Nay , if this position of others were true , it would followe necessarily , that all men were bound vnder payne of damnation , neuer to doe any good deede , so long as they liue : for that their good deede being stayned with sinne , cannot but deserue the hyre of sinne , which according to the Apostle is : Death euerlasting . If your Majesties important affaires , Rom. 6. would once permitte you to consider maturely of these impieties , and many other like absurdities , wherewith the Protestant Doctrine is stuffed : I dare be bold to say that you would speedely either commaund them , to reforme themselues , and amend their errors ; or fairly giue them their Congie . I will close vp this my second reason , with this Epiphoneme . That it is impossible for a Protestant , firmely cleauing to the groundes of his owne Religion , to hope for anie saluation . For they doe , and needes must graunt , that no man can be saued without a liuely faith ; and also that a liuely faith cannot be without charity , for otherwise it were dead : Now then to the purpose ; No Protestant can haue charity : for as witnesseth S. Iohn . 1. Epis. cap. 5. 3. This is the charitie of God , that we keepe his commaundements . But it is impossible ( according to the Protestants ) to keepe the commaundements : therefore also impossible to haue charity ; Which is the fulnes of the lawe : Rom. 13. & consequently impossible to haue a liuely faith , which cannot be without charity . And so finally through want of that liuely feeling faith , whereby they should lay hold on Christs righteousnes , to hale and apply that vnto themselues , they can haue no hope at all , of any fauour , and grace at Gods handes : Without which they must needes assure themselues of eternal damnation , in steede of their pretended certayntie of saluation . To these two arguments , gathered out of the treatise following , I adde a third , collected from these your owne memorable wordes related in the aboue named conference : viz. Are we nowe come to that passe , Pag. 69. that we must appeache Constantine of Poperie and superstition ? Which argueth that your Majestie judgeth them , to haue litle regard of either piety or ciuility , that would admit such a thought into their mind , as that the first Christian Emperour ( our most renowmed countriman , should be nousled & brought vp in superstition : wherein your Majestie hath great reason , for he was most carefully instructed , & taught the Christian Religion , by such holy Confessors , whose sincerity in faith had bin tried in the hotte furnace of many strange persecutions : And he farther had the good happe to see , and heare together in the first generall Councell of Nice , many of the holiest , and best learned Bishops of Christendome . Therefore , is it most vnlikely that so Royall a Person , deuoted to Religion , and hauing so good meanes to attayne to the perfect knowledge thereof , as no man could haue better ; should neuerthelesse in the purest time of it , be mis-ledde into errour , and superstition . If then , it may be proued , that this most Christian Emperor ( the glittering ornament of our noble Iland ) did beleeue such articles of the present Roman Church , as the Protestants teach not to be beleeued : Will not your Majestie rather joyne in faith with so peerles a Prince , who by the consent of all antiquity , was for certayne right well enformed , then with these , whome ( doubtles ) most men deeme to be pittifully deceiued ? Nowe that Constantine was of the same opinion , in matter of Religion , with the present Church of Rome , may euidently be gathered out of this that followeth .

First , he was so affectionate vnto the signe of the Crosse , that he would haue it gloriously appeare , both abroade in his banners , and at home in his Pallace : Euseb. de vita Constan . lib. 3. cap. 2. Lib 2. c. r 4. Lib. 4. c. 26. and in the middest of the Citie of Rome , with this Poesie : In this signe of saluation , I haue deliuered the Cittie . With it also he blessed his visage .

With fasting and other corporall affliction , he chastized his body , that he might please God .

He with incredible admiration , honoured professed Virgins , and made lawes in their fauour .

Ibidem lib. 3. cap. 47. & alibi . Chry. hom. 66. ad pop. Antioch . He builded many Churches in honour of the Apostles , and Martirs .

And as S. Chrysostome recordeth : He that was reuested in purple , went to embrace the Sepulchres of S. Peter , and S. Paul , and all Princely state laide aside , stood humbly praying vnto the Saints , that they would be intercessors for him vnto God .

He farther tooke order for the burying of his owne body , in the middest of the Tombes of the twelue Apostles , that after his death he might be partaker of the prayers , Euseb. in vita Const. lib. 4. ca. 60. Ibid cap. 71. which should be there offered in the honour of the Apostles . Neither was he frustrated of his holy desire , for as it followeth in the 71. Chapter of the same booke , at his funerals , the people joyning with the Priestes , with many teares , and great sighes , powred out prayers for the good Emperours soule .

Againe , at a solemne feast which he helde at the dedication of the Church built by him in Ierusalem ; some of his cleargie preached and expounded the holy Scriptures : Ibidem de vita Const. lib. 4. ca 45. and other some with vnbloudy Sacrifice , and Mysticall consecrations , appeased the Godhead , and prayed for the health of the Prince .

Zozom. lib 1. hist. Eccl. cap 21. Moreouer this zealous Emperour reprehended Acasius , ( a Nouatian heretike ) for saying , that it was not in the power of Priests , but of God only to forgiue sinnes .

Finally , toward true Bishoppes , the lawfull Pastors of Christs Church , he caried such a reuerend respect : Socr. hist. lib 1. cap. 5. that being in the Councell of Nice , he would not sitte downe , before they had beckned vnto him so to doe . And was so farre from taking vpon him to be supreame judge , in causes Ecclesiasticall ; that he openly there professed , that it did not belong to him to judge of Bishoppes , but to be judged by them . Ruffi lib. 1. hist. cap. 2.

If then this right Puissant Emperour , and most sincere Christian , reuerenced the Sacrifice of the Masse , and beleeued that there was power in Priests to remitte sinnes , that Saints were to be prayed vnto , and that prayer was to be made for the dead , and such like , as appeareth by the euident testimonie , of most approued Authors , that liued with him : hath your Majestie any cause to doubt , but that in matters of faith , he agreed with the present Roman Church ? Wherefore my hope and trust in Almighty God is , that you in your high wisdome , vpon mature and due consideration , how many old condemned errors the Protestants hold ; and with all well weighing that the whole frame of their Doctrine tendeth to the disgracing of God , and his Saints , to the discouragement of men , from well doeing , and doth ( as it were ) loosen the reines vnto all fleshly liberty : will in time make a most Godly resolution , to imitate that famous Emperour Constantine . He contrary to his former education , embraced with all his power that same Romane Religion , which we nowe professe : And ( which is worthy to be obserued ) he feared nothing the contrary disposition of the multitude , or greater parte of his subjects , that were wholy ledde another way . But following the blessed example of his most vertuous Mother S. Helena , reposed himselfe in the powrefull assistance of the Almighty , and chased all other Religions into corners , setting vp and firmely establishing the Roman . There can be no cause aleadged , why your Majestie may not doe the like , if it shall please God effectually to stirre vp your gratious minde , and to bende your hart to vndertake it : for at that time there was more likelyhoode of resistance , then nowe : and nowe much more helpe at hand , if any resistance should be offered .

Pardon me deare Soueraigne , if before I finish this argument , I seeme ouer-bold here to present vnto your memorie , that all your most gratious and Godly Progenitors , and all our holy Predecessors , who now ( assuredly ) stande before the tribunall of God ; doe demaund and expect no lesse at your handes . For they founded not Bishopricks , Deaneries , and other spirituall liuinges : they builded not Colleges , and Schooles , for Protestants or their fauourers . Ponder well therefore I beseech your Majestie , whether they doe not , or may not justly chalenge of you , ( to whome the administration of justice belongeth , ) to see and prouide : that such Churches , Church-liuinges , and spirituall rewardes of learning , as they erected and bequeathed to Roman Bishops , and Priestes , be disposed of , and bestowed according to their erections , and foundations . If it shall please the Protestants to erect any new Churches , or bestowe any other reuennues towardes their Ministers mayntenance , let them haue them hardly , and enjoy them quietly : only let them be content , out of their equitie : to leaue vs that which was prouided for vs , and bequeathed vnto vs by our most Religious Auncestors .

If all these reasons , and exceeding manie other which might be mustered , and produced to the same purpose , will not suffice to effect in your Majestie , a loue and desire , to embrace that auncient Roman faith , which all your Renowmed Progenitors , so highly reuerenced , loued , and esteemed . Yet let me ( prostrate on my knee ) most humbly beseech your highnes , in the name of thowsandes : that so farre forth they may preuaile with you , as you will not permitte those rigorous lawes , framed against recusant Catholikes , to be put in practize and executed . For howe can it seeme conformable to reason , in your Majesties deepe wisdome , and judgement ? that your louing Subjects should by compulsion and constrainte , vnder that intollerable penaltie of losse of all their goodes , conforme them selues to such articles of Religion , that by the purest antiquitie were censured to be erronious and execrable ? And what misery , and pitty were it , to driue them perforce , either to swallowe downe the deadly poyson of their soules , or else to endure besides the disgrace of the state , the losse of their worldly wealth and liberty . Consider , and weigh with your selfe , my most gratious Liege , whether it will not be thought ouer great seuerity , to presse men ( euen against humane nature and condition , ) with patience to heare their owne profession and beleefe , both vntruely slaundered , and most bitterly reuyled and inueighed against : as in most Ministers sermons it is commonly . Yea to giue patient eare to them that blush not publikely , to call our blessed Sauiours body in the holy SACRAMENT , an abhominable Idole ; his glorious and immortall Saintes , senceles dead Men ; his Vicar and Vicegerent on earth Antichrist , and euery Catholike an Idolater . With infinit other intollerable reproaches ; Our constant hope , euen yet , ( though against hope ) is , that your Majestie out of your owne sweet naturall disposition , and most milde carriage in gouernment hitherto , will not onely moderate , but suspende all such extreamity : And not suffer it to be extended against them , who in former doubtfull times , were ( in manner ) the only men , that defended and made manifest to the world , your Title and interest to the Crowne of England ; and were no lesse willing to receiue you , when the time came : and as forward to haue assisted you ( if neede had required ) as anie sorte of Subjectes within the lande . And neuer since wittingly offended your sacred Majestie in any thing . It may be objected that they doe not conforme themselues vnto a statute lawe , made against their Religion : Be it so . Then their Religion toward God , not any contempt of their lawfull Superiour , doth commaund them from the conformity , which is pardonable . Considering that they be no inuenters , or followers of nouelties , but onely hold on and perseuere in the faith of their forefathers . And what subject is the among the most duetifull , that doth not often transgresse and giue offence to one statute lawe or other : yet for no other lawe , men are so hardly dealt withall , albeit they violate many of them together . Only Catholikes are for the transgressing of one , huspeled and handled as though they were some haynous rebbels , and traytors : Who ( be it spoken without disparagement to others ) are ( by them that liue neare them ) esteemed commonly , the most orderly subjectes ; as true of their wordes , as sound in their deedes , of as greate charity and hospitality towardes their neighbours , and compassion of the poore : briefly , of as moderate and ciuile carriage and behauiour , as most men in their Country : So that to begger and vndoe them ( as the execution of that lawe established , must needes doe the poorer sorte of them , ) would be litle lesse then vndoe and destroy all good order , and Discipline in the common weale .

Before I make an end , I beseech your Majestie , that the old worthy saying of Cassian may diligently examined : Cui bonum ? For whose commodity , to what end and purpose must such numbers of most ciuill subjectes , be so grieuously molested ? What is the cause , why your peaceable and joyfull gouernment , should be so mingled with such bitter stormes of persecution . Is it to extinguish the Catholike faith ? It lyeth not in mans power to suppresse and destroy that , which the Almighty supporteth and maintayneth . Matth. 16. The gates of hell shall not preuaile against the Catholike Church . And let but those graue & wise counsailers , ( who haue mannaged the state in our late Queenes dayes ) enforme your Majestie whether all those terrible persecutions that then were most vehemently pursued , did any whitte at all , diminish the number of recusantes : or rather did not greatly multiply and encrease them , from one at the first to an hundred and moe in continuance . But it may be , they entende by those penall lawes , to enrich your Majestie , and to fill your coffers : Surely the receipts will fall out much to short , to grow to any such reckoning . And what delight to enrich your treasury , and stuffe your coffers with regrets , and out cries of the husband , wife , children , widowes , and poore infantes , when as the best and most assured treasury of a King , ( is by the prudent esteemed ) to consist in the loue , and harty affection of his people ? Or are these penall lawes , and forfaitures ordayned for rewardes vnto such dependents , as for these or the like do follow you ? But the reuennues , preferments , & offices , belonging to your crowne of England , are abundantly able to content and reward them , that shall deserue well of the common weale , without that so heauy agrieuance and hart bleeding of others your Majesties good subjectes . And your Majesties high wisdome , and long experience in gouernment , can best remember you , that such men are not so mindefull of benefits receiued , as the daylie want and miserie , will continually renue and reuiue the memorie of the oppressed .

And when they shall see no hope of remedie , the state being nowe setled , and a continuall posterity like to ensue of one nature and condition : God knoweth what that forceable weapon of necessitie may constrayne and driue then vnto at length .

If then there be no greater reason of waight and moment , why such dutifull and well deseruing Subjects , should be so greeuously afflicted for their conscience . Let others conceiue as they shall please , I will neuer suffer my selfe to be perswaded , that your Majestie will euer permitte it , before I see it donne : If it be further objected , why should not your Majestie aswell punish Catholikes in your Kingdomes , as Catholikes doe Protestants in some other Countries : I answere , that in all Countries where multitudes of both sortes are mixed , as it is in England : The Protestants are tollerated , as in France , Polonia , Bohemia , the Catholike states of Germanie , and Cantounes , according to that of the Gospell . Suffer both the wheate and cockle to growe vntill haruest . Math. 13. In Spaine , and Italie , where scarse any Protestants be , the case is otherwise . But what is that to England ? Where are very many Catholike Recusants , and Catholikely affected in euery degree , not only of the Temporalty , but in the Clergie also , hardly of the highest degrees of honour to be excepted : therefore for their number and quality to be tollerated .

Lastly , if there were no other cause , but the innumerable benefittes which euery degree and order of men throughout England , haue , and doe daily receiue from our most Catholike Auncestors : As the constituting of so many holsome lawes ; founding of so many honourable , and rich rewardes of learning , as Bishoprickes , Cathedrall Churches , Deaneries , Arch-deaconries , Residencies , Prebendes , and Benefices : the erecting , and building , of so goodly Schooles , Colledges , and Hospitalles , and endowing of them with so ample possessions , which all proceeded out of the bowelles of the true wisedome , pietie , and vertue of their Catholike Religion : Is not this much more then a sufficient motiue why their heires in faith , should be most benignely , and louingly dealt with ? and not for the profession of the same Religion , so seuerely afflicted ? Let the Protestants in those countries , where they are most molested , appeare and shew , that their predecessors in beliefe , haue beene so beneficiall vnto the publike weale : And I dare vndertake , that for their Auncestors sake , they shall finde much more fauour , then wee sue for . Wherefore they can haue no just cause , to repine at your Majesties goodnes , if vpon men of that Religion , which hath beene so beneficiall vnto your whole Realme , you take extraordinary compassion .

It lying then in your Majesties free choise and election , whether you will enlarge and extend your Royall fauour , vnto an infinite number of your most dutifull and affectionate Subjects , who are the most vnwilling in the world to transgresse any one of your lawes , were they not thereunto compelled by the lawe of God : or else vtterly to beggar and to vndoe , both them , and theirs , for their constant profession of the Auncient Roman faith . My confidence in the sweet prouidence of the Almighty is , that he will mercifullie incline your Royall heart , to choose rather to pardon , then to punish ; because the way of mercie , consorteth better with your kinde and tender nature : it is of better assurance to continue your peacible and prosperous Raigne : it will purchase mercie at Gods hands , according to his owne promise . Blessed be the mercifull , Math. 5. for they shall obtayne mercie .

I need not adde what a Consolation , and Comfort it will be , to many score thousands of your subjects , and the greatest obligation that can be deuised , to binde them to you , and yours for euer : Nowe what applause , and congratulation from forraine Catholike countries , would followe this your famous Fact . Vndoubtedly all the glorious companie of Kinges and Queenes , ( now in heauen ) of whom your are lineallie descended : and among all the rest , namelie , your most sacred and deare Mother , that endured so much for her constancy in the same Catholike faith , cannot but take it most kindly , if for God and their sakes , you take into your Princelie protection their folowers in the Roman faith , and defend them from oppression .

Thus most humbly crauing pardon of your Highnes , if I haue in any thing exceeded the limittes of my bounden dutie , I beseech our blessed Sauiour to endue you , both with the true knowledge of his diuine veritie , and with the spirit of Fortitude , to imbrace and defend it constantly ; or that at the least , gratiouslie to tolerate and permitte it .