The Obiection .

The empire was translated by the Popes authoritie , and the emperours after their election are this day confirmed by the Pope : yea , many emperors haue acknowledged the Popes soueraignetie ouer them , in so much as they haue fallen downe prostrate , and kissed his holy feet .

The Answere .

I answere , that many absurd things haue beene affirmed by Popish parasites , for the aduancement of the primacie , as Franciscus à Victoria , a famous Popish schoole doctor , and Spanish frier , sometime professour of Theologie in the Vniuersitie of Salmantica , Victor . de potest , eccles. relect. 1. sect. 6. p. 39. doth testifie in these words ; Sed gloss atores iuris hoc dominium dederunt papae , cum ipsi essent pauperes rebus & doctrina .

But the glossers of the Popes law ( saith this great doctor and zealous papist , for the truth it selfe enforced him to vtter the truth ) gaue this dominion ( and these lordly titles ) vnto the Pope , when themselues were blind bayards and beggerly fellowes .

Thus writeth their owne Popish Frier , affirming that ignorance and pouertie were the beginning of all lordly poperie : and no maruell ; for by reason of their pouertie they flattered and sought to please the Pope , and by reason of their ignorance , they set abroach many things which they did not vnderstand .

Iohannes Gerson , a famous papist likewise , and sometime chancelour of Paris , reporteth much like stuffe , and more lordly titles , ascribed to the Pope by his popish parasites . Gerson de potest . eccles. consid. 12 part. 3. These are his expresse words ; Sicut Christo collata estomnis potestas in coelo & in terra , sic eam Christus , omnem Petro suisque successoribus dereliquit . Sequitur ; sicut non est potestas nisi à deo , sic nec aliqua temporalis vel ecclesiastica , imperialis vel regalis , nisi à Papa ; in cuius foemore scripsit Christus , rex regum , dominus dominantium ; de cuius potestate disputare , instar sacrilegij est ; cui neque quisquam dicere potest , cur ita facis .

As all power was giuen to Christ in heauen and on earth , so Christ left all the same power to Peter , and to his successours ( the Bishops of Rome . ) As there is no power but of God , so is there neither any temporall or ecclesiasticall , neither imperiall nor regall , but of the Pope ; in whose thigh Christ hath written , the king of kings and lord of lords ; of whose power to dispute , is as it were sacriledge ; to whome no man may say , Why doest thou so ?

These are the words of this great learned doctor , who though he were a zealous papist , yet could he not conceale these Antichristian blasphemies within his breast . Neuerthelesse Pope Boniface , or ( if ye will ) Pope maliface , did not only acknowledge them , but with great pleasure practised the same , as witnesseth the said Gerson in these words ; Hanc existimationem habuisse visus est Bonifacius octauus in quadam decretali ; putatur ab alijs , Gerson vbi supra . depositio vnius regis franciae per papam Zachariam hic esse fundata ; tanquam papa sit , qui transferre possit reges & regna .

Pope Boniface the eight seemeth in a certaine decretall to haue had this opinion of his owne authoritie . Others thinke , that the deposition of ( Childericus ) the French king by Pope Zacharie , was grounded in this ( Antichristian and godlesse conceit ; ) as if forsooth the Pope were he , that could depose princes , and translate their kingdomes .

By these authorities it is cleare , that the late Bishops of Rome haue taken vpon them , not onely to depose kings , and to translate their kingdomes ; but withall haue challenged more than humane and royall power , euen that power which is due and proper to God alone . So as we haue not so much to consider what hath beene done , as what ought of right to be done . I will therefore for perspicuitie sake proceed by way of gradation , and set downe the very steps of the ladder , by which the late bishops of Rome , did climbe vp to their vsurped tyrannicall primacie .

1 The first step , was the departure of the emperour Constantinus from Rome to Constantinople , at what time ( as the Popes parasites tell vs ) the emperour gaue large gifts to the Pope , euen his whole power , dominion , and territories , both in Rome , Italie , and all the West parts : for thus is it written by Gratian in the Popes own decrees : Constantinus imperator coronam & omnem regiam dignitatem , Dist. 96. can . Constantinus . in vrbe Romana , & in Italia , & in partibus occidentalibus Apostolico concessit . Sequitur , decreuimus itaque & hoc , vt ipse & successores eius diademate , viz. corona quam ex capite nostro illi concessimus ex auro purissime & gemmis pretiosis , vti debeat pro honore B. Petri. Constantine the emperour gaue the Pope his crowne and all royall dignitie in the citie of Rome , and in Italie , and in all the West parts . It followeth a little after in the next Cannon . We therefore haue made also this decree , that the Pope and his successours shall for the honour of S. Peter , weare the crown of pure gold and pretious stones , which we haue giuen him from off our owne head . Thus saith the decree . But Laurentius Valla , Raphael Voluteranus , Paulus Catthalanus , Bellarm. lib. 5. de rom. pont. cap. 9. Nicolaus Cusanus , and many other popish writers , repute the same as a fable . Yea our Iesuit Bellarmine seemeth to doubt thereof , and of other like supposed donations , and therefore hath he inuented a soueraign remedie for the same . These are his expresse words : Extant Romae authentica instrumenta harum & similium donationum . Sed etiamsi nihil horum extaret , abunde sufficeret prescriptio 800. annorum . Nam etiam regna & imperia per latrocinium acquisita , tandem longo tempore flunt legitima .

There be extant at Rome authenticall instruments of these and the like gifts . But if there were no such thing , yet would prescription of 800 yeares be sufficient : for euen kingdomes & empires gotten by robberie , through continuance of time become lawfull . Thus writeth our Iesuit , who hath left nothing vnsaid , that can be said for poperie .

The second step , was the fall of the empire in the West . For after the diuision of the empire , it begun daily to decline , and was vtterly dissolued in Augustulus , in the yeare 471. A. D. 471. of whom was made this epigram ; Augustus romanum imperium condidit , Ar. Pontac . Burdeg . pag. 93. Augustulus labefactauit . Augustus set vp the empire , but Augustulus pulled it downe . For after Orestes his father was slaine ( who was neuer emperour but a captain vnder Nepos ) the said Augustulus gaue vp the diademe , and betooke himselfe to a priuat life . From this time the empire in the West was vacant about 330 yeares . By meanes whereof , the Popes power did daily increase by little and little , and from step to step .

The Vissigothes ruled in Spaine , the Abienes in Guian and Gascoyn , the Frenchmen in the residue of France , the Vandales in Affricke , the Saxones in Brittaine , the Ostrogothes in Hungarie , the Herules and Turdilings in Italie and in the citie of Rome : onely the name of the empire , remained with Zenon in the East . About the yeare 536. A. D. 536. Totilas king of the Gothes by force of armes and famine subdued well neere all Italie , and after long siege tooke the citie of Rome , and spoyled it with sword and fire , ouerthrowing the wals and towers euen to the ground , and vntill Carolus magnus the Abiens and Barbarians possessed all Italie .

The third step was the voluntarie charter which Constantine the emperour of Constantinople made to Pope Benedict the second ; viz. that whomsoeuer the clergie , people , and the Romane souldiours should chuse to be Bishop , A. D. 684 all men should beleeue him to be the true vicar of Christ , without any tarrying for any authoritie of the emperour of Constantinople , or the deputie of Italie , as the custome and maner was euer before that day . Thus writeth Platina , Platina in vita Benedicti secundi . who was the Popes owne deere vassale . This was a very gallant step : for as you see here , the Popes for the space almost of seuen hundred yeares , viz. vntill this Bennet in the yeare 684. Vide Ar. Pontac . fol. 111. a. acknowledged the emperours for their superiours and lords , without whose letters pattents they could haue no iurisdiction , nor be reputed the true Bishops of Rome : but now the Bishops of Rome by priuiledge graunted from this emperour , wrested their neckes from the emperours subiection . Let these words of Platina be well remembred ; because he being a famous papist , must needs be of good credit against them . A. D. 607. I let passe the petite step , when the emperor Phocas made Rome the head of all churches , which for all that , is of some moment .

The fourth step , was the great amitie betweene Zacharie then Bishop of Rome , and Pipine gouernour of France vnder Childerich the king : for Pipine purposing to defeat his lord and soueraigne of the kingdome , and to inuest himselfe therein , sent his embassadours to Zacharie then Bishop of Rome , and his bounden friend , to demaund this question of him , viz. Whether he were more worthy to be king , which was king only by name and naturall succession ; or els he , who bare the whole burthen of the kingdome alone , & yet lacked the dignitie of a king ? The Pope vnderstanding the parable right well , and respecting his owne future aduancement likely to ensue thereupon , answered roundly ( I will not say clerkely , but like a right doctor of the Romish rout ) that it was more rightfull forsooth , that he which tooke the charge of all things , should be called king . A. D. 751. Vpon this iudgement so clerkely yeelded , Pipine forthwith presumed to depose Childerich , and made himselfe king : that done , saintlesse ( not sackles ) Zacharie the Bishop of Rome ( that antichrists forerunner might be known ) Geraes . 28. v. 12. assoiled Pipine and the other Frenchmen of their oath of allegeance and fealtie made to Childerich , and confirmed Pipine the traitor in the kingdome of France . This was indeed a step , not of Iacobs ladder , nor of Scala coeli , but of Scala inferni , Scala Antichristi , and of the ladder of the master deuill of hell . Yet is not our Iesuit and Cardinall Bellarmine ( the mouth of all papists , Bellar. lib. 5. de Rom pont. cap. 8. and of the Pope himselfe ) ashamed to publish the same as a ground of the popish religion . For these are his owne words : Childericum deposuit Zacharias , & in eius locum Pipinum Caroli magni patrem creari iussit . Cuius causa fuit , quia propter socordiam Childerici , & religioni & regno in Gallia extrema ruina imminere videbatur .

Pope Zacharie deposed Childericke , and commaunded to place and inuest Pipine , father to Charles the great , in his throne : the cause whereof was this ; because forsooth through the slouthfull and negligent gouernment of Childericus , the kingdome and religion in Fraunce seemed to be in great danger . This is the deepe diuinitie of the Pope and his clergie , by which we may learne many worthie lessons .

1 First , that the Pope may set vp and pull downe kings at his pleasure by Iesuiticall doctrine and late Romish religion .

2 Secondly , that the Pope and Iesuites are the grand-masters and architects of seditions , rebellions , and most bloudie treasons .

3 Thirdly , that it is very true which the secular priests haue written , concerning the traiterous proceedings of Iesuits and Iesuited papists .

4 Fourthly , that the Pope commaunded to depose the Soueraigne , and to inthronize the subiect in his place .

5 Fiftly , that all this was done , because forsooth the king did not rule after the Popes fansie and pleasure . Hereupon I inferre this necessarie correlarie ; viz. that it behooueth Christian kings to be vigilant , and in due time to expell all traiterous papists out of their dominions . And if the Bishop of Rome shall send any seditious popeling into their kingdomes and territories , with his thunderbolts , buls , and excommunications ; then to deale with the messengers , A. D. 1294. as king Philip the faire dealt with pope Boniface his nuncioes in France ; whom he committed to prison , and caused the Popes buls to be burnt in the fire . And as Charles the sixt , when Bennet the 13. did interdict his realme , A. D. 1408. sitting in the throne of iustice in his high court of parliament the 21 of May , in the yeere 1408. gaue sentence , that the bull should be rent in pieces , and that Gonsalue and Conseleux the bearer thereof should be set vpon a pillorie , and publickely traduced in the pulpit . The storie is set downe at large by the French papists , in their booke intituled the Iesuites catechisme , and the same is recorded in my anatomie of Popish tyrannie .

The fift step was the decay of the empire in the East about the yeere 756. A. D. 756. For when Aistulphus , or ( as some write ) Aristulphus king of the Lombards , besieged the citie of Rome for the space of three whole moneths , exacting an huge tribute of the Romanes ; then Pope Stephanus the second , made suite to Pipinus king of France to stand their good master , and to defend the citie from the furie of the Lombards . King Pipine willing to gratifie his good friend the Bishop of Rome , came with a mightie armie against Aistulphus , and besieged him in Pauie ; and then and there constrained him to appeale to his mercie , and to yeeld vp the exerchate of Rauenna and Pentapolis into his hands . Manus manum fricat . This being effected , king Pipine ( whom Pope Zacharie of a traitour had made king , as is alreadie prooued ) gave vp the gouernment of Italie into the Popes hands . And the king had reason so to doe : for as we know , one good turne requires another . So now the lieutenants of the emperours of Constantinople , ended their whole power in Italie , who aforetime had their seats at Rauenna : and now was he taken out of the way , who ( as the Apostle telleth vs ) did hinder the comming of Antichrist : 2. Thess. 2. for Pope Stephen in way of gratitude confirmed the inheritance royall of the kingdome of France to the said Pipine and to his posteritie for euer . Here began a new progenie of the kings of France : for Childericus was the last king of the stocke of Meroneus , who was the first king Christian of France . This truth is apparant by the testimonie of many renowned Chronographers , it cannot be denied .

The sixt step , Bellar. tom. 3. col. 827. was the translation of the Romane empire from the Greeks to the Frenchmen or Germans , in the person of magnificall Charles , as the Iesuit Bellarmine tearmeth him . The truth is this , as popish Chronographers doe record and testifie to the world ; viz. That when the Romanes had driuen from among them , Pope Leo the third , he appealed to Charles then king of France , who came to Rome , and examined the matter : and in the end appeased the Romanes , and restored the Pope to his place and dignitie againe . For this good worke and kind fauour of the king , the Pope , and people of Rome , hauing now a long time in mind and affection , reuolted from the emperour of Constantinople ; and seeing a fit opportunitie offered to accomplish their long wished desires , did with vniforme consent and ioyfull acclamation proclaime Charles the great , the emperour of Rome , giuing him the imperiall names of Caesar and Augustus , and setting the royall diademe vpon his head by the hands of Pope Leo. And for the better credit of mine assertion , I will here recount the very words of Sigebertus , a famous Chronographer and popish monke , A. D. 801. who therefore must needs be of credit with the Pope and all his popelings . Thus doth he write : Romani qui ab imperatore Constantinopolitano iam diu animo desciuerant , nunc accepta occasionis opportunitate , quia mulier excaecato imperatore Constantino filio suo eis imperabat , vno omnium consensu Carolo regi imperatorias laudes acclamant , eumque per manum Leonis papae coronant , Caesarem & Augustum appellant ; Pipinum verò filium eius regem Italiae ordinatum collandant .

The Romanes , who a long time had in mind and affection reuolted from the emperour of Constantinople , seeing now a fit occasion offered them , because a woman did gouerne them , her sonne the emperour Constantine being made blind , did all with one consent found out imperiall and royall acclamations to king Charles , calling him Caesar and Augustus , and crowning him by the hand of Leo the Pope : yea they collaud his son Pipine made king of Italie .

Out of these words I wish the Reader , to obserue these important points with me .

1 First , that 800. yeeres after Christs sacred birth , the Bishops of Rome were subiect to the emperour , as their owne deere monke Sigebert telleth them ; and as you haue heard already , Pope Gregorie acknowledged his fealtie to Mauritius the emperour , in the yeere 603.

2 Secondly , that the Pope and people of Rome endeuoured a long time , to shake off the yoke of obedience to the emperour , and in the yeere 801 put the same in execution .

3 Thirdly , that the translation of the empire implied flat treason , in the Pope and all his Romish Popelings . For as Fryer Sigebert telleth vs , they surrendred vp the right of their soueraigne to an other man : and hence commeth it , that the Iesuiticall Cardinall Bellarmine appealeth to the law of perscription , affirming titles gotten by robberie to be lawfull by that meanes . And indeede by stealth and robberie , it may well beseeme a Iesuite , to iustifie popish late start vp regalitie .

4 Fourthly , that the Bishop of Rome is not the true and lawfull king of Italie : for the papists doe not agree in their assertions , touching this counterfeit regalitie of their popes . Bl●ndus and Platina write , that Pippine gaue the exerchate of Rauenna and Pentapolis to Gregorie ; Regino referreth the donation to Steuen ; and Sigebert saith here , that Pippine in the yeere 801 had it in his owne possession still . Yea , the same Sigebert saith further , that in the yeere 812 the emperour Charles imposed the imperiall crowne vpon the head of his sonne Lewis , and made Bernard sonne of Pippine the king of Italie . But doubtlesse if Pippine were king of Italie in the yeere 801 and Bernard king thereof in the yeere 812 , I see not how the pope was then , A. D. 727. or that is now , any king at all . And therefore wee may credite Bellarmine at leisure , when he telleth vs out of Ado , that king Pippine gaue Reuenna and all Pentapolis to Saint Peter and Saint Paul : but it is well , that S. Paul is become coheire with Saint Peter . For by his meanes , other bishops must haue as great a share , as the Bishops of Rome : there the reader must not forget , what frier Sigebert telleth vs of Charles the great , A. D. 805. after that he was inthronized in the empire . These are his expresse wordes ; Carolus imperator &c. Charles the emperour , when the emperours of Constantinople had indignation against him , for the name of emperour giuen him by the Romanes ; suffered them with great patience and magnanimitie : And because he was afraid of their mightie power , with often ambassades hee procured them to bee his deare friends : yet our Iesuite Bellarmine would haue vs to beleeue , that the emperours of Constantinople did freelie graunt , that the Pope and the Romanes had full right to translate the empire ; but their owne deare friend ( as we see heere , ) affirmeth the contrary for a truth . Yea , both Bl●ndus and Platina affirme very constantly , Vide Ar. Poniac . fol. 122. that Charles did agree first with the empresse Irene , and afterwith the emperour Nicephorus , that he with their fauours might rule ouer the West .

The seuenth step , was the constitution of the electors of the future emperour . Vide Phillip . Bergemens . p. 277. For Gregorie the fift being a Germane borne , and a neere kinsman to Otho the emperour at that time , did by his fauour and free graunt , appoint seuen electors of the empire for euer . Antoninus 3. par. tit. 22. cap. 5. §. 13. viz. the archbishop of Mentz , the archbishop of Treuerse , the archbishop of Colen , the marques of Brandenburgh , the countie Palatine , the duke of Saxonie , and the king of Bohemia . This goodly constitution was enacted by the Pope and emperour , A. D. 994. ( being both of them not onely Germanes but also kinsmen ) that the empire might be established in their posteritie , and their blood thereby aduanced for euer .

The eight and highest step of this ladder , did reach vp euen to the highest heauen , and to the very throne of our Lord Iesus . For the Pope hauing now enlarged his soueraigntie , by little and little , from steppe to steppe ; was neither abased nor afraid to challenge the authoritie and royall right , A. D. 1294. of both swordes throughout the christian world : for he made a flat decree for the confirmation thereof , as is euident by the extrauagant of Boniface the eight , ( vnam sanctam , de maioritate & obedienta ) set downe in the sixt booke of the decretals . Dest . 22. can . omnes . And as Gratianus reporteth , Pope Nicholas taught the same doctrine : these are the expresse wordes , Christus beato Petro aeternae vitae clauigero , terreni simul & caelestis imperij iura commisit .

Christ committed to Saint Peter that beareth the keyes of eternall life , the right both of earthly and heauenly empire . And the glosse , which the Popes parasites haue annexed to this decree , Gloss. F. caelestis . hath these very wordes ; Argumentum quod Papa habet vtrunque gladium , & spiritualem & temporalem . An argument , that the Pope hath both the swords , aswell the spirituall as the temporall . And in the marginall note , it is there set downe , Papa habens vtrunque gladium transtulit imperium : the Pope hauing both swords , translated the empire . And appendix Fuldensis vnfoldeth this cursed decree , in these most plaine tearmes :

Hic Papa ( Bonifacius 8. ) constitutionem fecerat , Appendix Fuldensis . in quae se dominum spiritualem & temporalem in vniuerso mundo asserebat . Vnde requisiuit Philippum regem Franciae , vt a se regnum suum cognosceret , quod rex facere contempsit .

This Pope ( he speaketh of Boniface the eight ) made a constitution , in which he affirmed himselfe , to be both spirituall and temporall lord in the whole world . Whervpon he would haue had Philip king of France , to haue acknowledged his kingdome from him : which thing the king scorned to doe .

Since this ladder was thus framed , the Bishops of Rome haue tyrannized aboue measure in the world , and taking vpon them that authoritie which pertaineth to god alone , they haue disposed of kings and kingdomes , translated royall diademes , tyrannized ouer mens soules , and troden all sacred soueraigntie vnder foot . For , that popish canons ascribe plaine diuine titles to the Pope , it can not possibly be denied , because in the Popes owne decretals , Gloss. lib. 1. decret. tit. 7. cap. 3. I find these expresse wordes ; Sic ( Papa ) dicitur habere caeleste● arbitrium , & ideo etiam naturam rerum immutat , substantiam vnius rei applicando alij ; & de nihilo potest aliquid facere . So the Pope is said to haue celestiall arbitrement , and therefore doth he alter the nature of things , applying the substantiall parts of one thing to an other ; and so can make of nothing something . Thus the papists write of their Pope , and he is well pleased therewith . And yet the truth is , that as man can in some cases at some time make one thing of an other ; so in all cases at all times , to make some thing of nothing , is proper to God alone .

The Popes parasites write thus of his power in generall ; Gerson . de potest . eccl●s. consider . 12. part. 3. Sicut non est potestas nisia deo , sic nec aliqua temporalis vel ecclesiastica , imperialis vel regalis , nisi à Papa ; in cuius foemore scripsit Christus , rex regum , dominus dominantium . Like as there is no power but of God , so is there neither any temporall nor ecclesiasticall , neither imperiall nor regall , but of the Pope ; in whose thigh Christ hath written , the King of kings , and Lord of lords . Loe here gentle reader , two things are proper to God alone ; the one , to be King of kings , and Lord of lords ; the other , to be the author of all power : both which you see here ascribed to the Pope .

The Pope himselfe from his owne pen , Greg. 9. libr. 1. decr. tit. 33. cap. 6. Gregorie the ninth , deliuereth vs this doctrine , Ad firmamentum coeli , hoc est , vniuers alis ecclesiae , fecit deus duo magna luminaria , id est , duas instituit dignitates , quae sunt pontificalis authoritas , & regalis potestas sequitur ; vt quanta est inter solem & lunam , tanta inter pontifices & reges differentia cognoscatur . To the firmament of heauen , that is , of the vniuersall church , God made two lights , pontificall authoritie , and power royall : that we may know there is asmuch difference between Popes and kings , as there is betweene the sunne & the moone . The glosse setteth downe precisely , Gloss. ibid. how farre a king is inferiour to a Pope , that is , to any bishop of Rome , in these words ; Restat , vt pontificalis dignitas , quadragesies septies sit maior regali dignitate . It remaineth , that the dignitie of the Pope , is fourtie times seuen times greater than the power of the king .

Now touching the kissing of the Popes feete , I answere that some Christian kings and emperours vpon a blind zeale not grounded in knowledge , humbling themselues to the Bishop of Rome , and yeelding vp their soueraigne rights to him , opened the window to all antichristian tyrannie . For in short time after , ( as is alreadie prooued ) the Romish bishops became so lordly and insolent , that they tooke vpon them to depose the emperors , to translate their empires , and to dispose at their pleasures of their royall scepters and regalities . Much more might be said in this matter , but for that the Pope hath made it sacriledge to dispute of this , I will here onely tell thee gentle reader , Sigebert . in anno , 1088. what the Popes deere frier Sigebertus hath written of his holines . These are his expresse words ; Vt pace omnium honorum dixerim , haec sola nouitas , non dicam haeresis , nondum in mundo emerserat , vt sacerdotes illius , qui regnarefacit hypocritam propter peccata populi , doceant populum quod malis regibus nullam debeant subiectionem , & licet ei sacramentum fidelitatis fecerint , nullam tamen debeant fidelitatem , nec periuri dicantur , qui contra regem senserint ; imo qui regi pa●●erit , pro excommunicato habeatur ; qui contra regem fecerit , noxa iniustitiae & periuris absoluatur . To speake by the fauour of all good men , this sole noueltie , I wil not say heresie , was not yet known in the world ; that his priests who maketh an hypocrite to reigne for the sinnes of the people , should teach the people , that they owe no subiection to wicked kings ; and that although they haue taken the oth of fealtie , yet doe they owe them no allegeance , neither are they periured that thinke ill against the king : yea , he that obeyeth the king , is this day reputed an excommunicate person ; and he that taketh part against the king , is absolued from the crime of iniustice and periurie .

This is our very case ( gentle reader ) this day in England , so liuely painted out in best beseeming coulours , as if the writer had bene liuing euen now amongst vs . So then , wee haue to obserue here for our instruction , That the Popes owne monkes and friers haue thought as ill of the Popes dealings in former times , as we thinke of his procedings in these latter dayes : As also , That popish religon hath alwaies bene condemned , Answere ô papists if you can : if not , repent for shame . euen of great learned papists that liued in the Popes Church . Whereof none can be ignorant , that will seriously peruse my bookes of Motiues and Suruey . And this shall suffice for the first article : to which ( if their hearts doe not faint them , or their consciences condemne them ) the papists will frame some answere vndoubtedly .