An apologie and true declaration of the institution and endeuours of the tvvo English colleges, the one in Rome, the other novv resident in Rhemes against certaine sinister informations giuen vp against the same.

AN APOLOGIE AND TRVE DECLARATION OF THE INSTItution and endeauours of two English Colleges , the one in Rome , the other now resident in Rhemes : against certaine sinister informations giuen vp against the same . ❧ Derely beloued countriemen in Christ Iesus :

ALthough for our selues , our owne consciences giue vs sufficient satisfaction and testimonie of innocencie in al those things wherof we be accused , and God himself not onely at the general iudgement in the face of the whole world , but at the particular daies of euery of our deaths , what side , sort , or condition so euer we be , shal discerne our cause and iustifie our intentions against al our aduersaries : Yet for that we be warned by the Apostle , to make our actions allowable not to God alone , 3. Augustine . but to men also , and a great Clerke telleth vs that it were great crueltie so to rest in the confidence of our conscience , that we regard not our fame , the one being as necessarie for our neighbours as the other for our selves : We meane by Gods grace and your fauours , sincerely and truely as in the sight of our Sauiour , and yet most humbly and temperately for the due respect of our Soueraine and Superiors , to make cleere and defend our miscontrued good purposes and needeful offices towards our natiue Countrie in these many heauie yeres of our coacted absence from the same . Trusting that so our Lord may alter the mindes of many that mistake our doings , and may turne the Q. Maiesties and her honorable Councels eares from our calumniators , her hand of indignation from our afflicted brethren , and her hart to wonted mercie and clemencie towardes her owne Catholike subiectes .

Neither needed our defense to be long , nor could be hard or doubtful , if it were to be made either before the whole Church of God in any age , which both of old in the like cases heretofore , and of late in our owne , by her highest Courtes of Councels and Seates Apostolike ( the grauest , surest , and to our causes the most proper Tribunals in earth ) hath giuen sentence for our faith and doctrine and al our endeuours agreable therevnto : Or before al other Christian countries , States , or Vniuersities wheresoeuer we havue liued , al which by their manifold mercies , comfortes , encouragements , and by diuers honorable attestations ( wich shal be extant to the posteritie ) do approue and praise our studies and scholastical trauailes proper to our trade , for the reclaiming and succourse of the poore deceiued soules of our nation : Or before any of al the old Christian kings her Highnes most noble progenitors , in any of their honorable Courtes of Parliament , Synodes or Consistories of famous Prelates , Congregations of the learned in either their renowmed Vniuersities , from the first faith of our countrie til this our od miserable age : al their lawes , decrees , definitions , statutes , al their workes , writings , actions , life and death , approuing our doings , and condemning the contrarie . Neither can we mistrust ( though the sight and certaintie therof be in God alone ) but our posteritie recouering it self from this present blast of doctrine and peculiar tempest of this time ( which kind of maladie , as experience and recordes of other ages teach vs , seaseth lightly on Countries by startes and seasons onely ) both the simple and wise , that at the first for great allurements worldly , grateful noueltie and alteration , would not beware , now by a few yeres proofe easily waxing wearie of the same , will like , allow , and iustifie our duetiful seruice to God and the Church of England .

Hauing then the whole Church of Christ for vs , the nations abrode with vs , al our countrie beforetime assuredly , and ( as we trust ) al after our daies agreable vnto vs : our defense before God and man must needes be most easie , acceptable , and reasonable .

The difficultie now onely remaineth in the preiudice and partialitie of the present condition and sway of time , which by authoritie , force , and feare of lawes , fauour of the Prince , domestical education , plausible preaching and persuasion of profite , peace , and pleasure , doth sometimes alter and infect the very iudgement and reason of the inward man , and much oftener doth byas and peruert the external actions of many worldings euen against their owne natural inclination , knowledge , and conscience : of which sort there be no doubt in our Countrie innumerable , not onely of those whose constrainte is euident , but euen of such as seeme principal promotors of the one part and persecutors of the other . Who because they be wise , can not be Protestants 23 yeres , that is to say , any long time together : but yet because they be also worldly , can not or wil not confesse their former fall to their disuantage in this life , which they preferre before eternal glorie : Witte and experience being ynough oftentimes to discouer falshod , but not sufficient without Gods grace ( which many haue not because they wil not ) to retire to the Church and truth againe . These mens exterior assent shal in deede hardly be obtained for the approbation of our actions , be our defense neuer so open and euident .

But our confidence being in God , into whose hand the hartes and doings of all Princes and peoples be put , who can at euery moment forcibly touch and incline them to acknowledge the equitie of our cause , as to his glorie and wisedom shal be best , and who hath already giuen vs ( eternal honour be to his name ) the hartes and soules of so many thousands of our deere Countriemen : We may aduenture with al hope , ioy , and comfort , to speake in our defense , and discouer without al disloyaltie loyaltie to her Maiestie or any her Highnes Ministers , the wrong informations that certaine enimies of the Catholike Church haue giuen vp against vs and our brethren , as to our great greefe we perreiue by some late proclamations published in Iulie and Ianuarie last , and otherwise . Wherein because we would not in any wise oppose our selues to publike authoritie , or giue occasion of further offense , specially in these daies and sectes so prone to despise Domination , we durst not presume to direct the wordes of our defense to her Maiestie or Councel particularly ( though S. Iustine , S. Hilarie , and other holy fathers haue done the like to their Princes ) but to al indifferent readers generally : Praiyng neuertheles to God vpon our knees that he wil incline her Graces and her honorable Councels hartes , with mercie and equitie to read the same . We require it with teares euen for the passion of our Sauiour , and for their soules sake .

❧ Our coming beyond the seas and liuing out of our natiue Countrie . CHAP. 1.

FIrst , wheras we be closely charged in the Edict of the 15 of Iulie 1580 , that we be fled into forraine partes and refuse to liue in our natural Countrie : We protest to al the world that it is not for any vnduetiful affection , alienation or estranging our hartes and likings from the same , as our daily prayers and sacrifices to God , our continual sighes and teares both publike and priuate , our sundrie duetiful attempts and hazards of our persons , and the bloud and liues of our brethren yelded in Apostolike and peaceable sort for the weale and saftie therof , do abundantly testifie : Nor for that by vnkind affection we preferre any Countrie or Commonwealth before our owne , be the commodities in them selues neuer so many , or their courtesies to vs neuer so great ( as in deede through Gods goodnes , to whose honour it specially pertaineth and for whose cause they be done , the fauours euery where shewed vs are worthy immortal memorie and thankes ) wherof our often sorowful bewailing before God and complaintes one to an other do beare vs witnesse . Which we now willingly disclose also to the world , concerning the hard state of our long banishment : which , be it neuer so much eased by Christian contentation and manifold graces of the people with whom we conuerse , yet neuer wanteth the ordinarie difficulties and displeasant accidents that folow strangers in euery place .

Thou knowest , Good Lord , how often we haue lamented together , that for our sinnes we should be constrained to spend either al or most of our seruiceable yeres out of our natural Countrie , to which they are most due , and to which in al ages past they should haue been grateful : that our offices should be acceptable and our liues and seruice agreable to strangers and not to our deerest at home . Thou knowest how earnestely we haue together desired thee to incline our Princes hart to admitte vs to our Countrie into what state so euer , so that we might there in pouertie and penance néuer so extreme , serue the poore soules to their saluation , voiding our cogitations of al the honours , commodities , preferments , that our forefathers and the Realme yelded and gaue to such functions , acquitting them for our owne partes to the present possessioners and incumbents or to whom so euer God shal permitte . Thou knowest how iustly we haue bewailed our heauy case , that so many strange nations hauing their Churches with freedom to serue God after there maner in our Countrie , No libertie of Catholike Religion in England . onely Catholikes ( which in our fathers daies had all , and for whom and by whom al Churches and Christianitie arose ) can by no intercession of forraine Potentates , nor no sighes nor sorowes of innumerable most loyal subiectes , obtaine one place in the whole land to serue their Lord God after the rites of al other good Christian Princes , Priests , and people of the world : That no Iew , no Turke , no Pagan can by the law of God , nature , or nations , be forced from the maner and persuasion of his owne Sect and Seruice , to any other which by promis or profession he or his progenitors neuer receiued : onely we ( that neither in our owne persons nor in our forefathers , euer gaue consent to any other faith or worship of God , but haue in precise termes by protestation and promis bound our selues in Baptisme to the Religion , faith , and Seruice Catholike alone ) are against diuine and humane lawes , and against the Protestants owne doctrine in other nations , not onely bereued of our Christian due in this behalfe , but are forced by manifold coactions to those rites which we neuer knew nor gaue our assent vnto .

Wherein our greefe of hart is much increased , either when we looke into other States and Countries , as Germanie , Suitzerland , Suetia , Polonia , Boëmia , and the like , where though there haue been great alterations in religion these late yeres , yet lightly none be forced so but if they can not haue the exercise of their profession in one territorie , Canton , towne , Church , or Parish , yet they may haue it neere them in an other , as also in al the Prouinces and kingdoms subiect either to the Persian or the Turke at this day , the old Christians be permitted to vse freely their deuotions : or when we looke backe to the like distresses of Catholikes in old time when certaine Emperours were cheefe fautors of Arianisme and other Sectes , who yet were often induced of their natural benignitie to yeld certaine Churches or at least Oratories in Churcheyardes and other places adioyning , for the Catholike seruice in their dominions . Socr. Ec. hist. lib. 2. cap. 18. & li. 4. ca. 12. 16. So did Constantius the Arian Emperour and Valens graunt to S. Athanasius and his folowers in Alexandria : Niceph. li. 11. c 49. 50. which Valens God plaged afterward because he would not suffer the same at Antioche . Li. 5. de Bas . trad. Valentinian also the yonger profered the like to S. Ambrose in Millan .

Which onely grace of our Prince if we might haue obtained , no pleasure , profite , or preferment that the world beside yeldeth in any part of Christendom , should haue kept vs out of our deerely beloued Countrie so long , for whose saluation , and so much libertie of conscience as is mentioned , we haue often wished diuers of our persons in perpetual prison , for pledge and warrant of the peaceable and loyal demeanour of our brethren the Catholikes , and for securitie of the state , wherof her wise Counselers haue alwaies in such cases greatest regard . But neither this durst our Catholike brethren demaund in their manifold feares , doubtes , and disgraces at home , nor we in such suspicion and misconstruction of al our actions , could euer with hope attempt it abrode .

And alas much lesse then the graunt of publike places for exercise of our ancient religion , would haue giuen infinite contentment to the Catholikes within , and haue called home most of them abrode , when both sortes would haue counted it a singular grace , during the distresse of these daies , to haue had by permission , pardon , conniuence , their soul rightes ( without which men perish doubtlesse euerlastingly ) in their priuate houses and chambers , yea in prisons , in the closeth and lest offen fensiue maner in the world : as the Apostles and Confessors did often in the primitiue Church , Cyprian ●p. 5. and S. Cyprian testifieth that some did in his time , and S. Athanasius him selfe did with the Catholikes in Antioche . Niceph. li. 9. c. 23. From al which , being by rigor of penal statutes , diligent enquiry of temporal Officers , watchfulnes of Ministers , spies , and promotors , continually restrained , and by them often chased from their houses , spoiled of their goods , disgraced and discouraged in al their affaires , many thousands yea the farre greater part of her Ma.ties subiectes languish away in sorow and sadnes irremediable .

Neither be such men miserable onely by so long lacke of things necessarie to saluation , but much more for that they be enforced to things which assuredly procure damnation . In which case , very lamentable it is to thinke vpon al the distressed consciences that through out the Realme repine with inconsolable sighes and grones against their receiuing , hearing , and vsing of the pretended Sacraments , Seruice , Sermons , and other actions , wherevnto they be inuoluntarily and against their wil drawen , and specially for the othe of the Queenes soueraintie in spiritual regiment , The othe of the Supremacie . a thing improbable , vnreasonable , vnnatural , impossible : and yet the forme therof so conceiued in stature , and so tendered , that the takers must sweare vpon the Euangolistes ( how so euer they thinke in deede ) that they acknowledge euen in their conscience that , which neuer learned man of any sort or sect did euer thinke to be true , and which they know euery Catholike man to condemne in hart , and which the cheefe makers of the same , by exempting them selues from it by a special prouiso , haue iudged either damnable or very dangerous . Which othe therfore to exacte of most Officers in the Commonwealth , of euery one that is preferred in the Vniuersities , or otherwise almost throughout the Realme , and namely of al such as they suspect thinke it vntrue , is nothing els , but wittingly to driue men to pitiful torment of mind , remorse , and vtter desperation .

Which thing if her Ma.tie did know , she would neuer of her natural clemencie , for a title and claime that neuer King ( much lesse Queene ) Christian nor Heathen , Catholike nor Heretike , in her owne dominions or in al the world beside before our age , did chalenge or accept , suffer her poore subiectes to be so inwardly and deepely afflicted in their soules , but would no doubt haue compassion of their coacted miseries , that her self also may find mercie at the day of her departure , wherof the greater she is in this life , the more she shal haue neede in the next , where she must answer not onely for the things done by her commaundement and knowledge , but for what so euer is done vniustly by her name or authoritie , though she neuer know therof : as it is verily hoped that of these calamities aforesaid her Ma.tie hath no intelligence . And the Kings of the world shal find their countes large and intricate ynough at their iudgement day , of their temporal gouernements onely , though they trouble not them selues with the spiritual regiment also .

The vniuersal lacke then of the soueraine Sacrifice and Sacraments catholikely ministred , without which the soule of man dieth , as the body doth without corporal foode : this constrainte to the contrarie seruices , whereby men perish euerlastingly : this intolerable othe repugnant to God , the Church , her Ma.ties honour , and al mens consciences : and the daily dangers disgraces , vexations , feares , imprisonments , empouerishments , despites , which they must suffer : and the railings and blasphemies against Gods Sacraments , Saincts , Ministers , and al holies , which they are forced to heare in our Countrie : are the onely causes , most deere Sirs , or ( if we may be so bold and if our Lord permitte this declaration to come to her M.ties reading ) most gratious Soueraine , why so many of vs are departed out of our natural Countrie , and do absent our selues so long from that place where we had our being , birth , and bringing vp through God , and which we desire to serue with al the offices of our life and death : onely crauing correspondence of the same , as true and natural children of their parents .

From which we are not fugitiues , as sometimes vncourteously we are called , nor are fled for folowing any factions or differences of noble families , nor for any crimes or disloyalties done against the Prince or Common-wealth , nor for any disorder in our liues , or worldly discontentment or disagrement with the present ciuil state and politie , or for mislike of any her Ma.ties ministers , whose persons , wisedoms , moderation and prudence in gouernement , and manifold graces , we do honour with al our hart in al things : excepting matters incident to Religion , wherein their honours can not be offended , if we preferre the iudgement of Gods Church before their humane counsel . Acknowledging that her Ma.ties reigne and their regiment had been most glorious and renowmed to the world abrode , and most secure and happie to the subiectes at home , if it had not been contaminated by the fatal calamities ( so to call Gods prouident iustice for our sinnes ) of alteration in Religion and the things thereon depending . Which not consisting ( as we haue declared ) with any Christian Catholike mans conscience , such as we professe our selues to be , nor with libertie of mind , nor saftie of bodie , we were constrained to flee and forsake our Countrie , parents , frendes , and what so euer by nature is there deere vnto vs , by the warrant and example of Christ , his Apostles , S. Athanasius , S. Hilarie , and other our forefathers in faith , in the like persecutions .

Therfore certaine men , otherwise of good credit and degree in England , and coming ouer for publike affaires , haue done vs sometimes great iniurie , in that they gaue out to diuers strangers marueling to see so many vs abrode out of our natiue Countrie ( which euery man affecteth , and of al other , as they thinke , the English ) that her M.tie was desirous to haue al come home , and that being otherwise quiet and contented subiectes , none were nor should be molested for their conscience : which many in foraine partes haue so mistaken , that they verily thought we might haue the exercise of our religion , and freedom of conscience from constrainte to any other contrarie vnto our profession . For which onely grace , that it might be common to al Catholikes in the Realme , would God we had giuen our liues . Which can be no longer nor otherwise grateful vnto vs , then we haue hope to serue her Highnes and our beloued Countrie , when it shal please Christ to giue them the mind to require or admitte the same .

❧ Our repairing sometimes to the Citie and Court of Rome . CHAP. II.

CERTAINE yong felowes , fugitiues form their Maisters on thisside , being deprehended in diuers cosinages , counterfaiting of letters , and plaine theftes ( by which kind of men Athanasius and the cheefe Catholikes in the Arians daies were maruelously plaged ) ioyning to them others of il disposition that sometimes thrust themselues secretely into such companies liuing together as we do , to take and giue notice of mens doings and demeanour , whom men call commouly spies or intelligencers , we by the Scriptures word name them Falsebrethren : haue done very il offices of late , not to vs onely , whom of malice , hope of impunitie and lucre , they haue traiterously slaundered , but to some of the honorable Counsel also , who thought such conditioned men not vnworthy to be heard and trusted , against men ( to say the least ) of faith and honestie , and worthy also to be vsed and preferred : for further affliction of poore Catholike men , through the whole Realme . by whom and other like lost companions , they haue had such a pitiful fitte these later moneths , as neuer before . Which to vs that be absent , giueth vnspeakable greefe , for that our deere brethren , innocent in them selues , should be so heauily chastifed for our defaultes , and them not true , but onely surmised : excepting alwaies our scholastical attempts , for the conuersion of our Countrie and reconcilement of our brethren to the Catholike Church , which we euerlastingly professe and wil indeuour vntil death .

Therfore touching some of our late repairing to the citie of Rome this yere past , wherwith we are charged : the principal of that viage doth protest , that he neither ioyned with rebell , nor traitor , nor any one or other , against the Queene or Realme , or traiterously sought or practised to irritate any Prince or Potentate to hostilitie against the same . Further inuocating vpon his soul , that he neuer knew , saw , nor heard , during his abode in the Court there , of any such writings as are mentioned in the said Proclamation of Iulie , conteining certaine articles of confederation of the Pope , King of Spaine , and other Princes , for the inuasion of the Realme : nor euer afterward gaue counsel to publish any such thing , though he were in Rome at the day of the date that some of those copies , which afterward he saw when they were common to al the world , do beare . Being also most assured that no other English Catholike would or could be the author therof , nor ( as it may be thought ) any other of those Princes , or their ministers , that are pretended to be of the foresaid league : being neither wisedom nor pollicie , if any such thing were intended ( as we verily thinke there was not ) much lesse if it were neuer meant , to publish any such libelles , to giue the Realme warning purposely to prouide for it , specially al the world knowing , that the pinching of the poore Catholikes at home ( a lamentable case ) is their fense and repay for al aduerse accidents abrode . And it verily may be thought ( and so it is certaine that some of the principal ministers of the forenamed Princes haue auswered , being demaunded therof ) that the Protestans hauing exercised skil and audacitie in such practises and counterpractises ( of which France , Flanders , Scotland , and other countries haue had so lamentable experience ) did contriue them , to alter her Maiesties accustomed benignitie and mercie towards the Catholikes , into such rigor of iustice as in the said Edict is theatened .

How so euer it be , and from whence so euer they came , Christ knoweth our going to Rome did neither fetch , Causes of going to Rome . cause , nor procure any such matter , nor was for any treatie or counsel against our Countrie , but much more for the aduancement of the same , and for the necessarie releefe of our felow students in banishment , as other mens going to other Princes Courtes we doubt not to be for the like purpose : though we can not so precisely warrant the actions of other men , wherwith we be not so wel acquainted , as our owne .

Once , our owne Countrie by the fear of one sort , and alienation of an other , not yelding vs necessarie liuelihod : reason and nature force vs to seeke for succour at such Prelates and Princes hands , as of old haue had compassion vpon our forefathers in such like cases of distresse : the curtesie and custom of al Kings and nations inclining them to the fauour , helpe and protection of strangers and desolate persons , namely when their miseries fall vnto them for religion and the same faith that them selues be of , the honorablest quarel either to do or suffer for , in the world .

And for vs of the Schoole and Clergie , whither should we rather flee for releefe either of body or soul , Hiero. ep. 16. then to the head or ( as S. Rome alwaies the citie of refuge and recourse of al Christians out of al Nations . Hierom speaketh ) to the most secure part of our Catholike Communion , to the rocke of refuge in doubtful daies and doctrines , to the cheefe Pastor and Bishop of our soules in earth , to the Vicar general of Christ , out of the compasse of whose fold and familie no banishment can bring vs : to him , that by office and vnction hath receiued the grace of loue , mercie , pitie and compassion : to him , that counteth no Christian nor domestical of faith , a stranger to him , whose citie and Seate is the natiue home of al true beleuers , and the paterne of al Bishoply hospitalitie and benignitie : to him , Bede li. 1. hist. Ang. whose predecessors gaue vs our first faith in the time of the Britannes , restored it afterward in the daies of the English , recouered vs from Paganisme , from Arianisme , from Pelagianisme , from Zuinglianisme , often receiued , harboured , and relieued diuers blessed Bishops and Priests of our Nations as wel in the times of their pros peritie as persecution , and who haue receiued againe of all our Princes , Prelates , and people , all dutiful and correspondent honours and good offices for so many hundred yeres together , when they and their dominions florished in much glorie and felicitie , and were dreadful to Gods enimies , the Churches , and their owne : ( among whom , her Ma.ties father , for his worthy writings and doings against the Lutherans , receiued the glorious and eternal title , of Defender of the faith : ) to him , of whose predecessors al the famous fathers called for aide , comfort , and counsel in their like distresses , Cyprian of Cornelius and Stephanus , Athanasius of Iulius and Marcus , Chrysostom and Augustine of Innocentius , Basil of Liberius , Felix , and other Bishops of Italie , Hierom and Miletius of Damasus , Theodorete of Leo the Great , and al the rest , of other holy Popes , as time and necessitie required : to him , Li. 4. c. 22. hist Ec. whose Seate ( as Eusebius reporteth out of S. Denys of Corinth ) did alwaies send releefe to al the Christians persecuted and condemned to metalles , and refreshed al the faithful coming vnto it , as the parent the children : to him , who as he Canonically succedeth al these in Seat , doctrine , and dignitie , so is inferior to none , farre passeth many , and resembleth most S. Gregorie the Great , our Apostle , in al Charitie , hospitalitie , zeale , and tendernes of hart and affection toward the desolate , namely of our nation : for the spiritual calamitie wherof the writer of this hath seen him weepeful hartily , and hath heard him say that the goods of that holy Seat , wherof he had the dispensation , were for the poore afflicted domesticals of faith . Finally , whither could we with more hope haue recourse , then to him , by whose bounteous goodnes so many Patriarches , Bishops , Learned , Gentlemen , and Christians of al sortes , English , Scotish , Irish , Almans , Hungarians , Syrians , Armenians , Cyprians , and al other vnder the Turke , or any way for Christes sake oppressed or empouerished , haue been and shal be relieued ?

If we be further in particular demaunded of the causes of some of our late resort thither : to temper al mens ielousy as much as we may , in faith and truth they were none other , but to make humble sute for the establishment and perpetual foundation of the College or Seminarie , which his Holines had not long before instituted in place of the Hospital of our Nation there , as a thing much more proper to this time , and more fruitful to our Countrie , then it was , adding of his owne much then , and a great deale sithence , to the old prouision , The Seminarie at Rome founded . and now in Ianuarie last fully founding and accomplishing the same : this was one thing . An other was , that the Gouernours of that College in Rome aboue , and of this other now resident in the citie of Rhemes beneath , might giue and take mutual direction , for correspondence in regiment , discipline , and education most agreable to our Countrimens natures , and for preuention of al disorders that youth and companies of scholers ( namely in banishment ) are subiect vnto .

Wherein we thanke God of al that paines and endeuours , for that it pertained excedingly to the general good and honour of our Nation , that we may perpetually haue a number of the most pregnant wittes brought vp in the principal Seat , place , and fountaine of our Christianitie . Whither what so euer is learned , wise , vertuous , of al the most famous Vniuersities , Monasteries , Societies , and Colleges through the world , is recuiled as to a continual mart of al kind of doctrine and prudence : Hiero. praef. li. 2. comm. in ep. ad Gal. Caluin . S. Hierom calling it the place of greatest faith and deuotion , and the Aduersarie him self confessing , that the great resort thither heretofore was , for that the best learned and wisest men of the world were there : besides the experience of the Vniuersal Churches practise : where there is daily entercourse betwixt al Princes , Prelates , and peoples Christened , in causes of conscience , religion , and other spiritual affaires : and where they may see and wonder at Gods promis and proprouidence in the continual preseruation of that state and regiment , in persecution in prosperitie , in wealth in pouertie , in good life in il life , the Heretikes ( as S. De vtilit . cred. c. 17. Augustine speaketh ) in vaine barking about it : That the Arians , Macedonians , Pelagians , Donatistes , Nestorians , and al other Sectaries , that stood at the bay with this Seat , are al buried in infamie : that these present Protestants , Anabaptists , Puritans , Trinitaries , and other wolues of what heare so euer , ( that ball against the Pastor , the sooner to sease vpon the flocke , Ep. 55. nu. 3. as S. Cyprian speaketh ) daily decay and discouer their owne malice and folly : that al Empires , Kingdoms , and States , be by certaine seasons either decaied or manifoldly altered , and this Seat to stand immoueable and to be as firme and florishing in this disordered reuolt of many peoples from it , as euer before .

These and such other high experiments , with innumerable examples of vertue and deuotion , shal this Romane institution giue to our Countriemen , vnder the famousest teachers and gouernours of youth in our age or some worldes before . Who otherwise would admire their pety Maisters at home , the cause of al errour and ignorance .

To do this seruice then to our Commonwealth , for which if euer it come to it self againe , it wil thanke the doers as much as now it blameth them , was that viage taken specially : And then , to make like humble sute for the augmentation of the monethly prouision of this other College , for that ( the number and necesitie therof daily encreasing ) it was not sufficient . Which sute his Holines also of his incomparable loue to our Nation , benignely heard .

These lo God knoweth were our last dealings , and these are our treasons and sinnes , and none other , that we contriue at Rome against our natural Countrie .

❧ The meaning and purpose of the institution of the Seminaries . CHAP. III.

AND concerning his Holines intentions , if they be any other in the institution and entertainement of these Seminaries , then ours are , they be vnknowen to vs , none being so presumptuous to search further into his secretes , than standeth with his good pleasure and wisdom to vtter of him self , nor any hauing iust cause to deeme worse or otherwise of his doings , then is agreable to his holy high calling , approued good affection to our Countrie , his great vertue , and the euidence of the thing .

This is a cleere case , that the persons which first put them selues together in the Vniuersitie of Duay the yere 1568 , The beginning of the Seminarie at Duay . yelding to Collegial forme of studie and discipline vnder one President ( which after some yeres and good proofe of their profitable endeuours , by Gods goodnes obtained his Holines protection and monethly exhibition ) had these intentions : first , to draw diuers youths , who then for their conscience liued in the low Countries , from sole , seueral , and voluntarie studie , to a more exact methode and course of common conference and publike exercise , to be pursued by their Superiors appointment rather then their owne choise : that they might be more apt to serue their Countrie , when it should please God mercifully to reduce them home againe .

Secondly , doubting the time of our chastisement might be so long as to weare out either by age , emprisonment , or other miseries , the elder sort of the learned Catholikes both at home and abrode , it was thought a necessarie duety for the posteritie , to prouide for a perpetual seede and supply of Catholikes , namely of the Clergie : nothing mistrusting but the times and opportunities would come ( were they neere , were they far of ) when they might take aduantage for restitution of religion , no Sect euer being liked long , nor permanent without enterchange , as we see in Arianisme the paterne of al other : Which though it troubled the world some hundred yeres together , yet it changed places , had lucida interualla , gaue seasons of calme and rest to holy Bishops , Priests , and faithful persons according as the Emperours were diuersely affected toward the Sect , or more or lesse giuen to rigor or clemencie . Which is the prouidence of God for the perpetuity of the Catholike faith , which no heresie that euer was or shal be , can wholy exclude , by no witte or violence of man : according to the saying of S. Augustine : Nemo delet de coelo constitutionem Dei , Ep. 162. Nemo delet de terra Ecclesiam Dei .

Thirdly , their purpose was , for their better furnishing of meete men to the end aforesaid , and for disaduantaging the aduersarie part therein , to draw into this College the best wittes out of England , Vniuersitie men and other coming to the Seminarie . that were either Catholikly bent , or desirous of more exact education then is these daies in either of the Vniuersities ( where , through the delicacie of that Sect , there is no art , holy or prophane , throughly studied , and some not touched at all : ) or that had scruple of conscience to take the othe of the Queenes Supremacie in causes Ecclesiastical , ( which gaue vs diuers , not onely Catholikes but others , out of both the Vniuersities , where it is specially exacted , and tormenteth the consciences of many that seeme pure Protestants : ) or that misliked to be forced to the Ministerie , as the vse is in diuers Colleges , a calling contemptible euen in their owne conceit , and very damnable in the iudgment of others , ( the due consideration wherof hath yelded to vs many , yea some scores , partly before , and partly after their enterance to that trade : ) or that were doubtful whether of the two religions were true , wherein to take trial of none but the one which the sway of the Countrie forcibly driueth vnto , when they might haue proofe of the other so neere at hand in a College of their owne , without great cost or trauail , seemed to many much shame and inexcusable negligence in cause of saluation , which is the iustest cause to trauail ( as S. De vtil. cred. c. 7. Augustine telleth Honoratus ) in the world . Which hath driuen diuers ouer , to their great satisfaction and admiration of the euidence of our part .

Grammar Schooles also from al partes of the Realme haue yelded vs many youthes , which hauing their whole and ful trayning in Catholike Colleges here , proue no lesse seruiceable for their Countrie then the others .

And the rest brought vp in the Vniuersities there , do easily here by comparison perceiue the great corruption in the same , specially of life and maners : sinne , libertie , and licentiousnes daily more and more shewing them selues to be companions of this new doctrine . Which doctrine who so euer attempteth to amend , let him know by our experience , that the place affected is custom and pleasure in sinne , and shame and lothsomnes to confesse and amend : Which being cured , there remaineth no difficultie .

These youths ( Gentlemens sonnes specially ) are much propense in our Countrie ( God be thanked for it , as also for that it giueth exceding hope of better times ) to the Catholike faith , and many aduenture ouer to vs without their parents consent , and sometimes much against their willes : Who though they could be content to haue their children better brought vp then they can be at home , yet for feare of disfauour of the world , wherein they be more entangled then their sonnes , they refuse often to giue them any releefe at all , feare sometimes ouerpaising their natural affection , and God taketh the care of their deere pledges , and keepeth them here for their Countrie .

And because one College could not be sufficient for so great store of al sortes as is said , and for that this beneath might be subiect to diuers disturbances , by fine practises of the aduersarie , The Seminarie inuited to returne to Duay . wherof our remoue from Duay gaue vs good experience ( notwithstanding the Catholike and honorable Magistrate sithence by their letters instantly inuiting vs thither againe ) therfore God moued the hart of the Popes Holinesse , The beginning of the Seminarie at Rome . to erect that other also in Rome , a place not commonly subiect to the like hazards : that so these two Colleges might be more plentiful Nourceries for the Church of our Countrie , and ioyntly worke together for the benefite of the same .

The first intended and most certaine fruite therof ( ouer and aboue the prouision for the time to come ) being , to saue so many soules , as not onely were any one time in both the Colleges , or in other Schooles in these partes , expecting roomes in the same , but al others that in diuers times and seasons haue been or shal be brought vp in them , during the schisme : the number of whom ( which is already exceding great ) and the rest which are to come hereafter , Christ onely knoweth : besides many trauailers , that intending not precisely any matter of religion , haue yet by Gods careful prouidence , that ouerreacheth mans purposes to his saluation , been happily by them conuerted to Christian faith and life , to their great and inexpected ioy . Al which , if they had taried in the English Vniuersities , or therwise had folowed the maner of our Countrie , had perished euerlastingly without al question , though by the erroneous iudgement and persuasion of the Protestants , many feare not their damnable state .

The second and further fruite of the said Colleges is , to instruct men in al Cases of conscience and Controuersies , and to breede in them zeale and desire to be Priests , euen in these daies specially , when they can looke for no worldly honour , lucre , preferment or promotion thereby , Priests of the Seminaries . but manifold dangers , disgraces , persecution , vexations : onely by praiers , and Sacrifice ( the special office of that holy Order , and an act that maketh the most forcible clamour to God for mercie of al others ) to make intercession for our desolate frendes at home : and to aduenture into England , there to serue them , whose hartes God shal touch to admitte spiritual comforts , and to preferre saluation before wordly commodities : and to minister vnto them al Sacraments necessarie for the life and grace of their soules .

Which duety , through loue that is stronger then death , very great numbers of both the Colleges ( besides other vertuous and learned Priests ) haue godly and happily done , to the benefite and vnspeakable solace of infinite persons , great alteration of mindes throughout the whole Realme , and wonderful encrease of courage in al sortes , not onely to thinke wel in hart , but openly and ( as Christian Catholikes are bound to do ) boldly to professe their faith and religion , and to refuse all actes contrarie to the same . Which was thought a hard thing to the wordly at the beginning , but now they would not be in their former case for al the goods the Realme yeldeth : acknowledging it to be an extreme miserie , that the greatest part of the Countries should be Catholikes in their hartes , and in their mouths and actions , Protestants .

And this they haue done onely by the power of Priesthod , in spiritual , silent , and peaceable maner , and not with riottes , tumults , or warlike concourse : they haue done it , as the Apostles and other holy men did in the primitiue Church , by trauails , watchings , fastings , perils at the portes , perils in the sea , perils on the land , perils of open enimies , perils of false brethren , feares of the lawes , feares of hurting their frendes , feares for scandalizing the weake : by contumelies , disgraces , pouertie , prisonments , fetters , dungeons , rackes , deaths . And this the omnipotent God , because it is his owne worke enterprised by order and authoritie of his cheefe Minister in earth , hath prospered excedingly : though it seemed at the beginning a thing hard or impossible , the Aduersaries hauing so many yeres the lawes , the sword , the pulpits , and al humane helpes for them .

But the enterance to this spiritual attempt and traffike was wel opened before , by bookes written from these partes , and by sundrie letters of the vertuous youthes to their parents and frendes , whom they besought to regard their soules , and not to damne them selues vpon pretence of sauing their lands and goods to the profite of them , their children and posteritie : desiring no other inheritance then their saluation and companie in heauen , the lacke wherof should be to them more then al mortal sorowes .

To this , the fruites of the Protestants doctrine , their profane life and maners , their restles contentions , debates , and dissentions among them selues , their scandals mo in those few daies of their felicitie , then was giuen of the true Clergie in a thousand yeres before ( though al the Aduersaries slaunderous reportes of them were Gospel , as many of them be more false then Esops fables : ) these things , and the great wearines that the world , and specially wise men that easily forsee the euent of their pretended spiritual gouernement , haue of that religion , did giue great successe to the former good endeuours .

Yea euen the very seueritie of the lawes made against the Catholikes and these attempts , and the popular pulpit-mens perpetual balling and railing against the Pope , caused many one that otherwise should neuer haue heard or thought of him , to enquire further what that Pope is , in whom they perceiued by the vehement contradiction and choler of their preachers , that there lay some great moment in these causes of religion : and so happily admonished , and looking backe to the antiquitie , they find that it was the propertie of all Sectes , and that it is as sure a signe of rebellion against Christ and his Church , as to raile vpon the Soueraine temporal , is to rebel against the Common-wealth .

These things now we haue thus openly , particularly , and plainely set downe of the end and actions of our Seminaries , perhaps more folowing equitie and sinceritie , then policie , in discouering our doings to some disaduantage of the cause which we seeke so much to preferre , though we trust in Christ Iesus , who hath hitherto turned al humane impediments to the aduantage of his name and truth , that our plaine dealing shal neither offend our Aduersaries , not hurt our frendes , nor hinder our good meanings .

As for the Popes Holinesse , who of his great benignitie hath instituted and endewed the sayd Seminaries , no man can by reason reprehend his doings , being most agreable to his Apostolike careful solicitude of al Churches and Christian Nations , to the desire he hath to seeke and reduce ( with what cost or paine so euer ) the lost sheepe of his fold , to his special loue of our Countrie : The Popes affection and loue toward our Nation . which ( notwithstanding their vnkind reuolt from the felowship of his faith and authoritie , which they entered into at their first conuersion : notwithstanding the vnciuil lawes made against him in more exquisite termes then against any enimie or Turke , whose messengers they would not generally repel as they do his : nowithstanding their perpetual prayers , speaches , preachings , and proclamations against the whole order ) he tenderly affecteth and pitieth stil , and for the honour and saluation of our people , and for no other worldly respect or commoditie , he hath of his owne charges ( besides other munificence bestowed on sundrie persons ) erected these two Colleges , that by them in most sweete , peaceable , and Apostolike maner , he might reuoke our Prince and Countrie to the honorable societie of al Christian Catholike kings and Countries .

These be his cogitations touching the Seminaries , what so euer other speculatiue and suspicious men do surmise otherwise .

They might see that it is Gregorie the Thirtenths proper glorie and gift of God , The Popes Seminaries of other Nations . to institute such Nourceries for the help of al Nations : and our special blessing , that he doubleth his grace and fauour , towards vs in that kind .

He hath made a Seminarie for the Hebrues that wil conuert from their Iudaisme : he hath made for the Greekes and Hungarians infected with Turcisme and other errors and heresies : he hath endewed the College of Germans so largely , that it receiueth Polonians , Suetians , and other neere Nations , trauailed specially with Lutheranisme : he hath made one for the Dalmatians : he giueth great succourse to the Seminarie of the Romane Clergie , and other Colleges of the most famous Societie of the name of Iesus , whose labours it pleaseth him to vse in the gouernement of most of these Colleges , to the eternal good of al people . He contributeth to the Seminaries of Prage and Vienna , and hath relieued the famous Vniuersitie of Louan distressed by the rebellion of Orenge : with many other in far partes , wherof we haue not knowledge : finally , he helpeth in this kind , Scotland our next neighbour , that hath lately be gonne in Paris a Seminarie for the same end that ours and others were begonne .

Which Nation hath been these many yeres most pitifully plunged in many calamities by the Sectes of this time , but now beginneth to haue hope ( as al Christendom hath ) of their noble yong Prince . The yong Prince of Scotland . Whose graces , giftes , and towardlines in al kingly qualities , are said to be exceding rare in that age , and therfore no doubt he wil shortly see the late calamities that his Realme hath sustained by the Caluinists , their horrible infamous murdering of his Highnes father , and more then barbarous vilany and misuse of his deerest mother whiles she was among them , and the sundry detestable treasons contriued against his Royal person when he was yet in his mothers wombe , and often since , as wel otherwise by vnwonted treacheries , as by infecting ( as much as in them lay ) his tender age , both with that damnable heresie , and with ill affection towards his deerest parents .

Whose infelicitie , procured onely by the fine practises of Heretikes ( the bane of al Kings and Commonweales ) may giue his Highnes and his wise Counselers warning to take heede betimes , and to adioyne him self and the Realme , to the noble and secure societie of Christes Catholike Church , and the most high and mightie Princes of the same , agreably to al his honorable Progenitors both of England and Scotland : and to vse the seruice of sundrie his Catholike and excellent learned subiectes abrode in diuers partes of Christendom , and at home in his owne Realme , for the reducing of his state to the old ancient glorie and prosperitie againe , and to enforme his Ma.tie ( as far as his age can beare ) how necessarie the fatherly care , counsel , and affection of the Popes Holines , the father and Pastor of al Princes , shal be for his Countrie and people : engraffing these graue wordes of holy S. Hierom in his hart yet innocent , for a preseruatiue against the poison of these daies . Ep. 8. ad Demetriadem . This one thing I thinke good of charitable pietie and affection to forwarne thee , that thou hold fast the faith of holy Innocentius , who is successor and sonne of the Apostolike chaire and of the forenamed Anastasius , and that thou receiue not a strange doctrine , though thou seeme vnto thy self neuer so wise and subtill .

Which notable lesson is now in like maner to be inculcated and often commended concerning the faith of Gregorie the xiij their successor and sonne in Seat and beleefe . Who hath ( as is shewed , and as it is cleere by the institution of the said Seminaries ) an vnspeakable affection to al Christes flocke and the weale of euery Kingdom . For which his affection and Pastoral offices , not to thanke him most humbly , is great vnkindnes : but to blame him or misconstrue his beneficial and benigne actions , that is intolerable .

He doth the like things for almost euery other Nation in distresse , and none is so il , so suspicious , or so vngrateful , as to mistrust his benefites to be their destruction , not the Germans , not the Hungarians , not the Greekes , not any other Prouinces , for al which his Holines hath erected Colleges euen as for our Countrie . Of which though al take not so much good as they might do , yet none feare hurt nor make lawes against his holy and charitable actions but we .

The best is that we haue to do with a most benigne father , that wil struggle no otherwise with our vnnatural affections but by continual benefites , not doubting but he shal gaine that in heauen of God , which his immortal merites do deserue , and of our posteritie ( which shal be void of these preiudicial humors ) perpetual memorie , prayer , and benediction .

And this much by occasion of a certaine clause in the Proclamation of Ianuarie , concerning the erection of the said Seminaries in forraine partes .

❧ That we liue not in them against the lawes of God and our Countrie : with a duetiful exhortation to the Q Maiestie . CHAP. IIII.

AND wheras in the same Proclamation we be charged to liue contrarie to the lawes of God and the Realme : if it were meant in matters of our life and conuersation ( as we trust it is not ) our purgation might easily be made , hauing so many witnesses of our demeanour both for common and priuate , wheresoeuer we haue liued , and wanting not publike testimonie of diuers Princes and cities for the same , which shal be forth coming as neede requireth . But meaning ( as it is like they do ) of our regiment , and behauiour , in doctrine , religion , and subiection to the lawes of our Countrie : we desire in this point if euer els ( most benigne Readers ) both for your owne sake and ours , that fauorable attention and indifferencie , which the weight of the cause touching both parties so neere , doth chalenge and require .

We answer then , that if the lawes of God and the lawes of the Realme did alwaies consent and concurre in deede , Gods lawes and mans sometimes repugnant . as in this clause and other common wtitings and speaches proceding from authoritie , they be lightly in wordes couched together against vs : hardly could we defend our doctrines and doings from errour and vndutiefulnes towards our Prince . But seing the lawes of kings and Countries are not euer consonant but may be contrarie to Gods commaundements , we may iustly mislike the one without disloyaltie to the other . Ep. 166. When Emperours ( saith S. Augustine ) be in errour , they make lawes for their errour against the truth , by which iust men are tried and crowned , for not doing that which they commaund , because God forbid deth it .

If our Prince or Realme had the promis that their faith should not faile , Luc. 22. that Hel gates should not preuaile against them , Mat. 16. 28. 18. that Christ would be with them to the end of the world , that when so euer they meete together in consultations , him self would be in the middes of them : Io. 14. 16. that the holy Spirit should perpetually direct them into al truth , Esa. 59. that he would be in their mouth , and the mouth of their children , and the mouth of their childrens children euerlastingly : Deut. 17. Malach. 2 if in doubtes of doctrine we were by the Scriptures referred to them , Luc. 10. if the States there assembled might iustly vse this clause of ancient Councels , Act. 15. It hath pleased the holy Ghost and vs : then should our Statutelawes euer concurre with Gods lawes , and the breach of one sort should condemne vs of transgression of both . Wherof now we neede not feare , knowing that no temporal king , nor Common-wealth , hath such priuileges of Gods protection , being the special prerogatiues of the Churches tribunals : whose lawes therfore neuer swarue from Christes commaundements , as our Parliaments haue done ( by our Aduersaries iudgement ) al these worldes past together , and we are sure that these later haue done , and that al other presuming to determine of matters Ecclesiastical , must needes do .

And it were the pitifullest hazard , and vncertainty of our faith and saluation , Religion altering with the Prince . that could be , so to hang on the Princes will , or the lawes ( commonly wholy thereon depending ) that there could be imagined no neerer way to religion , then to beleeue what our temporal Lord and Maister list . And it is the turpitude of our Nation through the whole world , whereat we blush before strangers that sometimes fall into discourse of such things , that in one mans memorie and since this strange mutation began , we haue had to our Prince , a man , who abolished the Popes authoritie by his lawes , and yet in other pointes kept the faith of his fathers : we haue had a child , who by the like lawes abolished together with the Papacie , the whole ancient religion : we had a woman , who restored both againe , and sharply punished Protestants : and lastly her Ma.tie that now is , who by the like lawes hath long since abolished both againe , and now seuerely punisheth Catholikes , as the other did Protestants : and al these strange differences within the compasse of about 30 yeres .

Neither may we looke for more securitie or rest in religion in the times to come , so long as our soules saluation and damnation depend vpon our temporal lawes and Princes . Who if they should for the peoples sinnes , either by errour in iudgement , or for any vantage and aduancement of their state , which often leadeth such mens consciences , fall to Arianisme or apostasie ( as great Emperours haue done , and Princes are in no lesse peril of such miseries , but much more then others be : ) with as great facilitie may they force their subiects to folow them , and prouide lawes for them ( which alwaies in such cases must be counted Gods mere word ) as they haue done in points aforesaid : specially when the resistance of the whole Clergie both superior and inferior shal not be therein any whit regarded , as late experience in the first Parliament of the Q. Highnes reigne teacheth vs .

In which Parliament , The first Parliament of this Queene . the determination , decision , and definition of truthes , or of heresies and errours , of the true worship of God and the false , is attributed to that Court of the States no lesse , or rather more , then to the foure first or any other general Councel : to which the deciding of such things is there graunted with this limitation , so far as they can warrant their doings by the expresse wordes of Canonical Scriptures , and no further : but to the Parliament absolutely , decreing at the same time , that nothing there determined should be counted heresie , errour , or schisme , what order , decree , sentence , constitution , or law so euer were to the contrarie , the holy Scriptures them selues not excepted .

Al this that Parliament did , and withal abolished al the rites of the Catholike Church , and the right vse of ministring the holy Sacraments and Sacrifice , prescribing a new forme , in most things agreing with Zuinglianisme , in some with Lutheranisme : al the Bishops of the Realme , most graue , learned , and honorable Prelates , present ( as hauing principal place and voice by the lawes of our Countrie in the same ) dissenting , and dissuading with al their power possible : the inferior Clergie then also gathered in Conuocation , by most humble remonstrance opposing it self therevnto : as also many wise men both of the said Parliament and abrode , did signifie their much mislike of the same .

Thus yet did the sentence of the Laity consisting onely of Noblemen , Gentlemen , citizens , and some artificers , preuaile ( a monstruous case ) and that in cause of religion , not onely against al the Bishops of the Vniuersal Church besides , Li 4. c. 43. which haue ( as S. Ireneus saith ) receiued with their Episcopal succesion , the grace and gift of vnderstanding the truth : but euen against their owne Prelates and Pastors : who ( to say the least ) must needes both by their great wisdom , learning , godly life , and by their vocation , be more like to know the truth and giue true sentence in matters belonging to their owne profession , and were with more reason to be heard then those , who neither for age , learning , nor diuinitie , were comparable to them , and to whom al the said persons by Gods law and mans did owe ( specially in these cases of religion ) al subiection and obedience , as to the proper Pastors of their soules .

Aboue al this , they moreouer at the same time caused a forme of othe to be conceiued concerning the Queenes spiritual Souerainty , The othe of Supremacie . which should be offered to al Archbishops , Bishops , and other Ecclesiastical persons , specially whom they knew by their former declaration and Protestation against it , could not in conscience take it , nor would against their conscience receiue it : that vpon refusal therof , they might be deposed , to witte , the Pastors and parents euen by their sheepe and children : Certaine hungrie companions from Geneua , shaped into sheepeskinnes , wayting in the meane time to enter vpon their flockes , as afterward they did : the said Prelates honorably and gladly sustaining depriuation , and euer since emprisonment for confession of their faith , whereby and by tracte of time , most of them be happily and gloriously deceased .

These strange and vnnatural dealings , these procedings dishonorable to her Ma.tie and the Realme , these lawes against Gods expresse commaundements which prescribe obedience and subiection to our Prelates , these decrees that limite Gods constant and permanent truth to the mutabilitie of temporal statutes , to mortal mens willes and fansies : these are the lawes of the Realme ( and not the Ciuil ordinances of our Prince ) that we refuse to obey : and which not onely in our life and doctrine , but vnto death and yelding our bloud , we trust to withstand : wishing that so at the least God wil haue mercie on our Countrie , and wipe away the ignominie of such violent disorders , which to all our posteritie must needes breede shame and rebuke , and to vs Gods indignation .

We liue not then here in this our absence from our Countries , any whit contrarie to Gods lawes , as we be charged , but against mans lawes so far , as it is euident that they be repugnant to the lawes of God , the Church , and nature : as by the premisses is plaine , and as we are able further to proue against any Protestant Diuine in the world .

Yea we auouch further , that as no Protestant Diuine in Christendom , can proue we liue against Gods lawes , so no Protestant Lawyer of the Realme ( for the Catholikes of neither science wil stand against vs in this poynt ) can conuince vs , that we liue contrarie to the lawes of our Counrrie . Which we affirme , not for that onely , that such lawes be vniust , and therfore lightly bind not in conscience : nor for that , that pertaining to religion they passed with out the consent of any of the Clergie : nor for that , that being repugnant to the dignitie and priuileges of the Church , they are against the othe of the makers and of al Christian Princes in due order consecrated : but for that they be not in deede any lawes at al , the makers lacking competent power , authoritie and iurisdiction to procede iudicially and authentically , to heare , determine , define , or giue sentence in any such things as be mere Ecclesiastical .

The Parliament is a mere temporal Court , The court of Parliament . the Bishops them selues hauing voice there no otherwise but as Barons of the Realme , nor hauing authoritie thereby or in that respect , to treat or define of any matters , other then pertaine to the ciuil regiment of the state : al the power that they or others there haue , being deriued from the Prince and Commonwealth ciuil , vnto whom neither by the law of God , nor of nature , the defining of such matters do belong . And it is an euident errour , reproueable by al humane and diuine learning , The Ecclesiastical souerainty , and the temporal . that the souerainty or supremacie in causes Ecclesiastical is by nature or by Christian lawes implied in the right or title of a temporal King : or that it euer was due or can be due to any temporal gouernour , Heathen or Christian , in the world .

Not to the crowne of a Heathen Prince can it belong ( whose Emperial , Kingly , or Princely power ouer their peoples , was notwithstanding lawful and true soueraintie , and agreable to the law of nature and Gods ordinance , of which States the Apostles spake , when they charged the Christians to pray for them and to be subiect and obedient to them , generally through their Epistles : as our Sauiour also did in the Gospel , concerning the paiment of tribute ) forasmuch as for some hundred yeres after , there were not many Princes conuerted to Christ , and yet al that while the Church had her seueral regiment . Not to Pagan Emperours then did it belong ( though they were no lesse Emperial and Kingly then now ) neither was it chalenged of them : for , the principal Apostles ruled the Church in Rome , when Nero reigned : likewise where the Kingdoms are reuolted againe ( as in al the Turkes dominion ) needes must the Church there haue a spiritual regiment , without any dependance of the Heathen Kings : whom yet in temporal matters they obey and serue . And therfore al that the Protestants alleage out of Scriptures , make no more for the claime of a Christian Prince , then for the right of the Heathen .

Againe , not to the crowne of Kings or kingdoms , in that they be Christian : for then the Church , which is Christes mystical body or Commonwealth , matching and meeting with a terrene or earthly state , should forsake her proper regiment , iurisdiction , and forme of gouernement receiued immediatly of Christ , and yeld the same and it self to the earthly power which the Apostle calleth humanam creaturam . 1. Pet. 2. By which meanes , when so euer a king or Countrie is conuerted , the Church should come and submit to them , and not they to Christ and his Church , which must needes be most absurd : Princes and peoples conuerted , alwaies submitting them selues to Christ and his lawes , not drawing the Gouernours of the Church or any person therof to more subiection then they were before their Christianitie , yea often rather rem●…ting some of that for Christes honour . And therfore the holy Scriptures informe vs by euident speaches , that conuerted Kingdoms must serue the Church . The Kingdom and Nation , Esa. 60. saith the Prophete , that serueth not thee ( meaning the Church ) shal perish . Ep. 169. And S. Augustine , Our Lord , saith he , wil not sail to defend his Church , who hath made al earthly kingdoms subiect to his yoke within her lappe spred through out the whole world .

Kings by receiuing Christes religion are not become Christes Maisters , or Lordes ouer the Church as it is his spiritual and mystical Commonwealth , but are called by the Prophete her foster fathers , Es. 49. 60. as Queenes be also named her nources : because it belongeth to the earthly power that God hath giuen them , to defend the lawes of the Church , to cause them to be executed , and to punish rebelles and transgressors of the same .

The Church then , liue she among the Heathens , liue she with the Christians , must haue and hold that forme of regiment and Commonwealth which Christ immediatly instituted , and was not chosen , made , or created by the peoples ordinance and consent ( which is the origine of al other humane states and formes of Politie ) the holy Ghost perpetually assisting , protecting , and propagating the said spiritual regiment in al degrees and functions , as in Apostles , Bishops , Priests and the rest , to the end of the world . And to these the Apostle said , Act. 20. Attend to your self and to your whole flocke , ouer which the holy Ghost hath put you to rule the Church . Of these he said to vs , Heb. 13. Obey your Rulers and be subiect to them , for they watch as being to giue accoumpt for your soules .

This regiment is not the right of any earthly crowne , Prince , or State : they al , if they be Christians , owing subiection to the Pastors of their soules and vnto the Church of Christ . The Church neuer yelded it , nor can yeld it vnto them . It is not agreable to them by nature , as we see in the Heathen : it can not be chalenged by their Christianitie , by which them selues are bound to obey the Church and may not commaund it : no earthly Commonwealth can giue or conferre it to their Prince , because they can not giue that which they haue not by any natural facultie . The Prince therfore neither taking it of the people , nor hauing it by birth or otherwise , can not communicate it to Parliament , and consequently can not possibly make lawes , heare or determine by him self , Parliament , or any other Court in such sort subiected vnto him , of the Churches regiment .

And strange it is ( specially in that first assembly of the States ) how they could attempt to bring the Churches spiritual and proper regiment into consultation , iudicial cognition , and deliberation , before the Prince or them selues were found lawful iudges in such cases : no statute then that stood in force , graunting them any such power , nor no such thing any way lawful otherwise then by the false presupposition of the Princes Ecclestastical supremacie , which yet was not by lawes ( nor in truth by nature could be ) agnised before the determination therof in Parliament . Which hauing no legal meanes to deliberate of the matter , could much lesse giue sentence for it .

But such knottes when they can not be loosed , Knottes broken not loosed . them they are bold to breake them , as they did an other like insoluble , in the next Parliament , about creating their Bishops . Which being deficient in the foundation , can hardly be amended .

In truth the Prince or Court of Parliament hath no more lawful meanes to giue order to the Church and Clergie in these things , then they haue to make lawes for the hierarchies of Angels in heauen . To bring in these nouelties many a hard shift is sought , God knoweth : and of al absurdities this paradoxe of the Supremacie passeth , the Lutherans flatly controwling it in general , Magdeburg . in praef. Cent. 7. and Caluin him self with al the Puritans at the least , Calu in 7 ca. Amos. much misliking and reprehending the first graunt therof to King Harrie . for it is al one to be head of the Church , and to be cheefe Gouernour in causes Ecclesiastical . And it may be thought , that it is for some such quidditie , that their B. of Canterburie hath been restrained . The truth is , now after they haue flattered the Prince there with sufficiently , for the establishing of their religion , they would gladly haue the spiritual souerainty them selues , the better to establish other new deuises of their owne : wherein if they might do as they list , square should haue been round long since , and of al daies in the yere , sunday were like to be fasting day . But how so euer such giue or deny the same to the Prince , it is plaine against al reason and nature , The absurdities of a temporal Princes Ecclesiastical souerainty . and that much more in a woman then a man , which is not capable therof by her sexe . It giueth power to the Queene to conferre that to others ( as to the Priests and Bishops , to preach , minister Sacraments , haue cure of soules , and such like ) which she neither hath , nor can haue , nor do , her self . It giueth her that may neither preach nor speake in publike of matters of religion , 1. Cor. 14. to do that which is much more , 1. Tim. 2. euen to prescribe by her self or her deputes or lawes authorised onely by her , to the preachers what to preach , which way to worship and serue God , how and in what forme to minister the Sacraments , to punish and depriue , teach and correct them , and generally to prescribe and appoint which way she wil be gouerned in soul .

It maketh the body aboue the soul , the temporal regiment aboue the spiritual , the earthly Kingdom aboue Christes body mystical . It maketh the sheepe aboue the Pastor : It giueth her power to commaund them , whom and wherein she is bound to obey : It giueth power to the subiect to be iudge of the Iudges , Ep. 55. nu. 2. yea and of God him self , as S. Cyprian speaketh : It maketh her free from Ecclesiastical discipline , from which no true child of gods familie is exempted .

It derogateth from Christes Priesthod , which both in his owne person , and in the Church , is aboue his Kingly dignitie . It deuideth ( which is a matter of much importance ) the state of the Catholike Church and the holy communion or societie of al Christian men in the same , Aug. li. 2. cont. 2. ep. Gaud. c. 25. into as many partes not communicant one with an other nor holding one of an other , as there be wordly Kingdoms differing by customs , lawes , and maners , ech from other : which is of most pernicious sequele , and against the very natiue qualitie of the most perfect coniunction , societie , vnitie , and entercourse of the whole Church and euery Prouince and person therof together . It openeth the gappe to al kind of diuisions , schismes , sectes , and disorders .

It maketh al Christian Bishops , Priests , and what other so euer borne out of the Realme , forainers and vsurpers in al iurisdiction Ecclesiastical towards vs : and that there can be no iurisdiction ouer English mens soules , but proceding and depending of her soueraine right therein . Which is directly against Christes expresse commaundement and commission giuen to Peter first , and then to al the Apostles , of preaching , baptizing , remitting , retaining , binding and loosing , ouer al the world , without difference of temporal state , or dependance of any mortal Prince therein .

It keepeth the Realme from obedience to general Councels , which haue been or shal be gathered in forraine Countries : It taketh away al conuenient meanes of gathering , holding , or executing any such Councels and their decrees , as appeared by refusing to come to the late Councel of Trent , notwithstanding the Popes Messengers , and letters of other great Princes , which requested and inuited them to the same . When a realme or Prince is in errour , it taketh away al meanes of reducing them to the truth againe : no subiection being acknowledged to Councels or Tribunals abrode , al other Bishops , Patriarches , Apostles , Christ and al ( because they were and be forrainers ) not hauing iurisdiction or sufficient authoritie to define against English Sectaries and errours . Finally if this iurisdiction spiritual be alwaies of right a sequele of the crowne and scepter of al Kings , assuredly Christ nor none of his Apostles could otherwise enter to conuert Countries , preach , and exercise iurisdiction spiritual , without Caesars and others the kings of the Countries licence and delegation .

To conclude then , these are the lawes of the Realme ( if we may so call such violences ) to which we cannot conforme our selues in conscience , except we like to perish euerlastingly .

Wherein though we may seeme to haue said ynough for our defense , yet we wil lay before al our deerest Countrie-men some breefe speaches of the principal persons of Gods Church , The ancient fathers against the Ecclesiastical iurisdiction of temporal Princes . to giue them a tast of their iudgement , concerning such vsurpation of spiritual Soueraintie by some Emperours of old time : that they may see this case to be already ruled vnto al that haue faith and the feare of God .

S. Athanasius the Great , Ep. ad solit. vit. degentes . one vsed to such stormes as this , saith of Constantius the Arian Emperour : What hath he left for Antichrist ? for yet againe in place of Ecclesiastical cognition he hath appointed his palace the iudicial seat of such causes , and made him self the cheefe iudge and arbiter of our controuersies . And who seing him to make him self the ruler of Bishops , and president of spiritual iudgements , would not iustly deeme him to be that very abomination of desolation foretold by Daniel ? And in an other place of the same worke : When was it euer heard of since the beginning , that the Churches iudgement did depend of the Emperours authoritie ? or who euer accepted that for lawful iudgement ?

The renowmed Osius writeth to the same Emperour : Cited of S. Athanasīus in the ep. aforesaid . Meddle not o Emperour in causes Ecclesiastical , nor do thou commaund vs in this kind , but leaue such things to vs rather . God hath giuen thee the Empire , but to vs the Church . At the same time , and to the same Emperour , Suidas in verbo Leontius . thus saith Leontius the Martyr : I maruel that thy vocation being for other things , thou meddlest with these matters . Thy charge is of Ciuil and Martial affaires onely , and yet thou wilt needes be President of Ecclesiastical causes . Sainct Hilarie also to the same Emperour writeth thus : we besech thy Clemencie to prouide , Li. imperf. 2. ad Constantium . that charge be giuen to al iudges of Prouinces , that hereafter they presume not , nor vsurpe the hearing of Ecclesiastical causes .

S. Ambrose to the yonger Valentinian the Emperour thus auswereth : Vexe not thy self so far , Ep. 33. ad sororem . o Emperour , to thinke that thy Emperial right pertaineth to Diuine things , exalt not thy self aboue thy measure . For it is written , Giue to Caesar that which is Caesars , and to God that which belongeth to God . the Palace for the Emperour , but the Churches are for the Priest . Againe the same holy Doctor : Ibidem . When didst thou euer heare , most clement Prince , that laie men haue iudged Bishops ? shal we bend by flatterie so far , that forgetting the right of our Priesthod , we should yeld vp to others that which God hath commended to vs ? And recounting the whole course of holy Scriptures and al times past , who can deny but that in the cause of faith , in the cause of faith I say , Bishops haue iudged of Emperours , and not Emperours of Bishops ?

S. Gregorie Nazianzene also writing to his citizens , Orat. ad ciu. Nazianz . thus turneth his speach to the Emperour his Prince : You also hath Christes law subiected to my Tribunal . for we haue a Soueraintie and that more excellent and perfect . vnles the spirit should submit it self to the flesh , and the heauenly things yeld to earthly . Which my libertie of speach I feare not but thou wilt allow , seeing thou art an holy sheepe of my sacred fold , and a pupil of the great Pastor , and wel instructed by the holy Ghost from thine infancie .

And to this purpose S. Chrysostom most expresly giueth warning , that spiritual gouernement and woman sexe are not compatible . for thus he writeth : Why did our Lord shead his bloud ? Li. 2. de Sacerdotio . truely to redeeme those sheepe , the cure of which he committed both to Peter and also to his successors . And a litle after , when it cometh to the gouernement of the Church and committing the charge of so many soules , al womankind must needes wholy giue place to the burden and greatnes therof , and a great number of men also .

Thus al these highly vertuous and learned fathers write , thus they beleued , thus they behaued them selues toward their Princes , and yet they were not traitours , they liued not contrarie to Gods lawes , nor any iust lawes of man . We beleue no otherwise , we teach no otherwise , we behaue our selues no otherwise , we liue against Gods and our Countries lawes no otherwise , then these noble Clerkes did , now so glorious in heauen and earth . An exhortation to the Q. Maiestie .

And it cometh here to our cogitations ( as often els in our prayers to almightie God ) that it would please him to touch our Princes hart before he call her to his dreadful iudgement , to admit into her graue consideration our former reasons so assuredly grounded on the Scriptures and law of Nature , of the indecencie , incongruitie , impossibilitie , that temporal Princes ( specially women ) should rule and commaund the Church , Bishops , and Pastors of their owne soules , and that in things merely concerning the soul .

But what should we desire that her Ma.tie may vouchsafe to heare vs poore wormes and wretches ? The Bishops and Clergie of England emprisoned . At least ( alas ) that she would not contemne the whole consent of al the learned Bishops and Priests of her Realme , testifying this truth once in Parliament , and afterward by their continual emprisonment and death in the same : that she would conceiue deliberatly of so much holy bloud meekely yelded for the testimonie of this truth , specially of that noble paire , famous Fisher B. of Rochester , B. Fisher , S. Tho. the best learned of al the Clergie of that Realme for many ages , More , the Carthusians , and others . and renowmed More the greatest Clerke of al the Laity : such a coople as any other Christian Nation would haue bought with millions , but thought vnworthy to liue by the lawes of ours : that she would vouchsafe to looke backe to al holy Bishops , learned Diuines , wise Lawyers , and the faithful Princes her Highnes noble predecessors of al ages past , none of them euer knowing or admitting any such title of Supremacie , reigning without it in al glorie , securitie , and felicitie : No Crowne or Kingdom euer lesse mighty , sure , and honorable , for ioyning with or liuing vnder the Churches compasse and regiment , but many one perishing by forsaking the same .

Or if domestical testimonies be in this kind suspicious , yet that the sayings of these ancient fathers void of affection , feare , flattery , partiality , may find place in so generous a mind . They also so many worldes past , haue giuen sentence against that strange claime of spiritual iurisdiction , with your Bishops imprisoned , your poore subiects banished , your Catholike Priests and people afflicted , with al your auncestours . O Lord Christ , o Madam my Liege : should Chrysostom , Ambrose , Gregorie , Hilarie , Leontius , Osius , Athanasius and the rest , not be heard in your Parliament be deposed , be emprisoned , be executed ? No , it would not agree with your good nature , wisdom , and clemencie . Heare them then for your soules sake , without the saluation wherof , al these mortal ioyes , titles , crownes and Kingdoms shal turne you ( which God of his infinite mercie forbid ) to immortal miserie .

The very duety of our Priesthod , the zeale of God , and the honour and respect of your Princely state , moue vs in al loyal humilitie to warne your Ma.tie of that , which being necessarie to your owne , and the whole Realmes eternal good , may not , nor can not ( in that preeminent height of dignitie and contrarie lawes ) be told your Ma.tie at home : most humbly vpon our knees desiring pardon for our plainesse and sinceritie , for his sake , of whom you also and al earthly Princes must aske pardon for your sinnes .

Though your Ma.tie in yonger yeres , your iudgement , knowledge , and experience , not then so mature as afterward , and at the beginning of your reigne , when the sense and feeling of some rigour toward your noble person in the former gouernement , was yet fresh , and had somewhat alienated your Highnes mind from the Church and state Catholike , and much more by the forcible motions of others , persuading you to alteration , vpon opinion of better security of your scepter , which was an vntrue and an vndutiful suggestion : though your Ma.tie were then in maner by importunitie induced to chaunge ( for we haue been credibly enformed , that of your owne inclination you were not desirous , but very loth to admit , being a woman and the only woman that euer did , the title of the Churches gouernement : ) Yet now , Madam , after so many yeres of prosperous regiment , your seat established in long peace and securitie , your mind endued with more mature knowledge and experience , your daies drawing you neerer and neerer your death , iudgement , and accoumpt , which be necessarie cogitations for Princes , no lesse , but rather somewhat more , then for poore men : Consider deeply , how to reduce your self , and your Realme , to the Catholike society of so many noble Prelates and Princes , present and past : how your Ma.tie may giue solace to innumerable oppressed soules your loyal subiectes , that out of banishments , prisonments , chaines , and dungeons , lift vp their hands and hartes to God and your Ma.tie for the same .

Your Highnes noble father ( as of worthy and wise men we haue heard ) was fully determined to giue ouer the title of Supremacie , and vnite him self and his Realme to the See and Church Apostolike againe : but being preuented by death , could not accomplish his most necessarie and honorable designement , and therfore may be both an example and a warning to your Ma.tie the last of al his deerest Children , to accomplish that thing , which to his great wisdom , at the very going out of this life , was thought so necessarie for his soul , his people and posterity . Which diuers Princes and Prouinces begin now to thinke vpon more seriously then before ( as of Polonia , Suetia , Transyluania ) knowing why and of whom S. Hierom said , Qui tecum non colligit , Ep. 57. ad ●amasum Papam . spargit : and finding it the honorablest condition to ioyne to that Catholike Queene , to whom God hath giuen the whole world for dourie , as one of the fathers speaketh .

Incline your hart for Christes loue , gratious Lady , to our humble sute , made for your owne soul : and be not offended with your poore subiects , for mouing your Ma.tie in so plaine termes , in Gods and the Churches cause . Wherein if our Lord of his secret iudgement permit vs not to be heard , yet in doing so dutiful and endeuour , we can not loose our labours , for which we must be alwaies ready ( as God shal please ) to loose our liues .

In the meane time , not repugning nor resisting any your Ma.ties or the Realmes temporal lawes , we trust no reasonable man can reproue vs , if we refuse to be obedient to the pretended lawes of religion , which we thinke in conscience , and can proue , to be against the lawes of God , and not consonant to any iust and truely called lawes of our Countrie .

❧ That the Students of the said Seminaries be not trained vp in erroneous doctrine . CHAP. V.

FOR our liuing against Gods lawes and the Realmes , we haue giuen our accoumpt . And now concerning the doctrine wherein we traine our scholers , we are charged that it is false and erroneous , grounded on fansies and vaine traditions of men , and not Gods mere word . Which accusations , phrases , and fashion of speach , are proceded from the new pulpits , which borowed them of old Sectes . For they are common to al such sortes , in euery age and diuersitie of opinions repugnant to the Catholike truth and Church .

And that the old Maisters of errours did so speake , Al Heretikes vaunt of Scriptures . we giue this example out of S. Augustine , who reporteth Maximinus the Arian Bishopswordes vnto him thus : Cont. Maximinum li. 1. in principio . If thou alleage any thing of the Sctiptures which is common to vs al , we must needes heare it : but these sayings that be not in the Sctiptures , haue no weight with vs in any case : seeing the Lord admonisheth vs and saith , without cause they serue me , teaching the commaundements and precepts of men . And againe in the same booke : I wish and pray alwaies to be a scholer of the holy Scriptures : if thou alleage any where that which is written , we wil be disciples of holy writte .

This felow ( you see ) after the ordinary of Heretikes , was bold to compare him self to no lesse Clerke then Saint Augustine , and to offer him the combat also , with this prety prouiso , that he would be vrged with nothing but Scriptures , which now a daies is called the mere word of God , making exception against al other things that Catholike men vse to alleage for the true meaning of the holy Scriptures , as against the fansies , precepts , and traditions of men . Which vulgar flight , rather then fight , of such felowes the said Doctor contemneth , not vouchsauing it an answer , but calling his aduersarie to the matter : telling him , that these and such like vaine and void florishes be common to al sortes and sides , as they be in deede : not only Catholikes ( to whom as wel the possession , custodie , and vse of the Scriptures as the true sense and interpretation of the same do properly and onely appertaine ) iustly chalenging them , but al Sectes of Heretikes , be their opinions neuer so improbable , and learning neuer so smal , making claime that way , and presumptuously contemning and condemning al the learning and the wisdom of the world or Church , for folly and phantasie .

There is not the poorest artificer of al the Anabaptistes in Holland , or of the Puritans , Brethren of loue , and Protestants in England , nor the yongest Grammarian , or Logician in the Vniuersities or schooles of Sectaries : but he wil oppose him self boldly against al the Church , with this pretext alwaies , that Gods mere word ( so they call their Bible falsely , corruptly , and deceitfully translated , together with as foul , fantastical , and false suppositions deduced out of the same ) must be folowed before al mens doctrines and inuentions .

And generally al Sectmaisters , to abuse the people ( them selues shamefully deceiued before ) make the state of the controuersie betwixt them and the Catholikes their aduersaries to be this : Whether they grounding their doctrine on Gods mere word , are to be beleued rather then their aduersaries , founding theirs vpon mans traditions and fantasies . Where that is not the poynt of the doubt , but this : whether ( the word and written letter being redde , acknowledged , and common to both ) they haue the true sense and vnderstanding of it , rather then we : and , whether they folow fansie , that be ledde by their owne priuate spirit , or we , that leane to the Spirit of the Church .

Now then al men must know , Heretikes folow their owne priuate sense of Scriptures , Catholikes the Churches iudgement and consent of ancient fathers . that as it is the propertie of the Protestants and such others , to call the sense that them selues of pride and ignorance make choise of , Gods mere word : so also , to terme the holy Churches sense or interpretation , mans fansie or inuention . Wheras euer the priuate , singular , new and particular spirit , is fansie : and the common , vniuersal , old and Catholike interpretation , is the true and mere word of God : whervpon our doctrine and trayning vp the Students in these Catholike Colleges are grounded .

And the very drift of Catholike schooles in these daies must be , to draw men from phantasie , priuate imagination , and liking of their owne iudgement , to the trusting of al the learned fathers of al ages , to the beleefe of the Catholike Church , according to a Christians profession : to obey in doubtes of doctrine the holy Councels and other authentical Iudgements , which Christ hath left in his Church for that purpose . to which end we do sweare al that take degree ( according to the ordinance of the holy Councel of Trent ) that they shal , Sess. 4. during their life , in al their preaching , teaching , disputing , writing , and otherwise , expound the holy Scriptures as neere as they can , secundum vnanimem consensum Patrum , according to the vniforme and agreable sense of the Fathers .

This is not to bring vp men according to fansies , Io. 14. 16. but according to the promised Spirit of truth . This is to auoid the particular presumption of Heretikes , who are wholy so caried away with the priuate spirit of pride and contention , that they frame to them selues certaine platformes of doctrine , according to euery of their particular Sectes , which they call their analogie of faith , and draw Gods word vnto it , making it to sownd and say whatsoeuer they dreame of . Li. 32. c. 9. cont. Faust . And therfore S. Augustine noted this to be the propertie of Faustus the Manichée and the like , so to handle the matter by much talking of Scriptures , that al the authoritie therof might be subiect to them selues , and yeld no other meaning then their fansie allowed of .

To auoid therfore these partial spirits , we imitate in our learning and teaching ( as neere as the time and opportunitie of things do suffer vs ) holy S. Basil and S. Gregorie Nazianzene , of whom thus Ruffinus writeth : Ec. hist. li. 2. c. 9. For the space of thirtene yeres they studied only the bookes of holy Scripture , and the vnderstanding of the same they folowed not of their owne presumption , but of the writings and anthoritie of their forefathers , who also them selues were wel knowen to haue receiued the rule of vnderstanding by succession from the Apostles .

We teach and learne humility and obedience to our Prelates : we teach all ours , to know and keepe those traditions which the Apostle commendeth to his flockes , 2. Thess. 2. both written and vnwritten : those precepts of the Ancients , and the like of our Superiors , Act. 15. 16. that the faithful in the Actes were commaunded to obserue , according to the difference of things and times , prescribed by the gouernours of our soules : In al doubtes we resolue our selues by the definition of holy Doctors , Councels , and See Apostolike , to which Christ hath giuen the Spirit of truth , the right sense of holy Scriptures , and the grace of discerning the false priuate spirits of errour , from the true common Spirit of Christian Catholike people .

We teach them , that such precepts and traditions as be in Scriptures commended vnto vs , and al other holy Churches decrees , are vntruely called the traditions or commaundements of men , in the sense of Heretikes : for that they be the Ordinances of the holy Ghost , who continually assisteth our lawful Pastor in the due regiment of our soules . We teach them , that the Scriptures be hard , and high , and many waies misconstrued to damnation : that Manes , Arius , Macedonius , Eutyches , Sabellius , Pelagius , though they redde the Scriptutes , and as much vaunted them selues therof , as the Caluinists now do , yet erred and misconstrued them shamefully , and that the Protestants therfore may so do , and in deede do , folowing the like particular , contentious , and disobedient spirits , as they did .

We tel them of S. Augustines experience , Li. de ago . christ . c. 16. That Heretikes by daily contentions and fightes , raise vp mistes and smoke vnto them selues , that they can not conceiue the truth , which is hardly seen euen of a stil and quiet mind . And againe , Ib. c. 4. Heretikes piking out such sentences and chapters of Scripture as simple men vnderstand not , by them do deceiue the ignorant soules , which by curiositie are easily misledde : because euery vnlearned soul is curious . But he that hath well learned the Catholike faith spred throughout the whole world , and is armed with good maners and true pietie , can not be deceiued .

We teach our Scholers , The ancient fathers more like to vnderstand the Scriptures , than the new preachers . that the ancient fathers of al ages agreing together , are more like to vnderstand the Scriptures , then the Protestants : and that if humility make any thing in this case ( as it doth al ) they were more humble then the Protestants : if studie and diligence be required , they passe them : if great knowledge in al sciences , our good felowes be not comparable : if the tonges , diuers had the cheefe of them naturally , wherof ours get but a smal tast by art : if much exercise of reading , conferring , comparing , expounding the Scriptures , help to vnderstand them , how far they excel our delicate Doctors , their workes and infinite treatises do witnesse : if prayer serue any thing for attaining truth , and Gods spirit ( without which no such verities can be knowen : ) surely to compare onely their deuotions , watchings , fastes , sacrifices , to these companions endeuours , were a great iniurie and ridiculous : if to be void of wordly distractions , to liue single and chast ( which to the onely studie of Philosophie was of old thought conuenient ) profit to the knowledge of Diuinitie , the Protestants haue no great aduantage : if Gods great graces and vertues , euen to the workes of miracles , and sustaining Martyrdom , and so high holines of life that they are beleued of al Catholike men ( and not denyed of Heretikes ) to be in heauen , help to the understanding of Gods word , that preeminence aboue Protestants they haue also . Finally , if the time of their liuing in this world , was by much more then a thousand yeres , in diuers of them , neerer to Christ then ours is , and thereby they might very easily trace out the Apostles doctrine , by the report of not many ages before them , in these things now doubted of , that aduantage also they had beyond the Protestants . Al these things , with what other prescriptions so euer any Catholikes haue had against Heretikes in al age , we haue against the Protestants in the most euident sort that can be . So that we may very fitly say as S. Li. 2. cont. Iulian. in ●ine . Augustine did by the like comparison , onely changing the Heretikes names : Hath long time so confounded heauen and earth , light and darknes , that Luther , Caluin , Zuinglius , Bucer , Beza do see : and Hilarie , Gregorie , Ambrose , Hierom , Chrysostom , and the rest are blind ?

Therfore if either grace , common sense , diuine or humane probabilitie wil serue , our Schooles cary al with them against the Aduersaries : if the expresse wordes of Scriptures may preuail , we haue them a thousand times more cleere for vs , then the Aduersaries haue for them : if the sense must be sought for , we haue as many helps of nature , of learning , and of grace ( honour and thankes be to God ) as they haue , to find it out : the sentence is giuen for vs , and against our Aduersaries , in al the Tribunals of Gods Church . Al Vniuersities , al Colleges , al Churches , al Bishoprickes , al Monasteries , al monuments of Christianitie were made by and for Catholikes , and for Protestants none : Al the soules of our Christian fathers , al the Saints in heauen , al their actions , workes , writings , liues and deaths professe for vs . Therfore if our doctrine be erroneous , there is no truth , nor can be , no God , Christ , religion , nor saluation . Which Atheisme is the end of al these vnhappy reuolts from the vnitie of Gods people .

And for the particular points of our doctrine Catholike , we haue , and diuers other learned in banishment haue before vs , by sundrie bookes in our vulgare tonge , defended them with al maner of learning and proofes , that the Protestants them selues required , and haue refuted the contrary inuincibly . By which combat in writing bookes , though they were the chalengers , M. Iuel . and promised for the entertainement therof , or at least wished in shew of wordes , al freedom and impunitie , yet afterward they were driuen to forbid the entering , hauing , or reading of al our workes . Wherevpon madde I. Pace meeting one day with M. Iuel ( called the B. of Salisburie , but not secundum vsum Sarum ) the Protestants champion , saluted his L. courtly , and said , Now my Lord , qd he , you may be at rest with these felowes , for you are quit by Proclamation .

Neuertheles the Aduersaries haue not ceased to make shew of answer to diuers of the said Catholikes writings , but with such il grace in the sight of al wise men , that they haue rather furthered our cause , then their owne . For their answer is nothing els but a plaine running away , like vnto some cowardly dogges , that fleing from the fight , yet in running away looke backe , and barke , and bay at their enimie or the game : which any man of iudgement may sone espie .

Alleage them Scriptures , Their euasions and foul shiftes in answering the Catholikes . it is not Canonical : alleage that which them selues acknowledge to be Canonical , they corrupt it with false translation , deceitful alteration , fantastical glosing , such as neuer came to any wise faithful mans mind before . Alleage them Doctors , they deny the bookes : alleage others , or their bookes confessed , they say they were in a blind age : of some , that they folowed the errors of the Gentility : of al together , that they were men . Alleage sacred Councels , they wil not beleeue them without expresse Scriptures . When we reply , yea but why beleeue you not these men , and Saints , and iudicial meanes of trial of the true sense of Scriptures , seing you are but men also your selues , and a litle worse men then they ? then at length they come to the spirit of God , which they arrogate to them selues , and deny it to Gods Church , Priests , and Councels , to whom it was promised .

And being at this exigent , they flee from the question of doctrine , to liues and maners of Popes , Prelates , and Priests : as though there were any creature liuing more profane and impure , then the preacher Protestant : or al were true , which the deepe hatred and malice of Heretikes feine against Gods Priests : or the vulgar vices of humane frailety , were the fruites by which false teachers be tried : or we for the condemmation of the Protestants doctrine , charged them onely or specially with the sinnes incident to mens infirmitie of euery sort , and not rather with such crimes as be natural to Heretikes , namely of this sect .

We charge them with rebellion against Christes Church , lawes , and ordinances : with disobedience to their lawful Pastors , with contempt of holy Councels , fathers and Doctors : with falsifying , corrupting , denying diuers bookes and places of holy Scripture : with contention and dissension among them selues , disturbances of Kingdoms and Countries , desire of liberty and nouelty , inconstance and daily chaunge of their opinions , presumptuous arrogance and vaunting of their knowledge aboue al antiquity : with singularity , sacrilege , apostasie , incestuous mariages of vowed persons , spoile of Churches , profanation of al holy things , preaching and teaching altogether to the disgracing of fasting , watching , virginity , continencie , voluntarie pouerty , al good workes , and many other points directly tending to the corruption of good life in al states : finally , with blasphemie against Christes Sacrifice , Sacraments , Saincts , and such like their enormities : which are faults properly proceding from their doctrine , and therfore far vnlike to those ( proceding onely of humane infirmitie and mans frailety ) with which they either falsly or truely charge the Clergie , and specially the Popes and See Apostolike , euen as the Nouatians and Donatistes did before them . Which offenses do so litle preiudice the truth and doctrine of the same Seat , that S. Augustine auoucheth , if some Iudas or traitor were in that office , as there was one in the College of the Apostles , that it could not be preiudicial to the doctrine of that See , or the peoples obedience to the same . Our heauenvly Maister , Ep. 166. in fine . saith he , concerning naughty Gouernours of the Church , hath made the people secure and void of care , that for them the Chaire of holesom doctrine be not forsaken , in which euen the euil them selues are compelled to speake good thinges . For it is not their owne that they speake , but Gods , who in the chaire of vnitie , hath put the doctrine of veritie . And S. Ep. 69. nu. 1. Cyprian giueth warning to all faithful people , not to maruel , Let N. the Minister marke this , that fled out of England for impunity of his disorders , afterward abiured his heresies in Rome voluntarily , and now is fallen in relapse at home . nor in any wise to trust an Heretike ( specially one fallen into relapse ) when he raileth on Gods Priests . With the fallen and profane , saith he , and such as are out of the Church , out of whose breastes the holy Ghost is departed , there can be nothing els , but a wicked or peruerse mind , and deceitful tonge , and venemous hatred , and sacrilegious lies . Whom whosoeuer doth credite and beleue , he must needes be found with them , when the day of iudgement cometh .

But , as for the most part they make these foul and open shiftes , by disgracing and discrediting ( as much as in them lieth ) the Church , and Councels , and cheefe Pastors , because of the scandals and faults of a few : so sometimes they do it more closely , and therfore more deceitfully : which their dealing is also much worth the noting .

For when Sectaries pretend to trust and obey the foure first or any other Councel general , Their craftie and hypocritical pretences . with this clause of exception , so far as they determine according to expresse Scriptures Canonical : there is a double deceit in their meaning . First , they would make the people beleeue that they reuerence Councels : secondly , that they do the cheefe honour to the Scriptures : where in deede they dishonour both , and make them selues iudges of both . For , to credit the Councels so far as they bring expresse Scriptures , is no more but to trust the Scriptures , which if the simplest person in earth do euidently alleage , he must be beleeued : but whether the Scriptures alleaged by the Councels , make for the purpose , or conuince that for which they are cited , that them selues wil iudge , no lesse , then if the poorest tinkar in England had alleaged them . Which is no more ( as is plaine ) but to make them selues iudges of the Councels , which the simple people thought they had respected much , by so solemne mention and promises made of them .

Againe they purposely in naming the Scriptures , adde Canonical , that if an euident place be alleaged against them out of the holy Bible , they may at their pleasure deny the booke to be Canonical , and so escape . Where also they seeming to do honour to the Scriptures , do in deede make them selues iudges of the Scriptures , deciding which be Canonical Scriptures , and not graunting so much authoritie to the Councels and Church , which haue determined such things already to their hands . So they bring al to their priuate fansie , from the general truth and spirit of Gods Church .

An other way they vse also of like deceit , to bring al to their priuate iudgement , when they pretend sometimes , rather to be tried by Councels , and Popes , or Priests past many hundred yeres sithence , then by the Councels , See Apostolike , and other iudgements of their owne daies : pretending that they wil yeld to the foure first Councels , or See Apostolike , and Popes , when they were good : with an exception yet for their more security , so far as they agree with Gods word : for that they know , that the Popes and Councels of old , dealt not directly with their opinions ( though when any came obiter in their waies , they condemned them of heresies ) but with other Sectes and false Prophetes , proper to those times . Whereas in deede the old Councels and their decrees , are rather instructions and recordes to vs , and to the Councels in these daies , them iudgements or iudges of our actions or persons , towards whom they proceeded not directly nor iudicially : but the See Apostolike , Prelates , and Councels of our time , vnder whose power and iurisdiction al Christian men are , be our iudges , and may resolue , define , and determine iudicially in our cases of Controuersie , and we are bound to obey these , Deut. 17. as the former Christians , those in times past : God in the Scriptures plainely commaunding , in doubtful cases , to go to the Priestand Iudge for the time being : and we are warned to obey the Church present , Mat. 18. not onely past : the old fathers , Popes , and Councels being recordes of truth , but the other being iudges of our causes and hauing iurisdiction of our persons . Which to auoid , they feine an appellation to the former onely , esteeming in deede of both alike , as of men deceiued , as of humane traditions , and so forth , as in their writings is most euident , where from Peters time downeward , Beza in 2. Thes. 2. they make the cheefest fathers , Retentiue Pag. 248. the ministers and furtherers of Antichrist . Al this is no more but , both to barke and flee at once , for answers be they none .

Let them obiect any thing against vs , we say to it roundly , this must needes be the sense , by comparing other Scriptures to the same : thus such and such a Doctor expounde it , thus the fathers interprete it , thus such and such a general Councel vnderstande it . If they obiect against praying for the dead , we giue them S. Aug. Fnchiri . 110. haer. 53. Augustines answer to Aerius , and his whole booke de cura pro mottuis : if they argue against the honouring of holy Relikes , and Pilgrimage , we answer with S. Hieroms wordes against Vigilantius : if they dispute against the inuocation of Saints , or worshipping the holy Crosse and other memories of Christ or his Martyrs , we giue them S. Cyril . Cont. Iulian. li. 6. Cyrils solution against Iulian the Apostata : if they dispute against the holy Sacrifice : we appoint them to S. Chrys. in c. 10. ad Hebr. Chrysostoms solution vpon the Epistle to the Hebues : Ambros . Primas . ibidem . if they contend against the corporal presence of Christes body and bloud in the Sacrament , we referre them to Lateran Councel against Berengarius , and to the iudgement of al antiquity : if they alleage against sacred Images , we lay downe vnto them the answer and resolution of the second Councel of Nice , of S. Grego . li. 7. ind. 2. ep. 109. & ep. 53. in fine . Gregorie to Serenus , of S. Damascene in his 3 bookes of that argument : if they stand with vs against the power of Priesthod to remitte sinnes , we answer them , Ambros . lib. 1. de poenit . c. 2. & deinceps . as S. Ambrose and others did the Nouatians : and so forth in al cases .

And yet they wil not yeld , but flee from al Councels and Fathers to their owne imaginarie sense of Scriptures , pretending to be tried onely by them , and by conferring the sense which liketh them , to the like sence of other places , conceiued alike in their owne imagination . Wherein they are like to the forgers of false coynes , that would not haue their money tried by the touchstone , but by some other peeces , either of true and fine metals , or of some such like forged ware as their owne .

So that it falleth out betwixt vs and the Protestants , in such things , as it did ( by Plutarchs report ) about two famous wrestlers in the games of Olympus : of which , the one being both stronger and nimbler then the other , did often and easily giue his felow a faire fall , but yet being laid on the ground , he would neuer confesse that it was a fall , but by wordes , gestures , and shuffling to and fro , so dasled the senses of the standers by , that the victor could not get sentence of his side . and therfore he vsed to say that he could easily ouerthrow his companion , but not stop his mouth , or cause him to confesse so much . Euen so we can easily ( thankes be to God ) ouerthrow the Protestants , but we can not tie their tonges . Of which kind of men S. Dial. cont. Lucif. in fine . Hierom also had this experience , Facilius eos vinci posse , quàm persuaderi : that they may more easily be ouercome , then persuaded . And againe , Ibid. c. 5. cùm disputare nesciant , litigare tamen non desinunt : when they can not dispute , yet they cease not to wrangle . They were ouercome in Aërius , Vigilantius , Iouinian , Imagebreakers , Berengarius , and others , by many iudicial sentences , and by plaine learning refuted before our daies : they are condemned by the like meanes in our time , yeld they will not , til God miraculously confound their cheefe preachers .

And for further trial of our doctrine , would God it might please our Prince , to commaund some of vs her Catholike subiects abrode , or of them which be at home , either in prison or at libertie , to appeare before her Ma.tie The Protestants are chalenged to a disputation . or any indifferent iudges , in scholastical combat with any one , or any number of Protestants of her dominions , or any other part of the world . Which men though they durst not shew their faces in the late General Councel ( which is the proper place of such disputes ) vpon trifling and vnworthy pretences refusing the same , blaspheming that holy assembly , and barking at it in bookes a far of , when they durst not come neere it , as the Heretikes condemned in the first foure great Councels , did also toward the same : yet their causes of feare or exception would cease in this case , if it pleased her Highnes , by her wisdom and clemencie to giue order for the libertie and saftie of both partes therein . Neither neede our Aduersaries be curious in the case , the personal feare or danger being on our side , but the shame and confusion ( we trust in God ) shal be on theirs .

Once there was a conference in deede , but without al order and indifferencie , and at that time when there was such a greedly desire of nouelty and chaunge , that wil and affection forcibly ouerruled al the matter . Now so many yeres , hauing both wel cooled the inordinate heat that the people lightly haue in such cases , and giuen good experience of the Sect , we doubt not but God would prosper the matter , to the great good of the Realme , and contentment of her Ma.ties and al doubtful consciences .

For though such disputes with the Catholike Churches Aduersaries , out of Councels and fit places , be not in them selues alwaies so allowable nor profitable , yet oftentines they haue done good , and haue been thought necessarie both of late and of old : as we see by the diuers conferences of S. Augustine and others with the Manichées , Arians , and Donatistes in Afrike : and some in France , and Germanie , with the Caluinists , and Protestants . And that this we also might do with our Superiors liking , we most hartely desire : trusting that our doctrine , which now is condemned of fansie and humane tradition , should then be inuincibly proued to be most agreable to Gods sacred word and holy Scriptures .

Thus also further being bold , and of duety to his Holines ( who also is charged to haue instituted these Colleges to traine vs vp in erroneous doctrine ) bound to say , as the truth is , that in these his Colleges there be vsed as many meanes to attaine to the knowledge of the Scriptures , and Gods truth reserued in them and his holy Church , as in many mo of theirs .

Our wittes be of God as theirs are , and alloted to vs by his goodnes , in as plentiful measure as theirs ; our absence from our Countrie , the aduersity and pouerty incident to the same ( being not excessiue ) is as fit for studie , as the more plentiful and delicate state of our English Vniuersities at home , being otherwise for that thing , and for al worldly splendour , the noblest Schooles in Christendom : Our foundation in al kind of faculties requisite for the studie of Diuinitie , is as deeply laid as theirs : our diligence rather more then lesse : our time both of age and studie more complete then theirs commonly can be , that are for the most part in our daies so timely called out of the Schooles to pulpits and promotions : Our order , methode , Our exercises in Diuinitie , and specially the studie of Scriptures . and course of Diuinitie kept and ruled by obedience and the Superiors prescription , much more profitable then theirs that is mere voluntarie .

We haue mo disputations , lessons , conferences , examinations , repetitions , instructions , Catechizings , resolutions of cases both of conscience and controuersies , methodes and maners to procede in the conuersion of the deceiued , and such like exercises ( specially for daily practise in the Scriptures , wherein the Protestants vainely pretend their cheefe praises to consist , because they can promptly alleage the leafe and the line of their booke ) in our two Colleges , then are in their two Vniuersities conteining neere hand 30 goodly Colleges .

And as concerning Sermons , no Sunday nor Holy day in the yere wanteth one , and twise a weeke besides , for the exercise of yong preachers , declamations in matters of Diuinitie . For the tonges also ( notwithstanding so many their publike and priuate lessons and great vaunting of the same ) I would we might haue opportunitie to shew , whether they or we haue more commoditie of them , either to the knowledge of Diuinitie , or to the aduantage of our cause .

As for the Maisters and Professors of our Colleges , specially the Romane Readers ( of whom we may with better reason and respect of our shamefastnes speake , then of our owne here , whom yet I trust our Aduersaries shal find sufficient , when God shal put them to the proofe ) we may be bold to say , they be in al kind , the most choise and cunning men in Christendom , for vertue , learning , gouernement , and al education of youth : wherof would God our Nation at home might once take triall .

Now for that part of education which pertaineth to Christian life and maners : Exercises of religion and deuotion . because knowledge and learning be obtained specially by prayer and godly behauiour ( impure persons being not so apt to receiue and obey the faith ) our cheefe endeuour is in both the Colleges , to breede in our Scholers the feare of God , deuotion , and desire of saluation : Which is done by diuers spiritual exercises , as , daily examinations of their consciences , often Communicating or Receiuing the B. Sacrament , often confessing , much praying , continual hearing and meditation of holy things , deepe conceiuing and compassion of their Countries state , and danger of their deerest frendes soules . Al which things to tell in particular , were to long .

Neither this much would we haue said of such matters , had not our necessarie defense driuen vs therevnto . For which , and principally for the honour of God , and his Holinesse eternal commendation , we haue touched the maner of that education , which our Aduersaries haue persuaded her Highnes Councel , to be disagreable to Gods word : Humbly thanking our Lord God , that for our further warrant therein , he hath giuen to these endeuours such effect , that many haue found eternal good thereby in our Countrie : and that he neuer suffered any ( as far as we could perceiue , and do remember ) vouchsauing to conferre with vs one moneth , to go hence not persuaded and contended in conscience : though many yerely resort to both the Seminaries , either wholy doubtful , or plaine Protestants .

Whereby we find it certaine , that many a good soul perisheth in our Nation , onely for lacke of hearing and seeing the Catholike faith and practise therof . The sensible comfort wherof is so vnspeakable to al that truely do tast it , that our pouerty here , is Paradise to the good folkes that haue so long lacked such spiritual consolation , and been tied from the truth , lamenting their frendes miseries at home with these wordes of S. Augustine and the like : O custom of sinne , o cecitie of hart , the companion and punishment of sinne . Aug li. de duab . animab . c. 14. You once auerted vs from the consideration of so manifest things , but you did hurt vs when we had no feeling : Now you torment vs feeling , in our familiars that haue not yet the sense therof them selues . But giue eare and attention to your saluation , most deere frendes , whose wittes and capacitie we wel know : and to you we promise , that if you esteeme of vs your frendes as men of any conscience , reason , or common sense , these things be much more certaine , then those which we there at home seemed to learne , or rather by force were compelled to beleeue . De vtil. cred. c. 8. And againe with the wordes of the same holy Doctor to Honoratus his deceiued frende , If you thinke your selues sufficiently tossed and troubled , and wil haue an end of these trauailes , folow the way of the Catholike discipline , which descended from Christ him self by the Apostles euen vnto vs , and from hence shal descend to the posteritie .

❧ Of Priests and Iesuites , and for what cause they be sent into England . CHAP. VI.

THE last and most odious information giuen vp , not aginst vs onely , but his Holinesse , is , that Priests and Iesuites be by his , and his delegates special direction , sent into the Realme out of the Seminaries , not onely to deale with the Subiects in matters of religion and conscience , but to withdraw them from their obedience , and to moue them to attempt somewhat against the state .

Wherof that her Ma.tie and honorable Counsellers haue good care , it is most laudable and agreable to their lottes and high callings : but to haue feare and doubt , that such holy , peaceable , and sweete endeuours of most orderly and humble persons , should tend further then to the good of the peoples soules , that cometh of the Aduersaries vntrue suggestion . against which , our simple , sincere , and true declaration , grounded on most certaine knowledge of the writer hereof , and vpon authentical recordes , which he hath in his hand to shew when neede shal require , for full iustification of his owne and his brethrens actions and attempts herein , shal ( we trust ) preuail with al men of equitie and indifferencie .

Therfore we protest , The commission of the Iesuites and Priests in England . that neither the R. Fathers of the Societie of the holy name of Iesus , whom the people call Iesuites , ( an expresse clause being in the instructions of their mission into England , that they deale not in matters of state , which is to be shewed , signed with their late Generals hand of worthy memorie ) neither the Priests , either of the Seminaries or others , haue any commission , direction , instruction or insinuation , from his Holinesse , or any other their Superior , either in Religion or of the Colleges , to moue sedition or to deale against the state or temporal gouernement : but onely by their Priesthod and the functions therof , to do such dueties as be requisite for Christian mens soules , which consist in preaching , teaching , catechizing , ministring the Sacraments , and the like .

Neither doth the Pope conferre or communicate any exterior iurisdiction to Iesuite or Priest , either in the Realme , or to be sent thither , but onely giueth authoritie or iurisdiction in foro conscientie , in Court of conscience , to absolue the penitent people from their sinnes of what sort so euer , not schisme and heresie excepted . Which power of absoluing from sinne , can not proceede , by the law of God or nature , from the Queene , but must needes depend of the holy order of Priesthod , and must be holden in Capite ( so to speake in this kind ) of him , Cypt. ep. 55. ad Cor. nel . nu. 6. Leo ep. 89. to whom Christ gaue the first and most absolute power to bind and loose in al the earth , without exception of either England or Ireland , and without dependance of either King or Queene in the world , and in whom he founded the Church and the Priesthod of the same , and of whom al Prestly and Spiritual function after a sort is holden : though neither our Priests sent into England haue , or other alwaies neede to haue , expresse writings or comission special from him , to execute these holy actes of their order .

Neither do we suppose that any Priest sent from either of the Colleges , or from the Societie , hath any such special Bull from his Holinesse , not so much as to absolue : though they may do it , and ought to do it , by their order , and by due authoritie taken of their Superiors , and holden of the Pope as the supreme Power spiritual in the world .

But whether they execute those spiritual offices by a special Commission written or vnwritten , or no , this is certaine , that no such Commission , or any act executed by the same , conteineth or implieth , directly or indirectly , any commaundement or condition , that the parties absolued should forsake their obedience in Temporal causes to the Queene , as the matter seemeth to be mistaken , both in the Proclamation of Ianuarie , and in the second chapter of the actes of Parliament holden the 13. yere of her Ma.ties reigne . In which , though there be diuers pretended lawes , such as neuer Christian commonwealth before hath made ( the dangers and transgressions wherof it is hard for any Catholike man to escape , liue he neuer so orderly and obediently , except he would , to obey man , forsake God ) yet if vnder the name Forraine iurisdiction there abolished , the interiour power of the tribunal of God and conscience be implied also , which kind perchance in the Temporal law , is not properly termed Iurisdiction , but if that be implied also , it is a thing , in the face of God and his Church , more intolerable , and most disagreable to the Scriptures , made to draw matters of mere religion and conscience , Matters of religion called and made treason . to cases treasonable as they now speake : and the dueties done to God , to be vnduetifulnes and disobedience to the Prince .

Which is no newes to Gods Church and people , against whom al the persecutions that haue been raised in what age so euer , were so coloured . The case of Christes owne death , and of his Apostles , as before of his Prophets , and afterward of al his Martyrs almost , was for pretended treasons , seditions , disturbances , disobediences , and vnduetifulnes to the Emperours , Kings , and States temporal of the world : though in deede they committed nothing against the state or right of any Price or Countrie , but suffered for mere religion , which is not repugnant to any lawful earthly Politie .

Therfore what statutes so euer they make , so to draw our actions tending directly and onely to the aduancement of true religion in peaceable and Priestly sort : we protest before God , who shal discerne our cause , that they do vs the greatest wrong and violence that can be : and that to make such things treasons , or punishable as treasons , which haue no affinitie in nature and condition , by the law of God or Nations , Christian or Heathen , to the crime of Laesa Maiestas , or the Commonwealths disturbance , is but to seeke meanes to haue the bloud of innocent men , that neuer committed treasons nor trespasses against any Prince or Common-wealth : it is to make our liues and deaths odious , and the true causes therof vnknowen to the world , baptizing that by the name of treason and sedition , which is mere matter of religion , soul , and conscience .

What hath Masse , Matins , Confession , Absolution , beades , Agnusdeies , and other consecrated tokens of our communion with al the Churches of Christ through al ages , what affinitie haue they in nature with treason ? Stand they not in al Nations round about you with the high duety and loyaltie that belongeth to Princes ? is there any definition or description of that trespasse , which can of reason include the premisses , or proue them treasons ? And though the lawes may make things treason , which before were not , yet in making them so , consideration is alwaies had of the qualitie and condition of the faultes and offenses . For , as to make the saying of Diuine seruice after the rites of the Catholike Church , to be Simonie , vsurie , felony , or aduoutrie , were ridiculous and impossible : so it is impossible to make these matters of mere religion , in true and proper fense , the offense of treason or disloyaltie to the Prince or Commonwealth .

Neither doth euery commaundement of the Soueraine ( though in things lawful ) not fulfilled , make the offense treasonable : much lesse , either when it concerneth matters , merely repugnant to Gods word and our dueties to the Diuine Maiestie , as it did in Daniels and the Three childrens case : Dan. 3. or in causes not truely subiect to any temporal King or his lawes . For , if such a Prince should make the like law that Darius did , Dan. 6. That no man should pray to any God , other then him self , for certaine daies : al the lawes in the world can not make the refusant a traitour , nor bound to obey , more then Daniel was then : not onely because lawes euidently vniust and against God , may not be obeied : but for that the prayer to the true God , and seruing him , is not repugnant to any duety that the subiect oweth to his Soueraine , by Gods law or nature : and therfore can not be made treason in true and proper speach . The Churches holy Sacrifice , Seruice , and Sacraments , and consecration or blessing of creatures by the word of God and prayer , haue no qualitie or condition of treason or crime against the maiestie of the Prince , or the repose of the people .

But if in making such factes treason , the meaning be nothing els , but to make them punishable by death and otherwise , as treasons by the statutes of the Realme are and ought to be : then haue we the pitifullest iniurie in the world , that being no traitours in deede , yet we must suffer the ignominie and paines of treason : and so much the greater , that it is done by pretense of lawes , and publike authoritie , then if it were done ( as it hath been in Holland , Zeland , and some part of France ) by barbarous crueltie of Heretikes , the Prince and Commonwealth not agreing therevnto .

For it is a greuous sinne , and dishonorable , when a whole State agreeth vpon any iniquitie . And we think verily , God would haue taken vengeance vpon our poore Countrie , if her Ma.tie of great clemencie had not staied the execution of so vniust and intolerable disorders : though diuers mo then her Highnes knoweth of , haue fealt the extreme smart therof in most cruel sort : God turne his iust ire from vs for the same .

But seeing a staffe is easily found to beat a dogge , and with lions , eares be often hornes , and such cases of religion and conscience must needes be so extremely punished : Why do they reduce our offense rather to Treason , then to Heresie ? If our doctrine be wicked , our actions superstitious , our worship of God sacrilegious , idololatrical , or anywise vntrue or vnlawful : why are we not condemned of such crimes , rather then of treason or vnduetifulnes to our Prince ? for if they be faultes , they are directly against Gods honour , and but indirectly and consequently against the Prince .

But for the better enterance into Caluinisme , and entertaining the same , the old lawes peraduenture for punishing Heretikes , were repelled : or because they can not so easily determine , whether we be Heretikes , or our Aduersaries , who haue been dubbed with that name so long by the lawes both spiritual and temporal of al Christian countries , which also yeld vs ( the Protestants making no great claime therevnto ) both the name of Catholike , which with S. Cont. ep. Fund . c. 4. Augustine weighed so much , and al the properties and prescriptions of truth therevnto belonging : therfore they thought it a neerer way to make vs traitours , then Heretikes , and to punish vs for pretensed sedition and conspiracie , then for errour in doctrine , or heresie . Wherein , though they haue giuen authoritie to the Court of Parliament , to determine together with their Conuocation of the Clergie , what is an errour or an heresie : yet it is not like they wil agree of any such thing shortly .

This also being a common thing in times of errour and disorder , to make the fault committed , or said to be committed against the Prince , greater and more punishable , then the offense done directly against God : against the Common . wealth , them against the Church : against the body , them against the soul : more a do about Caesars tribute , then Gods due : as both in al other things , and in the very title of Supremacie is plaine . Where the superiority Temporal hath the first place and preeminence , and the Spiritual is but accessorie , wholy vpholden and directed by the other , as wel for the right of the thing , as for the exercise of iurisdiction agreable therevnto .

And in that case it must needes so be : the crowne being not a spiritual dignitie , but a temporal : the person of a Prince not spiritual , but temporal : the Realme not a spiritual Commōwealth , but a temporal : the Parliament not a spiritual Court , but a temporal ▪ the statutes not spiritual lawes , but temporal : Or if not al these wholy and soly temporal , yet al these more temporal then spiritual : which our Aduersaries them selues can not with any reason deny .

So that in such Countries and lawes , we can expect no other , but that al our spiritual endeuours misliked of the State , must needes , against Gods lawes and mans , be violently drawen to treasons and trespasses temporal ( which , be they lawful or vnlawful , be euidently mere spiritual ) first to be condemned by their Clergie , of errour , or heresie , and then to be punished by the temporal lawes , if they had any standing in force against such offenses .

Therefore in al these cases pretended treasonable , we for our selues and our brethren , by S. Act. 24. Paules example ( who being charged before the ciuil Magistrate , of conspiracie and il demeanour towardes his Countrie , protested that he was iudged concerning the Resurrection , a question in religion , and not for sedition or concourse in tumultes ) do crie to God and al Christian people , The Catholikes of England suffer for Religion . which behold our afflictions and sufferings : that it is for religion , for our fathers faith and spiritual inheritance , for the seruing of God in the maner of al Catholike Prouinces , and not for treason , or disobedience to her Ma.ties temporal lawes , or the Realmes .

We haue not committed any other treasons , neither haue the Fathers or Priests seruing God in our Countrie , done any other trespasses toward the Realme or Prince , then are done by the same endeuours , in any other Nation either Christian or Heathen . No commission haue they or authoritie to absolue ( whatsoeuer it be , or in what forme so euer , written , or by word of mouth ) that implieth any more special clauses of treason to the Prince there , then they do in al other through the world , graunted or vsed in the like cases .

Our holy Apostle S. S. Augustine our Apostle had his commission also from Rome , and from Pope Gregorie . Augustine came to our Countrie ( then wholy in maner heathen ) with the like , and no lesse authoritie , to conuert the Prince and people to the faith : with order , there to preach the same doctrine that the Catholike fathers and Priests now do , no whit altered since then , vntil this day : to minister the Sacraments in the same sort as they do , as by the recorde of S. Bed . hist. li. 1. c. 25. Bedes historie and other , appeareth : Who entered in with Crosse , Christes image , and Litanies , much more openly then ours do now : professed to come from Pope Gregorie the first , to a Pagan people , which is now so heinous a matter for vs to do , from Gregorie the xiij , Halowed tokens . to a Christian Countrie : brought giftes from him to our King and Queene , Grego . li. 9. ep. 60. euen such like consecrated tokens , Bed . hist. li. 1. c. 22. as now can not be had , or brought in , without death and treason .

Which consecrated creatures , Augu. & Paulin. ep. 31. 34. 35. or the like , Leo ep. 72. though they were in vse in al antiquitie ( not onely among the simple people , Grego . li. 2. ep. 72. 86. li. 3. ep. 30. li. 5. ep. 6. li. 7. ep. 53. 126. ind. 2. as the Aduersaries would make the world thinke , but with the best learned ) and are great helpes to deuotion , and special badges of our Catholike communion one with an other : Let the good Readers that vnderstand latin , see these places here quoted . yet not being so necessarie as to incurre the extreme rigor of lawes therfore , or to bring our Catholike frendes into peril for them , we haue tempered the affection and zeale of some Priests and yong gentlemen ( otherwise most commendable ) al that we could possibly , requiring them to carie rarely and sparingly such things with them : that the forces of our patience and sufferance may be entiere and whole for such brunts as may fall vnto vs and our brethren , in matters of greater importance for our faith and saluation : though he be happie that dieth for the lest moment of our Catholike religion .

But to passe that point , such things were sent from S. Gregorie the Great , the famous Doctor , to our Princes and people then : such authoritie from him had S. Augustine then : in such sort he preached and ministred the Sacraments , as we do now : it was no treason , it was no seditious practise : it had a blessed , honorable , and gratious effect in vs : it was the beginning of our Christianitie , euen the same Christianitie which is of al Nations , and which hath bredde and brought furth al our Princes , Priests , and people , and al this goodly forme of Commonwealth , which our forefathers left vs .

This same commission , The Iesuites commission and trauail for the conuerting of Countries . end , and intentions , haue the fathers of the Societie in al other Countries whither they be sent by their Superiors , through the whole world . By which they haue ( our Lord Iesus giuing grace and force of word , worke , and miracle , to their godly and heroical endeuours ) in the zeale of Gods house , and incomparable loue of soules , for which our Sauiour gaue his pretious bloud , entered into the extreme partes of the world , almost through al the East Indes , and most barbarous Countries , and haue conuerted diuers mightie Princes , with their prouinces and peoples , and innumerable persons in other Kingdoms besides ( where the whole state yet yeldeth not ) vnto the faith of Christ , euen the same Catholike , Apostolike , Romane faith , that we and al Nations are named Christians by .

In the like spirit haue they passed into the west Indes , to the gaine of millions of soules , with infinite perils of the iourney , both by sea and land , most long and dangerous : diuers of them intercepted by Heretikes , by the Heathen , by Pirates , and many martyred , many brought to captiuitie , many languishing away by the vnacquainted sauage diet , or disagreing of the aire , and many , by other accidents .

To those places they go yerely with the same obedience , the same commission , the same intention , that they come now to England : they neuer committed reason , nor disquieted the state where they come : the preaching of the Catholike religion , and ministring the holy Sacraments , being not coumpted of any of those peoples , seditious attempts , as being done without concourse of people : no , nor when it is with concourse of peaceable , poore , simple , vnlearned men and wemen , seruing God in Christian maner .

They be sent to diuers Prouinces and cities throughout al Germanie , Bohemia , Austria , Polonia , Transsyluania , Suetia , Dalmatia , and many other Countries diuersly affected in religion , no lesse then ours , with no other charge , purpose , or commission , then they are come to England : none of al those states ( though by the endeuours of Protestants , the good fathers haue been endangered , and molested many waies ) fearing their endeuours to be pernicious , but finding them daily more and more , to be most profitable , beneficial , and agreable to the preseruation of their Commonwealths and Countries .

And they are receiued not onely into these partes aforesaid , Their teaching of al good learning , and other great bene fires to the Church , Princes , and Cōmonweales . for reclaiming the deceiued soules from Paganisme and heresie , to the vnitie of Christes catholike Churh againe : but also for their exemplar life , and vertue , for their exceding exercise , diligence , and dexteritie in the education of youth , both in pietie and knowledge , for their great learning , and discretion , and for other their rare graces of Gods spirit , they are vsed to the maruelous benefite of the Church , as wel by his Holinesse , as other greatest Princes of Christendom , for their preachers , confessors , spiritual counselers , professors in their Vniuersities , reformers of the decated maners of al sortes , and most exquisite Maisters of al religion , deuotion , and true worship of God .

These mens order in deede , and rule of life , is new , but their faith and doctrine , is the same that our forefathers and al the Church had , and hath . They are hated of Heretikes , Ep. 80 ad D. Augu. which S. Hierom coumpteth a singular glorie . for , those holy fathers which were raised of God to combate with Heretikes of old , were hated as these be now , sent to repaire the ruines of Luther , and Caluin , and the rest . But would God our people were so happie , as to haue full proofe of their giftes and qualities : that so they might see and feele , that they are sent to bring saluation , rest and peace of conscience , and not disquietnes to their Countrie .

Alas poore men , these same few that you there haue , might as wel haue been sent to the Indes , or to any part of Turky or Heathenesse , if it had been their lotte , and their Superiors commaundement , as wel as to you . For thither they go with no more danger then to England , and euery way with like good wil , and hourely expectation of death . Which , for the gaine of one soul , they coumpt the greatest vantage in earth . They are sent to the Heathen , to tell them , there is no saluation without Christ : they are sent to the English , to tell them , there is no saluation without the Catholike Church . Whether they die for the one , or for the other , al is one matter to them .

This worke then haue they to do , and must not cease from the same for any feare of mortal man , no danger of death , or what distresse so euer may fall : which they coumpt in such a case , the next reward to heauen it self , and most ioyfully choose to accept it , though for to do their dueties the longer , they will not wilfully runne vpon it .

We therfore , seeing both before , and now these late daies , some euen of our Countrie sent to the Indes : motion was made to their Superiors , that those of our Nation might rather be employed vpon their owne Countries : where vnto after good deliberation they did most charitably condescend , much moued by the example and profitable endeuours of the Priests of both the Colleges , and other learned men at home and in banishment , whom they knew so willingly to sustaine both prisonments and death for the same , with vnspeakable alteration in few yeres of wonderful numbers to the liking and embracing of the Catholike faith .

And to tell you al , The zeale of the Iesuites strangers , and their desire to be sent into England . when it was once secretly bruted among the Fathers ( whom men call Iesuites ) that hereafter some of the Order were like to be deputed in times and seasons , for England , it is incredible to tell ( but before Christ it is true ) how it was sued and sought for , of diuers principal learned men , strangers , no lesse then of our owne , vpon their knees , with tears and affection exceding extraordinarie : that they might haue the lotte , either to dispute with the Protestants in their Vniuersities , or to die for the profession and preaching of their faith , in so noble a Countrie , which they pitied to see deceiued with so improbable and barbarous heresie .

Yea diuers learned men strangers , neither Iesuites nor Priests , seing also at the same time , The zeale of other learned strangers for the conuersion of England . the Scholers of the English Colleges giue their promis and profession so promptly and zelously , to suffer whatsoeuer , for their poore Countries and parents saluation , and for the same , to be made Priests , with out expectation of wordly preferment or honour ( giuen heretofore , and now alwaies due to that order , in al good Commonweales ) but with certaine knowledge of hatred , disgrace , rebuke , and perhaps death thereby : herevpon ( I say ) the said strangers were much inflamed to hazard their person in the same spiritual aduenture , and made great sure to certaine that had the doing in those matter , with manifold persuasions that so it might be . And being told , that the dealing in England ( in such cases specially ) for strangers was much harder , then in the Heathen Countries , where there were no such exquisite lawes against religion , as in the Countries reuolted : they replied , that they had no feare of dangers , nor deaths , nor miseries whatsoeuer , but that they would sell their owne persons to any seruitude , and for what worke so euer : either in Vniuersities , that they so might deale with scholers , or otherwise to learne the language , thereby to practise with the people for their saluation for , hauing had that intention of long , either toward Turky , or other Pagan places , now our mindes , said they , are excedingly set vpon English soules , whom S. Gregorie so many hundred yeres agoe pitied with like compassion .

But hauing so many of our owne Nation inflamed with the like holy desires , not onely in the two Colleges wholy bent and ordained therevnto , but in the Societie aforesaid , and in diuers Vniuersities , where there be many learned of our Nation in banishment ready to help vs in this haruest , besides the great numbers that already are within the Realme : it was not thought needful nor meete , easily to admitte the said strangers , for this time : but rather to employ our owne , of the said Colleges specially , and of the Societie of Iesus .

Into which order , Many English men enter into the Societie of Iesus . because it is most agreable to the Churches and our Countries seruice in this time , diuers of our Nation of al sortes haue yelded them selues , and now the rather , for that they trust to be rather employed vpon their owne Countrie , then vpon the Indes or other Nations in like distresse . Trusting that so these companies , with the help of our zelous Countriemen in many places both at home and abrode , shal be able to supply al wants that may fall in England from time to time , by the deaths , executions , or enprisonments , of such as now be , or hereafter shal be , by what extremitie so euer , restrained from the worke of our Lord .

For , these late terrours ( thankes be to God ) trouble them so litle , Priests sue to be sent into England , and other to be made Priests , notwithstanding al terrours . that diuers straight vpon the arriual here in Rhemes of the late Proclamation of Ianuarie , came to their Superiors , to desire leaue to go in : and being answered that the times were not seasonable , they said , it was no Godamercie for a Priest to enter in at other times , but that they were brought vp and made specially for such daies : and nineteene persons , the same weeke folowing , tooke holy Orders . Such is their desire : but for their going in , they shal be moderated as reason requireth .

The principal point is , that they be not ( God be praised ) much afraid of death or danger in so happie and honorable a quarel , and many desire Martyrdom , if god shal so dispose : by which we euer gaine more to Gods Church , then by any office of our life : and bloud voluntarily yelded , crieth forcibly for mercie toward our Countrie . Thus the Church stood and increased in most places of the world , for some hundred yeres after Christ together , Ezech. 16. the Prophete forwarning it , that it should liue in bloud .

If our Countrie yeld vs no succour for feare of mans lawes , God that hath fedde vs these 20 yeres , wil not forsake vs . If frendes and parentes must giue vs no releefe , Ep. 56. ad Apron . we say with S. Hierom , It is better to begge bread , then to leese faith . And being the Churches orphans , Luc. 9. we shal liue of the twelue baskets of the broken meates , remayning of the loaues and fishes miraculously multiplied by Christ , to feede his folowers into the desert . For , these fragments are not yet spent , but dure to the worlds end , for the sustenance of the desolate that depend vpon our Lord . Draw from vs whatsoeuer they can or wil , our affections and offices towardes them shal be doubled . If houses must not receiue vs , dennes , and deserts , and grottes shal be our harbour . If we can not make our abode in certaine places , we will not be ashamed to be , or so to be called of our Aduersaries , vagarant persons : seing of our betters in the like case the Apostle saith , Heb. 11. They had trial of mockeries and stripes , of bands also and prisons : they were stoned , they were hewed , they were tempted , they died in the slaughter of the sword , they went about in sheepeskinnes , in goatskinnes , needy , in distresse , afflicted , of whom the world was not worthie , wandering in deserts , in mountaines and dennes , and caues of the earth . And the Apostles them selues esteemed it no reproche to say , 1. Cor. 4. Vntil this houre we do both hunger , and thirst , and are vagarants .

Howbeit we doubt not ( though thus the enimie would haue it , Marke this al ye blessed folke , that entertaine and releeue Gods Priests . and this we hope patiently to beare for the saluation of our deerest Countriemen ) but there wil be left many thousands , whose harts , bowels , and doores shal be open to vs in our Lord , notwithstanding what lawes of man so euer : there wil be alwaies that wil rather hazard their liues and goods with holy Tobie , Tob. 1. then see their innocent brethren vnharboured , or vnburied .

Some good Sunamite wil prepare a poore chamber , 4. Reg. 4. bed , stoole , and candelsticke , for the trauailed Priests of God . Some wil rather harken to our Sauiours admonition saying , Mat. 10. He that receiueth a Prophete in the name of a Prophete , a iust man in the name of a iust man , and ( as S. Marke speaketh ) Because he is Christes , Marc. 9. shal receiue a reward accordingly , then to mans edictes , against the receiuing of the faithful afflicted . And if death be threatened by man , to such as receiue and succour them : our Lord on the otherside , Mat. 10. denounceth his vae and vengeance to the refusers of them , Luc. 10. in as large wise as to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha

Some good Onesiphorus wil refresh vs , 2. Tim. 1. and embrace our chaines , to obtaine mercie of our Lord for him self , his familie and posteritie after him . Act. 16. God wil moue the keepers of our persons in prison , as he did often in the like times of old . England can not lacke Albans , whose Protomartyr being of that name ( that famous S. Bed . hist. Angl. li. 1 . c.7 . Alban , blessed in heauen and earth therfore for euer ) suffered , and offered him self to the persecutors , to saue his Christian guest a Clergie man , that lay secrete in his house .

We can not feare , we neede not doubt : it soundeth in euery Catholikes care now night and day , Luc. 12. Feare not them that kil the body , and further are not able to do : but feare ye him , who after he hath killed , hath power to cast both body and soul into hel fyre . Thousands daily lying on their death beddes , and departing , in our Countrie , can not be afraid of mans offense or indignation , that must within few'weekes , daies , or howers , be cited before Gods throne , and be exempted from these mortal feares : such wil be glad of necessarie Sacraments and comforts of conscience , for which they would giue al the lands in the world .

Yea the lay people of al sortes , learned and vnlearned , noble and meane , rich and poore man and woman , are as ready often to suffer for Christ and his Church , as the Priest or Bishop , euerlasting thankes and praise be to God : who also wil continually through the prayers of the faithful ( as we verily trust ) indue her Ma.ties hart with pitie and compassion of her owne subiectes afflicted , for no treasons or vnlawful attempts , but merely for their faith and conscience , which cometh vnto them by so good warrant and authoritie , that they can not put it of by no earthly feare , force , or persuasion .

Much lesse wil any Catholike ( we hope ) be ashamed of the rebukes and contumelies which we suffer for the same , the cause being Christes , who suffered many mo before vs . And because one special reproch giuen vs , pertaineth not to our persons , but to the whole order of Priesthod : we may be bold to adde a word or two for our defense , specially concerning that terme , Massing Priests . Massing Priests . whereby the new pulpits ( the very chaires of the skorneful ) merily or mockingly often call vs and our brethren . Ps. 1.

Which name yet , giuen vs also in publike writing of authoritie , is not doubtles of skornefulnes , which must needes be far from the enditers of such things : but , as we take it , for distinction and difference betwixt vs Catholike and in deede onely Priests , and the other of the new creation , whom the people , for some resemblance of their actions in the ministerie , to the wonted celebration of diuine things , often call Priests . though the Protestants list not so to be called , as in deede the Ministers can not of right haue any such calling , hauing no more power , right , or authoritie to minister any Sacrament ( other then Baptisme , which in some cases wemen also may do ) then they haue to make a new moone or an other sunne . The Apostles them selues , and ancient fathers of al ages , were Masse Priests .

The Church of God knoweth no other Priests , neither hath Christ instituted any other order of Priests , Iren. li c. 32. Cyp ep. 63. ad Cae●●l . but of these whom contemptuously they call Masse Priests . It is that sort , and none other , Chry. ho. 12. in ep. ad Heb. Amb● . in p● . 38 post med. to which our Sauiour gaue power to consecrate his body and bloud , and offer the same , which is , to say Masse .

The first holy Councel of Nice , Cap. 14. to which our Protestants would seeme to attribute something , knew none but such offerers , or sacrificing , that is , Massing Priests . S. Hierom , himself also of the same order , honoured no other , nor knew no other , but Masse-Priests , whose special functions he maketh euen these two , which our Priests namely seeke to excercise to the saluation of their brethren , and which two be specially forbidden , and most punishable by the late lawes of the Realme . Ep. 1. ad Heliod . God forbid , saith he , I should speake any thing amisse of them , When Leo the Great ( ep. 81. c. 2. ) tooke order , for saying mo Masses then one , in a day , in one Church : were thei not Masse Priests , that said those Masses ? who succeding into the Apostles degree , with sacred mouth make our Lordes body , by whom we also are Christians : who hauing the keies of the kingdom of heauen ▪ iudge after a sort before the day of iudgement .

These lo are your Masse-Priests , whose harbouring is so dangerous , whose absolution is so traiterous , whose sacred ioyntes , without respect of honour dew to the order , or to degree of learning , or gentrie , are racked sometimes almost to death .

Li. 5. ep. 33. S. Ambrose was a Masse-Priest , testifying of him self , that he offered Sacrifice and said Masse , euen in that plaine terme . Ep. 5. S. Cyprian acknowledgeth the Priests of his time to haue offered or sacrificed , yea euen in prisons , in times of persecution : which is a great comfort and warrant for vs in these miseries , to do the like , as long as God shal suffer it . He was a Masse priest , De ciu. li. 22. c. 8. that S. Augustine sent to do sacrifice in a house infested with euil spirits . Li 10. Confes . c. 12. 13. They were Masse priests , that did sacrifice at the burial of his mother , and the rest whom he desireth to remember his fathers and mothers soules at the holy alter . They were Masse priests , of whom Eusebius writeth , In vit. Const. li. 4. c. 45. That they pacified the diuine Maiestie with vnblouddy sacrifices and mystical consecrations . The high dignitie of Priesthod set forth in the noble worke of the same title , Chrysoft . De sacerdotio . by S. Chrysostom , is specially there commended for those two points , for which ours now is condemned : that is , for the high supereminent power of doing the vnblouddy sacrifice vpon the alter , and for the authoritie of remitting sinnes . See his notable places for the same , and thou shalt not doubt but that Priests with him , were no other then Masse-priests .

To be short , he and al the other fathers , both Greeke and Latin , were Masse priests , none being euer made but for that purpose principally : In 1. Tim. 4. S. Ambrose testifying , that to take the order of Priesthod , which he calleth with the Apostle , Imposition of hands , is to receiue authoritie to offer sacrifice to God in our Lords steede .

And as for S. Gregorie the Great , Greg li. 2. ep. 9. 93. li. 7. ep. 63. ind. 2. li. 11. ep. 17. Ad. 3 , interrog. August . who knoweth not that he was a Masse-priest , who hath the very word , the maner , and the partes therof so expresly in his Epistles : who sent al holy furniture and ornaments for the same to our B. Bed . li. 1. hist c. 26. 29. Apostle S. Augustine , him self also without controuersie a Masse-priest ? Such were our Countriemen , Venerable Bede , and before him Gildas surnamed the Wise , and whoso euer els in al our Churches stories , of that calling , al were Masse priests : as , the honorable Prelates , founders of so many goodly Colleges , the authors of so many noble workes , Counselers to so many her Ma.ties noble progenitors : breefely al the ancient fathers of our faith , were Masse-Priests .

And when this , sometime so honorable and so general , is now turned into contumelie , and made punishable by lawes : wo be to our sinnes , and Christ haue mercie on their miseries that see not their owne damnable condition . for whom the Priests sacrifice , and prayers are so much more necessarie , the lesse sense them selues haue of their owne pitiful state .

And a thousand times happie be they , that either are so bold and zealous of their soules health and their deerest , to seeke or accept the necessarie offices of this Priesthod , with what wordly danger so euer : or that feele the lacke therof , Want of Priests a lamentable thing . and expresse their sorowes for want therof , in such wordes or sense as the people of Afrike once did , when their Bishops and Priests were caried away from them into banishment , in the persecution of the Arians , as Victor writeth Li. 2. de vans ▪ pers. To whom , say they , do you leaue vs desolate ? Who shal now baptize these poore babes ? who shall loose vs of our sinnes by pardon and reconciliation ? Who shal prescribe vs penance for our offenses past ? For to you it was said , whatsoeuer you loose in earth , shal be likewise loosed tn heauen . Who shal burie vs when we die , with solemne prayers ? Who shal exhibite the accustomed tite of the diuine Sacrifice ?

S. Ep. 180 Augustine also doth liuely describe the miserable desolation and distresses of faithful people , by the absence of their Priests , both for want of other needeful dueties , and specially of the consecration and communication of our Lordes body , and reconcilement by penance and absolution .

Without which later , because none can come to saluation that is fallen after Baptisme , he saith , the sorow of their frendes being sure to lacke their companie in heauen , must needes be exceding great , and therfore notably discourseth of the cases , that Priests and Pastors may not forsake their flockes for what danger so euer , wherof we neede not speake at this time .

It is ynough , that the good Reader seeth , what kind of Priests they be , that now be persecuted , contemned , and condemned : and into what miserable ter.mes we be fallen , that that should now be coumpted seditious , traiterous , and pernicious to Christian peoples and states , that once , and alwaies before our daies , was deemed of al good men , and learned , and wise , and by the lawes of al Christian Nations , so soueraine , holy , and needeful .

But they wil say vnto vs , how so euer the matter be in it self , or was iudged in old time , now the case is altered : such men and such doings can not stand with our state . But ( alas ) who hath brought the state and forme of our Commonwealth into these straites , that it can not stand with that Priesthod , with that seruice of God , with that faith , with that regiment , that al our auncestours , al Catholike Countries , al Princes and peoples haue passed in , with grace and glorie , so many worldes together ?

Were we the doers , the causers , the mouers ? If there be any perils feared or foreseen by the wise , in the middes of the greatest calme that our Countrie hath had these many ages : which way , and by whom come they ? Is our doctrine seditious ? be Catholikes by nature or profession , vnquiet persons ? are they desirous of disorder , chaunge , and noueltie : or wearie of peace , order , and antiquitie ? are they libertines , despisers of authoritie , seekers of spoile , sacke , and garboil ? are they giuen to sacrilege , to irreligiositie , Epicurisme , Sadducisme , or Atheisme ?

Looke what maner of people , Catholikes , peaceable and orderly : and what conditioned men folow the other sectes , so many , Ptotestants licentious , feditious , and rebellious , out of measure . and so strange , as both our Countrie and other places haue lately brought forth : and compare their life , their lightnes , their inconstancie , their promptnesse to disorder , disobedience , licentiousnes , noueltie , mutabilitie , and hauocke of the world : compare them ( I say ) to the constancie , grauitie , patience , peaceable , ciuil , and sweete behauiour of such as be enclined to the Catholike religion in euery Countrie . See , I pray thee , benigne Reader , take paines to looke about thee these thirtie yeres compasse onely , both at home and abrode , whether Protestants , or Catholikes , haue oftener attempted , by armes or other forcible waies , such alterations as they haue desired : whether sort , either by preaching , writing , or persuasion , haue oftener stirred the people to mutinies , murmurations , and commotions , against their Prince or State .

That mortal men ( and specially Communities ) should for discontentments and manifold accidents of humane infirmitie , and great variety of humors , mindes , and manners , sometimes fall to mutinies , no man can maruel , reading the stories not onely of the Heathen , but euen of the people of God , whiles they were guided by Moyses and Aaron through the wildernesse , as afterward often , when they were come to rest in their promised land : and of the Catholike Christian people , These , for some one of their Pastors , and because they would not yeld to the Emperour so much as one Chur. that sometimes by force and tumults haue sought to defend their faith , and their Bishops , namely S. Athanasius , S. Chrysostom , S. Ambrose , and others : which the said fathers had much a do to represse .

That the Catholike part of England ( to say the least ) equal , ch in the whole citie of Milan , for the Arians : ( Ambr. li. 5. ep. 33 ) . excepting the Princely authoritie , to the other , being in their conscience , goods , estimation , and libertie , which ours did not , for all their Bishops taken from them at once , nor for al the Churches in the Realme , deliuered to the Protestants in one day . so much in deede , or in their owne conceites , distressed for religion , should ( not al neither , but some few Noblemen and Gentlemen , not al for religion neither , though al pretended it ) once take armes these 23 yeres , in the most seditious daies that euer the Christian world had : and Ireland likewise once , where this new Sect hath euer in maner wholy stood against the streame : can it be to any man maruelous , or could it be to wise men vnlooked for ? or were it possible that so many yeres could haue passed with so litle contradiction or opposition of Protestants , if the state had been against them , and they of such numbers and callings , as the Catholikes were and are in the said Dominions ?

Compare to these two commotious , the furious attempts of most barbarous rebellions of Caluinists or Protestants , in Scotland , Their rebellions in France , Flanders , Scorland , England . Flanders , and France , against their natural Princes , to the ruine and desolation of the greatest partes of those noble Countries . Yea , if you list not go from home , call at the least to your remembrances , into what hazards the scepter and crowne of Queene Marie , and consequently of her Ma.tie that nowe is , came by the Protestants , both in the said Queenes reigne , and specially vpon the death of King Edward the sixt : when they attempted by armes vnnaturally to haue thrust out of the Regal throne , both the one and the other , Zuinglian Bishops and Clergie conuicted of treason . their Zuinglian Bishops and Clergie not onely subscribing to the treasons , but preaching diuers traiterous and seditious sermons at London , and in the Vniuersities , and other famous places of the Realme , against both their royal persons , and contributing and setting out souldiars to the maintenance of the same rebellion : for which , some of the cheefe of them were conuicted by the high Court of Parliament , of treason : and the principal of that conspiracie ( otherwise a right worthie and noble Gentleman ) being afterward executed for the same , confessed at the houre of his death , that al that , and other late mischeefes and miseries of the Real me , proceded of heresie and forsaking the vnitie of the Catholike Church this they did then .

And afterward , their felowes being fled to Geneua and other places , ceased not to moue hostilitie both abrode and at home , against the Realme , as short a while as they were absent , Their traiterous and seditious bookes . sundrie waies : and caused , by the allowing and consent of Caluin and Knokes ( the two fannes of sedition and calamitie of France and Scotland ) an abominable treatise to be published , against the regiment of wemen : at once to defeat the Queene that then was , her sister that now is , the Q. of Scotland , and consequently the whole rase of renowmed Henry the seuenth .

And what shal I speake of the Puritans late malapert and seditious booke against her Ma.ties honorable intentions , and against her next neighbour and fre-end , a principal Peere of Christendom ?

Or of the diuers pestilent bookes , set out these late yeres in french and other languages , against the persons of sundrie Princes and Potentates of Christendom : vttering and amplifying in particular , most barbarously , their open or secrete faultes , and feyning many crimes neuer committed , to alter their subiects affection from them , and so to prepare their hartes to rebellion against them : a popular practise , most common now in the world among Protestants , as it alwaies hath been a meane to aduance sedition , none euer intending commotion or alteration , either in the Church or Commonwealth , not vsing the same ?

Which kind of inhumane , irreligious , and vnciuil dealing , vsed by Heretikes , first against Popes and other principal persons of the Clergie , to induce the people to their contempt , being not duely punished by the temporal Magistrate , but either winked at , liked , or of hatred to the order and of pollicy procured : is now vsed for like purposes towards Kings and Queenes also , that be subiect to sinnes , and the sight of the world , and yeld matter to slaunderous tonges and pennes as wel as Popes and Prelates do : and wil hazard al the Commonwealths that suffer it .

It is no good , Slaunderous reportes and infamous libels against Princes and cities , vnseemly and intolerable . graue , nor Christian gouernement , to suffer a ribald to open in booke or pulpit , to the people whose eares itch for such sport , against Superiors of al states , the particular faultes , either feyned ( as they be commonly ) or taken vp by hearesy , or in deede committed , of Prelates , Princes , or peoples of other Nations .

If there were some Italian or English fugitiue , that would take vpon him in Rome to make a preach before the Prelates or citizens there , of al the sinnes donne in the Court , or in London , or by the Noblemen them selues , or in their houses , or through the Realme , and not onely what is in deede committed , but what malice and impudencie may forge to be done : should such a monster ( trow ye ) be heard of honorable or honest men there , or escape the coarde or galleies ? No doubtles , none could be suffered so to do against any Prince , famous citie , or Nation , Catholike or Protestant , in the world , without iust correction .

And yet ( alas ) in our Countrie , men make sport , or rather a solemne act of it : and that is thought not vnworthy to be spoken in pulpits , and afterward published , and printed , which neither the Old Comedie , nor Pasquino , nor any ruffian or Carneuall-youth in Rome , would speake without a visard . England much altered from our forefathers grauitie , by the new preaching . So are the manners and grauity of our forefathers altered , by this new preach , into Chans conditions , detraction and malediction euen of Gods Priests and the Princes of the people , Act. 23. which the Apostle taught vs by his owne most humble example , ought not to be vsed , no not towards such as haue but the name and resemblance of true Priests , and which S. Ep. Iudae v. 9. Iude by the fact of S. Michael proueth , should not be vsed to the Diuel himself .

Oh what a dis honour is it to our noble Countrie , that can heare and beare such wicked slaunderers , returning home from honorable States , Cities , and Cōmonweales , and vttering nothing , but onely filthy , false , and reprochful matter against them ! And how great a shame and iniquity is it , that men borne in a civil Countrie , can trauail so far , The guise or fashion of profane Pilgrimes and lewd trauailers . and into such renowmed places , Churches , and states , and find nothing , nor bring home to their freendes any thing , but filth and ribauldry .

Which kind of men , are like vnto one that should go to take the sight and vewe of some Princely palace or citie , and when he cometh there , neuer looketh on the ma.tie , magnificence , beauty , commodity , order , gouernement , iustice , or other such things : neuer asketh for the wise , the godly , the learned , and the like , for which the places be notorious : but onely runneth to the channels , sinkes , gutters , iakes , dunghils , and other stinking offices of mans infirmities , and acquainteth him self onely with the blacke guard , and other of abiect seruices , and returneth with outcry , that nothing is found there but stinke and lothsomnes .

Euen such in good sooth are these vnhonest Pilgrimes , that as soon as they arriue in any famous citie , seeke not after any things of excellent fame for vertue , learning , regiment , religion , deuotion : but according to their owne tast , hunt after nothing , aske for nothing , but where the Stewes be , who frequent them , what crimes , iniquities , or disorders haue been done in them , what vices the Princes or Priests are giuen to : and so partly of that they find , partly of that they feyne , partly of that they borow of wanton Poetes , and partly of that which holy men haue of zeale and charitie reprehended , they make vp a fardel of malicious slaunders and detractions of Popes and Princes , and vtter such seemly wares in their seditious sermons . Wherein for al that , how spitefully so'euer they speake against such persons , in effect commonly they say nothing of importance against them , that hath any shew of truth , or iust cause of blame , in the sight of any wise indifferent man .

But these be the disordered and shameful meanes of Protestants in these daies , to preferre their rebellions against both the spiritual and temporal Gouernours : besides the horrible designements of their Caluinistical Consistories , pretented Synodes , and Prophecyings , in diuers Countries , al tending directly to pernicious innouations .

Compare nowe these factes , and other the perilous treacheries done against the repose of al Realmes round about , and you shal wel perceiue the attempts of the other side , to be sport and pastime in any wise mans iudgement , of what religion so euer he be , to the implacable fiercenes and furie of the other , a people by this new no religion made most brutish , conscienceles , restles , and that wil hazard al the Kingdoms of the world , before it be filled with bloud and spoile , except God preuent the matter with his mercie , and reduce al men to the obedience of his Catholike Church and their Princes againe .

And for the present troubles in Ireland , Ireland . which now namely seeme to giue some cause of doubt , that our brethrens intentions may be against the state , no lesse then for the preferment of the Catholike faith : most sure it is , and of certaine knowledge the writer hereof protesteth , that they neither were nor could be acquainted otherwise therwith , then by the common brute of the world .

If the Pope haue any part in those affaires , assure your selues , their elders ( which of reason should rather know it ) neither by his Holines mouth nor any of his ministers , in the time of those Students being in Rome , heard so much . And therfore to racke those poore innocent persons , and to wreast out of them Princes secrets , wherof there can be no reason that they should be partakers , is a lamentable and rare case in our Countrie , specially in the clement reigne of her Maiestie .

Imagine ye the Italian gouernement , and specially the Papacie , to be so discretely menaged , that euery poore Priest or scholer in the citie knoweth the Popes secrets ? No no , Christ doth know it , and he shall one day open their innocencie , and iudge their cause and ours , who , as we shal then answer before him , neither knew then , nor now know any intentions of Pope or Princes , concerning such things as are conteined in the Articles of the pretended confederacie , mentioned in the Proclamation of the 15 of Iulie , as more largely we haue declared before .

As that also , which the late relapsed Minister lewdly reported in open pulpit and printed booke , that the Excommunication of the Queene should be published here in our College of Rhemes , and set on the postes and publike places of this citie , we protest to be an impudent vntruth and slaunder : wherof the whole towne will beare vs witnes . and euery wise man might easily discouer that caluminious fiction , because in the dominions of his Ma.tie most Christian , we neither could nor durst do any such thing . So that by this one thing so maliciously feyned , al sincere and indifferent men may deeme of the rest of his hearesaies and sightes at Rome , as of impudent lies and slaunders .

Humbly therefore we desire , for the honour of God , her Ma.ties wise and graue Counselers , not to conceiue vpon such base felowes contriued calumniations , otherwise of our doings and our brethrens , either at home or abrode , then as of men most obediently , duetifully , and naturally affectioned to her Ma.tie , to their Honours , and our deerest Countrie , so far euer , as shal stand with our subiection to Gods lawes and the Churches , to which we are as much bound by our Baptisme and religion , as to the former by nature and birth . Being , in the behalfe of God , bold this much further in like loyaltie to tell them : that the causes of what perils and dangers so euer may be toward that Realme ( wherof , so God saue our soules , we haue no knowledge ) can not be iustly attributed but to the first alteration of religion and forsaking the society of the Catholike Church and kingdoms .

Hereof proceedeth the multitude of new Sectes , directly tending to the disturbance of publike repose : which for the special attention giuen to the doings of Catholikes , are wittingly ouerseen . More danger in forced dissimulation , them in plaine and open confession of faith or religion . Which Sectes in this case must needes proue more pernicious , because , by the propertie of many of them ( teaching their likers , by contrarie actes , othes , and asseuerations , to couer their conscience til time require ) their intentions can hardly be discouered : and , by the common condition of al heresies , bringing noueltie , chaunge , and libertie , which yeld them many folowers , shal hardly be resisted .

Catholikes abhorred these mutations from the beginning , because it is their grace to loue antiquitie , grauitie , and constancie . Whom also it is our principal endeuour to induce to the open confession of their faith , when by the law of God it is required , and neuer by contrarie othes or actions to pretend an other religion then they beare in their breastes . Which plaine discouerie of our selues , can not be disagreable or dangerous to the Politie .

And maruel it is in our eies , that such extreme diligence should be vsed by al penal lawes , othes , punishments , and persuasions , to driue the Catholikes to professe that outwardly , which is knowen they hate in their hartes inwardly ▪ as though there were imminent danger of open professed Catholikes , and none of the close dissemblers in the same kind . For I thinke their wisedoms do not imagine , that their othes and statutes do chaunge their meanings , though they alter their countenances , nor that feare can long or surely keepe his maister .

How so euer it be , alteration of religion is the cause of al inconueniences , though a few yeres wordly prosperitie couer from the simple , that very first surge of our miserie and perplexitie : and to returne to Gods Church againe , is the onely right remedie , out of which al Kingdoms are sure to perish assuredly . Which not acknowledged , maketh many a plaister and preseruatiue to be wrongly applied .

Against our Lord no force nor counsel can preuaile , who hath vsed ( as their wisdoms must needes know ) the rod of his ire against al those great Kingdoms , once most florishing in Christian faith and libertie , now vnder the tyrannie of the Turke and other Heathens , specially for sinne , schisme , and heresie .

Let not their Honours contemne the voice and admonition of a poore creature , To the honorable Counselers . whose speach may be the instrument of Gods prouident care ouer that poore afflicted people , vnder her Ma.ties and their gouernement .

But if the restitution of the Realme to the Catholike Church , can not stand with their consciences , as being persuaded , their owne religion to be true : or at least not with their wisedoms , for that , being thus far gone , the retiring backe might be dangerous to the state : yet for Christes loue we aske it , let their Honours haue some care and consideration of our consciences also , and of other innumerable in the Realme , no lesse timorous , and as wel informed , as theirs , or any mens can be in this case : that for our satisfaction before God , and for the peril that may fall , through his offense and indignation , to them and to the whole state , if so iust a request so humbly asked in his name should be contemned , it would please their goodnes , to withdraw their heauy hand from the poore Catholikes , and rather procure them licence of her Ma.tie , to serue God after the manner of al their Christian forefathers , then to afflict them in body and mind so pitifully : that so both the Seminaries might cease , and their Honours might haue Gods Priests and all Catholikes pray for them , rather as their patrons , then as their persecutors .

Trusting , that they and al the wise of the Realme be persuaded , that the Kingdom of God first sought , Mar. 6. is the way to the peace , felicity and security of al wordly weale : which not onely their owne pietie and prudence may teach them , but also the example of the Hebrues , who for feare of endamaging their temporal state , forsooke their promised Lord and Sauiour . Of whom therfore S. Augustine writeth this sentence , worthy to be emprinted in the hartes of al such as haue the rule and charge of kingdoms . Tract. 49. in loan . Temporalia perdere timuerunt , & vitam aeternam non cogitauerunt , & sic vtrunque amiserunt .

❧ An admonition and comfort to the afflicted Catholikes . CHAP. VII .

NOW hauing sincerely set forth to the world our intentions , we may turne our talke , for conclusion of this Defense , to you our fathers , frendes , and brethren in Christ , being either in the fornace of Gods probation , or in the burden and broile of that hote haruest of our Lord , or by sure treading , threshing , and winowing , laid vp for wel tried wheat in the barne-floore of Christes Church , to you we say : Be humble , wise , meeke , peaceable , patient , and constant , in all your cogitations , wordes , answers , doings , and sufferings : that Christ Iesus whom you serue , may blesse and prosper your endeuours , moue her Ma.ties hart to haue compassion , open her graue Counselers eies to see your innocencie , alter the enimies and il informers malice and malediction , vnto loue and good affection towardes you , stirre vp the mindes of al men , inwardly and in conscience to consider the cause of your afflictions , and giue them such sense , reason , and religion , that they may acknowledge your vndeserued calamities .

For , your life and behauiour agreable to your faith and calling , and formed in all pietie , discretion , and modestie , after the demeanour of all old Martyrs , and according to the paterne of those glorious Confessors our true fathers , Pastors , and Maisters , that haue by their sacred persons sanctified your prisons by two and twentie yeres durance , shal defend your Christian intents and ours , more then all the wordes that we can make . In the meane time , both you and we , with all our louing brethren the Catholikes , must rest vpon God , and the equitie of the cause so well knowen and approued to the wisest in the world , and our owne well enformed conscience .

For as the cause , Aug. ep. ●1. and not the paine or persecution ( wherof only Heretikes do vaunt them selues ) iustifieth vs , so Christ and our conscience testifie , that we are not acquainted with any conspiracies against our Prince and Countrie , nor do suffer for rebellion or treason attempted against man , but for that we will not conspire with Coré and his complices , Num. 16. against Moyses and Aaron , Peter and Paul , which the holy Scriptures call rebellion against God : and for that we crie vpon our deerest Countriemen , that the reuolt from the Catholike Church is a greater fault by manifold , then defection from any earthly king or Commonwealth : fyre once sent from heauen , and the earth opening and swalowing such offenders aliue downe to Hel , for our warning , and for Gods reuenge of so greuous a crime .

For this ( in truth ) and none other matter , do you and we suffer . It is for the honour , peace , and vnitie of the Church : it is for the sauing of our owne soules , and the soules of our beloued parents and frendes : it is for the defense of Christes Priesthod and souerainty in earth : it is for his eternal Sacrifice and Sacraments : it is for the custodie of that doctrine and truth , 1. Tim. 6. which was laid vp as depositum in the hands of S. 2. Tim. 1. Timothee and other Bishops and Priests , to be preserued from al corruption and alteration coming by heresie and noueltie : it is for the good garding of the holy Scriptures , and the natiue sense therof set downe by Gods Church and al the holy Doctors , from heretical adulteration and deprauation : it is for our inheritance left vs by S. Gregorie and S. Augustine our first Apostles , which we may not betray for a thousand deaths : finally it is for al our Christian fathers faith , honour , and memorie , to vs most deere and blessed .

The defense of any one article of the Catholike faith , of any one point of Christian doctrine , any title of our Lordes law , any one Sacrament , the sauing of any one soul ( being the price of better bloud then ours ) is cause iust and great ynough , willingly and patiently to sustaine al mortal paines : but , for so many partes of our beleefe impugned , for so many holies profaned , for millions of soules hazarded , for the saluation of our Prince otherwise so gratious , our Countrie , our parents , and our posteritie , not to suffer , were against al duety of nature , charitie , and religion .

Such is then your cause , deere Sirs , as neuer Martyrs nor Confessors since Christes time , had any more worthy , more cleere , or more glorious : Which to forsake for any feare of man or flatterie of this world , should be our eternal ignominie , both here in this life , and before God and his Angels in the next .

The manner of your suffering , confession , and Martyrdom ( for , blessed be God , some of our brethren haue gladly and honorably persisted euen to death , and many mo are ready by his grace for the same ) resembleth also the old proceding in that kind , which hath not been commonly vsed since Kings were Christened . For , as the persecution of Priests and Bishops ( wherof S. Li ▪ cont. Hilarie complaineth against Constantius the Arian Emperour ) is oftentimes so couertly and craftily conueied , Constant . vita defunctum . that being in deede great and perilous , yet it can not appeare to the due commendation of the sufferers , or good example of the seers : so both of old and of late , almost in euery Countrie ( as by the Arians and Circuncellions in Afrike and Italie , and by the Caluinistes in France , Holland , and Zeland ) Priests and Catholikes haue been persecuted more often , and more cruelly tormented and massakred , then with vs , thankes be to God : but yet neither so much to the merite of the sufferers , before God , nor to the edification and aduancement of the peoples faith and hope in him , as with vs : where the matter passeth with deliberation , and in forme of law and order .

When Christian Catholike men are barbarously assailed , and sodenly slaine , no question made of their faith or holy order , no promis giuen of life or promotion , if they list to deny their profession , no deliberation nor time to consult , nor former terrours shewed , no tedious nor lingering paines of prisonment , of famine , of infamie , of frendes or aduersaries solicitation , of losse of lands , goods , and life , or care of wife , children , and familie : in this case , though they be holy and happy Martyrs also , yet such suffering is not that which is called after holy Scriptures speache , Confession of Christ before men vntil death or temporal torment what so euer . Which kind is almost proper to our Countrie in these daies : at the least it is in no other place els so euident and vsual .

There you are conuented before Officers , The maner of proceding against Catholikes , in England . you are examined of your Priesthod , of saying or hearing Masse , of absoluing or taking absolution : you are called traitours and seditious persons , you are prisoned in dungeons among theeues , and some of your chast virgins ( as of old the blessed Martyrs S. Bridewel . Agnes and S. Lucie ) thrust into infamous places : the lodgings sometime of murderers and malefactors , are now filled with men of God , Christian innocent people of euery state and sexe : you are tempted by faire promisses on the one side , and fearful threatenings on the other , to yeld though it be neuer so litle : not relenting , you languish there in perpetual prison , or be condemned to die , and are executed in maner of traitours .

Which last extremitie that no mo of you be put vnto ( though so many be most ready ) we attribute to God first , and then to her Ma.ties clemencie , that hath euer been hardly drawen to giue consent to the execution of such vniust lawes against her Catholike and faithful subiectes . But when our Lord permitteth it for his glorie , it proceedeth in al respects after the maner of old Martyrdom .

And this is it that giueth vs so great hope of the conuersion of our Countrie , knowing by the Apostle , that it is a great perfection and accomplishment of our Christian charitie and duety , to resist not onely vnto the losse of Countrie , wife , children , parents , goods , lands , libertie , Heb. 12. honour , but vsque ad sanguinem , euen to the losse of bloud and liues .

Bloud so yelded maketh the forciblest meane to procure mercie that can be . Euery time that you confesse Christes name , euery wrinche of any ioynt for it , euery opprobrious scoffe and scorne giuen by the popular , when you be caried in the sacred vestiments through the streates ( for that also some of our brethren there haue happily borne ) euery vilany and sacrilege done to your Priesthod , euery of your sores , sorowes , and sighes , euery of your wantes and necessities , make a stronger intercession for our Countrie and afflicted Church , then any prayers lightly in the world .

This is the way , by which we hope to winne our nation to God againe . We put not our trust in Princes or practises abrode , nor in armes or forces at home . This is our fight , and for this warre , the Societie of Iesus and our Seminaries were instituted . to this , by al spiritual exercises and continual reading of the Scriptures and antiquity , our Priests and Students are trained . This being plainely of God , can not ( we trust ) by any violence or prudence of man be made frustrate . Wherof he hath giuen reasonable good proofe already , by the great encrease of the number , and the zeale of knowen Catholikes , gained principally by the long confession ( which is a true , though a slow Martyrdom ) of the constant and learned Prelates besides others , and afterward by the like suffering of the yonger Priests , and others , being the frye and fruite of the former spiritual fight . Which now being come to perfection , hath seede in it self , to be sowen in teares , and wvatered ( if neede require ) with bloud .

To which sort our Lord hath euer giuen successe , The church grewe and increased by persecution . him self no otherwise planting his law and religion , but by giuing vp his bloud and life , for which his Father promised him , that he should see semen longaeuum : Esa. 53. nor any otherwise more sustaining or furthering and promoting it in the Apostolike and primitiue state for some hundred yeres together , then by the precious deaths of the preachers and faithful people : the Kings of the world in vaine vsing al force and most exquisite diligence to extirpate the same : and the courage of the Christians continually ( through Gods goodnes ) increasing by the crueltie of their persecutors , Martyrs . at what time whole cities and commonalties , whole legions of noble souldiars , great troupes of virgins and matrones yelded them selues to death and torments for their faith .

As now also , a litle more zeale and knowledge of Christian duety engendred by Gods spirit , in the mindes of the people , through the vse of this spiritual practise and combat , shal make whole sheeres and prouinces of deuout persons , most gladly offer their lands and liues , for the loue of Christ and their owne saluation . This flame and feruor of faith daily more and more enkindled in the harts of al sortes ( which is the fyre that our Lord casteth into our Countries , Luc. 12. and which he will haue , as we hope , to burne ) can not be extinguished , except it be long of our selues .

Truth preuaileth in time , because it is Gods dereling , 3. Esd. 4. against wemen , wine , or kings : and specially the truth of Christes religion , which riseth when it is oppressed , and florisheth when it is most impugned . It hath not alwaies an external temporal state , nor the lawes alwaies for it , because Princes be not alwaies subiect vnto it : but if it be not forsaken by the cowardenesse of the Priests and professors , God neuer suffereth it to cease or faile in any Countrie : though it stand with trauail and bloud , as it did in Rome and al other places almost til Constantines daies .

And therfore where God giueth the grace of Martyrdom , Martyrdom . it is a ioyful signe of mercie , and that he will not forsake the place nor people , which he blesseth with so high and rare a benediction , but wil either mollifie the hartes of the Prince and Magistrate , or giue aboundance of grace and fortitude to suffer and hold out , til it please him of his goodnes , to send a calme , or the conuersion of the whole : which we wil expect ( and as much as in vs lieth , procure ) other xxtie and xxtie and twise xxtie to that , and how many mo yeres so euer be appointed by his prouidence for chastisement of our sinnes .

If we stood against Gods Church and truth ( as in heresies many be obstinate at the beginning ) then forcible good lawes and punishments , Ep. 48. as S. Augustine teacheth by experience of his owne Citie and Countrie , would in few yeres breake our endeuours , as repugnant both to Gods lawes and mans . But the Catholike Church and faith can not by any violence be expugned , where fortitude of spirit and Apostolike due resistance is . The lacke of which hath brought many great Prouinces from one heresie to an other , and at length to plaine Paganisme , Turcisme , or Atheisme , that is , to no God nor faith at all , the end alwaies of these many faithes , Li. ad Constantium . as S. Hilarie saith . From which to saue our Countrie and posteritie , we are bound to suffer what so euer .

Protesting to al our louing brethren the Catholikes of England , Against dissimulation and coldnesse in religion . that it is not dissimulation , hiding or couering our consciences by othes , going to the Churches seruices and preachings of Protestants , nor halting on both sides , coldnesse and carelesnesse , nor yelding to the present sway of pretended lawes , to saue our liues and liuings til time serue our turne : that can deliuer our soules , or euer recouer the Realme to the vnity of Gods Church againe .

There is nothing in the world but zeale of Gods house , and ardent loue of our Lord , and of the soules bought with his bloud , that can winne vs this field . Martyrdom , a high dignitie and singular blessing . Which excellent grace of most high charitie proceeding from Christ , that giueth you not onely to beleue in him , but to suffer for him , is the happiest lotte that you could haue in this life , brethren most deere : a benediction of God , not to your selues onely ( among so many thousands ful good men , that attaine not to so high dignitie of Confession and Martyrdom ) but to al your Countrie , name , frendes , and familie , being blessed and protected by your trauailes , in Christ for euermore : a thing sought for of many ful perfect men and saincts , but not obtained : so extraordinarie is your gratious happe herein .

You know the superaboundant reward , the glorious crowne , the eminent state , the ineffable felicity of such as confesse Christ before men , Apoc. 7. and wash their garments in the bloud of the lambe . You know , the reward so incomparable succedeth immediatly al the paines : but a moment betwixt mans momentanie punishment , and Gods euerlasting payement : betwixt the temporal ignominie , and eternal glorie . You know , within an houre afterward euerlastingly , the poorest Confessor of Christ is not onely more glorious with the Angels and Saincts in heauen , but also often ( as we see both in the old and late Martyrs ) of more renowmed memorie among men , then their persecutors .

You know , once before the throne of Christ , in the theatre of heauen and earth , these rufflers of the world shal say with many sighes and grones : These ( lo ) are they of whom we made a mocke , Sap. 5. coumpting their life madnes , and their death inglorious : and now wo be to vs , they are reckened among the Children of God , and their lotte among the Saincts .

You know , Cypr. ep. 52. the force of Martyrdom is such ( as S. Cyprian also telleth vs ) that without al chastisement , paine or purgation in the next life ( which S. Aug. in ps. 37. Augustine saith , is greater then any torment in this world ) it deliuereth the soul from all wordly infirmity , remaines , reliques , impurity , and debt of former offenses , and yeldeth it immediatly vnto ioy vnspeakable . No vertue , no act , nor office of this life so meritorious to the sufferer , so acceptable to the rewarder , nor that so speedily , amply , and securely procureth eternal glorie .

To be felowes of Christes crowne and glorie , Mat. 5. to be pronounced blessed by his owne mouth , to be of that designed number of elect persons , Apoc. 6. for the accomplishment of whom the iudgement and resurrection so desired of Saincts , Col. 1. is differred : to contribute any drop of bloud , or iote of affliction , to the making vp of the full measure of Christs passions for his body , which is the Church , far excedeth al humane dignitie and felicitie .

For this reward then so passing , for a cause so good and glorious , for a Maister so louing , merciful and mighty , what earthly miserie should we refuse to suffer ? Let vs consider , that men for their Prince , freend , Countrie , and home , put their liues in extreme peril : they refuse no aduenture , be it neuer so desperate : they put them selues before the mouth of the canon , they enter into any breach , they sustaine al the plagues , famines , feares , calamities , that nature may endure : and they do well , for it is their duety , and the dignity of mans condition , not to yeld to these transitorie afflictions , in the seruices of the Commonwealth , or other honorable quarels .

See ( I pray you ) the daily distresses and hazards of life , lands , and goods , in ill causes : all which be vsual among so many desperat cutters and companions , ready for a rush to kill and be killed euery moment : that for satisfying of their inordinate lust to wine , wemen , dice , gorgious apparel , or desire of reuenge , contemne al dangers , giues , and gallowes . Remember how many of the Nobilitie and others , in al Nations , haue aduentured their persons , frendes , and posteritie , to aduance some particular faction against their owne Countries , neuer atchieued without infinite bloudshed and calamitie .

In al these quarels , be they iust or vniust , so many of al degrees to be ready to suffer al the extremities of death and ignominie , euery man for his Prince , many for frendes , thousands for mere fantasies and falsehod : and shal none suffer for our Sauiour , for the Church our mother , for our brethrens saluation ? shal we thinke it strange to haue three or foure hundred ready to die for Gods cause , to suffer for the best and most honorable quarel of al other that man can haue in this life ? that Christ should haue some souldiars of al orders , that can be content to lose lands , goods , and life for his sake , in this spiritual fight of patience and toleration , when the world hath so many ?

One towne valiantly assaulted and stoutly defended , loseth mo men , and sustaineth more miserie in a yere , then we shal bestow vpon Christ ( that died for our sakes before , and will recompense vs incomparably afterward ) in the hotest persecution that lightly can be these xxtie yeres . In which case , to say nothing of noble Catholike Gentlemen , and other deuout people of what sort or sexe so euer , to whom God giueth euen now the spirit of constancie , by the example of S. Sebastian , S. Vincent , S. Maurice with the whole legion of Thebes , and S. George the paterne and patrone of our English knighthod , whose courage in suffering for Christ was more glorious , than their fighting for man : but to say nothing of them , nor of S. Catherine , S. Margaret , S. Agnes , S. Lucie , and the like mirrours for our deuout maidens and widowes to behold : for vs that be of the Clergie , this is the onely and proper kind of fight .

Our order and condition make vs free from the warres and other perilous or martial affaires , To the afflicted Priests . often bringing death and danger both at home and abrode . Wemen haue their continual perils and miseries by bearing and bringing vp their children . We ( besides our natural deaths and aduersities common to al other ) are subiect to no violence nor troubles , but very few , and very seldom , and in such measure as God appointeth or permitteth , and in such moderation that it may by his grace easily be borne . If we should for feare or cowardenesse forsake our station in Christes field , hauing the example and encouragement of so many Prophets , so many Apostles , so many Bishops and Priests , in the rase of Martyrs , and of Christ him self , we were the vnworthiest Priests that euer were . And our glorious Sauiour and his Church , if they had none to commaund for their seruice and defense in this kind of combat , were in worse case then any temporal king or Countrie in earth , who neuer want their seruants and peoples trauailes in their distresses .

In time of ease and wealth , our Lord hath as many seruiteurs of his Clergie , as any other state hath of others : God forbid he should lacke them , or his Priests should forsake him , in the daies of his persecution . He is not worthy not fitte to haue honour , priuilege , and wealth by him in prosperitie , that wil not suffer ignominie , lacke , and miserie with him in aduersitie . It is now ( deere brethren ) our course to serue in this sort , and a far better lotte is it , than our forefathers had , that serued onely in rest and peace , neither with so much security of saluation , nor so litle danger of sinne and damnation .

Our daies can not be many , because we be men : neither can it be either godly or worldly wisdom , for a remnant of three or foure yeres , and perchance not so many moneths , to hazard the losse of all eternity . They can not be good in these euil times , much like to those wherof S. Polycarpe complained thus : Lord , vnto what times hast thou reserued vs ? And were they neuer so many or good , to him that refuseth his faith and Maister , they shal neuer be ioyful , but deadly and doleful . Corporally die once we must euery one , and but once , and therevpon immediatly iudgement , where the Confessor shal be acknowledged , and the Denyer denyed againe .

No Martyrdom of what length or torment so euer , can be more greuous , then a long sicknes and a languishing death ▪ and he that departeth vpon the pillow , hath as litle ease as he that dieth vpon the gallowes , blocke , or bouchers knife . And our Maisters death , both for paines and ignominie , passed both sortes , and all other kinds either of Martyrs or malefactors . Let no tribulation then , no perill , no prison , no persecution , no life , no death separate vs from the charity of God , and the society of our sweete Sauiours passions , by and for whose loue we shal haue the victory in all these conflictes .

Neuerthelesse , if by Gods suffering , for causes hidden vnto vs , any shrinke ( which Christ forbid ) for feare of death , torments , or tribulations , from the felowship of your happy confession and crownes prepared for the same , as in the time of S. Cyprian and alwaies diuers did , Ep. 54. & li. de lapsis . and as one of the 40 did , Homil. 20. whose glorious fight S. Basil describeth , and the Church celebrateth the 9 of Marche : be not scandalized or troubled thereat , but vse such with all lenitie , taking compassion of their infirmitie , considering that your selues also , or any of vs all , may be tempted and ouerthrowen with Peter , and by Gods grace afterward repent and rise with him againe . Though it be perilous to presume theron , many mo folowing him in his fall and miserie , then attayning to his Martyrdom and mercie .

Neither be ye discouraged at the further fall of any Iudas , to plaine apostasie and extreme blasphemie , or at the traiterous conspiring of some such with the Aduersaries , by prodition and practise , to afflict you and all other constant Catholikes more deeply : but haue this saying of S. Cyprian alwaies in your mind : Ep. 55. nu. 1. Nihil interest quis tradat , aut saeuiat , cùm Deus tradi permittat quos disponit coronari . neque enim nobis ignominia est pati à fratribus , quod passus est Christus : nec illis gloria est facere , quod fecit Iudas . That is . It maketh no matter who betrayeth , or rageth , wheras God permitteth them to be betrayed whom he appointeth to be crowned . Neither is it ignominie or dishonour for vs , to suffer that of our brethren , which Christ suffered : nor for their honour and glorie , to do that which Iudas did . Ibid. nu. 3. And a litle after : It ought not to moue any faithful man , and him that remembreth the Gospel , 2. Tim. 3. and the Apostles forwarning , if in the later daies certaine proud and obstinate felowes and the enimies of Gods Priests , either reuolt from the Church , or do against the Church : when both our Lord , and his Apostles haue foretold , that now there should be such . lo. 6. When some of Christes disciples by incredulitie forsooke him , he turned to his Apostles and said , wil you also be gone ? Peter vpon whom the Church was builded , Mat. 16. in the name of all , and in the voice of the whole Church answered , that he had the wordes of eternal life , and therfore him they beleued , and they would go to none other : signifying and shewing , that those which reuolt from Christ , perish through their owne fault , but the Church , which beleueth in Christ , and holdeth fast that which she once hath knowen , neuer to reuolt from him at all , and that they are the Church , which tarie in Gods house : the rest to be the plant which God the father planted not , such as we see , not to haue the stedfastnes of weighty corne , but like chaffe to be blowen away with the puffe of the scattering enimie : 1. lo. 2. of whom S. Iohn in his epistle saith , They went out from vs , but they were not of vs : for if they had been of vs , verily they would haue taried with vs . S. Paul also warneth vs , when euil men perish from out the Church , not to be moued , nor to thinke that faith is diminished when the faithlesse reuolt . Ro. 3. For what ( saith he ) if some of them haue fallen from the faith ? hath their infidelity made the faith of God frustrate ? God forbid .

Therfore feare no Israriote , feare no Simon , Act. 1. 8. 6. feare no Nicolas , feare no open persecutor , nor no secrete proditor : but haue courage in Christ , our deere felowes . And as hitherto , when you were at libertie , and alwaies so long as you may , you haue offered and wil offer our Lords blessed body and bloud , in true Sacrifice , to procure Gods mercie to our Countrie : 2. Tim. 4. So now with S. Paul you must be ready to offer your selues to death in a spirituall sacrifice , for the confirmation of your faith , and accomplishment of al your Priestly actions : Which shal make a forcible crie for grace and pardon , both for your frendes and persecutors ,

And what a goodly thing it were to die ( if needes you must ) among your Catholike brethren and children there , as it were among your owne sheepe , for that faith which you haue taught them , Ep. 83. S. Cyprians example is very notable , who chose to suffer Martyrdom in Carthage his owne Bishopricke , in the sight of his flocke , rather then at Vtica or els wheresoeuer , hiding him self till the storme of persecution came thither .

There is no comfort left in the world abrode ( brethren ) nor cause why you should much desire either longer life , or more libertie : nothing could you behold in our countrie , but the Churches calamitie , distresse , and desolation : nothing could you heare , but new Orators , and ( as S. Basil . ep. 69. & 70. Basil speaketh ) the pulpits opened to euery blasphemous tonge : which caused all sortes of people of right iudgement ( as he also writeth in the same place ) to flee from Oratories and the houses of prayer , as schooles of impiety : and rather to make their prayers with teares , out of the Church doores , and in wildernesse . As the faithful ought now to do also , mountaines , wooddes , lakes , prisons , and gulfes , being more fitte for a Christian ( as S. Li. cont. Auxent . in fine . Hilarie speaketh ) then the Churches : the Seruice and preaching in them , much more altered , profaned , and blasphemous , then they were in the daies of their complaint .

Your prisons are the onely schooles now of true consolation , which no doubt God giueth you fully answerable vnto , or rather surpassing the measure of your afflictions , of what sort and greatnes so euer they be , or seeme to the wordly , that haue not the experience nor sense of such ioyes of consciences . Death and dungeons be not so terrible things to Christes souldiars , as they seeme to the vnacquainted : because God giueth not the tast of such his comfortes to any , but such as are in the trauail for him .

Our Sauiour had in his greatest agonie , Luc. 22. an Angel sent to giue him comfort : S. Steuen the first Martyr after Christ , Act. 6. 7. for the most certaine confort of al Martyrs that should folow , saw heauen open and the sonne of man standing on the right hand of God , him self in cheereful and glorious countenance , like vnto an Angel . 1. Pet. 1. 4. S. Peter , that willeth vs to reioyse in our passions and sorowes suffered for iustice , Act. 12. lacked not in his emprisonment and bands , the office of an Angel also , He and the rest of the Apostles after whipping and reproche , Ib. c. 5. 16. went away reioycing in their hartes , that they were coumpted worthy so to suffer : they sung psalmes and hymnes often in their prisons and chaines : Dan. 3. 6. 4. the Three children were ioyfull in the fornace of fyre , Daniel in the lake , S. Athanasius six yeres in a dry cesterne , and foure monethes in his fathers sepulchre : breefely , al such places were euer not onely full of Diuine consolation , sufficient to the repulse of al contrarie terrors and temptations of the world , but also haue been springs of spiritual ioyes and comforts to others abrode . It is the prisons , that haue yelded vs so many godly prayers , prophecies , letters , treatises , both of old and later yeres : diuers of S. Paules diuine epistles were endited by the spirit of Confession in prison : there were the famous bookes of Comfort written by Sir Thomas More , and many mo goodly workes in our time .

Therfore , dere brethren , we are to craue comfort of you , rather then to yeld any , praying you for our Lordes loue , that we may be partakers of your paines and prayers , as we daily praise God , pray , and sacrifice for you , in to whose seruices , sufferings , and bonds , we may by Christes grace shortly succede : if it rather please not his wisdom ( which we hartily and humbly with daily teares desire ) to moue the Queene our Soueraines hart , to mercie and pitie vpon her innocent subiectes : and by his diuine power to withhold her Royall assent and hand from further making or executing of such lawes as be against his truth and glory , and must needes be the vndoubted destruction of the Realme : which shal be the surer way doubtles for her Ma.tie to procure both eternal memorie and commendation of clemencie with al the posteritie , Ib. c. 5. 1 and mercie and pardon at the iust , mighty , and terrible Gods hand , who taketh away the life of the Monarches of the earth , Psal. 75. and calleth them to dreadful iudgement at his pleasure . Dan. 4.

To him first , be all honour , empire , and glorie : and to his holy Israel the Church , his peace and blessing : then tribute to Caesar , that is , all duety , prosperitie , and felicitie in Christ , to our noble Prince and most deere Countrie .

Psal. 31. Viriliter agite , & confortetur cor vestrum , omnes qui speratis in Domino .

Your louing felow and seruant in Christ Iesus . WILLIAM ALLEN .