A Looking Glass for All Lordly Prelates, Part
A notable Jesuiticall Policy of some Lordly Prelates, worthy consideration.
SOme great domineering Lord Prelates to advance their own power, and draw all men to their party, have of late endevoured to ingrosse into their hands, the disposall of most Ecclesiasticall dignities (as Bishopricks, Deanneres, Prebendaries, Headships in the Vniversities, presentations to most great Benefices, and the like) and of many temporall preferments; together with the Custody of his Majesties Treasury. By this policy: First, they keepe all men from preferment (how deserving, learned and pioussoever) but those of their owne faction and creatures. Secondly, they make their owne party very great and strong in all Courts of Iustice, and places of the Realm, so as none dare oppose them in the least measure, no not in cases which highly concerne both GOD, the King, Religion, and the whole Realme. Thirdly, they are more feared and crowched to then the King himselfe, or all his Nobles. Fourthly, they would win all men to their own opinions, humours and superstitions, out of hopes of preferment, which else they have no way to attaine. Fiftly, they have many Clergie men so wholly at their command, that they will write, preach, practice, defend, any errours, false Doctrines, Innovations, Superstitions or popish Ceremonies, their Lordships shall command or desire them, to obtaine their favours and advancement. Sixtly, by this meanes they gaine scouts and spies in every corner of the Kingdome, in Court, City, Countrey, and in most Noble-mens, and Gentlemens families; (whose Chaplaines are now for the most part, nought else but these great Prelates agents and Intelligencers;) so that nothing can be done or spoken against them, or intended for their prejudice, but they have present information of it. Seventhly, by this policy, they keep all men under their girdles, crush all that dare oppose them, stop the current of Iustice; bolster out all their popish agents and opposing officers, setup Popery againe without much noyse or opposition, oppresse his Majesties good Subjects, extirpate piety and Religion, rob his Majesty, his Nobles and officers of ther Authority, Privilidges and power to preferre well-deserving men, (and so by consequence, deprive them of much honour, service, respect, observance and thankfulnes for benefits to be received;) advance their owne Episcopall power, jurisdiction, Cours, beyond all moderation and bounds, and in a manner do and say what they list without opposition or controule. This Iesuiticall stratagem of theirs (prescribed by Conc' in his Politiques, as one of the chiefe meanes to undermine Religion, and all protestant States and Churches,) is worthy his Majesties and his Nobles most serious consideration, and prevention in due time; for feare it inslave them and the whole Kingdome to the Pope and Prelates, before they are aware of it.
Great Reverend Lord Prelates are like to that we call a Sir Reverence; the more they stirre and are stirred, the worse, the more they stinke. They are like Davids mountaines, Ps. 144. 5. If men doe but touch them and their vices, they will smoke, yea storme and rage like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest, whose waterscast up mire and dirt, Isay. 56. 20. Hence they labour to suppresse, sease and call in all good Bookes, (yea the Palsgraves New-printed Declaration in affront to his Highnesse and his Churches, because it censures some of their idle Ceremonies and Arminian Doctrines, though tacitly and moderately by way of Apologie;) our Saviour himselfe gives us the true reason, Why: Iohn 3. 20. For every one that doth evill hateth the light, neither commeth to the light, lest his deeds should be discovered and reprooved; as their Lord ships now are pretty well, if not to their amendment, yet doubtlesse to their shame.