probation and therein not to be any way stayned The second triall of our fidelities consisteth in matter likewise of fact a Catholikes behauiour tovvardes his Maiesties Predecessors and him selfe towardes your Maiesties Predecessors your Title in them and in your selfe and the effect of our loue and affection performed in all occasions that might giue contentment to your Maiesty both before and since your entraunce into this your Kingdome of England which we will endeauour to touch as briefly as we can It cannot be denied then in the first ranke of these our comportements but that we our selues in our times and our Catholike Parents before vs at all times of opportunity offered haue declared our deuouted affections to your said Highnes b Catholikes alvvayes affected to the K. Title to England right to this Crowne the testemonies whereof are in printed bookes and publike facts so manifest to the world that we neede not long dwell on that point vouchsafe therefore patience we beseech you DEARE SOVERAIGNE to heare some instances of the c Blessinges benefittes his Maiesty hath receiued by Catholikes blessinges and the benefits your Maiesty hath receiued by Catholikes and by our seruices and fidelities King Henry the vij th and his eldest Daughter from whome your Maiesty hath receiued lineally and directly your birth right and naturall succession to this Crowne were most zealous and religious Catholikes and for that singuler affection he did beare to the d Henry the 7. preferreth the Scotish King before the Frensh Scotish nation principally for their great zeale at all times to the Catholike religion preferred the same before Fraunce bestowing his said eldest Daughter on your Highnes great Grand-Father and the younger vpon the French King by which happy marriage came that lineall and rightfull descent of bloud that made your Maiesties renowned Mother Heyre apparant to this Crowne of England who also was the vndoubted e His Maiesties Mother lineall heire to King Edvvard the Confessor lineall Heire to King Edward the Confessor by his sister Margaret Queene and Saint and consequently your Maiesty from your Catholike Mother and her Catholike Predecessors hath not only receiued the hereditary succession of the Kingdome of Scotland but also a double right to the Crowne of England as f His Maiestie true heire both to the Saxon Norman Princes heire to the Saxon lineall line by a holy Saint Catholike Queene and heire to the Norman line by a most worthy Catholike Prince and a blessed Martir and all them vnited in her and nowe duly descended to your Maiesty Queene Mary It was the pious and vertuous Queene Mary and her Catholike subjects who cancelled the forged will of her Father King Henry the eight exceeding preiudiciall to your right in this Crowne that disproued it in Parliament and deposed the Protestant vsurping Queene Iane a Queene Iane set vp by Protestants deposed by Catholikes set vp then by the Protestants to the disinheriting of Henry the eight his daughters Queene Mary and Queene Elizabeth and his eldest sisters issue vvho was your Maiesties great Grand-mother and whose issue were in all right to haue beene preferred before her younger sister Grand-mother to the vsurping Protestant Queene Iane who so deposed by that renowned pious Catholike Queene Mary the Crowne by her royall prouidence was reserued to the rightfull and lawfull heires thereof consequently descended nowe to your Maiestie conformable to the lawe of God Nature and Nations The serpentine inuectiue made by Hales and other Protestants in the beginning of Queene Elizabethes raigne directly against your Maiesties Title thereby intending b Hales inuectiue against the Title of Scotland the aduauncement of a pretender potently in those daies possessed in the breastes of no meane multitudes was vpon the setting forth thereof in the time of Queene Elizabeth indelayedly vndertaken fully answered learnedly confuted by c Hales ansvvered by Iustice Brovvne M. Ployden both Catholikes Sir Anthony Browne then one of the Iustices of the common Pleas and lately before in Queene Maries raigne had beene chiefe Iustice of the same Court and M. Edmund Ployden famous Lawyers with the assent of other Catholike Diuines ciuill Lawyers and Gentlemen of good worth judgement and experience Howe many d Havvardes Persies Pagets Vaux Treshams Throghmortons Salisburies Abington families of Catholikes haue endured great damages and detrimentes in renowne and state for desire they had to maintaine the right of your most blessed Mothers Title in remainder and aduentures made to relieue her and deliuer the afflicted Princesse out of her captiuity with much abundant loue teares and affection your sacred mother testified publiquely at the end of her life Since your Mothers death we remayned euer e Catholikes behauiour after the martirdome of his Maiesties Mother constant to your Maiesties right to the succession of this Crowne not ebbing and flowing in our affections but resolute euer to liue or die with your Maiestie in that most just pretence but if any particular person in forraigne countries hath spoken or written to the contrary for his priuate and particular pretentions he is to answere for himselfe and his owne fact for therein we disclaime which party as we are credibly enformed hath both before and sithence the Queenes death done great diligence to giue your Maiesty satisfaction And your Maiesty is not ignorant we are assured what hath beene the carriage opinion and opposition of vs and our friendes euen in that particuler in the fauour and defence of your Maiesties right both within and without the Realme what a The daungers damages and disgraces vvhich M. Charles Paget Cap. Tresham M. Iohn Stonor of Stonor and diuers others suffred therefore are notorious dangers we haue passed at home and what slaunders and damages very many of our Catholike brethren haue suffered abroade for shewing themselues Scotish in faction as we were tearmed that b Scotish infaction vvhat is firmely immoueably affected to your Maiesties right of succession to this Crowne your Maiesty haue heard and we haue felt and shall feele our honours and estates thereby being extreamely diminished and eclipsed whiles we liue vnlesse your Maiesties pious royall hart vouchsafe to repaire and relieue the same Neither did your Maiesties c His Maiesties zeale in the Protestants Religion did nothing diminish the Catholikes forvvardnesse tovvardes his right and iustice zeale in the Protestant religion any way alter or diminish the just conceit and dutifull consideration we carried to that justice and right which God and nature had prepared for you from your cradell If then our carriage and affection to your Maiesty was such when your Religion was to ours so different your Person to vs vnknowne your fortune doubtfull the factions diuers the oppositions in all likelyhood very great and the euent of your affaires very vncertaine what may your Maiesty presume of vs nowe or rather what may you not
was it heard of that in England or Scotland any Minister or Ministers euer suffred any thing for that gratious Lady or your Maiesties Title but infinite are the a In Scotland Setons Gordens Simples Maxuelles families of the Catholikes that haue suffered for them both As the Seatons the Gordens the Simples the Maxuells in Scotland the b In England Havvards Persies Pagettes Treshammes Throgmortons Salisburies Abington Winsor Hawards Persies Vauxes Pagets Treshams Throgmortons Winsors Salisburie Abington and diuers other worthy Gentlemen in this Land the shipwrackes of whose opulent abundant states and fortunes are inuincible testemonies of the Libellers falsehood and follie in this his objection and of the constant fidelity of Catholikes to your Maiesty and all your race and predecessors in all their fortunes whatsoeuer And thus your Maiesty doth see the comparison of our former times and our precedent behauiours with our present affection and future assurance If then we be not rewarded and respected as all others are of other professions that haue done their duties as we did in aduauncing your Maiesties affaires and acknowledging your rightfull Authority yet at the least we hope that it will not be thought reasonable that we should be left in the same masse of misery which your Maiestie found vs in at your entrance Make vs then SWEETE SOVERAIGNE as able as we are wiling to serue you not by newe dignities and authorities but by restoring vs to our pristine honours and honest reputations and to our birth-right freedome and liberty by your only Peerles justice clemency and benignity permitting vs to liue in peace comedere buccellam nostram sine dolore to put a bitte of meate into our mouthes without sorrowe without frights without slights and without circumuentions of our Aduersaries our woundes are so deepe and dangerous in matters of our honours states and liberties that no Phisition can cure vs but your self with the soueraigne balme of your renowned Clemency What pleasure or profit can redowne to your Maiesties person or estate if we your approued and assured seruants and subjectes rotte in prison die in banishment and liue in penurie and disgrace for no other crime or offence but for the constant profession of that Religion which in conscience we are perswaded to be the only true worshippe of God saluation of our soules Of which our faith and beliefe we haue rendred so sufficient reason that we hope it will fully satisfie and content so wise learned politique and discreete a Prince as your Maiesty hath shewed your selfe to be in all occasions presented to make triall thereof which maketh vs the more confident in our just and reasonable defence because we sue to a most wise just and learned Monarch And albeit more then this can hardly be required of men whose fidelities are so sufficiently tried and testefied as appeareth by the whole substance and tennor of this our Apologie yet pro abundantiore cautela we humbly lay downe at your Maiesties feete this forme of submission and security following in behalfe of our Priests and Pastors CHAPTER 7. The forme of the Catholikes submission IF we may be permitted to enjoy some quiet graue The lay Catholikes submission and vertuous Clergie men for the comfort of our soules we doubt not but to giue your Maiestie a farre greater security for the fewe hundreds of our Priests then was giuen for the many thousands of Queene Maries Priests and Prelates in the late Queene Elizabethes dayes against whome albeit aboue a 10000 Clergie men lefte their liuings rather then they vvould leaue their religion ten thousand of them did abandon their Ecclesiasticall Liuinges rather then they would conforme themselues to the times especially the b All Queene Mary Bishops forsooke their Prelatures rather then they vvould forsake their chiefe Pastor holy Senate of Bishops no one excepted yet in the time of the said Queene for the space of thirty yeares extreame and restlesse persecution no capitall lawes were made or executed And in the c The booke intituled execution for treason not for religion made by the late L. Burleigh booke intituled Execution for treason and not for Religion composed set forth by the late L. Burleigh then high Treasourer of England on whome for his great wisdome and polecie the menaging of the Common wealth of this Realme vnder the Queene principally depended Anno 1583. and Anno Regni Eliz. 26. it is in expresse wordes set downe what fauour these Priests found in tearmes as followeth And though there are many subiects knowne in the Realme that disser in some opinions of Religion from the Church of England and yet doe also not forbeare to professe the same yet in that they doe all professe loyalty obedience to her Majestie and offer readely in her defence to impugne and resist any forraigne force though it should come or be procured from the Pope himselfe d None of Q Maries Priests or Prelats persecuted for region none of these sort are for their contrary opinions in Religion persecuted or charged with any crimes or paines of treason nor yet willingly searched in their consciences for their contrary opinions that sauour not of treason After which Narration he reckoneth vp great numbers as e D. Heath Arch-bishop of Yorke D. Heath Arch-bishoppe of Yorke B. Poole B. Tunstall B. White B. Oglethrop B. Thurlby B. Watson B. Turberuill none of all these were pressed with any capitall paine though they maintayned the Popes authority against the lawes of the Realme he recounteth a Abbot Feenam one Abbot diuers Deanes whome he commendeth for learning modestie knowledge concludeth that none b None of all these held or punished as traitors though they maintayned the Popes authority against the lavves of the Realme of these nor yet diuers others of the like morall and indifferent carriage were euer called to any capitall or bloudie question vpon matter of Religion nor were not depriued of any of their goodes or proper liuelihoods of the like indulgence and lenity mention is made in the same booke vsed towardes the layetie in wonderful pleasing wordes as followeth There are great numbers of others being lay men and of good possessions in Lands and men of credit in their countries that doe enjoy their estates though they holde contrarie opinions in Religion for the Popes authority and yet none of them haue beene sought hetherto to be impeached in any point or quarrell of treason or losse of life member or inheritaunce So that it may plainely appeare it is not nor hath not beene for contrary opinions in Religion or for the Popes authority alone as the Aduersaries doe boldly and falsely publish that euery person hath suffered death since her Maiesties Raigne yet some of this sorte are well knowne to hold opinion that the Pope ought by authority of Gods word to bee supreame and only head of the Catholike Church throughout the whole world
least presumed to be most consonant to the good mindes and affections of them whome it most concerned And thus willing you to make your profit spirituall of these my endeuours and of the sequent Apology desiring God that it may serue to mollifie the harts of our heauy aduersaries and fortifie and corroborate the Saints seruants of God in well â—â—ing and patiently suffering and carrying the Crosse of Christ Crowne of thornes which pricke to the quicke on euery side I wish you the two most pretious Iewels that can happen to a Christian soule Gratiam in hac vita gloriam in futura From my study in DOWAY this 16. of OCTOBER 1604. Your very louing Sonne and seruant in CHRISTO DOMINO IO. LECEY A PETITION APOLOGETICALL PRESENTED TO THE KINGES MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE BY THE LAY CATHOLIKES OF ENGLAND in Iuly last CHAPTER 1. The cause of our silence MOST MIGHTY AND GRATIOVS SOVERAIGNE Many are the reasons that haue caused vs to expect with perpetuall patience and profound silence your Maiesties most gratious resolution for some benigne remedy and redresse of our most grieuous calamities and afflictions as the confidence of a good cause the testemony of an incorrupt coÌ„science the memory of our constant and continuall affection to the vndoubted right Title in remaynder of your renowned Catholike Mother to the Crowne of England the imputations Crosses afflictions we suffred many yeares therefore the publique and gratefull acknowledgmeÌ„t that your said glorious Mother made thereof at the time of her Arraynement and execution in the presence of the Lordes there assembled for her conuiction vttering these wordes * Her bloud is shed yet remaineth peace authority to vvorke them redemption of her so desired Woe is me for the â—oore Catholikes and the miseries I foresee they are like to endure for their irremoueable affection to me and mine If I were as free as mine estate and innocency requireth I would gladly redeeme their vexations with my dearest bloud The same zeale promptitude after her decease we shewed in your Maiesties right and pretention to the Crowne of England the oppositions were made by vs and our Catholike brethren and freinds abroade and at home leauing nothing in our power vndone that might lawfully aduaunce your Maiesties rightful Title as Heire apparant to the Crowne of England against all practises or projects to the contrary a The L Mont eagle M Fran. Tresham Sir Levvys Tresham in the Tovvre of London Our forewardnes in proclayming your Maiesty without any further warrant then the right and justice of your Title and the loyaltie and affection of our hartes b Sir Thomas Tresham at Northampton The dangers and difficulties that some amongest vs passed in performing thereof in times so greene and doubtfull c The Vicount Montiguelargly casting money among the people The general joy applause shewed by vs with remarkable signes of infinite contentment at your Highnes entrance into the Realme with dutifull offices of joy and readines to proclayme and receiue your Maiesty were performed by Catholikes with such alacrity in most places of the Realme and those in such d The L. Winsor The L. Mordent distance one from the other that they could haue no intelligence one with another howe they should behaue them selues in that occasion which maketh it euident that so generall a consent in so suddayne important an affaire of persons so by places deuided could not proceede from any other fountayne but from an vniuersall and setled deuotion to your Maiesties vndoubted Title All which offices of our loue and loyaltie we assure our selues are aswell knowne to your Maiestie as your Maiesties Candor Clemency is knowne vnto vs by vs blazed throughout the Christian world And not by our tongues and pennes only are these your heroicall vertues made so notorious as they are by the often publique and gratious promises also protestations which your Maiesty out of the infinite bounty and magnanimity of your minde hath made aswell to Princes abroade as to priuate Men at home aswell before as after the Queenes death aswell before as after your entrance to the Realme both in priuate and in publique both in Pallace and Parliament that you would haue no bloud for Religion that you would haue no sale money for conscience contrary to the word of God that you would reuiewe the lawes made against Catholikes and giue order for clearing of them by reason in case they haue beene in times past farther or more rigorously executed by the Iudges then the meaning of the lawe was The intended performaunce of which your most gratious promises receiued a memorable commencement in Iuly last past some fewe dayes before your Royall Coronation when by speciall order of your Highnes without anie sute or motion of the Catholikes certayne Recusantes of the best quality and ability out of diuers partes of the Realme were sent for to Hampton-Court by the Lordes of your Maiesties priuy Councel and were by them very respectiuely and curteously vsed and also assured by the said Lordes that your Maiesties Royall pleasure and Clemency was to exonerate the Catholikes of this Realme from henceforth of that pecuniary mulcte of xx pound a Moneth for recusancy The xx pound a Moneth for Recusancy released by the K. voluntarie promise in Iuly 1603. which your Maiesties grace relaxation the said Lordes signified that they should so long enioy as they kept them selues vpright in all ciuill and true carryage towardes your Majesty and the State without contempt whereunto reply was made that recusancy might be held for an acte of contempt It was answered by the Lordes of the Councell that your Majesty would not accompt recusancy for a contempt And this your Maiesties gratious order and pleasure the said Gentlemen recusants were willed to signifie to all other Catholikes Which grace proceeding from your Maiesties meere Clemency and voluntary good will in that most dangerous time of the discouery of the conspiracy of the Lord Gray and Cobham seemed to vs so inuiolable and so little subject to chaunge or alteration that comparing these bountifull effects with the repose and trust which your Maiesty in your Printed booke to your peereles Sonne seemeth to put in them that were faithfull and resolutely affected to your Mother and with the speach your Highnes made the first day of the Parliament tending to some more temperate course in matter of Religion then was of late vsed we had great reason to abstayne from farther importuning your Maiesty either by friendes or petition but to exspect with silence patience and all humble submission how your Maiesty should please to dispose of vs without any diffidence or distrust either in our owne merits or your mercy CHAPTER 2. The Reasons that haue driuen vs to breach of silence and to a necessary and iust defence BVT alas DREAD SOVERAIGNE we see our silence modesty and simplicity so abused
by some indiscreete Ministers who in their bookes and Sermons make it euident that they thinke no abuse or indignity offered vs sufficient to satisfie their rigorous mindes or suppresse our righteous cause that we are driuen thereby to breake our determinate course of silence vrged inforced thereto by these sequent occasions First that we see our selues as superstitious persons The first reason excluded from that supreame Court of Parliament that was first founded by and for Catholike mē was furnished with Catholike Prelats Peeres Personages and was indowed with those goodly priuiledges prerogatiues by Catholike Princes so continued from the first conuersion of our Nation from Paganisme for so many hundred yeares without alteration till the times of Edward the vj. a Childe and Queene Elizabeth a Woman and by the lawes made by Catholikes in those Parliaments the honour peace and wealth of this Realme hath beene and is maintayned and your Maiesties right and succession to the Crowne mightly against all your aduersaries fortified and supported The 2. reason We see daylie billes and bookes exhibited against vs in Parliament and else where taxing vs very vnjustly with most odious names of heretikes sectaries superstitious persons and Idolators The 3. reason We heare that your Maiesty is often sollicited to extirpate the very roote rase and memory of vs out of your Dominions and rather to admitte Miscreants and Iewes then Catholikes The 4. reason We heare a newe motion is made for the reuyuing of the former Capitall lawes and pecuniary payments other penalties rather charging vs with a heauier hand then easing vs of our former burdens we heare that men are to pay for their Wiues recusancy which in the hardest and heauiest times neuer was admitted that the hauing or keeping of a Schoolmaster not allowed by the Diocesan is to be punished with xl shillings a day that all such as goe ouer to study in forraigne partes without speciall licence are to be disabled of all Inheritaunce Landes Legacies or other goodes chattels or possessions whatsoeuer These instances duly considered cause vs greatly to feare that your Maiesty may in time by the importunat and daylie clamors and calumniations of our aduersaries be incensed and incited against vs your most faithfull subjects who liuing in certayne security of their owne innocency and your Maiesties mercy and bounty labour not by vnquiet oppositions to contradict the false informations of our aduers part but only rely vpon the prouidence of God almighties protection your Maiesties who tanquam Pater patriae is and euer hath beene the certayne sanctuary and common support of all just and innocent men And since the discharge of our minde can in our poore opinion bring no other inconuenience then light to your resolutions in such thinges as your Highnes is now to determine of in this present Parliament being the fittest time for your Maiesty to heare the desires and requests of your people and we hauing no other meanes to make them knowne but by this our dutifull Petition we are the boulder to present vnto your Maiesties viewe this our simple sincere Apology least God should be offended with vs for our silence in matter of his honour least the Christian world should condemne vs of negligence in defence of our poore distressed cause least our Children and posterity should argue vs of carelesnes and pusilanimity in a cause concerning their liues estats and their very soules saluation finally least our aduersaries should insult ouer vs and repute vs tanquam confitentes reos if after so many blowes giuen we should not hold vp the Buckler-hand to saue our heads from vtter confusion and destruction and leaue some monument to our posterity of our zeale and deuotion in negotio animarum of our duty and affection in cultu Principum Yet so desirous we are to giue your Maiesty all possible contentment and satisfaction so loath not only to commit but to conceaue any thing that might justly offend your Grace that being by the reasons aforesaid pressed to put penne to paper and to haue recourse to your Highnes by way of intercession we seeke not for all that to importunate your Maiesty with concourse of multitudes nor with the subscriptions of thousandes of your lay Catholike subjects handes a As the Millenary Ministers lately did as some others haue done in alio genere for the furtherance of their affaires but some fewe of vs only in the name of the Catholikes of all degrees who euery way joyne with vs in our submission and purgation doe present this our sincer Apology and humble Petition wherein if we seeme more tedious forth diuers important pointes wee must necessarily handle by this occasion then is conuenient for men that deale with so mighty a Monarche busied so extreamely with the waighty affaires of so many Kingdomes pardon O noble Prince this our indecorum for that we are driuen to touch somewhat in this discourse which in Parliament we should haue said if we thether had bin admitted that which to our aduersary we would vtter if they had the patience to heare vs and that which we should answere to their sinister suggestions if we might haue that accesse to your Royall person as the extreamity of our cause requireth and the true and hartie affection we beare to your Maiestie and the common wealth of your Potent Monarchie deserueth It is not our meaning most mighty Monarch being meere lay men that make no profession of lettres to examine curiously contentiously all that our aduersaries haue thundred of late against vs or to dispute with them in moode figure which combate we leaue to the diuines of both partes when your Maiesty shall thinke good thereof but with due respect to giue your Grac◠an account and reason of our beleef and Religion and a full and ampl securitie and satisfaction of our fidelities and submission CHAPTER 3. The Estate and quality of your Maiesties Catholikes subiects FOR the cleare vnderstanding of which two points may it please your Grace to consider first what is the state and condition of your faithfull Catholike subjects both for number quality and desert next what Religion it is they professe vpon what groundes lastly what they are of your Maiesties subjects of their Ranke that for former or future seruices and submission in all ciuill and temporall causes against all both domesticall and forraigne enimies haue and will goe farther or venter more willingly their liues liuings for the honour and defence of your person greatnes and posterity then they and their friends both haue and will doe In deliuery of which points we hope your Maiesty will expect no farther arte or eloquence then may be required of men plunged and perplexed with the flux and reflux of perpetuall vexations which is truth that craueth justice and teares that cry for mercy It is euident DREAD SOVERAIGNE that the subjects of your Maiesties Realmes of
England and Ireland consist of Catholikes Protestants Puritans and other sectaries the Catholikes and Catholikely affected in this Realme not withstanding the long persecutions in the late Queenes dayes were at the entrance of your Maiesty to this Realme esteemed to be as many as any other of the said professions of Religion and as for Ireland few there are of that nation An Irishman a Protestant is cara auisin terris that are of any account or freehold but are professed Catholikes besides those that are Catholikely affected And as for the Catholikes of this Realme it is well knowne that their Ancestors haue deserued well of this common wealth both in warre peace both at home and abroade and for their fidelities and laudable seruices haue bin aduanced by your Maiesties progenitors vnder whome they liued and serued from whome we hope that in no point we degenerate only that which in them was esteemed the polestarre of all their vertues to witte the Catholike Religion is in vs punished for wickednes and impiety This did our Catholike Parents dignified by your Maiesties Catholike progenitors leaue vs to succeede them in their Religion towards God their fidelity towards our Princes their natiue freedome in this your Realme of England which we haue lost of late yeares vnder the Raigne of our late Queene for no other crime or offence then for that we endeuoured to serue God as our Catholike Forefathers haue done before vs euer since the conuersion of our Country from Paganisme to saue our soules which are more pretious in his sight then all the Kingdomes in the world and although we were debarred from all offices and dignities and liued as it were in perpetuall banishment and confinement yet was it neuer heard that any one of our number of such suffering recusants euer lifted vp a finger to the least damage or detriment in the world of our Prince or Country And thus by these few lines your Maiesty may see the multitudes condition and disposition of your Catholike subjects who humbly prostrate at your Maiesties feete craue to be restored to their former and ancient freedome What we haue here spoken or shall hereafter speake of our hard vsage in our late Queenes dayes we are driuen thereto by necessity for mouing your Maiesty to commiseration by comparing in your wisdome the grieuousnes of our punishment with the quality of our deserts that there vpon you may temper the asperity of the former proceedings against vs which our late Soueraigne her selfe in her late dayes beganne to doe giuing the world to vnderstand by the last proclamation that euer she made in that kinde that she beganne to distinguish betweene Religion and Treason and aswell therein as in diuers other bookes proclamations tending to that purpose before published vpon any notorious execution done vpon Catholikes she diuers times and by her Ambasadors to diuers Princes abroad did promise and protest that her will and intention was not to punish her subjects for their a Our late Queene euer made profession that shee meant neuer to punish for Religion Religion and conscience whereby we conceiued some hope and found some effect a litle before her Maiesties death and in this minde and disposition God did take her and your Maiesty found vs which considered we hope your Maiesty hauing no occasion to hate vs and we many old and newe occasions to loue you that you will rather imitate your predecessor in her first best and last disposition tending to mildnes mercy and moderation then in her other hard and sharpe courses sithence the fruites and effects of the one were b The fruites of a svveete milde course joy peace abundance and vniuersall vnion and combination of mindes affections both at home abroad which your Maiesty seemeth most to desire and the harbingers and handmaydes of the other haue beene c The handmaids of bloud persecution warres discensions discontentments bloud and beggery which your Grace cannot so well digest And that appeareth most euidently by the first twelue yeares of the late Queenes Raigne which as they were free from bloud and persecution so were they frawght with all kinde of worldly prosperity no Prince was for that space better beloued at home or more honoured or respected abroad no subjects euer liued with greater security or contentment neuer was the Realme more opulent or abundant neuer was both in Court and Country such a generall time of triumph joy and exultation but no sooner did she beginne to alter her course to enter into bloud but all was filled with feares and suspitions at home with warres and diuisions abroad and with continuall fright and allarames of strange attempts either against her person or state and in fine when her treasure was exhausted her subjects Kingdomes extreamely impouerished and all the Kingdomes almost about vs disgusted and in open tearmes of jelosie and hostilitie with her she beganne agayne to thinke of her former fortunate dayes and to incline to a milder course as the only meanes to settle her and her Realme in peace security and former prosperity which times compared together doe demonstrate that the seuerity of lawes made against Catholike were the forerunners of infinite mischiefes and miseries And least your Maiesty beholding such bloudy strange laws made against vs with their rigorous execution by the space of so many yeares in so long a Raigne as was that of our late Queene might thereby conjecture that such newe and neuer hard of decrees could not without vrgent or notorious occasions haue beene inuented constituted and so seuerely executed least this apprehension of these former proceedinges might make the like impression in your minde auersion from vs we humbly craue your Maiesties gratious eares and attention And when you shall reuiewe and consider deeply the lawes made against vs and compare them with the objected crimes that then some ouerture may be proposed to the present Parliament for clearing the lawes by reason which is the soule of the lawe to them that distinction may be made by justice betweene the innocent and guilty persons for howsoeuer the late a The reason that might moue the late Queene to make lavves against Catholikes Queene might haue pretention to make them both by reason of her illegittimation by her owne Father in publique Parliament notoriously diuulged and the jelousie she euer stood in of the Queene your gratious Mother both for the backe and alliaunce she had with Fraunce and the right she seemed to haue by the sentence of the Church pronounced against the diuorce of her Father and the diuers censures and excommunications promulgated against her Yet your Maiesty of whose rightfull succession most lawfull and legittimat possession of this Crowne Satan himselfe being put to his shifts can make no doubt or difficulty against whome no Cōpetitor either hath or had purpose or powre to contend b Vide D. Giffordes commission and
that the reason of our imprisonment was not in respect of any doubt made of our loyalties but only to preuent the Spaniardes hopes of our assistance in their pretended inuasions In the yeare c The carriage of Catholikes the yeare 88. Eightie-eight when the Spanish Armado came with intētion to inuade this Realme our offers at Eely to the Lord North then Lord Lieutenant in those partes in the presence of the Deane of Fely and many others else of worshippefull calling there present at that time for the hasting away of the forces of those Countries to Tilbery-Camp were these wee beseeched and instantly importuned that wee might be imployed in those seruices in the defence of our Prince and Country and not indure that dishonour that the whole Realme should be indaungered and we no vnworthy members thereof and no meane freehoulders should be exempted from that so behoofefull and honorable seruice wee with voluntary aduenture of our liues and worldly fortunes a Their offer of seruice in person offered to serue in Person with our Sonnes Seruants and Tennantes at our owne charges as desirous most joyfully to imbrace that oportunitie to make manifest our loyalties in our Prince and Countries cause we desired to be placed in the first front of the battaile wee offered to serue in the places of the hottest and most dangerous seruice and if we might not obtaine that fauour of trust and seruice for greater security and liuely demonstration of our true English hartes we did offer and implore to be placed b They offer to bee placed vnarmed in the forefront of the battaile vnarmed in our shirts before the formost ranckes of our battailes to receiue in our bodies the first volly of our enemies shotte to leaue an vndoubted Testemony by that our death to stoppe the mouthes of the serpentine maligners of our vnspotted integrity and true English loyalties But if none of these instant requestes would bee graunted vs yet those handes vvhich should haue valorously beene vsed against the enemie should bee zealously lifted vp to God for the deliuery of our Prince and Countrie and to obtayne renowned glorious victory against the Inuador wherein wee failed not answereable to the dutie of loyalest English Subjectes all which was offered by vs to bee performed notwithstanding the late Queene was twice c They plaie the partes of good subiects notvvithstanding al excommunications excommunicated And this is a demonstrable and vndoubted argument that wee are not conditionall Subjectes a calumny so frequent in the mouthes of the Ministry and by them endlesly objected against vs. The like offer to that the Catholikes at Eelie made the d The like offer made the L. Vaux Lord Vaux then prisoner likewise for Testemony of his conscience vnder the charge of the Arch-bishoppe of Canterbury offered and in like sort would haue donne all the Catholikes in England vpon like occasion and opportunity When the Spanish Armado was dispersed and their forces defeated the Vice-Chauncellor of Cambridge associated with the Deane of Eelie sent to Eelie to the Catholike recusants there imprisoned from the Lords of Queene Elizabethes priuie Councel with e A forme of submission sent dovvne to the Catholike from the Councell a forme of protestation of their dutie and allegeance penned by the said Queenes learned Councell with direction and commission to take the said recusants subscriptions thereunto being altogither vnexpected of them they being close prisoners and hauing no intelligence at all of any Commisioners reparing to them So soone as these Commissioners had read some part of their commission to the Catholikes there they forth with were seuerally deuided and in close prison restrayned And notwithstanding the said formall originall sent purposely for them to subscribe vnto yet the Commissioners as it seemed for a more triall or for a more aduantage taking against the Catholikes there taxed euery of them to set downe immediately the protestation of their allegeance and dutie to like purpose as was set forth in the originall sent to them from the Lordes of the Councell which the Catholike Gentlemen were permitted to haue but one only time read vnto them This seuerall forme of submission in such strict order exacted by the Commissioners was in that a The Catholikes exhibite a forme of submission farre more complete then that vvhich vvas sent them ample manner performed by the said recusants that the said Commissioners singulerly extolling and greatly preferring the same before the said originall accepted thereof and required not at all the Catholikes to subscribe to the said originall so penned by the said Queenes learned Councell addressed by the Lordes of the priuie Councell to whome the said protestations being sent and by them perused they receiued such a full approbation that after that time neuer any odious imputation or calumniations against the fidelity of the Catholikes preuayled The like was the valour b The fidelity of Irish Catholikes fidelity laudable seruice of the Irish Catholike recusants at Kinsale in Ireland Anno 1600. who joyning their forces with the late Queenes against the Spanish powre and against their owne Countrimen Kinsmen expelled with their assistaunce the Spaniards and were speciall meanes to keepe Ireland in obedience to the Crowne of England which otherwise in the opinions of the Commaunders of the English forces then there had beene vtterly lost And none of judgement there doubted but that it was in the power of those Irish Catholike Earles Barons Knights Gentlemen and their followers to haue betrayed then that Realme of Ireland to the hands of the Spaniards if either zeale of extirping the Protestant religion thence and firme establishing of the Catholike religion could haue preuayled with them or dread of c Excommunication hindred not the Irish Catholikes to doe the duties of good subiects excommunication or threatning of the powerfull inuader proclayming by sound of Trumpet and deuulging proclamations that his sword should no more spare a Catholike recusante disobeying that excommunication then it should doe a Protestant resisting in armes And this singuler act of loyaltie so shortly after seconding and confirming the like of the English Catholikes in Eighty-eight without all gayne-saying conuinceth that the English and Irish Catholike recusants are not d English and Irish Catholikes no conditionall subiectes condicionall subjects but most true loyall and faithfull subjects to their Prince and to the Crowne of England therein giuing place to no subjects of those two Realmes whosoeuer or of what degree soeuer and whose proofe and triall herein farre excelleth all other the subjects of those Realmes if preheminence should in that behalfe be attributed to any profession of Religion in the said Kingdomes This argument of our former behauiour and of our obedience vnder the seueritie of the late Queene may in all reason assure your Maiestie that in matter of our loyaltie we are like pure Gold fined and refined in the fine of many yeares
promise assure to your selfe of our fidelities in this time of your Maiesties present prosperity and fruition of this Crowne hauing proued our selues so faithfull to your Maiesty in times of your expectations And to conclude such is the d The confidence Catholikes haue in his maiesties royall dealing vvith them confidence we haue in your Maiesties clemency and so farre we rely vpon the bountie of your nature and royall proceeding with vs that whereas the not payment of twentie poundes a moneth for recusancy into the Exchequor at the tearmes by lawe prescribed putteth vs absolutely into your Maiesties hands and mercie for two partes of all our landes and reuenues during our liues and maketh vs a pray to the discretion of our enemies promotors disabling vs to sell our goods to let or set our lands for our reliefe to make joyntures for the maintenance of our wiues or estate of landes to our children albeit by not payment of the said summes at the tearmes aforesaid wee fell within the lapses of the Lawes in such extreamitie of daunger that our case was not to bee releeued but by speciall act of Parliament yet such of vs as at Wilton in Nouember last past had recourse to the Lordes of your Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell to be secured from the said forfeiture which otherwise we were to incurre in default of payment as is before sayde they were farre besides their expectation taxed by the Lordes of a kinde of difidence or chalenging your Maiesty with breach of promise for the casing vs of the said mulcte-money in sort as it was deliuered vs in Iulie precedent at Hampton-Court whereupon wee resolued absolutely to put our whole Estate into your Maiesties handes that your Maiesty may see how wee preferre the credit and confidence wee haue in your Maiesties justice equity conscience and mercie before our owne securitie our landes goodes and liuinges and so doe wee still remayne in the same predicament where if euery pennie had beene a pound euerie of our mole-hilles mountaynes wee would vpon such vrging of our diffidence haue prostrated all the same at your most Royall Maiesties feete CHAPTER 6. Ths carriage and behauiour of our Accusers The carriage of our Antagonistes IT resteth now lastly to consider what hath beene the behauiour of some of our accusers the Ministers we meane some hotte spirits of their adherentes and followers from time to time in your Maiesties affaires that hath so cherished dignified and aduaunced them and to other their lawfull Princes that haue not so fully concurred with them in matter of religion as your Maiesty doth vt contraria iuxta se posita magis clucescant that contraries compared together may the more cleerelie appeare If you demaund what they were that accounted it a matter treasonable to retaine any booke or paper in fauour of your Maiesties Title and that in publike bookes called your Mothers right to this Crowne a pretended Title Agendum est obsignatis tabulis and we must needs tell you that it was a Student of Lyons Inne a Lawer by profession and a Protestant in Religion that in a booke printed Anno 1584. intituled A discouery of treasons against the Queenes Majesty by Fraunces Throgmorton amongst other his treasons Pag. 3. he reckoneth this for one in these wordes There were also found among other his papers 12. petegrees of the descent of the Crowne of England printed and published by the Bishoppe of Rosse in the defence of the pretended Title of the Scotish Queene his Mistris What could be more vnjust and iniurious to that blessed Lady and all her posteritie then in a booke printed in defence of an execution of justice to call her Title false pretented and vnjust and account the euidences and recordes thereof as treason in the highest degree If inquiry be made who they were that in prejudice of your Maiesties right to this Crowne did set vp the vsurping Queene Iane descended from the younger sister of your Maiesties great Grand-Mother that was the eldest daughter to King Henry the vij th Our histories tell vs that they were a The Duke of Nothumb the Dukes of Somerset Suffolke other Protestants all the Protest Bishops Clergie Councell of K. Edvvard principally the clergie enemies to the Catholike faith which we professe the first aduauncers of the newe Religion in this Country If we call to minde the complotters and compassers of the murther committed on the Person of your Highnes b His maiesties Father and Grand-father slayne Father and Grand-Father and the barbarous butchering of your Mothers Secretary in her Royall presence and the miraculous escape of your Graces person by Gods singuler protection when a c His Maiesty pursued in his Mothers vvombe and miraculously preserued chardged pistoll put to your Mothers wombe by one of the traytorous race of the Gowries to haue distroyed you both at one blowe could not giue fire we finde by the printed monumentes of Scotish Annales that the actors authors and inuentors of those tragedies were not of the Catholike religion If we demaund who they were that tooke d The Ministers and Presbitery authors of these tumultes armes against your Maiesties gratious Mother that ouerthrewe her in the field that layd violent handes vpon her sacred Person and imprisoned her in Lawghleuen that depriued her of her Crowne and expelled her out of her Kingdome and procured afterwardes her captiuitie in this Realme no man is ignorant that the e The Earle of Moray Knox the Cataline of Scotland Bastard of Scotland with the Presbitery that runnegate Fryer Iohn Knox mortall enemies to all order rule and authority were the Architects of these detestable actions Howe zealous f Bothvvell Govvry tvvo pillers of the Presbitery Bothwell and Gowry were against poore Catholikes and what pillers and patrons they were of the Presbitery the world knoweth but your Maiestie by experience can best testifie what perilous turbulent and seditious members they were of the common wealth and howe often your sacred Person was indaungered by them and others of their profession Moreouer we hope that we may without offence to any confidently affirme that they were not Catholikes that caused your Mothers vntimely death the memory of which times for many respects we had forborne to touch but only to remoue the odious and vnjust imputations diuulged in the time of this present session of Parliament against vs in a certayne libell or rather a clamorous calumnions inuectiue published in this present session of Parliament against a most modest learned and submissiue supplication dedicated to your Maiestie in March last where the Libeller calleth Catholikes to the Barre and would haue then indighted and passe their triall for that matter g Sutclifes ovvne vvordes in the 8. chapter of his said libell Which done saith he his Majesty may easely perceiue that they are to be hated and abhorred as causers