The Catholics Supplication for Toleration, Part 1
A BRIEFE CONSIDERATION OF THE CATHOLIKES REASONS FOR TOLERATION OF THEIR Religion in England, intimated in their Supplication to his Highnes.
I. REASON.
The Catholikes are readie to performe any allegeance or dutie that the King can deſire or expect at their hands.Out of the 3. Section of the Supplication.
Ergo, It may pleaſe his Maieſtie to graunt them a toleration of their Religion.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 The Antecedent muſt be vnderſtoode conditionally, vid. If the King will graunt a toleration, then the Papiſts ſay they will be dutifull; elſe they will not: but will runne on the old bias againe for practiſe and treacherie againſt his Royall Perſon and the State, as they were wont in Queene Elizabeths time. But if they will not bee dutifull Subiects for conſcience ſake, as they are bound to be: Our dread Soueraigne (in my opinion) ſhall hauehave ſmall good of their mercenarie ſeruice.
2 Popiſh Religion in the Articles thereof, is treaſon againſt the lawfull authoritie and ſtate of our King. See the Counterpoyſe, Sect. 12. Therefore whatſoeuer the Papiſts, either proteſt or pretend, it skilles not, they can be no loyall Subiects, ſo long as the Pope may diſcharge them from allegeance to their Prince. See note. 35.
3 By vertue of Popiſh Religion, the Eccleſiaſticall ſtate challengeth immunitie and exemption from his Highnes power, iudiciall courts, and in caſe of ordinarie contributions; they withdraw their allegeance from the King, vntounto the obedience of a forraine Potentate, denying him an abſolute power in his owne Dominions.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 Howſoeuer his Maieſtie, in policie, might wiſh all Papiſts within his Dominions, to be dutifull and obedient Subiects: yet cannot his Highnes allow and accept of the courſe leading thereunto, vnleſſe he finde it warranted by the law of God; ſuch as toleration of Popiſh Idolatrie can neuer be.
2 The practiſes of the Papiſts being vncertaine, it fits not the deepe reach of a Prince, to remedie vncertaine and leſſer accidents, by opening free paſſage to more aſſured and greater perils.
II. REASON.
Out of the third and fourth ſection.The Catholikes hauehave been very forward in maintaining and defending the Kings iust and lawfull title to the Scepter of Albion.
Ergo, His Maieſtie might doe well to gratifie them with a toleration.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 If the Papiſts were ſo firme (as now they ſay) for the Kings lawfull title: they would not hauehave been ſo forward for the Infantaes pretended title, as they hauehave.
2 Graunt they were ſo forward for his Maieſties title: yet it is very credible that they were but mercenarie Iudaſes, for Quid vultis mihi dare, & ego tradam &c. They would doe ſomewhat vponupon hope of toleration, els iuſt nothing for conſcience and equitie.
3 This which they pretend ſhould ſeeme to be in Queene Elizabeths daies, which (if it were ſo) on their part, was great diſloyaltie to their Prince. And it may well be thought that traiterous hearts to Queene Elizabeth, can be none of the faithfulleſt Subiects to King Iames.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 Suppoſe it lawfull in Queene Elizabeths daies for Catholikes to flie from their countrie, and to be factiouſly forward for the Kings lawfull title; they did but their dutie. Yet is it not lawfull for his Maieſtie to permit the free exerciſe of Idolatrie, which were plaine impietie.
2 If this alſo were lawfull in it ſelfe, yet were it no policie to graunt the Papiſts a toleration, conſidering their intention and aime for alteration, their number, dependencie, confederacie forraine and domeſtike, and other correſpondent abilities, ſtrong and to be ſuſpected.
III. REASON.
Puritanes and Atheiſts, being of contrary Religion to the Proteſtants, are tolerated in England.Out of the 6. Section.
Ergo, His Maiestie may, with like reaſon, tolerate the free exerciſe of the Catholike Religion.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 Such as doe ſcandalouſlie or ſchiſmaticallie withdraw themſelues from our publike congregations, and refuſe to ſerue the Lord together with vsus, are not permitted but puniſhed by our lawes.
2 Puritanes (as they terme them) are not contrarie to the Proteſtants in Religion. See before note 11.
3 As for Atheiſme, it is not publikely profeſſed in England, and therefore there can be no permiſſion thereof. See note 15.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 VponUpon ſuppoſed toleration of the factious and ſchiſmaticall Puritane, there is no reaſon for toleration of the Papiſt; for diuers cauſes, videl.
I. The Puritane holdes no opinion directly oppoſit either to the Maieſtie of God, or his Highnes Soueraigntie: But the Papiſt doth.
II. If the Puritaine did offend any of theſe wayes, yet ſhould not the Papiſt be admitted: for ſo the number of bad ſubiects ſhould be encreaſed.
2 The Papiſt is more daungerous then the Puritaine or Atheiſt, by reaſon of his opinion of learning, of his diſloyall carriage, of his number and dependencie at home and abroade.
IIII. REASON.
The French King hath graunted a toleration of both Religions,Out of the 7. Section. which is the cauſe of quietnes in his kingdome.
Ergo, The King of England may doe ſo likewiſe.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 The cauſe of quietnes in Fraunce was not toleration, but the baniſhment of the Ieſuites. See the Counterpoyſe Sect. 7.
2 The contrarie religion in Fraunce is tolerated of neceſſitie and diſabilitie of the Catholikes part to expugne and ruine the other, as it was in the time of Charles the ninth, and Henrie the third.
3 Such as the French King doth tolerate, doe in opinion derogate nothing from his Soueraigntie, nor in action attempt any thing againſt his perſon: But it is and euer was otherwiſe with Papiſts in England.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 Men liue by the rule of Reaſon and law, not by examples.
2 The French King holdeth correſpondence in religion with the Pope; therefore in a queſtion of the worſhip and ſeruice of the Lord, he cannot be a fit preſident to a Chriſtian Prince profeſſing the Goſpell.
3 Though the French King permitteth the free exerciſe of the Goſpell, a doctrine lawfull in it ſelfe and holie, which derogateth nothing from Princes ſoueraigntie: yet may not the King of England permit Papiſtrie, the doctrine being Antichriſtian and vnlawfull in it ſelfe, ioyned alſo with diſhonor and perill.
4 The French King alloweth toleration to ſuch who acknowledge him for their lawfull Soueraigne, who neuer plotted againſt his Crowne and life, nor can be induced vponupon any ſuggeſtion ſo to doe: whereas his Maieſtie of England is ſolicited to yeeld it to ſuch who hold that he is an Heretike, that hee may be diueſted, by the Popes Bull, of his imperiall Crowne and regalities; who hauehave diſpoſed of their allegeance to a forraine Prince; who neuer ceaſe from proiects and practiſes for alteration; who in fitteſt oportunitie, vponupon mandate from the Pope, are readie to take armes for the ſubuerſion of his Scepter and ſtate, of his royall perſon, and of the Goſpell.
V. REASON.
VponUpon graunt of toleration England will not be odious to all Chriſtian Nations for cruell perſecution of Catholikes,Out of the 8. Section. as now they are.
Ergo, Toleration ſhould in good reaſon be allowed and maintained.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 England is not odious to all Chriſtian Nations, neither did it euer (within the ſuppoſed time) perſecute Catholikes, but puniſh Traytors.
Toleration being admitted, yet will not ſuch as hate England ceaſe to hate her ſtill, becauſe of the diſgrace that muſt relie vponupon Poperie; his Maieſtie, the State and almoſy all the ſubiects profeſſing the Goſpell.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 To graunt toleration that England might not be ſlaundered for proceedings againſt Papiſts, and hated by thoſe of that faction, were for curing of the headach, to knock out the braines.
If we conſider the parties that hate vsus, the inſufficient ground they hauehave for their hating vsus, the little meaſure of preiudice or dammage that commeth thereof: and on the other ſide the ineuitable diſhonour, the daunger and miſchiefe of toleration; we ſhall ſee that the former is not worthie any regard, when there is queſtion of the latter.
3 The ſurceaſe of Catholike-hate being altogether vncertaine and accidentarie, it cannot be in policie a ſufficient ground for imbracing of dangerous toleration.
VI REASON.
Toleration will ſtay hoſtile attempts of Catholikes againſt the Realme; and ſo Traffique will be free,Out of the 8. Section. Subſidies and Taxes ſhall not be ſo many, &c.
Ergo, Toleration is to be imbraced.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 It is not the cauſe of Religion (though it hath been ſome part of their pretence) that embarked enemies againſt this land: But violent humours of ambition to a Monarchy, of malice and reuenge vponupon ſuppoſed indignities; the ſecuring of their owne greatnes by impayring their Neighbours, &c. therefore toleration cannot redreſſe hoſtilitie.
2 Suppoſe Religion the cauſe, yet it is not toleration, but alteration that they aime at, and therfore their hoſtile practiſes and machinations are vnlikely to ceaſe for toleration.
3 Hoſtile attempts may ceaſe without toleration; as by diſabilitie on the aduerſe part, neceſſitie, compulſion, &c.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 Euill muſt not be done that good may come thereof: Toleration of Idolatrie cannot be denied to be euill.
2 Of two euils the leſſer is to be choſen. Hoſtile attempts may endaunger the bodie: Toleration damneth the ſoule.
VII. REASON.
Toleration will be gratefull to all Catholike Princes abroad.Out of the 9. Section.
Ergo, It ought to be granted.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 Alteration would be more gratefull vntounto Catholike Princes, then toleration: ſhould alteration therefore be graunted?
II. To the Conſequence.
1 Should his royal Maieſtie graunt an impietie, and hazard his royal eſtate and perſon, yea his ſubiects and the Goſpel, to gratifie Catholike Princes?
2 Whether it be right in the ſight of God, to obey you rather then God, iudgeye, Act. 4.19.
3 If I ſhould pleaſe men, I were not the ſeruant of Chriſt, ſaith the Apoſtle, Galat. 1.10. foreign
VII. REASON.
Out of the 9. Section.All Engliſh ſubiects would be acceptable to all Catholike countries, who are now almoſt abhorred of all, if toleration were graunted.
Ergo, Toleration is not to be denied.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 It is falſe that Engliſhmen are abhorred of all Catholike countries, otherwiſe then for their religion, as all other Proteſtants be.
2 Suppoſe a toleration; yet diſſenſion in religion extinguiſheth acceptation in affection: therefore it is not probable that Engliſh ſubiects being Proteſtants in religion, ſhould be eſteemed and accepted among ſuch as are of a contrarie faction.
3 Nullus eſt fidus eorum affectus quorum eſt diuerſa fides: ſaith Hierome.
4 Not toleration, but plaine alteration would (peraduenture) make Engliſh ſubiects acceptable.
II. To the conſequence.
1 No ſinne muſt be committed againſt God for gaining of particular aduantage.
2 It is a groſſe error in pollicie, in hope of idle and accidentarie reputation, to make choice of certaine miſchiefe.
IX. REASON.
Out of the 9. Section.VponUpon toleration of Catholike Religion, we ſhall enioy aſſured peace; Swordes ſhall bee changed into ploughes and launces into ſithes.
Ergo, Toleration is to be admitted.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 Religion is not the cauſe of diſturbance of peace and hoſtile attempts againſt this kingdome: as hath been ſaid alreadie.
2 If it were the cauſe: yet the Goſpell, which is the thing they would extirpate, ſhould remaine ſtill for all toleration; ſo that warres are not likely to ceaſe.
3 Toleration would hatch ſimultation, iarres, diſcord, diſſenſion, and at laſt deadly warre, rather then peace.
4 If Papiſts ſtill attempted treaſons in time of their reſtraint in Queene Elizabeths dayes: is it not probable, that hauing more libertie, they would be more treacherous? eſpecially the Popes malice againſt the Goſpell being ſtill the ſame, and their obedience to him not renounced?
II. To the Conſequence.
1 VponUpon ſuppoſition of peace enſuing vponupon toleration, which is not likely: yet curſed be that peace, when it cannot be procured, but by ſinning againſt God.
2 Maledicta ſit omnis concordia, deſtituta ſinceritate veritatis; ſaith Irenaeus.
X. REASON.
Out of the 10. Section.All the Kings happie predeceſſors profeſſed the Catholike Religion.
Ergo, His Maieſtie ought (at leaſt) to grant a toleration.
ANSWERE.
I. To the Antecedent.
1 The Antecedent is falſe: Poperie was hatched but of late times.
2 Henrie the eight, Edward the ſixt, and Queene Elizabeth of happie memorie, (to ſpeake of no other) were the Kings predeceſſors, yet they profeſſed not the Popiſh Religion.
II. To the Conſequence.
1 If his Maieſties predeceſſors had profeſſed Poperie, yet that can be no warrant for his Highnes ſo to doe; becauſe we muſt not liue by examples, but by lawes and reaſon.
2 It is not antiquitie, nor cuſtome that makes a thing lawfull in it ſelfe; neither muſt we ſo much regard the ancient way, as the good way. See Matth. 15.2. to the 12. Act. 7.51.52.1. Pet. 1.18.
3 Our Fathers muſt not be followed in euill. Be ye not as your fathers, Zach. 1.4. Walke not in the ordinances of your fathers, neither obſerue their manners, nor defile your ſelues with their Idols. Ezech. 20.18. See alſo Pſal. 78.8. Pſal. 95.9. Amos. 2.4.
XI. REASON.
Out of the 11. Section.The Catholike Religion is ancient, irreprehenſible in doctrine, agreeable to Gods word, &c.
Ergo, Catholike Religion ought to be tolerated.
ANSWERE.
The Antecedent is an impudent begging of the queſtion, and can neuer be proued: therefore the Conſequence falleth of it ſelfe.
XII. REASON.
Out of the 12. Section.The Catholikes onelyonly ſerue the King, and obſerue his lawes for conſcience.
Ergo, Catholikes ought to be tolerated.
ANSWERE.
Thi reaſon is of the ſame nature with the firſt reaſon and is there anſwered. See alſo the Counterpoyſe Setion 12.
So much for the Catholikes reaſons for toleration: Now w… will conſider the Proteſtants reaſons againſt it.