A Key for Catholics, Treatise 1 · Chapter 45
CHAP. XLV.
Detect. 36. ANother of their Practical frauds is in ſeeking to Divide the Proteſtants among themſelves, or to break them into Sects, or poyſon the ductile ſort with Hereſies, and then to draw them to ſome odious practiſes, to caſt a diſgrace on the Proteſtant Cauſe.
In this and ſuch Helliſh practiſes as this, they have been more ſucceſsful then in all their Diſputations. But whether the Cauſe be of Heaven or Hell that muſt be thus upheld, I leave to the conſiderate to judge.
What they have done abroad in this way, I leave others to enquire that are more fit; But we all ſmart by what they have done at home.
Yet this I may well ſay, that if their own ſecular Prieſts are to be believed, (as Watſon and many more) It is their Jeſuites that have ſet many Nations in thoſe flames, whoſe cauſe the world hath not obſerved. And I may well ſet down the words of a Prieſt of their own, John Brown, aged ſeventy two, in his Voluntary Confeſſion to a Committee of Parliament, as it is in Mr. Prins Introduct. pag. 202.
Saith he [The whole Chriſtian world doth acknowledge the prediction which the Univerſity of Paris doth foreſee in two ſeveral Decrees they made Anno 1565. When the Society of Jeſuites did labour to be members of that Univerſity: Hoc genus hominum natus eſt ad interitum Chriſtianae Reipubliae & ſubvertionem literarum. They were the only cauſe of the troubles which fell out in Muſcovie, when under pretence to reduce the Latine Church, and plant themſelves, and deſtroy the Greek Church, the poor King Demetrius and his Queen, and thoſe that followed him from Polonia were all in one night murdered by the monſtrous Uſurper of the Crown, and the true progeny rooted out. They were the only cauſe that moved the Swedes to take Arms againſt their lawfull King Sigiſmund, and chaſed him to Poland: and neither he nor his ſucceſſors were ever able to take poſſeſſion of Sweden. For the Jeſuites intention was to bring in the Romiſh Religion, and root out Proteſtants. They were the only cauſe that moved the Polonians to take Arms againſt the ſaid Sigiſmund, becauſe they had perſwaded him to marry two ſiſters, one after the other; both of the houſe of Auſtria. They have been the ſole cauſe of the war entered in Germany ſince the year one thouſand ſix hundred and nineteen, as Pope Paulus 15. told the General of their Order, called Viceleſcus, for their avarice, pretending to take all the Church lands from the Huſſites in Bohemia to themſelves; which hath cauſed the death of many thouſand by ſword, famine and peſtilence in Germany. They have been the cauſe of civil wars in France, during all which time moving the French King to take Arms againſt his own ſubjects the Proteſtants, where innumerable people have loſt their lives, as the ſiege of Rochell and other places will give ſufficient proof. For the Jeſuites intentions were to ſet their ſociety in all Cities and Towns conquered by the King, and quite to aboliſh the Proteſtants. They were the cauſe of the murder of the laſt King of France. They were the only projectors of the Gunpowder Treaſon, and their Penitents the actors thereof. They were the only cauſe (namely Father Parſons) that incenſed the Pope to ſend ſo many fulminate Breves to theſe Kingdoms, to hinder the Oath of Allegiance and lawfull Obedience to their temporal Prince, that they might ſtill fiſh in troubled waters. Their damnable doctrine to deſtroy and depoſe Kings, hath been the cauſe of the Civil wars, likely to befall theſe Kingdoms, if God in mercy do not ſtop it] So far the Popiſh Prieſt.
You ſee here, if their own pens are to be credited, thoſe very Actions of the Swedes, Germans, French, which they caſt as a reproach in the face of the Proteſtant; (as you may ſee in a Book called The Image of the two Churches) were indeed their own, and to be laid at their own doors. I omit abundance of better proof, becauſe I will give them the words of none but themſelves in this.
How far they were the cauſes of the old broils in Scotland, Knox, and Spotſwood, and all their later Hiſtories will tell you.
How buſie they were in England in Queen Elizabeths dayes, the Popes Bulls, and the many Treacheries committed ſignifie. Even in King James his dayes, who wrote againſt them, they ſo far prevailed, as to cauſe him to ſwear to thoſe Articles for Toleration of Popery, in order to the Spaniſh Match, which you may read in Prins Introduct. pag. 44, 45. Yea ſo far as to prevail with King James before the Lords of his Council to ſay, that [His Mother ſuffered Martyrdom in this Realm for the profeſſion of the Catholick Religion; a Religion which had been publikely profeſſed for many ages in this Realm, confirmed by many great and excellent Emperours, and famous in all Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtories, by an infinite number of Martyrs, who had ſealed it with their blood: that the Catholicks well knew that there was in him a grand affection to the Catholick Religion in ſo much that they believed at Rome that he did but diſſemble his Religion to obtain the Crown of England: That now he had maturely conſidered the penury and calamities of the Roman Catholicks, who were in the number of his faithfull ſubjects, and was reſolved to relieve them; and therefore did from thenceforth take all his Roman Catholick ſubjects into his protection, permitting them the liberty and entire exerciſe of their Religion, and liberty to celebrate the Maſs with other Divine offices of their Religion without any inquiſition, proceſs or moleſtation from that day forwards.] And ſo he goes on reſtoring them to their eſtates, commanding all Officers to hold their hands, and for what cauſe ſo ever it be, not to attempt to grieve or moleſt the ſaid Catholicks neither in publick or private in the liberty of the excerciſe of their Religion, upon pain of being reputed guilty of high Treaſon, &c.] Prin ubi ſup. p. 30. & Mercur. Gal. To. 9. p. 485.
So far prevailed they with Prince Charls our late King, as to cauſe him to write that Letter to the Pope which you may read Mercur. Franc. To. 9. An. 1623. p. 509, 510. and in Prins Introduct. p. 38. which I have no mind to recite: and alſo they prevailed with him to ſwear to the Spaniſh conditions, and alſo that he would [permit at all times, that any ſhould freely propoſe to him the Arguments of the Catholick Religion, without giving any impediment: and that he would never directly or indirectly permit any to speak to the Infanta againſt the ſame.]
What a hand the Papiſts had in the late Innovations, and wars in England, and Scotland, and Ireland, is too evident. How they deſigned the reducing of England to the Pope in the Spaniſh, and after in the French match, and how in proſecution of it, they had their Nuntio's here at London, and erected their houſes of Jeſuites, Capuchins, and Nuns; how far they inſtigated the Court and Prelates to ſilence, and ſuſpend, and baniſh Godly Miniſters, and to enſnare them by the bowing to Altars, by the Book for dancing on the Lords dayes, and many ſuch things; how far they urged them on againſt the Scots, I had rather you would read in Mr. Prins Works of Darkneſs brought to Light, and Canterburies Tryall, and his Romes Maſter piece, and his Royall Favorite, then hear it from me: And if any reader be diſaffected to the reciter of it, let them at leaſt peruſe impartially the Evidences produced by him.
It was one of their own Religion, who in remorſe of Conſcience opened the Plot in which they were engaged, to Andreas ab Habernfield, Phyſitian to the Queen of Bohemia, who told it Sr. Wil. Boſwell, the Kings Agent at Hague; which was to ſubvert the Proteſtant Religion, and ſet up Popery, and reconcile us to Rome; and to that end to attempt the perverting of the King, and to engage us in a war with Scotland, and if the King would not be perverted, then to poyſon him.
The Jeſuites (of whom four ſorts were planted in London, and had built them a Colledge, having Cardinal Barbarino for their Protector) crept into all Societies, and acted all parts, (ſave the peace-makers,) and being a foreſeeing Generation, they lookt further before them then the ſhort witted men whom they over-reacht. When they had by the Countenance of the Queen got ſo conſiderable a ſtrength at the Court, and ſo much intereſt in the Prelates, and influence on all Eccleſiaſtical affairs, they ſet afoot the foreſaid innovations in worſhip, againſt the Lords Day, &c. and the foreſaid perſecutions of faithfull, yea and conformable Miniſters; and ſtill they went Dilemmatically to work, thinking to make ſure which way ever things went, to effects their ends. They ſee that either their firſt attempt would prevail without oppoſition or not: If it do, then the Calvinifts, and Puritan, and Proteſtant Preachers will be removed, and the places filled with Arminians, and masked Papiſts, and ignorant men, unable to reſiſt them, and ductile worldlings, that will alway be on the ſtronger ſide, and their ends will be eaſily attained. But if there be any Oppoſition, Murmuring, Diſcontents, either it will provoke the Diſcontented to open Defence and Reſiſtance, or not: If not, their Diſcontents will hurt none but themſelves. If it do, then either they will be cruſht in the beginning, or able to bring it to a war. If the firſt; then we ſhall have the Day, and this to boot, that they will lie under the Odium of Rebellion, and be trod the lower, and be the leſs able ever to riſe: and we ſhall be able with eaſe to drive on the change to a higher degree, in Oppoſition to ſo odious a party. But if they he able to make a war of it, either they will be conquered, or conquer, or make Peace. The laſt is moſt unlikely, becauſe Jealouſies and Engagements will preſently be multiplyed, ſo that an apparent neceſſity will ſeem to lie on each party not to truſt the other: And the flames are eaſier to be kept in then kindled: And if ſo unlikely a thing ſhould come to paſs, yet it muſt needs be to our advantage. For we will openly all appear for the King, and ſo in England and Ireland we ſhall be conſiderable: He will remember that he was helpt by us, and look on the Proteſtants and Puritans as Rebels, and take his next advantage againſt them, or at leaſt be at a greater diſtance from them then before: For ſuch a war will never out of his mind, nor will he think himſelf ſafe till he hath diſabled them from doing the like again. But if one part conquer it will be the King, or the Puritans (for ſo the Proteſtants muſt now be caled) If the King prevail, then will the Puritans be totally trod down, and we by whoſe help the victory was got, ſhall certainly be incomparably better then we are, if not have preſently all our will. For our fidelity will be predicated: the Rebells will be odious: So that their very names will be a ſcorn, and there will be no great reſiſtance of us (For ſaith Mr. Middleton in his Letter to the A. B. of Canterb. in Prins Introduct. p. 142, 143. The Jeſuite (at Florence, lately returned from England, who pretends to have made a ſtrict diſcovery of the ſtate of England as it ſtands for Religion) ſaith, that the Puritans are ſhrewd fellows, but thoſe which are counted good Proteſtants are fair conditioned honeſt men, and think they may be ſaved in any Religion.) But if the Puritans get the day (which is a moſt unlikely thing) yet ſhall we make great advantage of it; For 1. They will be unſettled and all in pieces, and not know how to ſettle the Government: And ſaith the Jeſuites Letter, found in the A. B. of Cant. Study in Prins Introduct. pag. 89, 90. [Our foundation muſt be Mutation: this will cauſe a Relaxation; which ſerves as ſo many violent diſeaſes, as the Stone, Gout, &c. to the ſpeedy deſtruction, &c.] 2. We ſhall neceſsitate the Puritan Proteſtants to keep the King as a Priſoner, or elſe to put him to death; If they keep him as a Priſoner, his diligence, and friends, and their own diviſions, will either work his deliverance, and give him the day again by our help, or at leaſt will keep the State in a continual unſettledneſs, and will be an Odium on them. If they cut him off (which we will rather promote, leſt they ſhould make uſe of his extremities to any advantage) then 1. We ſhall procure the Odium of King-killing to fall upon them, which they are wont to caſt upon us and ſo ſhall be able to disburden our ſelves. 2. And we ſhall have them all to pieces in diſtractions. For 3. Either they will then ſet up a new King, or the Parliament will keep the power, changing the Government into a Democracy. The firſt cannot be done without great concuſſions, and new wars; and we ſhall have opportunity to have a hand in all. And if it be done, it may be much to our advantage. The ſecond will apparently by factions and diſtractions give us footing for continual attempts. But to make all ſure, we will ſecretly have our party among the Puritans alſo, that we may be ſure to maintain our Intereſt which way ever the world go] The event with common reaſon and many full diſcoveries ſhew, that this was the frame of the Papiſts plot.
And what power and intereſt they had in the Kings Armies and Counſels in the wars, is a thing that needs no further diſcovery. But had they any Intereſt in the Councils and Forces of the Parliament? Anſw. It will be expected that he that aſſerteth any thing in matters of this moment, ſhould prove it by more then moral evidence of greateſt probabilities: and therefore I ſhall be ſparing in my Aſſertions: but yet I ſhall ſay in general, that though the buſineſs would be troubleſome, chargeable and tedious, to call together the Witneſſes that are neceſſary, yet Witneſſes and Evidences may be had, to prove that the Papiſts have had more to do in our affairs, then moſt men are aware of, without any poſitive Aſſertions; therefore I deſire them that can ſee a cauſe in its effects, but to follow theſe ſtreams till they find the Fountain. 1. Whence came thoſe motions againſt the Miniſtry and Churches into our Councils? Whence was it that ſo many men of note did call the friends of the Miniſtry [Prieſt ridden fellows] and the Miniſters [Iack Presbyters] to teach the Nation to bring them into ſcorn? I well know that all this came from Hell. But whether by the way of Rome. I leave to your inquiry. Yea, whence was it that motions have been made to pull down all the Miniſtry at once? Was this by Proteſtants?
2. Whence came the doctrine contended for by Sir H. V. and others, againſt the Power of the Magiſtrate in matters of Religion, and for Univerſal Liberty in Religion? I know the Papiſts are not for ſuch liberty in Spain, or any where, where they can hinder it: but with all I know, that it is one of their fundamentals, that ſuch matters belong only to the Pope and Prelates, and Magiſtrates muſt but be their Executioners; and I know that its truly the Magiſtrates Power for which the uſurping Pope contendeth: and I know that the Papiſts are moſt Zealous for Liberty of Conſcience in England, though deadly enemies to it elſewhere.
3. And whence came the Hiders Body of Divinity, that hath infected ſo many high and low? How come ſo many called Seekers to ſeem to be at a loſs; whether there be any Scripture, Church, or Miniſtry? or which be they?
4. How came we contrived into a war with Scotland and Holland, when we could keep Peace with Spain? with them, or us, or both, there was ſome ſorry cauſe.
5. How came our Armies ſo corrupted with principles of impiety, Licentiouſneſs and Anarchy, that ſo many turned Levellers (to ſay nothing of all the reſt), and roſe up againſt their Commanders, and were fain to be ſubdued by force, and ſome of them ſhot to death, and many caſhiered? &c.
6. How came it to paſs that Papiſts have been diſcovered in our Armies, and in the ſeveral parties in the Land?
7. And where are the ſwarms of the Engliſh Jeſuites and Fryars, that are known to have emptyed themſelves upon us from their Colledges beyond Sea?
8. How came it to paſs, that the Petitions of the Proteſtant Presbyters of London, and of other Proteſtants for the Life of the King, could not be heard? but that the Levelling party carryed on their work, till they had ſet the forreign and domeſtick Papiſts on reproaching the Proteſtants as King-killers? and had (though very falſely) turned the odium of that horrid kind of crime upon the innocent Proteſtants, which the Papiſts are known to be moſt deeply guilty of: And now in all Nations they make the ignorant people believe, that the death of that King was the work of the Proteſtants or Presbyterians, and the blot of their Religion.
9. Whence came it to paſs, that Levelling went on with continued ſucceſs till the Houſe of Lords, with the Regal Office was taken down, and an engagement put (on all thoſe ductile ſouls that would take it) to be [True to the Common-wealth, as eſtabliſhed without a King or Houſe of Lords?]
10. Whence came it that the Weekly News Books contained the Letters of the Agents of the Agitators from France, telling us how good men the Jeſuites were, and how agreeable to them in their principles for a Democracy, (which they vainly call a Republick, as if there were no Common-wealth, but a Democracy) and telling us what exceeding meet materials for ſuch a Common-wealth the Jeſuites would be. The Agencies of particular men with Jeſuites I ſhall purpoſely omit.
11. Whence came it that all the maddeſt dividing parties had their liberty; and the reproach and envy was moſt againſt the united Miniſtry? and if the Lord Protector had not ſtept in, they had been likely to be taken down.
12. And whence came it that Sexby, and others, that have been Souldiers in our Armies, have confederated with Spain to murder the Lord Protector? And whence came their Jeſuitical Treaſonable Pamphlets (ſuch as Killing no Murder) provoking men to take away his life?
Much more may be propoſed tending to a diſcovery, how far the Papiſts have crept in among us, and had to do in our affairs. But I think God hath yet much more in ſeaſon to diſcover. Truth is the daughter of time.
As concerning the death of the King, I ſhall not meddle at this time with the Cauſe, nor meddle with the Reaſons brought for it or againſt it. But, ſuppoſe as bad of it as you can, the Providence of God hath ſo contrived it, that nothing but ignorance or blind malice can lay it upon the Proteſtants, Epiſcopal, or Presbyterian, that ſtrove ſo much againſt it, and ſuffered ſo much for it as they have done. When many on the other ſide, charged the Scots, and the impriſoned Miniſters of London, with thoſe that were put to death, for going too far on the other ſide, in manifeſting their diſtaſtes: Of which I take not on me to be judge, but mention it only as Evidence that clears them from the deed.
And to vindicate the Proteſtants openly before all the world, and to all poſterity, from that Fact, it is moſt publikely known, 1. That both Houſes of Parliament in their Proteſtations engaged themſelves and the Nations, to be true to the King. 2. That they openly profeſſed to mannage their war for King and Parliament: Not againſt his Perſon or Authority, but againſt Delinquents that were fled from Juſtice, and againſt evill Counſellors. 3. That the two Nations of England and Scotland did in the midſt of the wars ſwear in the Solemn League and Covenant to he true to the King. 4. That the Committees, Commanders, Miniſters and people through the Land, profeſſed openly to go only on theſe terms, as managing but a defenſive war againſt the Kings miſcarriages, but an Offenſive againſt Delinquent ſubjects. 5. In that it was known that the Army was quite altered (not only by a new modelling, but) by an inteſtine Jeſuitical corrupting of multitudes of the Souldiers, before this Odious fact could be done. 6. And it was known, that the corrupted part of the Army, though the fewer, did ſo excell the reſt in induſtry and activity, that thereby they hindered their oppoſition. 7. And it is known that the Jeſuited part (that afterward ſo many of them turn'd Levellers) did draw into them the Anabaptiſts, Libertines, and other Sects, upon a conjunction of Intereſts, and by many ſly pretenſes, eſpecially tying all together by the predicated Liberty for all Religions. 8. And yet after all this, the world knows they were fain before they could accompliſh it, to Maſter the City of London, to Maſter the Parliament, to impriſon and caſt out the Members, and to retain but a few that were partly of their mind, and partly ſeduced or over-awed by them, to joyn with them in the work. 9. It is known that before they were put out, and impriſoned by the Army, the Commons voted the Kings Conceſſions in the Treaty to be ſo far ſatisfactory, as that they would have proceeded on them towards a full Agreement. See Mr. Prins large Speech in the Houſe to that end. And if they had not ſuddenly been ſecluded and impriſoned, they had agreed with the King. 10. And it is well known to all that dwell in England, that before and ſince the doing of it, the thing is diſowned, diſtaſted and deteſted by the main Body of the Engliſh Nation, Nobility, Gentlemen, Miniſters and people: Yea, to my knowledge multitudes that are now firm and loyal to the preſent Power, ſuppoſing it to be ſet over us by God, (and therefore would abhor the like practiſes againſt them) do yet deteſt that fact that intervened and made way to it. So that experience may ſatisfie all men, that Proteſtants, even thoſe called Puritans, were the Enemies, and not the Actors of it. 11. And it is well known how the Proteſtant Miniſters that had engaged in the war for King and Parliament, were ſo great Adverſaries to the putting of the King to death, that they oppoſed it, and diſſwaded from it, and thereby drew the Odium of the Corrupted part of the Army upon them; and that the London Miniſters unanimouſly concuered in an Addreſs to the Lord Fairfax to prevent it, and printed their abhorrence of it, and publiſhed it to the world: And that many of them were impriſoned, and Mr. Love beheaded, and many others put to death, or other ſufferings, for being againſt theſe deſigns, and endeavouring to oppoſe the progreſs of them. 12. And laſtly, it is known, that the Kingdom of Scotland diſowned it from firſt to laſt, and ſo far proceeded in oppoſition to it, and in adheſion to the ancient line, as coſt them the miſeries of a grievous war, and a conqueſt of their Kingdom. I ſpeak but of the matter of fact that is known to the world. So that it is againſt all humane Reaſon and Equity, that when we have all ſworn to the contrary, and endeavoured it, and the Parliament men of one Kingdom are ſecluded, and Impriſoned for it, and the other Kingdom conquered for it, and the Proteſtants ſtill generally diſown it, that yet it ſhould be charged on the Proteſtants, or their Religion, that they put to death their King. This is moſt unreaſonable in juſtice; eſpecially from thoſe men that were the cauſers of it.
I do therefore leave it here to poſterity (having been my ſelf a member of the Army four years, or thereabouts) that it was utterly againſt the mind and thoughts of Proteſtants, and thoſe that they called Puritans, to put the King to death; the twelve Evidences fore-mentioned are undenyable Arguments that it was the work of Papiſts, Libertines, Vaniſts, and Anabaptiſts, and that the Proteſtants deeply ſuffered by oppoſing it; as the face of Scotland and England ſadly teſtifie to this day. And yet (though we have ſuch open Evidence that this cannot be charged on our Religion or us), I muſt needs adde, that every wiſe man ſees that the Caſe it ſelf much differs from the Papiſts. If the Body of a Common-wealth, or thoſe that have part in the Legiſlative Power, and ſo in the Supremacy, ſhould unwillingly be engaged in a war with the Prince, and after many years blood and deſolations, judicially take away his life as guilty of all this blood, and not to be truſted any more with Government, and all this they do, not as private men, but as the remaining Soveraign Power, and ſay they do it according to the Laws; undoubtedly this caſe doth very much differ from the Powder-plot, or Papiſts murdering of Kings, and teaching that its lawful for a private hand to do it, if he be but an Heretick, or be but depoſed, yea or excommunicated by the Pope. A war and a treacherous murder are not all one: Nor is a part of the Soveraign Power all one with a private hand, or forreign Prelate, pretending to a Dominion over the lives and ſtates of Princes, and over the Kingdoms of the world, and that the Vice-chriſt, and Vice-God on earth.
It is a grievous caſe that the Senate or Body of a Nation ſhould think themſelves neceſſitated to defend themſelves, and the Church and State againſt their Prince, or any that act by his commands. It will ſtrongly tempt them to think that the end is to be preferred before the Means; and that it ceaſeth to be a Means which is againſt and deſtructive to the End: and that it is eſſentiall to a Governing Power to be for the common good: and therefore that it is no Authority which is uſed againſt it: It will tempt them alſo to think that God never gave power to any againſt himſelf or above his Laws, or againſt the Ends of Government. And a Senate or the Body of a Nation will be apt to think themſelves fit to diſcern when the publick ſafety is dangerouſly aſſaulted; and will hardly be brought to truſt any One to be the final Judge of their Neceſſity, as thinking ſuch a publike Neceſſity proves it ſelf, and needs no judge but ſence and reaſon to diſcern it. And if they alſo think that the fundamental Conſtitution of the Government doth make the Senate the higheſt Judge of the ſafety or danger of the Republick, and ſo that the Law is on their ſide, and that it is Treaſon againſt the Common-wealth (and as Politicians ſay, againſt the Majeſtas Realis) to riſe againſt them; the temptation then is much the ſtronger. And where the Legiſlative power, and higheſt Judiciall power is by the Conſtitution of the Government divided between the Prince and Senate, and ſo the Soveraignty divided, many will be ready to think with Grotius de jure Belli, lib. 1. §. 13. p. 91. that the Prince invading the Senates right, may juſtly be reſiſted, and may loſe his right: Quod locum (ſaith Grotius) habere cenſeo, etiamſi dictum ſit, belli poteſtatem penes Regem fore: Id exim de bello externo intelligendum eſt: cum alioqui quiſquis Imperii ſummi jus partem habeat, non poſſit, non jus habere, eam partem tuendi. Quod ubi fit, poteſt Rex etiam ſuam Imperii partem belli jure amittere.] And indeed when a war is once begun, the difficulty of re-uniting is exceeding great: If a Prince engage either hired ſtrangers, or fugitives, or homebred delinquents, or others, to riſe up againſt the Senate or people, either its lawfull to Defend themſelves by Arms; or not. If not (eſpecially if they have a ſhare in the Soveraignty) then is his power abſolute and unlimited, and neither Laws nor any thing below are any ſecurity againſt his will to the common ſafety (The contrary whereto our late King declared in his notable Anſwer to the nineteen Propoſitions.) But if their Defence be lawfull, then if their Souldiers muſt know before hand, that if they do purchaſe a victory by their blood, when they have all done they muſt be all Governed by him whom they have conquered, and lye at his Mercy, they would hardly ever have an Army to defend them: For who will do the utmoſt that is poſſible to exaſperate him that he knows muſt rule him when all is done? I ſpeak not this by way of Juſtification, or any way deciding ſuch caſes as theſe, but leaving that (as a controverſie that I am not here to decide) to the judgement of others, I only ſhew the world again that there's a great deal of difference between ſuch a war and conqueſt of a Prince by the Senate and Body of the people, and their allowing Popes to depoſe them and alienate their Dominions, and private men to rebell, and to murder them, if the Pope conſent, or excommunicate them. Whether they were in the right or wrong, I am not the judge, but ſurely it was the judgement of the Parliament, that upon the Diviſion, the power was in them to defend themſelves and the Commonwealth, and ſuppreſs all ſubjects that were in Arms againſt them; and that thoſe that did reſiſt them, did reſiſt the higher powers, ſet over them by God, and therefore were guilty of the damnation of reſiſters: And this they aſſured the people was the Truth. And the forecited conceſſions of the King, (againſt the nineteen Propoſitions) acknowledging their part in the Legiſlative power and defence of the people, (which is known to be the higheſt part of Soveraignty,) did much incline many to believe the Parliament: Eſpecially knowing that they had ſo long exerciſed the ſaid Legiſlative power, and that we were all governed by Laws of their making. So that thoſe that did obey the Parliament, did verily think that they obeyed the higheſt power that upon the diviſion was left in the Common-wealth; and that they had the Laws on their ſide, and did adhere to the Common good, which is the end of Government.
And as they have thus cauſed our wars, and miſeries, and ſcandals, ſo have they continued to multiply ſects among us of all ſorts; ſo that there is ſcarce a ſect but is a ſpawn of the Jeſuites and Fryars; and ſcarce an honeſt party but they creep in among them to work their ends. And here I ſhall briefly mention ſome of the parties with whom they have inſinuated to work their ends, and then ſome of the ſects that they have bred or animated.
1. As for the old Engliſh Biſhops and conformable Miniſters, who were of the faith and doctrine publikely here profeſſed, I confeſs I find but little evidence that ever the Papiſts had much to do with them, ſave only to inſtigate them againſt the Puritans, and draw ſome of them to a complyance with ſuch as did out-go them. Yet in their times Biſhop Goodman of Gloceſter was ſuſpected to be a Papiſt, and ſo profeſſed himſelf by his laſt Teſtament at his death, ſince the wars.
2. As for the Presbyterians, I do not ſee any reaſon to think that ever the Papiſts had any intereſt in them of any men, there being none that they more hate then theſe two ſorts (the old ſound Epiſcopal men, and the Presbyterians) But yet both in France and Scotland they have cunningly wrought upon them ab extra, alarming them into diſturbances by the wild-fire which they have caſt in.
3. As for the new Epiſcopal party that followed Grotius (Arminius in doctrine) and the Greek Church, and were for a reconciliation with Rome, on thoſe terms (which doubtleſs Rome would never have yielded to) the intereſt that the Papiſts had among them, and influence that they had on them or their proceedings, is evident from what is ſaid before; and much from the copious Proofs produced by Mr. Prin in his forementioned Book (Canterburies Tryal, with the Introduct.) The Jeſuites Letter cited by Prin, ib. pag. 89. ſaith [Now we have planted that Soveraign drugg Arminianiſm, which we hope will purge the Proteſtants from their hereſie, and it flouriſheth and bears fruit in due ſeaſon.] The Articles exhibited in Parliament againſt many of the Biſhops will tell you by their works who were the inſtigators of them. Of themſelves I know of none but Goodman that hath profeſſed himſelf a flat Papiſt; and I ſhall not think it my duty to ſuſpect any one man of holding an Opinion which he profeſſeth not himſelf, unleſs the evidence be very ſtrong to move ſuſpicion. But that many Papiſts were at work with them in that pretended Reconcilement, Franciſ. à S. Clara and divers others put us paſt doubt. And that Papiſts crept into places in the Chruch under the garb of conformable Arminians, is too well known. It is no wonder therefore that Dr. Baily, Dr. Goffe, Dr. Vane, Hugh Paul de Creſſy, and many more of them did opnely revolt when the game ſeemed to be ſpoiled that was plaid underboord. It had been far leſs hurt to us I think if all the reſt had been as open.
As for the King himſelf that was their Head, if any conjecture that he was a flat Papiſt, as I have heard many raſhly ſay, I think there is much evidence to confute them. 1. That very Letter to the Pope (forementioned) on which the ſuſpicion is moſt grounded, if you mark it exactly, doth intimate no more then a deſire of a union and Reconciliation, with ſome additions that may bear a tolerable ſence. 2. His own Profeſſion of the Proteſtant Religion is ſufficient evidence. 3. His Diſputation with the Marqueſs of Worceſter cleareth it. 4. His ſpeech at death, and Papers ſince publiſhed clear it more. So that I think we may be confident that he was no nearer to Rome then was the reconcilable part of the Greeks: and that he deſired no more then Biſhop Bromhal, and other of his Biſhops offer them, to have the Church governed by Patriarcks, and the Pope to be Principium Unitatis, &c. If any would know what Party Grotius was of, I deſire them carefully to peruſe but theſe places in his writings (which I have cited elſewhere) Diſcuſ. Apolog. Rivet. pag. 255. & pag. 7. & vot. pro Pace, pag. 1, 2, 3. And of his friends in England among the Biſhops in Paris and all France, in Germany and Poland. See Diſcuſ. Apol. Rivet. pag. 16. and my Diſcovery of Grotius Religion.
Yea for my own part I am perſwaded, that the Papiſts were as much afraid of King Charls and the Grotian deſign, as of any thing that of long time hath been hatcht againſt them. They are not all of a mind at home. The French and moderate party no doubt applauded the deſign, and liked ſuch writings as S. Clara's, and would gladly have married England and France in Religion. But others (the Italian, Spaniſh Jeſuited party) might eaſily foreſee what danger was in brewing for them. Had France, England, Sweden, Denmark, and the German Lutherans agreed together, to bear down the Calviniſts as unreconcilable on one ſide (as Grotius intimates it neceſſary) and the Italians and their adherents that ſet up the Pope above a Council, on the other ſide, it would have made the Pope afraid, as no doubt he was. For though he was glad that we would draw neerer him, and make him the Head in any ſort, yet he knew not how to ſtop ſo great an inundation as was like upon the union to over-flow him. And hence was the malice of the Jeſuites againſt the life of the King (and withall that he was fain into ſuch hands where he was like to do them little ſervice.) Secret. Windebanks Letter recited by Prin, ubi ſup. tells us that it was the Jeſuites that were the death of Father Leander, and ſo were the Enemies of Franciſ. S. Clara and his Book, (which cauſed it to incur a Roman Cenſure) So that with one part of them that is the beſt way, which the other is more afraid of then of Proteſtants. We ſee it by the Janſenian conteſt. We ſee it in that Caſſander, Eraſmus, Vives, &c. are excellent Catholicks with ſome of them, and Heretical and vile with the reſt.
4. The perſecuted Nonconformiſts of the Proteſtant party, though they were moſt adverſe to the Papiſts, yet had ſome of the Popiſh brood at laſt crept in among them, not only to ſpie out their minds and wayes, but to head the party, and ſow among them the ſeeds of further diſcontent and error, and to make them a Nurſery for various ſects. For every where by their good wils the Jeſuites will have ſome. If you ask me for my proof of this, I ſhall at this time give you but theſe two. 1. The fruits that ſprung up from among them, and the manner of Production, (of which more anon.) 2. The words of the Jeſuites Letter recited by Mr. Prin, Introd. pag. 90. [I cannot chooſe but laugh to ſee how ſome of our own coat have re-incountred themſelves: you would ſcarce know them if you ſaw them; and it is admirable how in ſpeech and geſture they act the Puritans: The Cambridge Schollars to their wofull experience ſhall ſee, we can act the Puritans a little better then they have done the Jeſuites: they have abuſed our ſacred Patron St. Ignatius in jeſt, but we will make them ſmart for it in earneſt. I hope you will excuſe my merry digreſſion, for I confeſs to you I am at this time tranſported with joy, to ſee how happily all inſtruments and means, as well great as leſſer co-operate to our purpoſes.] Yet cannot I hear of any conſiderable infection among this party that way before Sir Henry Vane's dayes.
5. How far they crept into all Societies under the name of Independants, is opened by ſo many already in Print, that I ſhall add no more of it.
6. And its a thing notorious, that they have crept in among the Anabaptiſts, and formented that Sect. The ſtory of the Scottiſh Miſſionary that pretended himſelf a Jew, and gave the Anabaptiſts the glory of his Converſion, and Rebaptizing at Hexham, and was diſcovered at Newcaſtle, is publiſhed and commonly known: (whether he be yet in Priſon, or releaſt, I know not.) And too many more have more cleanly plaid their game. And though many of the more ſober Anabaptiſts would not be ſo uſefull to the Papiſts as they expected, yet multitudes of them too far anſwered their expectations.
If you ask now what the Papiſts get by all this, I anſwer, you ſee in the Inſtance but of this one ſect, and the products of it. 1. By this means our Councils, Armies, Churches have been divided, or much broken. 2. By this trick they have engaged the minds and tongues of many (and their hands if they had power) againſt the Miniſtry, which is the enemy that ſtandeth in their way. 3. They have thus weakned us by the loſs of our former adherents. 4. They have found a Nurſery or Seminary for their own Opinions, which one half of the Anabaptiſts too greedily receive. 5. By this they have prepared them for more and worſe. 6. By this means they get an Intereſt in our Armies, or weakned our own. 7. By this they have got Agents ready for miſchievous deſigns (as hath been lately too manifeſt.) 8. By this they have caſt a reproach upon our Profeſſion, as if we had no unity or conſiſtence, but were vertiginous for want of the Roman pillar to reſt upon. 9. By this they have looſned and diſaffected the common people, to ſee ſo many minds and waies, and hear ſo much contending, and have looſt them from their former ſtedfaſtneſs, and made them ready for a new impreſſion. 10. Yea by this means they have the opportunity of Predicating their own pretended unity, and hereby have drawn many to their Church of late. All this have they got at this one game. What then have they got by all the reſt?
I ſhall next tell you of ſome of thoſe Hereſies or parties among us, that are the Papiſts own Spawn or progeny; Either they laid the Egg, or hatched it, or both.
And 1. It is moſt certain that Libertiniſm or Freedom for all Religions, was ſpawned by the Jeſuites, who hate it in Spain and Italy, but love it in England. I have met with the masked Papiſts my ſelf that have been very zealous and buſie to promote this Liberty of Conſcience (as they deceitfully called it.) For by this means they may have Liberty for themſelves, and Liberty to break us in pieces by ſects, and alſo Liberty under the Vizor of a Sectary of any tolerated ſort, to oppoſe the Miniſtry and doctrine of truth.
2. But the principal deſign that the Papiſts have upon our Religion, at this day, is managed under a ſort of Juglers, who all are confederate in the ſame grand principles, and are buſie at the ſame work, and are agreed to carry it on in the dark, and with wonderfull ſecrecy do conceal the principal part of their opinions; but yet they uſe not all one vizor, but take on them ſeveral ſhapes and names, and ſome of them induſtriouſly avoid all names. The principal of theſe Hiders are theſe following. 1. The Vani, whoſe game was firſt plaid openly in America in New England, where God gave in his Teſtimony againſt them from Heaven upon their two Propheteſſes, Mrs. Hutchinſon, and Mrs. Dyer: The later brought forth a Monſter with the parts of Bird, Beaſt, Fiſh and Man, which you may ſee deſcribed in Mr. Welds Narrative, with the diſcovery, the concomitants and Conſequents. The former brought forth many (neer 30.) monſtrous births at once, and was after ſlain by the Indians. This providence ſhould at leaſt have awakened England to ſuch a Godly Jealouſie, as to have better tryed the doctrines which God thus ſeemed to caſt out, before they had ſo greedily entertained them, as in part of Lincolnſhire, Cambridgeſhire, and many other parts they have done. At leaſt it ſhould have wakened the Parliament to a wiſe and Godly Jealouſie of the Counſels and deſigns of him that was in New England, the Maſter of the game, and to have carefully ſearcht how much of his doctrine and deſign were from heaven, and how much of them he brought with him from Italy, or at leaſt was begotten by the Progenitor of Monſters. Such extraordinary providences are not to be deſpiſed. They had a great Operation in New England among thoſe wiſe and godly men that ſaw them, or were neer them, and knew the wayes of them that God thus teſtified againſt. That which healed them ſhould have warned us. But God had a judgement for us, and therefore we were left in blindneſs, to overlook that Judgement that ſhould have warned us. They are now diſperſed in Court, City, and Country, and what God will ſuffer them, and the Papiſts by them further to do, time will diſcover.
2. The next ſort of Hiders, are the Paraceſians, Weigelians, and Behmeniſts, who go the ſame way in the main with the former, and are indeed the ſame party, but think meet to take another name, and fetch their vizor from Jacob Behmen: of their life of Community, and Chaſtity, and Viſible converſe (as they profeſs) with Angels, you may ſee ſomewhat in the Narrative of Dr. Pordidge of himſelf, together with Mr. Fowlers of him. The moſt clean and moderate piece of their doctrine that hath been lately publiſhed, is Mr. Bromleyes way to the Sabbath of Reſt; or Treatiſe of Regeneration.
3. Another ſort of the Hiders are thoſe called Seekers, among whom I have reaſon to believe the Papiſts have not the leaſt of their ſtrength in England at this day. They practiſe the leſſon that Boverius in Apparat. ad Conſultat, taught Prince Charls long ago [Primum eſt, ut quoniam vera Religio tibi inquirenda eſt, antequam ad eam inveſtigandam accedas, omnem prius Religionem apud te ſuſpectam habeas: lubeat que tamdiu à Proteſtantium fide ac Religione animum ac voluntatem ſuſpendere, quamdiu in veri inquiſitione verſaris—] We muſt ſuſpect all Religion it ſeems, and be firſt of no Religion, if we will become Papiſts. A fair begining! We muſt then be unchriſtned, and ſuſpect Chriſt and Scripture, that we may be eſpouſed to the Pope. And this is the Papiſts work by the Seekers, to take us off from all, or from our former Religion, and blot out all the old impreſſions, that we may be capable of new. And if they can accompliſh this, they have us at a fair advantage. For he that is not a ſtark Atheiſt or Infidel, but believes that he hath a ſoul to ſave or loſe, muſt needs know the Neceſſity of ſeeking his Salvation in ſome Religion or other: and therefore take him off from this, and you muſt needs bring him to ſome other: And he that could prevail to take him off his old Religion, is likelieſt to have ſo much intereſt in him as may alſo prevail to bring him to another. And the Papiſt thinks that on the pretence of Unity, Antiquity and Univerſality (of which indeed they have but a deluſory ſhew) they can put as fair for him that is once indifferent as any other can.
Of theſe Seekers there are theſe Sub-diviſions, or Sects. The firſt and moſt moderate do only profeſs themſelves to be Seekers for the true Church and Miniſtry; holding that ſuch a Church and Miniſtry there is, but they are at a loſs to know which is it. A likely thing it is indeed, that men that take themſelves for extraordinary wiſe, ſhould think there is exiſtent ſuch a Church and Miniſtry as they predicate, and yet have no conjecture which it is. As if they ſhould believe that there is ſuch a creature as the Moon, but be not able to know it from the Stars.
The ſecond ſort of Seekers are to ſeek whether there be any Organized Political Church, or any Miniſtry, or any Ordinances proper to a Church at all, or not. Not denying them, but Doubting and Seeking; that ſo when they have found them at Rome, they may prove but Finders, and not groſs changlings: And withall they yield that private men may Declare the Word, and pray together, and read the Scripture. The moſt rational and modeſt that hath wrote for this way, is the Author of [Aſober Word to a Serious People] A likely thing indeed it is, that ſo rational a man ſhould heartily believe, that Chriſt hath planted ſo excellent a Miniſtry, and Church, and Ordinances as himſelf deſcribeth, and to thoſe ſtanding neceſſary uſes which he mentioneth, even inſtead of Chriſt, to take men into the holy Covenant, and yet that all ſhould be left but for an Age or two, and that ever ſince there is no ſuch thing, or at leaſt, no certainty of it. The Stile ſhews us that this Author is no ſuch dotard as to think as he ſpeaks.
3. Another ſort of Seekers are thoſe that do not only Doubt of, but flatly deny any Miniſtry, and Political Churches, and Church-ordinances on Earth, as things that are loſt in an Univerſal Apoſtacy.
4. Another ſort of Seekers do not only doubt of, or deny theſe Particular Churches and Ordinances, but alſo they are to ſeek for the Univerſal Church it ſelf, and the holy Scriptures; yea many of them not only Queſtioning them, but flatly maintaining, that we have no certainty that the Scripture is true, or that we have the ſame that was written by the Apoſtles, or that there is ſuch a thing as true Miniſtry, or State of Chriſtianity in the World. Hence it is that ſome of them pour out ſo many reproaches againſt the Miniſtry and the Holy Scriptures, as you may find in Clem. Writer, in two ignorant Pamphlets, that have ſcorn in the very Titles, as well as through the bulk; one called, The Jus Divinum of Presbyterie; and the other Fides Divina: In which he maintaineth the cauſe of the Infidels. The opinion which this ſort of men openly profeſs, is, that no particular man is bound to believe the Goſpel, but thoſe that have themſelves ſeen Miracles to confirm it: and therefore in the firſt ages when Miracles were wrought, thoſe that ſaw them were bound to believe in Chriſt, and at the ſecond coming of Chriſt, when again he ſhall be witneſſed by Miracles, it will again become a duty to be Chriſtians: but not to others that ſee no Miracles, however they may hear of them. This doctrine Clem. Writer hath profeſſed to me with his own mouth. But I may not cenſure him to be ſo weak as to believe himſelf. It's poſſible that ſuch a ſilly ſoul may be found, that ſhall think that Chriſt came into the world to ſet up Chriſtianity as the true Religion for thoſe only in an Age or two, or more, that ſaw Miracles; but it's unlikely that a man that hath any conſiderable uſe of his reaſon ſhould be ſo ſilly. Who will not deſpiſe Chriſt that thinks he came on ſo low a deſign? Who would not be an Infidel, that thinks ten thouſand Infidels are ſaved for one Chriſtian? Yea who can be himſelf a Chriſtian, that thinks that he is not bound to be a Chriſtian, becauſe he ſees not Miracles? It's moſt evident therefore that this is but a Juggle, and that ſuch are either Infidels or Papiſts. Infidelity is the thing profeſſed, and therefore that we take them for Infidels, they cannot blame us: But yet in Charity I hope (and not without cauſe) that ſome of this Profeſſion are but Papiſts; though others I have found to be deſperate Infidels.
A fifth ſort called Seekers alſo there are, that own the Church and Miniſtery, and Ordinances; but yet ſuppoſe themſelves above them: for they think that theſe are but the Adminiſtrations of Chriſt to men in the paſſage to a higher ſtate, and that ſuch as have received the Spirit, and have the Law once written in their hearts, are under (as they call it) the ſecond Covenant, and ſo are paſt the lower form of Ordinances, Scripture, Miniſtery, and viſible Churches.
And a ſixth ſort of Seekers there are that think the whole company of believers ſhould now be over-grown the Scripture, Miniſtry and Ordinances: For they think that the Law was the Fathers Adminiſtration, and the Goſpel Miniſtry and Sacraments are the Sons Adminiſtration, and that both theſe are now paſt, and the ſeaſon of the Spirits Adminiſtration is come, which all muſt attend, and quit the lower forms. The David-Georgians were the chief that taught the world this leſſon, their Leader taking himſelf to be the Holy Ghoſt. All theſe ſorts of Seekers are bred or cheriſhed by the Jeſuites and Fryars. And the truth is, when a man is made a Seeker, he is half made a Papiſt: As a Dog when he hath loſt his Maſter will follow almoſt any body that will whiſtle him; ſo when men have loſt their Miniſtry, Church and Religion, they are eaſily allured to the Church of Rome: For they are a body as conſpicuous to a carnal eye as any other. And who will not rather be of the Roman Church and Religion then of none?
4. Another ſort of Hiders are the Quakers; an impudent Generation, and open enough in pulling down; but as ſecret and reſerved as the reſt in aſſerting and building up. What intereſts the Papiſts have in breeding and feeding this Sect among us, hath been partly proved from the Oaths of Witneſſes, and Confeſſions of Fryars, and ſomewhat I have ſpoken of it in three ſeveral Papers againſt them. The Doctrine of this fourth ſort is the ſame, or ſcarſe diſcernable from the reſt.
5. A fifth ſort of Hiders, are thoſe Enthuſiaſts, that ſhun the affected bombaſted language of Behmen, and ſuch like, but yet give us much of the body of Popery, Headed by an infallible Prophetick Spirit, inſtead of the Pope. Such as the Authors of the Book againſt the Aſſemblies Confeſſion, owned by Parker, but ſaid to be written by a London Doctor: And many ſuch Doctors I know and hear of abroad in England. They take on them to be adverſaries to the Pope; but they are friends to his Doctrines, and maintain the neceſſity of an infallible living Judge, and ſend us to Prophets for this infallible judgement. And could the Papiſts bring men once to this, it's an eaſie matter to ſtrike off the the feigned Prophetick head, by diſgracing ſuch as meer fantaſticks, and to ſet on the ancient Papal Head, which only will agree with the Body which they have received. So much of the Libertines and the Hiders of their Religion, (of ſeveral ſorts).
3. Another ſort that are ſpawned by the Papiſts, are ſtark Heathens, Atheiſts, or Infidels: Theſe carry their judgement as to the poſitive part as cloſe as any of the reſt, and are grown in England to a far greater number and ſtrength then is commonly imagined. It is not only Leviathan or his Ocean that is guilty of this Apoſtaſie, (however they uſe the name of Chriſt) but abundance that lurk under ſeveral names. A great while I knew not what to make of this cloſe Generation; but now I have found out that which ſhould make a believing tender heart to bleed: even groſs Infidelity, cauſing them ſecretly to ſcorn at Chriſt and the holy Scripture, and the life to come, as bitterly as ever Julian did: And this is crept ſo high, and ſpred ſo far, that it is dreadful to thoſe few that are acquainted with its progreſs. Some that have lately profeſſed to turn Papiſts (for what ends I know not) are known to be ſtark Infidels: And ſome that have long gone for leading men with them, have ſatisfied us by their writings that they are Romaniſts of the moſt ancient ſtrain; even of the Roman Religion that was ancienter then Peter and Paul. And many of the unſetled ſort of Proteſtants, are ſo far forſaken of God, as to Apoſtatize to the ſame condition. Montaltus the Janſenian takes the Jeſuites for falſe unworthy calumniators, for giving out that they have long had a deſign at Port-Royal to overthrow the Goſpel, and ſet up Infidelity and meer Deiſm. But I am ſure they deſerve much harder words of us in England, between them, for doing ſo much to deſtroy the Chriſtianity of many, in order to the ſetting up of Popery. I do not charge it all and only on the Papiſts. I know the Devil hath more ſorts of Inſtruments then one: But that they have had a notable hand in this Apoſtaſie, we have good reaſon to ſatisfie us. Not that they deſire that men ſhould be abſolutely and finally Infidels: But 1. they would make the world believe, that all muſt be Infidels that will not receive the Chriſtian Faith upon the Roman account and terms: And in order to this they induſtriouſly ſeek to diſgrace the Scripture, and overthrow all the grounds of the Faith of ſuch as they diſpute with. And ſo make them Infidels in order to the proof of that their affirmation. 2. And then they think that they muſt take them off all Religion (as Boverius afore cited) to prepare them for the Popiſh Religion. 3. And the malice of ſome of them is ſuch, that they had rather men were Infidels then Proteſtants; or at leaſt they will venture them upon Infidelity in the way, rather than not take them off from being Proteſtants. And no wonder, when they allow Infidels ſo much more charity then Proteſtants, as to their ſalvation, as all the Authors cited by S. Clara before do ſignifie: And when Rome burneth Proteſtants, but giveth toleration for Jews. And thus by theſe Deviliſh devices, the Hiders in England that keep cloſe their Religion, are diſcovered at laſt to be one part of them Infidels or Heathens, and another part of them Papiſts. And no wonder if they would lately have introduced the Jews here into England, and if they have ſo many other deſigns to promote this Apoſtaſie.
4. Another ſort that Popery hath here hatch or cheriſhed are the Socinians; a Sect with whom both Papiſts and Heathens do joyn hands, as the Bond of their Conjunction. Yet I know that they were not bred at firſt by Popery: and I know that the genuine Papiſt that holds faſt the Articles of their Faith, muſt needs diſown the Socinian: But however it comes to paſs, I am ſure there are too many of late (ſelf-conceited men, innovaters in Philoſophie) that have reduced their Theologie to their novel Philoſophie, and expounded Scripture by ſuch conceits as ſuit with the Socinians.
I ſhall ſay nothing of the Millenaries, the Levellers, and many ſuch like. But here in the cloſe, I would deſire any Papiſt that is conſcious of the promoting of any of theſe fore-mentioned abominations, to tell us whether this be like to be the way of God? Or whether Peter or Paul did ever take ſuch a courſe as this to plant the Goſpel, or build up the Church? And whether it be like to be the Cauſe of God that muſt be maintained by ſuch means? Is not their damnation juſt, that ſay, Let us do evill that good may come thereby? Should not the means be ſuited to the end? Hath the glory of God any need of a lie? This courſe will never ingratiate your opinions with any wiſe conſiderate men. This is but working with the Devil for God: like one that doth conſult with a Witch or Conjurer, to find the goods of the Church when they are ſtoln. Do you think God needs the Devils help? Or is it like to be help that comes from him? But the truth is, it is your bad Cauſe that requires theſe evils means: and it is your bad hearts that ſet you on work to uſe them: Though you think perhaps that you do God ſervice by it, yet you know not what Spirit you are of. Chriſt owneth not ſuch ways as theſe, and therefore his ſervants will not own them.