A Key for Catholics, Treatise 1 · Chapter 47
CHAP. XLVII.
Detect. 38. ANother of their Practical Frands is, In their exceeding induſtry for the perverting of men of Power & Intereſt, that are likely to do much in helping or hindering them.
Swarms of them are buſie day and night, for the ſeducing of Princes, and Nobles, and Rulers of all ſorts, and of Commanders in the Armies. Of their diligence abroad we may know ſomewhat by their ſucceſs on divers of the German Princes, and the late Queen of Sweden, and on many of the Nobles of France, and ſuch others.
At home we have ſmarted by the fruits of their induſtry. What abundance of aſſaults were made on the late King? from his going to Spain, and the Popes Letters to him there, and to the Biſhop of Conchen to take care for his ſeduction, and ſo all along to the laſt, I need not mention. And what Noblemen or Perſons of Intereſt in England lay not under aſſaults and ſolicitations in thoſe days? And are all the Jeſuites and Fryars dead? Or have they not ſtill the ſame cauſe and induſtry as then? Is the Court, or Councils of the Land, or the Nobility, Gentry or Army now free from their fraudulent ſolicitations? How far they have prevailed time will fullier reveal: but what they will endeavour we may eaſily judge. And certainly the number of Seekers and ſuch other Sects among them, doth tell us that they have not loſt their labour.
If theſe lines ſhall fall into the hands of any of our Rulers or Commanders, I intreat them for the ſake of their ſouls, and the Common-wealth, to be prudent and vigilant in a matter of ſuch conſequence. I do not intend to intreat them from error unto truth without ſufficient light and evidence: But that which I deſire is but reaſonable; 1. That you would not be too confident of your own underſtandings to deal with ſuch Juglers in your own ſtrength, without aſſiſtance. They have made it their ſtudy all their days, and are purpoſely trained up to deceive: whereas you are much wanting in their way of ſtudy, and much unfurniſhed to reſiſt; how highly ſoever you may think of your ſelves.
2. That you would read a little more the learned ſolid writings of our Divines againſt the Papiſts, ſuch as Dr. Fields, Crakenthorps, Uſhers, Chillingworths, Jewels, Rivets, Chamiers, Ames, Reignolds, whittakers, and ſuch like, beginning with Sir Humfrey Linds Via Devia, & via Tuta, (& du Pleſſis of the Church, and his Myſterie of Iniquity, and Dr. John White. &c.)
3. That you will not hearken to Papiſts ſecretly, nor masked, nor coming to you by indirect and Jugling ways: but open their perſwaſions, and call to ſome able ſtudyed Divines to deal with them in your hearing, if needs you will hear them, that ſo you may hear one ſide as well as the other.
4. That you take heed what Retainers, Servants, or Familiars are about you: For ſome that pretend to be acquainted with theſe men, are much miſtaken, if they be not more frequent at your elbows, and in your Bed-chambers, then many do imagine. If they cannot be of your Councils, and your neer attendants, they will rather be your Porters, or the Grooms of your Stables, then they will be kept out. We fear not any thing that they can do in an open way, in compariſon of their ſecret whiſpers and deceits, when there is no body to gainſay them. Had they the Truth, we ſhould be glad to entertain it with them. It is not therefore Truth in their mouths that we are afraid of: But ſeeing the Nations and our Poſterity have ſo much dependance on your Integrity, we call for ſo much Juſtice at your hands, as that you will not caſt open your ears to each deceiver, eſpecially in ſecret, or on unequal tearms: Let not all our peace and ſafety be hazarded by the ſelf-conceitedneſs, or imprudence of you that are our Rulers. Seeing it is you that muſt give us Laws, or ſet the Vulgar the pattern which they are ſo much addicted to imitate; We adjure you in the Name of the moſt High God, that you be not too forward and facile in hearkening to Seducers, and corrupting thoſe Intellects which the whole Nation hath ſo great an Intereſt in: and that you be not henceforth as children toſt to and fro, and carryed about with every wind of doctrine by the the ſleight of men, and cunning craftineſs whereby they lie in wait to deceive, Eph. 4. 14. But we beſeech you mark them which cauſe Diviſions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they that are ſuch, ſerve not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own belly, and by good words and fair ſpeeches deceive the hearts of the ſimple, Rom. 16. 17, 18. Hearken not to every one that ſaith, Lo here is Chriſt, or Lo there is Chriſt; here is the Catholick Church, or there is the Catholick Church: As if Chriſt were divided, or the Catholick Church were more then One? Or it were confined to a Sect or Party, whether Papal or any other, and did not contain all Chriſtians through the world? All parts of this Church are not equally pure, but all are Parts: Be you of the pureſt part, but do not therefore take that part for the whole: much leſs the polluted part. Have compaſſion on the diſeaſed and tumified part: but do not therefore ſo far doat, as to love the tumor or diſeaſe, and ſay that none is the Church but this. We are willing to be as Charitable to that Proud Throne of Rome, and uſurping Vice-chriſt, as will ſtand with the ſafety of our ſouls and of the Church. But God forbid that we ſhould therefore be ſo blind, as to run into their Peſt-houſe, and drink the poyſon by which they are thus tumified & intoxictaed.
Look on their Principles, and ſee what an aſpect they have on Chriſt, on the Catholick Church, and upon Princes? Look back on their Practiſes, and ſee what their Principles proved in the fruits? Yea what need we go further for a warning, then to remind you of that which one would think ſhould be deep and freſh in your minds; even what they have brought upon Kings, Queens, Lords, Prelates, and this whole Land? But this leads me to the next Detection.