The Papal Tyranny, Discourse · Addendum
ADDITION.
THis excellent Author truly observeth that the cruel Tyranny of the Popes over the Kings and People of England in the long Reigns of weak Kings was in great measure stopt by the stoutness of King Edward the first. The Pope tryed his mettle by crossing the Election which the Monks of Canterbury by his consent had made of Robert Burnell to be Archbishop of that See, electing John Peckam, who got and kept the possession.
The Pope, encouraged with that success, sent a Bull to that Archbishop Peckam, whereby he exempted the Clergy from paying Taxes to the King.Ex Chron. Rob. Gisburnensis. The Clergy accordingly, when the Parliament had granted Subsidies to the King, refused to pay him any. Whereupon the King seized upon all the Archbishops Goods, forbad Annats and Peter Pence to be paid to the Pope, and put the Clergy out of his protection, and the safeguard of the Laws; so that if any would pillage the house of a Clergy-man, or even take away his Life, there was no Law against the Offender. This frighted the Clergy to their Duty.
The Statute of Carlile made in that Kings Reign declareth,35. Edv. 1. that the Holy Church of England was founded in the estate of Prelacy, within the Realm of England, by the Kings and Peers thereof. And that the many Ʋsurpations of the Court of Rome, set down in that Act, did tend to the annullation of the State of the Church, the disinheriting of the King and the Peers, and to the destruction of the Laws and Rights of the Realm, contrary to the Laws and Rights of the first Founders.
The last clause of that Statute sheweth, that the King and the State of England were deeply sensible of the Popes Extorsion in disposing of all the Ecclesiastical benefices of the Land, as contrary to the intention of the first Founders, which was to promote Gods Service by them, and to leave the patronage of them to their Families, not to make a prey ready for the Ambition and Avarice of a forrain Prelat.
That Statute of Carlile did revive the acknowledgment of the Kings Rights, and the Liberties of the Church of England, Malm. de Gest. Pont. Ang. lib. 1. 204.by the Peers and Prelats of the Realm, in Henry the Seconds time at Clarendon; when the Pope by Thomas Beckets means was most busie to invade them, and to get all the Investitures of Bishopricks and Abbeys to the Pope, contrary to the ancient Right of the Kings of England; for the Saxon Kings conferred Bishopricks pleno jure, and without controll. Neither did the Popes offer to make any claim to the Patronage of the English Church before the time of Henry the First.
In that quarrel the King and the Church of England having had the foyl in the Reign of Henry the II. and more yet in that of King John, and that of his Son Henry the Third; the Kings that followed stood strongly to their defence against the Encroachments of Rome. Witness the many Statutes against Papal Provisions and Collations, which the Popes had multiplied in this Realm, more than in France, or Spain, or Germany, by reason of their peculiar pretence to a Temporal Supremacy over the Crown of England.
25 E. 3.In the Statute of Provisors, after asserting the Kings Right to the Collation of Archbishopricks, and other Dignities, as granted by the Kings Progenitors, it is enacted,
That the King ought, and is bound by his Oath, to remedy and remove the damages happening to the Realm by the Oppressions of the Court of Rome.
16 R. 2. c. 5.And another Law, looking to the main Chance, speaks thus: The Crown of England hath been at all times so free, that it hath been in no earthly subjection, but was immediately subjected to God in all things touching its Regality, and to no other; and ought not to be submitted to the Pope.
27 E. 3. c. 1.By other Statutes it is enacted, That whosoever shall draw any of the Kings Subjects out of the Realm [that is to Rome] in plea about any cause whereof the cognizance belongeth to the Kings Courts, or shall sue in any forreign Court to defeat any Judgment given in the Kings Court, shall be put out of the Kings Protection.
Since those Statutes, the Popes forbore to meddle with the Investiture of English Benefices and Dignities; till the Troubles about the Quarrel of York and Lancaster, and the Weakness of Henry the Sixth, made him attempt somewhat in that kind, but with a short-liv'd Success. And it may be truly said that those Statutes have made one half of the Popes Ejectment, of which Henry the Eighth made the other half; and that they gave a sure footing to the Reformation in his days.
But it is a wonder to me that it came not sooner, in a Nation so long, so horribly opprest, and so insolently trampled under the Popes Feet: seeing (if they had had Eyes to see) that all those Outrages were committed under a pretence of pennance, and promoting the Spiritual Good: For all the power which the Pope assumeth is in ordine ad spiritualia; And he will have us to believe that Christs saying to St. Peter, Feed my Sheep, gave power to the Pope to worry them, whensoever his Holiness shall judge that it is for their good. And whereas the Kingdoms of France, Spain, and Portugal, have also curbed the Exorbitances of Rome, because they have found upon due Examination that the Popes had no ground for them in Divine Authority, why will they not examine also whether the Roman Doctrines of Purgatory, Indulgences, Worship of Images, and Invocation of Saints, which are so lucrative to Rome, be better grounded than their incroachments on the Rights of Kings and States? And how can they but see (but that a doom of blindness lieth upon these last corrupt Ages) that those Doctrines are spiritual Cheats to milk out the substance of the people, and plant the Roman Monarchy in all Monarchies?
Some perhaps will say, That those Statutes and Premunires before alledged, have so broken the Popes power, that if his Spiritual Authority were acknowledged again in England, they would not or could not run into those antient Excesses. That those Exorbitances were suitable to the fierceness and stupidity of that Age; but that now that old rust is rubbed off; and the Popes by so many defections (as they call them) from the Roman See, have learned Civility and Moderation.
But that those Leopards have not changed their spots, and have abated nothing of their fierceness, it was evidenced by the experience of Spain in our Age; having found Alexander the III. Innocent the III. and Innocent the IV. revived in Ʋrban the VIII. who did zealously imitate them with his devillish Pride and Excor…ion.
The Book is extant of the complaint of his Catholick Majesty against him.Memorial de sa magestad Catholica. That the Pope imposed Pensions upon Dignities and other Benefices Ecclesiastical, even those that had cure of Souls, in favour of Strangers, in an excessive proportion, to the third part of the full value. That although Benefices were decayed in many Chap. 1 places of Spain two third parts of the former value, yet the Court kept up the Pensions Chap. 2 at the full heighth. That it was contrived so that the Pensions did begin long Chap. 3 before the Beneficiaries entred into their profits; insomuch as they were indebted sometimes two years Pensions, before they themselves could taste of the Fruits of their Benefices. And then the charge of Censures and other Proceedings in the Court of Rome, fell so heavy upon them, that they could never recover themselves. And further, that whereas all Trade was driven in current Silver, only the Court of Rome, which neither toils, nor sweats, nor hazards any thing, will be paid all in Duc…ats of Gold; and those not after the current rates, but according to the old value. That to seek for a Remedy of these Abuses at Rome, was such an unsupportable charge, by reason of three Instances and three Sentences necessary to be obtained, that it was in vain to attempt any such thing. This they cried out upon as a most grievous Yoak.
They complained likewise of the Popes granting of Coadjutorships, with future Chap. 4 succession, whereby Ecclesiastical Preferments were made Hereditary, persons of Parts and Worth were excluded from all hopes, and a large gap was opened to most gross Simony.
They complained of the Popes Grants of Resignations with Reservation of the Chap. 5 greatest part of the Benefice; insomuch that he left not above an hundred Duckats …early to the Incumbent ou… of a great Benefice.
They complained most bitterly of the Extortions of the Roman Court in the Chap. 6 case of Dispensations. That whereas no Dispensation ought to be granted without …ust cause, now there was no cause at all enquired after in the Court of Rome, but onelyonly the price. That a great price supplied the want of a good cause. That the Gate was shut to no man that brought money. That their Dispensations had no Limits but the Popes W…ll. That for a Matrimonial Dispensation under the second degree, they took of great persons 8000 or 12000 or 14000 Duckats.
They complained that the Pope being but the Churches Steward and Dispenser, Chap. 7 …ook upon him as Lord and Master, to dispose of all the Rights of Ecclesiastical Persons. That he with-held from Bishops, the true Owners, the sole disposing of all Ecclesiastical Preferments for eight months in the year. That he ought not to provide for his own profi…s, and the Necessities of his Court, with so great prejudice to the right of Ordinaries, and confusion of the Ecclesiastical Order, whilest he suffered not Bishops to enjoy their own Patronages and Jurisdictions. They cited S. Bernard telling Pope Eugenius, Lib 4. de consid. cap. 7.That the Roman Church (whereof he was made Governour by God) was the Mother of other Churches, but not the Lady or Mistress. And that he himself was not the Lord or Master of other Bishops, but one of them.
Chap. 8 They complained that the Pope did challenge and usurp to himself at the death of Clergy-men all their Estates that were raised out of the Revenue of the Church…. That a rich Clergy-man could no sooner fall sick, but the Popes Collectors were gaping about him for his Goods, and set Guards presently about his House: That by this means Bishops have been deserted upon their Death-beds, and famished for want of meat to eat: That some have not had before they were dead, a Cup left to drink in, nor so much as a Candlestick of all their Goods. That by this means Creditors were defrauded, Processes in Law multiplied, and great Estates wasted to nothing.
They complained that the Popes did usurp as their own all the Revenues of Bishopricks during their vacancies, sometimes for divers years together; All which time the Churches were unrepaired, the Poor unrelieved, not so much as one Alms given; and the wealth of Spain exported into a forein Land which was richer than it self. They wished the Pope to take it as an argument of their respect to the See of Rome, that they did not go about forthwith to correct these Abuses by their own Authority, in imitation of other Princes. So it was not the unwarrantableness of the act in it self, but meerly their respect that did with-hold them.
Chap. 10 They represented the great Inconveniencies and Abuses in the exercise of the Na… tio's Office: That it was reckoned as a curse in Scripture to be governed by person of a different Language. That the Fees of their Office were so great that they alone were a sufficient punishment for a grievous crime: They added that self-interest wa… the Root of all these evils: That such abuses as these gave occasion to all the Reformations and Schisms of the Church. That it was a work worthy of his Holiness, to turn all such Courtiers out of his Court, who did much harm by their perswasions, and no good by their example: adding this Distich:
Vivere qui sancte cupitis discedite Roma.
Omnia cum liceant non licet esse bonum.
If the Catholick King and his Spanish Subjects, the great Worshippers of the See of Rome, were so requited by the Pope, what usage could England expect o… him, if he got once the Mastery over us, that have born so little respect to his Unholiness?…. O's Answer …o the Season…ble Discourse. Great promises are made to us in print, That the Catholicks of Englan… would not touch the least hair of a Protestants head (were they in power) for their Conscience: But how can they make that good, seeing their Conscience is pinned upon the will of a Master whom they must obey, when he commands them to destro… Heresie, by cutting the Throat of Hereticks? Of which the Popes have given us sufficient Caveats by the Butcheries of good Christians done by their order.
But supposing that which (we trust in God) shall never be imposed upon England, that it should bee subjected again unto the Court of Rome. Supposing also that England should enjoy under the Pope as great Liberties as the Gallican Church doth enjoy or challenge, England could not but pay to Rome in her proportion as much as France doth, and then the burden would lye most heavy upon the Nation; for one would hardly believe what masses of money are exported out of France to Rome continually. And who but the Professors of the trade can say how many ways the Romish Alchymists have to extract Gold out of all things, from a people enslaved to their Superstition? Who can think without horror what debasing of our Kings Dignity would attend such a change? what abatement of his Revenue? what impoverishing of his Subjects? if then they might be called his Subjects.
But what! These and the losses of all worldly interesses are but fleabits, compared to the loss of that Pearl of infinite value which to get and to keep every person must part with all that he hath. All good Souls will understand that I mean the precious saving Truth of God, of which this Nation hath bin, by Gods unspeakable mercy, the happy keeper and depository the best part of two ages; sometimes under, sometimes without the Cross: And which to preserve millions of good Christians in this Iland will lay down their lives, and must: But it must be in the way and sense meant by our great Master, Fear not them that can kill the Body and cannot kill the Soul, but fear him that can kill both Soul and Body in Hell.
That would be the proper meditation of our English Israel, if we must have no other Pastors of of our Souls but as the Pontificale Romanum of Clement the VIII. designeth pro toto Orbe Christiano, for the whole Christian World, over which the Pope claimeth a soveraign Empire. Such Pastors as must swear in their promotion to defend the Regalities of St. Peter, that is, that pretended Papal Empire over all the World; and to persecute Hereticks, Schismaticks and Rebels against his Holiness.
This is the Oath.
IN. elect to the Church of N. from this day forward will be faithful to St. Peter the Apostle, and the Holy Roman Church,Pontificale Romanum Clem. VIII. cap. de consecratione elect… in Episcopum… and to our Lord N. Pope N. and his Successors canonically entring, I will not concur by counsel, consent or deed, that …hey lose life or member, or be unjustly taken, or that violent hands be laid upon them …n any manner, or any injury done them under any pretence whatsoever. I will …ot knowingly discover to their prejudice any Counsel intrusted unto me, either by …hemselves, or by their Messengers or Letter. I will be a helper unto them against …ll men, to keep and defend the Roman Papacy, and the Regalities of St. Peter. … will treat the Legat of the Apostolick See with Honour, both in his going and …ming, and assist him in his necessities, I will endeavour to preserve, defend, in…rease and promote the Rights, Honours, Priviledges and Authority of the Holy Ro…an Church, of our Lord the Pope, and of his Successors aforesaid. I will not …in in Counsel, or Deed, or Treaty, in which any thing sinister and prejudicial to their Person, Right, Honour, Estate and Power shall be designed against our said Lord or the Roman Church. And if I shall know that any such thing is treated or attempted, I will hinder it to my power; and as soon as ever I can I will acquain… our said Lord with it, or some body else by whom it may come to his knowledg. I will my self observe with all my strengh and cause to be observed the Rules of the holy Fathers, the Decrees, Ordinances or Dispositions, Reservations and Apostolical Mandates I will to my power persecute and impugne Hereticks, Schismaticks and Rebels to our said Lord or his Successors aforesaid. If I be called to a Synod I will come, unless I be hindered by s…me Canonical impediment, Every three years I will visit [Limina] the Palaces of the Apostles personally, and render account to o… Lord and his Successors aforesaid of my whole Pastoral Office, and of all things belonging to the state of my Church, the Discipline of the Clergy and people, and the health of Souls intrusted unto me; and on the other side most humbly receive and diligently perform the Apostolical Commands. If I be detained by a lawful impediment I will fulfil all the aforesaid by a special messenger having a special Mandate to that purpose chosen from the bosom of my Chapter, or otherwise some Ecclesiastical Dignitary or having some Ecclesiastical Parsonage; or (in defect of such) by some Priest Secular … Regular of approved Vertue and Religion, fully instructed of all matters aforesaid. And of such impediment I will make lawful proof to be sent by my said Messenger to the Cardinal presiding in the Congregation of the sacred Council. I will not sel… nor pawn nor morgage anew, nor alieniate in any manner the possessions belonging t… my table, even with the consent of my Church, without consulting the Bishop … Rome. And if I do proceed to any alienation I consent eo ipso to incur all the p… nalties contained in a certain constitution set forth of this matter.
In capite de scrutinio serotino.In the same Pontifical there is another form of Oath which the Italian Bishops took in their admission four hundred years ago; in which the Bishop elec… swore obedience, not to the Pope, but to the Archbishop or Metropolita… But as the Papal tyranny increaseth from age to age the Oath of Obedience … the Bishop is made now to the Pope alone. And the Oath now used for the whole Christian world is that which I have here set down, and no other; although a Gentleman hath pronounced lately out of the Coffee-house, that there i… no such Oath ministred but perhaps in Italy, which is a bold untruth. For … do more boldly, because more truly, affirm that in all places of the Roman Profession this Oath and no other is ministred in the reception of Bishops: And th… words of the Oath justifie so much, pro toto Orbe Christiano. Observe that a… that O…th there is no mention of God, or of Christ, or of his Word, or of hi… Glory; but the main thing that their Bishops are sworn to is, to defend the Rom… Papacy and the Rega…ities of St. Peter — to encrease and promote the Right… Honours, Priviledges and Authority of the Holy Roman Church, of our Lord the P…p… and of his Successors: for so much is with them the summary of all Religion an… Piety.
By the same Oath also the Pastors of the Church oblige themselves, not to r… duce but to pers…cute the strayed sheep, and all whom they hold for Hereti… Let all that possess their common sense free from prejudices, judg what safety there may be in a State for the Rights of Kings and States, and for the Consciences of all men that are led by Pastors initiated in those principles, and sworn to them in their reception.
The Papist Gentleman aforementioned is so ashamed of that Oath as to profess that he would not take it for the best Bishoprick in Christendom, and that it is direct premunire, and perhaps worse. Then he must never be a Bishop in the Roman Church, for there is none other for Romanist Bishops to take in their admission. Till he find another, I hope, he will stand to his assertion, that the Popes cannot impose Oaths upon the Subjects of other Princes without the consent of those Princes.
Before I part with that Oath, I must impeach the latter ritualists of a bold attempt, which beareth the face of a jocular Legerdemain,Pontificale vetus. Pontificale novum. but is a deeply crimi…ons forgery. That whereas the old Pontifical bound the Bishops to maintain Regulas sanctorum Patrum, the Rules of holy Fathers; the new Pontifical by a …ittle alteration of Syllables of Regulas sanctorum Patrum into Regalia sancti Petri, makes the Bishops swear that they shall maintain the Royalties of St. Peter, those Royalties which rob Kings of their Crowns and Subjects of their Loyalty.
Certainly the large claim of those Regalities of St. Peter hath been for the last …ix hundred years fundi Christiani calamitas, the cause of all the corruption of Religion and of all the publick confusions and distractions in this West of our World. Sure we are in this Island by feeling experience that it is the great Wheel …hat sets those mischiefs on going, wherewith the State hath bin so many times sha…en, torn, and brought to the brink of utter ruine. For when impetuous Zelots …re once perswaded that it is[a)Bonifac… VIII. Extra. Unam Sanctam subesse Romano Pontifici omni humanae creaturae declaramus, dicimus, definimus & pronuntiamus omnino esse de necessitate salutis. absolutely necessary for Salvation to be subject unto …he Pope of Rome, that(b)Baron. An. 1076. §. 31. there is but one Name in the world, viz. that of the Pope, …nd that to make that prime Article of Faith received in the world, he hath power … depose Emperours that will oppose it, and absolve Subjects from their Allegiance to …hem; what attempt, be it never so difficult or so unjust, will they leave un…ryed to …ring their Countrey under the Popes Subjection, and to promote his Universal …onarchy? Or can it be expected from them, that they shall desist from attemp…ng a conversion of their Country by the destruction of the same, as long as the …ope, (whose slaves they are) is himself a slave to his cruel and illimited Ambi…on, which to satiate all the Kingdoms and all the Blood of the world are too …ttle.
When the Fires of Queen Maries bloody Reign could not do his work, how any and manifold Plots were made against the Life of Queen Elizabeth, that …orious Defender of the Faith, and of her Royal Rights? When neither the Dag…r nor the Poison could reach her sacred Person, an invincible Army must be …t to invade England, three Popes having made way for the Sword by three …undering Bulls, which deposed the Queen, and commanded her Subjects to …ell against her. For which (if custom may justifie injustice) they were justified by …e practice of their Predecessors. And because many have found it strange that …ngs were used more cruelly than private persons who are not divested of their Estates by the Pope for their Offences, that Objection is answered by the Bull of Paul the III. against Henry the VIII. for he not only deprived the King of his Kingdom, Hist. Conc. Trent, Anno 1538.but all his Adherents also of whatsoever they possest. Let both Kings and Subjects learn how they must fare under the wrath of such a Master, who will no… onelyonly be Lord Paramount, but Proprietary of all Estates.
When the Invincible Army had lost that name, being defeated by the powerfu… Arm of God, other Armies were poured from time to time into Ireland, ever pro… to rebel. When all these Efforts were frustrated, God blessing England because the Popes cursed it; and Elizabeth, full of days and glory, was received into th… Arms of her heavenly Father, her peaceful Successor, Defender of the same holy Faith, must be welcomed to his Crown by a Mandate of Clement the VIII. declaring him incapable to wear it, as an Heretick, and forbidding his Subjects to obey him. When all that would not work the desired Deed, to make short work, … fine Device is excogitated; The King and his Royal Issue, Lords and Common all the Court, and all the Flower and Vigour of the Kingdom, must be blow… up to Heaven by a gallant new way.
This Plot beareth its pedigree in its Italian Garb, and sheweth it self descended from the Court of Rome and the Devil, as we may well judge, since a forein Jesuite was acquainted with it before. For which notice we are obliged to the Jud… ous and pregnant Author of the Seasonable Discourse, who in his Reasonable Defence of the same giveth us the whole passage out of Delrio. For that Jesuite … propounds it in the way of a supposed case,Delrio Disquisit. Mag. Lib. 6. c. 11. §. 1. that comparing it to the Gun powde… Treason, it is made evident that the Plot was on foot already. The Case he p… is this: Whether if a Confederate discover in confession that he or some else have pl… ced Gunpowder or such-like matter, under such or such a House, and unless it be r… moved the House will be blown up, the Prince destroyed, and as many as are in or are g… out of the City will sustain great mischief, or run an extream hazard, the Pri… ought to reveal it; which is determined in the Negative. So this Jesuite prepare… all the Priests conscious of the Conspiracy to hold their peace; according to … Doctrine of his Church, that it is better to let all the Princes of the World to p… rish,Proceedings against the late Traitors. than to reveal a Confession. Marry to reveal it to the Pope they scruple … And Garnet perswaded the Conspirators to acquaint his Holiness before they pr… ceeded, who accordingly dispatched Sir Edmund Baynam on that Service. But whether Garnet gave that Advice to inform the Pope of that which he knew not befor… or for an argument that the Pope knew it not; howsoever it remains constant th… the Pope was acquainted with the Plot, and that if he had disliked it, he mig… have hindred it: And how could he have found in his heart to have hindred su… an admirable piece of Service to the Regalities of St. Peter?
The Pope being not used to hinder or to censure Treason, one may wonder wh… he hath condemned Mr. Whites Book of Obedience and Government, seeing th… it is full of rank Treason. But (besides the indignation which that Writer h… incurred of his Holiness by his other Books) the Pope could not but take offence … his ascribing the power unto the people of altering the Government at their pleasu… a power which the Pope claims in all Kingdoms, and in England more than in a… others. For the Pope doth not love Treason but when it serveth his turn, and when he may have the managing of it.
The Popes Emissaries are never more dangerous than when they work Treason by the hands of their adversaries, transforming themselves into all shapes; yet so religious in their wickedness, that they will not work the destruction of their King before they have got the Popes leave, and armed themselves with his Apostolical Benediction.
For a charge of that nature, which I laid upon the English Jesuits, I have bin attacked by three adversaries.
The first is commonly said to be a person of Honour. In his two Books I find no material Objection obliging me to an Answer; only some playing with his gallant Wit, of which I wish him much joy. Yet to all that he objecteth he may find satisfaction in my Answer to my two other Adversaries; for I will not weary my Reader with Repetitions, and I will contend as little as I can with a Nobleman of a Family which I love and honour in a very high degree. Although he dealeth with me so unlike a Gentleman or a Christian as to point and recommend me to the fury of the people to be massacred. Of which one would think that he is in greater danger than I; especially if he appear before them in his new shaven Crown, and his Romish Priests Habit. For all the ill words which he bestoweth upon me I return hearty prayers that God sanctifie his good parts, and graciously reclaim him to his holy Truth, from which he hath bin miserably seduced.
My second Adversary is Mr. Serenus Cressy. Doth he not know (saith he of me) how oft, Pag. 84. of his Vindication of his Church from Fanaticism against Dr. Stilling-fleet.and particularly how upon the complaint of the late Queen Mother of most precious memory he hath been summoned to make good his forged calumny, but …all in vain? I desire the Reader to observe the nimble juggling of Mr. Cressy, to make the world believe that which himself affirmeth not. I might in the same Stile say of an honest man, Doth he not know how oft he hath robbed upon the high ways, and particularly upon Shooters hill? and yet not affirm that he hath done so. And I might say of Mr. Cressy, Doth he not know how oft he hath done disservice to the King in the Irish Wars, and particularly in doing his utmost to seduce his Brother from His Majesties service to that of the Pope? and yet not affirm that he did so, though if I did affirm it, I should not …peak, as he does, without any ground.
I answer then to Mr. Cressys Question, that I never knew of any such Summons made to me upon the Queen Mothers complaint, or of any Summons at …ll before his Book came forth, nor he neither. Mr. Cressy might have said with …ruth, that a few days after the coming forth of my Book Her Majesty de…ired that I might be forbidden to write any more, which was very far from summoning me to bring my proofs. And several persons of Honour and good Credit can remember what a dismal consternation there was at Somerset house when my Book appeared.
Mr. Cressy also being deeply stung with the Truth of that Charge, as he sheweth by the extremity of his choler, will sting me in revenge with a foul aspersion upon my Reverend Fathers memory; denying him to have bin a loyal Subject, and calling all France to witness for it. But the famousest Pen of France, that of Monsieur Balzac a Roman Catholick, giveth him a contrary Character, in a Letter to a him which is extant among his works. For after he hath extolled his high parts, and yielded to him the Garland of Wit and Eloquence, he exalteth him more yet for his eminent Loyalty and Love to his King, shining in all his Writings; For which also he had solemn thanks given him by his King and the Council of State. But of nothing must we expect any thing beyond its nature. And Mr. Cressy is much of the nature of Dogs, who will lift up their leg against things that are higher than themselves.
Mr. Cressy concludes his invective against my Father with a worse against the Confession of Faith of the French Reformed Churches; saying, that it obligeth their to be Traitors and Rebels, whensoever the Honour of God (that is the defence of th… execrable Religion) is concerned. I pass by that wicked abuse of their Religion, and say only that King James of most precious memory did not hold their Religion for execrable, when he employed one of their prime Divines, my Reverend Father, to defend his Confession of Faith, and again to defend him against Cardinal Du Perron. But I forget that these Gentlemen make now an open meek of King James, so far that one of their crew hath lately printed a Satyr, where speaking of that great and good King he hath the impudence to say,
None but a Papist in grain would or could have spoken so.Since him some Stories sprung up, who (might it be)
Writ even more impertinently than he.
But I leave this digression, and return to my matter. How unfaithfully doth. Mr. Cressy alledg the Article of the French Confession about Obedience? It i… the XL. Article, and runs thus. We hold that we ought to obey the Laws an… Statutes of Soveraigns, pay Tri…utes, Taxes, and other Duties, and bear th… yoke of subjection with a free good will, though they be Infidels; so that Gods Soveraign Empire remain entire. So much good Christians and good Subject… might say, not only to a persecuting Dioclesian, but to a pious Constantine … Theodosius, Sir we will obey your Commands as long as they interfere not with God… Commands. There is great difference between not obeying and rebelling. I… not obeying for Conscience sake be Rebellion and Treason, how many Roman Catholicks in England have bin Rebels and Traytors these hundred years, for nee… obeying the Laws of the Land, which command them to resort to the publick Service of God in their Parish Churches? It were tolerable if they had bin such upon no other account.
Mr. Cressy's Serenity is pleased to call me A wretched Serpent, disgorging my Poison to the disturbance of this Island. I hope that God will requite me Blessing fo… his Reviling. The least of his insolencies is the traducing of me as an Ali… warmed with English Preferments. I have reason to praise God that my condition of Alien made my Services to the King and the Church more opportune an… effectual than if I had bin native of England. If my Diminution may be a pleasant hearing to Mr. Cressy, I will tell him, that of a Prebend and a sine Cura, which the King my gracious Master was pleased to give me, I had but the first, though I have still the Great Seal for both. And I might perhaps, with some sollicitation, have got somewhat in lieu of the second, did I not make a question whether I could get more ease by getting more burden.
Quod satis est cui contingit nihil amplius optet.
But here comes in the rear a bold Champion who sends me a defiance out of the Coffee-house, to make the Charge good which I laid against the English Jesuits. The Gentleman is unwilling to consider that I have offered in my Vindication of the Protestant Religion to justifie it whensoever Authority will require it. And therefore I ought not to answer any Summons that issues not from Authority. But his Friends the Jesuits were so far from suing for such a Summons, that when my Book came forth, after they had clamoured and stormed four or five days, they employed the greatest strength they had in the Court to stop my Pen by Aurhority, from writing any more. This behaviour of theirs (for which I have undeniable proofs) is the greatest evidence that can be of their guilt; unless it be their silence, now well nigh eleven years. Whereas they ought to have sued their Accuser as soon as the Accusation came forth. And would they not have done it had they bin innocent? Had the like crime bin laid …o the charge of the poor Protestant Ministers of France, as weak as they are, and wanting friends in the Court, they would not have lyen one day under it, but …hey would have made their way to a publick redress. Neither would they have …earned of the English Jesuits to allow time enough for witnesses to dye in, while themselves are deliberating whether they shall sue for a trial.
The passage of the Priest flourishing with his Sword when the Kings Head was …ut off (against which the Gentleman of the Coffee house declaimeth) was prin…ed thrice before I ventured upon it, twice by Mr. Prynne and once by Mr. Foulis. And upon Mr. Prynnes credit I alledged it. To him I did write (though a …tranger to me) upon the noise made about it; And he confirmed it to me by …is Letters, which I keep.
Another passage which the same Gentleman excepteth against as incredible is …unctually true in all the parts thereof. It is worth relating here again. An …nderstanding Gentleman visiting the Friers of Dunkerk, who are Flemmish or French, put them upon the Discourse of the Kings Death; and to pump out their …ense of it, said, that the Jesuits had laboured very much to compass that great …ork. To which they answered that the Jesuits would engroce to themselves …he glory of all great and good deeds; whereas they had laboured as diligently and …ffectually to advance it as they. So there was striving among the Papists for …he glory of that atchievement; and the Fryers shewed themselves as much Jesui…ed as the Jesuits.
I will match this passage with another upon mine own credit. Travelling in Warwick shire I was accosted by a Traveller in my Inne, who asked of me … ther I was a Catholick; I told him I was. Whereupon he made unto … passionate Discourse of the Grievances of the Catholicks. I told him that … would have bin another world with them if the Powder had taken fire… Westminster. He with a deep sigh answered, It was not Gods pleasure, knowing my self not good at long dissembling parted from him sudden and went on my Journey, full of abhorrency and compassion together such a zealous villany, but more with thankfulness to God for rescuing Israel from the claws and fangs of those bloody Tigers.
End of the text · Peter du Moulin Jr, The Papal Tyranny (1674)