The Popish Royal Favorite, Part 2 · Letter 26

The Popish Royal Favorite · Part 2 · Letter 26

p. 48JAMES by the Grace of God of Great Brittain, &c. King; Defender of the Faith, &c. to all to whom this present writing shall come, Greeting: In as much as among many other things, which are contained within the Treaty of Marriage betweene our most deare sonne Charles Prince of Wales, and the most renoun…d Lady Donna Maria, sister of the most renowned Prince, and our well beloved Brother, Phillip the fourth King of Spaine it is agreed, that WE BY OVR OATH SHALL APPROVE AND RATIFIE THE ARTICLES under expressed to a Word;

1 That PARTICVLAR LAWES MADE AGAINST ROMAN CATHOLIKES, under which other Vassals of our Realmes are not compre…ended, and to whose observation all generally are not obliged; and likewise generall p. 49Laws under which all are equally comprised, so as they are such which are repugnant to the Romish religion, shal not at any time hereafter by any means whatsoever, or case directly or indirectly, Be commanded to be put in execution against the said Romish Catholikes: And we will cause that our Councell shall take the same Oath, as far as it pertaines to them and belongs to the execution, which by the hands of them or their Ministers is to be exercised.

2 That no other Lawes shall hereafter bee made anew against …he said Romish Cathlikes, Nota.but that there shall bee a perpetuall soleration of the Romish Catholike Religion within private houses, throughout all our Realmes and Dominiens: which we will have to bee understood as well of our Kingdome of Scotland and Ireland, as in England; which shall bee granted to them in manner and forme, as is capitulated, decreed, and granted in the Articles of the Treaty concerning the marriage.

3 That neither by Us, nor by any other interposed Persons whatsoever,Nota. directly or indirectly, privately or publikely, will we treat (or attempt) any thing with the most Renouned Lady Infanta, Donna Maria, which shall bee repugnant to the Catholike Romish Religion; neither will we by any meanes perswade her, that she should ever renounce or relinguish the same in substance or forme; or that she should do any thing repugnant or contrary to those things which are conteined in the Treaty of Matrimony.

4 That we will interpose our Authority, and doe as much as in Us shall lie, that the Parliament shall approve, confirme, and ratifie, all and singular Articles in fabour of the Romish Catholikes, Nota ben….caputilated between the most Renouncd Kings by reason of this Marriage; and that the said Parliament shall reboke and abrogate the particular L…ves made against the said Romish Catholikes, to whose observation also the rest of Our Subjects and Vassals are not oblieged, as also the Generall Lawes, under which all are equally comprehended, to wit, As to the Romish Catholikes, if so be they be such, as is aforesaid, which are rep…gnant to the Romish Catholike Religion, And that hereafter We will not consent, that the said Parliament should ever at any time, make or write any other new Lawes against Romish Catholikes.

We accounting all and singular, the preceding Articles ratified and acceptable, out of Our certain knowledge, as farre as they concerne VsUs, Our Heires or Successors, approve, ratifie, applaud, and promise bona fide, and in the Word of a king by these presents, inviolably, firmely, well and faithfully to kéep, observe and fulfill the same, and to causs them to be kept, observed and fulfilled, without any exception or contradiction, and doe confirme the same by Our Oath upon the holy …rangelists, notwithstanding any opinions, sentences, or laws whatsoever to the contrary; In the presence of the most illustrious Lords Don Iohn de Mendoza, Marquesse of Inojosa, and Don Charles Coloma, Extraordinary Embassadours of the Catholike King; of George Calvert Knight, one of our chiefe Secretaries; of Edward Comvay Knight, another of our chiefe Secretaries; of Francis Cottington Barronet, of the Privie Councell to our Sonne the Prince; of Francis de Corondelet Apostolicall (or the Popes) Prothonotary, and Archdeacon of Cambray; Dated at Our Palace at Westminster the 20 day of Iuly, Anno Domini, 1623. in the English stile.

IACOBVS REX.

A compared and true Copy.

George Calvert (then chiefe Secretary, who turned soone after, and died a professed Papist.)

p. 50To these Articles the Prince of Wales likewise sware, and signed them with his hand at Madrit, in the same manner, as King Iames did at Westminster, as this **Ibidem, p. 9.Mercury assures us, and I presume, his Majesties own conscience and followers can attest.

Before I proceed further, I shall desire thee, kinde Reader, whosoever thou art, especially if an English, Scotish, or Irish Protestant, to pause a while, and mo… seriously to ponder these premised Passages, Articles, Oaths, worthy thy most serious consideration, if not thy admiration; and when thou hast so done, then let me propound these few Queres to thee from them, & to the Honourable House of Parliament too.

First, Whether the heart of Kings (as well as of other persons) be not unsearchable; yea, deceitfull above all things, and desperately wicked; So as no man can truly know or discerne it? as Prov. 23. 3. Ier. 17. 9. resolve past all dispute.

Secondly, Whether King Iames were really so zealous a Protestant, and Anti-Papist, as the ignorant world reputed him, especially in his declining age?

Thirdly, Whether those who have willingly without any compulsion, and (for ought appeares) cordially entred into such Romish Alliances, Articles, Covenants, Oaths, can be ever sincerely affected to the Protestant Party or Religion, or really opposite to Popery or Papists, notwithstanding all outward Protestations, Proclamations or flourishes to the contrary, to blinde the over credulous vulgar; ignorant of the Premises?

Fourthly, Whether his Majesty having thus twice taken two solemn Oathes at least, upon both his Treaties of Marriage with Spaine and France, (of which more anon) to protect and maintaine to the utmost throughout his Dominions, the Roman Catholikes, Church and Religion yea, to suspend and abrogate all Lawes against them; and that before ever he made any Promise, or Declaration at all to maintain the Protestant Religion; whether he be not thereby now farre more deeply engaged by vertue of these Oathes and Articles to protect, favour, and defend the Romish Catholike Faith, then the Protestant; and his Romish Catholike Subjects in all his Dominions, then his Protestant Lieges, having never entred into any such Solemn Articles, Oathes and Covenants (unlesse lately in Scotland much against his will, with which his Holinesse of Rome will easily dispence, being quite contrary to his primitive Articles) to defend and propagate the Protestants, and Protestant Religion, as he hath done to defend Popery and his Popish Subjects?

Fifthly, Whether all the premised Letters of Grace, Protection, Indulgences to Priests, Iesuites, and Popish Recusants, be not the reall results and effects of these Oathes and Articles, and of the ensuing Articles and match with France? as the French Mercury, Tom. 9. An. 1624. p. 28. 29. expresly resolves.

Sixthly, Whether the true and reall designe of the Pope, the Realmes of Spain and France, and all Promoters of these matches, Articles, were not to re-establish Popery in its perfection, and extirpate the Protestant Religion throughout all his Majesties Realmes, by meanes and vertue of them, by degrees?

Seventhly, Whether his Majesty doth not hold himselfe now bound in conscience by vertue of these Oathes and Articles, (what ever his outward protestations and pretences be) to side with his Roman Catholike Subjects, both in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Arm them against his Protestant Subjects and Parliaments in all three Kingdomes, of purpose to make good these his Oathes and Articles; and to protect p. 51them against the due execution of all antient Lawes already enacted, and all other new Lawes and prosecutions now really intended against them in England, Scotland, contrary to these his Oathes and Articles? And whether this be not the very true, and proper cause of all his former and present Wars, Proclamations, Declarations, Remonstrances against the Scots, the former, the present Parliament; yea, the very ground why he proclaimes them Traytors, Rebels, no Parliamment, but a faction? &c. Why he brake up all the former Parliaments since his raign by discontinuances, and endeavours to dissolve and cut off this by the sword of Papists and Atheists, against the very Act of Parliament so lately assented to by himselfe? And whether upon this ground, he would not rather his Parliament, his Protestant Subjects, Kingdomes should now perish, then his Catholikes Subjects, or their Religion suffer or miscarry, as he descernes they are like to doe if the Parliament should prevaile of continue?

Eightly, Whether these Oathes and Articles bee not the reall ground of the late horrid Irish conspiracy, massacre, Rebellion, Pacification. Toleration, and his Majesties connivance at, if not approbation of these horrid bloody execrable practises? of the extraordinary favours lately indulged to those cursed barbarous Rebels by his Majesty, and his most gracious entertainement of them, not only into his Royall favour, but Court, Army, and Realme of England, as his securest Life-Guard?

Ninthly, whether it be not then high time for the Parliament, and all the Protestants throughout his Dominions to look about them, and enter into solemn Protestations, Covenants, Engagements, mutually to defend themselves, their Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Lives, Estates, when they are thus endangered by the Popish party, and the King himselfe (to omit the Queen) by Oath and Articles, is thus confederated with, and engaged to protect them, and their Religion to the uttermost?

Tenthly, Whether these Oathes and Articles considered, it can possibly bee believed, that his Majesty ever took up Armes and joyned with Papists to maintain the Protestant Religion? Or that if his Majesty by force of Armes should prevaile against the Parliament or Protestant party, there be, or can bee any probability or possibility (in humane reason) left us to believe or conceive, that the Protestant Subjects should ever freely enjoy the Profession of their reformed Religion, just Rights, Lawes, Liberties, Estates, or Lives; or Papists be prohibited the free publike toleration and open practice of their Antichristian-Religion? And whether then it will not inevitably follow by vertue of these Oaths and Articles, that all Lawes whatsoever now in force against the Pope, Popery, Papists, shall and must be presently repealed, even by a packed or forced Parliament; and a publike toleration at least of Popery (if not totall suppression of the Protestant Religion) settled by Parliament; and all attempts to draw the Queen, or any else from Popery, be prohibited by Oath to all Protestants, under paine of High Treason, without any restraint at all on Papists, not to endeavour to seduce the King and all his Subjects, by all the wayes and arts that may be? This being the very purport of the premised Letter, the Spanish Oath, Articles, and of the French, here following.

If any after the perusall of all these Letters, Articles, Oathes, Queres, will still be wilfully blinde or secure, let them be so at their own utmost perill; and if they suffer, perish through their folly, let them thank themselves: I have freed my own soule, though theirs miscarry through their own sottishnesse or incredulity.

p. 52This Spanish Match, after it had been in a manner fully concluded on all hands, unexpectedly breaking off in a moment, to the aaThe Vocall Forrest, Mercure Francois, Tom. 9. An. 1624… p. 10. &exceeding dejection of the Papists throughout all England: The Kings Marriage with the Lady Mary of France, (of the same Romish Religion with the Spanish Amira) was soon after concluded; and that (as is more then probable by the Queenes Bishops, Priests, Capuchines, with other such Romane Locusts, who accompanied her Majesty hither, the entertainment of a Popes Nuncio from Rome, and an Agent at Rome; bbMercure Francois à Paris aves Privilege Anno 1625. f. 480. Tom. …. & mentioned. Tom. 11. p. …53. &c. Where the whole solemnity of this Marriage is described.and the subsequent favours, Protections which the Papists and Priests in England, have ever since obtained from the King by Her most prevalent mediation, as is manifest by the premised Letters, Warrants… ) upon the selfe-same Articles in favour of the Papists, as were assented to in the Spanish nuptiall Treaty: But that which puts it out of question, are the generall and private Articles of agreement (long since published in some French Mercuries, printed at Paris with Royall Priviledge, and passing from hand to hand in private English Manuscripts among the most intelligent men:) some of which Articles I shall here annex, as I finde them in English Manuscripts, agreeing with the French Originall.

… THat the above named the Lords Embassadours have promised, and doe promise for and on the behalfe of his Majesty of great Britaine, now reigning, that hee shall take to Marriage, for his deare Consort and Wife, the Lady Henretta Maria Daughter of France, and Sister to his foresaid most Excellent Majesty, in person, or otherwise by Proxy, so soone as conveniently the same may be done; and that also the foresaid Lady at the good pleasure and consent of his foresaid Christian Majesty, and of the Queen her Mother, after his FORES AID MAIESTY HATH OBTAINED Acc… falloit envoyer à Rome, Mercure Francois, p. 479. DISPENSATION FROM THE POPE, doth promise to take for her deare Consort and Husband, Charles the first, King of Great Britaine, and according to the foresaid reciprocall promise, he shall be affianced and contracted after the manner accustomed in the CATHOLIKE AND ROMISH CHVRCH.Nota.

7 It is likewise agreed upon, that the said Lady and all her Followers, as also the Children which shall be borne to her Officers, shall have free exercise of the Catholike Apostolicall and Roman Religion; and to that end the foresaid Lady shall have a Chappell in each of the Kings Palaces, or Houses, or in any other place of his Majesty of Great Britaine, where she shall chance to come and continue; and that the foresaid Chappell shall bee adorned and d…ked as it is fitting; and that the keeping thereof shall be committed to whom it shall please the said Lady to appoint; in which the preaching of Gods Word, and the Administration of the Sacraments, the MASSE, and all other Offices shall be freely and solemnly done, according to the use of the Romish Church; yea, all Indulgences and Iubilees which the said Lady shall obtaine or get from THE POPE, may bee done and executed there. There shall bee also one Church-yard in the City of London, given and appointed to interre and bury such of her said Ladiships Followers, as shall chance to depart this life according to the manner and forme of the Church of Rome; and that shall be modestly done: the which Church-yard shall bee in such sort inclosed or walled about, that no person shall come therein to prophane the same.

8 It is also agreed upon, That the said LADY SHALL HAVE A BISHOP p. 53FOR HER GREAT ALMONER, who shall have all Iurisdiction and necessary Authority for all matters or causes concerning Religion, and who shall proceed against the Ecclesiasticall persons which shall be under his charge, according to the Canons constituted and appointed.

9 And if it shall at any time happen that any Secular Court shall take any of the foresaid Priests into their power, by reason of any crime or offence against the State by him committed or done,Nota. and do finde him to be guilty thereof, yet shall the said Court send him back to the said Bishop, with the informations which they find by him, because the said Priest is priviledged from their power; and the said Bishop when he shall understand and know so much, shall degrade the said Priest, and afterwards send him back unto the foresaid Secular Court to doe Iustice upon him. And for all kind of other faults, the aforesaid Priests shall be sent to the Bishop, to the end that he may proceed against them according to the Canons in that case provided, and in the absence or sicknesse of the said Bishop, the Priest which is by him appointed to bee his great Vicar, shall have the same power and authority.

10 It is likewise agreed upon, that the said Lady shall have 28 PRIESTS, or Ecclesiasticall Persons in her House, comprehending therein her Almoner and Chaplaines, to serve and keepe the foresaid Chappell according as they are appointed, and if any of them bee a Regular or Canonicall person, living under more prescript Rules then the rest, yet he may hold and keep his habit.Nota.

aaThe French Coppy in King Iames … time runs thus,Also the KING OF GREAT BRITTAINE,L… R…y & le Prince, s' obligent pur serment …e ne tasc…er pur quelque Voy que…e puisse estre, faire Renoncer Madame à la Religion Catholique, Apostolique & Romaine, ny la po…ter à ascune ch…se, qui…y soit contrarie. is by OATH BOVND NOT TO INDEAVOUR BY ANY MEANES AT ALL TO HAVE HIS SAID QVEENE TO RENOVNCE THE CATHOLIKE APOSTOLIKE AND ROMISH RELIGION, NOR COMPELL HER TO DOE ANY THING WHATSOEVER THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE SAME RELIGION.

11 The said Queens House shall bee maintained with so much Dignity, and with so great a number of Officers as ever any had that was Queen of England; all the houshold servants which the said Lady shall carry into England, shall be Priests Catholikes and French by birth, and chosen or appointed by his most Christian Majesty; And if it happen that any of them die, or that the foresaid Lady shall bee willing to change her said Servants, then Shee will take in their steeds other Papists Catholikes, French or English, alwayes provided that his Majesty of Great Brittaine consent thereunto.

16 The children which shall by reason of the said inter-marriage, be born and live, shall bee nurst and brought up neere unto the said Lady and Queen, from the time of their Birth, untill they come to the age of fourteene yeares.

These Articles with others, (agreeing with the Spanish and French printed Copies) were subscribed and signed by the Earles of Carlile and Holland, …e have little hopes the… of …er Coversion to our Religion.Embassadours and Commissioners for King Charles; and by other French Commissioners, and afterward signed and sworn to by King Iames, the French King, and Prince Charles the 10 of November, 1624. and after King Iames his death, new signed, subscribed by these Embassadours, and sworn unto by both these Kings, Thurseday the eighth of May, 1625.

p. 54Besides these generall Articles, there were (as thebbMercurie Francois, Tom. 10. p. 487. A Paris ave… Privilege le R…y. An. 1625. French Mercury informes us) these three particular ones condescended unto; Outre ces Articles generalx, il y… eu, ceux trois de particuliers; (the same with those of Spaine forementioned.)

Le Premier, touchant les Catholiques, tant Ecclesiastiques que Seculiers, Prisonniers depius le dit dernier Edict, lesquels serroient tous mis en libertè.

Le second, à ce que les Catholiques Anglois ne serroint plus recherchez pour leur Religion: Et le troisiesme; Que ce qui se trouveroit en nature des biens saisis sur les Catholiques tant Ecclesiastiques que seculiers, depuis le dit dernier Edict publi… contra eux, leur serroient restitues.

The first touching the Catholikes, as well Ecclesiasticks as Seculars, Prisoners since the said last Edict, the which shall be all set at liberty.

The second to this effect, That the English Catholiques shall be no more searched after (or troubled) for their Relion: And the third, of this nature, that the goods seised upon the Catholikes, as well Ecclesiastiques as Seculars, since the said Edict published against them, shall be restored.

Upon these Articles, Oathes, Proceedings of the King in these Treaties of Marriage with Spaine and France, and his enter-marriage with the Queen, (a most sedulous Promoter of the Roman Catholike Religion;) these severall effects ensued.

First, an extraordinary great multitude of most dangerous seducing Seminary Priests, Iesuits, Monks of all sorts, especially Benedictines. Nunnes and Iesuitesses came flocking over into England, and other his Majesties Dominions, without any restraint or inhibition whatsoever, there being no lesse then 261 Romish Priests, Monks, Iesuites, (besides Popish Physitians, Apothecaries, and Chirurgions) constantly residing in and about London, in the yeare 1624. the Catalogue of whose names you may read in Iohn Gee, (a reclaimed English Priest, by the fall of the Massing-Chamber in Black-Fryers, where he hardly escaped) in his I oot out of the snare, Edit. 4 London 1624. there being, as hee then manifested in this, Book, at least foure times as many more Priests and Iesuits in other parts of England, and well-nigh 300 to his knowledge in one single County alone; and above 60 English Benedictine Monks from Doway, besides those sent from other places.

Secondly, There were many new Colledges, Monasteries, and Seminaries erected in Spaine, and other forraign Parts for the training up of English, Irish, and Scottish Priests, Monks, Iesuites. Nunnes, to be sent over into his Majesties Dominions, to reduce England to the Popish faith, and obedience of the Sea of Rome; (as you may read at large in Iohn Gee his Foot out of the snare; Lewis Owen, his Running Register; Iames Wadsworth, his English Spanish Pilgrime, London 1629. Pudesindus Barlo, his ensuing letter; The French Mercury, Tom. 8. 9. & 10. Nich…le Maistre, Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus, and others,) and new Chappels built for Masse, and a Cell for Capuchins here.

Thirdly, There were many private Societies and Monasteries of Iesuites, Monks, Nunnes, secretly erected and maintained in England, but many more openly built, stocked, and professedly supported in Ireland, as appeares by the Remonstrance and Petition of Grievances touching Religion, presented to the King by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, 3. Caroli: The late Remonstrance of both Houses, p. 55concerning the Rise and Progresse of the late Irish Rebellion, Romes Master-Piece; Romes Inquiry, &c. and other evidences here ensuing.

Fourthly, There was a new Popish Hierarchy erected, and Bishops, Arch-Deacons, &c. created by the Pope, both in England and Ireland, to exercise all Episcopall Iurisdiction therein; besides the Queens Bishop mentioned in the former Articles; as is evident by Nich… le Maistre his Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus, and Rudesindus Barlo his letter recorded in it, by Henry Flood his letter from Rome, to F. Colleton Arch-Priest, alias Arch-Deacon of London, March. 27. 1623. with other letters recorded by Iohn Gee, in his Foot out of the snare, p. 27. &c. The Popes Briefe, and Romes Inquiry: and the evidences hereafter cited.

Fifthly, All Lawes and Proceedings against Popish Priests and Iesuits, were suspended by generall and speciall letters, warrants of Grace and Protection forementioned; and before the Kings marriage by letters sent to all parts by Bishop Williams Lord Keeper, in King Iames his Name, all Priests and Recusants then imprisoned for their Religion were**See Mercure Francois, Tom. 9. An. 1624. p 28 to 31. released, upon pretence of procu…ing like favour, and liberty of conscience for the Protestants in France, and other forraign parts: Who soone after were generally persecuted every where in Germany, France, and all their Townes, Forts, demolished in France by force of Armes; yea, many thousands of them massacred; and Rochel it selfe betrayed into their power, by our English ships, and the treachery of the Popish and Court party here.

Sixthly, There was a speciall Society erected, not onelyonly in Rome, but likewise here in England, intitled, The Congregation of Propagating the Faith, consisting of foure Orders of most desperate active English and Scotish Iesuites, residing in London; of which Society, The Pope himselfe was the head, and Cardinall Barbarino his chiefe substitute. And for the better advancement of this Romish design, to undermine the Protestant Religion, and set up Popery in all the Kings Dominions; there was an Agent sent from the King and Queen to lie Leager at Rome (one Hamilton a Scottish Papist) and a speciall Nuncio sent over into England from the Pope, to wit, one Seigneour Georgio Con, a Scot, who kept his Residence here in London, and was President of this new erected Congregation of Iesuites; which held a constant Councell once or twice each week, had weekly dispatches to and from Rome, yea, continuall free accesse to the King and his Court, to seduce both the King and his People; as you may read more at large in Romes Master-Piece, the English Pope, and The Popes Briefe.

Seventhly, All Informers against Priests, Iesuites, Papists, were discountenanced, menaced, and many of them imprisoned, by Secretary Windebanke their Pentioner, who not only released sundry Priests and Iesuites by his Warrants, (as you heard before) but even by word of mouth… prohibited the Officers of Iustice to apprehend them, and imprisoned one Robert Horward VnderUnder-Sheriffe of Southampton, upon a pretence that he had proceeded against some Popish Recusants upon the Kings Writ directed to him to seise their Lands, and Goods, contrary to his Letters of Countermaund (though its true he proceeded not) till he enforced him by his Popish Secretary Read, to enter into a bond of one hundred pounds to Henry Lord, a Papist, Never to prosecute Popish Recusants more, ere he would release him: All which was attested by Horward and others in the Commons House this Parliament, as you may see in the Iournall Book of the House 11, 12, 20. Novemb. and in Mr. Glynnes p. 56Repo…entred therein, 1 Decemb. 1640. On the contrary, most of the painfull Orthodox Protestant Ministers, Gentlemen and others throughout the Realme were disgraced, persecuted, silenced, fined, imprisoned, banished, and thousands of them enforced to flee the Realme, by the tyrannicall unjust proceedings against them in the High-Commission, Starre-Chamber, Councell-Chamber, Bishops Consistories, and Visitation Courts: the Printing Presses were also shut up against all Books in refutation of Popery, and opened to all Impressions in defence or propagation thereof: Popish Doctrines, Superstitions openly maintained, preached in Our Vniversities, Cathedrals, Diocesses, Churches, Chappels, (especially at Court) Lectures suppressed, and none but such as were Popishly affected, advanced to Bishoprikes, Deaneries, Ecclesiasticall Preferments, or admitted into the Ministery, by our**Who would a… mit none … vings or the Ministery, but such who must … subscribe, That the Church of Rome is a true Church, That it is lawfull to how to altars, That all baptized infants are truly regénerated and certainly saved if they d…, That Bishops are Iu…re Divino, That Ministers power to rem… sins is n…t meerly declarative. Bishops.

Eightly, In pursuance of this design, his Majesties greatest Favourites, and those in highest authority under him, were all either actuall Papists in profession, or well inclined to Popery in affection, & altogether swayed by popish Councels: witnesse the first Grand Favòurite, the Duke of Buckingham, who laid the foundation of the Spanish and French Marriage-Treaties, Articles, and was a chiefe Actor in both; swayed wholly by his Iesuited Mother, and Dutchesse, professed Papists, and their Cabinet counsell of Iesuites; by whose Treachery Rochel was lost. The great Lord Treasurer Weston steared by his Popish Countesse, kindred, Sir Toby Mathews, Sir Basil Brook, and other Papists, whiles he lived, and reconciled to the Church of Rome, receiving extreame Unction and Absolution from the Popish priests and Capuchins, when he died. Besides these they had Windebank a popish Secretary of his Majesties Cabinet Councel for their Intelligencer, Patron, Protector, Liberator, Assistant; the Earle of Arundel, and other friends in his Privie Councell, Endymion Porter in his Bed-Chamber, with many other Agents of all sorts, all Sexes in his Court, mentioned in Romes Master-Piece, to further their design in the State: The Arch-bishop of Canterbury, Wren, Montague, Cozens, with many other Prelates and**See Master …hites first Century. Priests to introduce, establish their Popish Doctrines, Ceremonies, Superstitions in the Church of England; the great Lord Strafford Lievtenant of Ireland, with sundry others in that Realme, to countenance and protect them in Ireland, where they had absolute toleration, yea, open profession of their Religion: And which was instar omnium, they had Queen Mary her selfe in the Kings own bed and bosome for their most powerfull Mc…atrix, of whom they might really affirme in reference to his Majesty, what some of their popishaaBernardi…us de Busti. Mar…al. Pars 3. Ser. 3. exce. 4. pars …. ser. 2. Gabrid Biel in C…no…e M…ss…e Lect. 8 c. … Gerson. Tract. 4. Super magnificat. …ab. deniera. Pleuers des vies des Saincts. Feste de…' Assomption Nostre Dame Anselm…s Cant. De Laud. Mariae, and others. Doctors have most blasphemously written of the Virgin Mary in relation to God and Christ, That all things are subject to the command of Mary, even God himselfe: That she is the Empresse and Queen of Heaven, and of greatest Authority in the Kingdome of Heaven, where shee may not only impetrate but command what soever shee pleaseth; That shee sitteth as Chauncellour in the Court of Heaven, and giveth Letters of Grace and Mercy to whom she pleaseth: That shee is the Fountaine, Treasurer and Dispencer of all Gods Graces, Favours; the very neck and conduit-pipe through which they are all conveyed: That God hath freely bestowed on her the better halfe of his Kingdome, to wit, all his mercy, reserving only his Iustice to himselfe, yet so subject to her restaints: That if any (Roman Catholike) doth finde himselfe aggrieved in the Court of Gods (or the Kings) Iustice, (for being prosecuted for his Recusancy or seducing the Kings people) he may safely appeale to Maries Court of mercy for reliefe, shee being the Throne of Grace, p. 57of which the Apostle speakes, Hebr. 4. 16. Let us go boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that wee (Catholikes) may receive (from her) grace to helpe us in time of need: And to further this Catholike work more effectually, the Queen Mother must be sent over into England, to contribute her assistance to the Catholike party here, which she had so much assisted in France, and forraign parts. No wonder then if the designe succeeded, prevailed so much of late, since assisted, promoted by so many powerfull active agents.

9. By vertue of the former Articles and Oaths, all the Parliaments during his Majesties raigne till now, urging the execution of old Lawes against Recusants, Priests, Iesuites, and endeavouring to make new stricter acts against them, have (contrary to the practice of all former ages,) been broken up and dissolved in discontent; And to crosse their execution of Priests and Iesuites in a politicke Pleasing covert way, divers Proclamations have been published every Parliament, to banish them the Realm by a set day; after which, if they departed not, they should be executed, which the common people, and plaine honest-minded Parliament men conceived, to be done out of rigour and justice against them, and so rested satisfied with these Proclamations onelyonly, which in truth, were meere policies to free the imprisoned Priests and Iesuites out of prison, under pretext of sending them away, and to stay all proceedings against them, whilst the Parliaments sate, by allowing them so many weeks respite to depart the Realme, before which the Parliaments commonly were dissolved: and so by this policie were secured, inlarged to do more mischief, and either departed not all, or returned presently againe into England as soon as the Parliaments ended, as the premisses and experience manifest.

10. By meanes of these Articles, proceedings of the Papists, Priest, and Iesuites have grown so stupendiously powerfull, as during the late Scottish troubles, to hold a Parliament, and generall Councell of State among themselves, even in London, wherein not the King, but the Popes own Nuntio sate President: in which Parliament the chief Papists out of all parts of England and Wales assembled, and made severall Lawes and Ordinances for imposing taxes, and raising monies upon all Roman Catholiques, for maintenance of the Scottish wars, which were seconded with the Queens own Letters and Instructions to the Catholikes, reciting, VVhat great liberties and favours her Highnesse had procured for them from his Majesty; and exciting them to a most liberall contribution toward these wars, because the maintaining thereof, concerned them not onelyonly as they were Subjects, BUT AS THEY WERE ROMAN CATHOLIKES TOO. The verity of which Popish Parliament, orders, instructions, taxes, was fully proved and manifested before a speciall Committee of the Commons House specially appointed for Recusants, and their Popish Nuncio, Novemb. 9. 1640. and at other dayes of meeting in that and the following moneths, both by the orders, letters and instructions themselves, and the examinations of Sir Kenelm Digby, and many other Popish Knights, chief actors in that Parliament, now remaining in the safe custody of Master Raynolds then Chaire-man. And were not the Papists then, think you, growne to an extraordinary exorbitant power, and the Pope revested in his long exploded usurped supremacie in our Realme; when they should thus be permitted to hold and keepe a Parliament without interruption, when the Protestants and Kingdome might hold none at all, or at least one presently dissolved in discontent, p. 58and the Popes owne Nuncio sit Lord President to rule the rost, when they should be thus openly tolerated to hold a Parliament, both to make and maintaine a warre against the religious Protestant Subjects, even with the Kings owne actuall consent, as is cleare by his forementioned answer under his owne hand to Master Pulfords Petition, where he not onelyonly takes notice of these contributions granted him by the Papists, but makes them the ground of his stay of all proceedings against them upon penall Lawes? And that these Scottish wars were then raised by them, to get the king into their power, and extirpate the Protestant Religion, is evident, not only by the plot detected in Romes Master-piece, found in the Archbishops chamber, and the observations on it, but likewise by a little English Booke then published in print by the Iesuits, intituled, The Iubilee of the Iesuites, one copie whereof, Thomas Chaude receiving from a woman-papist in Redriffe, delivered it to Sheriffe Warner, which he attested in the House of Commons, Novemb. 14. 1640. as the journall records: in which booke there was this observable Passage:Nota, That the Papists should fish in troubled waters, whilest the King was ingaged in the wars with the Scots; with some prayers for their good successe; and for THE HOLY MARTYRS THAT SUFFERED IN THE FLEET SENT AGAINST THE HERETIKES OF ENGLAND 1639. By which among other circumstances, it is evident, that not onelyonly the Scottish war was plotted, maintained by the Papists, but that the Spanish fleet then happily incountered and vanquished by the Hollanders on our coasts, during these troubles, was directly designed against the Protestants in England, by the Popish party here, with whom they were to joyne, to cut both the English and Scottish Protestants throats, when all the powder of the Realme, and the traine bands armes in most Counties were ingrossed into his Majesties hands, and they thus incountering one the other; which plot, the unexpected pacification, with the Scots, and Holland fleet most happily prevented. And in truth, the improbability of any other likely designe; our harbour and succour of them from the Dutch Fleet in the Downes, our supplying of them with men, victualls, ammunition, our guarding them with our ships against the Hollanders more then was meet, our hindering the Hollanders to burne their ships, which ran upon our shore, the confession of an English man in that Fleet upon his death-bed, out of remoise of conscience, (when he was brought on shore wounded in the first encounter with the Hollanders) that this Fleet was designed for England; the speeches of some Papists, that they expected this Navie here about that time; the landing of many hundred Spanish souldiers at Plimmouth in English Ships, but a weeke or two before this Fleet arrived on our coasts, upon pretence to transport them thence by land towards Flaunders, (designed, as some then feared, to surprise Plimmouth;) the Lord Portlands sudden journey to the Isle of Wight, whereof he was Governour, with the Lord Went worth, Col. Goring, and others, where they shot away all the powder in the Castles, (and their clothes too) in drinking healths in a most Bacchanalian f…ick manner, just when the Spanish Fleet was before that Isle, to the end they might the easier surprise it, when they had no powder to resist them, (as some wise men then conject…red,) are more then probable arguments, that this Fleet was destinated for England, to extirpate the Protestant party; and that by the desperate confederacy of the predominant Popish faction, and their great Patriots p. 59here, who procured them so much favour and protection from us against the Hollanders, and would never permit this mysterie of iniquity to be throughly examined. No wonder therefore, if we see the Popish Rebels brought over into England, to murther Protestants now, since the Spanyards were thus designed, (as is more then probable) for that purpose then: And whether we may not feare the like designe from France, I leave to the grand Councell of the Kingdome to consider.

11. Those Articles, I doubt, have beene the true cause of the late rebellion in Ireland, and the massacres there; of all his Majesties favours to these rebels, of the late pacification Articles granted to them; of his Majesties departing from, taking up armes, arming all English Papists, and sending for Popish Irish rebels into England, to fight against the Parliament, and of his siding with, relying on the Popish party, to whom he is obliged to adhere, and so ingaged against the Parliament, for feare they should execute all old, and make new. Lawes against Recusants, contrary to his premised Oaths, and Articles.

12. Wee may hence assure our selves, that wee can never have any reall pacification with the King and his Popish party, without a toleration of their religion, and a suspention, or repeale of all Lawes against them, according to the preceeding Articles; and in case his Majestie should prevaile against the Parliament, we must expect an absolute establishing of Popery, and suppression both of the Protestant party and Religion. Yea, seeing His Maiestie is both by Oath and Articles, not to endeavour by any means at all, to withdraw the Queen from the profession of the Romish Religion; whereas she on the other side, is left free, by all meanes and arts that may be, to withdraw the King from the Protestant Religion to her owne, and his children too: Wee have great cause to feare (if Adams, Solomons, or Ahabs seducements by their wives be duly pondered) that his Majesty, (now wholly alienated from his Parliament, and best Protestant Subjects, by the Queen and popish Counsellors, and resigning himselfe up to the Councels, Armies, Forces, Guard of his Roman Catholike Subiects, who have the custody both of his person, and next heires apparant to his Crownes,) may ere long be seduced to their Religion, as well as to their party; especially, since he hath been informed, That they have a poysoned Fig reserved for him, in case he should refuse it; as is more amply manifested in Romes Master-piece.

The next Authority of note, which I then intended to publish, was this notable Passage of N. Le Maistre, a Sorbon Priest, in his Instauratio Antiqui Episcoporum Principatus: Parisiis 1633. Cum privilegio Regis, & Approbatine Doctorum. (dedicated to all Cardinalls, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Clergie of the Church of France) Lib. 2. p. 273. to 83. cap. 15. Thus intituled: Corolarium libri secundi; Vbi nonnulla de persecutione Episcoporum, & de Illustrissimo Antistite Calcedonensi. For the clearer understanding of which Passage, I must prefix this Prologue; After the death of William Bishop of Calcedon in England, most of the English secular Priests, together with the Benedictines, for the advancement of the Romish Catholike Religion, became suitors to the Pope and his Conclave, to have one or more Popish Bishops, created by the Popes to be sent over into England, to ordaine Priests, give confirmation, and exercise Episcopall jurisdiction there; The Regular Priests, and some others here, did stifly oppose this design; but the Episcopall Secular and Benedictine party prevailing, Pope Urban by his speciall Bull, bearing date, the 4. of p. 60August, An. 1625. (which I finde printed in Censur a propositionum quarundam, &c. per facultatem Theologiae Parisiensis factae, Parisiis, 1635. p. 63. 64, 65.) created **See the Popes Briefe.Richard Smith Bishop of Calcedon, and sent him over into England, to exercise Episcopall jurisdiction, and to be superintendent over the Priests within the English Dominions, according to the tenor of his Bull; hereupon**See my Catalogue of Testimonies in all Ages, to prove the Parity, and Identity of Bishops and Presbyters. The 3. Squadron. Nicholas Smith, Daniel a Iesu Herman Lomelius, and other Regular Priests, writ divers printed Treatises against Episcopacie, and the inconvenience of having a Bishop in England; whose books were referred to the Examination of the faculty of Paris, and there censured, An. 1630. in the forecited Censure, &c. the Sponge of which Censure, written by Herman Lomelius, was answered by Le Maistre; and withall, they raised up such a faction and persecution against this their new Bishop of Calcedon in England, and Ireland among the Popish party, that they chased and banished him out of England into France, where he was entertained by Cardinall Richelleiu. Upon this occasion Le Maistre thus writes in his Defence, and prints the insuing Letter of Rudesindus Barlo, President of the Benedictine English Monkes, in these very termes:

Nunc verò Episcopum, &c. But now they see the Bishop of Calcedon, shining on every side round about, with the splendor of Vertue, by whose amiable light and prudence, if the tempest should become more hard, it might have been asswaged and calmed; I say, the Bishop of Calcedon, greatly desired by the people, coming FROM THE POPE, most humanely entertained by Christians, not grievous to the enemies of our Faith, some enflamed with private hatreds and grudges, have expelled, have suborned secret accusers and Sycophants, as if themselves would urge and imitate an OVER MUCH REMITTED PERSECUTION, who cease not to complain of the grievousnesse of persecution. You (will you that I should speake) have made, you have raised a persecution; neither hath Religion ever suffered under a more grievous evill, then by impiety, cloaked under the colours of a religious …ruit: For what was there, that might provoke your gall against so great a man, unlesse you purposed to execrate honesty, sanctity, modesty, courtesie, wisdome, with the most filthy kindes of enmities? Unlesse, like the Syberites, you scatter reproaches against the Sunne, and indure not the light of so great innocence, which no man ever ought to shun, but he who would not imitate it?

Now all France is overslowed with greatest indignation against your madnesse, from which, since so many mischiefes have proceeded, this one commodity accrues to behold and imbrace so great a man; so illustrious a Champion of the Gospell, so acceptable and lovely to our most eminent Duke and Cardinall; But in the meane time, the filthy patrocination of certaine Writers, may cease to draw clouds over your wickednesse: Did not Bishops heretofore carry divine books with them wheresoever they went, even whiles the persecution was vigorous, &c? Did they not, when driven into caves, hold assemblies, reforme Priests, performe holy duties, dispence sacred mysteries? What then forbids the same things, and others which are not of greater pompe to be performed in England; especially, WHERE THIS HEAT OF PERSECUTIONS HATH CEASED, THROUGH THE DIGNITY OF A MAGNANIMOUS KING; AND MOST INVINCIBLE PRINCE, BY THE p. 61BORBONIAN STAR WHICH HANGS OVER THESE COUNTRIES IN A MOST DEARE WIFE: By which STARS, AS BY THE DIOSCURI, PERADVENTURE THE TEMPEST OF PERSECUTION WILL IN TIME BE APPEASED, and THE GENEROUS PRINCE MAY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAME CHRIST, UNDER WHOM HIS ANCESTORS HAVE SO GLORIOUSLY TRIUMPHED. But that it may appeare, by how many Votes the Bishop of Chalecdon came desired into that Province, I subjoyne a Copie of a Letter, by which the most noble Society of Benedictines earnestly required Doctor Smith to be given to them for their Bishop, by the Senate of the Church. And hence … will appeare, how deserved their pride may be condemned, who being but few in number, have vexed the Bishop of Chalcedon, against the Votes of so great a Fraternity; with whom alone I am angry, when as in this worke, I complaine of the arrogancie of certaine men, who call themselves Monks: For in others I am alwayes resolved to reverence Religion and Modesty.