The Popish Royal Favorite, Part 3
The Iesuits Looking glasse: OR, The testimony of two late Priests and Iesuits touching the present condition of the Church of England, and the greatest swaying Prelates thereof.
CHristian Reader, it is Aquinas his observation, that from the time Bishops were indowed with worldly honours,*In Gen. 6. offices, riches, power, and great temporall possessions (the very bane and poison of the Church, asbMarius de Schis…ate l. 4. Polychron. li. 4. c. 36. Iammes de Parisiis c. 22. in vita Sylvestri. Authors stile them) EXTVNC ex…rti sunt in Ecclesia Gigantes, in magnis & Mirabilibus supra se ambulantes, qui potius videntur Reges vel Marchiones, quam Episcopi: what good fruits their Lordly Princely pompe and greatnesse produced, the same Author presently subjoynes: Et ideo non mirum si per coserigatur STATVA BABYLONIS, & terrena civitas dilatetur: And therefore (saith he) it is no wonder, if the image and tower of spirituall Babel be erected by them, and the terrene City of Romish Babel inlarged. This being an experimentall verity in Aquinas his age, it makes me the lesse to wonder at the present industry and practice of our Lordly Prelates, who following the footsteps of their Pontificall Predecess…rs, bend all their force and power to re-erect the long since demolished Tower of Romish Babel among us, and enlarge this earthly City, though with the utter ruine of our established Religion (the thing that first advanced them to their Lordly dignities) which they now most ungratefully require. This disperate confused Babel-plot of theirs, long smothered from the vulgars knowledge, is now palpably discovered to the publike view of all men, not onelyonly by the Towers, Statues, and walls of Babel (to wit, high Altars, Crucifixes, Images, Altar-clothes, Tapers, Basons, &c.) lately erected in most Churches (especially Cathedrals) by these Lordly Babel-builders, but likewise by their fellow-labourers, and confederates in this plot and structure, to wit, Popish priests and Iesuits: who now over-joyed with the towardly forwardnesse and maturity of this their cu…side, begin in printed Bookes to glory of it, for the better incouragement and increase of their Roman Catholike faction; and being privy both to their Lordships bosome counsels and secrets (which ordinary poore Protestants are altogether ignorant of) thinke all now so cock sure on their party; that they begin to divulge in print our Prelaetes secret aymes and popish designes; yea, to discover and magnifie those Statues and walls of Babel, which their Lordships have already set up in our Church.
Take but two late instance in stead of many, as a most bright Chrystall Locking-glasse, wherein you may exactly behold their Lordships Romish faces and actions, without prejudice or partiality; no Puritans having more lively and truly reflected their true pourtrait…es or shadows, then these Romish Optick… have done.
The first booke I shall instance in, is intituled, A direction to be observed by N.N. written by an English Priest or Jesuice (yea, printed here in England in our mother tongue, to the end we might all take notice of it) since Midsomer last. In the 14. page he highly applauds the now Archbishop of Canterbury, for prohibiting and suppressing Bookes in defence of our Protestant Religion (which he there termes, Socinianisme) in these words: Although I ought not to diss…mble, by Doe gladly acknowledge, and …eserve… publish on this occasion, for a patterne for others in this Realme, the care of the highest Prelate in England (in place, grace, favour and authority, not in stature) in prohibiting the sale (much more then the printing and importing of books tending to Socinian…sme, which page 16. he expresly defines and interprets to bee nought else, but Protestantism…. O happy Prelate, to merit so great Laud from a Iesuits quill, as to be prescribed as a patterne of imitation to other Roman Catholikes and Bishops to follow! having now so farre cut-stripped them in their owne Iesuiticall practises and stratagems, to suppresse and undermine our Religion, that he even runs before them as a patterne worthy their imitation. But stops this Iesuit here? No, for pag. 21… 22. he thus proceeds. And to speake the truth, what learned judicious man can after unpartial examination, imbrace Protestantisme, which now wareth weary of it selfe? Its Professors, they especially of greatest worth, learning and authozity (and who are they but our great Achbishops, Bishops, and their Heirs apparent?) declare themselves (you may see now they are past feare, shame, and scorne to keepe counsell any longer) to love temper and moderation. Allow of many things which some yeeres agoe were usually condemned as superstitious and Antichistian: and are at this time (such strong steady pillars, and grounded Fathers of our Church, or rather Romish brothers are their Lordships) more unresolved where to fasten (unlesse with Rome) then in the instance of their Church. (For proofe of which he gives us this experimenta…l und…able demonstra…ion.) For doe not the Protestant Churches beginne to looke with another face? their walls to speake (to wit, by late erected Images, Crucifixes, Laymens Books) with another language? their preachers to use a sw…e…er…tene? (that is, to applaud, not declaime against popery and popish writers:) their annuall publike tenets in the Vniversity, to be of another stile and matter? (to wit, for, not against Popery:) Their Books to appeare with Titles and *For example: The Pope not Antichrist. Prayer for the dead: Limbus Patrum. Pictures: Crucifixes, Altars to be used and adored: Auricular confession: Transubstantiation: Freewill; Predestination: universall grace. that all our works are not sinnes: Merit of good works: inherent Justice: Faith alone doth not justifie: Charity is to be preferred before knowledge: Traditions: Councel…. The Law p…ssible to be kept, &c.Arguments, as Shelfords, Reeves, Pocklingtons. A coale from the Altar, and others) whichonce would have caused much scandall among the brethren? their doctrine to bee altered in many things, and even in those very points (marke it well) for which their progenitors forsooke the then visible Church of Christ? (and is it any wonder then that many hundreds forsake and separate from our Church now?) Their thirty nine Articles, the summe, the confession, and almost the Creed of their faith are patient? Patient: that is they are ambitious of some sense wherein they may seeme to be Catholike: (that is, of that Romish contradictory sence which Franciscus de Sancta Clara thrice printed, as they say, in England, and presented by a great Prelate to his Majesty, hath put upon them.) To alleadge wife and children in these dayes, is but a weake plea for a married Minister to compasse a Benefice: Fiery, Calvinisme, once a darling in England, is at length accounted Heresie, yea and a little lesse then Treason (as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other Prelates judged in their sentence of Doctor Bastwicke, where they much railed upon worthy Calvin, whose bookes they are unworthy to beare.) Men in word and writing (to wit, in their Sermons and printed books) use willingly the once fearfull names of Priests and Altars: (I would Richard Shelford Priest, and Iohn Squire Priest, with their new fraternity of Priests, would consider this, and those that preach and write for Altars.) Nay, if one doe but mutter against the placing of the Altar after the old fashion, for a warning, he shall be well warmed withdA little booke so intituled, printed 1636. A coale from the Altar. English Protestants areeSunday no Sabbath, printed 1636. now put in minde, that for Exposition of Scripture, by Canon fCanons, … 1571. Can. 19.they are bound to follow the ancient Fathers. And to conclude all in one maine point. The Protestant Church in England (of whom the premises are spoken) prosesseth so small antiquity and so weake subsistence in it selfe, that they acknowledge no other visible being for many ages, but in the Church of Rome. Thus and much more this Iesuit, from his owne experimentall observation and reading.
Now wellfare thy heart good honest plain-dealing Iesuit, for giving us such a lively Character and representation of the present face of our Church, and practises of our Lordly Prelates that are of Greatest Authority; and this thy timely disvery of their Graces Romish designes, proceedings, Apostacies, for which all England shall con thee thanks. Had any Puritan or Protestant writ or muttered half so much, against these great Lordly Prelates (as appeares by the late handling of worthy M. Burton *For his God and the King.) he had been haled by head and eares out of his house, committed close prisoner, suspended, persecuted with all violence, complained of to his Majesty as a seditious, factious, rebellious person, pursivanted, pilloryed, condemned for a Scandalum Magaatum long ere this, and made a publike*1 Cor. 4. 9. spectacle unto the world, unto men, and unto angels. But thou being a bird of their owne feather, one of their owne fraternity, confederacy, applauding, not condemning these their courses and proceedings, sha…t escape scotfree without feare or danger, and perchance have a good boone for thy pains ere long: So much safer and securer is it now, for any man to be a Seminary Priest or Iesuit in England (though therein a*27 Eliz. c. 2. Traitor by our Laws) then a faithfull Minister or painfull Preacher of the Gospel, rightly discharging his duty to God and the King. O times! O Lordly Prelates for the Popes owne tooth!
The second Booke I shall nominate, is inscribed. Paraphrasticall and divout Discourses upon the Psalme, Miserere, composed by Ch. M. (an English Iesuit, as it should seeme, who hath formerly written at*So he writes p. 257. large of the Masse and Transubstantiation, the Iesuits badge standing in the front of the Epistle to the Reader) Anno 1635. approved by George Colvenerius Chancellour of the University of Doway, and Censor of Books, Duaci 30, Martii 1636. In the Epistle to the Reader, this Iesuit hath this remarkable passage: I have lived long out of my Country, and so know not who are the greater, who the lesser sinners; yet this I know in generall, that there must needs be many and great sinners in England, because where there are many beleevers (as there are in England) there are many ill beleevers (true faith and beleefe being but one) and consequently many ill livers, true faith being the rule and square of good life, &c. Whereupon these my para…hrasticall Discourses, and pitifull lamentations of King David, I intend for all sinners, as well Catholikes as not Catholikes, and of whatsoever Religion;*Rom. 1. I being a debter to all, and because I would have them all peruse these discourses, I abstaine from controversies in Religion, lest I should avert any from the reading of them: onelyonly in paraphrasing the two last verses of this Psalme, occasion being offered, I speake of the unbloody and daily sacrifice of the Altar, but so, that I rather touch it, the …handle it; mention it, then treat of it; suppose it, then prove it in that manner as I might; hoping that this Doctrine now, will not bee distastfull: (and why so? marke it, I be…eech you) for seeing that now in England in very many Churches, Altars, which here to fore were throwne downe, are againe erected (by whom, I pray, but by Lordly over swaying Prelates and their Creatures?) according to the laudable example and pious use and custome of the Catholique (to wit the Roman) and even *A falshood: for the primitive Church had NO ALTARS, as is largely and freshly proved: in the Quench Coal in The holy Table, Name, and Thing, more anciently, properly, and literally used under the new Testament then that of an Altar. Written in answer to Dr. COAL (alias, A Coal from the Altar) printed for the Diocesse of Lincolne 1636.primitive Church, to aberre a true sacrifice will not be ill taken (to wit, by these Altar er…recting Prelates and Priests of ours) because to allow of Altars (marke it) is to allow of a true sacrifice, which useth to be offered on them, an Altar and a true proper sacrifice being Correlatives, of which the one inferreth the other, and so the one cannot bee averred without the other, nor the one denied without the other. Thus this Iesuit, almost two yeeres since, who might have said much more had he written now, we having many new Altars and Crucifixes since that erected in England, by those Prelates who bow downe devoutly to, if not adore them. See now at last what these great Prelates aime at in erecting Altars in our Churches, in raising and railing in our Tables Altarwise; this Iesuit plainly and truly informes us all, that their direct intention is, To usher in the unbloudy daily sacrifice of the Altar, which to averre a Sacrifice, will not be now ill taken in England, seeing that now in England in very many Churches (then but now in farre more) Altars, which heretofore were throwne downe, are againe erected, according to the Laudable *One Knightly, a Popish Priest, directed how the new Altar …t Coventry should be erected, according to the patterne of the popish Altars.example and pious use and custome of the Catholike Church of Rome; yea, and many new Priests (as Richard Shelford Priest, with hundreds more who will now be called by no other name but Priests; I may adde Masse to it for distinction sake) are already prepared for this true Sacrifice, there being no other end or use of Priests and Altars but for Sacrifice; an Altar (Yea a Priest) and a true and proper Sacrifice being correlatives, of which the one inferreth the other, and so the one cannot be averred (as it is now in printed Books and Sermons) without the other. This then being most apparent, let us be no longer deluded with flattering words and fond pretences; but assure our selves that these Court Priests and Prelates who now write and daily preach (even in his Majesties royall presence, and elsewhere) for Altars, bowing to Altars, Crucifixes, Auricular Confession, bowing to the Name Iesus and the like (the ordinary theams of most Court Sermons) have combined together with Masse-Priests and Iesuits, to bring in the unbloody Sacrifice of the Masse (the Epitome and maine part of Popery) into our Churches, and that very speedily, unlesse manfully resisted and exemplarily punished for this their execrable con…ederacy against our established Religion; since Altars, Priests, and all other appurtenances in most Cathedrals, Chappels, and Churches, are already fitted for it, as this Iesuit truly informs us.
If we now compare these passages of the Jesuits with the late*See Mr. B…rtons For God and the King. practises and Specches of some of our great swaying Lord prelates, as namely their corrupting of the Common Prayer-booke for the fifth of November, to acquit Popery from the blemish of Rebellion and Faction, and Papists from that execrable treason: their purging of the late Fast-booke, contrary to His Majesties Proclamation; to free Popery from the just imputation of Superstition and Idolatry; and justifie Fasting of it selfe to be a good worke and meritorious, without regard to the end thereof, (which the Archbishop of Canterbury, in his Speech in Starchamber avoucheth to be his own act by speciall command from the King.) Their inhibiting all old English bookes to be reprinted, by a late Decree made in Starchamber, unlesse reviewed, purged, from all passages against popery) and new-licenced by them and their Chaplaines. Their purging of divers passages against Masse, Altars, Masse…priests, Sacrifices of the Altar &c. with other points of popery, out of divers bookes lately licensed for the Presse. Their setting up Altars, Images, Crucifies, railing in of Tables, and raising the ground under them Altar-wise, and then adoring and bowing down unto them like Heathenish or Romish-Idolaters; with other particulars specified by these Iesuits, mentioned at large by Mr. Henry Burton in his new printed Appeale, and Sermon on the 5 of Novemb. last, truely entituled, For God and the King; to which I shall referre you) & justified by Richard Sh…lford Priest, Edmund Reeve, Dr. Iohn Pocklinton, A coale from the Altar, Teddar, Dr. Laurence Brown, and others in their late printed bookes and Sermons; together with their publique Speeches in the High-commission in the late censure of Dr. B…stwicke (wherein*Cum capitalis sit inimicus, publicusqu… hostis, tamen in propria cause actor, restis & judex est, id quod nec apud Turcas, neque S…racenos, neque Samaias fieri solet. Eos qui fidem Caesari servant & Christo servatori nostro praecipienti obtemperant, nec ullam aliam ob causam haereseos no… a inurit. Quicquid libet licitum judicas. Divin… bumana decreta juxta contemnit alque conturbat. Ius gentium violat. Leges naturae prophanas, sacra polluit, indicta causa, nec dum, reos condeman, Aventinus. Annal. Bejorum l. 7. p. 611. against all Laws, they were both enemies, witnesses, accusers, Iudges, as that Court often is) for the divine authority of their Episcopall primacy; and in derogation of the Scrirtures certainty, authority, related at large in his Apologeticus; the Speeches of Bishop White now prelate of Ely, and his now Archholinesse of Canterbury in the later censure of M. Samuel Ward of Ipswich, where the first of them openly affirmed, That Christ was in the Sacrament more then spiritually and by faith and the latter challenged all Divines to discover the …us or manner of his presence, and came up fully to Bishop Andrews his words, for which Mr. Ward was questioned, saying, else it was impossible to answer the Fathers; both of them in a manner maintaining a reall transubstantiation of the Bread and Wine, and determining pointblanke against the 28 Article of our Church (which defines, that Transubstantiation cannot be proved by holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plaine words of Scripture overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions; The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper *Here is the modus defined which his Arch-grace challenged all Divines to determine.OnelyOnly after an heavenly and spirituall manner, and the meane whereby the body of Christ is received, and eaten in the Supper, is faith. ) With their High-commission speeches likewise in the severall censures of Mr. Smart, Mr. Workman, and Mr. Chancey, in defence of Images, Crucifixes. Altars, Tapers, Sanctum Sanctorums, bowing to Altars, and the like, point-blank against our Homilies against the perill of Idolatry, and others; and punishing them onelyonly for preaching and maintaining the Doctrine of our Homilies, and Articles, against all late Popish Innovations, (an insolency, a bold impiety not sufferable in our Christian Church and State, deserving the severest exemplary punishments:) All these, I say, compared with the Iesuits fore-cited passages, are a most pregnant, palpable, visible, convincing Demonstration, to all but such who will be wilfully blind; that these great Lordly Prelates resolved purpose, practise, designe, is speedily to set up the Pope and popery in our Church, and reconcile us once more to Rome, (as the*See Fox Acts and Monuments, and Antiqui…ates Eccles. Brit. in his life. Cardinall of Canterbury, Poole, with other popish Prelates did in Queen Maries daies.) And therefore the Popes Holinesse hath given these his Vice-popes instructions, Commissions thus to do; his Majesty and his Honourable councell, may at their best leisure enquire of Seigni…r Georgio Con, (lately come from Rome, some say, as his Holinesse Nuncie, and with a*See Romes M…ster-piece, p. 16. 27. Cardinals cap for Canterburies Grace) with whom our Prelates and court-clergie are over-familiar, to the great scandall and offence of many.
To these I could adde some two or three bookes more, of like nature, one of them declaiming much against Puritans, as the only men that are enemies to popery, & hindered the reconciliation of the Church of England to Rome, relating the story of Dr, Theodor Price Subdeane of Westminster his dying a Roman catholique, not long before recommended earnestly to His Majesty by his Arch-grace for the Bishopricke of …angor, but rejected by his Majesty, as a man altogether unworthy, both for his vicious Epicurean life, and unsoundnesse in religion: together with the late speeches of Pierceson and Hodshan, two Papists in Newcastle, brought into the High commission at Durham and there coldly prosecuted, for saying and affirming publickly, that the *Bish. Neale.Archbishop of York, and Dr. Iohn Consens, were both theirs, and of their religion; which other Papists also have openly averred in England, and more commonly report in forraigne parts; how truely, I refer to themselves and others to determine.
From all these we may now clearly discover our great swaying Prelates concealed practices and intentions to set up Popery, and easily conjecture that all their late Innovations, Altars, Images, bowing to Altars, raising and railing in Lords Tables Altar-wise, Crucifixer, and new licenced popish Pamphlets, tend onelyonly to this purpose, to bring in the whole body of popery among us, by degrees; which they have well nigh effected, and almost quite accomplished.
This therefore being their cleare resolution, intention, confederacy, as most men plainely discerne, and generally complaine of; let us all now at last, before it be too late, ere our Religion be quite lost and betray'd beyond recovery: begin to consider, view, and to the utmost of our powers, by all just and lawfull meanes resolve manfully to oppose, withstand these conspiratours practices, designes, and cry aloud to God, and His Majesty for speedy justice upon them, according to the greatnesse of their Offences, that all others may be terrified from the like perfidious disloyall attempts.
O therefore let us now awake out of our drowise security, and be no longer cheated with their faire words or specious pretexts, which have hitherto blinded the eyes of most. Looke but upon their deeds, and these their complices testimonies of them, and then their fained speeches and pretences will vanish into smoke; it being the*See Mr. Tindals practice of popish Prelats. Dr. Barnes his Supplication, & 28 H. 8. c. 10. ancient policy of Lordly Prelates (the readiest men in all ages both to maintaine and set up popery, with the Popes universall authority.) to speake most against popery, when they are busiest to bring it in; and to make the fairest pretences, when they are plotting and executing the foulest designes, of purpose to delude the over-credulous multitude. I shall therefore close up all with the words of old Father Latimer, in his fourth Sermon before King Edward, p. 52, 53. where he writes thus of Lordly unpreaching Prelates, who bore greatest sway in Church and State, but n…glected, suppressed preaching. It is to be thought, that some of them would have it so, to bring in popery againe. This I feare me is their intent, and it shall be blowne abroad to our holy Father of Romes eares and he shall send forth his Thunder bolts upon these bruits; and all this doth come to passe through their un-preaching prelacy. Are they not worthy double honour? nay, rather double dishonour, not to be regarded, nor to be esteemed among the people, and to have no living at their hands: For as good Preachers be worthy double honour, so unpreaching Prelates be worthy double dishonour. They must be at their doublets. But now these two dishonours, what be they? our Saviour Christ doth shew, Si sal, &c. If the Salt be unsavoury, it is good for nothing but to be cast out, and troden under feet of men.Matth. 5. By this Salt is understood Preachers, and such as have cure of soules. What be they worthy then? Wherefore serve they? For nothing else but to be cast out. Make them Quondams, out with them, cast them out of their Office; what should they doe with a Cure that will not looke to it? Another dishonour is this, … conculcentur ab hominibus, to be troden under mens feet, not to be regarded, not to be esteemed. And well may they thus be served, who have troden both the Lawes of God and the King; yea, King, Subjects, Religion, Justice, Rights, Liberties, under foot, and being treacherous both to God himselfe, and that Religion which they would seeme to professe, can never be loyall, faithfull to his Majesty, or His people committed to their care and cure: scarce one of our swaying Lord Prelates being able to say, that he ever converted one Papist to our Religion, or one soule to God, either by life or doctrine, though they have perverted, murthered, starved, destroyed thousands. This was that I then intended for the Presse.
If any English Protestant, after all these visible most apparent evidences of the long prosecuted Court-designe, to set up popery, and ex…irpate the Protestant Religion, and the present proceedings of the Papists in Ireland and England by His Majesties Commissions and authority, (who wholly sides with, and relies upon them, as His best, trustiest, and loyallest Subjects, as they formerly have stiled many of them.) will be yet so wilfully blinded, as to believe, that the Kings and Courts designes are really to maintaine the Protestant Religion, the priviledges of Parliament, the lawes and liberties of the Subject; and still joyne with the … Royall party against his Religon, Countrey, Liberties, Priviledges, believing their specious promises and pretences, before their reall contradictory actions, let him goe on and perish in his incredulity. However, I hope, all intelligent Protestants, who have hitherto sided with his Majesty and that party, out of their overmuch credulity of their upright intentions, and ignorance, of this their secret designe, upon the serious perusall of the premises, and His Majesties late sending of at least 30 saile of ships from Bristol, (a sad effect of its unhappy surrender) besides other ships elsewhere, to bring over Irish rebels, to ruine our Kingdome and cut our throats, (many of which are already arrived, and have committed great murders and insolencies at Bristol, elsewhere without restraint or punishment) will now, upon consideration of all the premises, for ever desert that A…tichristian party, and henceforth unite all their hearts, heads, hands, purses, forces, endeavours to the Parliament, to preserve it, our Church, Religion, Laws, Liberties, Kingdom, Nation, from that imminent ruine threatned to them by the malignant popish saction.
I shall close up all with these few Queres to all English Protestants, who have any sparks of zeale to the protestant Religion, or their owne deare native dying countrey, remaining in their brests, and yet adhere in person or affection to the Royall Popish party, now in open hostility against our Religion, Laws, Liberties, Parliament, either out of meere ignorance and simplicity, or over-much credulity of his Majesties and that prevailing sactions sincere intentions to our Religion, and the Republique, published in so many printed Declarations, protestations, of purpose to delude the world.
First, what certaine or probable assurance they can receive from all his Majesties and his evill Councellours late Declarations and Protestations, not to connive at Popery, but cordially to maintaine the Protestant Religion in its purity and liberty, to the utmost of his Regall power; when as his Majesties ancient engagements by the forecited Articles and Oaths to Spaine and France, his Letters to the Pope, his entertainement of professed Nuncios from the Roman Pontise for sundry yeeres in London, his maintaining of an Agent at Rome, his forecited Letters, Protestations, Warrants, in favour, protection, discharge of the most notorious Papists, Priests, Iesuits, his extraordinnry fresh engagements to the Queen and Popish party, his arming of Papists both in Ireland & England against the Parliament and Protestant party, his much distasted Articles of pacification with the Irish Rebels, after their most inhumane barbarous massacres of so many thousand innocent Protestants, without any provocation, his extraordinary late favours towards Papists, now most predominant in his Councels and Affections his toleration of open Popery in Ireland, in all parts of England, his present war in their behalfe, with his entertaining of sundry Irish Rebels neere him heretofore, and sending for*See the Popes Briefe, p. 35, 36 37. many thousands of them*Yea, & French Papists too. into England now, as his best and faithfullest Subjects, on whom the most relies, to murther his Protestant Lieges in England as they have done in Ireland, with other his Majesties and his Councellors late proceedings, infallibly proclaime a direct contrary intention, and quite crosse long agitated designe to all the world!
Secondly, with what confidence at all can they expect; that his Majesty and his evill Councellours, who have extraordinarily violated, invaded the Subjects, Parliaments indubitable just Rights, Lawes, Liberties, Priviledges, Properties, all his reigne (as hath been publikely acknowledged by the King himselfe, and resolved by the Parliam… then fullest) and since his departure from this Parliament, practised it in farre higher degree then ever (contrary to his owne confirmation of the Petition of right, the very Acts passed by him this present Parliament, his many ancient and late quoted Declarations, Proclamations, Protestations, Speeches, Vowes, Imprecations,) will after his absolute conquest of the Parliament and their Protestant party by force of Armes (in case he should prevaile) inviolably maintaine their Lawes, Liberties, Properties, Parliaments, Priviledges, and Religion, which they have ever heretofore so much infringed, and at this very instant more then ever, even in an open hostile manner?
Thirdly, with what conscience, heart, or spirit they can either in point of piety or policy confederate and joyne their forces, heads, or purses with the popish party now in Armes to ruine this present Parliament, their owne native Countrey, Religion, Lawes, Liberties, and promote the Papists most execrable Jesuiticall designes to re-establish popery, and the Popes supramacy in perfection throughout his Majesties Dominions? and how they will be able to answer this their detestable treachery, their desperate impiety before Gods or Mans Tribunals, or their owne self-condemning Consciences, at the last?
Fourthly, with what stupidity of heart of sottishnesse of spirit they can ever patiently brooke the late stupendious pacification of His Majesty with the barbarous bloody popish Irish Rebels, after their treacherous massacring of above one hundred and forty thousand innocent Protestants (most of them English,) who in stead of taking exemplary vengeance of this their inhumane but chery, hath indulged them many favou…s, and termed them,*So the Shrewsbury Copy stiles them. HIS GOOD ROMAN CATHOLIQUE SUBJECTS. And how they can ever quietly suffer or digest His Majesties entertainment of thousands of them already in His Army; His bringing over the Protestant English souldiers thence, se…t over by the Parliament, that the Papists there may take all the Forts and places of strength; His proclaiming of their Irish embased money to be currant here; but especially His sending over ships, and licences to land many thousand of the popish Irish Rebels speedily on English ground, of purpose to fight against the Parliament, and cut the Protestants throats in England, as they have done in Ireland; Certainly, that English Protestant who can sit still and patiently suffer such bloody, barba…ous, popish Irish villaines to set foot on English ground for such a purpose, and not rise up in Armes, siding with the Parliament, and Protestant party, against them, to expulse or cut them off, hath lost both the spirit of an English man, and the zeale of a reall Protestant; yea, he deserves a brand of eternall infamy, and that he and his posterity should be extirpated by these outragious beastly monsters of men.
Fiftly, whether His Majesties former arming of English Protestants first (with exclusion of Papists) against the Parliament and their Protestant party, and present sending for the Protestant English Souldiers out of Ireland (sent over by the Parliament against the popish treacherous bloody Rebels there, to subdue them) of purpose to fight against their fellow English Protestants, for to secure the Irish popish Rebels; and his after arming of English Papists, and present sending for popish Irish Rebels as his last and best refuge, to succeed and second his protestant Forces; with the placing of his protestant Commanders, Subjects, since their union with his popish Forces, alwaies in the front of the most dangerous desperate services, but in the reare of his pay, preferments, and Royall favours, and the Papists alwaies in the front of his preferments, and in places, services of least danger (as some intellig… men of the Kings owne party have truely observed, and now complaine of;) be not a most apparent Jesuiticall plot to engage the Protestants of either party to weaken, kill, and ruine one and the other, that so the English, Irish, Scottish confederated Papists (who are still kept furthest off from danger, being rather Spectators then Actors in the hottest services) may by this their Romish stratagem, speedily become the strongest or most predominant party, and so easily conquer the Protestants (as well of the Kings as Parliaments side) and utterly extirpate them, with their Religion, at the last, through this their desperate folly, and most unnaturall unchristian discord. Certainely, what ever crafty Jesuited pates may suggest, or impoliticke childish Protestants adhering to them, conceive to the contrary, yet those who have any skill in Politicks or Machiavilian projects, may most clearely discerne this derestable designe against the Protestants (and our English Nation too, now devoted as a prey to the barbarous Irish, and other forraigne Popelings) without the helpe of a perspective. And can, or dare any Protestants then after this discovery of this plot upon them, be any longer be besotted, as from henceforth to fight for or adhere to those mischievous, treacherous, popish Conspirators, who rejoyce at this their folly, and would thus make them the principall instruments of their religions, Countries, yea, their owne destruction? I shall humbly therefore beseech all protestant Cavaliers, and Antiparliamenteers whatsoever, of the contrary party, most seriously to lay this disperate plot to heart (as some of the very common English Protestant souldiers (transported from Ireland hither, to sight against their fellow Protestants and the Parliament) have already done, and then they cannot but desert that A…ich istian side, and for ever ins…parably adhere to the Parliament, … some of these poore Souldiers have done lately to their eternall honour.
Finally, in case the Irish Papists land, and their Faction prevaile, what security or probility can any English Protestants who joyn with them, expect either for the safety or enjoyment of their Religion, Lives, Liberties, or Estates when as those who devoted, designed*See Dr. Iones Booke of examinations. all the Protestants in Ireland (though allied to them) to the Sword, had their conspiracy taken its full effect, uniesse they would presently renounce their Religion and turne Romish Catholiques; and have long since plotted the *See Romes Master-piece.Kings owne death, if He comply not with them; will doubtlesse spare no English Protestants life, liberty, or estate, if they once obtaine the upper hand, unlesse they will become the Popes sworne vassals. And the rather may they and we believe it, because some of the Irish Rebels lately landed at Bristol, where they murthered two Vintners and a Tapster, beating out their braines, upon no just occasion at all, and yet were suffered to goe scotfree, and march up in Sir Ralph Hoptons Army against the Parliament, as I am certainely informed by some lately come from thence) have openly blamed the Cavaliers, for that when Bristol was surrendered, they did not put man, woman, and child therein to the Sword notwith standing their Articles; though punctually observed in no particular, but violated in every thing, as were the Articles since made with Exceter and Dartmouth; A sufficient evidence how little trust is to be reposed either in the Oathes, Articles, Promises, or Protestations of the malignant Popish party, whose very Religion instructs them, to keepe no faith at all with hereticks, as they account all Protestants.
What security the Protestant party and Religion; what restraint, disallowance, the Romish fact…, and their Roman Catholicke Errours, Supersti…ns, Idolatries, shall receive, in case His Majesty and the Catholiques prevaile, will appeare by this observable passage in the French Mercury, upon the Kings first Articles with Spaine.
From this days (of King Iames and His Majesties swearing the Spanish Articles) (writes the*Tom. 9 An. 1624. p. 27, 28, 29, 30. Two Acts pianted to the …likes: th… one in porting a pardon of the penalties which they might have inquired by the Lawes of Parliaments; and the other for the exercise of their religion, every one by himselfe without scar. dall. Of the repose which the Catholiques received in England after that Don Carlo Coloma was there extraordinary Ambassadour of his Catholique Majesty. French Mercury) the sayd Spanish Ambassadours, began to solicite the execution and accomplishment of the promises of His Majesty in favour of Catholiques; and after many opinions debated for the forme, and the better execution, it was in the end Resolved, that His Majesty should be supplied, to give every Catholique in particular, a pardon under the great Seale, for the penalties which they might have incurred by the Lawes of Parliament made against the Catholiques. And that for the time to come His Majesty should likewise by another act under the great Seale also dispence and…permit them to exercise… their Religion, every one by himselfe, provided that it were without publique scandall; and that he should exempt them from all the Lawes made against them, by what Parliament soever it were. The said Acts were delivered to the said Embassadour on the behalfe of His Majesty, by the Lord Bishop of Lincolne Keeper of the Seale, under promises, that they should not all publish them untill that the marriage was accomp… hed.
See then (writes Mercury) how all things were happily negotiated in England, From this time forwards the Catholiques there were at rest, without feeling any persecution after the arriball of Dan Carlo Coloma; who with a great deale of zeale and diligence obtained the Liberty of Catholiques imprisoned throughout all England, Ireland, and Scotland. He likewise obtained, that the Informers, Pursivants established to seeke out, accuse, and pursue the Catholiques, were prohibited to attempt any thing against them. The Ingresse and Egresse of the Realme was left free to them without Obligation, or swearing the Dath of Supremacy, having only his Pasport.They shall be no more obliged to take the Oath of Supremacy. They might goe freely to heare Masse in his Chappell, in so great number and so publikely, that sometimes there have beene two or three thousand persons at it. I note who durst to speake against the marriage have been punished, amongst the most signall, the Earle of Oxford was sent prisoner to the Tower of London. So as the *Note this well.Marquesse of Buckingham writ …nto Spain That the Informers, Pursivants Prisons, shall serve no more but onelyonly for their owne Ministers, and other persons zealous of the Protestant Religion; (which we have ever since experimentally found to be true.) And by the aforesaid Acts, the King permitted them in expresse words, the frée exercise of their Religion.
Don Carlo Coloma hath likewise land the first stone of the Chappell which shall be built for the Infanta in the Princes palace, and the building advanceth apace, to the regret, and to the contentment likewise of many, to see the building of a Catholike Church in the Metropolitane City of the Realme by publique Authority, after that for an hundred yeers space before they had done nothing else there but destroyed them:
I his and much more doth Mercury truly relate, even in the yeere 1624. when the restauration of Popery was but in the Cradle, before the full consummation of the Spanish match; to what an altitude of Soveraigne favour, power, authority then will Popery and Papists now arrive unto, after all their expences, services, sufferings, engagements for their Majesties? to what an extraordinary low ebbe and miserable condition will the Protestant party and Religion be reduced thorowout his Majesties Dominions, notwithstanding all his Protestations (in case he should now obtaine a conquest over the Parliament and their adherents) now Popery and Papists are almost arrived to their manly growth, vigour, and have both the King, Queene, and their malignant Councell so deeply ingaged to them both by Oathes and Articles; I referre to all Protestants forraigne and …esticke, most seriously to determine.
These short Qu…eres, with the premises duely pondered, and digested, should then (methinkes) induce every ingenious English Protestant yet adhering to the Court Popish party, speedily to abandon, eternally to desert them, and now cordially to unite themselves to the Parliament, and their Protestant English brethren, to live or die together in the present defence of their endangered Religion, Lawes, Liberties, and dearest Country, which they cannot without highest impiety desert, or inhumanely oppose in this time of most apparent dangers, which threaten their subversion.
Wherefore, Obesotted Court-protestants, let me here intreat, advise you in Gods owne language. to*2 Cor. 6. 11. Num. 16. 21, 24, 26. Isay 52. 11. Rev. 18. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, &c. come out from among these Antichristian Babylonians, to separate your selves sp…edily from the Congregation, and to depart from the tents of these wicked, bloody men; that ye be not partakers of their sinnes, and that ye receive not of their plagues: For their sinnes (in their most barbarous treacherous butchering of Gods Saints both in Ireland and England) have now reached unto Heaven, and God hath remembred their iniquities. Reward Romish Babylon, and them, as they have rewarded you, and your Protestant brethren in England, in Ireland; and double unto them double according to their worke; in the Cup which they have filled, fill them double. How much they have lately glorified themselves, so much sorrow give them: the rather, for that Romish Babylon now saith in heart, I sit as Queene (I would we could not truly complaine, by the underhand practices and conspiracies of Kings and Queens against Gods true Religion, Saints;) and am no widow, I shall see no sorrow: Therefore shall her plagues (now suddenly) come in one day, and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire; at least thorowout his Majesties Dominions, if not the whole world) for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her; And the KINGS OF THE EARTH who*Revel. 17. 13, 14, &c. have now given their strength and power to the beast, and make warre with the Lamb (who shall over come them, for that he is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and they who are with him are called and chosen, and faithfull:) and who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her, shall bewaile her and lament for her, when they shall see the smoake of her burning; standing afar off, for the feare of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great City Babylon, that mighty City, for in one hours is thy judgement come &c. For by her sorceries were all Nations deceived: and in her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and OF ALL THAT WERE SLAIN UPON THE EARTH: and therefore all the late shed Protestant blood in Ireland, in England, was originally shed by her procurement (as appears by the Popes owne Briefe freshly published, For the inquiry after the death of such Catholikes here in England as shall suffer any kinde of death in England for the Catholike Faith or Cause during those wars, to the end they may be canonized for glorious Saints and Martyrs at Rome, and by other evidences:) and finally, doubtlesse shall be revenged in her everlasting punishment and subversion.
Matth. 18. 26. Mar. 4. 22. Feare them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be knowne and come abroad.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Prynne, The Popish Royal Favorite (1643)