vrged or exaggerated more then against the rest neyther doth this flattering malignant discouerer so much as obiect any such thing done or attempted by the author of this conference nor can he with any shew of truth so do And if the said author any where doth shew lesse desyre of the aduancement of the King of Scots his title towards England which yet in words we find not expressed while he is of different religion from him and no Catholike his Maiestie is wise inough to consider that he could not do otherwise according to the cheef and mayne principle set downe throughout that book about the necessity of true religion that is to say Catholike required in all pretenders that must or may be admitted by Catholike subiects VVhich principle being granted as in the Conference it is prooued and demonstrated by all arguments both humayne and deuine to be a most true Christian religioâ—s and necessary principle it followeth we say that the author being a Catholike could not possibly according to the sincerity of that religion though otherwise he louing and reuerencing the K. of Scotland neuer so much wish or desyre his preferment ouer Catholiks whilst he remayneth of the opposite Religion Nether can this flattering discouerer or his mutinous parteners how desyrous soeuer of gayning fauour say or do the contrary yf they be Catholikes as they professe and haue Catholike consciences and wil conforme their actions therunto for that all true Catholike doctrine and piety is against them in this behalf And finally whatsoeuer this maleuolous calumniator doth prattle in this place of the Authors euil affection towards the king of Scotland to grace himselfe by another mans iniury yet yf he be the man that he is taken for and that the author of the Conference be the party whome the other and his consorts 〈◊〉 giue out it is easily seene and discryed by their former doyngs who do beare most true good wil to that king the one being constant in desyring his conuersion to Catholique religion and therby all true aduauncement both in this life and the next the other variable vp and downe heere and there and after many windings and turnings and castings about as offering their seruices now to one and now to another do now at length fawne vpon him for priuate interest whome before they most impugned and this vpon bare need being broken of where once they hanged on And this is sufficient for the present argument in hand and for confutation of so fond an answere to the book of Succession THEIR FOLLY AND DEceaued spirit in persuading themselues to get credit or recouer that which is lost with any sorte of men be they frendes or enemyes by this their maner of proceeding with clamors and libels CAP. VI. IT is said by a certayne spiritual wise man of some others that in their owne sight seemed farre more learned and wise then he obscuratum est insipiens cor eorum their foolish hart was blynded not to see and consider though they were learned philosophers that which euery simple man of meane vnderstanding being lightened with Gods grace may see and behold to wit that they ran to their owne perdition which folly also and blyndnes we feare hath so possessed the deceaued spirits of these our passionate if not possessed brethren as we may say thesame words of them Obscuratum est insipiens cor eorum for that hauing suffered their harts to be obscured and ouerwhelmed with the perturbation of enuy emulation malice reuenge anger and other like inchauntments and sorceryes of their soules yea rather â—uryes as we may say of spiritual madnesse do rage and runne a desperate course of rayling and rauing against all that stand in their way without any respect of persons state degree or merit or of their owne condition calling or function or credit therof and haue not so much inward light of vnderstanding or consideration as once to ponder or weigh with themselues as it seemeth what other men wil think of them or wether it wil turne to their credit or discredit help or hurt releef or ruyne thus to proceed wherfore to assist them somwhat in this consideration and to the end that we may lay before their eyes some few pointes of that which is most probable to ensue in this behalf and therby to styrre vp their memory and help their iudgment in this contemplation VVe shal runne ouer breefly the cheef partyes or persons with whome they may persuade themselues by this their manner of outeryes and printing libels to gaine or loose credit and to repayre or vtterly ouerthrow their owne reputation And first of all we may consider of forrayne Catholiks in all countreys Christian what they wil think of them when hearing as they haue and do of the tumults raysed by them heere in England and before in Rome and other places which are now renewed againe and more published then euer in other nations sending abroad lately their cheef Captaynes to diuulge the same by their iorney through Flanders France and other kingdomes and prouinces towards Rome as they pretend and giue out but as we persuade our selues they meane not to go thither hauing done said and wrytten as they haue no more then they went or sent thither for prosecuting of their Appeale when lawfully they might and should haue done before his Hol. determination made theron but they as now for certaine we vnderstand neuer so much as caused the same to be exhibited in Rome from them or in their names and much lesse prosecuted or prooued according to law notwithstanding all their clamors and vaunts in the meane space made heere in England as though they had made the same appeale lawfully and with true intention to follow it which was not meant in deed but only to gaine tyme and liberty and to persuade simple men that they were out of all obligation of obedience to their Superiors whilest that controuersy lasted to make a playne delusion of themselues and others VVel then this is their manner of proceeding hitherto which is of all mutinous and seditious people to make outcryes and great noyses that they haue receaued great iniuryes and intolerable oppressions and other like greuances that they wil both say do and proue and yet do meane nothing lesse but onely as curst childreÌ„ to vex their mother and trouble the whole house where they are by crying without cause only of stomack and stubbernesse and the more they are sought to be quieted and appeased by reason the more they cry and skrich VVe haue hard of their late iorney from Douer to Calis from Calis to Newport in Flanders where the Popes Nuntio was sending first a messenger or two before like great men that dout of their owne estate to aske a pasport or safe conduct consider how confident these men are in Cath. Countreys that they need such protections of his Hol. ministers which being graunted they went thither And it
a parte or for that in iudgement and affection they concurre heerin with Protestants and hate them euen for religions sake that is for their eminent zeale in Catholike religion And what credit this may be to them throughout the world with all good Catholiks themselues may easily consider as also what wisdome it is to exasperate without cause so great a multitude of men dispersed ouer all Christendome who haue done them euery where much good and may do and both they and theirs haue need of them in diuers places of our banishment abroad and persecution here at home being subiect to so many necessityes both spiritual and temporal wherin these mens help vnto vs hath and may be very beneficial And in this kynd also is the inconsideration of our said brethren notorious that hauing receaued for so many yeares and receyuing daylie in forraine contreys most principal releefe from the kinges of Spaine both the father now dead and the sonne raigning and our Cathol English mens affayres beyond the Seas and namely our Seminaryes depending in such sort of their good likings and liberalityes as yf they should faile vs the greatest part of all our stay must fal therwith these men not-withstanding as though they had byn hired by the common enemy to ouerthrow our owne cause seeke occasion in these books to alienate them both and the whole nation together by contumelious iniuryes layd vpon them with so intemperate a tongue as no mouth of heretike or other enemy could vtter worse Let vs heare yf yow please some of their speches touching both the one and the other king The K. of Spaine say they ayming at the crowne of England with the death of her Ma. and subuersion of the whole state togeather with the vtter ruyne desolasion and destruction of the whole Isle and the ancient inhabitants therof neuer once shewed any care or respect he or his had to the restoring of the Catholike Râ—mish faith amongst the English nay his direct course was taken quite contrary scilicet to extirpate the name of all Catholiks that were English out from the face of the earth Thus they wryte of his Cath. Ma. And further they are not ashamed in the same place to assure the reader out of the Duke of Medina his owne confession that he had order rather to spare protestaÌ„ts yf he had peruayled in warre then Catholiks And what heretike was yet euer so impudent as to affirme this seeing that both the kings owne Edict published in Spayne concerning that enterprise as also the declaration of the late Cardinal from his Hol. do testifie and protest the quite contrary namely that the old good kinges intention was principally for the aduancemeÌ„t of Catholike religion and relief of poore afflicted Catholikes himself often protesting as most certaynly wee are informed that he neuer ment or pretented in his life any temporal interest for himself to the crowne of England and that if he might haue had any reasonable hope or satisfaction in the other two poynts by any competent moderation or toleration he was desyrous to haue helde peace and good frendship with her Maiestie and the crowne of England aboue all other princes and kingdomes in Europe and the self same disposition wee persuade ourselues by many and great argumentes to be in his sonne the king catholike present of whome notwithstanding our men that spare none do ad also diuers contumelious speches saying that it is not religion which the king present doth care for more then his Father did before him but maketh that only a pretence to seduce all Catholiks c. Making them and yow all deare Catholiks to cut one anothers throat c. thus they say of him And as for his nation and people the Spaniards they raile at them most impudently calling them base villaynes swaggering mishapen swads and knowne to be the cruellest tyrants that liue vpon the earth c. which intollerable spiteful insolency comming to their eares as it cannot choose but do let vs imagine what that bountiful king and his people that haue so many of our brethren and children in their hands and dominions and do cherish them most tenderly may or wil thinke of this barbarous ingratitude not only in heretiks which were more tolerable but also in Catholiks yea priests and most of them maintayned and brought to that they are eyther in Doway Rhemes or Spaine by the said king and nations liberality And this is the deep wound indeed which these inconsiderate and passionate people not to vse more greeuous tearmes haue giuen do giue vnto their nation and to the publike cause of religion which they wil neuer be able to cure wholy nor scarse perhaps any other for them But passing forward from the kings of Spaine they go to the Popes themselues according to that saying in the psalme superbia corum ascendit semper their pride mounteth higher and higher and truly a man would not easily beleeue that priests professing themselues Catholiks and to haue byn brought vp in the Seminaryes and that they would haue no other iudge of their cause but his Hol. himselfe wold presume to be so audatious as to cal in question and condemne the actions of so many Popes togeather noe lesse contemptiously then those of the K. of Spaine before mentioned whome comonly they do conioyne with the Popes and Sea Apostolike affirming that both Pius 5. Gregory the xiij and Sixtus 5. did conspire with him yea thrust him into the inuasion of England Did not Pius 5. say they by way of a fayned obiection practise her Ma. subuersion she good lady neuer dreaming of any such mischeefe c. Did not Pius 5. mooue the K. of Spaine to ioyne in this exployte c. Had not the Pope and K. of Spayne designed the duke of Norfolke to be the head of this rebellion Did not k. Philip at the Popes instance determyne to send the duke of Alua into England with all his forces c. Thus and much more they complayne of that holy Pope and the like of his successor in these words Now whilst these practises were in band in Ireland Gregory the xiij reneweth the saidâ— Bull of Pius 5. denounceth her Ma. to be excoÌ„municated with intimation of all other particulars in the former Bull mentioned And of the same Pope Gregory they ad further thus The attempts both of the Popes and Spaniard fayling in England his Hol as a temporal prince displayed his banner in Ireland c. Of Sixtus 5. also his successor they complayne in like manner speaking of the armada in the yeare 1588. VVe doubt not but that the Pope as a temporal prince did ioyne and contribute towards this intended inuasion c. And marke that alwayes they ad as a temporal Prince for that as a spiritual and Ecclesiastical Magistrate they hold throughout the whole book that he hath no power at all to concurre or appoynt
was honorably vsed from whence he passed to Rome and there had 60. Crownes a moneth in gold payed him by the Spanish Embassador which after some tyme misliking his abode there he left to returne into Flaunders where it may be that he fel into some discontentements as banished men are wont to do but this could not be by any reason or probability with F. Persons seing he neuer dealt with him after his departure from Spaine and is presumed to haue had the forsaid prouision in Rome by his special comeÌ„dation VVherfore to say heere as these men do that he was held for a spy and suspected that he would burne the K. fleete wherof we neuer heard before is open calumniation laid vpon the good noble man himselfe towards whome we vnderstand by very certaine and sure meanes that the said Father is and alwayes was very wel affected in respect both of his religion and house whatsoeuer this seditious wryter and make-bate goeth about to persuade to the contrary As for the other that F. Persons hath caused diuers of our nation to be vtterly disgraced discredited yea and to leese their lyues in Spaine for being contrary to his designes is so manifest a slaunder as we are ashamed to repeat For what one example can these men alleadge for sauing their credit and honestie heerin It is wel knowne that he hath saued the lyues of diuers both by deliuering them out of the gallyes as also out of the inquisition as diuers can beare witnesse that are now in England deliuered by him And more it is to be noted that from the tyme of F. Persons comming into Spaine in the yeare 1588. vntil his departure from thence in the yeare 1596. no one EnglishmaÌ„ in any of the Tribunals of all those kingdomes was publikely punished or put to death during those 8. yeares wheras before many had accustomed to be And this change is knowne to haue come principally by the information and intreaty of F. Persons with those Ecclesiastical Iudges letting them vnderstand first and aboue all other things the true state of men in England touching religion at this tyme to wit that very few especially of the yonger sort how earnest protestants soeuer they shew themselues are to be accounted heretiks properly and in rigour of the Canons as they appoynt punishments vnto them for that they lack sufficient knowledge of the Cath. faith or at leastwise instructions hauing neuer byn actually Catholiks And albeit this were not so yet other circumstances there are of great moment to mitigate the ordinary proceeding of Canonical lawes and punishmeÌ„t towards them seing that by experience it was found that the most part of such mâ—n being prest vpon the suddayne or at their first apprehension were ordinarily so proud and wilful as they would rather burne or abide any other punishment then leaue or renounce their fancyes but geuing them tyme and instructing them by reason and good arguments they were easily conuerted and so it was seene by experience that in all the foresaid tyme euer synce there haue not byn found perhaps two Englishmen which being taken or otherwise comming to confereÌ„ce haue not byn turned and made Catholiks albeit some of them afterward againe for â—emporal respects may haue perhaps relented at there arriual in England wherof also many haue stood constant And this is and hath byn the manner of F. Persons proceeding with Englishmen in Spayne while he was there quite contrary to the malitious fictions lying detractions vsed heere against him for procuring the ruine death of his countrey men c. And finally where these accusants obiect against F. Persons that he caused the book of succession to be set forth in the name of one Dolman a secular priest and this for hatred of that order we are informed that it is no lesse false then a malitious cauillation that the author of the booke neyther knew any priest to be named Dolman when he wrote that book nor so much as thought on him but alluding to the word of the scripture vir dolorum he called himselfe Dole-man in respect of the greife and sorrow he bore in his hart for the affliction and calamity of his Countrey Afterward it fel out that there was a priest in England called Dolman who being drawne by these men to fauour their faction as it seemeth was persuaded also to coÌ„plaine that he was made to be the author of the book which no man yet we think that knoweth him and hath read the book wil easily beleeue or accuse him of his talent being knowen to be farre inferior to such a labour and consequently their complaint in this is both fond and ridiculous There ensueth in the said Epistle that F. Persons in Greenewat made the case cleere that difference in religion or matters of faith neyther ought nor could by the law of God of nature of nations or custome euer hard of in any natioâ— depriue any one inferior subiect much lesse said he in the same place any Soueraigne from the right of inheritance or lawful succession by byrth or bloud to any thing they had right vnto otherwise c. Heere now hearing them to name a perticular place and to auow a matter so stoutly yow may perchance thinke with your selfe gentle Reader whether all or some part of this may be true or no but doubt not therof For we assure yow vpon most certayne information had from the originalles themselues that all is most false F. Persons protesting by his letters that he remembreth not any such place called Greenewat that euer he was in in his lyfe nor knoweth what nor where it is And for the doctrine heere ascribed to him he detesteth it as fond absurd and tasting both of heresy and atheisme though allowed heere as it seemeth by our people he being not ignoraÌ„t that both ciuil lawes and Church Canons doe depriue heretiks of inheritances as our men ought to know also And yf the foresaid book of Titles or succession alleadged by them were wrytten by F. Persons as they affirme then is there proofe inough therin to shew him to be contrary to this doctrine seing that the whole drift of the first book especially the 6. 7. 8. and 9. Chapters is principally directed against this doctrine taught as there is said by one Belloy a French man and whome the said first book of titles reâ—uteth by many arguments so as these men by running headlong vpon F. Persons do breake their owne hornes and see not their folly But heare yet another calumniation more absurd then this against the same man There is say they a letter of F. Persons owne wryting wherein is set downe in playne tearmes to this effect scilicet How the Iesuits are the most infest enemyes both to the Cath. Church and common welth that are this day in the world to be found c. But heere againe we require the letter and aske
to their betters and superiors And this shal be sufficient by way of Preface The rest yow shal discerne by that which is treated in the Chapters following THE CONTENTES OF THIS BOOK THe Preface to the Catholike Reader The manifest folly and apparant bad spirit of the wryters of these libels in choosing the subiect argument of such late books as they haue set forth CAP. I. Their folly and passionate spirit declared in the manner of handling â—he said Argumentes CAP. II. Their folly and presumptuous spirit in making to theâ—selues such aduersaryes as they do CAP. III. Their folly vnshâ—mfast spirit in vttering so open and manifest vntruthes and contradictions to their owne discredit CAP. IIII. Their folly and malignant spirit in obiecting certayne books to F. Persons which if they be his cannot but giue him much credit and commendatioÌ„ with a brief confutation of a fond paniphlet set forth in answere to the book of succession CAP. V. Their folly and deceaued spirit in persuading themselues to get credit or recouer that which is lost with any â—â—â—t of men be they frends or enemyes by this manner of proceeding with clamors and libels CAP. VI. Of fiue other books or rather absurd and scandalous libels come forth since the Answering of the former two and of ten more promised CAP. VII Certayne directions vnto Catholikes hâ—w to discerne the truth and how to beare theÌ„selues in this tyme of contention with an examination of diuers notorious and infamous lyes of VV. VV. in his book of Quodâ—â—bets CAP. VIII THERE MANIFEST FOLLY AND APPARANT BAD SPIRIT IN CHOOSING the argument and subiect of these their bookes CAP. I. FIRST then to beginne with the argument and subiect of these our discontented priests late books it shal not be needful for prouing our purpose to runne them ouer all which hitherto are six that haue come to our hands the first in latyn intituled Declaratio moâ—uum turbationum c. A declaration of styrres and troubles c. which coÌ„teyning nothing els indeed but a certayne intemperate inuectyue against many good and worthy men wel deseruing both of them of our countrey and replenished with innumerable slanders most manifestly false and prooued by no other reasons authorityes or restimonies but the words of the passionate wryters hath made all strangers that haue read the same to haue a straÌ„ge opinion of english mens humors when they are in passion about which poynt see the table of deceits falshoods and slanders set before our Apologie and the Apologie it selfe Cap. II. The second booke is intituled The Copies of discourses c. wherof the first part being contrary to the second doth easily both answere and confound it selfe â— For that in the formost discourses all these mennes oppositioÌ„s impugnations of the Archpriest do stand vpon the want of the Popes owne letters to coÌ„firme those of the Card. Protector wherby the Archpriest was appoynted assuring vs that whensoeuer any such confirmation should come from his Hol. there would be no more controuersy and yet the very next ensuyng discourses in the same booke his Hol. Breue of Approbation being now published do shew that they were much farther of from obaying the Archpriest then before And this was the first childbirth after their long and troublesome trayuayling thrust out to the world very vnexpectedly to mooue new troubles at that tyme when they made profession to haue appealed to his Hol. and would attend his auswere and resolution therin which resolution as synce we have seene came forth soone after against them though his Hol. at that tyme knewe nothing of these seditious bookes the iniquity wherof was and is such as yf they had byn seene it seemeth impossible that his Hol. would haue answered so myldly as he doth though we know his nature and disposition wholy bent to myldnes and according to the same disposition we haue also endeauored in our Apology or answere to these two libels to lay open the iniurious proceeding of our tempted BrethreÌ„ in those books and to mitigate their distempered humors the best we could And for that this Apologie is now in the hands of the Readers to peruse we will say no more therof but remyt it and our selues to their discreet iudgments After this came out two other twynnes at one tyme the one in English the other in latyn the first is intituled the hope of peace by laying open the Archpriests vntruthes c. The second conteyneth the copies as well of the Card. Protectors letters for the institution of the Archpriest by his Hol. authority as also the Popes owne Breue for confirmation therof The letter also of Card Burghesiâ—s Viceprotector in repreheÌ„sion of M. Charnockâ— for disobaying of the senteÌ„ce giuen by the two Cardâ— in Rome against them and other such like wrytings VVhich two bookes comming to our haÌ„ds after our foresaid Apology was ended inducedâ— vs to make a certayne Appendix for vnfolding their contents the one hauing nothing but some few handfuls of vanity and scurrility layd to geather vnfit to be further treated by modest men and the second representing nothing els but the reproofe and condemnation of their owne contentious proceedings And thus much concerning the foure former books whose arguments being as we haue rehearsed we remit our selues how great a manifestation it hath byn of their owne folly passion and imprudence to take this course of clamorous libelling and defaming their owne frends and therby also obliging them for defence of their innocency to returne auswere which they were most loath and vnwilling to doe But yf there were but an inch of folly in wryting and publishing the former 4 books there is an ell in these last two that now are come forth the one bringing vs a new relation of the sedition and contention passed in VVisbich the other Important considerations to mooue all vniesuited Catholikes as their phrase is to acknowledge the myld and mercifull procedings of the State of England towards them for matters of religion synce the beginning of her Maiesties raygne c. These two books we say and the subiect therof togeather with the maner of handling and other circumstances before mencioned are sufficient yf nothing els were to ouerthrow the whole credit of our discontented brethren with all sorts of discreet and modest men not only Catholikes but also ProtestaÌ„ts as by ripping vp some parts therof shal easily appeare For first concerning the relation of matters fallen out in VVisbich he that shal haue read the sixt chapter of our Apologie about these affaires where matters are set downe playnly and sincerely with order and perspicuity without eyther amplifications or exaggerations as heere is vsed in this new Rhetorical narration authentically also vnder mens hands and letters and not in words alone scoffes and iests as these men doe whosoeuer we say shall read that and conferre it with this consider the different
Catholiks for cause of religion then excluding all spiritual authority and Iurisdiction of the Sea Apostolike from England as forrayne and subiect to the law of Premunire Thirdly denynig the said Sea and Bishops therof all authority to restrayne punish or force by way of armes eyther by him selfe or others any temporal prince for heresy Apostasy or whatsoeuer other cryme pertayning to Religion Fourthly affirming that if any Pope should attempt such matters he may and ought to be resisted by Catholike subiects and that themselues would do it though he came in person Fifthly they lay all the fault of so long and greeuous persecution as hitherto English Catholiks haue suffered for religion vpon themselues and their owne doings not excepting heerin the very martyrs and Saints of God and further they are not ashamed to affirme that yf they had byn of the Counsel themselues they could haue done no lesse then to haue agreed to the said persecution and to the lawes and statutes made for the same Sixtly that they meane hereeafter to change their former course and as their phrase is to turne ouer the leafe and with such resolution as yf they should know any disignments or treatese of his Hol. or other Catholiks for reformation or restraynt of heresy by way of force in England they would reueale the same to the persecutors The 7. and last poynt is that they condemne the Semynaries and education of our youth therin beyond the seas wherin themselues or the most part of them haue byn brought vp and made that they are now excepting their sedition and they dehort all Catholikes with great vehemency from sending their children thither counseling them rather to keep them at home where they assure them that God wil prouide other masters euen of the ministers themselues yf need be to instruct them better then in the Seminaryes they are instructed These are the wise and holesome positions which these men haue in this booke set downe and do handle as the subiect and argument therof which yow see of what quality consideration they are to wit the first ful of adulation and meerly parasitical the second third and fourth pernicious erroneous and heretical the fifth wicked and reprochful the sixt trayterous and the last ridiculous or rather impious which in part shal appeare by these few words which in this place we are to say of each of them in order The first point of this argument is set downe in the title it selfe of the book which they cal Important considerations to mooue all true Catholikes that are not wholy Iesuited to wit not so base or wickedly mynded as themselues to flatter and fawne vpon teÌ„poral fauour to acknowledge all the proceedinges of the state of England against Catholikes since it excluded the Roman faith and fel to heresy to haue byn not only iust but also myld and merciful c. Thus they say adding further another peece of the said title in these words Published by sundry of vs the secular priestes in dislike of many treateses letters and reportes which haue byn wrytten and made in diuers places to the contrary with our opinions of a better course hereafter for the promoting of the Catholike faith in England Thus they frame their title wherby as yow see they first make themselues publike proctors for the heretiks and presecutors and then open accusers against the presecuted Catholikes on their owne side That which they adde of the publication of this booke by sundry of them secular priests we easily beleeue that they were rather sundy and sundered also then many vnited in so wicked an attempt and that they were not only secular in order and degree but in mynd also hart and desyres which S. Paul conioyneth with impiety when he saith abnegantes impietatem saecularia desideria As for the treateses letters and reports which haue byn wrytten and made in diuers partes of the world against the persecution vsed vpoÌ„ Catholiks in England which our new doctors heere do protest to mislike they hauing byn wrytten and made by the grauest and most learnedest men of our nation and others and vpon the grounds and proofes which in their books they haue set downe little importeth what these men may like or dislike therof now being vnworthie to be admitted for iudges or ceÌ„surers of their Maisters doings and wrytings especially seing them so transformed by the passion of enuy malice as they seeme to haue sold their tongues to the common enemy to contradict whatsoeuer others haue done before them for which cause also their offered opinions of a new and better course hereafter for turning ouer the leafe as after they cal it is ridiculous and contemptible to all Catholiks of discretion coÌ„sidering the learning vertue grauity seuerity constancy wisdome and other commendations of these that went before and the very effects and fruits themselues of their labors hitherto and comparing theâ—with the conâ—rary in firmityes and imperfections of these men and that thâ—y set vp nothing but seeke to pul downe And when they come to the end of their book and should shew vs what this new course of theirs is which they cal better for promoting of Catholike Religion herafter in England yow shal find no other thing prescribed by them but only a flattering persuasion to sticke to the State against the Pope and Sea Apostolike wherin we persuade our selues that the aduersaryes themselues do not beleeue them then a vehement exhortation to Catholiks to send their children no more to the Seminaryes beyond the seas least they be infected with the contrary doctrine which is so foolish and absurd as we are ashamed to mention or relate it And thus much touching the first point The second is about the law of Premunire many tymes mentioned before by them and now againe greatly vrged in the preface of this book where hauing rayled without all modestie or measure against F. Persons and all other Catholiks and priests vnited with him in admitting his Hol. ordinance about the Archpriest they say thus As by this meanes to wit by admitting the Archpriest he and his confederates haue incurred a double premunire as in another place siz in the booke of Quodlibets I meane God willing to declare so entendeth he therby to draw yow all good Catholiks into the same predicament premunireal and of treason with him Touching this booke of Quodlibets heere meÌ„tioned yf these men do meane therby that they may say or vnsay therin what they list without controlment then may all the other books also hitherto set forth be called Quodlibets no lesse then this hauing tyed themselues therin to no law eyther of truth probability proof or modesty Neyther can we immagine what occasion this booke of Quodlibets may bring to handle more at large this matter of Premunire then heere and in other their wrytings hath byn expressed seing that applying that law as they do to
tbey precend then the words themselues of the same title to wit that this hope of peace was by laying open manifest vntruthes against their said Superior the Archpriest theÌ„ which attempt nothing could be more effectual to continue warre as euery one wil confesse and in the second book of pretending to relate compendiously the troubles contentions past in England and to iustifie themselues therin they take the meanes which are quite contrary therunto which is to set downe both the Card. Protectors letters and viceprotectors against them with the Popes Breue also and other authentical wrytings of most authority to condemne them and what blyndnes or obscurity of passion this was all men that are out of passion may easily descerne and this is their wisdome in eligendis medijs Moreouer their principal end being in that book which they cal the pope of peace to excuse themselues from dealing with my L. of London and other aduersaryes in religion against their owne brethren both in VVisbich and abroad and against the Fathers of the Society and other Reuerend priests vnited with their Superior the Archpriest they take this medium to do it by authority of scripture telling the Readeâ— that wheras Christes disciples saw at a certayne ryme one casting out diuels in his name who yet did not follow on with them they forbad him but Christ willed them to let him allone saying He that is not against yow is with yow wherwith they seeme to persuade themselues to haue defended wel their owne fact by this example imagining my L. of London his pursuiuants and others persecutors to represent that man that did cast out diuels themselues to be the Apostles and disciples following Christ that looked on misliked the same vntil Christ said vnto them let them alone The diuels cast out must needs be heere the Archpriest and all other good priests ioyned with him to geather with the Fathers of the society And thus farre the comparison seemeth to ruÌ„ne with them roundly but now with what piety these men may be accompted diuels by them that are their brethren and of the same religion and how they may be said to be cast out in the name of Iesus by protestants that persecute them and how my L. of London his casting theÌ„ out may further or aduaunce the cause of Christ as the other did in casting out diuels in Christs name though perhaps he was no Christian all these poynts we say our men must accomodate themselues for we cannot ty them to-geather with any conuenience of reason wit religion or piety and yet notwithstanding we see them so delighted with this proof of theirs and so resolute in the matter it selfe as they dare auouch a litle after that if any of their ecclesiastical Catholike superiors should stand against them in this they would hold them for Principes tenebrarum Princes of darknes c. Thus they proceed in that book and do thinke this their dealing with the heretiks a good meaues to pacific matters the very like or rather worse course do they hold in this book of Important Considerations by excepting first against the Popes authority spiritual vnder the pretence of the law of Premunue and then by protesting to oppose themselues openly in the field against him if he should vse any power temporal and thirdly by condemning whatsoeuer hath byn said or done hitherto in that affayre by Catholiks to the contrary bringing their bloud vpon their owne heads such as haue byn put to death and finally defaming them with all the world for practisioners vnquiet people vnfaithful and traytors indeed to their prince countrey ioyning heerin with the greatest and most bloudy enemyes that euer our cause or brethren had in our Countrey And is this also a good meanes think yow to make themselues grateful to Catholiks eyther at home or abroad And wil they go to Rome as they pretend with this good cause of pacification in their hands VVho doth not see the folly of this proceeding But yet ere we leaue this matter we would haue yow consider what a kind of Preface these people do make to there treatese wherin they meane to accuse and make odious all Catholiks that are against them to the state and gouernmeÌ„t and they speak it by way of interrogation to the Catholiks themselues making them their owne iudges and condemners for thus they say Is there any synne deare catholiks rysing vpon in fâ—rmyrie and frailty of man committed by an Apostatâ— an infidel an heretike a schisamaâ—ke an Atheist cast out of the sauour of God and accussed out of his church but a catholike may and often hath fallen into the same and yes remayned constant in his religion to death Questionles there is nor Thus they say and we say the contrary questionles there are many things for that an infidel denyeth God an heretik contemneth his Churche a soâ—ismatike seperareth himselfe from his head aâ— Atheist beleâ—ueth nothingâ— all which synnes Catholike remayning constant in his religion can do But we do ghesse at the fond which the wryter may haue in this place though his intent be impious to lay this absurd foundation to all that they are to say afterwards against any sort of Catholiks especially the Fathers of the Society against who â—e they are to rail their fil and do not dissemble it eueÌ„ at the first entraÌ„ce for thus they wryte The intent of this discours is in the name of secular priests in general not to impeach any one perticular person of the cathâ—laity of matter of treason and state c. nor yet to accuse excuse nor any way call in question our common adsuersary togeather with the present state as a point very impertinent to the purpose c. for that to medle with such edge-tooles as the very bandling of them roughly would rent vs quite in peeces our frownd on state considered were a very preposterous course for men in afflaction c. This they say of that they wil not do and then after a long treatese of this negatiue they signify to the reader what they meane to do which is to ioyne with the said comon aduersary in defacing of Iesuits and their frends by name with Thomas Bel the heretical and relapsed Apostata who they say hath touched the Iesuits with pryde ambition intrusion vsurpatton incrochment ouer the secular priests affectation of soueraygnty and the like which they wel allow of and approoue his spirit therin and then they make a certaine obiection to themselues as coÌ„ming from some Catholiks how it can stand that Catholike priests may ioyne with heretiks to lay open the defects if any such were of their owne brethren or rather to lay the faults of heretiks vpon them as the persecution of protestants vpon Iesuits their most opposite aduersaryes and for the first part of the obiection they answere it easily affirming that in their diuinity it is not only lawful
solliciter were alledged against the sayd Earle After this there followeth in these mens narration Hitherto say they we might adde the notable treasons of M. Anthony BabingtoÌ„ and his complâ—ces in the yeare 1586. which were so apparant as we were greatly abashed at the shamelles boldnes of a yong Iesuite who to excuse the said traytors and qualifie their offences presumed in a kynd of supplication to her Maiestie to ascribe the plotting of all that mischeef to M. Secretary VValsingam c. Marke heere the exceeding malice of these men who to excuse the persecutors though neuer so eager enemyes and heretiks seek to lay all hurts vpon Catholiks and for that yf yow remember these particular examples are brought in to prooue not only that Catholiks are culpable guilty of their owne afflictions but also to confirme their former general proposition that all mischeefes synce her Maiesties raigne haue byn wrought principally by Iesuits And not finding in this fact of M. Babington not so much as any one Iesuite to haue byn accused or named as participant or consenting to this action they take occasion to name one at least that sought afterward to qualifie their offenses in a supplication to her Maiestie But what is that to the poynt it selfe that any Iesuite was actor counselour consenting or priuy thervnto Yf that blessed man whome they insinuate now a martyr did go about to mittigate the matter to her Maiestie they being all Catholike geÌ„tlemen that died for the same and did also signifie that M. VValsingham had entertayned for diuers monethes the knowledge and notice of that association as it is most certainly knowne that he did by the confession of diuers that dealt with him therin and therby also most probable that the poore gentlemen were drawne thervnto by his malice and craft what is this we say to proue that Iesuits were any dealers attempters or counselers therof VVas there any Iesuite so much as named in all the processe against them at the barre or otherwise VVere not D. Allen and F. Persons F. Holt and F. Creswel all at Rome or Naples at that tyme and no one English Iesuite remayning eyther in Fraunce or Flaunders to treat with any in that affayre VVere not all the consultations about that matter made in Paris with those that were of the opposite faction VVere not the three priests Ballard Gyfford and Gratley that dealt therin secular priests and deuided from the Iesuits as by their owne confessions appeareth which we haue cyted in our Apologie nay did not Tyrel the priest being made acquaynted therwith and opening the same in general tearmes to another priest in London being asked that point confessed plainly that Ballard had told him that neyther D. Allen nor F. Persons were priuy thervnto whervpoÌ„ the said priest disclaymed from it and refused to heare any further therin which act of the said priest soone after taken by the detection of Tyrel and charged with that conference was cleered for that he had refused to heare therof And this to be so appeareth by the register and examinations taken at that tyme. And so by this yow may see the vpright dealing of these our brethren yf any way they may be called brethren It followeth in their Catalogue of accusations against Catholiks their doyngs The treachery say they of S r VVilliam Stanley the yeare following 1587. in falsifying his faith to her Maiestie and in betraying the trust comytted to him by the Earle of Leicester who had giuen him thè honorable title of knighthood as it was greaty preiudicial to vs that were Catholiks at home so was the defence of that disloyalty made by a worthie man but by the persuasion as we thinke of Persons grratly misliked of many both wise and learned Heere marke good Reader first the odious manner of speech of these priests yf they be priests against so worthy a man of their nation and religion as is S r VVilliam Stanley calling his rendring of the citty of Dauentry to the King of Spaine treachery and falsifying of his faith to her Maiestie betraying the trust committed vnto him c. which is both malignant and false for that the place which S r VVilliam gaue vp was not vnder her Maiesties obedience at that tyme nor S r VVilliam or this soldiars that held the same were in her pay but in the pay of the rebelled states vnto whome those of DaueÌ„trie being free before and without any garrison the Earle of Leicester by deceipt and force made them subiect by drawing in an English garrison against their willes It is manifestly false also that S r VVilliam was made knight by the Earle of Leicester as these men heere most fondly affirme for that he had his knighthood by S r VVilliam Drury deputy of Ireland long before the Earle of Leicester had charge in Holland neyther can he be said to haue falsified his faith to her Maiestie as these caluÌ„niators obiect for so much as he was not sworne to her Maiestie in that gouernment as hath byn shewed holding not the towne for her but for the States whome knowing in his conscience to be rebels and most wrongfully to detayne from ther true Lord and lawful king that and other townes the good religious knight thought himselfe bound vnder paine of greuous sinne as indeed he was by all true diuinity to make restitution therof to the true owner when it lay in his hand no lesse then when a theefe hauing robbed or spoyled any honest man and put the booty in pawne or deposition in another mans hand he is bound knowing the truth not to keep it for the theefe nor to restore it to him againe but to the true owner and this we thinke our brethren in their diuinity wil not dare to deny as nether this case following suppose any Spaniard Italian or other subiect of the King of Spayne should hold any towne at this day in Ireland of the Earle of Tyron and vnder his pay and becoming a Protestant should therwith thinke it iust and reason and himself bound in conscience to yeld the same freely and frankely without reward or couenant to her Maiestie as to the true owner would our men trow you cry out heere of treachery and breach of faith against the King of Spaine And yet yf they be Catholiks as they pretend they must needs confesse the case to be no lesse fauorable on S r VVilliams side yf not much more both in respect of his great zeale in Catholike religion and rare piety of lyfe shewed euer synce wherin would God the wryters of these books being priests as they say had any resemblance or would follow him as also for that as we are certainly enformed besides the former warrant of conscience and iustice he had also for safegard of his honour a particular Patent from his General the Earle of Leicester when he returned into England with expresse licence
of all other seeketh most to do them good yf they had vnpassionate eyes to see it VVherfore we shal runne ouer breefly some few more that concerne him especially and so make an end hauing receyued from him and others particular information of the truth and falshood of the matters obiected VVherfore to touch them briefely as theyâ—ly in this their book of Important Considerations for we wil omit eyther all or the most part of those that are in their other libel tearmed their Relation of wisbich wherin there are so many heaped togeather in a certayne mad and furious innectiue of VV. VV. prefixed in name of the rest before the said bookâ— as these only with the spiteful maner of vttering the same are sufficieÌ„t to make them knowne and to discreedit not only the wryter but all his ayders and approuers with all honest and sober men of what religion soeuer For first they affirme heere that F. Persons hath seâ—t sundry of his subiects into Ireland already in the behalf of the Spaniard and that that warre was plotted and sollicited by him and his that he hath intituled the K. of Spayne to all the 3. kingdomes of England Scotland and Fraunce and the lady Infanta to the same kingdomes that he did constrayne the students of the Semynaryes in Spayne to subscribe to her interest forcing them to promise that when they should returne into England they would aduance her title to their vttermost abillity power and poyse of words that for not applauding to this Spanish pretence of the Infanta the L. Dacres was dryuen out of Spayne and all other Spanish dominions being slaundered to be a spy for England and to haue intended to haue set the Spanish fleet on fyre That F. Persons hath caused diuers of our countrey to be vtterly disgraced discredited yea and to leese their lyues in Spayne for not yeilding to his desyre therin That after he came in post to Rome and would needs haue the book of Tytles read in the Refectory of the Colledge yf it had not byn resysted and that for hatred to the secular Seminary priests he gaue out that book of Tytles to haue byn made by M. Dolman a secular priest c. These and a great multitude more of like accusations and calumniations which for breuity and lothsomnesse we omit are heaped togeather in this place and sprinkeled againe throughout the whole book as occasion is offered And albeit the most of these are so euidently false and ridiculous as theyneed no answere yet wil we say somwhat to each of them in order and first of that of hauing sent diuers of his subiects already into Ireland to set forward that warre all men knowe that F. Persons hath authority ouer none but only English Iesuits wherof yf any one can be proued to haue byn sent hitherto into Ireland or any one to be there at this day or any one priest of those Seminaryes to haue byn directed by him that way for diuerse yeares then may these slaunders haue some shew or pretence of this their malicious sycophancy but none being at all it maketh them more in excusable Moreouer weâ— adâ— that we haue seene a letter lately wrytten out of Spay ne by a man o credit about the protestation of two worshipful and honorable gentlemen Sir VVilliam Stanley and M. Thomas Fitzherbert concerning this affaire of Ireland wherin they bothe affirme and protest vpon their soules and coÌ„sciences that to their knowledge neyther they nor any one English-man els was euer so much as asked his opinion in this late affayre of Ireland nor any one hitherto of our nation imployed or sent in that action And M. Thomas Fitzherbert nameth in that letter one Hewghe Boye an Irish-man Agent for the Earle of Tyron in the court of Spayne who residing there many monethes to deale in this matter and seing M. Fitzherbert euery day as lying in the same court neuer yet broke the matter with him nor was willing that any English-man at all should be priuy thervnto as whome both he and other Irishmen treating therabout presumed to be contrary to their desires and designments therin And this can and wil the said Boye testifie seing since that tyme he is passed from the said Earle of Tyrone to her Maiesties seruice And further more the said two gentlemen do protest in like maner vpon occasion offered that both they F. Persons and F. Creswel who haue had hitherto most dealings with the spanish King and counsel did neuer treat in their lyues nor consent that the said king should haue any temporal interest in the crowne of England for himselfe and much lesse that any such conquest of our countrey should be made or attempted as these folish malitious people do faygne and giue out And further they protest by the same asseueration that neyther the old king now dead nor his sonne now raigning did euer pretend the same in word or deed but alwayes assured the contrary to wit that their only meaning and desire was and is by their warres against England that the Catholiks might be releeued from their most greeuous pressures and oppressions for religion and themselues deliuered from continual molestations which in Flanders Indies and other places they receyued from England hauing a desire in themselues to lyue in peace and loue with that crowne aboue all other forraine nations as in former tymes they did when the State was Catholike This and diuers other such poynts do the foresaid two worthie gentlemen auow in manner aforesaid is testified by the foresaid letter which we haue seene dated in Madrid the first of October last past 1601. By this then most of the foresaid calumniations against F. Persons are discouered concerning his dealing with and for the king of Spayne which is greatly confirmed and made euident by a certaine letter wrytten by the said Father himselfe in great confidence and cyphar also as his aduersaryes say to F. Holt in Flaunders from Genua vpon the 15. of March 1597. when the said father arryued there towards Rome which letter or the copy therof being stolne afterward as it seemeth from F. Holt and giuen to his aduersaryes which in some places they haue shewed and is like to be that which heere they brag of saying that his owne books handwrytings wil be brought out as witnesses against him But hitherto they are not brought or alleadged and it semeth that this in particular wherof we haue the copie serueth not their turnes so much as they dare to alleadge it finding more sincerity religion wisdome and grauity conteyned therin though wrytten in secret and confidence where he might vtter himselfe boldly than their malignant enuy wil suffer them to be glad to see which yet we be inforced in this place through their malignity not to thinke amisse to acquaint somwhat the Reader therwith The superscription was thus To the Reuerend Father F. VVilliam Holt c. And then
set it downe also being wrytten as is euident before these broyles fel out VVherfore let vs heare yf yow please his words Fourthly saith he the facility and commodity that there is and wil be in England to make this perfect reformation whensoeuer God shal reduce that countrey doth greatly conuite and oblige vs to the same for we shal not fynd that difficulty resistance by the grace of God in England which good men do find in diuers other Cath. Countreyes for bringing in of any reformation that is attempted and that which the very Prophets found euer among the Iewes and that Christ himselfe did find among the scribes and pharasyes to wit the repugnance of corrupt peruerse stubborne people that wil contradict and resist their owne benefit we are not like to find I say the infinite mercy of our Sauiour be blessed for it eyther backward bishop or dissolute priests or licentious religious men or women to oppose themselues against so holy a designment as this our reformation is or if any one such should creep in among the rest he would not dare to shew himselfe nor should he fynd followers all is now zeale and integritie in our new Cleargy almighty God be thanked for it and no lesse in our laity and Catholike gentlemen of England that haue borne the brunt of persecution for so many yeares so as if we should want the effects of a true and sound reformation at the next change againe it would be for want of some zealous men to sollicite and procure the same For on the behalfe of the Realme Countrey I persuade my selfe most certaynly that there will be no difficulty which ought to animate such as feele the zeale of gods glory within their breasts to ioyne hands togeather as S. Luke sayth all Apostolike men did in the primatiue Church and each one to seek aboue other to haue a part in the happy procuration of so holy and important a worke These are his words And by this now may any man consider what euil mynd F. Persons had in gathering these notes of Reformation and whether he were deceaued or no in his opinion and hope of these priests good concurrance therin that impugne so fearsely now the very name of Reformatiō saying that it was made to put Iesuits in gouerment wheras throughout the book we find not so much as once any mention to be made of them but all the high Counsel of Reformation as scoffingly they cal it to be comytted by name to Bishops and Noble men to be appoynted by the Prince and parlament c. The second chapter is intituled thus what maner of Reformation is needful in Englād c. And the third How this Reformation may best be procured and what disposition of mynds is needful for it in all partyes c. And the fourth How all sorts of people to wit Catholiks Schismatiks and heretiks may be charitably dealt withall at the next chaunge of Religion VVhich fourth Chapter beginneth thus being forced for breuitie to pretermit the other wholy After vnion and good disposition of mynd in all a harty reconciliation to almighty God wil be necessary a sweet pious and prudent manner of dealing and proceeding as wel with such as haue byn frends as enemyes as wel Catholiks as Schismatiks protestants persecutors And as for knowne Catholiks which haue byn constant and borne the brunt in tyme of persecutiō though for their owne parts they ought to follow the most holy and secure counsel of our Sauior Cùm omnia feceritis dicite quia serui inutiles sumus quod debuimus facere fecimus nothing presuming of themselues or vaunting ouer others but expecting their reward with humility at Gods hands yet is it euident that in all reason and iustice and law of gratitude they are to be cheefly respected c. Thus he wryteth with much more of this first sort of men which we are forced to passe ouer for auoyding prolixitie and no lesse charitably wryteth he of the second sort called commonly Schismatikes of whome he sayth thus As for Schismatikes or close or weake Catholiks that haue fallen denyed or dissembled their religion if they haue done it of frailty and haue not byn persecutors the more compassion is to be had of their estate and the more sweetnes to be vsed in raysing restoring them to the vnity of Gods Church againe c. Thus he wryteth and then sheweth the best and most pious manner of reconciling them and from thence passeth to the third poynt which concerneth heretikes as wel such as easily wil returne whome he iudgeth most courteously to be dealt with all as with those that are obstinate towards whome and their reduction he persuadeth most charity labour and patience to be vsed standing longest vpon this poynt of all other And surely to shewe the charitable disposition of this man most contrary to that which the enuy of his emulators do point out and ascribe vnto him we are resolued in this place contrary to our former purpose to set downe some good part of his speech in this behalfe which is this ensuing And this sayth he for them that wil returne but as for enemyes and obstinate heretikes whether they be of malice or of ignorance another course seemeth necessary to be taken for their reduction and satisfaction which is to endeauour by all wayes to conuince them yf it be possible of their errors this by reason and sweet meanes as farre as may be wherof I shal touch some particulars in this place And first of all perchaunce it would be good considering the present state of the Realme and how generally and deeply it is hath byn plunged in all kynd of heresyes not to presse any mans conscience at the beginning for matters of religion for some few yeares to the end that euery man may more boldly and cōfidēntly shew his wounds and be cured therof which otherwise he would eyther couer deny or dissemble to his greater hurt and more daungerous corruption of the whole body But yet it may be prouided ioyntly that this toleration be only with such as lyue quietly and are desyrous to be informed of the truth and do not preach or teach or seek to infect others And by experience it hath byn seene that this kind of suffering and bearing for a tyme hath done great good and eased many difficultyes in diuers townes rendred vp in the low countreyes which being mitigated at the beginning with this entrance of clemency neuer greatly cared for heresyes afterwards This is the beginning of his discourse wherof he addeth afterwards many reasons setteth downe also diuers meanes wayes in particular how heretikes might best be persuaded or conuinced wherof one is free publike and in different disputation to be graunted them with most equal and sure Lawes and conditions wherof he saith thus But for conuincing their vnderstanding in matters of controuersy I could
benefices but ample commission rather for all parts with a sufficient stipend to liue vpon vntil things be better setled Lo heere that which is spoken to great good purpose for some few preachers only to be free from any particular charge and this for a while to the end they may attend to all places is turned odiously by these men to all priests in general VVhat wil yow say of this malitious kynd of dealing but the narrownesse of this place suffereth vs not to passe herein any further There remayneth then the third part of this book concerning the laytie conteyning the Prince with his counsel the nobility communalty and hath this title in the first chapter therof Of the laity temporalty in general of their agreement and concurrance with the Cleargie most needful for both their good the difference also of both their states And then the Chapter beginneth thus By that which I haue spoken in the first Chapter and second part of this memorial about Cleargymen the difference and distinction may appeare that is betwixt these two principal braunches of a Christian and Catholike comon-wealth to wit the Cleargie and layty which is a distinction obserued from the very beginning of Christian religion and the primatiue Church as may appeare by the first second third eight seauenty and diuers other cannons of the first general Counsel of Nice where often mention is made of this distinction And before that againe Tertullian a most learned and auncient wryter not only setteth downe the same distinction of cleargy and lay-men as receaued generally in his tyme but sheweth also and reprehendeth earnestly the emulation and enuy that euen then begonne by art of the diuel to be in diuers of the laity against the Cleargie c. VVe cannot prosecute the rest at large but only giue yow a gesse what manner of matter it is which ensueth by the first entrance and so the next chapter being of the Prince and the counsel begynneth thus As the Prince in euery common-wealth is the head and hart from whence all lyfe and vigour principally cometh vnto the same so aboue all other things is it of importance that he be wel affected and disposed and so much the more in England aboue other countreys by how much greater and eminent his authority is and power with the people more then in diuers other places by which meanes it hath coÌ„men to passe that England hauing had more store of holy kings in ancient tymes then many other contreys togeather came to haue also religion and piety more aboundaÌ„tly setled by their meanes then diuers realmes about them c. Thus there The 3. Chapter is of the nobility and gentry beginning in these words By the nobility of England we do vnderstand according to the fashion of other countreys not only noble men of title but gentlemen esquyres knights and other degrees that be aboue yeomen husband men and the communalty in which inferior sort of nobility beneath Barons I meane of knights esquyres and gentlemen there is not that distinction obserued betwixt their degrees in forraine countreys as in ours and I take ours farre the better and more laudable order This nobility then and gentry being the cheef members of our Realme are carefully to be preserued by our Catholike Prince in their ancient honors dignityes and priuiledges and whatsoeuer iniury or disestimation hath byn layd vpon them these later yeares by occasion of heresy it is to be remooued and particular inquiry is to be made by commissioners appointed by the parlament For this purpose wherin and in what points the nobility of England hath byn iniured dishonored or oppressed to the end that supplication may be made to the Catholike Prince for remedy therof And as the ancient nobility of England in tymes past came to that dignity in the common-wealth and to their credit estimation both with Prince and people first for their piety and zeale in Christian religion and secondly for their fidelity and valour in seruice of their prince and countrey so their heyres and posterity must conserue the same by the self same meanes c. And so he followeth on with many other considerations which wee pretermit The 4. Chapter of this part is intituled Of the Innes of Court and study of the common lawes with diuers considerations also about the lawes themselues c. About which subiect diuers important points are suggested for making that study to florish with more honour and profit of the weale-publike and the students good The 5. Chapter is Of the common people of England and how greatly they are to be cherished and made of which Chapter beginneth thus The communalty being the body and bulk of the Realme and those that sustayne the poyse and labour of the same they are greatly to be cherished nowrished esteemed conserued and next after the planting of true religion and knowledge of God greate care is to be had of their enâ—itching for that as Constantius the Emperour was wont to say the princes true treasure are the coffers of his subiects and especially of the communalty who if they be poore and needy can neyther pay their landlords nortil or mannure their ground nor help the Prince in his necessityes And by the communalty in this place I vnderstand labouring nun seruingmen husbandmen yeomen aertificers citizens and marchants all which labour and â—oyle to the end that others may liue in rest And in England their condition as before I haue touched was wont to be more prosperous and happy then in any countrey els of the world besides and may be againe by the grace of God with the restoring of true religion the losse wherof brought not only spiritual but also temporal misery vpon vs all and our Realme c. Thus wryteth he there laying downe many excellent meanes for comfort of this communalty which we wil not prosecute in this place for breuityes sake nor say any more at all of this whole book or Treatese but only remit our selues to the iudgment of the indifferent Reader to gesse by this litle he hath seene what manner of matter and with what piety moderation and tender loue of our countrey the whole is wrytten which these men so spitefully do maligne and cauil at And this shal be sufficient for a tast of this fourth book Touching the third intituled A conference about the next succession to the Crowne of England had in the yeare 1593. for that it is in printe and in the hands of many and the contents therof sufficiently knowen we shal need to say lesse but only to note vnto the Reader the like great passion and intemperate folly of these our brethren in exclaming now so eagerly against it which not long ago when they were in good tune they liked wel and highly commended and wheras it is knowen that it came forth with the consent liking and approbation at least of our
late Cardinal Allen Sir Francis Englefield and others the most principal Catholiks of our nation beyond the seas as by their owne hands is yet extant what malepert saucinesse is this of a few yonglings so bitterly now to inueigh against it And if we wil consider the contents therof we shal more maruaile at so insolent dealing of these indiscreet and rash greene heads deuowed wholy as it semeth to carp at other other mens actions though they vnderstand them not For what argument we pray yow could there be more important graue serious and necessary to be handled at that tyme when this book was wrytten English affayres standing as they did and do then the matter of succession to our crowne wherof both religion and Realme spirituality and temporality for the most part dependeth especially the subiect of the former book for two they are in number is of such weight and consideration and so ought to be with Catholiks as it were irreligious to be ignorant or carelesse therin to wit that in all pretence and pretenders ro reigne ouer Christians and succession to crownes the consideration of true Cath. religion is the principal point to be respected and that this is conforme to all lawes both diuine and humane but especially to the ancient accustomed lawes of our land and that no good Catholike may or can dispence with himselfe or others in this point for any humaine respect or consideration whatsoeuer which point is so substantially prooued by all variety of learning both ecclesiastical and prophane and by so many examples and customes of all nations in 9. seueâ—al chapters as our enuious brethren cannot turne their hands to answere any one thing therin contayned though neuer so much they maligne both the matter and the wryter And this of the first book handling matters in general against heretikes and Atheists But the second book of this conference conteyning ten Chapters passeth further on from generalityes to particularityes setting downe all the particular titles preteÌ„ces and pretenders which are or may be probably of the blood royal of our land with an open protestation of all indifferency therin vsed without hurt hinderance or preiudice to any which Protestation for that it wypeth of all the cauillations which these men or others of their humour do endeauour to lay against the wryter as though he had penned the same partially in fauour of some particular prince we haue thought good to set his owne words downe in this place which ate these Hauing to speak saith the common lawyer in this discourse of many princes peeres and nobles of the royal blood of England to all which by law of nature equity and reason he affirmed that he bare reuerent honour and respect and to discusse their seueral pretentions rights interests and titles to the crowne he said that his meaning was to offend hurt or preiudice none nor to determine any thing resolutely in fauour or hinderance of any of their pretences or claymes of what side family faction religion or other party soeuer he or she were but rather plainly and indifferently wihout hatred or partial affection to or against any to lay downe syncerely what he had heard or read or of himselfe conceaued that might iustly be alleadged in fauor or disfauour of euery â—iteler Thus wryteth and protesteth he and seing that whatsoeuer he putteth downe in this affayre is registred in our owne cronycles and both the authors and places alwayes cyted by him for his defence and for the discent of blood and genealogie in euery preson named and that the obiections and arguments to and fro in euery pretence and pretenders are layd forth clearly without partiality we do not see what reason or probability in the world our discontented preists can haue yf they be Catholiks so intemperatly to exclayme against this book which in the iudgment of farre wyser Catholiks and more disappassionate then themselues was most needful at that tyme when it was wrytten and is greatly profitable now and wil be most of all hereafter for so much as the first parte therof openeth mens eyes to se their due obligation to religion aboue all other respects and considerations and the second shewing the variety of pretenders togeather with their reasons and propinquityes of blood and other pretences giueth more scope to theÌ„ that shal haue to do therin that yf the said due circumstance of Cath. religion be not fouÌ„d in one it may be sought and preferred in another which is no smal help and comodity to right meaning consciences And thus much now being opened and declared we would aske of these our out cryars what they haue in reason to say or reply in this case They tel vs in diuers places of this last libel of Important Considerations and other where that the wryting of this worke is greatly misliked and thought preiudicial and that for this cause that one M. Paget a cheef man of their crew hath answered the same which maketh vs somwhat to maruaile For albeit we haue seene a certayne vayne pamphlet set forth about this matter said to be printed at Colen 1600. others think rather at Paris Intituled A discouery of a conterfes Conference c. And though we doubt not much of M. Pagets affection in these affayres neyther of his desyre to contradict the supposed author of the said book of succession as yow may wel perceaue by that we haue alleadged more largely in our Apologie and albeit on the other side we easily persuade our selues that the wryters of this last rayling and heretical libel of important considerations do know sufficiently who was the true author of the forsaid foolish pamphlet for the good intelligence they haue one with another of that contradicting company yet hardly can we yeild to thinke so basely of M. Pagets wit howsoeuer his wil be that so contemptible a thing should come from him and his pen we would rather thinke it to be of a certaine neighbour of his of greater title in learning but of lesse discretion and capacity in wit or reason wherunto yf nothing els yet the very fond and ridiculous title would induce vs which yf yow wil heare it all is this A discouery of a counterfet Conference held at a counterfet place by counterfet Trauellers for the aduauncement of a conterfet Title c. VVherunto yf he had added By a counterfeite Catholike or companion all had byn ful of counterfets it had fitted both the knowen vanitie of the counterfet doctors stile and the quality of his person There followeth the Preface or Epistle to the author of the Conference wherin no one thing of moment is handled but a quarel pickt against him for not putting downe his name wherunto we may answere with those words of S. Paul Inexcusabilis es o homo qui iudicas in quo enim iudicas alterum teipsum condemnas cadem enim agis qâ—ae iudicas Thow
to beate vs with all and therby to increase our affliction yet rods coÌ„monly are cast away or burnt afterward when the turne is serued or the occasioÌ„ past And this we say in case the Prince and state should meane to punish vs more by their incitation or assistance offered which yet we hope they do not but rather as noble mynds are wont to do wil conceaue the more compassion of our greeuous sufferings by that they see vs betrayed also and iniuriously vexed by our owne and if God almighty should at length mooue their harts for which we pray dayly to harken vnto that most honorable and holsome motion so often propounded by the best Catholiks for some toleration in religion wherof these men also do whisper and brag much in corners as they passe through forrayne countreys as though they were designed Embassadors for the same and that at their demaund the matter were in consultatioÌ„ yet do we most certainely assure our selues knowing the grauity honor and wisdome of our Counsel as We do that this is but a vayne vaunt and that when God shal inspire them to harken to this proposition they wil deale with other manner of men of the Cathol party then these who being deuided from the rest that is from the body head and principal of that cause can haue litle credit to treat or set forward any such weighty affayre in the name of the rest being like sâ—ayles that beare each one their castle on their owne backes that is hauing no further reputation then themselues beare about with them in their owne heads and immaginations or giue it out by their owne tongues to such as wil beleeue them And so much of this There remayneth to say a word or two of forraine Princes whose fauour they seek to gayne by this their dissenting from their fellowes as namely with the king of Scotland to whome they sent first to offer themselues as diuers wayes we vnderstand and after that to the K. of France by their knowne Agents in Paris promising to be at his disposition and to oppose themselues against all pretences for Spayne c. but these are deuises so ordinary in court and with so great Monarches as these are we meane to offer mountaynes and to curry fauour by accusing others that it cannot worke any great impression in them especially considering how litle these men caÌ„ do eyther pro or coÌ„tra in the weighty affaire which they pretend about the succession of England and this whether we consider eyther the protestant party or the Catholike of our realme for that with the former they haue but very poore credit hitherto except they go forward and with the second perhaps much lesse except they turne backevvard and so for the tyme they rest betweene both which the wisdome of princes and their counselors wil soone espy and discerne especially his Maiestie of Scotland being very wise as he is reported wil easily heare and come to know that since they dealt with him by their late messengers to offer their seruices they haue dealt againe another way in England and haue deuised a new discourse about the successioÌ„ as we are credibly informed more to the taste of some great personages of our State whose present fauour they most desyre He wil ponder furthermore that if they be truly Catholike as they pretend then can they not with a good conscieÌ„ce to God and to their owne religion desire sincerely and from their harts whatsoeuer they say or pretend his Maiesties gouernment ouer Catholiks except he be of the same religion which if it were then is the desire of his preferment not only theirs but common to all Catholiks and if it be not then are they in the case of those flatterers of Constantius wherof we spake before and not vnlike to be so esteemed by him as those were by the other though not so roughly handled And finally his Maiestie of Scotland wil weigh and remember that whatsoeuer these men do say or doe they being of so smal consideration and credit as they are and so mutable as we haue shewed and their motiues so weake and passionate as by their owne wrytings and doings appeareth no great account is to be made therof And the like may be said of his Maiestie of France who being so great and potent a monarch as he is must needs euery day haue store of such poore sawning people running vnto him for their owne interests but yet with pretence of offering seruices against Spayne whome though in wisdome and law of princely royalty he caÌ„not presently reiect yet considering with maturity of former points and circumstances to wit what they are why they come from whome and against whome what grouÌ„ds they haue to worke vpon to what end they tend what they can performe and other the like he wil quickely both discouer and discard them for seing by his wisdome that to deale much with these men can neyther be honorable not profitable as tending rather to alienate then oblige or gayne the Catholike party in England And this wil prooue the true euent of this action if we be not deceaued and when they shal haue spent in Paris the good sommes of money which they carryed out of England with them and shal want the supplyes which now perhaps they hope and expect and shal heare from all places as already they do and wil daylie more and more the general bad opinion that is of them among all good Catholikes both English and other they wil then begin if we be not deceyued to see the folly of this bad and mad course taken in hand which we beseech God they may so do before it be to late to amend it And this is all we shal say of this matter for the present OF FIVE OTHER BOOKES or rather absurd and sclanderous libels come forth since the answering of the former two and tenne more promised CAP. VII MOST pittiful it is to consider how the frailty and infirmity of man once beginning to slyde commeth soone after to rush on with violence and precipitation if stay be not made in tyme lik as when a violent riuer stopped or bayed vp beginneth to breake forth at a chinke or two and the breaches not remedied at the first it ouerfloweth all making a deluge irremediable euen so falleth it out in this disorder of our transported brethren who beginning to exceed the limits of modesty and truth vpon anger emulation and other such passionate motyues as before haue byn mentioned and not staying themselues with the consideratioÌ„ eyther of reason conscience or religion haue now made such an open breach to all licentious liberty of vnshameful rayling and being as the prophet saith deâ—rita fronte haue so inured both tongues pennes with a certaine veyne of opprobrious and contumelious scolding as euery day there come forth and appeare new books from them the later euer worse and more intollerable then the former In which kynd
epistle which discryeth the man sufficiently what is in him in what state he is for thus he beginneth his Epistle VVise was the painter in his amorous conceyt who in portrayting out the porport of Venus drew her picture with so great arte sleight and significant resemblance of her natural blazon as the portrayt of her fore-parts all ouer shadowed with the porch where she entred in posteriora eius on the backe being only seene going into the temple presented an abstract to the behâ—lders of so rare excellency as the type of the protâ—t ypon by signes and symptons semed to say giue back enamorades of ladyes bewtyes seeke not to se the face of the peerlesse content your curious eyes with this which though the meanest part of the delightful obiect yet of that perfection as wherin yow may behould the works of dame nature to be so farre aboue reasons reach as wit and art should skip beyond their skil yf they should attempt to set forth the worthiest parts of this goddesse paragon sance peere And yet was Venus but a very strompet a common queane fitter for Vulcan the blackesmith then for Mars the Captayne and more admired at talked of and followed for her wanton tricks in satiable lust and shape to frame an eye to vice them for any complemental perfection to be found in the purest parts of her filthy carcasse or lineaments of her vading though seming fayre sweet blisful cheeks shrewded in the auriflame of carnation die dropt in euery lyne mathematical with argent and gules milkewhite and scarlet red Now yf yow did not know this fellow before yow may take a scantling of him both in body and soule by this narration and therby make a gesse how poore defectuous and sinful he is in the one and other For as for his body and outward feature yf yow know him yow wil hardly think him a fit creature to talke so much of natural blazons or enamorades of ladyes bewtyes c. or of royal damsels of rare aspect himselfe being so wrong shapen and of so bad blinking aspect as he looketh nyne wayes at once as scarsely he can discerne any thing that toucheth not his eyes which yet we obiect not as natures defect but as representing rather the state of his mynd which seemeth by this filthy description of Venus and her posteriora so often mentioned as also by the wanton imaginations of pleasing obiects and sweet blisful cheeks and other such lasciuions phrases that he is so deeply ouerwhelmed with sensual and venereous apprehensins contemplations and desyres no maruayle though he cry out so hideously against Iesuits that are sworne enemies to the very thoughts therof and we know both by experience and otherwise that there is no other motiue of enmity greater then this set downe by the holy Ghost contrarius est operibus nostris Iesuits are of contrary life spirit iudgment wil works and maners to him and what maruayle then is there if he professe himselfe so mortal an enemy to them Yet we do know and can testifie that the tyme hath byn when this sinful and wretched poore fellow being in extreme necessity both of body and soule and in other sort of suddes then he now threatneth to leaue Iesuites in had his cheefest releefe by some of ther meanes though now most vngratfully he forget the same paying them euil for good as honest men are wont to be paid from such as he is But a iudgement day wil come to iustifie all and for that this lost lad and true stayne of his religion and order as falsly and wickedly he calleth the Iesuits is permitted by God and vsed by the diuel at this tyme to so publike a reproch of our profession as all the world seeth by so many infamous bookes as come daily forth from him or through his hands we are forced in this place ful sore against our wil and purpose to discouer the man somwhat further vnto yow to the end yow may see what a pillar and proctor the factious haue chosen to themselues for their bookemaister to defame by his labours their brethren and whole religion this being the especial seruice for which it seemeth M. Bluet so carefully made his peace with the counsel when he wrote to M. Mush as in our Apologie we haue set downe that M. VVatsons peace was made if he would which wil no doubt was to agree to some such good seruice of their side as this is which now he performeth vnder the direction of my L. of London of whome yet we cannot but maruaile being otherwise of that iudgment and temperate nature which some men report him to be that euer he would vse so base and absurd an instrument as this felow is hauing byn taken by them in so many trippes as he hath But yow wil say that to a base worke a base instrument is fittest and we see herin verified that obseruation which Philippus Cominaeus maketh in his story to wit that in tyme of sedition the worst men do grow fastest and he that in a quiet and ordinate state of things should be abiect and nothing esteemed in a troubled state becometh admirable by which meanes VVilliam VVatson for so at length he putteth downe his name in his book of Quodlibets who in tyme of quiet was worth nothing now by broyles is become vpon the suddayne a great maister in Israel amoÌ„g our mutined brethren whose coÌ„mon wealth is no lesse disordered since their rebellioÌ„ against their lawful Superiors then that of the Iewes since they left their obedience due to Christ and his law and for that we shal haue occasion after to mencion often this book maister of theirs or prefect rather of their print we are forced heere to tel yow breefly somwhat for better knowing him His coming out of England and maner therof we know not in particular nor greatly doth it import only we know that he came to the English Seminary of Rhemes in France a poore litle begging boy where being taken of charity his first allowance was for a good tyme pottage only and licking the dishes which other men had emptied before him after this he was admitted to serue at the table and carry away dishes after that againe he was admitted to make beddes swepe chambers and other like offices belonging thervnto in which kynd he serued especially one M. Boast a good priest and a holy martyr since which if he had knowne then or suspected that the squint eyed boy for so he called him would haue prooued so wicked a man he should neuer haue comen no doubt within his chamber dore And yet further yow must note that all this while VVil. VVats besides his poore estate vvas the most contemptible and ridiculous thing in all that house for many yeares for that his grace was in tumbling and making sport to others for which his body if yow know him was fitly made and so he passed by the
condition of men at all frends or enemyes And finally it is a most lewd libel fraught with foolery ignorance audacity and notorious impudency and irregilious impiety and would require as many volumes as he hath Quodlibets to set forth the egregious impicty and contemptibility of this ridiculous Quilibet which hereafter may chaunce be donne though in a farre shorter summe when the rest of his books promised of this argument shal come forth And in the meane space we vnderstand that the latyn interpreter of our English late Apologie hath taken vpon him in that language to say somwhat by way of a certaine Appendix to the said Apologie as wel of this Decacorden as the other former libels of that sort and sute wherunto we remit our selues thinking this to be sufficient for this place CERTAINE DIRECTIONS vnto Catholikes how to discerne the truth and how to beare themselues in this tyme of contention with an examination of diuers notorious and famous lyes of VV. VV. in his book of Quodlibets CAP. VIII ALbeit we doubt not good Catholike Reader but that yow are weary to heare and peruse these things already vttered against our brethren and no litle greeued to behold such scandalous contentions raysed continued among professors of one and the self same Cathol religion yet cannot we let passe to trouble yow somwhat further and to ad a few words more of this matter in the end of this treatese which may serue for some direction in this troublesome and perilous tyme for such as haue not so great experience of like euents And the first aduertisment amongst others may and must be to fly to the contemplation of Gods inserutable prouidence wherby he permitteth these scaÌ„dals to fal out in which high prouidence we shal fynd not only the necessitie or ineuitability of these disgustful accidents but the profit and vtility also albeit the first be more easilie seene and confessed by vulgar men then the second but both are most certayne For as for the first about the necessity of these accidents it is sufficient to remember the wordâ— of the Apostle oportet haereses esse it is necessary that heresyes and diuisions should be and then the words of our Sauiour necesse est vt veniant scandala it is of necessity that scandals should fal out c. And furthermore he that wil but consider the practise of almighty God in this behalf from the first planting of Christian religion vntil this day how among the Apostles the Deacons the disciples the first beleeuers the bishops pastors and other learned men that followed in all ages how this prouidence and discipline of almighty God did exercise them in this kynd of scandals breaches diuisions contradictions contentions treasons afflictions and combustions of mynd called so by the Apostle when he saith Quis scandalizatur ego nonvror who is scandalized and my hart borneth not for it he that considereth this we say wil easily see the necessity and ineuitability of this probation euery where in Gods worke and consequently in our English cause also and reduction of our contrey being so great and weighty a matter as it is and no man wil greatly maruaile to see the diuel rage and rayse vp so many scandals stumbling blockes therin as he doth but rather wil maruayle that he doth not more and that he had not done it sooner coÌ„sidering matters how they haue past And this for the first point of the necessity As for the second of vtility more men doubt as not seing so easily what profit or emolument may be expected at least wise in our English cause by these scandalous and enormous attempts which bring with them so many apparant hurts perils and damages but God that draweth out mel de petra oleumque de saxo durâ—ssimo hony from stones and oyle from the hardest rockes can bring forth good also if he wil of these so great euils And to speake of that we see and begin to feel already of his Fatherly mercy therin one great and important good effect mentioned by S. Paul in the place before touched hath begun now to shew it selfe which is vt qui probati sunt in vobis manifesti fiant that those that be of proof amongst vs may comme to be knowne publikely by these meanes that is to say ther zeale their feruour their fidelity to God and his cause their vnion with his seruants and other such like poynts Another effect is vttered by the holy prophet S. Simeon in S. Lukes ghospel who hauing said of our Sauiour yet an infant Ecce positus est hic in ruinam in resurrectioneâ— multorum in signum cut contradicetur c. Behold this child is set for the ruine and resurrection of many and for a signe which shal be contradicted c. he addeth presently vt reuelentur ex multis cordibus cogitationes all this shal happen to the end that the cogitations of many harts may be reuealed as though he had said that one principal end and purpose why God sent his sonne into the world to be contradicted by many troublesome spirits was therby to make knowne the good from the bad and reueale the cogitations of many mens harts which otherwise would be hidden and this to the ruine or resurrection of many c. behold heere a misterious effect and such a one as is deeply to be wayghed and pondered by those that desyre to comfort themselues in the secrets of Gods iudgments for permitting so great strife contention and scandals in his Church as he doth But now if we wil apply this to our owne particular case therby to instruct and comfort our selues in this doleful and disgustful affayre of our brethrens scandalous clamors contradictions and that any should aske vs what particular good or vtility may be expected therby in England or to English Catholiks we answere First that the effect mentioned by S. Paul to manifest those that are of proof among vs is euidently already seene for that many good Catholikes both in EnglaÌ„d and abroad as wel of other nations as our owne seing the indignitie of this scandalous fact of diuision set in our church by these disordinate and discoÌ„tented priests haue maruelously shewed their compassion loue and zeale in behalf of vnion order and disciplyne and of all good men impugned by the seditious which otherwise perhaps they would not haue done if this occasion had not byn offered others also that liued only to themselues before and medled with no other mens actioÌ„s seing now this manifest assault of SathaÌ„ vnder priests coates against our whole cause and religion haue styrred vp themselues to knyt and ioyne with others of the same zeale to resist the enemyes malice herin And this for the first important effect prophesied by S. Paul vt qui probati sunt in vobis manifesti fiant A manifestation no doubt which wil turne to the euerlasting prayse of many
be crroneous treacherous and seditious or not c. VVhich questions being ioyned by him with the former may seeme no lesse absurdly brought in and called in question then the rest And finally he concludeth his preface thus I wil hold the indifferent dispassionate and diligent Reader with no longer discourse of a peramble but leauing all to his best conceats I comit his sharp wits or her swyft thoughts to the speedy encounter of this buck of the first head in the quest at euery Quodlibetical relay set in the pursuite of their gaine c. And now we would aske the same dispassionate reader what wit or sense is there in this wryting VVhat grauity what maturity what consideration worthie of a priest or sober witted man Is Spiritus sapientiae intellectus the first spirit of Christ mencioned by I say to be found heere But let vs passe from the Preface to his book or as he calleth it his buck of the first head The first and most notorious point of his wicked spirit contrary to that of Christ and all good Christians and Catholike men synce that tyme is against religious men and their profession affirming first that all are corrupted I haue made saith he an historical discourse of the beginning progresse end and fal of euery religious order as wel of the Basilians Antonians and other among the greeks as also of the Benedictines Augustines Franciscanes c. among the latynes c. Secondly he taketh a position in hand refuted condemned not only by S. Thomas of Aquine and other wryters of that tyme but S. Chrisostome also other auncient Fathers wryting against such irreligious companioÌ„s in their dayes the position is that the lyfe State of secular priests is more perfit theÌ„ the state of religious men for thus he frameth his first article of his third general Quodlibetâ— VVhether the Iesuits or any other religious order be to be preferred before secular priests or not And then he holdeth the negatiue VVho euer hard saith he or made any question but that a secular priest was to be preferred before a monastical person And againe in another place All seminary and secular priests are Superiors to Iesuits or at least their betters And yet further in another place The secular priests as worthier and superior presons are euer to be credited and preferred before the Iesuits in matters of any account And that yow may know how humble he is he describeth these his high mynded secular priests thus A gallant troup of as graue sages and as fine a breed of wits as the world this day enioyes c. Rightly called seculars because they haue the cure and charge of soules layd on their backes to direct all that liue in a secular wordly and temporal State Thus he saith to the end yow should not mistake him as though he meant of the Iesuits only or of any other particular religious order he setteth downe this general proposition Therfore stil saith he is a secular lyfe of more perfection then a religious c. Now we would aske what spirit this is what sanoureth it of what doth it breath forth Is there heer any thing els but pride emulation ignoraÌ„ce temerity and folly But let vs heare further the effects of their good spirit He signifieth page 42. that he would haue all Iesuits except saith he they amend their manners and reforme their order damned for â—eretiks and thrust out of Gods Church as Apostatates and Atheists c. as those ietting iuglers the Pharasyes were out of the temple of Ieruss â—Iem c. Do yow see what spirit of fraternal charity here is Nay he goeth further to affirme that their order is no religion at all and the persons therof neyther secular nor religious wherby he incurreth a plaine excommunication ipso facto by the Bul of Gregory the xiij which beginneth Ascendente Domine in â—â—â—â—lam c. confirmed and ratified againe by Gregory the 14. But it seemeth this man litle esteemeth ceÌ„sures of Church or Pope being ingulfed in the mayne Sea of outragious malice which sheweth itselfe most egregiously in that he persuadeth Iesuits to become Apostatates and leaue their religion I pray God sayeth he they may reforme themselues in tyme by comming 〈◊〉 of their order and Society c. and then conformable to this good godly prayer he saith of F. Iohn Gerrard who both for his birth education learning spirit wisdome religion zeale modesty and all other Christian vertues is more fit as yow know to be this mans maister then he worthie to be the others man VVel wel poore man I pitty his simplicity that being otherwise of a good nature he is much blynded and corrupted in his life and manners by being a Iesuite which society would God he did and would forsake c. VVhat spirit is this could Martyn Luther himself or any other Apostata giue other counsel in such a cause And for that this fellow and his compagnions do delight themselues so much with secularity and Apostasy and diuers yea the most of the cheefest heads of this factioÌ„ are notoriously knowen to haue slydden back eyther from the habit or vocation of religious lyfe to secular and that it is probably suspected that a notorious Apostata or two haue had their hands also in the compiling of these wicked Quodlibets vve shal put them only in mynd of the sentence and iudgment of S. Bernard as good and wise a man no doubt as any of them and knowne to haue had the true spirit of Christ by the publike testimony of his Cath. Church who talking of this very matter of going out of religion wherunto these fellowes exhort Iesuits doth make it such an horrible act and the syn so great in him that goeth out and others that cooperate with him therin as is dreadful to read But his conclusion is this Quid plura dissimulatur lex abdicatur ius fas proscribitur derelinquitur timor domini dantur postremo impudentiae manus praesumitur ille remeraerius ille pudendus ille turpissimus plenus ille ignominia confusione saltus de excelso in abyssum de pauimento in sterquilinium de 〈◊〉 in eloacam de caelo in caenum de claeustro in saeculum de paradiso in infernum VVhat shal we say more of this horrible fact of Apostasy or going out of religion VVhen once a man is come to this resolution he dissembleth the law of God he casteth from his sight all equity he banisheth all iustice and the feare of God is cast away and so he giuing himself lastly ouer to impudenty he presumeth to make that rash that shamful thaâ— filthy leape ful of ignominy and confusion from a high state to a dongton from a fayre pauiment to a fowle donghil from a seat of dignity to a loathsome place of filth from heauen to earthly myre