LEt your amplitude pardon our iust greefe ; we confesse surely , that it is a regall thing to heare euill , when thou doest well . We know notwithstanding ( which is to be lamented ) that verie great detriment may come to our progresse in the businesse of religion , by the fayned calumniations of euill willers towards vs . Let it be lawfull therefore vnto vs , to stirre the hornes of the false accusation made against vs . For if it be sufficient to accuse , who shal be innocent ?

It seemed strange to me , when I saw so loftie a stile , to so great a Cardinall , subscribed with your name . You and I might haue written our hartie commendations to our friends in England , for some releefe , and neuer troubled our heads with the cogitation of so worthie prelates . But I see , that euery man falleth out according to his owne mould . It should seeme , that my father was of kinred to some Plummer , who dealt but with lead : that is a heauie mettall , and yeeldeth but little sound , which maketh me so heauie headed . But your father was indeed a Pewterer by Newgate in London , a man of an honest occupation , it is most true , but not the best neighbour to dwell by . Now ( as it is commonly said ) That he is a loud speaker , who is brought vp in a Mill ; so may it bee affirmed of you , that being nourished in such an vnpleasing dinne , no meruaile if remoter places ring of you . It may bee said , That this scornefull jeasting becommeth not a priest , and I would confesse it ( were it not for some circumstances ) to bee true . But wormes when they are troden on , will looke backe ; loosers ( we say ) may haue their words ; and it is not amisse to put sometimes a Peacocke in minde of his feet .

Your Letter soundeth better in Latine , than as it is in English . I found it translated to my hands , and I ought you not so much seruice , as to amend it . I suppose the Translatour tyed himselfe to your words , least you shold haue charged him to haue peruerted your meaning : For a verie small occasion , ( as the world goeth with you ) will put you into a chafe . You begin your Letter with some maiestie : Iusto dolori nostro : Pardon our iust greefe . Whose greefe I pray you ? yours and the Iesuites ? or your owne alone ? or ours the secular Priests , and yours together ? If you meant the first , you were partiall ; if the second , you shewed your arrogancie ; if the third , you did vs great injurie . For the reports you dislike of , they were made by some of our selues , and will be justified against you , or any Iesuiticall Proctor whosoeuer . It was but a bad , and a sawcie part of you , to make your selfe our Proctor , before we entertained you : such dealing in Westminster hall , deserueth sometimes the casting ouer barre .

Regium est : It is a Regall thing or accident ( you say ) to heare euill when thou doest well . A platter for a pewterers Son to talke of : Must you be medling with kingly prouerbs ? was it not conuenient to tell you of your parentage ? How like a Prince you proceede in your matters ? The saying we acknowledge to be true , and fit for Kings , when they see cause : but if the Iesuites may haue their willes , and shall be suffered to goe on forward as they haue begun , they will altogether turne it top-side-turuey . For the King that pleaseth them , and serueth their turnes , bee hee neuer so wicked , they will make him a Saint ; whereas another , if he crosse them , let him bee as religious and sincere as the Pope himselfe , they will make him a Lutheran . So as alreadie , by the rules of Iesuitisme ( which tend to blood , and confusion , wheresoeuer they come ) Kings that doe worst in following their designements , must bee most commended ; and the rest are to bee slaundred , murthered , and assayled with violent hands by their owne subiects , for neglecting , or discountenancing of their right worshipfull Maisterships . Novimus , We know , quod est dolendum , which is lamentable . If you had here broken off your sentence , you had done well . It is great folly to put a sworde in a mad mans hand . Better had it been , that you had neuer been borne , and so haue knowne nothing ; than to haue employed your wit , and pen , as you haue done . The Reports made in Rome against the Iesuites are true , and no calumniations . No man liuing ( to speak for my selfe ) was more greened ( as I thinke ) with their insolencies amongst vs : and where should we haue complayned with lesse offence , than in Rome ? If wee had been better regarded , when some of vs complayned there ; the great mischiefes which since haue ensued , had been preuented . The detriment therefore that you mention , is wholly to bee ascribed to you , and to such like Parasites ; who in hope of preferment haue sould your selues , as bond slaues to the Iesuites , and by fostering them in their follies , and applauding to their enterprizes ( be they neuer so vile , and vnpriest-like ) haue set them so agogge , as they are readie to burst with pride . It is true that you say : Si accusare : If it be sufficient to accuse , who shall be innocent ? But by your leaue it is as true , that if all lewd persons ( such as our English Iesuites are ) shall euer meet with such a consciencelesse Proctor , as you your selfe haue been to them , what wicked men should be punished ?

There are ( as I heare ) little aequall , or altogether ignorant esteemers of our matters , who haue not gently whetted the edge of their wit , and stile , and the sharpnesse of their voice against vs .

Sunt vt audio : There are ( as I heare . ) God blesse vs from all Bugs . What man , as you heare ? Why , durst any man report that , which might bee offensiue to your great eares ? Alacke , alacke , I per se I , doe heare . There are ( as I heare . ) Good Sir , things will be whispered of ( as you know ) in any family , sometimes amongst the seruants , before they can come to their masters eares . They were much too blame , that did not acquaint you at home with their complaints : but that you should bee driuen to write to a Cardinall vpon heare-say . And yet to see , how all things sort themselues for your reputation . For whence must this your intelligence come ? forsooth from Rome . Who doth not presently then admire the man , that is daily fed with occurrents from Rome ? But yet Master Blackwell , out of question your phrase of speech was much too blunt . The world now adayes aboundeth with more Italian , and courtly speeches than these are ( as I heare ) to so eminent a person in the Court of Rome . Indeed , I am sorie to heare your simplicitie , I had almost sayd your folly . It might haue become wel inough a man of your state , then , to haue written after this , or such like a manner : It may please your excellencie to giue mee leaue , a poore simple Priest to shew my smal discretion in presuming to signifie vnto one of your high place in the Church , that there are news in England , of a report made in Rome . Sunt vt audio : There are as I heare . A style for King Phillip ( while he liued ) to such a Cardinall .

But what is it that you heard ? Forsooth : parum aequi , Men of little equitie , or at the least ignorant of our affaires . Name them Sir , if it may stand with your good discretion : or if you will not , yet this I can say for them , that if you know them , you are not ignorant , that they are men euerie way as learned , and honest , as your selfe ; and at the time , when you writ this Letter , by some degrees , in age , in paines , in sufferinges , and in many other respects , much your betters : and such as through their graue and great experience , both at home and abroad , did vnderstand the affaires amongest vs heere , much more throughly than you could possibly doe , liuing in such priuat sort , as then you did . You did them therefore great jniurie in writing so of them , as if they had been men void both of conscience and consideration . There is a certaine saying , auoyd it as you can : abominatio est Domino , labia mendacia .

But what did these simple light fellowes ? Tell vs Master Blackwel , without any allusion to a whetstone , the fittest reward that I would afford you for this your Letter . Exacuerunt : They did throughly whet the edge of their wit , and style , and the sharpnesse of their voice against vs . Well , by the way whilest you played in this sort like a iolly Warriour , with your Martiall metaphores , you remembred the instrument that men sharpen their tooles with . You are much beholding vnto me , Master Blackwell , that I am disposed to be merrie with you , but in this sort . For I could trace you by the hot sent of your bitter gall , and malice , or rather indeed of your folly , through a certaine Psalme , where the spirit of God that cannot erre , ( speaking of the wicked , and of their hatred against the godly ) telleth vs , That they whet their tongues as if they were swords , and shoot bitter words for their arrowes . Such translations , and insinuations , from a man of your corruptions , thereby to guird at your brethren , ( who I dare sweare for them , neuer thought vpon you , when they complained in Rome of the Iesuites ) become you not assuredly , good Master Blackwell . But still it sticketh in my teeth , that you say against vs : did any of vs that were secular Priests write against our selues ? or will you seperat your selfe from vs , and become a Iesuit ? If I could haue conceiued by your Letter , that some heretiques had written to Rome of purpose to haue slaundered vs all , whether Priests , or Iesuites ; your wordes had been verie well mustered together , and might haue marched on for me , like verie tall Souldiers . But there being no such matter I would be right glad to vnderstand , how farre the word ( vs ) extendeth it selfe .

They say ( but rashly ) that we Priests in England are tossed with diuers dissentions amongst our selues , and with the Fathers of the societie of Iesus : and that more freely in lying they might wander , they report the sayd Fathers to seeke no other thing almost amongest vs , than how by the contempt of the rest of the Priests , greater authoritie & dominion in the Cleargie might dayly grow vnto them . A heauie accusation , but most full of falshood , and therefore ( as I trust ) it will be silent , being ouercome with this my testimonie , although verie slender . I , hedged with the diuine mercie , haue now fulfilled more than 20 yeeres in the cure of soules amongst vs English men , and in preaching the Catholike Romane truth : and hetherto I remember not any dissention amongst vs , the breath wherof did at any time a little more grecuously mooue vs . Men surely we are , compassed with many infirmities : but ( praise be to God ) in so great a course of most wicked time , we haue been so couered with diuine grace , that nothing ( that I know ) hath hapned which at any time hath cast vs from the state of mutuall peace , and brotherly concord .

Deinde expergiscebar . And then I awaked . A man might dreame as here you write Master Blackwell : because for the most part dreames goe ( as they say ) by contraries . But for a Catholike priest broad-waking to write in this sort to a Cardinal , & to Rome , the citie of God , it is most abhominable . Is all your whetting come to this ? If in so many materiall points as here you haue touched , any one had been true , I could haue borne with you more willingly : but all of them being so notoriously false , I blush on your behalfe to consider your impudencie . First therefore , whereas you say in such generall tearmes , That some of vs , that bee secular Priests ( for I cannot see how you can meane any other ) men ignorant of the state of things here , haue affirmed ; that wee ( the secular Priests in England ) are at warres amongst our selues : I dare be bold to say it , that you write therein vntruly . I am somewhat better acquainted with this matter , than many of my Brethren , being peraduenture my selfe then in Rome ; or knowing at the least , whom you did then ayme at . If any did so write or report , as here you affirme , hee was either a Iesuit , or such another hyreling as your selfe , suborned by the Iesuits to write in that maner , of purpose to work their designments , against our credits , vtterly to subuert vs . Of which kind of persons , we hold this opinion , That they haue separated themselues from vs , and continuing in their Iesuitisme , are no right secular Priests , but Mongrels betwixt both , and therefore to be no better esteemed , or beleeued in their speeches , than the veriest Iesuit amongst vs . Againe , if you meane by your words , Sed temerè aiunt , They speake rashly &c ▪ that there was then no contention at all amongst sundry of vs , that were Priests imprisoned then ; that is also most false . For you know the stirres that were then at Wisbich ( few men better ) amongst the secular Priests , for the setting vp of a certain Geneua platforme , tearmed an Agenage . So that , if any of vs about that time did write to Rome , how the Iesuits laboured to set some of vs together by the eares , amongest our selues for their aduantage ; hee writ therein most truly , and you haue not any sparke of grace left in you , if you denie it .

Furthermore , in that you denie , that wee the secular Priests were then at a iarre with the Iesuits , you are therein so false , as I want a fit word to taxe you for it . Had not Master Garnet , and Master Weston attempted then to haue brought all our necks vnder their yoaks ? Did they not tell vs plainly , that they saw no reason , why the Iesuits in England , should not as well rule vs all here , as the Iesuits in Italy did rule the English Seminarie in Rome ? Were there not most vntrue reports made by them against vs , of purpose to withdraw all the Catholikes hearts from vs ? Was ther not in this our contention , great partaking , some holding with vs , and some with the Iesuits ? You know it full well , and thrust your selfe as a stickler amongest vs , with great hypocrisie God he knoweth . Whereas therefore you further say , that the Fathers sought not to bring vs seculer Priests into contempt , whereby they might beare all the sway ouer vs , and that for 20 yeeres , you knew of no such contention amongest vs , Priests with priests , or Priests with Iesuits , as tended to the breach either of peace , or concord : you are in danger to become one of his crue , who is tearmed by the Apostle , to be the father of all lyes . Homines sumus , We are men you say : but you might herein more truly say , Daemones sumus , we are Diuels ; vnderstanding your selfe and them that set you to this shamefull worke . I protest before God , that I was at the writing hereof , in a kind of agonie , to thinke that euer a Catholike Priest of my reputation , should dare to write in this impudent maner . Why Master Blackwell , how commeth this to passe ? If men saw you not , yet God you know is not ignorant of this Machiavelisme . Shake hands therefore with Iesuitisme , repent you of these courses , and returne againe vnto vs . You were not wont , ( when you and I were first acquainted ) to be so immodest . Let me obteine of you for our old acquaintance , Master Blackwell , to tell me here this one thing : With what face durst you write , that you hoped the sayd accusation of the Iesuits insolent pride , in seeking dominion ouer vs , would for euer be dashed hereafter , as conquered and suppressed , tuo valde exiguo testimonio , By your verie slender testimonie ? Or if your face was hard inough : what said your conscience ? Or if that were seared , where was your wit , learning , judgement & common sense , were they all gone a wooll gathering : you might haue remembred , that you your selfe did tax them , for seeking dominion ouer their brethren at Wisbich . But a man puft vp with pride , hath no vnderstanding : but is become like a beast of the field . Your testimony ? If the Cardinall had knowne you indeed , as we doe , hee would not haue esteemed your testimonie worth two chips .

As touching the other part of the Accusation , which is built vp more iniuriously , against the reuerend Fathers of the societie of Iesus : that surely will most easily shrinke , being pressed with it own waight of falshood .

Surely we should bee verie vnthankfull , if wee should not prosecute them with honour , as our Fathers ; embrace them with loue , as our friends ; worship them with dutie , as beneficiall ; imitate them by studie , as Masters ; acknowledge them with affection of godlynesse , as the chiefe helpers , and most fierce defenders of the health of our Countrey , and of the Church tossed with vs by diuers tempests .

They that discommend them , know neither themselues , nor them . For who are they amongst vs , which helpe priests comming from beyond the seas , but the Fathers of the societie of Iesus ? Being cast without the dores , by them they are receiued : being in ragged apparell , by them they are cloathed commodiously , and trickly : wanting both meat , and drinke , and money , by them they are vpheld : and not knowing where to remaine , ( because they are strangers ) they haue from them horses , and other things necessarie for their iourney , most readily prepared , and places also most prudently appointed , where , in recouering the lapsed , in confirming of Catholikes , and in spreading abroad the worship of God , they may labour laudably .

As it is sayd in the Schooles , That one absurditie graunted a number will follow ; so it falleth out with you , M. Blackwell ; one vntruth begetteth another . That which is false , you affirme to be true : and that which is true , you say it is false . You might remember who pronounceth a Woe against euerie one , that shall call good , euill ; and euill , good ; light , darknesse ; or darknesse , light . It is a great offence to slaunder any man , be he neuer so euill : and you know the flatterer , is likewise verie detestable in Gods sight . Vir impius lactat amicum suum , & ducit eum per viam non bonam . A wicked man doth flatter his friend , & draweth him along in the way that is not good . Woe be to them ( sayth the Prophet ) that sow pillowes vnder mens elbowes : which place St. Gregorie applyeth vnto flatterers , and addeth this rule : Nihil est quod tam facile corrumpit mentem , quam adulatio . There is nothing that doth so easilie corrupt a mans mind , as flatterie . And it is tearmed by another , the Nurse of Sathans children . I know you can say these , and many other sentences by heart : but you should not wilfully oppose your practise against them . For therein you hurt the Iesuits , by increasing their pride . You abused the Cardinall ; and your end ( for ought wee coniecture ) was either malice , or gaine , or both . That which you write of their liberalitie , is little truer than the rest , concerning their former vertues . You are not ignorant , that by our meanes these fellowes had their first credit here : and that now they haue so supplanted vs , as all contributions and almes commeth into their hands , to be distributed amongst vs at their discretions . Now ( say you ) when any Priests come from beyond the seas , who doe receiue them , cloath them , hyre them horses , prouide them places to remaine in , but the Iesuits ? whereas indeed , they are but collectors ( as I may tearm them ) or deacons , that carie the purses of charitable Catholikes , to our vses : and if they should not so dispose of these goods , they were no better than theeues and robbers . Vnto the mercifull Catholikes therefore , of right this commendation is to be ascribed . Their almes maintaine vs : and we doubt not , but God will repay all into their bosomes againe , with a most joyfull increase , and blessed reward . You deale therefore with our true benefactors indeed , as if the bountie of a great house-keeper , should be attributed to his Steward , who dispenseth his Masters goods , but as he is directed . Nay wee wish with all our hearts , that the Iesuits dealt no worse with our sayd deere friends , or rather ( through their goodnes ) with vs . For besides that the bestowing of other mens almes , is made an argument of their singular liberality , & the contributors are neuer mentioned : the truth is , that they deceiue both them & vs . For notwithstanding all that here you say of them : that which they doe is performed verie beggerly , except it be to one of their owne societie , or vpon such a Parasite , as you are , that is made an instrument to set forward some of their deuices . The chiefe part of the liberalitie and bountie , that is bestowed for our vses , is either sent beyond the seas , to make friends for the better maintenance of their tyrannie , and ambition here amongst vs : or spent vpon themselues , some one of them bestowing more vpon himselfe , and his seruants in one yeere , than would serue twentie of vs poore men , either in prison , or at libertie . And touching the placing of such as come ouer , they do therin but their duties , part of the said contribution being committed vnto them for that purpose . Howbeit for ought I see , they rather trouble themselues with displacing of good men ( as it is before expressed ) than otherwise . For be he neuer so graue , honest , and religious a man ; placed alreadie with any Catholike , yet if he will not depend vpon the Iesuits , he must be gone , if they may haue their wils . Some false accusation or other must be deuised against him ; either he wanteth pollicie , or zeale , or learning , or certaine illuminations , or something is amisse , that another ( peraduenture a verie silly man God knoweth ) must haue his place , and all is well , if he haue a relation ( as they tearme it ) to the holy Fathers . You may knowe ( Master Blackwell ) by some circumstances , that I were able , if I were disposed , to giue you some examples hereof . And for your wise axiome following ( that justifieth Master Charles Pagets report of the Iesuits ) the Vicar of Saint Fooles ( as the merrie saying is ) be your ghostly Father . Must you at vnawares bewray their secrets ? Master Paget telleth vs , that they labour chiefely , to beat this ground into the heads of their disciples , and such as will beleeue them , That whosoeuer disliketh , & opposeth himselfe to Fa. Parsons , and his societie , is to bee eschewed , as a man inclining to Lutheranisme , and no sound Catholike . And now it pleaseth you to say in effect , as much your selfe . Qui illis detrahuut , nec seipsos , necillos norunt . Hee that discommendeth them , doth neither know them , nor himselfe . If your rule will hold backward , what a man are you , M. Blackwell ? we haue then the sage , and great wise person , that knoweth himselfe ; for you can well commend them . But in good sooth Sir , are you persuaded that none , which haue blamed and reprooued the Iesuits , did know them ? What say you by Card. Alane , and by the Bishop of Cassane ? Did neither of these two worthy persons , know either them , or themselues ? Surely the one was much grieued , that euer the Iesuits came into England ; and the other ( as some of you say ) that euer they obtained the Rectorship of the English Seminarie in Rome : & this was not for their vertues , as I suppose . To put you in mind of the Vniuersitie of Paris , will litle auaile , your own graue censure is able to ouer-weigh two or three such witnesses . Surely you blest your selfe well that morning , and rise vp vpon your right side , when first you knew the Iesuits : they haue made you now , so absolute a person . They know you , and you know them : you commend them , and they commend you : here is , Claw me , and I will claw thee : virum vir : men confederate together , by facing and falshood , to aduance themselues , and oppresse their brethren .