as Sibboleth bewraied an Ephraimite Iudg. 2.6 so the Libellers style his words and phrases among many other euident reasons descrie that he is an admirer of the Decretall doctrine which appeareth as well out of this very Title as out of the Booke it selfe Arguments that the Auctor is a Papist I Out of the Title 1. By those words true and charitable Brother of the Reformed Church which it is not likely that any man would affirme of himselfe 2. Out of these words by searching the Scriptures and examining their Spirits for the sense c. which is not the vsuall style of any Protestant 3. Because he distinguisheth betweene Protestants and them of the Reformed Church which no Reformer euer did II Out of the Booke it selfe To omit his style words or phrase of speech it appeareth he is a Papist 1. Because he citeth the Scriptures in Latine after the vulgar Translation as fol. 1. b. 2. a. 3. a. 4. b. 5. b. 11. a. c. 2. Because he braggeth of the number and multitudes of Papistes fol. 2. b. 5. b. 3. Because he speaketh of the late Queene without any reuerence fol. 3. b. 6. a. 21. a. 22. b. and sometimes with contempt and reproach fol. 9.6.22 b. 4. Because he speaketh promiscuously somtimes in the person of a Puritane fol. 2. b. c. sometimes in the person of a Protestant fol. 4. a. 8. b. 19. b. 23. a. and sometimes discloseth himselfe a plaine Papist fol. 13. a. 20. a. 5. Because he vrgeth the diuision betweene Protestants and Puritanes to be not in ceremonies onely but insubstantiall points of faith fol. 4. a. which the Puritanes do not affirme 6. Because he tearmeth the Kings coronation and vnction Papisticall ceremonies fol. 4. b. which Puritanes do not 7. Because he slandreth and belieth his Maiestie to take vpon him the title of Supremacie he meaneth Supreame head of the Church for otherwise the Puritanes neuer denied his Maiesties lawfull Supremacie in all causes Ecclesiasticall and Ciuill in matters of Religion fol. 5. a. 8. Because he slandereth the kingdome to containe all Sects of Religion fol. 6. a. 9. a. 10. b. 19. b. 9. Because he slandereth the Queenes gouernement and saith that Papistes are faithfull to God in their Religion fol. 6. a. 11. a. c. Which Puritanes cannot endure 10. Because he maketh the Puritane to speake phanaticallie and to contemne the Booke of articles fol. 8. b. 9. a. yea and sometimes falsly to accuse himselfe of sedition and treason fol. 14. b. 11. Because he speaketh disgracefully of Bishop Iewell and fauourably of his Aduersaries fol. 13. a. 12. Because he praieth that Iewels Chalenge may be prosecuted in all points which no Puritane doubteth of fol. 13. a.b. 13. Because he glanceth at the Queene for protecting the Netherlanders fol. 18. a.b. 14. Because he belieth Luther to haue dealt with the Germans to call in the Turke fol. 20. a. 15. Because he wisheth the Kings Maiestie to keepe friendship with the Pope himselfe fol. 21. b. 16. Because he desireth marriage with Spaine fol. 23. a. But to leaue the Auctor as he is a Machiauellian Hypocrite let vs come to the Libell and examine how Toleration tendeth to vnitie of Religion Loyaltie to the Kings Maiestie c. as is pretended in the Title VVOrshipfull and my louing brother in the Lord I haue receiued your louing aduertisements by writing and I honour you the more aswell for that I see thereby your sincere affection continued towards me as also for your singular zeale euer to maintaine the Gospell In which respects I take in good part your seuere reprehension and distast of the aduise I lately gaue for a milder course in matters of b Religion then hath beene for many yeares in this Realme followed Whereas you protest to remâ—in still my friend notwithstanding our difference in opinion touching this point therein appeareth your well grounded affection and loue towards me and I could wish that all our brethren would keepe the same course of charitie towards all men howsoeuer they differ from vs in sense or opinion So should we beare the marke of true Religion and by this badge be knowen to be Christs disciples if we loue our Enemies Christ commannded vs to loue our neighbour and declared as you know that the Samaritan was neighbour to the Iewe and thâ—refore not to be excluded from his loue howbeit otherwise he could not communicate with him in diuine affaires Your zeale is commendable in that you say with Paul Vtinam abscindantur qui vos conturbant for with him you may so pray that they which withstand and hinder the course of the Gospell were cut off and rooted out But in that you wish them to be cut off by the sword and I contrariwise by the force of Gods word in this our opinions are different Fol. 2 a Wherefore my drift is in this Apologie and defence first to set downe plainely my opinion and then to lay open the reasons that mooued me thereto And so to come to the matter I wish with you and pray as Christ himselfe did that all the Kings Maiesties subiects may be made one in Christ to acknowledge all one God to embrace all one Faith to liue vnder the rules of one Law and so to agree if it may be in will and affection that we may be all Cor vnum anima vna One hart and one Soule and this we both agree to be best not onely in regard of the Soules health and eternall saluation but also for the ciuill policie and temporall gouernment of his Maiesties Dominions For whosoeuer would wish or seeke to 1 By this Reason the Libeller is neither of God nor a good Poluician for in the whole course and scope of this Epistle he aymeth at nothing so much as to nourish diuision nourish diuision in any sort as he cannot be of God so is he not to be accompted a good gouernour or right politician In our last assembly at London it was our prayer as you may well remember that the Kings Maiestie exalted to so great a Monarchie and gouernment of so many 2 All his Maiesties Kingdomes through Gods speciall blessing professe the Gosell only some fewe particuler members in the same are diuersly affected in ReligioÌ„ which are neither so great nor so many in number God be thaÌ„ked that any of his Highnesse Kingdomes should be denominated of them kingdomes diuersly sorted and affected in Religion might haue that gracious vertue of the Adamant stone to draw vnto him and b winne to vnity in Faith the people of diuerse nations so committed to his charge For who of vs all doth not desire from his hart that the 3 As who would say the ProtestaÌ„ts walked in darkenesse as well as Papistes Protestants and Papists of England which are many in number and the Papists of Ireland where there are 4 The whole kingdome of Ireland man festly selandred fewe or none
razing at least the deadly wounding of Popish Idolatrie The one whereof by Gods great blessing his Maiestie hath in manner already performed The other by Gods grace vsing the ordinary meanes he is shortly to effect The encrease of Papists in this Kingdome In the meane time it is certaine that Papistes vpon what false grounds I know not considering his Maiesties heroicall and constant Resolution to maintaine the puritie of the Gospell bragge much of their number and multitudes within this Kingdome whereby they haue encreased their malicious zeale in so much as they seeme to be euen almost ready to breake forth into actuall Rebellion I will not speake of the multitude of pestilent Books which they haue lately brought into the Realme to moue Sedition nor of the flocking hither from beyond the Sea of whole swarmes of Iesuites and Priests besides two Benedictine Prouincialls with their fellow Locustes who are said to haue shared the Kingdome betwixt them to prepare the people for their purpose nor of their labouring to alienate the common peoples affection from their loyaltie towards his Maiestie nor of their pernicious Libelling against the State nor yet of their Insolencie and Rage towards the persons of some particular Ministers and others that stood in their way Onely their furie and malice may be partly gathered by their outragious and enormous fact lately committed at Enborne in Barkeshire Ontragious parts plated by the Papistes as Enborne in Barkeshire as may appeare by this parcell of the Libell they left behinde them in the Church which in perpetuall detestation of their insolent Libelling-spirit I thought good here to insert as foloweth A fragment of a Papish Libell And now what we bee if any would know Catholiques we are and so do auow The Seruice-Booke here scattered all Is not diuine but hereticall So is the Bible of false translation To cut and mangle it is no damnation The Register also if so we do serue We serue it no other then it doth deserue For why should new Heretiques be thus enrold Enrole good Catholiques long dead of old Out with new Heretiques hence let them go Register Catholiques and register no mo For Catholiques onely are worthy record Into Church-register to be restord The Papistes violent carriage an argument of their imminent ruine This violent carriage of the Papistes in time of their restraint as it doth sufficiently declare their more then Diabolicall audacitie if they had libertie granted them so vnto me it is an euident argument of their imminent ruine For in deadly diseases it is commonly seene that before the period of death the patient is wont to receiue some small strength which vnto the vnskilfull giues hope of perfect recouerie but vnto the learned Physition as the extreamest endeuor of Nature is an infallible token of certaine death To this end at the commandement of such whom in the Lord I am bound to obey in all things I haue penned this subsequent Tractate wherein I haue proued the Vnlawfullnesse and Danger of Toleration of promiscuous profession of diuers Religions aswell by Lawes Diuine and Humane as also by Reason and the woefull Experience of such as euer found themselues deluded by humaine Prudence or Policie Of Toleration of Heretiques If any man shall aske whether I thinke it altogether vnlawfull for a Christian Prince in any case to tolerate Heretiques within his dominions where true Religion is setled I answer that I thinke I haue manifestly proued in this Treatise that the exercise of a contrarie Religion ought not to be admitted because it prouoketh the indignation and wrath of GOD against the whole Land exposeth orthodoxe Christians vnto the danger of Gods reuenging furie and breedeth contempt of Religion Of Heretiques cohabitatiō amongst true Christians But if Question be made concerning the cohabitation only of such with vs I answer that submitting my selfe I willingly commit that vnto the grauer iudgement of such as haue experience of publique affaires and exact knowledge of all Antiquitie albeit I am perswaded that all Christian Princes ought carefully to labour as much as in them lieth that Heretiques do not inhabite together with Orthodoxe Christians they should waigh whether Religion the Church and Common-wealth by mutuall exchange receiue any thing which may more benefit them So that I thinke Note will onely Ciuill and Politique Reasons as the profit of some Citie or Prouince greater gaine in traffique enlargement of buildings or encrease of reuenewes are not to be regarded in this case if they be compared with the mischieuous wilfull contempt of Ecclesiastique and Ciuill Magistrates and with the certaine danger of corrupting good Citizens who can hardly touch pitch and not be defiled therewith especially by such as are wholy bent to peruert and infect aswell their owne children friends as their fellow-citizens and neighbours Almightie God Lord of Heauen and Earth of his infinite mercy and loue in Iesus Christ giue his Church rest and deliuer vs from this great plague of Popish Heresie Amen Farewell good Reader London-House this 18. of May. 1605. Thine euer in the Lord IESVS CHRIST Gabriel Powel The vnlawfulnesse and danger of Toleration of diuers Religions and Conniuency to contrarie Worship in one Monarchie or Kingdome CHAP. I. ¶ Of the diuersitie of Opinions concerning Pacification Diuers opinions concerning Pacification DIVERS haue beene the proiects deuises and practises of sundrie men to redresse the difference in Religion and disparitie of worship which now for many ages haue vexed the Christian world Some haue thought it necessarie that the common Cause were debated in a free I A generall Councell lawfull and generall Councell Which would to God we might see so assembled and ordered by Christian Princes as the WORD OF GOD preuailing and all our Controuersies taken away there might be but one flocke and one folde as there is but one Shepheard Christ Iesus But this cannot be obtained of the aduerse partie without most vniust and vnequall conditions of appointing him to be the iudge of our cause whom we are to charge before Almighty GOD No man ought to be Iudge in his owne cause his holy Angels and his whole Parliament of Saints to be the very same great ANTICHRIST whom the Scriptures foretold should come for iust punishment of the wicked who haue not receaued the loue of the trueth and the very head of that great Whoore which hath made all kingdomes drunke with the cup of her fornications Wherefore seeing such a free and lawfull assemblie cannot be had we must remitte our selues to the Great Day of triall when Christ shall come with thousandes of his mightie Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead and before Saints and Angels before Heauen and Earth all Creatures bearing witnesse of his Iustice giue sentence according to his written-word on our side against our aduersaries Others imagined that the difference betweene both Religions is not so great but that there
and in the end to be the very cause of ruine and ouerthrow to all estates and kingdomes CHAP. III. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions out of the New Testament Toleration vnlawfull by the New Test Neither is the New Testament any thing more fauourable herein then the Olde for GOD is iealous of his honor as well in the one as in the other and cannot endure any corruption or false worship 1 That saying is well knowne Christ The Iewes meddle not with the Samaritanes Ioh. 4.9 Wherefore Christ commaunded his Disciples saying Into the cities of the Samaritanes enter ye not Matth. 10.5 2 Christ will haue all obstinate Heretiques and Idolaters to be solemnly excōmunicated out of the Church If he refuse to heare the Church let him be vnto thee as an heathē man a Publican Matt. 18.17 3 Againe Christ saith Beware of false Prophets which come vnto you in sheepes clothing Matth. 7.15 Take heed beware of the leauen of the Pharisies and Sadduces Matt. 16.6 Take heed that no man deceaue you for many shall come in my name Matth. 24.4 Many false Prophets shall arise and shall deceaue many Matth. 24.11 4 The Apostles in like manner diligently inculcate the same doctrine Paul I beseech you brethren saith Paul marke them diligently which cause diuision and offences contrary to the doctrine which you haue learned and auoid them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but their owne bellies and with faire speech and flattering deceiue the hearts of the simple Rom. 16.17.18 5 Againe I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ that you all speake one thing and that there be no dissentions among you but be ye knit together in one minde and in one iudgement c. 1. Cor. 10. Where he reproueth the schisme of such as tearme themselues of Pauls side or of Apollos or of Cephas 6 Furthermore Purge the old leuen 1. Cor. 5.7 What fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse And what communion hath light with darkenesse And what concord hath Christ with Belial Or what part hath the beleeuer with the Infidell And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols 2. Cor. 6.14.15.16 7 Also If an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise than that which we haue preached let him be accursed If any man preach vnto you otherwise then you haue receiued let him be accursed Gal. 1.8.9 8 And Be not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage Would to God they were euen cut off which doe disquiet you Galat. 5.1.12 9 To the Philippians he writeth Beware of dogges beware of euill workers beware of the concision For many walke of whom I haue tolde you often and now tell you weeping that they are the enemies of the crosse of Christ Philip. 3.2.18 10 Likewise to the Thessalonians We warne you brethren in the name of our lord Iesus Christ that you withdraw your selues from euery Brother that walketh inordinately and not after the instruction which he receiued of vs. 2. Thess 3.6 How can such be auoided if they be promiscuously permitted in the same societie 11 And to Timothie Stay prophane and vaine bablings for they shall encrease vnto more vngodlinesse And their word shall fret as a Canker of which sort is Hymineus and Philetus which as concerning the truth haue erred from the marke 2. Tim. 2.16.17.18 And Alexander the Copper-smith hath done me much euill the Lord reward him according to his workes Of whom be thou ware also for he withstood our preaching sore 2. Tim. 4.14.15 12 But most plainely to Titus Reiect him that is an Heretique after once or twice admonition Knowing that he that is such is peruerted and sinneth being damned of his owne selfe Tit. 3.10.11 13 The Apostle Peter saith Peter Yee therefore beloued seeing you know these things before beware least ye be also plucked away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your owne stedfastnesse 2. Pet. 3.17 14 Iohn willeth vs Iohn If there come any vnto you and bring not this doctrine receaue him not to house neither bid him God-speed For he that biddeth him God-speed is partaker of his euill deedes 2. Iohn 10.11 15 In the Apocalypse the Lord writing vnto the Angels or Bishops of the seuen Churches of Greece commendeth the first of Ephesus because he could not beare with them which are euill and had examined them which said they were Apostles and were not and had found them lyers also because he hated the workes of the Nicolaitans Apoc. 2.2.6 16 But he reproueth the third of Pergamus because he suffered them which taught the doctrine of Baalam which taught Balac to put a stumbling blocke before the children of Israël that they should eate of things sacrificed vnto Idols and commit fornication to wit which maintained the doctrine of the Nicolaitans Apoc. 2.14.15 17 And the fourth likewise of Thyatyra because he permitted the woman Iezabel to teach and to deceiue his Seruants to make them commit fornication and to eate meates sacrificed vnto Idols Apoc 2.20 18 Finally he reproueth the seuenth of Laodicea because he was Luke-warme neither hoate nor cold This Bishop was a true picture of Neutralitie Such also are they who permit toleration of diuers Religions and seriously imbrace none at all whom God will spue out of his mouth Apocal. 3.15.16 CHAP. IIII. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuerse Religions out of the Ancient Canons Councels and writings of the Fathers of the Primitiue Church Toleration vnlawfull proued by SO farre are the Ancient Canons the Decrees of Councels and the primitiue Pastours of Gods Church from admitting any mixture in Religion any communion or collusion with Heretiques and Idolaters that they seriously condemne the same accursing all Heretiques their abettours and fauourers as may be obuious and plaine vnto any man that will vouchsafe to peruse these places which to auoide prolixitie we will but onely point at 1 That which is more obscurely intimated in those Canons which are termed Canons the Canons of the Apostles Can. 11. 45. Clement Bishop of Rome doth plainly set down in his Apostolicall Constitutions alleadging diuers places of Scriptures which we haue cited before Clem. lib. 6. cap. 13.18 26. 2 Hereunto adde the Canons of the Eliberine Councell Can. 6. of Chalcedon Councels Can. 14. and of the sixt Synode Can. 72. also of the Laodicean Councell Can. 31.32.33 of the fourth a Carthage Can. 71.72 and of the sift Synode at Constantinople Sub finemsess 3. 3 Now let vs heare the ancient Fathers speake Fathers Tertullian saith Tertullian Heretiques must be compelled not prayed to doe their dutie for Heresie is not to be perswaded but to be ouer come by rigour Tertul. Scorpiac aduers Gnost Cap. 2. 4 Athanasius hath these wordes Athanssius Arius Eudoxius and Patrophilus when they write such things Heresies How I pray you are they not
Persecution from Toleration 2 Hence arose the persecutions against Christ his Apostles and the primitiue Christians because the Aduersaries perswaded themselues that diuersity of worships could not be admitted without great commotions and detriment vnto the Empire The Pharisies say of Christ This man doth many miracles If we let him alone all men will beleeue in him and the Romanes will come and take away both our place and the nation Ioh. 11.48 Againe they calumniate him saying We haue found this man peruerting the nation c. Luc. 23.2 So also after Christs ascention the Gentiles accused the Apostles saying These men trouble our city And preach ordinances which are not lawfull for vs to receiue nor to obserue seeing we are Romanes Act. 16.20.21 Ciuill gouernment cannot continue long without puritie of Religion 3 Again as the Soule gouerneth the Body and the body yeeldeth obedience and defence vnto the Soule as vnto his gouernour So Religion is as it were the soule vnto politique regimēt which should guide the same and politique Regiment ought to yeeld the duties of obedience and defence vnto Religion Wherefore if Religion be endangered or corrupted with the foule contagion of licencious profession what hope can there be that the ciuill gouernment can long continue inuiolate Toleration dissolueth the bonds of obedience 4 Diuersitie and dissention in Religion dissolueth the bonds of obedience of loue and amitie amongst Subiects for it breedeth exacerbation of minde and causeth diuulsion and distraction of affections and consequently prepareth way to tumults vproares seditions massacres and ciuill wars whereby the state of the common-wealth is vtterly ouerthrowne It was the forerunner of the ouerthrow of the Empire 5 Toleration of diuerse Religions and immunitie of profession hath beene the fore-runner of the confusion and ruine of the greatest states as appeareth in the Empire Of Iurie 6 So also God permitted Iurie to abound with diuersitie of Sects in the daies of Herode as the Sadduces the Essenes the Pharisies the Herodians that is Courtiers which were of all Religions or rather of no Religion wholy depending of their Princes pleasure when he purposed to destroy the Iewish Common-wealth and to bring all in subiection to Christ Heathen Emperours permitted toleration to roote out Christian Religion 7 It hath beene the cause also of the confusion defection and ruine of the most famous and floorishing Churches and a supplanter of Religion For the Pagan and Apostata Emperours because they would supplant the true Christian Profession granted libertie and immunitie vnto all Sects of Heretiques 8 So Iustine Martyr complaining vnto Antoninus Pius writeth All they who proceede from these Symon Menander and Marcion are indeede called Christians as all Sects of Philosophers are termed by one generall name And whether they be infamed with those odious lies of putting out the lights promiscuous companie and deuouring of humane flesh we know not but this we certainely know that not one of them is put to death by you Iustin Mart. Apolog. 2. 9 So Apollinarius the Hieropolitan speaking against the Cataphrygians saith Is there any one of the disciples of Montanus and of those foolish women his complices who euer suffered persecution at the hands of either Iew or Gentill Certainely not one Apud Euseb lib. 5. cap. 15. 10 So Cyprian speaketh What saith the Nouatian Heretique to these things Do you acknowledge which is the Church who is the Minister of God and of the house of Christ who be those Seruants of God whom the Diuell vexeth who be those Christians whom Antichrist impugneth He seeketh not to ouer come those whom he hath alreadie conquered nor careth to foile whom he knoweth are his owne c. Cypr. Epist 57. ad Corn. And in another place The enemie of Christ impugneth and persecuteth none but the Souldiers of Christ he contemneth and passeth by the Heretiques who are foyled and become his Champions Cypr. Epist 58. ad Lucium 11 So Constantius the Arian Emperour tolerated other small Heresies as his Sisters Constantius to vomite their blasphemies against Christ but persecuted only the Christians as Athanasius testifieth Athanas Epist ad Solitar Zozom lib. 4. cap. 19. 26. 12 So Iulian the Apostata Iulian. at the request of Rogatianus and Pontius graunted libertie of perdition these be Augustines words out of Optatus Mileuitanus vnto the Sect of Donatus and then gaue vp the Churches vnto Heretiques when he restored the Temples to Diuels thinking by that meanes to roote out the Christian name from the earth if enuying the vnitie of the Church from which he fell he freely permitted all sacrilegious dissention August Epist 166. Optat. Mileuit contra Parm. lib. 2. 13 So Basiliscus freely tolerated whomsoeuer he thought would resist the Orthodoxe and Ecclesiasticall doctrine Basiliscus Niceph. lib. 16. cap. 2. Constantinus Copronymus 14 So Constantinus Copronymus persecuted Christians onely and tolerated Iewes Magicians Pagans and all sorts of Heretiques Zonar Annal. lib. 3. 15 Nicephorus So the Emperor Nicephorus to the ende he might spare the Maniches gaue freedome of profession vnto all Sectaries and vexed onely the Catholiques Paul Diacon lib. 24. 16 Theodoricus So Theodoricus King of the Gotthes granted the Arians a toleration putting Symmachus Patritius Iohn Bishop of Rome to death and banishing Boëtius and afterwards killing him also Sigebert in Chron. 17 Toleration rooteth out all Religion Furthermore if Shepheards did suffer their sheepe to wander vp and downe the mountaines would they not become a pray vnto Wolues If a shippe be carried with euery waue and puffe of winde without direction of the Pilotte should it escape shipwracke If the Magistrate permitted his Subiects to gouerne euery man himselfe and his familie could such a diuided regiment long endure So if euery Sect be tolerated to professe what they list without restraint who seeth not that such wicked licence tended to abolish all Religion 18 Besides Nothing can be more vnsafe and dangerous to Kingly State Toleration dangerous to Kingly estate then to vse Ministers of diuerse affections in Religion as well because they can hardly liue peaceably among themselues without simultation as also because his fidelitie that is contrarily affected in Religion may iustly be suspected seeing he reputeth the King an enemie to God and all godlinesse Pernicious to Subiects 19 Also Nothing can be more intolerable and pernicious vnto the Subiect then toleration partly because that Iustice cannot be sincerely and duely administred by Officers of contrary Religion and partly because of the continuall daunger wherein they stand to be infected with heresie for it is hard to touch pitch and not to be defiled therewith Toleration prouoketh Gods plagues 20 Toleration causeth a diuision betweene God and vs it prouoketh Gods curses his plagues and iudgements vpon that King or Prince who being carelesse of Religion tolerateth Heretiques Idolaters and also vpon that kingdome or
kingdomes to perswade the people to allow of the Popes Bulles and to reconcile men from their loyaltie and obedience to the Queene vnto the Pope Which traiterous course had it not beene by Gods goodnesse espied and staied there had followed imminent danger of horrible vproars in the Realme For some of these cursed and seditious Seedes-men and sowers of Rebellion were discouered and being charged with euident points of high Treason not being dealt withall vpon Questions of Religion were truely conuicted openly condemned and iustly executed as Traytors vnto their Prince and Countrie Hereby appeareth the Libellers impudencie and malice in traducing the Queenes gouernement for tyrannie whereas indeed it was but due and needfull execution of Iustice for necessary preseruation of her person estate and Subiects For that Prince that neglecteth his Office and suffereth disloyall Subiects and Rebels to haue their wils for want of resistance and courage ought not to be pitied though he lost his Crowne his head his life and his kingdome Touching the increase of Papistes ten to one that were before in the yeere 1582. ten to one it is a malicious lie and vntruth which needeth no further refutation For lightly said without proofe may be lightly contemned without answer Of the increase of Papistes in the last yeeres of the Queene And that the Papistes began to increase in the later yeeres of the Queene it was by reason of impunitie and slumber of Iustice as her Maiestie confesseth in her Edict Nouemb. 15. 1602. which she was then presently about to reforme and indeede had so donne if she had not beene preuented by Death You will perhaps reply that in Scotland our brethren had better successe when they tooke armes in the daies of his a Maiesties mother for the 1 A malicious vntruth spreading of the Gospell Fol. 16 yet you must confesse that it was but small discretion to set all vpon the vncertaintie of a battaile Many like violent attempts haue beene practized in that Realme through zeale of Religion but by clemencie and moderation his Maiestie hath not onely escaped the dangers but also made himselfe a peaceable Master and Lord ouer them all imitating heerein that most renouned French King Henry 3. who perceiuing the fire of Ciuill wars to kindle betweene the King of Nauarre who was of the Religion and the house of Loraine would 2 For he neuer ioyned with both together breake neither with the one nor the other but fauoured them both so farre as in the end he made himselfe 3 The Libeller must needes be either a foole that knoweth not what he writeth or a Knaue for belying of Stories For that poore King was so farre from being peaceably Lord ouer the house of Lorraine that they traiterously caused him to be murdered in his Campe before Paris Reade the Answere peaceably head of them both who afterwards wholy depended vpon his wil pleasure To continue yet further in the affaires of Fraunce they that haue seene the successe may witnesse that no violence could worke out 4 True because the gates of hell cannot preuaile against Christs Church them of the Religion in the time and raigne of Charles 9. and since the said King Henries death the force of Spaine ioyned with Fraunce vnder the conduct of the Dukes of Parma and Du Maine did not so much b preuaile in Fraunce as did the Bishop of Rome his 5 O curteous entreating courteous entreating the now King and his adherents although of a contrary Religion vnto him If the Pope will for his more 6 For he doth nothing but for aduantage aduantage yeeld to them in some things who were his greatest enemies what neede we be so straight laced against our owne Countreymen for matters of Religion May not his Maiesties example of clemencie towards the Papistes heere mooue some Prince abroade to be 7 Fonde suggestions fauourable to our brethren Is not the Masse suffered at Rochell and other like townes in Fraunce in hope that they of the Religion may be like-suffered in Paris and other such townes in Fraunce Haue not our brethren in Holland offered to admit the Papistes to preach and say Masse in their Countries so that they might haue like libertie in all the other Prouinces If we haue the truth why should we 8 Let the Libeller perswade the Pope and the King of Spaine first to graunt this libertie to our Religion feare that other Religions should haue libertie with vs and why may not the King doe as the Queene mother did in Fraunce who being a stranger in the Countrey and at the death of her husband the gouernement of the Realme 9 No otherwise then by great meanes and entreatie falling into her hands during the minoritie of her children did iudge a it the wisest way for the maintenance of her authoritie Fol. 17 to keepe still on foote the oppositions which she found either by diuersitie of Religion or otherwise and to fauour them 10 False for from the yeare 1562. vnto her dying day she was an extreame enemy vnto them of the Religion all in such sort as still she might be able to curbe the stronger by supporting the feeble and weaker partie Euery little gouernour in France that hath vnder his charge a towne or prouince where men of sundry Religions liue as the Duke Memorancy the Duke Bullion Diguiers and the like taketh the same course as the Queene mother did and so keepeth his places or prouinces at his deuotion and in due obedience And at this day in Fraunce you see no vndiscreetely zelous man in great fauour with the King or in high estate to gouerne that by the moderation of such as are not too forward the insolency of other whom zeale may mooue to be troublesome may be repressed And 11 Non causa pro causa thus the Countrey is kept in greater peace and quietnesse then hath beene seene in Fraunce for 40. yeares before and that chiefely by the diligence and dexteritie of two especiall fauorites of the King the Marques of Rosne high Treasurer and Monsieur de Villaroy principall Secretary both of them b of farre different yet temperate humour in Religion Wherefore the Scottish Noble men tooke armes It was not for the cause of Religion that the Noblemen of Scotland tooke armes as the Libeller would make vs beleeue but for other matters The house of Guise in France vnder colour of consanguinitie and Religion brought into Scotland French forces in great numbers Whereupon the ancient Nobilitie of the Realme seeing the imminent danger of reducing their kingdome vnder the Tyrannie of Strangers tooke armes against the enemie and being not strong inough to subdue them praied the Queene of England her ayding forces which her Maiestie knowing the action iust and honourable easily granted them and accordingly expelled the Strangers and restored the Nobilitie to their degrees and ancient priuiledges and the State to peace
Parma with Spanish forces taking the Rebells part against their lawfull king with Cyclopicall immanitie set vpon them of the Religion whom they could not subdue by any force of armes because it was but vaine for them to fight against GOD. And the Duke of Parma his disgraces and shame in those attempts are commonlie knowne How curteously the Pope entreated Henry 4. K. of France But for the Pope his curteous entreating of the now king of France besides that thereby he prouided for his owne commodity and profites in that kingdome What curteous dealing was it to lash such a mightie king in the person of his Embassadour at Rome after the singing of euery verse of Miserere vntill the whole Psalme was sung out The king of Great Brittaine will neuer enuie or grudge this humanitie and curtesie vnto any Of the queen Mothers dealing towards Protestants The Queene Mother desirous to retaine the Regency in her owne hands during the minoritie of her Sonnes vsed those of the house of Guise as a counterpoyse vnto the Princes of the bloud but neuer granted any thing vnto the Protestants but what had beene granted and ratified before by many publique Edicts Yea from the yeere of our Lord 1562. vntill the yeere 1588. Ian. 5. which was the time of her death she omitted no sleight deuise cunning policie nor diuellish practise that she could possiblie inuent vtterly to extirpate and roote out the Religion out of the kingdome of France As for the Duke Mommorancy the Duke Buillon the Lord of Diguieres and such other they do but as they are bound to doe by publique Edicts Now then let vs see what successe thay had that tooke the contrary course of violence Truxes in these our daies B. of Colen became a Lutheran and desirous to bring the Countrey of his Electorship and so in time the whole Empire to Lutheranisme vsed no violence against his subiects that were Papistes 1 Trucces neuer vsed violence a-against any man first nor last vntill Cassimere gaue him contrarie councell by which he cleane ouerthrew himselfe liued in banishment died in beggerie and left the Countrey without 2 False all hope of euer enioying the Gospell againe The zeale of the Archduke of Stiria was highly commended by the Papistes for his religious minde but not for his vndiscreete attempts in banishing them that were of a contrary Religion out of all his dominions except they would become Papist like himselfe and now it is euident that the moderate gouernment of his Father was much better who considering how dangerous a neighbour he had and the number of those who otherwise would haue liued discontented in his Countrey permitted them their Religion and intreated them no worse then a his other subiects whereby he ended his daies in peace Fol. 18 whereas his Sonne following a more heady course of gouernment was the occasion that some of his subiects 3 Being banished thence vpon pain of Death departed their Countrey and had 4 Most false entercourse with the Turke others stayed and dissembled their Religion while Canisia the key and stay of that countrey was deliuered vp 5 Because they could not choose the Turke winning the same by the dint of his sword by them to the Turke who the more freely spoiled all the Land because the Archduke hauing lost the harts of his subiects wanted men and meanes to resist him A worthy but lamentable mirror for all Princes to looke in and behold how perillous a thing it is to vse violence against 6 Against true Religion whatsoeuer Religion but especially for England that so neere at hand hath such mightie Kings who perhaps would be glad of the like occasions We haue sometimes supported their 7 A lying Libeller subiects against them for zeale of Religion and therefore we haue iust cause to feare the like measure If Charles 5. in Germany had not abated the flame of ciuill warres 8 by forbearing to persecute true Religion by his conniuence and toleration the French King had made as easie an entrance into other parts of the Empire as he did into b those three Imperiall townes Metz Towle and Verdun but by the losse of these Citties his successours haue learned to take a more milde course with their subiects of whatsoeuer Religion least they should open a more dangerous gap for the Turke the professed enemie of the Empire and all Christendome The like toleration as in the Empire is all so permitted in the kingdome of 9 We liue not by examples but by Lawes and rule of Reason Poland by reason of the Moscouit bordering vpon them and in Dantzik as you know there is publique profession of both Religions In Zuitzerland at the first heate many a bloody battaile was fought for Religion but in time they learned to ioyne wisedome with zeale for conseruation of the state and now they liue in peace with all securitie tolerating within their Cantons the one and the other Religion If the King of Spaine had at first permitted libertie of Religion in the lowe Countries he had spared many a million both of men and money and enioyed with peace that which he is neuer like to recouer In that glasse likewise may we see how ready 10 Great in the Libellers malice against the late Queene but God be thanked her Maiestie had neede neither to feare nor to enuie any King or Prince whatsoeuer Princes are vpon such occasions to weaken the forces of other a Princes their neighbours whose puissance they feare or enuie their glory Fol. 19 But now let vs looke home and we shall 11 The infatuated Libeller can see nothing but Papists see Ireland ouergrowen with Papistes who haue not dissembled themselues as by the late warres appeared but especially at the Queenes death when not onely in the Countrey 12 The Libellers generall and vniuersall Lie generally but also in the chiefe townes where they were most restrained made their publike processions after the Papisticall fashion where the Right honourable the now Earle of Deuenshire most sage and wise in his gouernment not by force but 13 True when he had fairely hanged vp the principall Agents in that vile attempt faire meanes suppressing their feruour conserued the Countrey in peace and obedience to his Maiestie and we see that the King doth not dislike that course by his singular fauour to 14 His Maiestie did but gratiously ratifie the pardon which the Queene had granted before Tyrone and his complices Scotland for the face of the Church is generally of our reformed Religion yet hath the Papist part 15 Popish sclanders of the Liberller so great a sway in the Countrey and so mightie a support of the Nobilitie that not many yeares since they encountred the Earle of Arguile in the fielde and gaue him the ouerthrowe Howbeit they 16 Loyall Subiects needed ot to haue fled fled before the face of the
to make them high places and Images and groues on euery high hill and vnder euery greene tree therefore Shishak King of Egypt came vp against Ierusalem and tooke the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the Kings house and tooke away all c. 1. King 14.23.25 12 Abiiah the Sonne of Rehoboam because he walked in his Fathers sinnes Abiiah and was polluted with Idols had continuall warre with Ieroboam King of Israël 1. King 15.3.7 13 But this Abiiah obiected against Ieroboam that he could not prosper because he had erected Idols in his kingdome and had made him Priestes contrarie to the Law and assured himselfe of Gods assistance against him for this reason because they had the Lord for their God who was their Captaine and his lawfull Priestes the Sonnes of Aaron sounding the Lords trumpets in the fielde before them Therefore saith he O yee children of Israël fight not against the Lord God of your Fathers for ye shall not prosper And accordingly it is added that the Israëlites were ouercome hauing fiue hundred thousand men of warre slaine and the Iewes were strengthened because they rested vpon the Lord God of their Fathers 2. Chron. 13. throughout 14 Asa Asa his Sonne one while prospered when he put away all the Idols that his Father had made and then decayed when he followed the vaine discourse of flesh and blood and sought vnto the Assyrians for helpe 1. King 15.10 2. Chron. 14.1 c. 15 Iehoshaphat the Sonne of Asa prospered and grew vp on high Ichoshaphat because he lifted vp his hart vnto the waies of the Lord and tooke away the high mountaines and groues out of Iudah 2. Chron. 17.6.12 Notwithstanding he is reprooued for his affinitie and societie with wicked Achab King of Israël 2. Chron. 19.2 16 Amasiah Amasiah because he obeyed not the Prophet but defiled himselfe with Idolatrie heard this saying I know that the Lord hath determined to destroy thee because thou hast done this 2. Chron. 35.16 17 The same thing also caused Azariah or Vzziah first to fall into sinne Azariah and then to become a leper 2. King 15.4.5 2. Chron. 26. 18 It was an obiection against Iotham the sonne of Azariah Iotham and a great fault laid to his charge 2. King 15.35 Ahaz as also vnto Ahaz his sonne 2. King 16.4 and to Manasses after his repentance 2 Chron. 33.17 that they tooke not away the high places 19 Ezechiah Ezechiah because he tooke away the high places and brake the images and cut downe the groues and brake in pieces the brasen Serpent and trusted in the Lord God of Israël deserued this commendation that after him there was none like him among all the Kings of Iudah neither were there any such before him 2. King 18.4.5 20 Manasses Manasses his Sonne falling into Idolatrie was carried away prisoner into Babylon but humbling himselfe and praying vnto GOD he was restored againe to his kingdome which he purged from Idolatrous worship 2. Chron. 23.11.12.15 Albeit it was a blemish vnto him that he tooke not away the high places as we haue noted before 21 Notable is the historie of King Iosiah Iosiah who did vprightly in the sight of the Lord walked in all the waies of Dauid and bowed neither to the right hand nor to the left who read the law before the people put downe the Idols killed their Priests destroied the Coniurers and at last was mercifullie taken away that his eies should not see all the euill which the Lord was to bring vpon Ierusalem 2. King 22. and 23. throughout also 2. Chron. 34. and 35. 22 Nebuchadnezzar when he had seene the power of God in the deliuerie of Shadrach Nebuchadnezzar Meshach and Abednago made this decree saying I make a decree that euery nation people and language which speake any blasphemie against the God of Shadrach Meshach and Abednago shal be drawen in pieces and their houses shal be made a iakes Dan. 3.29 23 King Darius seeing Daniel strangely deliuered from the Lions denne Darius made this decree that all people nations and languages in the world should reuerence and feare the God of Daniel Dan. 6.25.26 24 The King of Niniueh compelled the whole Citie to humble themselues before God King of Niniuth to turne from their euill way and from the wickednesse that was in their handes Ionah 3.6 seqq 25 Ieroboam King of Israël Ieroboam knowing that vnity in Religion would turne the hearts of the people to the obedience of Rehoboam brought in new worship and caused them to commit Idolatrie And Ieroboam thought in his heart saith the text Now shall the kingdome returne to the house of Dauid If this people go vp and do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Ierusalem then shall the heart of this people turne againe vnto their Lord euen to Rehoboam King of Iudah so shall they kill me and goe againe to Rehoboam King of Iudah Whereupon the king tooke counsell and made two calues of gold and said vnto them It is too much for you to goe vp to Ierusalem Behold ô Israël thy gods which brought thee vp out of the land of Aegypt and he set the one in Bethel and the other in Dan. 1. King 12.26.27.28.29 Whereupon the Children of Iudah were interdicted their company 26 And of the Prophets A man of God And when a Prophet sent from Iudah did but goe in vnto another Prophet sent from Iudah did but goe in vnto another Prophet in Bethel to eate bread he was slaine by a Lion as he returned homeward 1. King 13.24 27 The Prophet Elias could not endure mixture of Religion but exhorted the people to one Religion saying How long halt you between two opinions If the Lord be God follow him but if Baal be he then go after him 1. King 18.21 28 The Lord saith by the Prophet Zephaniah Zephaniah I will stretch out mine hand vpon them that worship and sweare by the Lord and sweare by Malcham Zephan 1.5 Hosea Amos Micah 29 Hoseah Amos and Micah directed their Prophecies against the tribe of Ephraim or Samaria with whom Iudah had made a league 30 I will adde this one out of the Apocrypha that Iudas Macchabeus being alwaies a Conquerour as soone as he had made a league with the Romans was presently ouercome and perished and his Brethren when they had renewed their friendship with them and with the Spartanes neuer prospered in batraile 1. Macch. cap. 1. and 9. and 12. and 14. and 16. These and infinite such like auctorities and examples declare that puritie of Religion and true pietie are the foundation of all true wisedome and policie and the cause of all happie successe and prosperitie and that impietie idolatrie heresie corruption and mixture of diuers Religions what shew so euer it hath of outward commoditie and profit for a season yet indeed
Common-wealth where Heresie and Idolatrie is exercised Emperours plagued for toleration Constantius 21 Theodoret and after him Nicephorus speaking of Constantius say At that time when he heard that Iulian whom he had declared Caesar of all Europe began to conspire and moue sedition against him that had extolled him to so great honour departing from Syria into Cilicia he fell into an Apoplexie and died Because he kept not the heritage of his Fathers pietie whole he was destitute of that helper which his Father had ordained for him wherefore he grieuouslie and bitterly lamented that he had changed Religion Theodoret. lib. 2. cap. 31. Niceph. lib. 9. cap. 50. lib. 10. cap. 1. For he repented of three things although all too late as Greg. Nazianzen testifieth 1. That he had elected Iulian to be Caesar 2. That he had banished Athanasius 3. That he had changed Religion Naz. in vita Atha apud Nice priori loco 22 Iulian. Also The death of wicked Iulian as Theodoret speaketh declared his temeritie and impietie in granting toleration to the Gentiles and to all Heretiques For going ouer into Persia to warre against the Christians vpon the sudden he was wounded with an arrow which he tooke out of his body and filling his hand full of blood he threw it vp into the aire crying out Thou hast ouercome ô Galilean so this blasphemous dogge termed our blessed Sauiour thou hast ouer come and so died presently Theodor lib. 3. cap. 20. Niceph. lib. 10. cap. 34. 23 Likewise Valens Valens that great fauourer of Heretiques being in great distresse was forsaken of his brother Valentinian who sent him answere that it was not lawfull to ayde him that fought against God and refusing the councell of Terentius and Traiane his Captaines and of Isaac Bishop of Bretanioa who tould him that fighting against God he must needes be dest tute of Gods helpe would notwithstanding desperately fight against the Barbarians and sending his armie to the battaile he withdrew himselfe into a village hard by expecting the euent of the field But his Soldiers being not able to stand in the Barbarians face turned their backes and fled the Barbarians pursuing after them made a great slaughter and comming vpon the village where Valens was they burned it together with the Emperour Theod. l. 4. cap. 28. Niceph. lib. 11. c. 49. 50. 24 Basiliscus the Tyrant being by Gods iudgements betraied by his owne Captaines Basiliscus and deliuered into the hands of Zeno the Emperour was sent into Cappadocia and there murdered with his wife and children Niceph. lib. 16. cap. 8. 25 Hauing spoken of the Emperours on whom God shewed his iudgements for wicked toleration and collusion with Heretiques it remaineth to speake a word or two of common-wealthes which in like maner were punished by diuine wrath Common-wealthes and cities plagued for Toleration Nicomedia 26 Constantius in fauour of the Arians calling diuers Synods at Nicomedia when there was a Synode congregated a sudden earthquake ouerthrew almost all the buildings in the citie together with the temple that had beene but lately built and the citie walles wherewith infinite numbers were slaine and the timber taking fire by reason of the furnaces baths and shops of artificers the whole Citie seemed as it had beene but one bonefire Nice lib. 9. cap. 39. The Roman Empire 27 During the raigne of Iulian the Apostata God sent diuers calamities into the Roman Empire insomuch that it was not safe for men to tarrie within dores by reason of earthquakes nor to walke abroad by reason of great tempests of thunders lightnings haile c. Alexandria The citie of Alexandria was ouerflowne and drowned with the sea Also at other times the drought was so great that it killed all fruits and infected the aire whereupon ensued such a famine that men were faine to feed on beasts foode which ended with a pestilence and very great mortalitie 28 Of Valens his times thus writeth Nicephorus After the warre against Procopius there fell haile as big as great stones and there were such earthquakes in diuers places which did very great harme in many countries Nicea but quite ouerthrew Nicca a citie in Bithynia This was the twelfth yeare after the Subuersion of Nicomedia And not long after by another earthquake Seruia a citie in Hellespont Seruia was vtterly destroyed And a little after shewing the cause of these calamities he addeth This haile and earthquakes as most men thinke Note well proceeded from the anger of God against the Emperor because he banished many Bishops and was about to put to death whosoeuer did not subscribe vnto the opinions of Eudoxius Nicep li. 11. c. 5. CHAP. IX A Consideration of an Epistle apologeticall written by a Puritane-Papist in fauour of Protestants Papists and those of the Reformation HAVING laide downe such Reasons as in my simple opinion may moue any reasonable moderate and sober man fearing God to derest factious Toleration it remaineth to answer the arguments of the contrarie Paradox which because they are couched together in a small Pamphlet lately cast abroad to moue sedition I will briefly examine that whole Tractate ab ouo admalum as they say It is a litle booke in 8o. conterning 3. sheets of paper the number of euery folio shal be set in the margine in his due place the former side or face shal be distinguished by the letter a and the latter by b The Title is this Fol. 1 a AN EPISTLE OR APOLOGIE 1 Yea rather of a false idolatrous and vncharitable Papist of a true and charitable brother of the reformed Church in fauour of Protestants Papists and those of the Reformation for a 2 As if the proceedings against Papists hitherto were immoderate more moderat course of proceeding in matters of Religion by searching the Scriptures and examining their Spirits for the sense and true meaning of them by a peaceable conference and such easy meanes as were practised in the Apostolicall and Primitiue Church for planting the faith and rooting out of errour tending to 3 He speaketh by contraries vnitie of Religion loyaltie to the Kings Maiestie increase of honour to him and his posterity and good of the Common-wealth ANSWER A CERTAINE Stranger comming on Embassage vnto the Senators of Rome and colouring his hoarie haire and pale cheeks with vermillion hiew a graue Senatour espying the deceit stoode vp and saide What synceritie are we to expect for at this mans hands whose lockes and lookes and lips doe lie So the Libeller counterfeiting a sweete voice as Iacobs but hauing rough hands as Esaus The auctor of the Epistle a dissembling Hypocrite styling himselfe a true and charitable Brother of the Reformed Church being indeed an old Idolatrous Papist that hateth to be reformed what synceritie are we to looke for at his hands that so notablie dissembleth his religion euen at the first entrance But for all his cunning
as you suppose note to my shame yet I hold it not ignominious to change for the better vpon these and others so graue considerations as in this Treatise I shall set downe for your and others satisfaction Saul when he stoned Stephan and the other Martyrs had zeale but without knowledge so had I while I was of your opinion and confesse with Paul 19 But the libeller iam sapit vs pravus for he glorieth in vomiting his owne shame Sapiebam vt paruulus my vndiscreete zeale blinded my vnderstanding and in my iudgement there wanted ripenesse and maturitie As you do now so did I then storme within my selfe to see his Maiestie 20 As though his Highnesse were not able to rule himselfe ruled by the Protestants not onely in those 21 A Machauellian pract se to bring the Puritans in detestation with his Maiestie who neuer accompted thus of his Coronation and Vnction Papisticall ceremonies of his coronation and vnction but also in the whole course and practise of the Communion Booke and administration of sacraments that he should leaue the whole state of the Church of England in the same sort as a he found it Fol. 5 and take vpon him the title of 22 Good Sir there is difference betwene Supremacie and Supreame head this latter Caluin saith that some attributed vnto K. Henry 8. of vndiscreet zeale supremacy in matters of Religion a point highly blamed in K. Henry 8. by Master Caluin who without all controuersie was one of the chiefâ—st instruments of the Gospell and therefore neuer as yet receiued by any of our reformed Churches At his Maiesties first comming to the Crowne we expected nothing lesse then this suddaine 23 Soft and faire the weathâ—r is not so calme not the reasoÌ„ still as you would make the world beleeue calme towards the Papistes They liue in peace and pay no more the Statute and that by commaundement from the King Some that lost their lands and countrey are now restored to both with grace which made me wonder at the first and enter into due consideration of the fact when conferring with some of knowen wisedome and zeale I vnderstoode that the Marques Rosne Lord Treasurer of France sent hither as Embassadour did amongst other points very mainly 24 Whether this be true or no his Maiestie best knoweth and I thinke iâ— is extreame presumption and arrogancy for aâ—y â—ubiect to disclose the secrets of his Soueraigne But what do not disloyall Papists dare to It may be that Marques de Rosne perswaded the K not to force any 〈◊〉 Protestans Subiects to the businesse of Religion but it is not likely he spake any thing in fauour of Papists and if he did his Maiestie knoweth what he hath to do well inough perswade his Maiestie not to force any of his subiects in the businesse of Religion himselfe being as you know a very good Christian And further vnderstanding how 25 Great Britaine hath no cause God be thanked to e uie them this quietnesse quietly our brethren in France liue together with the Papists vnder lawes prouided for that purpose I finde that this b Nobleman hath dealt honourably with his Maiestie and giuen the same aduise by which the King his Master wonne Fraunce and established his 26 Because the Papistes would neuer acknowledge him to be their lawfull King vntill he had made profession of their Religion Crowne in peace I will not follow the Libeller in his immethodicall idle Digressions sit to preuaile with worldly mindes that neuer tasted the truth which if I should labour to repell with such a discoursing style I should but waste paper and wearie the Reader wherefore I will ioyne issue with him in as fewe tearmes as may be The Libellers Proposition His Proposition briefly is this No man is to be compelled to embrace Religion by the temporall sword of the Magistrates power but is to be perswaded by the eternall sword of Gods holy word In the meane time he would haue euery man left to himselfe to embrace what Religion he pleaseth as he professeth fol. 23. b. What we are to iudge of this Proposition is fully declared in the former part of this Treatise But to speake yet more plainly vpon the present occasion I can but wonder with what face the Papistes dare frame such a Proposition as is directly contrary vnto the doctrine and practise of their Church Why for shame rebuke they that in others which they allow in themselues Wherefore do they dayly compell infinite numbers with extreame violence to recant and foresweare the perswasion of their faith The Papistes would compell but not be compelled to Religion Or can they yeeld any reason that they may compell others but none must compell them Their inquiring their burning their murdering of thousands without any respect of innocent guiltie learned vnlearned olde yong men women is indeede very lamentable This kinde of compulsion The Popish Compulsion whereby their Prelates make it their occupation to persecute to death all sorts ages and sexes which refuse their schoole trickes and diuellâ—sh Decretals we detest with our hart and disswade with our tongue affirming that they ought rather with mildenesse patience seeke to recouer such as they thinke lost Yet in Christian Kings and Princes How Christian Princes may compell who beare the Sword as the Apostle saith not in vain are Gods Lieutenants not onely to procure peace betweene men but also by lawes to maintaine Religion towards God we doe not dispraise moderate correction when neede so requireth who with conuenient sharpnesse of positiue Lawes ought to amerce banish and diuersely punish Heretiques Which Christian iustice tempered with equitie exercised by his most excellent Maiestie neither can their friends deny to be charitable nor themselues gainesay to be sutable to that coaction which the Scriptures commend in Iosiah and other godly Kings which the vertuous Emperours followed in the Primitiue Church and which the ancient Fathers vpon deepe Consideration found allowed by God himselfe as the chiefe point which he requireth at the hands of Christian Princes True it is that Religion vseth rather to perswade then to compell that GOD did rather shew then exact the true knowledge of himselfe and that true Bishops and Pastours ought rather teach then torment their flocke Yet are the obstinate and stubborne refractaries Papistes may be compelled to abandon their Heresie who refuse instruction to be compelled by the Magistrates for dread of punishment tempered with good instruction to forsake their heresies and forbeare their Idolatries wherewith Christ is dishonoured and his trueth defaced Otherwise questionlesse the Lord will enter into iudgement with his Deputies and Vicegerents and exact a strict accompt for his name blasphemed his Sonne refused his trueth scorned his Sacraments prophaned his word exiled and then what answere must be made for the ruine and shipwrake of faith the haruest of sinne and
like the little brookes which by great showers swell vp for a time so mightily as they seeme to be great riuers and runne with such violence that a they beare away or shake very maine foundations Fol. 14 To passe ouer these torrents in their 3 But if they be restrained at first they can neuer attaine to such height of pride pride it were too dangerous and rash an attempt to seeke to hinder their current were no lesse folly In patience these waters are with pleasure seene to fall because they proceede not from any true spring as riuers doe So fareth it with all heresies and teachers of errour They destroy themselues at length though no force for the time can tame them the reason whereof is truely deliuered by Christ in those words Euery plant which my heauenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted vp By this then 4 But you haue proued nothing saue your selfe a foole you see that violence is not the best meanes to plant or conserue the truth not to destroy errour I could therefore wish that an easier hand were caried towards all of what Religion soeuer and the rest left to God who knoweth best the season and meanes to compasse that which may be most for his glory And if forraine examples may perswade aught we see how the French King although he be now no 5 The more he hath to answere for But I hope the Lord will yet open his eyes to behold the glory he fell from and giue him grace to returne from his euill waies Amen more of the Reformed Religion findeth himselfe b bound in 6 As if he had no greater bond to stay him from persecuting the Protestantes common humanitie not to persecute them of the Religion because he found them 7 A good testimonie out of an Aduersaries mouth But this condemneth Papistes who haue beene very often treacherous vnto him alwaies faithfull vnto him and ready to maintaine his title to the Crowne If this course of proceeding be esteemed 8 By whom hath it beene so esteemed honorable in him how can any man iustly dislike that 9 The case is farre different Reade the Answere our King should maintaine in their estate and dignitie such of this realme of England as notwithstanding diuersitie of Religion were alwaies ready to make good his Right and when time serued 10 Because they could not otherwise chuse receiued him with all ioy and gladnesse And if for the fault of a fewe the whole number were to be condemned our partie might exspect but small fauour at his Maiesties hand among whom 11 Name but one some haue beene found more forward against him then among them as may appeare by the late conspiracie wherein their errour was rather to change some proceedings then the King besides that the danger thereof was by some of the Papist first discouered to the state Of Gamaliels Counsell It is not the Euangelist Luke that commendeth Gamaliel but the Libeller Luke saith onely that Gamaliel was 1. a Pharisie 2. a Doctour of the law 3. honoured of the people Act. 5.34 The Libeller saith he was a man 1. of deep iudgement 2. a worthy Doctour in the law of Moses 3. commended much for his politique aduise Whereas indeed the aduise which he gaue was very foolish and imperfect vnfit to be giuen by a man of deepe iudgement For it is not likely that Gamaliel spake so because he approued or fauoured the doctrine of the Gospell or for that he purposed to vndertake the defence of the Apostles But because he saw the Iewes furious and madde he being a humane and moderate man by a middle and gentle speech moderated and asswaged the excesse of their rage But if we should subscribe to Gamaliels iudgement then were euery man to abstaine from all punishment and so no malefactour should be corrected for any offence whatsoeuer I confesse both these sayings be true in themselues 1. If it be of man it will come to naught 2. If it be of God you cannot destroy it Gamaliels aduise foolish But Gamaliel inferreth from these Propositions a false illation or Conclusion that in the meane time we ought to stay and expect the dissolution or vanishing of wickednesse of it owne accord this is no consequence Yea rather we ought to consider and execute what God commandeth who willeth that all wickednesse be punished And to this end he ordained Magistrates and armed them with the sword of Iustice to take vengeance of euill doers If that Theodas and Iudas of Galiley whom Gamaliel speaketh of had beene restrained and curbde at first their impiety had neuer ascended to that height it did afterwards Wherfore Ierome saith as we haue noted before If that little sparke Arius had beene extinguished at first the flame thereof had not consumed the whole world Hieronym in Cap. 5. ad Galat. The Libellers instāce of the French King To the Libellers instance in the French King I answer I That his doings can be no discharge vnto his Maiestie We may not imitate the vices but the vertues of others Let the Libeller first proue that the French King doth well in tolerating Popish heresie then vrge his example The Kings Highnesse perceiuing by Gods law what euery Prince ought to doe regardeth not what other Princes please to do deseruing thereby the more thankes with God and praise with men for that in guiding his people he rather embraceth religious pietie then sacrilegious policie II The French King professing himselfe a Papist granteth toleration to Protestants who as the Libeller acknowledgeth were euer loyall and faithfull Subiects vnto him who maintaine no opinions preiudiciall vnto his royall estate and of conscience do and will alwaies obey him Whereas his Maiesty of Great Britaine being indeed of the Reformed Religion is solicited to grant toleration vnto Papists who defend positions contrary vnto the lawfull and soueraigne auctoritie of Kings and who it is certaine I speake of the greatest number of them are neuer loyall Subiects vnto any saue the Pope only III Poperie was neuer yet expelled out of France and it is more then the Papists there can do to ruine and expugne the Protestants peace being granted vnto the Religion for aboue 40. yeeres confirmed by the Kings Princes Nobles and Parliaments of that kingdome But our case is otherwise for Poperie hath beene and is still expelled out of Great Britaine IV In the kingdome of France the diuisions are so many and so intricate of Protestants and Papists Royallists and Leaguers Patriots and Spanish yea the Nobilitie diuided from the third state and the townes from the fields as it seemeth God hath some great worke to bring to passe vpon that nation Wherefore it can be no safe president for Great Britaine to imitate And now that this milde dealing is 1 The Libeller hath only sufficiently prooued himselfe a pragmaticall dissembling foole and nothing else sufficiently proued not
to be contrarie to the word let vs see awhile what course is best in humane and ciuill policie Fol. 15 a The wisest Princes and greatest statesmen indure within their dominions in the 2 We vnderstand not what case this is case proposed diuerse sects and sorts of Religion contrary to their owne lett vs behold the experience as well of those that endure them as of those that haue bent their forces by violence to roote them out as first for example our late Queene was not of her selfe enclined to force or constraine the consciences of the Papistes her subiects and with that moderate course which she held in the beginning of her raigne she gained the generall good liking of all parts and liued in great securitie of her person But when she was once drawne by men of violent spirits to roote them out by losse of fortunes libertie and 3 She neuer put any to death but for Treason life she found by experience that 4 A manifest vntruth the more they were afflicted the more their numbers daily increased and her selfe put often in feare as well of insurrections at home as inuasions from abroade vnder colour of relieuing men so grieuously oppressed The greatest force that euer she vsed to roote them out was about the yeare of our Lord 1581. and inquirie being made in the yeare following of the number of Recusants they were found by the bils b of Sir Owen Hopton then Lieuetenant of the Towre and others in commission to haue increased in the circuit of that yeare 5 A thing altogether vnlikely ten for one She assaied an other way by banishment of some losse of goods and life of others yet left she at her death 6 The reason hereof see in the Answere more Papistes then when she first began those violent courses besides huge numbers of close Papistes and their well-willers among which are many of high calling who in regard that it concerneth their 7 And yet this fellow is no Papist forsooth Soules and euerlasting life could not liue but with a most fearefull disgust The warres also which haue beene continued in Ireland against Oneale Desmound and Tirone haue beene tedious bloody and coastly all which might haue beene auoyded with carying a gentle hand euer them and suffering them according to their Religion which notwithstanding is so firmely grounded in their harts as very fewe persons of marke doe at this time embrace the 8 Note the Libellers gall in this tearme libertie of the Gospell besides that the countrey hath beene in hazard to be lost and planted with 9 And all by the disloyaltie of Papistes a potent enemie Of the late Queenes proceedings against Papists As it is true that Consciences are not to be compelled but perswaded by force of truth and vse of all good meanes of instruction So it is certaine also that Causes of conscience when they grow to be matter of faction loose their nature wherefore Princes may and ought to punish exorbitant practises albeit coloured with pretence of conscience in Religion According vnto these principles hath that Mirrour of this Age our late Soueraigne Lady Queene ELIZABETH of eternall memorie behaued her selfe during the whole time of her happie raigne Comming to the Crowne detesting the Popish Tyrannie which by terrour and rigour ouerruled mens consciences with great wisedome she permitted onely the exercise of true Religion and tolerated the Papistes with vnspeakeable lenitie expecting that time would worke some good effect in them Popish Bulls against the Queene In the meane time when the Pope by intercession and intreatie of other Princes abroad could not preuaile with her Maiestie to receaue againe into her kingdome the contagion of Popish Heresie then he beganne to thunder out Bulles and excommunications against her which for many yeeres her Maiestie suffered quietly accompting them but as words or winde or water bubbles without punishing the diuulgers and fautours of them But after some proofe perceiuing that some intemperate and factious Subiects tooke courage thereby she could not but esteeme them to be preambles and forerunners of greater danger And therefore for her defence against them she reuiued former lawes to prohibite the publication or execution of such kinde of Bulles within her Realme and Dominions The Bull of Pius V. Notwithstanding this prohibition the Papistes abusing her Maiesties lenitie and clemency brought the said Bulles plentifully into the Realme to moue sedition and at length most impudently and most arrogantly set vp one of them publiquely vpon the gate of the Bishop of Londons pallace wherein her Maiestie was denounced to be no lawfull Queene and her Subiects drawne vpon paine of eternall damnation from her obedience Now who can in common Reason and Sense mislike that her Maiesty finding this kinde of denunciation of warre as a defiance to be made in her imperiall Citie by one of her Subiects auowing and obstinately maintaining the same should according to iustice cause the offendour to haue the reward due to such a fact Felton executed This was the first action of any capitall punishment inflicted for matter sent from Rome to moue rebellion which was about the 12. yeere of her Maiesties Raigne Rebellion in the North. Hereat the Pope burning with indignation and furie from words and writings fell to actions and practises against her Maiestie the State soliciting and prouoking her Noblemen and Subiects to disobedience and open rebellion Whereupon ensued the rebellion of the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland and their adherents in the North who putting themselues in armes against their liege Lady required by solemne Proclamation forsooth not onely safe conduct and libertie for the Masse but also the releasing of prisoners banishing of preachers reuersing of lawes and displacing of Counsellors whom the Queene subdued by her forces Inuasion of Ireland Not satisfied herewith the Pope entertained the Traitors and rebells that escaped out of the Realme for the rebellion and sent them with certaine bands of Souldiers and Captaines of his owne furnished with treasure munition victuals ensignes banners and all other things requisite for warre into the Realme of Ireland where the same forces with other auxiliar companies out of Spaine fortifying themselues very strongly on the sea side proclaimed open warre erecting the Popes banner against the Queene and also sent certaine disguised fugitiues into England secretly to allure the people to new rebellions But through Gods power and speciall helpe her Maiestie by lawes suppressed the factious stirrers of sedition in England and by her sword vanquished all the Popes forces in Ireland The Originall of Seminary Priests And when the Pope saw that he could not preuaile by way of force and violence he deuised to erect vp certaine Schooles which he tearmed Seminaries to nourish and bring vp persons naturally disposed to sedition to become seedes-men in the tillage of Rebellion and them to send secretly into these
King when he came in person leauing b their houses and Countrey at his Maiesties deuotion England is much more diuided into sects especially into three the Protestants only allowed by authoritie in the Realme the Papists who pretend antiquitie and thirdly our selues who no lesse desire to reforme the Protestant abuses then they haue done the Papists The state of his Maiesties Dominions standing thus then as you see what 17 The Libeller thinkes none wise but himselfe wise man can wish him to sturre much against any For what man may iustly repine if he but onely abstaine from violence We may very well content our selues that our King is of our faith and will not suffer vs and our doctrine to be either disgrace or defaced and a temperate course with the Papistes may winne them to be as ready as others to withstande all forreine inuasions or 18 Who are likely to make insurrections at home but Papistes home insurrections if either of both vnder what pretext soeuer should happen And in like case as was our Portugall voyage or vpon any reuolt of the Indians or tumult in Fraunce ten thousand Papistes would doe mere seruice in winning to them the inhabitantes of those parts being as they are affected in Religion then 19 Who euer knew a more impudent lying Libeller thrice tolde so many of a vs. Fol. 20 Thus may you see what wildnesse will doe and how lately Repentance may follow the 20 Hence may be gathered that the Libeller is well striken in yeeres greene and vnripe heads of Roboams young vnaduised and violent councellors The Libellers instance in the Elector Trucces Archbishop of Colen The Elector Trucces Archbishop of Colen neuer attempted any thing by armes or violence within his iurisdiction But as soone as the Pope vnderstood that he fauoured Religion he vniustly depriued him of his honour and dignitie and consecrated the ambicious Bishop of Leodium in his place In the Archduke of Stiria In Stiria the Archduke by the instigation of the Spanish Queene his Sister and the pernicious Councels of the Iesuites expelled true Religion from his dominions where it had taken deepe roote before to the iust hazard of his Dukedome which now lieth sore bleeding So also is all Hungarie at this instant like to be rent from the Empire and vtterly lost vpon the same reason and iudgement Oh Lord What meane these men to plucke vp the sweete flowers and leaue the stincking weedes To cut off the fruitfull branches and let those that be rotten and withered alone to burne the corne and spare the stubble Why put they Noah into the Arke and drowne themselues whose being amongst them kept them from the deluge Wherefore do they thrust Lot out of Sodom that kept the citie from burning and oppresse Moses who should wrestle with Gods anger and keepe it from them Charles the 5. As for Charles the 5. his granting of toleration why should not the Germanes submitting themselues vnto the Emperour at his Election but vpon condition enioy the same liberties and securities of their publique State as their Fathers did before them Poland and Dantzike The same thing also may be said of Poland c. But the case is otherwise in Great Britaine which is an absolute Monarchie Touching Zuitzerland Heluetia it is no newes to see many lawes vnder many Lordes the Cantons or Cities of Heluetia haue regall iurisdiction within their seuerall precincts and liberties not one of them admit mixture of Religion Some of them as Zurich Basil Bearne Schaffouse Glaris and Appensel haue embraced the doctrine of the Gospell the rest Fribourge Lucerne Vri Swits Zug Vnderuard and Soullerre persisting still in ignorance retaine the Popish Heresie in the same fashion as they were wont And for the Low-Countreies Flaunders What reason is there that the King of Spaine should alter their State euert their ancient Lawes disanull their liberties and priuiledges his style declaring him to be not King but Earle of Flanders His purpose was to haue established a martiall Gouernement amongst them as being very commodious vnto him that in time he might easily as occasion should be offered haue made himselfe Commander of England of France and at length absolute Monarch of all Europe But the Netherlanders being very wealthy and inhabiting townes strong and defensible by fortification both of nature and industrious art could not endure his tyrannie And indeed the Spaniard being admitted a Protectour if he will needes become an oppressour wherefore should not they defend the freedome of their Countrey especially their priuiledges being of such nature as they do iustly esteeme themselues but Conditionall-Subiects to the King of Spaine and their Countrie being neuer an absolute Monarchie Queene Elizabeth supporting of the Hollanders Now because the Libeller maliciously glanceth at the late Queene for supporting and protecting the Netherlanders I answer That her Maiesties proceedings in that action were so iust so Christian and mingled with so many honourable reguardes as nothing doth so much acquite her Maiestie not onely from passion but also from all dishonourable policie For first at the beginning of those troubles she imparted vnto the King of Spaine sincere aduise not to hold a heauie hand ouer that people which he reiected and contemned Her Maiestie neuerthelesse gaue not ouer her honourable resolution which was if it were possible to reduce and reconcile those countreies vnto the obedience of the King of Spaine if not yet to preserue them from alienating themselues to a forraine Lord and so continued to mediate vnto the King for some iust and honourable Capitulations of grace and accord Which course she held vntill the death of the Duke of Aniowe at which time the enemie pressing them the vnited Prouinces were receiued into her Maiesties protection which was after the king of Spaine had discouered himselfe an vnplacable Lord to them and also a professed enemie vnto her Maiestie hauing alreadie actually inuaded Ireland and designed also the inuasion and conquest of England Her Maiestie notwithstanding still retained an euident proofe to the world of her iustice and moderation in that she refused the inheritance and soueraigntie of those Prouinces which by the States with much instance was pressed vpon her I will adde yet an example in the Monarchie of the 1 A fit President for Papistes to follow but not for Christian Princes professing the Gospell Turke who gouerning himselfe only by the light of naturall reason as we may doe when it is without preiudice to the gospell set doune as a Maxime in policie to clime the better to that greatnes whereto he aspired not to force the conscience of his subiects nor euer to change with violence the Religion in such kingdomes as he might happily subdue Whereupon some haue more easily yeelded vnto his conquest and 2 Who be they that we may know them others oppressed by theire owne Princes and perturbed with ciuill warres
haue called the Turke vnto them and made him Lord of the wholle land which they would neuer haue donne if it had beene his custome to force any against his conscience in matters of Religion Luther himselfe being pressed by the warres of Charles 5. dealt earnestly with the Germans 3 A malicious lie to call in the Turke hoping that vnder his guuernement he might more freely preach the gospell and 4 Non causa pro causa for the b greater glory of their nation and theire Prince his aduancement the French doe best like the same course of toleration in Religion and haue found by practise that they liue in peace with the exercise of both religions 5 Vpon exception the Libeller meanes to defend himselfe by this word allmost in all their townes not without greate hope that in reuolution of tymes their King may haue thereby a more easie accesse vnto the empire or to other states as occasion falles The States of the vnited Prouinces haue offered him such an entry into theire countrey as he should neuer haue obtained if there had beene the least suspicion of forcing their consciences and in vaine should he 6 Is the Libeller of Counsell to the French King that he knoweth his secret intent ayme at the kingdomes of Nauarre and Naples or the Dutchy of Millaine were he an enemy to their Religion Why then might not our King take the like course for 7 This whole Paragraph with some few following doe argue that the Libeller is an Atheist occasions or pretensions abroade and his safety at home it being the readiest way to keepe all his forces vnited and all his subiects in most dutifull affection towardes him and his royall issue For whosoeuer considereth the multitude of his people and their valor how easily they are leauied how speedily imbarked for any a countrey Fol. 21 shall finde that our King may with greater reason aspire to the election of the Empire in case he did affect it then any other or some of his noble issue be chosen Kinges of Poland or be readie to imbrace any occasion offered for the encrease of this Monarchie The French King was 8 How proueth the Libeller these things or haue we any reason to beleeue him on his bare word glad to see our late Queene embarked in the warres of the low Countreies at what time perchaunce by reason of his trobles she might haue recouered the Dutchy of Normandy and perhaps the better parte of Fraunce as she was once resolued to haue donne by the aduise of Duke Cassimer and she had gonne forwarde had it not beene laied cleerely before her eyes how 9 An odious lie odious she had made herselfe vnto that nation by persecuting her subiectes at home with taxations and torture and to this purpose they published in print the seuere lawes which she had made against the Masse and the Papists They that called in the Spaniard would haue yeelded more willingly to their ancient Dukes of Normandy had they not beene withdrawne with feare of loosing the exercise of their Religion And if Fraunce should fall againe as it may b into the like daunger vpon some new occasion were it not to be wished that such partes theirof as would seeke to be vnder the gouernment of a stranger might fall rather into our hands then any other By this you may perceiue that the Marquis Rosne his conceipt was not to our disaduantage For they of the Religion in Fraunce in time of ciuill warres may giue vs an entry and the other the rather for our alliance with many of their Princes will giue vs aplancke to passe ouer for theire reliefe I dwell not in these examples as desirous of warre for I wish his Maiesty for his more assurance at home to strengthen himselfe abroade in ciuill amity with all with Fraunce with Spaine yea with the 10 No doubt the Libeller hath a Pope in his bellie Pope himselfe for it is no wisedome to make light of any mans frendship I wish his Maiestie likewise to entertaine as he doth all his subiests with sweete behauiour to cut of all occasions from foreine Princes to support his subiects or disunite his Kingdomes which they neuer wisht to see so vnited in one His Maiesty therefore hath greate reason to cherish all indifferently a and to put none out of his English Arke Fol. 22 no more then Noah did out of his where as you knowe there were beastes of all kindes Ireland was a greate temptation to the Spainiard and the French take little pleasure at this mariadge with Scotland whence they were allwayes wont to haue reliefe when our armies were in Fraunce All things are best preserued by such meanes as they are begotten God hath made him our king without bloodshed and with such peace he may raigne more assuredly then by any force or violence The Turke as I haue said got many kingdomes by tolerating their Religions but when there arose a newe secte in his owne lawâ— passion and presumption made him forget the Principle by which he grewe to be so greate and so he lost by one reuolte the halfe of his Empire which nowe the Persian enioyeth whilest by warre and force he striued to gaine them The Libellers instance in the Turke To passe ouer the loosenesse of the Libellers allegation what meaneth the lewdnesse of his instance and example Is his cunning so small or malice so vile that he will bring in the Turke to countenance his intention What madnesse is it for him to thinke that a Christian King furnished with so rare gifts of wisedome learning and vertue would swarue from the steps of the famous and godly Kings of Iudah would repeale the lawes of Religious and auncient Emperours to be sorted with Saracins or take part with the chiefest vpholders of mahometisme The Libellers grosse lies The residue of this parcell is nothing but notorious and palpable lies interlaced with Machauellian occasions and pretensions I know not what His grosse and palpable lies are I That some Protestants haue easily yeelded vnto the Turks conquest II That others being oppressed by their owne Prince haue called the Turke vnto them and made him Lord of the whole land III That the Turkes do not vse to force any mans conscience IV That the Turkes not forcing the conscience made the Protestants to yeeld vnto him V That Luther dealt with the Germanes to call in the Turke VI That vnder the Turkes gouernment he hoped freely to preach the Gospell VII That the French King granteth toleration for the greater glorie of his nation IIX That the French liue in peace with the exercise of both Religions IX That the French King hath great hope to haue easie accesse to the Empire X That the States of the vnited Prouinces haue offered the French King an entery into his countrey XI That the French King aimeth at the Kingdomes of Nauarre and Naples and the Duchie of
and runne headlong into perdition but also as a swift torrent or streame they draw others with them into the same pit Wherefore the Magistrate ought by death seuerely to punish their furie seeing such dangerous monsters can not be permitted to liue without manifest and pernicious perturbation of ciuill Societie APOCALYP 7.12 Amen Praise and Glorie and Wisedome and Thankes and Honour and Power and Might be vnto OVR GOD for euermore Amen FINIS The Chapters of this Booke CHAP. I. OF the diuersitie of opinions concerning Pacification Pag. 1 CHAP. II. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions out of the Old Testament Pag. 3 CHAP. III. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions out of the New Testament Pag. 11 CHAP. IV. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions out of the auncient Canons Councels and writings of the Fathers of the Primitiue Church Pag. 15 CHAP. V. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions from the ancient Fathers practise and carriage in their exemplare liues Pag. 20 CHAP. VI. Reasons against Toleration and Permission of diuers Religions from the Acts Lawes Constitutions Rescripts Decrees and Edicts of Christian Emperours Pag. 23 CHAP. VII That most of these lawes against Toleration and Mixture of diuers Religions were promulgated at the instance and request of the ancient Fathers And that when the Emperours beganne to slacke the execution of Iustice to be indulgent and to collude with Heretiques they were either greatly blamed or at least admonished by them Also the Cause wherefore some Emperours were more conniuent and indulgent towards Heretiques Pag. 31 CHAP. IIX Of the certaine danger mischiefe inconueniences and confusions which Toleration and mixture of diuers Religions bringeth vnto the Common-wealth And how the Iudgements of God prosecuted such Magistrates as permitted licencious profession and also the Common-weales wherein such dissolutenesse hath beene exercised Pag. 38 CHAP. IX A Consideration of an Epistle apologeticall written by a Puritane-Papist in fauour of Protestants Papistes and those of the Reformation Pag. 46 Particular things handled in this Chapter That the Libeller is a Papist pag. 48 The Libellers Proposition pag. 55 Of Popish Compulsion Ibidem How Christian Princes may compell pag. 56 The Parable of the Tares expounded pag. 58 The Parable of the fruitlesse Figge-tree pag. 62 Toleration of Iebusites Iewes c. pag. 63 Whether men may be compelled to Faith pag. 66 How Protestants spake against compulsion pag. 67 The Libellers Digressions pag. 70 Obedience to God the ground of obedience to the Magistrate pag. 71 Of Triall by disputation pag. 73 B. Iewels Challenge pag. 75 Restraint of Hereticall Bookes pag. 76 Of Gamaliels Counsell pag. 78 The Libellers instance in the French King pag. 79 Of Queene Elizabeths proceedings against Papists pag. 81 The Originall of Seminarie Priestes pag. 84. Wherefore the Scottish Noble-men tooke armes pag. 87 Of Henry 3. K. of France pag. 88 Hâ—w curteously the Pope entreated Henry 4. King of France pag. 92 Of the Queene Mothers dealings towards Protestants pag. 92 The Libellers instances in the Elector Trucces pa. 96 The Archduke of Stiria pag. 96 Charles the 5. pag. 96 Poland and Dantzicke pag. 97 Heluetia Ibid. Flanders Ibid. Of Queene Elizabeths supporting the Hollanders pag. 98 The Libellers instance in the Turke pag. 101 The Libellers grosse lies pag. 102 The Libeller an Atheist pag. 103 The weake is to be borne with but not the wilfull pag. 104 Of Marriage of those of diuers Religions pag. 106 CHAP. X. Of the Punishment which ought to be inflicted vpon Heretiques and Idolaters pag. 108