❧ A Bull granted by the Pope to Doctor Harding & other, by reconcilement and assoiling of English Papists, to undermine faith and allegiance to the Queen. With a true declaration of the intention and fruits thereof, and a warning of perils thereby imminent, not to be neglected.  
❧ Imprinted at London by john day dwelling over Aldersgate.   

NOueritis quod anno, die, mense et pontificatu infrascriptis: in generali congregatione etc. pro part Reverendorum T. Harding, et N. S. et T. P. Anglorum fuit porrectum memoriale et supplicatio, quae lecta fuerunt etc. Annis abhinc tr●…bus etc. concessit T. H. etc. Episcopalem potestatem in foro conscientiae absoluendi eos qui ad Ecclesiae gremium 〈◊〉 Hinc potestati quia multi non credunt, petimus ut in scriptum aliquod autenticum redigatur. Ac etiam ulterius (monente nos temporis necessitate) humiliter petimus ut eisdem concedatur in causa irregularitatis dispesandi potosta●…, exceptis ex homicidio voluntario provenientibus seu deductis in forum contentiosum, Quibus auditis et intellectis praelibatus Sanctiss. Dominus noster decrevit quod prenominati absoluere possint in foro conscientiae Anglos tantum prout petitur, etiam ab irregularitate incursa ratione heresis et ab ea dependente emergente et annexa, dummodo absoluendi abstineant per triennium a ministerio altaris. In quorum fidem & testimonium &c. anno. 1567. die iovis 14. Aug.  
ET quia ego etc. Notarius supradictus copiam ex proprio originali suo extractam collationavi & cum eodem concordare inveni, ideo subscripsi signoque meo solito signavi in fidem premissorum rogatus.  

Forma absolutionis.  
Dominus noster jesus Christus qui dedit Discipulis suis potestatem ligandi & soluendi, ipse te absoluat, & ego autoritate omnipotentis Dei & beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli necnon sanctae matris Ecclesiae, atque autoritate Papalis indulgentiae, in hac par●…e mihi commissa & concessa absoluo te a●… omni irregularitate & sententia excommunicationis maioris vel minoris a i●…e vel ab homine tibi inflictis atque etiam ab omnibus criminibus excessibus & peccatis tuis confessis contritis & oblitis, & ab omnibus casibus sedi Apostolicae reseruatis. Restituo te communitati fidelium & Sacramentis Ecclesiae, ac in illam innocentiam & puritatem in qua eras quando baptizatus fuisti, remittendo tibi omnes poenas Purgatorij propter culpas & offensimes quas contra Deum & proximum tuum commisisti, Et plenariam remissionem atque indulgentiam omnium peccatorum in quantum claves Ecclesiae extendunt in hac part tibi do & concedo, ita quod sis absolutus hic & ante tribunal Domini nostri jesu Christi, habeasque vitam aeternam, & vivas in eo in saecula saeculorum. Amen. In Nomine patris. ✚ etc.    

The Bull.  
KNow ye that the day, month, and time of our Bishopric underwritten, in a general congregation etc. on the behalf of the worshipful Thomas Harding, N. S. & T. P. Englishmen, was exhibited a memorial and supplication, which were red etc. How about three years past, etc. our holy Father hath granted to Tho. Harding etc. Bishoply power in court of conscience to assoil them that shall return to the bosom of the church. To this power because many do not geue credit, we pray that it be put in writing in authentical form. And also further (being occasioned by necessity of time) we humbly pray that to the same persons be granted power to dispense in case of irregularity, except in cases arising of wilful manslaughter, or brought in courts of law. Which premises being red and understood, our said most holy Lord hath decreed that the said persons may in court of conscience assoil Englishmen only, as it is prayed, even also from irregularity incurred by reason of ●…resie and depending and arising upon the same and annexed unto it, so that the persons to be assoiled do for three years abstain from the ministery of the altar. In credit and testimony whereof etc. an. 1567. Thursday the viiii. day of August.  
And because I etc. the Notary aforesaid have conferred the said copy drawn out of the proper original and have found the same to agree therewith, being requested I have subscribed and signed it with my ●…suall sign for credit of the premises.  
Note that the petition was made in the name of three, but it was granted to four.  

¶ The form of absolution.  
Our Lord jesus Christ, which gave to his Disciples power to bind and lose, he assoil thee. And I by the authority of almighty God, and of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and also of our holy Mother the Church, and by the authority of the Papaie indulgence, to me committed and granted do assoil thee from all irregularity & sentence of excommunication both the greater and the lesser laid upon thee by law or by man, and also from all thy crimes, transgressions, and sins, confessed, contrite, and forgotten, and from all cases reserved to the Apostolic sea. I restore thee to the communion of the faithful & to the sacraments of the church, and into the same innocency and purity wherein thou wast when thou wert baptized, remitting thee all the pains of purgatory, for the faults and offences which thou hast committed against God & thy neighbour. And I do give and grant to thee full remission and indulgence of all thy sins as far as the keys of the Church extend in this behalf, so that thou shalt be absolved both here and before the judgement seat of our Lord jesus Christ, and shalt have everlasting life, and live in him world without end. Amen. In the name of the father ✚ etc.    

¶ The declaration and warning.  
BE it known to all the queens true subjects for their warning, to all false traitors and Papists for their amendment, & to all the world ●…r their example, that the Pope the common enemy of Christian truth, and of all just crowns and dignities of kings, hath granted to Doctor Harding and other ●…etimes the queens subjects, now fu●…tiues and trumpets of treason, a cer●…ne authority in nature of an indulgence or pardon, to reconcile Englishmen ●…o the bosom of the Roman church, with a form of absolution thereto annexed in ●…uch: sort as here is truly set out. The partie●… to whom and at whose petition the same is granted are Englishmen, ●…ch as they be. The Pope to whom the 〈◊〉 is ●…ade, and by whom it is graunt●…, is a forene Potentate, and our queens 〈◊〉 mortal enemy, The effect is to allu●…e the queens subjects with hope of pardon and promise' of the kingdom of ●…en, to revolt from acknowledging that her majesties supreme and universal ancient authority in her whole realm over all her subjects which they have in Parliament and otherwise orderly and truly recognized, and to tender their obedience to the Pope a stranger, by whom our Queen is not only deadly hated, but also most injuriously and vilely with prejudice condemned. Some purpose it hath had to win some pelting gain to the pardoners or proctor's that make merchandise of the faith and allegiance of her majesties subjects. But (good reader) the very principal end, & for disclosing whereof it is at this time published, appeareth by the date, by the form, by the successes that have happened, by the convenience of time and matter with the last most tra●…terous devices, conferences, conspiracies, knots, alliances, attempts, and assemblies, and by other circumstances that fall into unseparable consideration with it, to have reached a great deal further, namely to the dissolving of the faith, love, and allegiance of the subjects of this realm toward the Queen our most good, loving, and natural sovereign, to the encombring of their consciences with necessity of grudging at her and revolting from her, and to the assaulting of her majesties person (whom God long preserve) her royal crown and dignity, and particularly and specially to the procuring, raising, advancing, and strengthening this late most vile and horrible rebellion, beside the rest that are daily to be looked for with wise, jealous, and circumspect expectation.  
It came forth long before the Northern rebellion, as well you wot good reason it is that the child be gotten afore it be borne, or rather that the father be borne before the child be gotten. It is not unknown how for such reconcilementes assemblies have been suspiciously made, substitutes have been deputed, and the like by many exercised, to creep into deceived subjects hearts and draw them to be wailing of their supposed miseries, and to a desire of returning to the fansiefull superstitions of Rome. How famous is the delivery of badges and tokens (with u wounds and other superstitious devices) as it were for marks of a faction? How notorious is their byeword of their golden day? It is known (for the letters be yet extant in good custody) how one of their Northern sacrificers wrote to an other of his own faction, uz. Sir john Plumtrée, to be satisfied in a matter that troubled his conscience, which was, that he had at one of the rebellious Earl's commandment said Mass before absolution obtained from the Pope in such form as other had it. Appears it not evidently that those receivings to reconcilement are with admonitions or rather conditions not to return to true Christian religion which they call schism, nor to quiet and conformable life according to her majesties proceeding, which they term schismatical? And what was this else, but to prepare men's hearts by secret shriftes, whisperings, exhortations, advises, and traitorous practices, to repent their obedience, to renounce it, to conceive a purpose of not returning to it, and so after such a preparative of a pardon, indulgence, absolution, or reconcilement, with a glister of treason to purge them clean of all honest loyalty, faith, and allegiance. And so the silly abused poor men (be they in worldly respect never so rich & politic) are by degrees induced, first to abhor the course of these times and government, wherein they are borne in hand that they are out of the church, as it were out of the Ark wrestling for life in the mid main sea in peril of drowning, and this is their Contrition, which can not be without loathing those whom they think authors of their danger, of whom the queens majesty is the chief. Secondly they are trained to conference and secret consultation to make shift for their souls by ghostly counsel, and this is their Confession, wherein many traitorous devices are agreed upon. Thirdly to make up perfect penance, for amends they must enter into actual rebellion, and that is the natural Satisfaction to the sea of Rome, whereby the Queen and realm are encumbered.  
But now mark (good readers) now cometh the case that ministereth good cause of consideration to you all. If you (good readers) be of great estate or bear charge in the common weal, as counsellors, lieutenants, justices, or in any degree of governance, now listen to matter of your charge, to awaken your care and put your duties in execution. If ye be meaner subjects without calling in office, now hearken to matter to move ye to prayer to God, to direct their zeal and travails to whom it appertaineth, or rather as he hath hitherto done miraculously to preserve us. This baggage, and all other of like sort; yea and some far worse, can not well be said by such fine Italian, subtle, and ungracious heads to remain or be newly put in practice after the rebellion suppressed, in respect of the rebellion past, but in hope of things to come. Such things as were provided as appeareth by their date long before the rebellion actually raised, uz. before summer was xii. months, and at this day watch their times, may not be construed to have regard to time passed remediless, but to a reach of mischief whose success is not yet seen. Full true it is that Papistry hath no looking beyond this world, but is determined within worldly hopes, and therefore their devices must be thought to tend to worldly politic ends, and so these pardons not propounded for fowls health, but for hazarding of body and soul to serve a worldly fetch of treason for advancing of the Popes and Papictes worldly ambition and gain. There is a new mischief in expectation. God presere our gracious Prince, and her true Counsellors, which shall be the chief defence and safety of us all. Note some likeliboodes, but with a jealous regard for so precious a jewel as our Queen is. Our Lovanistes for a good while have written no more. What is the cause? They take them to other weapons, they hung upon expectation of the success of rebellion or some like mischief, which by their former books they have travailed to stir up and give occasion. A number of such as finding themselves to feel some harm or lack by popish obstinacy made suits & gave some hope a while of toward conformity, now they shrink back, and hold out. And why so: Forsooth the men are now in hope, and in desire to see the luck of one chance more. It is well known that some Papistical fellows that of late years did communicate and frequent common prayer according to the order of our Church, do of late time, belike since their reconcilement according to this wicked order, abstain from communion and common prayer. And what is the reason? Aliquid monstri alunt, they are put in new courage, and will no more stoop till they see more how the world will wag, for a thing that they know, as they are borne in hand. What maketh the late flying of Papists in such heaps, as those that took shipping ner●… Colchester & other, afore and at other lat●… times, but a trust to return to pleasant fruition of their desired time upon the proof of the mischiefs that they have brewed, and tonned and lacketh but broaching. What intention have they that run away, leaving letters behind them to pray favour of the queens true officers with an intimation or inkling of promise, to be likewise good an other day to those that should show them favour now, but upon a plain reckoning of some ungraciousness in working, to hasten that day of their victory, triumph, and ability of recompensing? Papists fly not, stir not, brag not, nor do any thing, nor leave any thing undone without hope. This gear portendeth much.  
But specially weigh, why such ungracious gear cometh now out that was provided long ago? Why after the rebellion it cometh, that should have had his place before? Forsooth in the summer 1569. the rebels were not ready, and therefore the worst of this sort stayed. In the winter following, the rebels were taken ●…ort afore they were ready, and then in an unseasonable time of winter the publication of those traitorous Bulls would not help. Why come they now then? Forsooth upon their hope of that which aught to be our fear. The world is strange, treasons be venturous, no enemy to be neglected, specially near and domestical. There is somewhat in working that aught to move our controversy, to awake our heed, to sharp our foresight and endeavour, and to make us provide for prevention, but specially to shield ourselves by prayer under his wing that is able to defend us, & in the mean time not to omit those means of defence that he putteth in our hands.  
Wherefore let us all prey for her Majesty, that with courage she follow God in the course that he hath plainly set before her highness for her preservation. All ye noble counsellors go forward in your honourable service to defend that realm that can not in all likelihood overlive the safety of her most royal person. You Lieutenants, justice of sheres and other officers look to your charge, raise up your attention at every occasion, have good eye to rumour spreders & other forerrunners o●… mischiefs, take heed to Popish conuent●…cles, search the bottom where ye find such lewd tokens of Bulls and other R●…mish badges and trash, let slip no opportunities. All ye the queens true subjects, look about you, be earnest in prayer, heedful in understanding, ready in service, for ye be warned, and suffer no lewd tales to be carried undisclosed in place convenient. You Papists forsake your mischievous intentions for ye be descried, or if all be not yet foreseen, leave yet your treasons, lest ye be hanged and damned too, which i●… worse. All ye strangers of nobility and other of foreign parts, where your helpe●… of intelligence or other good means may do good, omit them not, for to Christians of all nations the peril is common; and Papistry is universal and common treason to all kings & states. All ye in whom it lieth to remedy, let not things run past remedy. Remember noble Scanderbegs proverb, that no beast be it never so fierce, can live if the head be cut of. Consider that checking without necking is mate.  
God sharpen judgement, industry, vigour and zeal, for his glory, for his noble deputy in this Realm our most gracious Queen, for all the good guides and the whole body thereof. The Lord be merciful unto us, and hold his holy hand over us. The Lord of hosts raise fear to suspect what harms may be attempted, where by dispensations ghostly fear is taken away, and by want of due and likely revenging, bodily fear is removed. And the same Lord raise courage to his ministers to dispatch the cause of fear: if they that should do it do not fear, then boldly because they do not fear: and if they fear, then necessarily that they may fear no more. And God take from all men of credit the devices to qualify perils, to wrap ●…re under ashes in a perilous place, or to ●…mpech the ser●…ng of the bottom of dangers that may break out with new and doubled flame. Finally God give us grace that we do not by our own negligence draw upon us hastily the thing that we have cause to fear.   

¶ God save our Queen Elizabeth and confounded her enemies.  
None will make slight account of these heinous threatenings and practices of Papists, nor move any other to make a laughing matter of them, or to wrap them up in negligence, but either such as can be content to laugh at her majesties destruction, or be blindly led to their own undoing, how fair soever with vain promises they be abused or by other respects their judgements darkened.   

¶ Seine and allowed.   

* Imprinted at London by john Day.