as these Ordinaryes aboue mentioned who may ought to oblige themselues not to receiue any commands or orders from the Pope as aboue without leaue from the ciuill magistrates which hath been the practise heretofore in Catholicke times in England is in now in France all other states Kingdomes whereas I say these Ordinaryes might seeme by reason of their titles to giue suspition of their pretension to the temporalityes of the Bishoprickes where of they should beare the titles which connot be iustly suspected the lands being sold by order of Parliament yet may they be obliged by oath to renounce all claim title to the lands liueings or temporalityes of those Bishoprickes vnder what pretence soeuer 5ly where as seuerall sorts of Regulars or Religious are sent from the Pope to exercise Pastorall functions guide the Consciences of lay Catholicks who pretend to be exempted by the Pope from all ordinary Episcopall power iurisdiction to be immediatly subiect to the Pope himselfe or to the Generall of their order in of a forraine country lett all such all other Ecclesiasticall clergy men whatsoeuer oblige themselues by oath to depend immediately on the aforsayd Ordinaryes as they ought to do by the canons of the Church not to exercise any Ecclesiasticall function or spirituall iurisdiction but by the leaue as deriued receiued immediatly from the sayd Ordinaryes Nor shall any pretend to haue any spirituall power or faculty immediatly from the Pope in any either spirituall or temporall affaire whatsoeuer or from any other outlandish person whatsoeuer saue only from the aboue mentioned Ordinaryes or their officers natiues of England Which whosoeuer shall refuse or withstand or will pretend to depend immediately of any forrain Prelat or Power lett him be banished out of the state 6ly Where as the lay Catholicks of the Kingdom will be subiect in matter of Religion conscience to these Ordinaryes who are their tru lawfull Pastours according to the doctrine of the Catholicke Church this by Christ's institution expresse command as all Catholickes do beleiue are therefore answerable for soules farther are obliged both by the principles of their Religion by their particular interests to be watchfull ouer the persons actions of the Preists whom they appoint vnder them to gâ—ide the consciences of the layety It will be of no small security to the state to admonish charge these Ordinaryes to be vigilant carefull that nothing be complotted nor attempted against the state to discouer it if they suspect or hear of any such thing they being in some sort answerable to the state for such crimes as may be committed by their subiects against the temporall power or Gouernment through their negligence or conniuence either by the Preists whom they appoint or by any of the Catholick Layty 7ly least these Bishops should extend their authority too far especially in spirituall things which haue a neer relation to the temporall Gouernment as in probats of wills disposall of legacyes Iudgment of marriages c it will be easy to limit their iurisdiction in these occations as the state shall think fit in the discustion of these particulars 8ly If any Catholick Ecclesiasticall or secular or Regular shall refuse to submit to these c. Thus this Dictator enacts laws with seuere Penaltys which our nation neuer owned the King himself could do but in Paliament particulars lett them be banished out of the state as vnfit members of the common wealth the state declaring their banishment not to be for their Religion but for the suspicion it hath of their loyalty whereat other Catholickes can take no exception no more then they did at the expulsion of the Iesuits out of the state of Venice els where nay much lesse considering a state not Catholick hath more reason to be cautious wary of such persons then a Catholick state hath Besides these generall heads d. Haueing determined by his owne head the substantiall points he leaues some circumstances to be discussed by the body of Catholicks when the generall heads require greater discussion more mature deliberation then the particulars wherein many particulars are comprehended which would require seuerall discussions resolutions there be many other particulars which are to be referred to those who treat agitate this business with order Commission As to what is to be don in case the Pope refuse to giue Bishops to the Catholickes vppon these termes conceiuing t will exclude his power out of the state preiudice the greatnesse of his Court by giuing such a president to othâ—r states to do the like whether in case of refusall the Clergy Layty may not haue recours to France or Ireland to haue Bishops from thence whether some Preists may not be appointed in the interim whose power by the state's assistance may be Equiualenr e. VVhat a rash vnheard of Proposition is this that an Hereticall assembly of Râ—bels can inuest ordinary Priests with heretical Authority equiualent to that of Lawfull ordinary Bishops VVhat opinion had he of the Authority of Bishops who aduances this â—et this man must be thought the Assertor of Epscopal Authority to this in effect Whether these Bishops should not make knowne to the state the places of their ordinary aboad Whether the clergy should not make known to the state both at the first afterwards from time to time the names persons of those whom they choose to be Bishops to the end that none be promoted against whom the state may haue any iust exception How in what manner the Catholickes may haue their Assemblyes of Diuine seruice for number places c What habits their Bishops Priests may wear openly Whether how the Catholickes may be admittâ—d to any publicke charg or bear any office in the common wealth What cours is fit to be suffred for the education of Catholickes Children in Learning or other qualityes that they may not be sent ouer Sea to bee brought vp amongst forraines strangers mantained vpon the Pope's other Princes pensions which draw many inconueniencyes into their dispositions No writing vpon the back till of late about 3 Yeares a goe but is all in Dr. Helden's hand writing Note that there is a copy of Instructions in Mr. Fitton 's hand blotted interlined so as it seemes to be the first rough draught of them But the penaltyes annexed to non conforming Catholickes are blotted out yet so as they may still be read I think this attempt of one or two priuate men to prescribe Laws to the whole nation A rash Presumption not to be paralelled by any in sacred or Prophane Hystory Mr. Blacklovv to Sir K. D. Epist 21. Most Hond Sir These are to humbly thank you for yours of the 29. of Iuly which I receiued at Paris to giue you accompt of my returne to Lyons The wars about Doway hindred
country that is to God God hath set diuers degrees in our country and haueing giuen the charge of gouerning to some eo ipso hath taken it from the rest who are to promote their Religion all they can vnder and not oppositely to the steerage of the common This I write to be shewed to mr Fitton whom when I was in Paris I found vehement in that kind and told him then as much as I write now but feare I moued him not Lett him consider that if Ireland be made a souerain both England and Ireland will be ruined temporally and England by all probability also in Religion for both will be engaged in a perpetuall war and England hardened in heresy by opposition as we see it hath hapned in Holland But if the King for despayr or necessity submitt to the Parliament and all the forces of Scotland England fal upon Ireland If the good of Ireland be to keep England in war are they English men that shall second this good of theirs If I apprehend ryghtly it is an easier matter to sett England ryght then to putt the Scors out of Ireland This is to be don by sieges of as strong places as any be in Holland that by a Feild or two England helped brings in Ireland Ireland set vp makes the helping of England more hard If Religion haue any footing in England it will be mistres in Ireland but it may be mistres in Ireland and haue no footing in England For loue of God be wise and lett all helpes march together for if one draw one way and others other ways all will be too little And if all must go one way it must be the Queenes way for fittinger it is we should submit then shee you haue my sentiment and I shall be glad if you do not like it at lest that you should know what constructions others make On the Back Copy of Mr. white his Letter to Dr. Holden 29 May All in Sir Kenelmes Hand 1645 Annotation What occasion Dr. Holden gaue for this Letter I cannot tell certainly it must be of a very odious nature otherwise the whole discourse of this Letter is nothing to the purpose probably Dr. Holden with his vsuall rashnesse gaue some adâ—ice relating to Ireland which displeased Mr. Blacklô who was a Patriot euen vltra aras beyond Iustice and without due regard to ryght Which appeared by his booke of obedience and Gouernment where he pretends the King 's ryght to his Crowne to cease when it cannot bee recouered without disturbance of the Commonalty Preferring the Peace of a few cittisens before the iust ryght of his King the Nobility and a great part of Gentry who were at that time trampled vpon by the meanest of the Commons in whose fauour he writ that book Sir Ken. D. to Dr. Holden Epist 2. Sir I haue yours of the 3. currant for which I humbly thank you we neede not trouble our selues about the vncertanties and disorders of our Letters for now that commerce will be at an end within two days after the next posts arriuall I hope to be gon hence and then shall make all possible hast to you possible to so many as I trauell with 15. or 16. If It seemes that Sir Kenelme himself how true soeuer he were to the Blackloistical party could not escape this man's centsure you vnderstood my way of negociation you could not dislike it and to censure an important action without knowing its principles mr Blacklow says tis french Leuity Vpon occasion of your so mutch disliking what I do I may without vanity say that more is done for our good in this Court then could haue been expected and it is enough to go thorough with our businesse nor is it in their power you mislike to hinder it And what is giuen to them is accounted thrown jnto the riuer but necessary to make them propitious to permit the worke be done Cerberus must haue offam to lett Aenoeas and other pious souls passe by him But you will still Leap ouer the stile b A true censure of Dr. Holden's procipitant way of proceeding in all things This complaint is well grounded before you are at it Giue me leaue then to say it were both honesty and wisedome in those friends you mention c. to forbear â—ugling vnder bord to embroyl my businesses when peraduenture I work vppon the same principles as they and for many reasons know better then they how to conduct it dextrously But nothing serueth their turn that is not don their ovvn vvay Remember vvhat I say to you d. This is akind of Prophesy for jn reality jt hapned as he foretells as we shall see Letter 46. At the end of my negociation I shall be ruined as much as the vvorld can ruin me which I valevv not a stravv for doing the iust contrary of vvhat you tax me for And jn the mean time those from vvhom I shall expect the most correspondence make my negociation vncomfortable to me by false biases and foisted cardes e. A very vngratefull proceeding of Dr. Holden's freinds Sincâ— they once thought me fitt to be trusted vvith a businesse they should haue relyed some vvhat uppon my dexterity in the managing of it vvho though I be no vvise man yet they knovv I am not a naturall foole Neyther should they thinke jt became me att euery time and to euery person to reueale the secret springs I vvrought by they should be content to see jt done to their minde jn the end and jn the meane time permitt me some times vvithout taking alarmes to looke one vvay vvhiles I rovved another But the best js I care not hovv any body taketh vvhat I haue done from the hyghest to the lowest nor vvhat becometh of me vvhither applauded or scorned I am sure I haue done my duty honestly and vvith some measure of Prudence and God hath blest me vvith better successe then at the beginning I could haue hoped f. what he hoped for God knows but jt js certain he succeeded jn no one point of his negociation nether for the church nor state for he nether did the queene's businesse nor the secular clergy's He nether got a Bishop nor the chapter confirmed He disturbed all English residing jn Rome disordred all their negociations troubled the ministers of that Court Laboured to banish this man and to affront that And at last after much time and many spent jn vain with the queene's consent he returned to France leauing a bad opinion of his Person at Rome and bringing away with him a perfect hatred of the place and court which he often exprest in virulent termes to many and was for that sharpely reprehended euen by moderate and ciuil protestants jn Particular by my Lady Countesse of Denbigh And I should haue yett had better jf these ouer wise sticklers for Religion vvould haue beene quiett for by raysing diffidence they haue made my conditions the harder vvhich js all vvell
jf the King assent to them but jf vve make him blanck at them we ruine our businesse And herein js the exercise of reason that giueth Iudgment not onely vpon good appearing jn one regarde but omnibus pensatis But enough of this I hope to see you shortly On the backe Part of my Letter to mr Holden of the 26. 9 ber 1645. Most noble Sir The Parliament of England hath endeauored to sell some men's estates but none vvill venture to buy them It js thought they vvill giue a generall pardon and so get a round sum of mony by composition since that they cannot get jt by selling I heare that the Scots haue deliuered three querys to the Parlament the first vvhether they jntend to depose the King or no The 2. vvhether they jntend to settle the crovvn vppon the Prince The 3. vvhat js the reason that they do not establish Church Gouernment according to the Couenant The Scots jn Ireland are very vveak and Preston js novv entred jnto Vlster vvith his army hauing reduced all to Conough This is the sum of our nevvs And novv Iam called vppon to recommend vnto you our humble suit concerning the chapter jn England They cry out on all sides for vvant of superiors a. Hence it appeares that none of any side were satisfyed with the settlement of the Chapter otherwise they would not haue been on all sides so clamorous for superiours as hauing some already This we shall see confirmed jn the following Letters Now if the chapter from its begining was not canonicall how could jt become so after wardâ— Non firmatur tractu temporis quod ab jnitio jure non subsistit Is a Rule of the Law and none can be made vntill the chapter be setled 6. Thuâ— vvith my vvonted respects to your noble selfe I cease 21. sept your most humble seruant Peter Fitton on the backe from Mr. fitton 21. sept 1646. b. The secular clergy may then set their harts at rest and be content neuer to haue any superiours for jt js a folly to expect a Confirmation of their Chapter without which there can be no superiours made seeing the Chapter js so leauened with the Blacloist doctrine and setled vpon such a foundation in opposition to the Papal Authority that it can neuer hope for any Confirmation thence Mr. VVhite to Sir Ken. D. Epist 4. Most Hon Sir This is only to acknowledge the honour you did me by yours of the last of sept I think you will doe God good seruice and the King also jf you can gett the Pope to employ 40 of our own sailes a. Take notice here of the Pragmaticall spirit of this good man who althô not called to it must be giueing Directions to the Queene's ministers without and probably contrary to her's and the King's orders for by good managing they will become a fleet for him and Religion If you can further procure that he should send such orders or rather such a man jnto Ireland that may conserue the peace and seeke more after the substance then after the outside of Religion your Iourny will be well employed though you obtain no farther As for my follyes I sent you half the first part by Mr. Skinner the second half goeth to back this The Appendix had been ready also but that a pedler had more monyes then I and soe a Catechism that he had to sell at the next fair made my worke stay b. There may haue been other motiues for that retardment that the Printer had so much Learning as to see that work contained Errors and so much zeal as to be willing to take any pretence to delay its printing althô thorough hopes of gain he was unwilling to Lay it quite aside I hope jt will be ready for my next Letters vnto you soe with my best respects to your self and your Coronel I rest this 25. of october Yours as euer to my power Thomas White On the backe from Mr. White 25. october 1646 Mr. Fitton to Sir K. D. Epist 5. Most Noble Sir I Haue yours 19. nou And your hopes of a good successe in our businesse doth beget an assurance of it in Dr. Holden and my selfe As for our aduersaryes they obiect the same against vs which the Parliament obiecteth against Bishops in England and with as little reason as they doe And if possibilityes of impertinencys may crosse the discipline of the Church there should be no Chapters nor Bishops in any part of the world if there be more fear of such impertinencyes in England then in any other place it is because we haue beene abridged of that authority a. Here he ownes that our English secular clergy know not how to vse Episcopal authority jf they had it amongst them And jndeed jt appeared so by the successe of the Late Bishop whom they engaged jn seuerall controuersyes to the great scandall of catholicks and no lesse danger to Religion And so peraduenture may in the begining commit some errours in the managing of jt but this danger will be the greater the longer we are depriued of that which we must haue at last and the sooner we haue it the sooner we shall be acquainted how to vse it without committing the obiected impertinences Howsoeuer the fear of impertinences be it neuer so great ought not to depriue vs of the thing it self but rather such caution is to be vsed as may preuent the Impertinences and yet conserue the authority entire I doubt not but you haue procured this already And as for our businesses since you do so kindly accept of the trouble we shall not acquaint any body with them but your self when they are of importance as this is nether haue we acquainted Mr. skinner with this in particular nor doth our clergy intend him to be their Agent although my Lord Bishop hath stiled him such jn his Letter to the Protectour I suppose he meanes that he js his Agent Howsoeuer he expressed a great willingnesse when he went from hence to jndeauor to procure vs a pension for our house here and I could not refuse his curtesie for I haue found jt that the discreetest men are not always the best beggers But I leaue jt wholy to him self to do what he pleaseth jn jt as holding jt desperate yet foolish c. By coâ—uersing with Dr. Holden something of his censorious spirit did work jn him Other wise so moderate a man as Mr. fitton would not haue thus censured Mr. skinner persons do some times preuaile jn this kind contrary to all expectation Mr. White goeth to morrow from hence b. This was Mr. Iames skinner known to some by the name of Bently a â—ery orthodox man and no freind to Blacklôs Noueltys And for that reason gratefull to the Bishop of Calcedon a profest enemy to them towards you he offered him self to assist vs jn procuring an English Bishop we haue accepted of his curtesy with many thanks when time
discussion of particulars Now because h. Mr. Fitton in his Letter of this day speakes of an admirable aduantage they had ouer the Iesuits that it was in their power to thrust them out of England See Letter 16. Dr. Holden very charitably proposes it to the Parliament But the Parliament had other businesse to think on then this by slâ—ghting these maliteus suggestions shâ—wed more discretion then to follow or regard such lgnes Fatuos the Iesuits doe seem to be the most dangerous body are thought to be most factious by all Christian states not Catholicke if they or any other Regular Order refuse either the Oath here with sent in print or to be subiect to these Bishops as before lett them bee thought vnfit members of the common wealth as now things stand therefore lett them be wished to withdraw themselues out of the Kingdom not for their Religion i. Here we haue another hint at such a persâ—cution as Catholicks suffer at present not fâ—r Religion says the Gazet but for the state the suspâ—tion it may haue of them Suppose after the Iesuits the Clergy should be vnder a like pretext banisht Is it not possible it may in a like manner giue suspition to the state Hath it not effectually don so euen in Catholick times VVhat Policy is here to dig a pit for another intenâ—ich they themselues may as wel fâ—lâ— But for the saspition the state may haue of them which the rest of the Catholickes will not oppose k. Catholicks who haue a care of their souls wil not willingly part with Regulars as long as they see the secular Clergy promote so many erroneous dogma's contrary to Faith these schismaticall principles contrary to Charity VVâ—re this scribler a liue I should desire to know of him by what Authority by whose commission he makes this addresse to the Parliament It containes things concerning all the Catholicks of England it imports the design of an Ecclesiasticall Gouernment vnheard of in the Christian world from Christ's time till this day all imposed with so great a penalty as Panishment had hee an Order from Catholicks to offer it Had he their aduice Did he so much as communicate it to them or the maior chiefir part of them Not one word of that VVhat doth this rashnesse deserue in a priuate man to deal such businesses of so general concern of his own head Addistion to these notes Is there not reason to suspect that this design did not dye with Dr. Holden but Liue still in that party that Mr. Sergeant's great design in his going for England is this sâ—me no more then they did in venice other Catholicke states much lesse in a Kingdom not Catholicke On the back Doctor Holdens instructions into England sent me with his Letter of the 13. 7ber 1647. Larger Instructions in Dr. Holden's hand VVriting If it shall please the Parliament to suffer the Roman Catholickes to liue with the same freedom enioy the same liberty which the other free borne subiects of the Kingdom do which their naturall birth ryght seemes to challeng as due vnto them Let it please them to take into their consideration these few heads proposed vnto them by a Roman Catholicke who knowing the principles maximes of the Roman Church beleife conceiueth them fit to be thought of for their better satisfaction greater security of the state First let no forrain King nor state be suffred to interceede or medle in the behalf of Catholicks to the end the Catholicks may see their freedome doth only proceed from the Parliaments gratious disposition willingnesse to settle vniuersall liberty consequently that they are not to depend nor hope nor be obliged to none but them for their freedome 2ly that such an Oath of Allegiance be framed if it be thought necessary that any be requisite as may stand with the principles of Catholick Religion whereof there is a draught in Print will be easily made fully satisfactory which may be vniuersally taken by all Catholickes of what profession soeuer if any either Ecclesiasticall or Lay should refuse it let him be banished out of the Kingdome a. Here Banishment is cleerely commanded in case any presume not to conforme to his iniunctions whichin the other InstructioÌ„s was expressed more sweetly Let them be desired to withdraw out of the Kingdome But the sense in both is the same as an vnfit member of the Common wealth 3ly Let the Catholickes be obliged to haue six or eyght Bishops more or lesse by whom they may be gouerned in matter of Religion conscience Let these Bishops haue some of the ancient nationall titles of the Kingdome according to their seuerall districts consequently haue ordinary iurisdiction ouer the Catholicks By these meanes that is for as much as these Bishops haue nationall titles consequently are ordinaryes as we call them the Parliament is secured the Pope can haue no Poâ—er ouer them to the preiudice of the state For they being ordinaryes he cannot depriue them of nor limite nor touch their Iurisdiction at all being a generall tenet amongst Catholickes that all Ordinaryes are successours to the Apostles haue their authority immediatly from Iesus Christ consequently aâ— immouable absolute in their kind as the Pope's in his So that all immediate influenâ—e from the Pope vpon the Catholickes of England is cut of by this meanes therefore no fear of the Pope's arbitrary power which can be only suspected dangerous to the state These Ordinaryes will gouerne the consciences souls of their flocks by their owne proper authority which we hold to be innate into their offices persons Iurediuino Hence it follows that these Ordinaryes are not bound to obey or receiue any speciall command from the Pope of what nature soeuer if either contrary to the customes or canons of the Church or preiudiciall to the temporall laws gouernment of the state whereof the state it self is to be iudge It is tru these Ordinaryes must acknowledge the Pope the first Bishop head b. Here is a new kind of head without any authority or Influence ouer its Body A thing monstrous in Natural much more in mysticall bodyes of the Church but not receiue any of his commands without the leaue of the state Whereupon these two generall tenets may be exacted of these Ordinaryes of all Ecclesiasticall lay Catholicks of the Kingdome First that no Catholicke of what profession soeuer shall acknowledge any forrain or outlandish authority or superiour either Pope or other ouer his person or personall actions in any ciuil or temporall practise or busines whatsoeuer Secondly that no act of command or authority either spirituall or temporall from the Pope or any other outlandish person of what quality soeuer shall be receiued or admitted by any Catholicke of what condition soeuer without the knowledge consent of the ciuill magistrate 4ly Where
intended to be presented by the Catholicks to the Parliament For my part I do not approue nether of one or the other howsoeuer you may do well to shew them to his Hol to the Protectour of England in case they dislike them you may tell his Hol that vntill he giue the Clergy a superiour settle Ordinary iurisdiction a How strangely is Mr. Fitton altredl the Last year he was so indifferent for a Bishop that he seemed rather to desire there should be none sâ—e Letter 3. 5. now Religion cannot stand without one amongst vs worfer things will be done then this is For besides animosity that must needes be in the Clergy by reason of the iniustice as they conceiue of that court towards them in denying them their ryght they being to suspect that that Court intends to introduce impose vpon them an arbitrary way of Church Gouernment which they can no more brooke b. A fit comparisâ—n betwixt the Obedience of the sâ—culare Clergy to the Pope that of the Parliament of the King then the Parliament would do arbitrary Gouernment in the state so it is not to be wondred it they fall into some extrâ—uâ—gances especially considering that there is no superiour to restraine them from doing what they please Nether will they admit of any superiour without Ordinary Iurisdiction which is worse I feare they will not â—â—â—e any more to that court for a superior if you come downe without effecting some thing to their satisfaction but seâ—ke it else whâ—re as well as they can If you please you may giue these very words I write vnto you to our Protectour to whom else you please as from me As for my self I do not write to our Protector or to any other because as long as things stand thus I will not assume upon my self to meddle further in that which concernes the common thâ—n the rest of my brethrâ—n do so that court must not expect any account from vs but take their informations from whom they can get them if they be misinformed as happily thâ—y may be as well as they haue been hitherto let them blame themselues Now you must know that this Paper which is signed is to be dispersed amongst Catholicks was signed only for that end that the Catholicks may know how to answer to these three propositions which were sent from the army to my Lord Brudenal in these very words as they lye here There is a more ample answer to be drawn for the satisfaction of the army the Parliament with a discourse touching euery proposition in particular The best iest is that the Benedictins who were always suspected to fauour the Oath do now scruple to signe this paper as I imagin seeking to carry fauour with Rome haue refused to do it yet not withstanding their owne refusall they giue leaue to my Lord * This noble man before was sayd to consult only Iesuits now none but Benedâ—ctins Brudenal to answer as it is signed As for newes c. Oct. 4. Your most humble seruant Peter Fitton On the back from Mr. Fitton 4. Octob. 1647. Oath I A. B. Do acknowledge testify declare in my conscience before God the world that our soueraign Lord K. Charles is lawfull King of this Realme all other his Maiestys Realmes dominions countrys And I do promise vow protest that I will beare all faithfull tru allegiance to his Maiesty his heyres lawfull successors him them will defend to the vttermost of my power against all Conspiracys attempts whatsoeuer which shall be made against his or their persons crown dignitys And I will do my best endeauour to disclose make known to his Maiesty his heyres lawfull successors all treasons traitors or conspiracys which I shall know or heare to be intended against his Maiesty or any of them And I do abâ—ure as false most erroneous both assassinations of Prince People that Faith is not to be oâ—serued with all sorts of People And I do detest them both as most repugnant to humanity not to be allowed by any Religion whatsoeuer And further that I shâ—ll be most ready to mantain defend with my power life fortunes all my countrys libertys the iust ryghts Libertys of Parliaments the subiects lawfull ryghts libertys property the peace vnion of his Maiesty's three Kingdomes of England Scotland Ireland in all iust honourable ways endeauour the Punishment of those that seeke to worke the contrary as a dutifull loyall subiect is bound to doe as a tru-born louer of his Country is oblidged And that nether for hope nor fear or other respects I shall relinquish this promise vow or protestation which I make hartily willingly truly without any equiuocation or mentall reseruation whatsoeuer From which as I shall not desire absolution so I hold beleiue no power on earth can absolue me in any part So helpe me God Points Vpon the ground giuen in the 12. th proposall printed Aug. the 1. 1647. by Authority from his Excellence Sir Thomas Fairfax that the penall statutes inforce against Roman Catholicks shall be repealed And farther that they shall enioy the liberty of their Consciences by grant from the Parliament it may be enacted that it shall not be lawfull for any person or persons being subiects to the Crown of England to professe or acknowledge for truth or perswade others to beleiue the ensuing propositions 1 That the Pope or Church hath power to absolue any person or persons whatsoeuer from his or their obedience to the ciuil gouernment establisht in this nation 2 That it is lawfull in it self or by the Pope's Dispensation to break ether word or oath with any Heretick 3 That it is lawfull by the Pope's or Church's command or dispensation to kill destroy or otherwise iniure or offend any person or persons whatsoeuer because he or they are accused condemned censured or excommunicated for errour schism or heresy The premisses considered we vnder written set our hands that euery one of these three propositions may be lawfully answered vnto in the negatiue On the back The Oath Points Sir Ken. D. to Mr. Fitton Epist 26. Rome 7. 8ber 1647. Most honoured Sir You would be extreamely to blame beyond all capacity of Pardon a. Here is a new sin against the Holy Ghost not to be forgiuen in this world 〈◊〉 the next to retain any consideration for the Sea Apostolick if for any weak respects to this court which yeild you none you should forbear making vse of that happy coniuncture of affayres to procure your own aduantages which God b. Here the disorders caused in England by the Rebels are called a happy coniuncture of affaires attributed to God which althô it may be tru through God's Permissiue will yet as commonly taken they beget another sense that very bad hath