The Popish Royal Favorite, Part 2 · Floating text 2 – Letter 25
The Prince of Wales having received this Letter, made this following Answer, which was after published.
MOST Holy Father,
I received the dispatch from your Holinesse with great content, and with that respect which the pietie and c…re wherewith your Holinesse writes, doth require: It was an unspeakeable pleasure to me to reade the generous exploits of the Kings my Predecessours, in whose memory, posterity hath not given those praises and Elogies of honour, as were due to them: I doe beleeue that your Holinesse hath set their examples before my eyes, [toth' end that I might imitate them in all my actions, for in truth they hauehave often exposed their estates and lives for the exaltation of the Holy Chaire;] And the courage with which they have assaulted the enemies of the erosse of Iesus Christ, hath not been lesle than the care and thought which I have, to the end that the peace and intelligence which hath hitherto beene wanting in Christendome, might be bound with as true and strong c…n…ord: for as the common enemie of the peace, watcheth alwayes to put hatred and dissention amongst Christian Princes, so I beleeve that the glory of God requires that we should indeavour to unite them; And I do not esteeme it a greater honour to be discended from so great Princes, than to imitate them in the zeale of their piety. In which it helpes me very much to have knowne the minde and will, of our th…ce hououred Lord and Father, and the holy intentions of his Catholike Maiestie to giuegive a happie concurrence to …o laudable a designe: for it grieves him extreamely to see the great evils that grow from the devision of Christian Princes, which the wisedom of your Holines foresaw, when it iudged the Marriage which you pleased to design, between the Insanta of Spain & myself, to be necessary to procure so great a good; for 'tis very certaine, that I shall neuer be so extreamely affectionate to any thing in the world, as to endeauour allyance with a Prince that hath the same apprehension of the true Religion with myselfe: Therefore, I intreat your Holinesse to beléeve, that I hauehave béen alwaies very far *Our Religion deemed but a Novelty or Faction, by the King.from incouraging Nouelties, or to be a partisan of any *To wit the Roman Catholique.Faction against the Catholick, Apostolike Roman Religion: But on the contrary, I hauehave sought all occasions to take away the suspition that might rest upon me, and that I will imploy my selfe for the time to come, to hauehave but one *Loe the true cause of the Kings hazarding his Kingdomes state & life in these present Wars against the Parliament to advance Popery.Religion and one faith, séeing that we all beléeue in one Iesus Christ. Hauing resolued in my selfe, to spare nothing that I hauehave in the world, and to * suffer all manner of discommodities, euen to the hazarding of my estate and life, for a thing so pleasing unto God: It rests onelyonly that I thanke your Holinesse, for the permission you have been pleased to afford me, and I pray God to give you a blessed health and his glory, after so much paines which your Holinesse takes in his Church,
Signed, CHARLES STEVVARD.
Le Prince de Galles ayant receu cel Lettres, il fist la Responce suivante, quy fut publiee vn peu apres.
TRes-Saint Pere,
I ay receu la Depe sche de vostre Saintetè auec un' grand contentment dans le respect que demandent la Pieté & la Bienueillance, auec lesquelles uostre Santètè l'a escrice. Ce quin' a estè un plaisir indicible de lire les exploits genereux des Roys mes Predecesseurs, à la memoire desquels la posteritè n'a point donnè les elogesd' honneur qui leur sont deubs. Ie veux croire que vostre Saintetè a mis leur exemple deuant m…s yeux, afin que is les imitasse en toutes mes actions. Car à la uerite ils ont exposè souuent leur Estat & leurs vies pour l' exaltation du Saint Siege. De sorte que le courage auec lequell ils ant assailly les ennemis de la Croix de Iesus-Christ, n'a pas esté moindre que le soucy & la penses que …ay, afin que la Paix & l… Intelligence, qui ont manque iusques à present dans la Chrestiente soient estraintes … liend une ueritabile concorde. Car de mesme que l' ennemy common de la Paix ueille tousiours pour mettre la h…yne & dissensi…n parmy les Princes Chrestiens, aussi ie croy que la gloire de Dieu demande qu' or tasche de les unir. Et…ie … estime pas que i' aye un plus grand houneur d' estre d…scendu de fi grands Princes, que de les imiter da…s le zele de lour Piete. En quoy: … sert grandement à auoir recognu… la volonte de nostre tres honore Seigneur & pere. & les saintes intentions de sa Majeste Catholique, pour faire… reussi h…urensement ce … able dessein, parce qu' elle a un extreme regret de uoir les grands mal beurs qui naissent de la division des Princes Chresti…ns. Ce que la prudence de vestre Sancte…e a preuein, lors qu' elle a juge que le marriage qu' il luy plaist desseign… entre l' Infante a' Espagne & may, est necessaire pour procurer vn si grand bien… pur ce qu… il est tout certain, que ie ne me porteray iamais si passionement a chose de monde qu' à la recher…he de l' alliance d' un Prince, qui aura le mesme sentiment de la vraye Religion auec moy. C'est purquoy ie prie vostre Saintete decroire que i' ay tousiours estè fort esloigne d' advantager les nouneautez, ni d' estre partisan d' aucune faction contre la Religion Catholique Apostolique Romaine: mais au contraire, que i' ay recherche les occasions, afin que le soupcon qui peut tomber sur moy soit entierement oste, & que is m' employe de tout mon reste pour n' auoir qu' vne Religion, & qu' vne Foy, puis que naus cryons tous ensemble en vne Iesus-Christ. Ayant resolu de ne m' espargner point en chose du monde, & de souffrir toutes sortes d' incommoditez, mesme de hazarder m…n Estat & mavie, pour vne occasion si agreable â Dieu. Il reste seulement q…e ei remercie vostre Saintete de la permission qu' illuy a pleu de m' accorde, & que ie prie Dieu qu il luy donne une beureuse sante, & sa gloire, aprestant de trauaux quae vostre Saintete prend dans son Eglise.
Signe, CHARLES STOVARD
This Letter printed in Spaine in many Languages, discovers to us the very Root of all our present warres, in which his Majesty hath sustained many incommodities, hazarded both his estate, life, and Realms; fully resolves us what Protection of the Protestant Religion we must now expect from himselfe; and that Armed Catholick party to which he adheares, and more, he here resolves to suffer but one Religion, (to wit the Roman Catholike) only in his Realms intimating our Reformed Religion, to be but Novelty and Faction, against the Roman Catholike faith.
I have seene a Coppy of these Letters in English, long since; the Kings letter (who perchance writ two of this nature) being some what different from the French in some expressions, though not in substance: Now that such Letters really pasted betweene the King and Pope, during his abode in Spaine, appeares not onelyonly by divers ancient Printed Copies of it in sundry Languages, but is also thus expressely attested by Master Iames Howell, (an attendant upon his Majestie in that expedition) no friend to Parliaments, but a Malignant now in custodie, in his Vocall Forrest, dedicated to the King himselfe, the Queene, and Prince, Printed at London 1640. p. 128.
The Holy Sire (the Pope) who was so great a friend to the intended alliance (who had formerly writ unto, and sent to visite Prince Rocalino (Charles) was taken away by the hand of Fate, &c. Moreover his booke farther informeth us p. 124. That Chenandra (Olivares) the chiefe Ingrosser of the Olives (the King of Spaines) favours, welcomming the Prince into Spaine, said; That he doubted not but he came thither, to be of their Religion. And p. 134. The common voyce among those of Elaiana (Spaine) was; that Prince Rocalino (Charles) came thither to make himselfe a Christian. But that which is most observable is this passage concerning the Articles in favour of Papists agreed on, and sworne to by King Iames, and his Majestie, by the Popes sollicitation upon the Spanish Treaty: p. 125. 126. 127. when Rocalino (Prince Charles) arrived, matters were brought to that perfection by the strenuous negotiation of *Lord Digby who now swayes in his Councels very much.Sophronio, that there wanted nothing for the consummation of all things, but a dispensation from Petropolis (Rome) which at last*And after that another from the succeeding Pope. p. 133. came: and before that time Rocalino (Charl…s) was not admitted to speake with the Lady Amira in quality of a sutor, but a Prince. Now the said Dispensation came clogged with an unhappy unexpected clause, thrust in of purpose, as it appeares, to retard the proceedings of things; which was;*Nota That whereas there were certaine Articles condescended unto by Druina's Monarke (King Iames) in Fauour of the Petropolitans (Papists) that were in that Kingdome, and other Crownes under his Dominion; the great Arch-flamin (the Pope) demanded caution for the performance of them. The Royall Oake answered, that he could give no other caution then his Word and Oath: and Recalino (Prince Charles) should doe the like, which should be confirmed by his Councell of State and exemplified under Druinas (Englands) broad Seale: but this would not satisfie, unlesse some*Popish. Petropolitan Soveraigne Prince should ingage himselfe for them. Hereupon all matters were like to goe off the hinges, and a buzze went abroad, that Rocalino intended to get away covertly. In these traverses Chenandra steps forth and said: there were three wayes to conclude this businesse, two good and one bad: the first good way was, That Prince Rocalino (Charles) Should become a Petropolitan (Papist.) The second was, That as Elaiana (Spaine) was obliged to him for his free comming thither, so she might as freely deliver to him the Lady Amira, trusting him without further condition. The ill way was, not to trust Rocalino, at all with any thing, but binde him as fast as they could. Whiles matters were thus a canvasing, and gathering ill blood; Elaianas (Spaines) King stepped up, and proffered to engage himselfe by Oath, for the satisfaction of the great Arch flamine, but with this proviso, that he must first consult with his Ghostly Fathers, whether he might doe it Salua Conscientia or no. Hereupon the businesse was referred to a Committe of the learnedst Yewes, (Bishops, Divines) and the State of the Question was.
Whether the*King of Spaine. Oliue might with safety of conscence take an Oath in behalfe of *The King of England.Druinas Monarke and*Prince Charles. Rocalino, for performance of such and such Articles that were agreed upon in fauour of the Pepotrolitans, throughout the Kingdomes of the *Papists.Royall Oake?
This Assembly long demurr'd and dwelt upon the Question, and after a long pr…raction of time they concluded at last, affirmatively: and in case the Oake failed to execute what was stipulated, the Olive was to vindicate his Oath, and right himselfe By the Sword.*King Iames.
This difficulty being surmounted, there was exceeding great joy, and all the Capitulations were interchangeably sworne unto, Both by the Oake and Olive: and as Chenandra said in Elaiana; so the*King Iames. Royall Oake himselfe was so confident that he said; All the Devills in hell could not now breake the match: whereto a blunt facetious Knight being by, answered; That there was never a Devill now left in hell, for they were all gone to Spaine to helpe make up the match.
By all these observable passages, dedicated so lately to the King himselfe, by one of his owne servants, who was privie to them; it is apparent, that not onelyonly Letters passed betweene the King and Pope whilst he continued in Spaine: but likewise, That*This Prince Charles expressed in the English Coppie of the Letter to the Pope, though but implied in the French. Articles in favour of Papists throughout England and all his Majesties Dominions, even such as the Pope himselfe approved, were at the Popes request condescended unto by King Iames, and caution offered and given to the Pope for the performance of them, even by King Iames, King Charles, and the King of Spaines regall words, Seales, Oathes: That these Articles were to be confirmed by the Privie Councell of State, and exemplied under the Great Seale of England, And that the maine end the Pope and Papists aymed at in this Spanish match, was the seducing of the King and Realme to the Romish Religion, and reducing of them to their ancient Vassallage to the Sea of Rome: which will bee more apparent if we adde to this, that Hugh Simple, a Scottish Iesuite, being in the Court of Spaine when the King was there, gave up divers Petitions and Advertisements to the King and Councell of Spaine, that they should not conclude any match with England, unlesse there should be erected in each Vniversity under our Kings Dominions a Colledge of Iesuites, for the training up of youth in the Roman faith and Doctrine; which Advertisements he printed with his Name subscribed, and delivered to his friends in Court; as Iames Wadsworth, then present… (whose father was Tutor to Donna Maria the Spanish Lady, and taught her English,) hath published in his English Spanish Pilgrim. ch. 3. p. 30. 31.
It is very observable, how King Iames to make the better way for the Popish Spanish Match, to comply with Spaine, and expresse his favour and affection to those of the Romish Religion, sent this ensuing Letter to the Lord Keeper Williams, for the releasing of Imprisoned Recusants throughout England.
Trusty and welbeloved, We Greete you well;
Whereas we have given you a former warrant and direction for the making of two severall Writs for the inlargement of such Recusants as are in Prison at this time, either for matters of Recusancie in Generall, or for denying the taking the Oath of Supremacie, according to the Statute, by removing them from the generall Goales of this Kingdome, to be bailed before the Iustices of our Bench; finding by experience that this course will be very troublesome to the poorer sort of Recusants, and very chargeable unto VsUs, who out of our Princely Clemency, and by the mediation of Forraigne Princes were desired to beare out the same. We will and require you to make and issue forth two other Writs, in nature and substance answerable with the former, to be directed to our Iustices of Assises, enabling and requiring them and every of them to inlarge such Recusants, as they shall find in their severall Goales, upon such sureties and recognisance, and other conditions, as they were enlarged by the Iudges of our Bench; and this shall be your Warrant so to doe.
Dated at Westminster, Iuly 25. 1622.
Hereupon this Lord Keeper (though a Bishop) not onelyonly issued out these Writs, but likewise writ this letter to the Iudges.
After my hearty Commendations to you: His Majestie having resolved out of deepe reasons of State, and in expectation of like correspondence from forraigne Princes to the Professors of our Religion) to grant some grace and connivency to the Imprisoned Papists of this Kingdome, hath commanded me to passe some Writs under the Broad Seale for that purpose; Requiring the Iudges of …uery Circuit to enlarge the said Prisoners according to the Tenor and effect of the same.
I am to give you to understand (for his Majesty) how his Majesties Royall pleasure is, that upon receit of these Writs you shall make no nicenesse nor difficultie to extend this his Princely favour to all such Papists as you shall find prisoners in the Goales of your Circuits, for any Church Recusancy whatsoeuer, refusing the Oath of Supremacy, or dispersing Popish Bookes, or hearing saying of Masse, or any other point of Recusancie, which doth touch or concerne Religion onelyonly, and not matters of State, which shall appeare unto you to be Totally Civill and Politicall; And so Ibid you heartily farewell.
Your loving Friend Iohn Lincolne. Westminster Colledge August 2. 1622.
By Vertue of these Writs and Letters all the Imprisoned Recusants, and most Seminary Priests & Iesuits were every where released who therupon grew very bold, insolent, and had open Masses and Se…mons in divers places, (wherof that in Blackfriers on the 5. of their Nouember, where so many of them were pressed to death, and Drury his braines who then preached, beaten out with the sodaine miraculous fall of the Roome where they assembled, is most memorable,) in hope of the match with Spaine, and of the publick toleration promised and resolved on; as appeares by King Iames his insuing speech at the Councell Table, upon his proposall of the Spanish Match to the Lords of his Privy Councell.
Now because his Majesties and his Royall Fathers intended Popish match with Spaine, and the proceedings thereupon, have beene the*Mercurie Francois Tom. 9. An. 1624. p. 28. 29. Originall Fountaine, whence all the forementioned favours and suspentions of our Lawes against Papists Priests, Iesuits, together with the extraordinary increase of them and Popery, if not our present warres, have proceeded, I shall give you a further true and reall account therof, out of the French Mercury Tome 9. Printed in French at Paris Anno 1624. with speciall priviledge of King Lewis the 13th. Where in all the particulars of the Kings voyage into, his entertainment and proceedings in, and returne from Spaine, with all the Articles and passages touching that marriage, are most punctually and truely related. I shall present you onelyonly with some things in it which are most considerable, and worthy our present publike knowledge.
*Mercurie Francois Tom. 9. p. 470. &c. An. 1623.Count Gondemar the King of Spaines Embassad or returning to his Master into Spaine in the yeare 1623. with Propositions of a marriage to be made betweene Charles (now King) then Prince of Wales, and the Infanta Mary second sister to the Catholick King of Spain, and the Lord Digby Earle of Bristol long before sent extraordinary Embassador into Spaine to pursue this marriage Treaty; the Prince soone after accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, the Lord Cottington, and Endymion Porter, departs unexpectedly and secretly (with King Iames his consent) in disguised habits, from England, and posted through France into Spain where he arrived at Madrit; and was there most royally entertained; and all Arts… used to engage him not onelyonly to favour, but Embrace the Romish Religion. Among others*Ibid p 533 to 539. there was a most solemne Procession instituted, wherein the King of Spaine, and most of his Nobles bare a part; and the Prince with his followers being placed in a Balconee where the Procession passed: they all made very great humiliations and Genuflections when the holy Sacr…ment passed by. Pope Gregory the 15. likewise writ a solemne Letter to the Prince (the same Verbatim with that …orecited, recorded likewise in this*Ibid p. 509, 510 &c. Mercury) which was brought and delivered to him by the Popes Nuncio with great solemnity, accompanied with all the Italian Lords then about the Court, and divers Spanish Dons: whom the Prince received with grand courtesie, respect and honour: To which Letter the Prince returned the forementioned answer. This letter of the Pope written in Latin, together with the Princes answer to it, was presently printed in divers Languages, and the Articles propounded by the King of England, were soon after sent by the King of Spain to the Pope to receive his approbation of them ere they were accorded. The Pope hereupon adviseth with the Cardinalls of his conclave, for the propagation of the Roman Catholick Religion, about these Articles; to some of which he intirely condescended without any alteration; some of them he alters onelyonly in part, and returnes them back with his answers to, and alterations of every of them, written under each particular Article; which alterations being sent to King Iames he condescended to most of them in direct termes, to all of them in substance; (which Articles, with the Popes owne answers to, and emendations of them, over tedious to insert, you may read in this*Page 517. to 522. French Mercury.) Most of the articles were in favour and advancement of Popery and Papists; and the same almost Verbatim, with the ensuing Articles of the French match, ratified likewise by the Pope.*Ibid p. 522… 523. But the Cardinals of the Propagation of the Faith, not contented with these generall Articles, which tended principally for the assurance onelyonly of the Religion of the Infanta and her family, perswaded the Pope to grant no Dispensation for this marriage,Not…. till they had proposed to the King of great Britain, certain Propositions for the right, augmen…ation, and weale of the Roman Catholicke Religion, to which he must condescend; For the performance of both which Articles, the King of Spaine demanded not onelyonly the Kings and Princes Oathes, and confirmations under the Great Seale of England, which were accordingly given, but an Act of Parliament, and certaine Cautionary Townes in England when the marriage was accomplished; the first whereof (if not both) were promised. Whiles this match was in agitation King Iames assembled his Privie Councell together 25. of Febr. 1623. before the Princes departure into Spaine, and there made a long Oration to them, as the French Mercury (never controlled) attests, some passages whereof are very observable.
That soone after he came to the crowne of England, by the Popes exhortatory Letters to the King of Spaine, and Arch-duke Albertus in Flanders, there ensued a peace betweene the Crownes of England and Spaine. *Tom. 9 Page ….That shortly after at the instance of many, he caused the Image of the Crosse to be redressed, and that men should not foule it under their seete. That when he came first to the Crowne of England he spake among other points of the Apostolicke and Roman Religion; and although it were the true, yet then to avoyd all sorts of rumors, which might then have risen to the prejudice of peace in the Re-publicke: I said, that in this Religion were many superfluous ceremonies, the which deserved to be refused.
At the same time many Roman Catholikes, our Subjects and members of our Realme, presented us their requests, by which they …arnestly beseeched us to grant them the liberty of their Conscience, upon the hopes they had to be so much the more comforted under our raigne, as they had beene Dppressed under the raigne of Queene Elizabeth. But as it oft times happens, that those who ardently desire any thing, imagine with themselves, that it is very easie to doe, or to be obtained, and oftentimes prove the contrary: so all the Catholikes who hoped to be releeved by us, and to be disingaged of great and intollerable surcharges which hauehave beene imposed upon their Goods, Bodies and Soules, during the reigne of the said Elizabeth, requiring onelyonly of our Royall benevolence to be remitted to the enjoyment of their Goods, Honours, and Estates, and to be maintained in the Religion in which all our Predecessours and Kings of Scotland have lived from Donaldus, untill the time of our late beloved Mother, who received Martyrdome in this Realme, For Confession of the said Catholicke Religion. A Religion which hath beene publikely professed so many ages in this Realme of England, and which hath beene confirmed by so many great and excellent Emperours, and hath beene so famous in all Ecclesiasticall Histories, by an infinite number of*Nota. Martyrs, who have sealed it with their owne blood in their death,) were then deceived of their hopes, by an apparent feare of certaine commotions which then might have ensued. So that in all our Realmes, for the sole respect of my person, and not by Reason of Religion it selfe, (so as many of the said Catholikes have very well knowne) there was no mutation or change at all had; although they well k…ew There was in Us a Grand affection to the Catholicke Religion, in so much that they hauehave beleeued at Rome, that Wee hauehave *Nota,Dissembled for to obtaine this Crowne of England. But all this hath beene nothing else but the opinions of men, the which one might have discerned in almy comportments during my reigne, in not committing any Offices, nor benefits to others, than to those which have beene formerly purveyed for, (or appointed by the Lawes,)
Now after that our bounty hath opened the doore to our Piety, and that wee have maturely considered all the penuries and calamities that the Roman Catholikes have suffered in the exercise of their Religion; seeing that they are of the number of*They were not such nor so esteemed when the Gunpowder plot was discovered. Our Faithfull Subiects; We have for this cause resolved to releeve them, For which reason after we have maturely consulted upon this businesse, we hauehave ordained and doe Ordaine, and hauehave taken and doe take from henceforth all R…man Catholikes being our Subiects into our Protection, permiting them the Liberty and entire exercise of their Religion, without using in their behalfe and …rt of inquisition, processe, or other criminall actions by which they may be grieued or molested from this day forwards, permitting them moreover to celebrate the Masse, and all other Divine Seruices concerning their said Religion.
See 3 Iac. c. 1. to 6. and the Kings Procl…mations that year. & 6. Iac.We will also that they shall be re…established and restored in all their Estates, Lands, Fees and Seigniories; Commanding our Maiestrates and Iustices in this behalfe to hold their hands, in such sort, that none of what quality or condition soever he be, for what cause soever it be, shall not attempt hereafter to Grieue or molest the said Catholikes, neither in publike nor in secret, in that which toucheth the liberty of the exercise of the said Religion, upon paine of being reputed guilty of *Nota, the cause why the Parliament are now proclaimed traitors by his Majesty.High Treason, and a dissurber of the Peace, and of the repose of the Country: such is our Will and Definitiue sentence.
After which he justifies the lawfulnesse of the Spanish match, notwithstanding the difference of Religion, and danger of feminine seduction; relates his resolution to proceede in it, with the reasons of it, prohibiting any under paine of severest censures, to speake against it.
Loe here (writes this Mercury) the causes which moved his Majestie of Great Britaine to seeke after the alliance of Spaine by marriages, the which many in England, and especially the Puritans or reformed, and those of the English confession adhearing to this Sect, were no wayes well pleased with; and cheifely, having understood, of the Prince of Wales his honourable entertainement at Madrit, and of the Articles of the Marriage; which were to be cxamined at Rome. So the French Mercury, which thus proceedes.
Hereupon two writings ran from hand to hand; the one intituled; A Discourse of the Archbishop of Canterbury (Abbot) to the King of Great Brittaine, and the other Vox Popul…: the latter produceth many excellent reasons in point of policie and Religion against the Popish match with Spaine (which you may peruse in the book it selfe, being Common.) The first condemnes his Majesties toleration of the Roman Religion in his Realmes, as being displeasing to God, an anguish and griefe to his best Subjects professing the true reformed religion; a great dishonour to himselfe who had publickely Writ and disputed often against that Religion, which he knew in his owne conscience to be false and superstitious. That his Edicts and Proclamations for the tolleration of it, could not be confirmed without a Parliament (which would never condescend thereunto) unlesse he would openly shew to his Subjects, that he intended to usurpe an absolute liberty, to infringe and null all Lawes of the Country: That it would produce many dangerous consequences, and bring the just Iudgements of God both upon the whole Realme in generall, and himselfe in particular. With all, it censures the ill advise of those who sent the Prince into Spaine without the generall consent of the Realme, which by law had more interest in him, then the King his Father &c. (as you may reade in Mercury.)
Notwithstanding all these and*Dr. Hackwel and others writ against this Popish match which divers Bishops approved of as lawfull. other contrary advises, this match went on so farre, that the generall Articles of the match, with the Popes alterations, were solemnely sealed and sworne to by the Prince in Spaine, and also by King Iames in the Chappell of Whitehall Iuly 20. 1624. the solemnity whereof you may reade at large in the*Page 517. &c. An. 1623. & p. 19. to 30 An. 1624. French Mercury, together with the articles. At the taking of this Oath in the Chappell, there arose these two difficulties: The first about this Title of the POPE, MOST HOLY, which King Iames refused to give to the Pope, in the Oath which he ought to pronounce in the Chappell, alleaging the repugnancie thereof to his Religion, and that this would be a reproach, and by consequence prejudiciall to him for the future. But the Spanish Embassadors refused to passe it over, if his Majestie would not consent to give him the foresaid Title; to which in the end he consented. The second difficulty was, that some reported to the Embassadors, that they should have such prayers in the Kings Chappell when they came to see the Articles sealed and sworn to by the King, and such singing of Psalmes as were used in the Protestant Church and Kings Chappell, at which prayers they could not be present since they came thither to no other end but to assure maintaine, and Warrant the Catholike Apostolicall and Roman Church. Whereupon the King commanded that nothing should be there sung, but what was sung when the Constable of Castile tooke his oath there,Nota. to sweare the peace between the two Crownes, which was an hymne of joy, in praise of peace: and to out all scruple, the King caused the Register of his Chappell to carry the Hymne to the Embassadors to peruse, and so all difficulties were removed: the King yeelding to the Popish Ambassadors, to gratifie the Pope in his Anti-christian Title; but they not yeelding one haires breadth to him, in honour or approbation of our Prayers, Psalmes, or Religion, which must give place to their Catholicke pleasures.
The Articles being solemnely sworn in the forenoone; the King made an extraordinary feast to the Embassadors; which ended, the King and they went to the Councell-chamber, where all the Lords of the Councell sealed and subscribed the Generall articles of the marriage. Which done the Embassadors came to the King, who took this solemne Oath, and swore these private articles to them, in favour of Papists and advancement of the Romish Religion: (enough to amaze all Protestant Readers) which I have faithfully translated out of the Latine Coppy Printed in the French Mercury.