal Turk and plead for the Grand Signiors cause and rights because he and his Predecessors have subdued and captivated the poor Greek Christians and so long prospered CHAP. XLIX A Golden delusion and dream of a restitution of Abbey-lands and a re-edifying of those fair Monuments of Piety and Chariâ—y is a bait that serveth to catch some greedy Fish and in this fancy some not so religiously as * Covetousness covetously and ambitiously promise great honours and commodious preferments to themselves beleeving that the Jesuits and Roman wits looking at present so cheerfully on the rubbish and ruines of antiquity they may live to see a restauration of Pontifical Structures and themselves famous Grandees and Trustees by their Commissions from his Holiness at Rome This very design was hot and high in Ireland but proved as ridiculous as monstrous having effected nothing but further ruines and greater confusions CHAP. L. EAse security and * Luxury luxury fresh air good cloaths delicat wines and fruits and all enjoyed without the noise of Drums and Trumpets in peaceable Cantons and Countries whilst their own hath been in hot combustions and wars have inchanted and besotted some rather to turn their Religion than to starve heir belly and although they would be reputed holy Converts yet let their own Conscience be their Confessor if Phil. 3.19 as those belly-Gods the Philippians they love not their Meat above the Masse and follow a new Profession in Religion as some did Christ Joh. 6.26 not so much out of love to him as for the bread and loaves and when that fail'd they forsook him CHAP. LI. AN Atheistical and Prophane humor of some scoffing at all things that are divine and holy Atheism hath seized on some who presume to be as blasphemous amongst Christians as Lucian was rude bitter and uncivil amongst the grave Philosophers and in this mode they can indifferently keep a Sabbath with a Jew a Christian or a Turk and as usually goe to Masse as to Market so they may but get the least smile or favour of advantage CHAP. LII AN office in the Camp or in the Court Preferment in the City or at Sea in a good Ship A Mistresse or a Wife these poor Relations have startled some who have so Idolized their own Interests that rather than not enjoy their expectations they resolv'd to turn any way and to imbrace any nâ—w commands though never so dangerous to the soul CHAP. LIII THe hopes of an honourable Mariage A fortune in Mariage accompanied with youth plenty a great joynture a noble train and a compleat equipage are silver lines which have drawn some to be married at Masse whose Religion hath entred no further than their eyes and ears which have been too much dazled and tickled with sweet sounds and gorgeous and gilded apparitions CHAP. LIV. POverty hath a terrible face Durum telum necessit as and pincheth shrewdly the fear of the loss of Liberty hath alarum'd some out of their quarters Fear of want driven them timrously to comply with the Roman interest not so much out of Conscience as Complyance to get Pensions and Portions from Strangers hands And in this changeable condition how have many disgraced their Religon dishonoured themselves and made themselves not only sinfull before God but scandalous and ridiculous to all the world turning and returning and turning over and over †L. K. with any new blast or gale that might better fill their wavering sails These Cords made up of Gold and Silver twist have strongly fetched over mâ—ny who undutifully scorning their own Mother clad in a torn and ratter's habit and poor persecuted dresse have made choice of a rich cunning Stepdame and have strained their Consciences to supply their Conveniencies but it is wisdom for those who change to look well to their choice and where they lay their heads lest a Serpent lurk under the Pillow CHAP. LV. REligion is not a meer Politique obligation as many use it but a Sacred bond whereby men are ingaged to serve the Everlasting and All-seeing God from whose sight and intuition nothing can be obscured or concealed if Hypocrisy or dissimulation could veil the eyes of the Almighty the dissemblers might have some colour for their fraud if gifts and bribes corrupt the offenders might hope for Advocates and Patrons but in the High
Interest the great Diana which most men adore and worship have chased Innocency Honour and Religion out of most mens brests The Projectors have used the Serpents tongue to flatter and insinuate and his tail to poyson and sting both making one Circle to compass and besiege the credulous deceived multitudes and so in the end to subject all Power to their own humor and obedience drawn by degrees first within the lines of Fraud and then of Usurpation and Cruelty * Tantum Relligio potuit suadere malerum Virg. Aenaeid The Church of Rome hath been most Cunningly Active in this desperate work and from her inveterate malice to the Church of England and her Reformation in the Reign of King Edward the sixth hath either marched furiously with her bloody colours of Persecution Fire and Faggot Imprisonment or Banishment as in the Reign of Queen Mary or secretly practiz'd mischief and ruine to all who had shaken off her superstitious yoke and imbraced the Antient Primitive innocency and doctrine and practice of the Holy Apostles hating the professors of Gods true Religion not so much for their wiser choice of better things but because they had acquitted themselves from the intolerable vassalage of the Romish Authority and Usurpation and withdrawn themselves from that blind obedience which they had too long payed to the See of Rome which is not dainty of any dispensations either in doctrine or practice of Religion Provided alwayes that her Annates Tenths First-fruits Peter pence and all pretended rights and profits may be continued and solvent and a Soveraigntie acknowledged to her as the great Mistress and Queen of all the world To consummate the hopes and attain the height of these ambitious aspirings what art what craft what plots have not been used When in Queen Maries dayes the Pope by special Letters sollicited the Queen to endeavour to recover not only the publique practice of the Mass and Romish Religion but likewise proposed to the Queen and her Chancellor a restauration of all Church-lands Seigniories Dignities and Revenues and that all Orders of Popish Abbots Priors Monks Fryars and all Orders of Regulars formerly planted in England and Pastoral Seculars to be speedily reinvested and repossessed But this motion before 't was started by the Lord Chancellor in Parliament met with a private debate in a Cabinet Counsell and Consultation where the Lord of Bedford being then present was so venemously stung that he burst soddainly into great passion and choler breaking his chaplet of beads from his girdle and flinging them into the fire and he sware deeply to boot that he valued more his sweet Abbey of Wooburn than any fatherly Counsell or Commands that could come from Rome Bedford parting away in such a high snuff and passionate indignation the Queen and her Lord Chancellor were able to guess at the tempers and inclinations of other Subjects and therefore concluded it greater Policy to smother and conceal than to publish and prosecute a motion that would prove so generally distastfull CHAP. II. THese Great hopes of Restauration of Lands and Revenues being over and suspended if not extinguished The designs were laid how to vex and torment those who professed the Religion Reformed in King Edward the sixt his Reign and there was no want of Invention to create sharp Lawes loud Proclamations cruell Edicts and violent Resolutions to raise bitter and bloudy Persecutions Death and Martyrdom grew suddenly very familiar and was the common high way wherein many Reverend Prelates and pious Clergymen walked whose patience and holy examples many thousands religious and devout people followed enduring rather the loss of life Liberty and of all things than of faith and a good Conscience Imprisonment then was accounted but as a more secluse Retirement more fit for Christian tears and prayers Banishment was looked on as a more tolerable Burden being so much the lighter because born amongst Strangers in a farre Countrey and the Afflictions were the more easie because the Sufferers were permitted to live as good Confessors and though in a sad condition thereby were able to breath out and testifie the truth and justifie their innocent Cause both at home and abroad This storm being over after 5 or 6 years Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the Crown in whose prosperous Reign what malice and mischief was contrived and acted by the Roman underminers what scandals against the Queen her Person her Honor her Government her Authority All Histories of those times describe very plentifully All those malicious damps and vapors rose from the venome of the Jesuites and Romish vipers and their Confederates They did breath and spit the same loathsome Poyson on K. James whose Golden pen hath left a treasure to after-Ages of his great Abilities and Learning the dint and impression of his skilfull strokes lyes heavy on the memory of Cardinal Peroon and Cardinal Belarmine and many others of that black Society who have been worsted and confuâ—ed by the most powerful arguments of his Reasons and Learning Collected out of undoubted Antiquities Councils Fathers Histories and unquestionable Authorities And when the Jesuites could not distemper his Majesties Remonstrances nor Replyes with most unmannerly scandalous Language nor interrupt his Pen with monstrous lies nor convince him with their slight and cunning Answers and Objections they drove on their designes with a Powder-plot which timely and providently discovered and prevented the Contrivers and Actors had the reward of Traitors in England though Recorded and honoured as Martyrs at Rome And the Countenancers of that black conspiracy are accounted by all rational men and good Christians no otherwise than as Leopards and Blackmoores whose sports and ugliness can never be washed and wiped away CHAP. III. THese Spiders have twisted their Webbs made their Circumferences and drawn their Lines throughout the Reign of the late King Charles and then like high-towring Eagles soaring aloft they hoped more confidently to build their houses sublime and stately They judged the Advantage great if the foundation not sure because of a toleration of the Roman Religion in the Queens Chappel and Court under which privilege much mischief might be hatched and contrived and some part acted to the disturbance of the Peace Vnity and Vniformity of the Church of England And yet all sober-minded men may be easily satisfyed and perswaded that the Inconveniences which rose from that toleration neither thrive from the connivency much less encouragement or contrivance of his Majesty who then reigned who gave his Queen and her Ghostly fathers the Priests and the Roman Catholiques of her Majesties family leave to enjoy the Roman Reliligion according to the Articles of Mariage agreed on betwixt the two Crowns of England and France and if it be ugly and most unhandsome in a Gentleman it were more ignoble and sordid in a King to break his word It cannot be denyed but in the first 14 yeares of the late Kings Reign the Romish Engineers had more calm opportunities to frame