Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Floating text 23 – Letter 60
An Answer to the Principles pretended against his Majesties establishment of Ecclesiasticks in the Queenes house.
TWO be the Principles upon which the F. C. pretends the establishment of the Ecclesiasticks in the Queens home to belong unto the King of France.
The first is, That the King of great Brittaine hath not power, because as he saith, He is an Heretike. Which ground is false,NOTE. because the King of great Brittaine neither by Councell nationall not generall, nor by any Act authentick, or legall of Prelates having authority to doe the same, hath been defined or declared such: besides, heresie deprives no man of his temporall right, such as is the collation of temporall Bene…tees, giving of domesticall charges and offices; yea, no Prelate of the Greeke Church living under the Turke can exercise his function, but with civill dependance and approbation of that Prince.
The second Principle it, That all established by the King of great Brittaine's authority, are by him threatned to be forthwith by the Pope declared Apostates. NOTE.In answer, whereof it is evident, that such royall establishment is neither Heresie nor Apostacy, and when the Pope should undertake such a matter, he should grosly abuse his authority against the Commons and Common law of the Church; yea, Ecclesiasticks by the King, will and may by Catholike lawes and right defend their establishment to be good, as the contrary to be erroneous, to wit, to seek to deprive our King of his right and a…thority therein.
SUpposed that the King of great Brittaine for avoiding for greater inconvenience… condescendeth to the reception of some French in the Queens house at the instance of the King of France, or choyce of the Queen of England, some conditions are necessarily to be observed. First, that albeit (salvo jure propr…o Regis magnae Britanniae) the choice be in the Queen of England, yet the confirmation and approbation of all and every one be in the King of great Brittaine, according to the last clause of the eleventh Article of the Treaty. Secondly, that concerning the French Bishops and Priests sent into England by the Popes authority, two things are to be considered; the first is the spirituals power, Catholike Religion and Jurisdiction, as well in the head as members; the second is the exaltation of the Popes temporall power in prejudice of the Kings sovereigue authority, under pretext of Catholike Religion, by obtruding as matter of faith, the Popes power for deposition of Princes. Howbeit then the King of great Brittaine permitteth the full exercise of Catholike Religion and spirituall power to the Queens Clergy and Catholike domestiques, notwithstanding the laws and statutes made to the contrary in this Realme since Henry the eighth; so is it necessary for the preservation of his soveraigne authority and peace of his State, that he prevents the intrusion of the Popes temporall power under pretext of Religion in prejudice of his owne; which he may in this concurrence most conveniently doe, by using the same remedies against these French Ecclesiasticks and Domestiks; which the State of France, but particularly the Parliament and University of Paris, assembled in their Colledge of Sorbon procured against the Jesuits, this same yeere 1626. the one by arrest the 17 of March this yeer 1626. the other by censure of the first of Aprill 1626. in condemning the per…itious doctrine of Santarelli Jesuit, for deposition of Princes, …s false, erroneous new, contrary to the Word of God, derogating from the authority of Princes, provoking to Factions, Rebellions, Seditions, and murders of Princes, and constraining sixteen principall Jesuits, as Mercury relates, to subscribe to the said arrest of the 17. of March 1626. with promise to subscribe to the censure of the Sorbon which should afterwards be made, in which their subscription they dis-avowed and detested, the foresaid damnable doctrine of Santarellus their compainon: According to which may it please the King to compell all these Ecclesiastiques of the Queens house to subscribe to the foresaid arrest and censure, disadvow and detest the foresaid new doctrine, as new, false, erronious, contrary to the Word of God, and as their Parliament of Paris and Sorbon hath defined; which if they refuse to doe, it is most evident that it is not the preservation of the Queen in the Catholike Religion, not the exercise of spirituall power and true piety that they intend, but under this pretext an introduction of popish domination in prejudice of the Kings authority,NOTE. an insertion of venomous plants of …actions and Seditions; and why should they refuse the doctrine and practise of their own State, whereby the King sha…l effectnate two principall works; the one, that his soveraigne authority, with exclusion of the Popes pretended power in temporals, intended in the Oath of Alleagiance, shall be to his Subjects manifestly approved and consumed by the doctrine and practice of the State of Fr…ce; the other is, that whereas the Pope by meanes of the Queen… house, aymed at the establishment of his temporall power and greatnesse in this Kingdome (as is manifest by the doctrine and practice of the Bishops and English Priests since the marriage) and consequently made a Kingdome a part within this Realme;NOTE. by the subscription and disadvow of their Ecclesiasticks of this damnable doctrine, the cleane contrary will follow that in example of the Queens house, all English Catholiques will conforme themselves in doctrine and practice, and in this point the King shall receive full duty and obedience of his Catholike Subjects, and the Pope shall be content with his spirituall power, limited as in France for the Queens house, so long as it shall please the King to permit it.
That the Bishop of M…rdes and all Bishops sent into England from the Pope, have their Buls, papale… expresly prohibited by the lawes and rights of this Realme, it is mani…est.
By these papers you may plainly discerne, the dangerousnesse of these Romish Agents, their high and bold attempts against his Majesties Pre…ogative royall, and the safety of his person, and their policies, by which presently upon the marriage … endeavoured to set up the Popes both Ecclesiasticall and Temporall jurisdiction to oververtop the Kings. How this controversie was ended I have no certaine intelligenc…; As …or other Priests and Jesuits, you have already seen what Proclamations were published against them, between, and during the two Sessions of Parliament in the yeer… 1628 by reason of the frequent complaints of the Commons and for the forenamed ends: VponUpon which Proclamations divers Priests and Jesuits were apprehended, and some R…cus…nts ind…ed by Officers and Justices of peace, well affected to our Religi…n; but how, notwithstanding all these Proclamations, royall promises, Priests and Jesuits were released from time to time by warrants, sometimes under his Majesties owne hand; sometimes under the hands of his privy Counsell, but most times by warants from Secretary Windebank alone; and how Iohn Gray with other Messengers, and …o…e Harwood, were reviled, threa…ned to be whipt, and committed to Prison by Windebanke, for apprehending Priests and Iesuits according to their duty, till they should … bond, with sureties to him. NEVER TO PERSECVTE PRIESTS OR POPISH RECVSANTS MORE, with other particulars of this nature, I have manifested at large in my Royall Popish Favourite; to which I reser…e the Reader; onelyonly I shall give you a short touch of some Priests and Jesuits released after these Proclamations, as likewise by whom and whence.
a…11. April…s 6. Caroli, there were 16 Priests released one of the Clinke by one Warrant …ler his Majesties owne Signe Man…l, at the Instance of the Queen, notwithstanding a…y former order against such releases: 26. Iul…y 6. Carols, by like Warrant and Instance there were six Priests and Jesuits more released out of the same prison: 18. November and 20 I…nuary 7. Caroli two priests more were thance discharged by like Warrant: 15. Iune 1632. and 18. Decemb. 1633. there were two priests more discharged out of the Clink by a Warrant of the Lords of the Counsell, upon the …
On the 15. of Iune 1632. Windebanke was made one of the principall Secretaries of State by Arch-bishop La…d's procurement, as appeares by this passage in his… Diary: Iune 15. Master Francis Windebanke MY OLD FRIEND, was swor…e Secretary of State, which place I OBTAINED FOR HIM of my gracious M…ster King CHARLES. To what end this Instrument was advanced to this place of trust by Canterbury, & what good service he did the Priests Jesuits, Nuncio Papists, Pope and his Nuncioes therein, will appeare in the sequel of this Narration. No sooner was he setled in his place, but within few moneths after he fals to release and protect Priests, Iesuits, Recusants, more then any of his predecessors, and all the Counsell besides, becomming their speciall pa…on, insomuch that in the yeere 1634. he received this speciall letter of thanks from Father Ioseph for it, (written by the French Kings speciall command) faithfully translated out of the originall, indited in …, sound among his papers.
Most excellent Sir, my Patron most Worshipfull:
I should be too much wanting to my duty, NOTE.if I did not render my most humble thanks to your Excellence, having after so many other favours conferred upon our Mission, received for a comple… height, the singular proofe of your …ffection in the delivery of our Fathers; I knowing with what love and care you were pleased to comply your selfe in this worke, the which besides the … of charity, hath been most gra…efull to his most …, who in this … with great satisfaction acknowledge the good will of his Majesty of great Britaine in the person of his Minister in these occurrences which he … resisteth. If in any occasion I can serve … ▪ Excellence you shall find me most ready to render you pro…ss of my devotion and observance, beseeching you to … the favourable effects of your …e…gnity towards our …athers; and with this I end, … to you all compleat felicity,
Your Excellencies most devout and most humble servant in Christ, …ryar Joseph of Paris, Cap…cine. From Paris the 23. of Novemb. 1634.
Besides, Panz…ni the Popes Nancio in England, after his returne hence, writ him a letter of thanks … Ro…e, for the daily favours he received from him in behalfe of the Roman Catholikes whiles he continued Nuncio here, of which more in due place.
This trade of releasing protecting Priests, Iesuits and Papists, this Secretary continued all his time, till his slight into France: upon his questioning in the Commons House for this offence. What Priests and Iesuits he bailed and discharged, will appeare by Master Glyns report to the House concerning it, in the Commo…s Iournall 1. … …40. and by this Catalogue of Priests discharged by him under his owne and Master Reads (his Secretaries) hands, written since his questioning in the house of Commons and found among his other writings.
1. THomas Woodward in 300. l. with two sureties to appeare upon 20 dayes warning. bond. dat. 19. Oct. …632.
2. Henry More with two …. in 400. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, …. 1. Dec. 1633.
3. Edward … with two sureties, in 400. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 6. Dec. 1633.
4. Thomas Leake with two sureties,Deads in 400. l. to appeare upon 12 dayes warning bond dat. 1. March 1633.
5. Thomas Holmes with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 40 dayes warning, bond dat. 9. May 1634.
6. Francis Harris with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 4. Iunij 1634.
7. Peter Curtis with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 40 dayes warning, bond dat. 12. Iune 1634.
…. 8. Henry Oven with two sureties, in 300. l▪ to appeare upon 20 days warning, bond dat. 11. of …uly 1634.
9. Thomas Renolds with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 6. August 1634.
10. Iohn … with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 3. Novemb. 1634.
11. Humphry T…rbervill with two sureties, in 200. l. to appeare upon 30 dayes warning, bond dat. 1. Dec. 1634.
12. Daniel Chambers with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 40 dayes warning, bond dat. 3. Dec. 1634.
13. William Drury with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning bond dat. 19. Febr. 1634.
14. Edward More with two sureties, 300. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 24. March 16…4.
15. …onh…m…e Cooke with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 10 dayes warning, bond dat. 19. March 1634.
16. Peter Wilford with two sureties, in 500. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 23. March 1634.
17. Iohn Rivers with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 30 dayes warning, bond dat. 13. A…r. 1635.
18. I…hn Hawkeshee with two sureties in 500. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 27. … 1635.
19. Iohn Bawles with two sureties, in 300. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 7. …ug. 1635.
20. Iohn Piers alias Fisher with two sureties in 500. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning bond dat. 12. August 1635.
21. H…nry G…fford with two sureties, in 500. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 21. Aug. 16…5.
22. VVilliam Valentine with two sureties in 200. l. to appeare upon six dayes warning, bond dat. 25. May 16…6.
23. Edward Co…rtney with two sureties, in 20000. l. to appeare upon 10 dayes warning bond dat. 22. July 16…6.
24. Thomas Preston with 2 sureties, in 1000. l. to appeare upon 10 dayes warning, bond dat. 24. Apr. 2627.
25. Hen…y Morte with five sureties, in 5000. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 16. …une 16…7.
26. Iohn Goodman with two sureties, in 500. l. to appeare upon 20 dayes warning, bond dat. 17. Sept. 1639.
27. Iohn Southworth, Iuly 1640.
This Catalogue was inclosed in this ensuing paper written with Windebankes or his Secretary R…ads owne hand (which are very…) and thus indorsed:
The Kings discharge to Secretary Windebanke for releasing of Priests.
WHereas divers Roman Catholikes as well priests as others, have been at severall … enlarged our of divers prisons, to which they had formerly been committed, they first entring into bond with sureties to appeare before the …ords of our privy Counsell upon warning given to them to that purpose: which bonds have been taken by our Trusty and right welbeloved Counsellour Sir Francis W…debanke, and one of our principall Secretaries of State and remaine with him.
And whereas we have also thought sit upon divers occasions to give speciall commands and directions in favour of some particular persons of the Roman Catholike Religion, wherein we have used his service; We doe hereby acknowledge and declare that the enlargement of the said Roman Catholikes and those other acts done in favour of those of that religion by our said Secretary,NOTE. have been performed by our speciall command and order given to him in that behalfe, without any advice or originall motion of …, who hath onelyonly moved herein as he hath been from time commanded by VsUs, and for which We had good grounds and reasons of State, such as VVe shall Our Selfe declare when VVe shall find cause: VVe doe therefore hereby fully and absolutely acquit, discharge and save harmlesse the said Sir Francis Windebanke from any trouble or question, to which he may be subject for or concerning the execution of our said commands, and from all penalties that he may incurre by reason thereof, any Law, Act, Statue, proclamation, or any other matter or thing whatsoever to the contrary, in any wise notwithstanding: and of thus all our Officers, Ministers and Subjects whom it doth or may concerne are to take notice.
This discharge I find not signed by the King, which makes me thinke it to be a draught prepared for his royall Signature by Windebanke since his questioning in parliament▪ to lay all the blame of his Actions upon the King himselfe; who (as it seems by his following letter) gave him a pas…e when he fled from the parliaments justice into France, but his Secretary Master Read fearing the first passe not to be sufficient, sent this ensuing passe out of France, found among Mr. Thomas VVindebankes papers.
WHereas Our …ight trusty and welbeloved Counsellour Sir Francis VVindebanke Knight, one of our principall Secretaries of state, is to make his repaire into forraigne parts; We doe hereby licence him to passe, and straitly charge and command you and every of you, to suffer him to goe quietly by you, and to embarque himselfe at any of Our ports most convenient for his passage, and to take with him▪ his Nephew Robert Read▪ and two other in his company, together with his and their carriages, without any manner of search, stay, or other interruption whatsoever; and this shall be as well to the said Sir Francis VVindebanke, Robert Read and the rest, for passing as to you and every of you, for suffering them to passe, as aforesaid, sufficient warrant and discharge, Given at Our Court at White-hall the second day of December 1640.
To all Admirals Vice-admirals, Captaines of Our Forces, Castles and Ships, and to all Justices of peace, Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs, Constables, Customers, Comptrollers, and Searche…s, and to all other Our Officers and Ministers, whom it doth or may concerne, and to every of them.
This countersei…ed anti-dated passe was sent to Master Thomas VVindebanke into England out of France, to procure his Majesties hand and Signet to it; and if any difficulty or scruple were made by the King to signe it, the Queens omnipotent mediation must he used to obtainits Signature, as this letter of Mr. Reads to Mr. Thomas Windebanke wherein it was inclosed, will sufficiently manifest, and likewise discover to the world how grosly his Majesty hath been abused by this Secretary, the Arch-bishop and others of his Ministers by procuring his hand to such forged, anti-dated warrants, to excuse themselves and lay all the blame of their Actions upon him, which should cause his Majesty to look better to them hereafter in this kind.
Sir,
MY Uncle has acquainted me with a letter he has written to my …. of Arundell and with the directions he has given you about it, I put him in mind of some addition fit to be made to it, which he likes very well, and has commanded me to write to you. That if her Ladiship or any other with whom shee shall please to advise, can think upon any way to prevent any proclamation against him, or at least to sweeten any rigorous course that may be intended against him, as probably such meanes may be found, now that their M. M. (Majesties) and the Parliament seeme to be upon better termes, her Ladiship will be pleased to advance it with all her power: And really I am of opinion, if the King did know how much dishonour he ha… abroad by this question of the Secretary, and had a true sense of master Secretaries condition both his Majesty and the Queen would be hearty in his businesse, which could not but produce good effects. Sir, I have considered that when they fall upon our businesse, they will goe neere to page missing comfort in mine absence, for which God will blesse you, and move the Kings heart to take you into his princely consideration; which I shall be as well contented with, as if I had continued in my prosperity; The being deprived of the light of my Soveraigne Lord and Masters countenance is the greatest and most bitter of my afflictions, to which God will returne me if he finds it fit, if otherwise, I hope he will arme me with patience; You will present my most humble service to my Lord Duke of Lenox, the Lord Marquesse Hamilton, the Earle of Manchester and his Lady, with the Lord Chamberlaine, Lord Goring and Lord Cottington, the like to the LORD ARCHBISHOP, and Lord TREASURER, and any other that shall enquire of me: God blesse you and send us a happy meeting, so I rest,
YOURS, &c. FRAN. VVINDEBANKE. Calis 6. December 1640.