A BRIEF EXAMINATION, OF A CERTAIN PEREMPTORY MENACING AND DISLEAL PETITION PRESENTED, AS IS PRETENDED, TO THE King's most excellent Majesty, By certain Say Papists, calling themselves, The Lay Catholics of England, and now lately Printed, and divulged by a busy companion, called JOHN LECEY.  Epist. Jude, verse 16. 
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts, whose mouths speak proud things, having men's persons in admiration, because of advantage.  
AT LONDON, Printed for William Cotton, and are to be sold at his shop, adjoining to Ludgate. 1606.   

TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, TOBY, BY GOD'S GRACE Bishop of Duresme, his special good Lord.  
THE last Session of the Parliament, my good Lord, I answered a certain petition then divulged and printed by the Masters and teachers of Popish religion: and this, I had well hoped, would have satisfied their disciples and followers, seeing their learned leaders so silent and unable to reply. But I perceive that the common saying now proveth true, That many scholars 
a Cicer. Epist. famil lib. 9 ad varronem.  pass their Masters. For if they had not excelled their teachers in immodesty, they would not have rubbed over that rusty stuff, which their betters are ashamed to bring again upon the stage: and if they had not passed them in boldness and importunity, they would have forborn to importune his Majesty and the state further, in matters formerly, for such grave and important considerations, most worthily rejected. And yet I speak not this, to the intent to clear their masters. For beside that this seemeth a devise of their Masters the Massepriestes and jebusites, that make others to solicit their forlorn cause, Chrysostom homil. 43. op. imperf. in Math. telleth us, that the impiety of the scholars is to be imputed to the masters.  
The argument of both petitions is one in effect, and therefore much more needeth not to be said now then that which is formerly answered to the mass-priests. Yet because all have not seen the former petition and answer, nor understood their gunpowder, and rebellious practices; and these Lay, or rather lame Roman Catholics, seem to stand more upon their loyalty, than the other; I thought it not amiss, after this late discovery of their most horrible treasons, particularly to examine this discourse also, and with marginal Glosses to point to the fooleries of their text, which notwithstanding I would not have all simple papists take, as spoken to themselves. for my meaning was to touch only these Petitioners, and such as subscribe this factious Petition.  
Much ado we have about toleration of popish religion, but we may say, as Saluianus lib. 7. de providentia said sometime in another case: utinam hoc remedium malorum, & non diuturna toleratio. I would this toleration, which they desire, were a remedy of their pretended evils, and not rather a long continued toleration of mischiefs, and that both in the Church and state. For why, I beseech you, may we not so say, seeing nothing can be granted, that is either more derogatory to God's honour, or more prejudicial to the King's majesty and state, as hath in part appeared by this late attempt, and as God willing it shall at large, with most invincible arguments, be demonstrated?  
This my discourse, most reverend Father, I present to your Honour, as a pledge of my love, and an acknowledgement of your Lordship's favours towards me: and the rather, that both your Lordship and all true Christians truly zealous for the cause of true piety, and studious of the safety of their country, may thereby understand, how much it importeth them all to concur in repressing such notorious insolency, & factious courses. These men, they are like the heretics, of whom Irenaeus lib. 5. adverse: haeres. speaketh, which being blind in matters of truth, did contradict their own salvation. Caecutientes circa veritatem, saith he, suae contradicunt saluti. But pious governors will neither neglect the safety of religion & the state, nor of these contentious gainsayer of truth, if they do not wilfully shut their ears to the truth, and their eyes to the light, and carelessly neglect the restraint of the underminers both of the Parliament house, and whole State. Wherefore referring these matters next to God's providence, to the zealous care of our superiors, I commend this work and myself to your Lordship, and your Lordship's prosperous estate, to the favour of the almighty. London, this first of januarie, Anno. 1605.  
Your Lordships, in all pious affection, MATTH: SUTCLIFFE.   

To the Christian Reader.  
I DO not believe, gentle reader, that many lay papists will subscribe this petition, albeit pretended to be framed and exhibited by all of them to the King. It were a matter too saucy, for wise, and civil men to challenge the king of breach of promise, as they do pag. 8: and too presumptuous to rail on religion publicly professed, and the professors thereof, to the King's face, as they do in divers places. Neither do I think, that all are so foolish, as to make themselves pledges and hostages for their mass-priests, suffering such slippery companions to domineer in their houses, to confer with their wives & daughters, to waste their estate, while they have no Counterbond from them, either for the others good behaviour, or their own security. This I am well assured, that what soever is pretended, this petition never came Originally from the heads of lay papists. For neither may such men without licence, read Calvin's Institutions, nor Luther's books, nor other discourses written by men of our side: nor may they take upon them to discourse of Religion, as the Authors of this petition do.  
I would therefore pray the simpler sort of plain meaning Papists, not to take what soever is sharply spoken against the Mass Priests masked under the name of lay papists, and the sole devisers of this petition, and their abherents, the Authors of many treasons and mischiefs, as spoken or meant against themselves, and all seduced simple souls. And against such as so violently run a course against truth, and seek to blow up the King and State: I doubt not, but all indifferent men will esteem my speech moderate, and this kind of dealing most fitting and convenient. What? shall uncircumcised Philistims rail at the people of God, and seek our destruction; and shall not true Christians be permitted liberty to repress their insolency, to countermine their undermining treasons, and freely to defend the truth?  
When themselves do publish their petitions, they may not refuse to have them publicly examined; and no reason have they to complain of wrong, seeing themselves thus handled, when notwithstanding their wicked intentions, they put forth their Apologyes, requests, and discourses into other men's hands, as if they were most loyal and honest men.  
Hitherto they have abused the world with a false pretence of antiquity, and falsely challenged to themselves the name and title of Catholics. They do also before such, as are ignorant of matters of state, stand upon terms of loyalty, and love of their Prince and country. But now that we are so far urged, we shall God willing, make it appear, that their Popish devices are nothing but a pack of novelties lately brought into the Romish church, & that their Religion is full of heresies, impieties and blasphemies: and lastly that divers of their practices are full of Salt peter, and most dangerous to the state: and that their importunate desires are repugnant both to reasons of religion & state, and also to modest and civil carriage.  
My sole request to thee shall be, that thou wouldest be please to compare our answer with the lay papists petition, and to judge according to proofs, We seek for truth, we defend the King's prerogative and state. Let no man therefore shut his eyes against that light, by which we may see truth, nor be careless in matters so nerelye touching the safety of the King and state, neither let any papist be offended with us, while we seek his salvation. Non ideo vobis displiceamus, saith Saint Augustine to certain Donatists, epist. 204. ad Donatum, quia revocamus errantes, & quaerimus perditos. and so we say also to the simple, and abused papists, Let us not displease you, because we seek to call you from your errors, and to gain that which is lost, We do not hate you, as our Countrymen, but we detest your errors, being humorously affected to foreign superstition. In speaking also for common peace and safety we seek your peace. The petitioners say, they are resolved and pretend reason of their resolution. But nothing is more fantastical or foolish, then to resolve upon false suppositions, and to build without firm foundation. neither is any thing more sottish then to seek that, which being granted, would turn to their dishonour and hurt, if not destruction.  
To confirm the weak, and to recall those which go astray we have done our best endeavour: we have also defended the honour of religion, his majesty, and the state, as became us. The rest we refer to god's grace; beseeching him, so to enlighten all christian men's hearts with the knowledge of his eternal truth, that not only the professors of religion may stand firm against the glozing persuasions of seducing and seditions jebusites and mass-priests: but also such, as incline too much to error and superstition, and now seem malcontented, may be gathered into the true Church, and show themselves true subjects, embracing truth and persevering therein to their lives end.   

A BRIEF EXAMINATION, OF The Lay Papists late petition, directed to his royal Majesty. Anno. 1604.  

Chapter 1. The resolution of the petition apologetical of the Lay papists, together with a some of the answer, made unto it.  
COmmonly we see by experience, that excuses going before accusations, do argue a secret confession of the faults of guilty consciences. If nothing else did show it; yet this, and divers other petitions, and Apologies directed by divers Mass priests, and Papists unto his royal majesty, who neither chargeth them, nor proceedeth against them for those matters, which they go about to cover and excuse, do prove it sufficiently. For what reason have they to make so many defences and excuses, if they did not know in their consciences, that there are certain matters, wherewith they deserve to be charged? do the defendants use to make their answers before the accusers exhibit their bills, or articles?  
But suppose their consciences were clear: yet their words do argue plainly, that neither for their faith towards god, nor for their fidelity to his majesty, they stand upright in the common reputation of their countrymen. For if they did, what should they need to publish such Apologies, wherein they pretend to give his Majesty an account of their belief and religion, and a full and ample security and satisfaction of their fidelities and submission? again, if their cause were so clear, why do not Massepriests come forth, and show themselves? and why should the lay Papists be so sparing in giving the King his prerogative, and so lavish in ascribing his right to the Pope? Lastly what meant Percy and his companions, to attempt so bloody an execution, and all papites to pray for the good success of matters designed? To forbear to speak of the quality of their cause, which we shall have more occasion to do hereafter, first we are to understand, what their intention is, in this their Apologetical Epistle, and next what form they keep in their proceed. Their request is first, that penal laws made heretofore against Massepriestes, recusantes, and their abettors, may be either reversed or suspended. And next, that Popish religion and the teachers thereof, may be tolerated upon a certain form of submission. And lastly, that his majesty would be pleased to account Papists for his good subjects, and to suspect the rest. Matters all of very hard digestion, and very difficult to be proved, or granted.  
Yet what dare they not attempt, to obtain a toleration of their wicked abuses? first they threaten the King, Chapter 3: with an intimation of their numbers, forces and intelligences both at home and abroad: not forgetting to brag of their qualities and merits. Next they allege certain reasons of their resolution in popish religion. Thirdly, which to us seemeth very admirable, considering their manifold rebellions and treasons against their princes & countries both in England and elsewhere, and the late horrible treason then in brewing, they stand upon high terms of their loyal carriage and fidelity. Fourthly, albeit the same be without the compass of their apologetical petition, yet they run out into a long accusation of the professors of true religion, therein inuoluing his majesty & the governors of the state, & as it were ridiculously making them to answer, that must be their judges. Lastly they offer a form of submission, & pretend to give us sufficient security for the King's life, & for the preservation of the state of which the first declareth their obedience to be very bare & only voluntary, the second argueth their pride to be insupportable, which undertake to capitulate with the King, and think their word and bond sufficient for the security of such a king and state. But we must understand, that now they were conceiting their horrible treasons, and that they meant to burn their bonds, and the parties to whom they stood obliged, This is the substance of their pleading. For the better garnishing whereof they propose reasons, first of their former silence, & next of the breach of their silence in this petition apologetical: albeit we have just cause to wonder, how they can well speak of silence, when so many of their consorts, have never ceased their babbling and scribbling about this object & how they dare pretend reasons of this petition, that is so devoid of weight, reason, & wisdom, Beside these reasons john Lecey cometh in, with a prologue in commendation of the actors in this Pageant and certain banished Masseprestes stand in the rearward with an epilogue to the Lords of his majesties counsel, accusing them of injustice & hard dealing, which some confess in part to be true. for if they had been justly dealt with all; then had they been executed for their treacherous practices, and felonies, for which divers of them stood by law condemned, and not sent away to rail upon such, as showed mercy and favour to them. And this is the corpse, the devant, derrier, & all the contents of this lame petition apologetical, framed, as is said, by lay Papists, or rather in their names by certain mass-priests. For answer whereof, although no further answer needeth, then that, which already hath been made to their good masters, urging the same things in divers of their libels, discourses and petitions, we purpose by God's grace to hold this course, First it shall be declared, that toleration of false religions is repugnant to rules of religion and holy scripture, and next that it is contrary to all Christian policy and reason. Thirdly that the Papists themselves in places where they command, deny all toleration of other Religions then that which they profess themselves. Furthermore least the Papists might except, that these allegations do nothing concern their cause, it shall be further proved, that popery is a false, idolatrous, heretical, new, and blasphemous religion, and not only enemy to kings and princes, but also grievous to all Christians. Finally, lest any of these petitioners should swell with pride and think, that with his great eloquence he were able either to justify the cause of popish Religion, or to make good his reasons for toleration thereof; we have thought good, not only to gloss the text, but also to examine the prologues, reasons, epilogues, defences, accusations and whole plead of our adversaries throughout their whole apologetical petition, Tu leno haeresis Arrianae saith Lucifer in his apology for Athanasius, cunctos fieri cupis consacrilegos tuos. So we may say of these petitioners, that while, like bawds they set forth the whore of Babylon, & her whorish religion, they seek to make us partakers with them of their sacrilege and impiety. It may be they will complain, that this is no friendly dealing. But as saint Ambrose epist. 27 said of one, non ille tuus hostis, sed tu illius; so we may say of papists, we are not their enemies, but they are ours. Noli accusare, saith Hierome to Ruffinus apolog. 2. & ego cessabo defendere: So say I to these petitioners, forbear to charge us, and we shall willingly forbear to make our defences. Again let them cease to tell us of their Resolution in their profession, and loyalty towards his majesty, and we shall have less cause to detect either their gross ignorance, and foul impieties, abominations, and abuses of their religion, or their undermining treasons and rebellions. In the mean while let them attend, and have patience, while we briefly discover unto them the mysteries of their wicked religion, which so obstinately they will needs profess: and the hollowness and defects of their loyalty, which so boldly they pretend.   

Chapter 2. That the toleration of any false, heretical, or idolatrous religion, is repugnant to reasons of religion, and holy scriptures.  
THE Church and city of God, being built upon the foundations of the Apostles and Prophets, and their doctrine: it is matter sufficient for Christians, that are members of God's church, and citizens of the city of god, to refuse and reject any Religion, if the same be not founded upon holy scriptures, nor taught by the Apostles and Prophets inspired by god's spirit. But if the same prove not only divers and strange, but also contrary to apostolical and prophetical doctrine, and contain not only false and heretical opinions, but also positions and fancies tending to idolatry, and plain impiety; then ought all Christians to abhor and fly from such a wicked religion, and by no means to tolerate those, that either teach it; or profess it, or favour it.  
The law of god, Deuteronom. 13. is very direct and peremptory against false teachers and seducers, that endeavour to draw men to idolatry, or any false religion whatsoever. That prophet saith Moses, or that dreamer of dreams shall be slain because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your god. In this case he doth not permit either the brother to favour his brother, or the father his son or daughter, or the husband his wife, or one friend another. And Deuteron. 29. there shall not be amongst you saith he, man nor woman, nor family, nor tribe, which shall turn his heart this day from the lord our god, to go and serve the gods of these nations. So it appeareth, that both the idolatrous seducers, and such as adhere unto them, and are seduced by them, are to be expelled out of the land, if we mean to insist in the ways of gods commandments, and to avoid his heavy wrath and judgements. Elias 1. Kings 18. condemneth such, as stood indifferent betwixt two religions. How long saith he, do you halt betwixt two? if god be god, follow him: if Baalbe god, follow him. Now what else do they, that are content to wink at the idolatrous mass, and worship of angels, Saints, and dumb images, but join god and Baal together?  
The Prophet David Psal. 16. showeth, what detestation all the children of god ought to have, not only of idolatry, but also of all idolaters and false worshippers. Their offerings of blood saith he, will I not offer, neither make mention of their names with my lips.  
Zephanie 1. the Lord threateneth to punish such, as together with god's worship, tolerate an other religion. I will stretch out mine hand saith he, upon them that worship and swear by the lord, and swear by Malcham.  
Our Saviour Christ, Matth. 18, commandeth such to be reputed and holden as Heathen men and Publicans, that stubbernlye refuse to hear the church, and shall we harbour them, and repute them good christians, that shall profess a religion unheard of in the apostolic and ancient Church? likewise Matthew, 7. He exhorteth his disciples to beware of false prophets, that come unto them in sheps clothing: and Matth 16, to take heed and beware of the leaven of the pharisees & Sadduces Do they not then plainly neglect the exhortations, and commandments of our Lord and saviour Christ, that without punishment suffer such, as bring in the leaven of Popery, or tolerate the exercise of any false religion? saint Paul Galat 5: doth wish them cut of, which did disquiet the church, and Apocalyps. 2. the bishop of Ephesus is commended, For that he could not bear with them that were evil, and because he hated the works of the Nicolaitans. Contrariwise the Bishops of Pergamus, & Thyatyra are reprehended, the first for suffering them, which taught the doctrine of Balaam, the second for suffering the woman jesabel to peaehe, and to deceine gods servants. Do we then think, that god will hold them guiltless, that suffer his church to be disquieted with false teachers, and wink at the Priests of Baal, and their heretical adherents, that abuse Gods servants, with their heretical docttrines?  
The scriptures also teach us, that as god prospered their endeavours, which with servant zeal sought to remove all monuments and relics of idolatry: so nothing succeeded to those, that showed themselves either favourers of false religion, or negligent and cold in maintaining the purity of his service. The angel of the lord judges 2, threatened the Jsraelits, that they should not prevail, because they had made a league with the Canaanites: and do we think, that contracts made with seditious heretics can be either successful, or of long continuance?  
Salomons seat was established so long, as he sought the lord with his whole heart: but giving himself to women, and suffering by their means idolatrous worships to creep into his kingdom, his glory began to decline, and his troubles to increase.  
Asah prospered so long, as he put away the Sodomites, and his father's idols. but when he sought to the Assyrians for help, gods help and favour began to fail him.  
Hezekiah was highly favorued of god, because he took away the high places, and broke down the images. and josiah, as he was greatly loved of god, so was he much commended by men for that he put away the idols, and killed the idolatrous priests that were the maintainers of false Religion.  
Contrariwise, jerobvam, Rehoboam, Abiah, Amaziah, Manasseh, and other kings of judah and Israel, for permitting idolatry were forsaken of god, and continually vexed by their enemies,  
It is a dangerous thing to favour such, as divide themselves from gods Church, & to company with idolaters, and impious perions. Hardly shall a man touch pitch, & not be defiled. Therefore Moses' Numbers 16. speaking of Corah, Dathan & Abiram and their company, exhorteth gods people, to departed from the tents of those wicked men, lest they should perish in all their fiunes. Josuah Chapter 23. threateneth the Israelites: if they shall cleave unto the nations, and make marriages with them, that they shall be a snare and destruction unto them, and a whip on their sides, and thorns in their eyes. Such are the scandals, that arise of tolerating and consorting with wicked companion's. Jehosophat hardly escaped with his life joining in society, and giving aid to the wicked King Ahab, and was sharply reproved for it.  
The 2. Corinthians. 6. teacheth Christians not to company with idolaters or profane persons: what communion saith he, hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? and what part hath the believer with the infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of god with idols?  
saint John in his second Epistle forbiddeth us to communicate with such as bring not Apostolic doctrine, or to salute them, and his reason is very important, He that biddeth such a one god speed, saith he, is partaker of his evil deeds. Seeing then holy scriptures are the canon of faith, we may not think that toleration of false religion can well stand with the rules of faith and religion, being so repugnant to holy scriptures.   

Chapter 3. That connivence and toleration of false religion and heresy, and of the professors thereof, is reproved by the authority both of the Fathers of the Church, and of ancient Christian Emperors.  
WITH the doctrine of scriptures, both the Canons of councils, and writings of the fathers of the Church do also well agree. And with them all the laws of godly Christian emperors do concur. the Canons of the Apostles, c. 11. do pronounce him excommunicate, that prayeth or talketh with an excommunicate person. c. 45. they forbidden clergy men to communicate with heretics. The council of Laodicea c. 31.32. and 33. doth directly condemn communion with heretics, either in marriage or prayer.  
The fourth council of Carthage c. 70. forbiddeth clergy men all feasting and fellowship with heretics and schismatics.  
So zealous likewise have the fathers showed themselves against false teachers, that they have both shunned their company, and disallowed all participation with them, and their followers. Tertullian in Scorpiaco would have such compelled, and not prayed, to do their duty.  
Athanasius de Synodis writing of heretics, spreading their erroneous doctrine, How I pray you (saith he) are they not worthy of all punishments, when they writ such things?  
When impiety beginneth to show itself openly, sayeth Gregory Nazianzen, in orat. pro pace, we ought to resist it as much as we may by sword, fire, or by any other means, lest we be partakers of evil leaven, or consent unto such as he infected with pernicious doctrine. And again, in homil. in dict. euangel. Cut off sayeth he, the Arian impiety, cut off the pernicious error of Sabellius. This I speak to lay men; this I speak to the clergy; and this I speak to the Magistrates. My words fight for the holy trinity shall not have so much efficacy, as thy edict shall, if thou wilt repress such as are infected with pernicious opinions.  
Hierome in cap. 5. epist. ad Galat. showeth, that as soon as the sparks of heresy appear, they must presently be extinguished, and that Arrius in Alexandria was but one little spark, yet because he was not presently oppressed, that the flame arising thereof consumed the whole world.  
Saint Augustine epist. 48. ad Vincentium, proveth, that Christian men are to be forced to embrace truth, both by the example of Paul, that by violent compulsion was converted to Christ, and by these words of the Gospel, compel all that you find to come in. The same father, Epist. 50, ad Bonifacium saith, that Kings then serve god, when they forbidden, and punish with religious severity those things, which are done against the commandments of god. The like sayings and arguments he hath, lib. 2. contra Gaudentij epist. c. 17. and lib. 4. contr. Crescon grammatic. c. 2. & contr. lit. Petil. lib. 2. c. 83.  
To these fathers we may also add the testimonies of Ambrose epist. 32. ad Valentin. imperat. and in orat. ad Auxentium de Basilicis non tradendis, & in Luc. c. 10. of Chrysostome homil. de avaritia, and of. Optate of Milevis contra Parmenian. lib. 3. and of divers others. But what need many proofs in matters so apparent?  
Irenaeus adverse. haeres. lib. 3. c. 3. showeth, how Saint john the Evangelist fled out of the bath, wherein the heretic Cerinthus was, lest it should fall upon him. There he showeth also, how the ancient fathers refused to communicate so much, as in speech with such, as adulterated the truth: Eusebius lib. 7. hist. c. 6. by the authority of Dionysius and Heraclas proveth, that such as converse with heretics are excommunicate.  
The pious Christian Emperors did likewise establish that by law, which the fathers by their doctrine and practise taught. Constantin the great was no sooner settled in his state, but he forbade idolatrous sacrifices, & caused idols to be defaced and demolished, as is testified by Eusebius in divers places of his books de vita Constantini. Augustine lib 1. contr, Parmen. c. 7. and contra Petil. lib. 2. c. 92. testifieth, that he disabled heretics tomake any testaments. Eusebius de vita Constantini lib. 3. c. 62. & 63. declareth, that he prohibited the exercise of all heretical religions, and held heretics and sectaries to be no better, than traitors to himself, and enemies to truth.  
The Emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius l. 1. Cod de sum. trinit. & fid, Cath. command all their people to embrace one religion, the some whereof they do set down in form of a law. and in the law omnens. C. de haereticis. they command all heresies to keep silence. omnes vetitae legibus divinis & imperialibus constitutionibus haereses, say they, perpetuò quiescant.  
Arcadius and Honorius, as appeareth by the law. Cuncti. C. de haeret. & Manich. took away all churches from heretics, lest they should teach or do the exercises of their false religion in them.  
Theodosius the younger and Valentinian his consort, made divers laws against heretics, as we may read in Codice Theodosiano. The like course was held by Martianus and justinian, as is evidently declared by their laws yet extant in the Code and novels.  
Finally, if at any time Christian Emperors grew cold, either in setting forth the true faith, or in punishing or suppressing errors; then we find that the ancient fathers failed not both to admonish them of their duty, and to reprehend them for their slackness.   

Chapter 4. That to admit the exercise of false religions formerly forbidden, is contrary both to christian policy, and reason.  
THE gentiles by the light of reason perceived, that religion was not lightly to be changed and god doth therein tax his people by his prophet, that they were more easily induced to change the everliving god, than the Heathen nations were to change their gods. They considered, that there was but one truth, & constantly believed, that their religion was true. This was the reason why the Romans did so violently persecute the primitive christians, and refused the superstitious rites of Bacchanalia, which privily began to creep in among the people.  
But Christians proceed upon better grounds of policy in prohibiting the exercise of all false religions. For first they consider, that the wrath of god is revealed from heaven against such, as withhold the truth in unrighteousness. But who do herein offend more grievously than they, which either grant liberty to false teachers, or wink at the exercises of a wicked and false Religion? do not they manifestly give way to errors and stop the course of truth?  
Secondly they know, well that god despiseth those, which despise him, as we read, 1. Samuel. 2. and that he casteth such out of his favour, as are neither hot nor cold. If then such as regard not to see god rightly served, rest despised, and lukewarm professors are rejected: how will it go with such, as are cold in setting forth true Religion, and care not what false doctrines are stirring abroad in the world?  
Thirdly they understand the grievous threatenings of the law against all idolatrous & false worship of god. I am a jealous god saith the Lord, and will visit the sin of the Fathers upon the Children to the third and fourth generation of those, that hate me.  
Fourthly as there is but one god, so they know, that there is but one true religion. Christian policy therefore may teach them to admit no religion, but that, which is founded upon the writings of the Apostles and Prophets, and which they are resolved is most true.  
Fiftly diversities of religions breed distractions of men's minds and divers seditious stirs, and tumults, as the leagues of France, and practices of the pope's agentes in France, Flanders, England, Scotland, Germany and other countries do declare. of late the Papists seeking to replant their superstition in England, went about to set the land on a flame, and to drown true religion in blood. But wise politics are by all means to root out these seeds of Civil dissension.  
Sixtly all changes in matters of state are dangerous. But admit a false and erroneous religion, where nothing but the true faith hath been professed. & then no doubt but the change will be great.  
Finally nothing is more absurd, then to change laws with out cause, and to admit a religion condemned by laws, and to restore such as are condemned by the state. For that is rather a subversion, than an alteration both of laws and state. If then we respected nothing but the danger of state in the mutation of religion; yet would all politic and wise men be well advised how they admitted a new and false religion contrary to that which hath formerly been received by the state.   

Chap. 5. That toleration of diverse religions is contrary to the doctrine and practice of Papists.  
BUT where the Pope and his adherents may fit as judges, little reasoning may serve, to persuade them to dislike of toleration of divers religions. For not only their doctrine, but also their long continued practice condemneth it. in the Chapter ad abolendam de haereticis, They adjudge them Heretics that descent from the Romish church in the doctrine of the sacraments, and such both by ecclesiastical, and by civil laws they persecute to the death. Nay oftentimes without form & colour of law, they massacre them, empoyson them, & by all means seek to root out the race & memory of them out of the earth. Their goods they confiscate, their livings they take away, their bodies they burn, and although malice doth oftentimes end with death, yet such as are of a contrary religion, & all those that favour them, they persecute both alive and dead, killing those whom they can overcome, and cursing whom they cannot kill. In France they massacred many thousands without form of law, and gladly would they have massacred us in England, if their treasons had not been discovered.  
Bellarmine lib. de laicis, C. 18. determineth, that it is not lawful for any magistrate or prince to grant liberty of conscience, or toleration of religion to his subjects. He saith further, that he ought to defend one only religion with all his force. Non licet ulli magistratum vel principi saith he, conscientiae libertatem, seu pacem religionis subditis suis concedere, sed unam tantum religionem sum ma vi defendere tenetur.  
Possevin his consort lib. 1 select biblioth., 2.6, doth not only deliver the fame doctrine, but also showeth reasons, why two religions may not in one state be tolerated. first he saith it is a devilish invention. 2. that it is contrary to god's ordinance. 3 that it repugneth against the law of nature. 4. it is contrary to the substance and property of the christian faith. 5. that it taketh away the truth and certainty of christian religion. 6. that it taketh away the certainty of gods devire worship and of the Church: 7, that it taketh away christian discipline. 8. that it cutteth asunder the unit ye of the church. 9 that it is contrary to the word of god. 10. that it is repugnant to the practice of the Primitive church, the authority of fathers, and laws of christian Emperors. and finally that it provoketh the wrath of God against the Authors of it.  
Neither need we to make any question of the practice of Papists in this behalf, if we look anto the actions of the pope and his bloody Jnquisitories. In Italy they tolerate no religion contrary to Popery. in Spain they persecute such christians with fire and sword, as are contrary to their faction.  
In the Low countries the cause of troubles proceeded principally from hence, for that the people would not admit the bloody inquisition of Spain, that was thought to be the fittest means to rooote out all religions but one.  
Although then papists now think it no inconvenience in England to tolerate divers Religions, and to admit another religion then that, which is already received, and stick not in plain terms to say so yet it is apparent, that they speak against their conscience, and that they contradict their own doctrine and practice.   

Chapter. 6. That Popery is a false, and erroneous religion.  
I Might, if I list, enlarge the former discourse, with divers other reasons against toleration of divers religions. but what should further demonstrations need to prove that, which no papist will, as I think, deny? let us therefore show, because these apologetical petitioners stand much upon the truth and honesty of their religion, that beside the former general reasons, there are divers other particular matters to be objected against popish religion, every one sufficient to cross their desires. For first it is a false and erroneous religion. Next the same is superstitious and idolatrous. Thirdly it is, composed of divers heretical positions. Fourthly it is a pack of novelties. fiftly it containeth divers doctrines full of Blasphemies. Sixtly it is enemy to kings, and grievous to their subjects. Lastly it containeth many points of doctrine condemned by the adversaries themselves: and alloweth divers practices disliked by all nations.  
That Popery is a religion false and erroneous, we prove first by the falsehood of the grounds thereof, and next by the erroneous positions and doctrines, whereof it is composed. Stapleton in his book entitled, principia doctrinalia, doth deliver unto us. 7. grounds or principles of popish religion. The first is the church of Rome, the second is The Pope. the third the means used by the Pope in judgement, the 4. the Pope's infallible judgement in causes of controversy. the fist his power in taxing or consiguing the canon of holy scriptures. the sixth his certain interpretation, when he expoundeth scriptures. the seventh the churches or pope's power, in delivering doctrine not written. The which grounds, as they are defective, not mentioning the canon of scriptures, as a ground of faith, nor reputing the decrees of counsels, and writings of Fathers to be any matter of moment deserving to be placed among the principles of our adversaries faith: so they are most absurd and false. For first how can the church of Rome be a principle or foundation to itself? and again why should the Church of Rome, where Peter taught be more a foundation or principle, than the Church of Jerusalem, where our saviour Christ himself taught and suffered? the apostle Rom. 11. doth threaten the Romans, and signify that the Roman church was a branch, that might be cut of. And Saint John Appocalyps. 17. showeth, that the whore of Babylon, which was a figure of Antichrist, should have her seat in Rome.  
Secondly the Pope's doctrine is notoriously declared to be erroneous, and that in many material points, as for example in the questions about the law, the sacraments, transubstantiation, the government of the Church, and divers other important points. But were it not a matter already known and resolved; that the Pope cannot be supreme judge in matters of religion; yet the papists have no reason to think, that a blind man can judge of colours, or an ignorant man of Artes. Furthermore the pope hath no greater privilege, than the high priest of the law, Yet he erred in condemning Christ and his doctrine. Lastly both the father's show, that divers bishops of Rome have been Herreticks, as Liberius and Honorius: and Adrian the. 6. in his book de sacrament. c. de confirmat. confesseth, that the pope may determine falsely by his decretal.  
Thirdly it is ridiculous to trust to the pope's means in judgement, when he understandeth neither counsels, nor useth any good means to know the truth. Nay we know, whatsoever means are pretended, that the pope either runneth upon his own head, or followeth a few carnal cardinals, or contentious friars.  
Fourthly it is a blockish thing, to distinguish the Pope from his judgement. For so the pope should be found to be without judgement, & judgement without the pope. That this judgement is not infallible, we gather infallibly out of his manifold erroneous doctrine & judgement. The same appeareth also by his false decretals, and the variation of the pope's judgement.  
Fiftly the scriptures being consigned by god, and delivered to the church by the prophets and Apostles, need no new consignation, nor taxation of the pope. Nay very absurd it were, if laws receiving their strength from the governors, the scriptures should not be authentical without the approbation of the pope, who for the most part understandeth no scriptures, nor hath skill to read them in their original tongues.  
Sixtly the Pope is for the most part ignorant both of the sense of scriptures, & of the principal points of religion, having studied neither. And very ridiculous it is, after plain words of scriptures, and exposition of counsels and fathers, to run to the pope for resolution.  
Finally the resolution of matters of faith dependeth not upon the determination of the pope, or his adherentes, who are departed from the faith, but upon the word of god, that in matters of salvation is plain, and better expounded by the learned, and by ancient fathers, then by partial Popes and their adherentes. Stapletones' grounds therefore are false and erroneous. Neither are the principles delivered by others more certain.  
The conventicle of Trent sess. 4. doth seem to found the faith of the Church partly upon scriptures, and partly upon unwritten traditions. But first the same alloweth no scriptures authentical, but such as are found in the old latin of the bible which in many points digresseth from the original books, and is much inferior unto them.  
Secondly they allow no interpretations of scriptures, but such as are consonant to the doctrine of the church of Rome. which in matters of controversy are most perverse, erroneous and absurd, as may appear by divers particulars in the survey of popery.  
Thirdly they make the books of Tobiah, judith, Ecclesiastieus, Wisdom and Machabies, together with certain fragments not found in the original books of the old testament, equal to other scriptures always reputed canonical; the which is reproved by the common consent of ancient fathers, and seemeth repugnant to reason.  
Fourthly under colour of traditions they thrust upon the Church, not only divers Fables, and superstitious toys, but also a great part of the errors of the church of Rome. Finally they talk of Apostolical and Ecclesiastical traditions, and yet can not certainly derive them, either from the Apostles, or from the Ancient catholic Church. These foundations, therefore are ruinous, and rather serve to prove the erroncous doctrine of Antichrist, than the faith of Christ jesus.  
Canus in his book de locis theolog. among his principal grounds and proofs of christian religion, reckoneth, not only the acts of Counsels and writings of the fathers, but also the authority of schoolmen and canonists of profane writers, and of human reason, yea of the pope's, and modern church of Rome. Now what I beseech you, is more uncertain, then to rely upon the uncertain acts of counsels, and connterfact writings set out under the name of fathers?  
Again what is is more unreasonable, then to bring forth the pope & his complices for witnesses or judges in their own cause? Lex dei saith Athanasius, Apolog 2. inimicum, ne que testen ne que judicem esse vult. the law of God admitteth not our enemies to be either judges or witnesses.  
Finally natural reason is blind in the cause of true religion. & profane men writ profanely. These grounds therefore, as they are faulty, cannot serve for immovable grounds of the christian faith.  
Commonly all papists do build their faith, not so much upon holy scriptures, as upon unwritten traditions, popish decretals, lying miracles, feigned visions, & the Romish churches Practise. But their miracles and revelations have for the most part no better authority, then from the forged and lying legends of saints. the falshhood of their decretals and traditions is declared by the writings of ancient fathers. the practice of the modern Church, is contrary to the apostolic and catholic church of old time. For in that Church we neither find any universal pope with triple crown & guard of Swizzars, nor any Romish mass, nor popish indulgences or purgatory, or such like trash.  
Upon these false and erroneous grounds it is no marvel, if they have framed to themselves a most false and erroneous religion, as may appear by these particulars. Concerning scriptures they teach, that they are no perfect canon of our faith. and next that they are not authentical to us, unless they be consigned and delivered to us by the Pope, and his adherents. Thirdly they say that the Latin translation is authentical, which they do not affirm of the original books. Fourthly they say, they are obscure and hurtful.  
lastly they permit them not to be read publicly in tongues understood of the multitude. But the Apostle 2. Tim. 3. saith, They are able to make the man of God perfit, and none but heretics, as we may read in Ireneus, ever accused them of insufficiency. Secondly as laws, so scriptures have received their strength from the author of them, that is from the holy ghost. And those are very absurd, that do believe the Pope speaking in his decretals, and will not believe God speaking in holy scriptures. Thirdly all the fathers prefer the original books of scripture before the translations. Fourthly the word of god in scriptures, is called light, and the food of the soul. Who then that is not led by the spirit of Satan, can repute them obscure or hurtful? Lastly never was it taught or heard in ancient times, that scriptures were publicly red in tongues not understood.  
Secondly they give to Christ in the sacrament a body, neither felt nor seen, nor any way like to our bodies. For what man I beseech you, ever had a body, that was in many places at once, and yet filleth no place? they hold also that being in his mother's womb, he was vir perfectus, that is a grown man; and that, as man, he was omniscient and knew all things. His office of mediatorship they communicate unto the virgin Marie and other saints, and to Angels, and sometime stick not to call saints their redeemers, as Bellarmine in his first book de iudulgentijs confesseth. To make a treasure of indulgences they mix the merits of Christ and his saints together, as if Christ's merits were insufficient. Their Massepriests, as they say, are after the order of Melchisedech. Finally, they make them mediators for Christ's body, as these words of the Mass declare, suscipe hanc oblationem etc. and again, supra quae propitio & sereno vultu respicere digneris. That is, receive this oblation, viz. of Christ's body and blood. And again, Look upon it with a fanourable and serene countenance, Of which doctrines no one is true, and divers are blasphemous and impious.  
Thirdly they say, the Pope is saint Peter's successor, and Christ's Vicar, albeit he neither teach the gospel, nor administer the Sacraments, nor resemble them almost in any thing. Him also they make the head spouse and foundation of the universal church, albeit he can show grant for none of these prerogatives. They teach further, that he is above general counsels, and hath power to depose kings, and that his laws bind men's consciences. but such doctrines are not only erroneous but also absurd.  
Fourthly they cast out of the catholic church all, that profess not their faith, although elect to life, and contrariwise, make reprobate persons, heretics, and wiched men professing the Romish faith, and communicating with the romish church true members of christs body: they hold also that the catholic church is always so visible, that every man may see it and discern it. Finally they shut the catholic church within the limits of the Romish church. Matters repugnant to holy scriptures, and no way agreeing with the nature of the true, catholic and apostolic church, nor very well with reason.  
Fiftly most falsely they teach, that the Pope only hath power to confirm general councils, and that no man else aught to summon them, and praeside in them. They hold also, that the conventicles of Laterane, Constance, Florence and Trent, are comparable to the four first general councils.  
Sixtly they make their followers believe, that the modern church of Rome differeth not from the ancient Roman Church, and that the same is guided by god's spirit, and cannot err. But their erroneous doctrine different from that which S. Paul taught the Romans declareth the contrary.  
7. Commonly they take to themselves the name of Catholics yet their doctrine of the mass, of their half communions, adoration of the sacrament, merits of congruity and condignity, of Popish indulgences, worship of images, and such like was never received of the Christians of all times and places.  
8. Parsons in his book of 3. conversions, giveth out, that Saint Peter and Eleutherus did teach the modern Roman faith, to the ancient Britoneses, and Austen the monk to ancient Saxons. But he faileth in his proofs, and with a hard and bare face telleth nothing, but bare and improbable lies.  
9 They teach their followers to worship saints, and to say Masses in their honour, and to go on pilgrimage, and to offer to them, and confirm the same with false and counterfeit tales of Saint George, Christina, Catherine, Margaret, Dorothy, and such like legends; confirming false doctrines with false tales.  
10. Their doctrine of 7. Sacraments is most false. For no where can they show where Christ instituted either the form or matter of all these sacraments, or promised grace and justification to all these sacraments.  
11. Falsely and dishonourably they teach, that brute beasts eating the sacrament, eat also Christ's body.  
12. Christ said take and eat, they say to their priests in effect, lift and offer, and to the people, gape and gaze.  
13. They teach their followers to make graven images, and to worship them. yet god in his law expressly forbade the worship of them.  
14. God commanded his people to swear by his name. they teach their disciples to swear by Saints and other creatures.  
15. Falsely they teach subjects to rebel against their Princes excommunicate by the Pope, and that the Pope hath power to assoil them from their allegiance, a doctrine false and seditious.  
16. They teach, that concupiscence in the regeneras, is no sin, and that the virgin Mary was not conceived in sin. Which holy scriptures condemn as crroneous.  
17. The state of perfection they place in the vows of monks and friars, as if their rules contained more perfection, than the gospel.  
18. Their justification they place partly in charity, partly in their own works, and hope thereby to merit heaven. but the law pronounceth them accursed, that abide not in all the words of the law to do them.  
19 Charity, they say, is the form of faith; and nothing else but the grace of God. But this utterly destroyeth grace.  
20. They doubt not, but that they are able to satisfy for all sins committed after baptism. but true christians believe, that by Christ's stripes they are healed.  
Finally all those doctrines, which the papists teach contrary to the faith of the church of England, are false and erroneous: as is demonstrated in divers ample treatises published against them.   

Chapter 7. That Popery is an heathenish and idolatrous religion.  
IF we had no other exception against popery; yet this one is sufficient to exclude it out of all Christian Churches and common wealths, that it is a religion blotted with most gross and heathenish idolatry. A matter displeasing to god, offensive to true Christians, and most repugnant to the christian faith, God in his law Exod. 20. denounceth grievous punishments against this sin. Tertullian in lib. de idololatria calleth it a principal crime, and the whole cause of god's judgement. Idololatria saith he, principale crimen geveris humani, summus seculi reatus, tota causaiudicij. If then the Mass priests and their followers be guilty of this sin; how will they be able to answer, either before god, or man? But of this crime we doubt not, but plainly, to convince them. For first in the canon of the Mass both the priest and people are taught to bow themselves, and to give divine worship to the sacrament Alan. de sacrify. Eucharist. c. 41. and Bristol in his 26. motive and other papists do call the sacrament their Lord and god. but to give gods honour to any thing but god, is plain idolatry Either therefore must they prove, that the sacrament is god, by hypostatical union, as Allen confesseth very impiously & falsely, or it will be an easy matter to prove them idolaters.  
2 Secondly the papists confess, that Latria. or the honour properly due to god is due also to the cross, and crucifix, and images of the trinity. This is the doctrine of Thomas Aqwinas, and all his followers. But it leaveth these idolaters without excuse. For how can they defend their doctrine, unless they will deny these crosses, crucifixes and images to be creatures? 3 Thirdly they make vows to saints & angels, and in their public liturgies call upon them. They do also swear by them, & publicly confess their sins unto them, joining them in rank with god almighty. But to communicate these honours to creatures is nothing else, but to make them gods, and themselves idolaters. Bellarmine lib. 1. de cultu sanctorum. c. 9 blusheth not, to make them gods by participation. But herein he doth participate with the idolatrous gentiles.  
4 Fourthly they make an idol of the Pope, giving unto him the honours and titles, that are properly due unto Christ, and making him the head spouse, and foundation of the catholic Church: In the chapter satis dist. 96. He is expressly called God, and that he is rightly so called Augustine Steuchus in his defence of the pretended donation of Constantine doth acknowledge. In the gloss in. c. cum inter, extr. joan. 22 de verbor signif. He is impiously called Lord and god. Baldus in l. vlt. c scent. rescind. and Felin in c. ego N. de iure iurando. do give him the name of a god on the earth. Finally his followers fall down before him, and worship him, as god. Now what is idolatry else, but to advance a creature above his rank, and to give him divine titles and honours?  
5. Fiftly it is idolatry to make graven images, and to worship them. For that is apparent by the words of the second commandment, that is specially directed against idolatry. But the papists make graven images and worship them. Nay they worship them no otherwise, than the gentiles did their idols. Both gentiles and papists pray before them, both offer incense unto them, both do think to honour the memory of the dead in erecting images to them, why then should not this be reputed idolatry, as well in the papists, as in the gentiles? verily if we do rightly esteem of matters, we shall find, that papists do more slavishly serve their idols, than the He then did their idols, going in pilgrimage to them, kissing them & crouching unto them, and setting up lights before them.  
6. They make the images of god the father, & god the holy ghost & of the trinity, & give them divine honour. But to worship false images as these are, the papists themselves confess to be idolatrous. It is manifest idolatry also to give gods honour or latria to creatures.  
7. Every day of the week the papists make new gods of the altar, & often they make new crucifixes. The Pope also canonizeth at his pleasure new saints. But god by his prophet psal. 81 forbiddeth the having of new & strange gods, as idolatrous. they deny percase, that they esteem them as Gods. But what can vain pretences avail, when we see they communicate gods honuor to these creatures?  
8. The holy scriptures Amos 5. and act. 7. condomn them for idolaters, that worshipped and served the host of heaven. But papists worship angels & saints, & the court & host of heaven; & serve them religiously. Nay they are so far from acknowledging their error herein, that they contend, that dulias, or service is due unto them.  
9 The gentiles are condemned as idolaters psal. 114. for that they worshipped images of silver and gold, and the work of men's hands. What excuse then can the Papists allege for themselves. that they pass not the condemnation, worshipping gods both of metal and stone, and falling down before the works of their own hands?  
10 The apostle 1, Cor. 10. saith the gentiles offered sacrifices to devils, and the reason is, for that they offered them in honour of men, and without warrant, translating gods honour to creatures. are not the papists then ashamed of their masses, that are no better, than sacrifices to devils being offered in honour of men, and to the dishonour of Christ, and christian Religion?  
11 The Prophet Hieremie. c. 7, taxeth them as idolaters, that built high places in the honour of god, being never commanded by god so to do. there also the idolatry of those is reproved, that made vows to the Queen of heaven, and served her. This reproof therefore is much rather deserved by the Papists, which build high places and altars to men, and without warrant serve our Lady, whom they call the Queen of heaven, making more prayers and vows to her, then to God.  
12 In the Book of Baruch, c. 6. the Babylonians are reputed idolaters, for that they carried their Gods of gold, silver and stone upon their shoulders: and adorned them with costly apparel, and worshipped them. Why then should the Romanists deny themselves to be idolaters, that carry their idols in procession, and adorn them with costly apparel and jewels, and kiss them, as their delights?  
13 The idolatrous Jews are noted Hierem. 2 for saying to a stock thou art my father. & to a stone, thou hast begotten me. and yet the senseless papists say to stocks and stones, Pater noster, and to a wooden crucifix thou hast redeemed me, as Bellarmine lib. 2, de cult. sanct. c, 23. confesseth.  
14, S. john 1, epist. 5, where he warneth Christians, to keep themselves a simulacris, that is from images or similitudes set up to be worshipped, doth signify, that papists worshipping such images decline to the customs of the gentiles.  
15. The Israelites confess their sin, judges 10. in worshipping Baalim, or the images of god. Happy were the Papists, if they would likewise acknowledge their sin in worshipping molten and graven images, both of god, and of creatures. their idolatry is no less grievous, then that of the Israelits.  
16. The worship of angels by the council of Laodicea c. 35 is termed idolatrous, and by Hierome in epist ad Riparium, & by other fathers in express terms hath been condemned. The same is also flatly forbidden coloss. 2, and Apocalyps. 22. do not the papists then worshipping angels, fall within the compass of this prohibition, and of the crime of idolatry?  
17 The jews 2. paral. 30: are taxed for offering incense to idols, &, 2 King. 18. to the brazen serpent, & Marcellina noted as an idolatrous heretic for burning incense to images. neither did the Heathen Emperors require more at the hands of Christians, than sacrifice to incense before the statues. And yet the papists when they have offered incense to their images, wipe their mouths, and suppose they have committed no idolatry. But they are as blind as the images, which they worship.  
18. To sacrifice in honour of creatures is idolatry, for that is an honour due to God only, as the papists themselves confess. But Papists do offer sacrifice in honour of Saints, as the prayers of the Mass do declare. They give them also the sacrifice of prayers. are they not then gross idolaters?  
19 Tertullian lib. de idololatr, doth show us, that the worship of images and similitudes is idolatry. Omnis forma aut formula idolum se dici exposcit, inde idololatria omnis circa omne idolum famulatus & servitus. Every form or small image saith he, aught to be called an idol. and thence it cometh to pass, that idolatry is the worship or service bestowed upon every idol, Again speaking to idolaters: qui seruitis lapidibus, saith he, & qui imagines facitis aureas & argenteas, & line as & lapideas. You which serve stones, and which make images of gold and silver, of wood and stone.  
20. S. Ambrose de obit. Theodosijs saith, that Helen finding the cross of the Lord did adore her King, and not the wood. Forasmuch as that was the error of the gentiles. The papists therefore worshipping wooden crosses, run into the error of the idolatrous gentiles.  
21. Epiphanius haeres. 79. affirmeth, that the diabolical invention of images hath adulterated the service of god, and brought in spiritual fornications. The same father did also tear a vail, wherein either Christ or some saint was painted, and thought it no fit thing to hang in the church. doth he not then overthrow and condemn the common practice of papists?  
22. The fathers of the council of Francforde under Charles the great say, that the cause why they refused to worship and adore images was, lest they should prove idols. which argueth that images worshipped are nothing else but idols.  
23. Tertullian de prescript. adverse. haeret. and Hierome in Abacuc c. 2. teach us, that heresy is a kind of idolatry. Who then can deny but that papists maintaining so many heresies, are also guilty of gross idolatry?  
24. Reason doth also convince the Papists to be idolaters. For what more reasonable, then that such as worship idols should be reputed idolaters? further, idolatry is nothing else, but the translation of gods honour to creatures. Thirdly an image worshipped religiously is nothing, but an idol. Tertullian lib. de idololat. defineth an rdole to be nothing else, buta little form or image. Finally why should not they be coudemned to be idolaters, that do the same things, for which the gentiles were condemned as idolaters? But the papists by worshipping images make them idols. They translate gods honour to the sacrament, to crosses, to the Virgin Marie, to the images of the Trinity. They deny not, that they worship images for religion sake. they carry about their images, kiss them, pray before them burn incense to them, as did the gentiles.  
25. Finally the papists by their own confession are proved idolaters. Bellarmine lib. 2. de imag inib. c. 5. saith, that an idol is a false similitude, and representeth that, which is not. But Papists do worship the false similitudes of God the Father, God the holy ghost, and of the Trinity. Likewise they worship the images of Saint George, that killed the dragon, of Dunstane, that took the devil by the nose, of Catherine, Christopher, & diverse saints that either never were in the world, or are falsely represented, and belied.  
They confess also, that it is idolatry to give latrian, or divine honour to creatures But this honour they give to the Crucifix, to the images of the trinity, and to the sacrament. As is showed before.  
Furthermore their consciences inwardly accusing them of idolatry, they have blotted out the 2. commandment against the worship of graven images and other similitudes out of their primers, and short Catechisms: and very slenderly do their divines touch the sore of idolatry. Many exceptions, I confess they make, and excuse themselves, as well as they can, of this heinous crime. But their excuses are unsufficient, and for the most part, common to the Heathen idolaters with them. They say first, they put no trust in images. But such as offered incense to statues were reputed idolaters, albeit they trusted not in them. Beside that they speak most untruly. For never did the gentiles trust so much in the images of jupiter, Apollo, Aesculapius, juno. Diana, and other Heathen Gods, as the Papists do in the images of our lady of Loreto, of Monserrat, of Sichem of Saint james of Compostella, of the Crucifix of Burgos in Spain and Mantua in Italy. but did they not trust in images; the heathen could answer so also.  
Bellarmine lib. de imaginibus teacheth his disciples, that images are not worshipped with latria per se & propriè, that is, for themselves, and properly. But what saith he, that the gentiles could not aswell allege for themselves, as the papists?  
Finally they answer, that they do not worship images, as Gods. But the same pretence was also brought in time past, by the Heathen idolaters, as we may read in Lactantius lib. 2. instit. divin. c. 2. and in the commentaries upon the Psalms set out under the name of S. Augustine in Psal. 113.  
Should then Christians admit a religion, that is corrupted with so gross idolatry? nay rather we are by all means to repress the exercise of it, lest God's wrath fall upon us being careless of his dishonour, and negligent in performing his true service.   

Chapter 8. That Popery is are ligion, composed of old and new heresies.  
THat which our saviour Christ said of the Scribes and pharisees Matth. 23. with far better reason may be said of the Pope and his complices. For while they are still quarrelling with Christians, which will not yield to their Pharisaical traditions, they err themselves in more weighty points of Christian doctrine, and receive divers olld and new heresies for sound doctrine, and seeming to strain a gnat, swallow down camels.  

1. With the pharisees they glory in the law, and seek to be justified by the works thereof, although the Apostle Rom. 2. and Galat. 2. do teach contrary.  
2. The pharisees made void the law of God by their own traditions, as our Saviour chargeth them. Marc. 7. and do not the Pope and his complices likewise, making and worshipping graven images, dispensing with oaths, killing innocent christians without form of justice, maintaining public stews, & divers 〈◊〉 excesses?  
3. Epiphanius haeres. 16. ante Christum reputeth the pharisees heretics, for that they were separated from others, and received a voluntary and superfluous religion. How then can monks and friars being herein culpable, clear themselves from heresy.  
4. The Scribes are enroled among heretics by Epiphanius, haeres. 15. ante Christum, for their supersophisticall exposition of the law, and their often washings, and affectate holiness. But the Pope's factors and Friars do far pass them in all these things.  
5. The Hemerobaptists by Epiphanius haeres. 15. ante Christum are reputed heretics for their often washings. Why then not the papists, that daily and sometimes hourly wash themselves with holy water.  
6. The Dositheans spared not their bodies. But for this, and for affecting praise for their virginity, they were reputed heretics by Epiphanius. should not then the jebusites and others, that whip themselves and affect virginity, be kalendred in the same order?  
7. With the Capernaits the Massepriests expound Christ's words of eating his flesh and drinking his blood carnally. are they not then both to be ranged among heretics?  
8. With Simon Magus the Pope and his followers think it no sin to buy and sell the graces of the holy ghost, and other spiritual things. the followers both of Simon Magus and of the pope worship images, and use common women.  
9 Jrenaeus lib, 1. adverse. haeres. c. 23, rangeth the Basilidians among heretics, for that they used images, enchantments, and divers, exorcizations. and yet they could not conjure bread and wine out of the sacrament, as the papists suppose they do by their enchantments, the Papists do also exorcize water, salt, and spirits as they say.  
10 Carpocrates for the worship of images is reputed an heretic by Irenaeus lib. 1. adverse. haeres. c. 24. and Marcellina for burning incense to images, and adoring them, as Saint Augustine testifieth de haeres. c. 7. the papists therefore dung the same things cannot escape the like censure.  
11. The Carpocratians and Basilidians were accounted heretics for concealing and hiding the Mysteries of their religion, least holy things should be cast to dogs, as is testified by Irenaeus lib. 1. adverse. haeres. c. 23 and Epiphanius haeres. 24. and. 27. they are then simple, that repute the papists catholics, doing the same things, and using the same reasons with these heretics.  
12 The Marcosians did baptize in a strange language, as Epiphanius testifieth haeres. 34. Irenaeus lib. 1. adverse. haeres. c. 18. showeth, that they greased such as they baptized, and that they used to give their followers dying, extreme unction, Epiphanius saith that Marcus brought in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or transubstantiation in the Eucharist, and that his followers accounted themselves perfect. how then can we account the papists catholics, that have borrowed from Marcus and his followers so many branches of their heresies?  
13. The Nazarites stand condemned as heretics for mingling jewish Ceremonies with Christian religion, as we read in in Augustine de haeres. c. 9 and Epiphanius haeres. 29. It is an easy matter therefore to judge in what terms the papists stand, that consecrate paschal lambs, and in their sacrifice use so many jewish observances.  
14. The Heracleonites gave their followers extreme unction, as we may read in Augustine de haeres. 16. and Epiphanius hae. res. 36. it appeareth also, that in this ceremony they used a strange language, and for proof brought the words of saint james the 5. where he speaketh of annoyting the sick. who then seethe not, that popish extreme unction doth savour of this he resy?  
15. From the followers gf Helzai and the Heretics called Osseni the papists have learned to swear by bread and Salt, and to worship spittle and rags, and to pray in a strange language for this was not done by catholics, but by these heretics, as we way read in Epiphanius haeres. 19 ante Christum,  
16. With the Marcionists the Papists separate marriages for religion, and teach, that Christ fetched souls out of hell. For that was doctrine first taught by the Marcionistes, as Epiphanius signifieth haeres. 42.  
17 Both papists & Messalians believe, that baptism cutteth away only former sins, and in their prayers hope to be heard for their much babbling.  
18 The Angelicks were condemned for worshipping Angels, and praying to them, as we read in the commentaries of Theodoret in Coloss. 3. and in Augustine de haeres. c. 39 Epiphanius haeres. 38. doth condenn the Casans for invocating both good and bad angels. Tertullian also in his book de prascript. adverse, haeret condemneth them that serve angelt. do the papists than think it catholic religion, to worship and serve Angels, and to call upon them?  
19 As the papists do prove their religion by forged miracles and lies, so did the Severians, which therefore were ranged among heretics by Saiut Augustine de haeresib. c. 24.  
20 The Papists c. proposuists. dist. 82. call marriage fleshly pollutions, and say, that married folks live in the flesh, and and cannot please god. But for the like doctrine the Tatians and Encratites were adjudged heretics.  
21 As the Manicheys condemned marriage in their priests called electi, & abstained from the cup in the Eucharist, & gave to christ a body extended to divers places, and not , so do papists.  
22 Montanus first brought in laws of fasting, and extolled unwritten traditions, and was author of oblations for the dead. The first is proved by the testimony of Apollonius in Eusebius his history. The last two points are made evident by Tertullian following Montanus his heresy, and deriving them from his Paracletus in his book de corona militis. Why then should not papists offending in the same points be reputed Montanists?  
23 Further I have showed in my late survey of Popery chap. 8. that as the pepuzians, honoured Pepuza, so the Papists honour Rome, that with the Catharists they hold, that a man may perform the law perfectly, and brag of their purity & perfection, that with the I acobites and Armenians they make the images of God the father and the holy ghost, that with the Staurolatrians & Chazinzarians they worship the cross, that with the Collyridians they worship the virgin Mary and offer consecrated hosts in her honour, that with the Circumcellions they murder such, as are opposite to their faction, that which the Priscillianists they perjure themselves, and teach aequiuocating perjury, that with the Eutychianistes they give Christ a body without just dimensions, or circumscription, that with the Pelagians they extol the force of free will, and diminish the praise of god's grace, that with the here ticks mentioned by Jrenaeus they accuse scriptures, and to make short, that they have embraced many other old condemned heresies.   
As for the master of Sentences, Innocent the third, Thomas Aquinas, Scotus, Albert, Durand, Steuchus, Harding, Stapleton, Allen, Bellarmine, Baronius and other particular agents of the Romish Church we are able to charge them with infinite heretical opinions. But because ours duersaries do not take themselves bound to defend every private man's doctrines and opinions, I will reserve the proof hereof to some other place.  
Finally if all doctrines brought into the church since the Apostles times savour of heresies, as Tertullian affirmeth; them we need not to doubt, but that all those popish doctrines concerning unwritten traditions, apocryphal scriptures, the reading of scriptures in tongues not understood, the being of Christ's body within the accidents of bread and wine in the Eucharist, transubstantiation, the sacrifice of the mass, half communions, the adoration of the sacrament, the pope's universal monarchy, the popish worship of saints, relics and images, the 7. sacraments, the merits of works, and such like novelties, as are brought into the Church by the pope and his complices, are mere heresies.   

Chapter 9 That popish religion is new, and not as the Papists call it, the old religion.  
ANtiquity in matter of religion cartieth no small weight with it in the reputation of Christians. Saint john. 1. epist. 1. saith he declareth unto us, that which was from the beginning. and Ephes. 2. we read that the church is founded upon the prophets and Apostles, jesus Christ being the chief corner stone. If then popish religion was not from the beginning, nor can be justified to have proceeded from christ, or his apostles or the holy prophets; then is it for the novelty thereof to be rejected. But that is so apparent, as he that will deny it, must needs speak against his own conscience and knowledge, if he have either conscience or learning.  

1. The mass is a principal matter, which papists contend for. Yet is the same a plain corruption of Christ's institution of the Eucharist, and wholly repugnant to the apostles doctrine. Christ taking bread said, this is my body. but the mass priests deny, that any bread remaineth in the sacrament after the words of the institution spoken. He said, take and eat. The Massepriests say to the people, gape and gaze, and in the mean while eat and drink all themselves. He said do this in remembrance of me. they offer up Christ in honour of saints. He commanded all to drink, that received the other kind. They exclude all but the Priest from the cup. He ordained the sacrament to be received of the communicantes. they receive it not, but oftentimes hang it up, carry it about, and adore it. The Apostle 1. Cor. 11. showeth, that the sacrament was instituted to declare the Lords death. but these celebrate the mass in tongues not understood, insomuch that few papists understand what is done in the celebration of the mass.  
2. Christ certes, never instituted the Pope's monarchy. Nay, where the Apostle Ephes. 4. speaketh of the ministers of the church, this great monarch is not once named. True it is, that Christ said to Peter, feed mysheepe, and promised. that to him he would give the keys. But what is that to the Pope, that is no Apostle, nor in any thing like to Peter? further Peter had no monarchical power given by these words. For equally were the Apostles called, and authorized. Much less therefore are we to imagine, that any bishop had this universal monarchy bestowed on him.  
3. Further it is mere madness to affirm, that either Christ or his Apostles taught the worship of the Cross, or of images, or of Saints, or their relics, or that they delivered to their disciples and followers the popish doctrine of the 7. sacraments, or of Purgatory and indulgences, or of the merits of congruity, or of the foundations and other points of Popish Religion.  
4. In our survey of Popery we have showed, that those points of popery, which the Church of England refuseth, are repugnant both to ancient councils, and the ancient fathers of the Church. The ancient fathers of the Church, and Bishops of Rome never thought, that any one bishop had authority above a general council. The sift canon of Nice forbiddeth to receive any, that were excommunicated by other Bishops. The 6. Canon of that council equalleth other Bishops to the bishop of Rome. in that council, it was decreed, that Priests should not be separated from their wives. The council of Eliberis condemneth the superstitious lighting of candles in churchyards, and pictures in churches. The council of Gangra taxeth such, as dispraise marriage, or despise the oblation of married priests, or refuse to eat flesh, or condemn such as wear common apparel. The council of Laodicea condemneth the worship of angels. Neither is there any abuse in Popery, that is of any antiquity, but lightly the same is taxed in some ancient council. The popish worship of angels, images, crosses, and such like, half communions, strange and unknown tongues, and other abuses of popish religion likewise are either not known, or generally condemned by the fathers.  
5. The ancient Christian religion came from Jerusalem. but the popish worship of images and saints, the doctrine of the carnal eating of Christ's body, transubstantiation, half communions, indulgences, the popish doctrine of purgatory, and the pope's monarchy came never from thence.  
6, Finally we find when and where the principail points of popish doctrine, which the church of England refuseth, were established by the synagogue of Rome. the worship of images was first received and established in the idolatrous second council of Nice under Irene.   
Gregory the 7. first took on him the use of both swords, and began with source to depose Emperors, and to translate kingdoms from one to another,  
Innocent the third first brought in transubstantiation, and auricular confession in the council of Lateran.  
The conventicle of Constance first decreed, that accidents in the Eucharist subsist without a subject, and that all Christians beside the priest were to content themselves with one kind in the sacrament.  
Eugenius the fourth, in the conventicle of Florence, as is said, settled the doctrine of purgatory and the pope's supremacy. then also was delivered the doctrine of the 7. sacraments, and established first by authority.  
The rest of those popish doctrines concerning the sacrifice of the Mass, indulgences, and such like devices, which we refuse, were lately confirmed in the conventicle of Trent. From thence the papists derive the authority of the missals, breviaries, and other ritual books. If any thing be taught by them more than this contrary to the sound form of faith delivered by the Apostles, the same hath been received either from old heretics, or else from later Popes of Rome.  
That religion therefore, which papists teach over and above the christian faith, is newly devised, and not to be derived from the Apostles, or prophets or ancient fathers of the church.   

Chap. 10. That Popish religion, is impious and blasphemous.  
THE people of God under the law were so zealous of God's glory, that they used to rend their , if they did hear any man utter any thing sounding like blasphemy. Nay for the word that signifieth blaspheming, the Hebrews use the word of blessing, which showeth, that all our actions should tend to the praise of god, and none to his dishonour. Is it not then strange, that Christians, which should excel all others in zeal and love towards God, should either profess or suffer popish religion, that is so full of impieties and blasphemies against god? This they think to wipe away with one impudent denial. But this name of blasphemy is too deep graven in the forehead of the whore of Babylon, to be defaced with any denial.  
For first the Pope challengeth to himself the name and honour of God, as is evident by the chap. satis. dist. 96. and c. inter corporalia. de translat. pral. and the Canonists give unto him that name and honour, as is to be seen in the gloss in c. cum inter. extr. joan. 22. de verb. signif. and in the commentaries of Felin in c. ego N. de iureiur ando. and Baldus in l. vlt. Cod. sententiae rescindendae. Stapleton in his epist. to Gregory the 13. before his doctrinal principles doth call the pope supremum numen in terris: that is, the sovereign god of the earth.  
2. Secondly blasphemously the papists translate the honour of Christ to the Pope. they call him the head, foundation, and spouse of the Church, as appeareth by the disputes of Bellarmine lib. 2 de pontiff. Rom. c. 31. and by the glosses of the Canonists. Abb as Panormitanus saith, that Christ & the Pope have but one consistory. This honour also the Pope is content to take to him, as by the Chap. quoniam. de imunitate. in. 6. and divers other decretales it appeareth. In the book of Ceremonies he apply to himself these words, which Christ uttereth of himself, all power is given to me in heaven and earth.  
3. Thirdly they give the name and titles of God to creatures. Biel lect. 48. supper can. missae, saith the priest is the creator of his own creator. the same blasphemy is also found in Innocentius de mysterijs missae, and in Stella Clericorum, and was uttered by Bonner to certain Priests in the beginning of Queen Mary's days.  
4. Fourthly they confess their sins to angels and saints, as well as to God; as is evidently proved by their common confession in tfieir missals, Horatius Tursellinus in his Epistle to Peter Aldobrandini before his history of our Lady of Loreto, saith, that god doth at our Lady's pleasure govern the earth, and bestow at her beck heavenly gifts upon men. Commonly they give the office of mediation, to our Lady, to saints and angels.  
5. They teach, that the Massepriests are constituted priests after the order of Melchisedech. Nay they make the priests mediators for christs body, as it appeareth by these words of the mass, supra quae propit to ac secreno vuliu respicere digneris etc.  
6. They are not ashamed to affirm, that a dog, or hog, or mouse eating a consecrated host doth eat Christ's true body, as we may see in Thomas Aquinas 3. p. q. 83. art. 6. and in. 4. sent. dist. 13, and in Biel, in 4. sent. dist, 12. in Alexander Hales, and divers other schoolmen.  
7. Nicholas the 2. in the chap. Ego Berengarius. dist. 2. the consecrat. maketh Berengarius to confess, that Christ's glorified body is torue with teeth, and sensibly handled by the Priest.  
8. Clemens the 6. in the chap. unigenitus. extr. de paenit. et remiss. doth make Christ like to the sinful people of the jews, in whom, as we read Isay. c, 1. from the head to the foot there was nothing sound.  
9 Faber in his book against the anatomy of the mass compareth christ to drunken Silenus, anon saith he, mirificus Silenus suit christus: in another place he calleth him an enchanter.  
10. Bellarmine lib. 1. de cult. sanct. c. 13. alleging a place out of justine Martyr, but most falsely, placeth angels before the holy ghost, and would have them worshipped together with the holy trinity.  
11. Julius the third called for his Peacock in despite of god, and nothing is more common among papists, than blasphemies & imprecations, as is confessed by themselves in the Romish catechism.  
12. In the Romish breviary the blessed virgin is called dulcis amica dei, that is, the sweet friend of god, & the happy gate of heaven. They give unto her also power over her son, and say, iure matris impera redemptori, that is, by thy motherly power command the Redeemer of the world.  
13. Bellarmine lib. 1. de cultu sanctorum c. 23. alloweth these speeches of friars speaking to a wooden crucifix, thou hast redeemed us, thou hast reconciled us to thy father. he confesseth also in his 1. book de iudulgentijs, that saints may be called redeemers. Thomas Waldensis in his prologue ad Martinum quintum apply these words of the Apostle; Lord save us, we perish, to the pope.  
14. Bonaventure or rather some falsary under his name apply those divine praises, which the prophet in the Psalms giveth to god, to the virgin Mary.  
15. Of the scriptures most commonly they speak most blasphemously, sometime calling them a nose of wax, sometime a dead letter, sometime a kill letter, sometime comparing them to Aesop's fables. Kellison in his survey. p. 158. saith the devil doth wrap himself from top to toe in scriptures, as if the word of god were the habit of the devil.  
He that list to see divers other blasphemous doctrines & sayings of the pope and his complices, let him read the two books de antichristo et eius ecclesia, lately set out by Master Powel a young man learned, zealous and painful, that hath at large handled this argument. in the mean while we may see, that such as profess christian religion and true piety have no reason to like that religion, in which Christ is notoriously blasphemed, and so many impieties contained.   

Chap. 11. That toleration of popery, is contrary to reasons of state.  
furthermore with small labour it may be showed, that popery is a religion full of contradictions, absurdities and fooleries, and so contrary to holy scriptures, and the catholic faith of christians, as darkness to light. falsehood to truth, and black to white. But this short answer will not admit any such large discourse. beside that all these points are at large proved in the survey of popery, published in answer to Kellisons' invective Survey. Now therefore it shall be sufficient to show, that as popery is contrary to the rules of Christian religion, so it si no less repugnant to reasons of state, and derogatory both to the Authority of Kings, and to the liberty of Christians.  
That popish religion is contrary to reasons of state and politic govern meant, it appeareth first, for that the same is idolatrous, wicked, false, and contrary to gods true service. now what state can long continue, that either receiveth such a wicked religion, or else is careless for the establishment of god's service? Them that honour me saith the Lord. 1. Samuel. 2. I will honour, and they that despise me shall be despised. The Apostle also Rom. 1. showeth, that the wrath of god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, which withhold the truth in unrighteousness.  
Secondly it is always dangerous to change laws, and to reverse matters heretofore orderly passed. But if popish religion were tolerated, then should all those laws cease, that concern the articles of religion, the book of common prayer, the form of administration of sacraments, the kings royal authority in ecclesiastical causes, the ministers of gods word and sacraments, and the postessions of the church. Finally many things now well ordered, would then be called in question. if then laws be the bands, that contain the common wealth in order, who seethe not, that a great dislolution of state would follow if Popish religion were tolerated?  
Thirdly the pope claimeth power to dispose of kingdoms, and to depose kings. and all his true disciples do maintain his Claim. Is it then possible, that any state should either live under such a tyranny, or tolerate such professed enemies of state?  
Fourthly the same man pretendeth right to give laws to the state especially in ecclesiastical causes, and to dispose of the livings of the church, But I think no state will give this power to strangers, and enemies, that hath liberty to refuse it.  
Fiftly we read. that pope Paul the third in his bull of excommunication against King Henry the eight, King of Englamnd, commanded his subjects to take arms against him, gave away his true subjects as slaves to those that could take them, dissolved all bonds, wherein any stood bound to him or his subjects, as is evidently apparent in the words of his bull recorded in Sanders de schismate, & the collector of his Bulls. and this authority all pops claim, and all papists must defend. But it is strange, that any state should endure such indignities offered to princes and their subjects.  
Sixtly no man can serve the pope and his prince and country, especially being in opposition with the pope. how then can the state admit such as depend upon the pope, and are ready to execute his commandements and take themselves bound to do it upon paives of damnation? Nay Percy and other papists of late without his commandment as they say, were in a fair way to overthrow the state.  
7. To restore banished men, to acquit condemned persons, & to let prisoners lose, that are in custody by order of law, is the most extreme condition that lost common wealths may be drawn unto, as Tully saith lib. 5. in Verrem. perditae civitates saith he, desperatis omnibus rebus hos solent exitus exitiales habere, ut damnati in integrum restituantur, vinctisoluantur, exules redusantur. But toleration of popery doth bring all these incommodities with it. should we then basely subject ourselves to enemies, and traitoures, & take that course, which no state ever yielded unto, unlessethe same were brought to extreme and desperate terms?  
8. No state can admit such as depend upon foreign enemies and entertain intelligence with them. For that were to embrace within our bosoms the enemies of state. But that is the case of the archpreest, of the jebusites, Massepreests, gunpowder traitors and all their adherents.  
9 No state can be well governed by two governors, and two divers laws. For as there is but one principal government In a state, so ought there to be but one authority, and one law. but if papists be tolerated, than the pope must aswell be obeyed as the king, and the pope's laws be joined with the king's laws. furthermore the common wealth will prove a monster, not only with two heads, but also with two souls and two divers kinds of proceed.  
10. The bonds of state are laws, & the bonds, that tie subjects to their princes, are oaths of allegiance, and loyal affection towards them. But papists being dispensed with all by the pope respect neither laws of state, nor oaths of allegiance, nor love due to princes. How then can any state tolerate such fellows, as respect neither bonds of state, nor duty, nor obligation toward their lawful princes?  
11. Laws punish such as contrive the murder of private persons, and much more such, as are ready upon every occasion, to stir sedition. should then then the state tolerate such, as upon the Pope's commandment, and warrant, nay upon the word of a seditious Massepriest, shall think it lawful & meritorious to murder & empoison any, that shallbe opposite to their faction, or that shall be ready to execute any mischievous enterprise against the state? the papists will deny themselves to be in this case. But what should any man trust denials, that remembreth Percies and Catesbyes' and Garnets' late treasons?  
12. If we believe not rules of state, yet let us consider in what danger states stand, that have in their bowels many jebusites, Massepriests, and their complices, ready to execute the pope's will, by examples and precedents of former times. And first let us remember how many enterprises were made by them in the late Queen's days of famous and blessed memory, to bring their country under the command of strangers. Next, what attempts they made against that innocent prince's life. Thirdly, what libels they set out to the disgrace of the principal governors of the state. Fourthly let us consider, what stirs and rebellions they raised in the days of King Henry the 8. King Edward, and Queen Elizabeth. Fiftly it may not be forgotten, how they made a league in France against the king, and cruelly murdered King Henry the third, and empoisoned divers, that stood in their way. Sixtly the massacres of France, and cruel executions in Flanders show, what they will do here, if once they think themselves strong enough. Seventhly. if we forget all the rest, yet may we not forget Percies late treason, who in the ruins of the Parliament house, meant to bury both King and state, and to massacre all Christians, opposite to the popish faction. Lastly, if of nature papists were quiet; yet will the Pope never suffer them to rest, until he have his will.  
Our last reason of state against Popery is, for that the same is both enemy to princes, and most grievous to christian subjects; which remaineth now in particular chapters to be handled.   

Chap. 12. That popish religion is enemy to kings.  
THat popish religion is enemy to all kings professing a contrary religion, I think, the papists themselves will not deny. For experience showeth, that they persecute such, both with arms, and laws, and censures Neither do they only make open wars upon them, but also by privy murderers, & empoisoners seek to destroy them, as may be proved by many particulars. And now if any man reply & say, that neither Clement the 8. nor this pope now raiguing, took this course against his Majesty and other christian kings professing true religion; we answer first, that it is uncertain how far the pope was engaged in Percies late treason, and what secret practices pope's both have, and do continually set forward. And secondly, that want of occasion and means hath rather hindered their violent and furious courses, than any change or alteration of their former resolution in oppugning their opposites.  
But suppose his majesty and the state were not of a contrary religion to the pope; yet it shall be proved, that popery is adverse to Kings, that like well enough of that religion. For first all kings living under the pope's obedience, are the pope's subjects. Boniface the 8. declareth it in the chapter unam sanctam. ext. de maior & obed. where he saith, it is necessary to salnation for all men to be subject to the Pope. Now what greater indignity, then to make kings the pope's vassals and subjects?  
Secondly, Bellarmine lib. 5. de pontiff. Rom. c. 6. saith, that the pope hath power to take away kingdoms from some, and to bestow them on others. The same doctrine is also maintained by Robert Parsons in his seditious book of titles. He doth also traitorously affirm, that the people may sometime lawfully proceed against princes. William Rosse in his book de iustareip supra reges impios & haereticos authorit. c. 2. affirmeth impudently, that the right of all the kings and kingdoms of Europe, is laid upon this foundation, that the state or people may depose their kings. But grant this; and then are kings tenants at the pope's, and people's will. For what is more easy, then to impute grievous crimes to princes, if the pope or seditious mutins lift to quartell with them?  
Thirdly, Bellarmine lib. 5. de pontiff. Rom. c. 6. determineth, that it is not lawful for Christians to tolerate a king, that is an infidel, or an heretic, if he go about to draw his subjects to his religion. The papists therefore, as we see, are taught to make it a matter of conscience, to depose their kings, and the massepriests set them on to rebellion. Pius the fift, excommunicated all such as would not take arms against Queen Elizabeth. and Clerk and Watson first, and lately Percy and Catesby, and their complices attempted the King's destruction, albeit, they say, he is not declared excommunicated. Nay admit a Prince were not adverse to the pope in religion; yet if the Pope pretend any matter of quarrel unto him, his subjects are stirred against him and he is excommunicated, as may appear in the Duke of Ferrara's case, excommunicated by Clement the 8. because he would not deliver up into the pope's hands, his dukedom of Ferrara.  
Fourthly, suppose a king keep good correspondence with the Pope; yet he is not within his kingdom, as papists teach, to make ecclesiastical laws. nor may refuse to obey the pope's ecclesiastical laws. But he is no sovereign king, that either receiveth laws of other, or hath no power to make laws for his subjects in matters of external Church government.  
Fiftly where popish religion reigneth, there the clergy is exempt from the king's courts and government. Bellarmive in his treatise de exempt. Cleric. setteth down these propositions, first that Clerks in ecclesiastical causes are freed from the command of secular princes by the law of god. Next, that Clerks are not to be judged of secular judges, though they transgress temporal laws. and lastly, that princes in respect of Clerks, are not sovesaigne princes. E●eanuel Sae in his first edition of Aphorisms for confessaries saith, that the rebellion of a Clerk against his King is not treason, because he is not the kings subject. His words are these, Clerici rebellio in regem non est crimen laesaema iestatis, quia non est subditus regis. So we see, that the doctrine of popery maketh kings but half kings, and depriveth them of a great part of their subjects.  
Sixtly the Pope in c. quia nonnulli. de immunitate ecclesiae. exempteth the goods and possessions of Clergy men from tolle and custom Doth it not appear then, that Popish religion depriving the King of half his revenues, doth also weaken his estate, and make him oftentimes unable to defray his ordinary charges?  
7. In all states where popery is professed, a great part of the king's revenues is taken from him, and bestowed upon the pope, and his kingdom is thereby much impoverished.  
Finally did the King neither respect his Royal authority, nor his enemies; yet if he mean to secure himself from the hadst of Cuttorotes, and privy empoisoners, he may not endure the king-killing jebusites, nor the pope's proctor's, that stir up wars against princes, that are enemies to the Pope, and by all means seek to persuade men to take away their lives. These fellows caused Henry the 3. of France anno 1589. to be most cruelly murdered by a Dominican Friar, and the like they attempted against king Henry the 4. now reigning. If God had not watched for the safety of our King and state, Catesby, Percy, & Faux had by fire & gunpowder destroyed the King, the Queen, the Prince, and all the Lords, judges, and commons assembled in parliament. How many they have lately empoisoned, we refer to God's secret judgement. That the pope doth intend the destruction of all Christian princes, whom he excommunicateth, it is not to be doubted, seeing he armeth their subjects against them, and promiseth, not only remission of sins, but also rewards to such, as lay hold upon them.  
Whosoever therefore meaneth to reign securely, and to maintain his regal authority, must diligently provide, that his subjects profess not popish religion, that is so opposite both to his authority, and security.   

Chapter 13. That popish religion is grievous both to true christians and to papists themselves.  
THat popish religion is grievous to all true Christians, it cannot well be denied. For who is not vexed, especially, if his heart be inflamed with true zeal, seeing the holy scriptures abused and accused of imperfection, insufficiency, and flexibility, and popish traditions either aequalled or preferred before them? what true christian can endure to see Christ's honour and office emparted to angels and saints, and idols worshipped more free quently and devoutly, than the true and ever living god? What zealous Christian doth not burn with indignation to see the man of sin to domineer in Christ's Church, & to call himself Christ's vicar, the head and spouse of the church, and to exalt himself above all that is called god? Finally who would not grieve to see gods holy name and truth blasphemed, as it is by the teachers of popery?  
Furthermore, as Christ was grieved to see the house of god made a den of thieves, so it cannot choose but grieve his disciples, to see the house of god possessed by Antichrist, and all true teachers chased away, oppressed, and murdered in places, where his complices can prevail. there also scriptures in tongues understood of the multitude are suppressed, and the Pope's hests followed more diligently, than the laws of God.  
Thirdly what can be devised more grievous to a christian soul, then to see gods true worship suppressed, & idolatry & superstition publicly maintained, and of ignorant people so grossly abused?  
Fourthly as nothing is more pleasing to trué Christians, than freedom of conscience, and liberty of true catholic religion: so can there be no greater vexation of conscience, then to see the institution of Christ in his holy sacraments and worship violated, and men's consciences forced to embrace errors, and true professors cruelly persecuted.  
Finally it is no small vexation of spirit for free Christians, to see princes made the Pope's vassals, and his executioners to murder such, as profess the truth; for free men to endure the Pope's exactions and pillages, to hear the untruth and calumniations of his agents defaming innocent christians with notes of heresy, schism, and other most grievous crimes.  
Nay so heavy is the yoke of the pope's tyranny, that then papists themselves are forced to complain thereof, and would no doubt cry outlouder, if they durst. Petrus de Alliaco in his book de reformat. ecclesiae complaineth of the principal abuses, which were most grievous and burdensome. The first was the multitude of the pope's laws, the second was the frequent use of excommunications and other censures of the Church. The third was the heaviness of the popish prelate's exactions. beside these three, he shows, that the multitude of religious orders, and begging friars was a heavy and intolerable burden in the church.  
The Germane not long sense collected a hundred matters of grecuance offered them by the pope, and his Clergy and officers, and presented them to the pope, desiring redress. The special points are set down in their petition entitled centum gravamina Germaniae, etc.  
So many abuses reigned in the Church of Rome some hundred years agone, that the bishop of Chems' writing thereof a special treatise called it, onus Ecclesiae, the burden of the Church.  
Aluarus Pelagius also that lived some time before Martin Luther, began to discover the errors and abuses of the church of Rome, and doth most grievously complain of them, intituling his book de planctu ecclesiae, that is, the lamentation of the Church.  
And this hath been the complaint of divers Christians, as we may perceive, by some Epistles of Petrarch, and other writings of Arnold de villa nona, of Nicholas Orem, Thomas Bradwardine, and many others.  
The papists themselves feel the grief of auricular concessions, the fraudulent practices of the friars in their absolutions, and enjoining of satisfactions.  
The multitude of the pope's laws, & the burden thereof lieth heavy— upon their consciences, for their friars teach them, that they bind the conscience.  
The vow of single life in many youngmen & women doth work desperate effects. When they see themselves haltred, they run into a great dissolution of manners, and grow careless, what sins they commit.  
The massepriests live in great subjection to their prelate's, and the rules of monkish life are grievous to all, that profess those forged religions. And therefore few observe the rules of their profession, none long do well content themselves to live under them.  
In Italy and Spaive they mure up their Nuns, and yet neither walls nor laws can keep them in order.  
The taxes imposed both upon the clergy and laity are many and grievous. No act of religion almost is done without paying. of these payments the pope raiseth great treasures.  
If any transgress the pope's laws, out fly suspensions, excommunications and interdictions, and no release is granted with out grievous compositions, especially if matters concern the pope's prerogative.  
Finally if any spurn either against the pope's authority, or against any point of his erroneous religion, than he passeth through the hands of the inquisitors, and to the rack, if not to the fire he goeth. if a man be suspected, he is a long time imprisoned. if he be convicted, then is he to pass to the fire, & his goods are seized, and his wife and children utterly impoverished. And of these cruel executions kings and princes are the ministers. Neither doth the father respect the child, nor the wife the husband, if the pope do accurse him. nay oftentimes without form of law, either they cause such as they suspect to be empoysonned, or massacred. and under this government do papists live. Is it not then strange, that free men should endure this slavery, and that Christians should not seek remedy for so grievous oppressions?   

Chap. 14. That the petition of papists for a toleration of popish religion, is void of reason.  
IOhn Lecey in his preface doth vaunt, that the petition of his consorts for toleration of popery is conformable to reason. But little doth he seem to understand, what is reason, that requireth things so contrary to truth, law, & reason. For first what reason can he pretend to desire the practice of a religion rebellious, seditious, falls, erroneous, foolish, absurd, new, strange, idolatrous, blasphemous, and full of divers other most gross abuses? either therefore the papists must clear their religion from these crimes, or else confess they have small reason to demand a toleration for it. We have justified our charge in divers treatises both in latin and English, and yet they answer nothing particularly.  
Secondly little show of reason have they to desire his majesty to admit a religion, which depriveth him of half his authority, half his subjects, half his revenues, and maketh him subject to the pope.  
Thirdly they do without all reason demand the free exercise of a religion, that bringeth men's consciences into thraldom. their persons into danger, and their lands and goods into the hands of tyrants.  
Fourthly the pope and massepriestes make merchandise of men's souls, and make little conscience to buy and sell churches, altars, dignities, heaven, grace and all spiritual things. They spoil the poor, the widow and fatherless, and for maintenance of their own estates, make havoc of Christian men's estates. Have they then reason, to sue for such a bargaining and spoiling religion?  
5. They show themselves devoid of reason, that admit mass priests into their houses, that like owls fly the light and sight of the magistrate, that entertain intelligence with foreign enemies, that devour their substance, that like impure lechers abuse the wives, daughters, and maids of such, as give them entertainment, and pretending to make them Catholic do indeed make them Cuckoldlike.  
Sixtly we find by proof, that Massepreests and Jebusites have combined themselves with foreign enemies, & have sought the destruction of the ire sovereign princes, & the thraldom of their native country to strangers. If any man doubted of this before, the horrible treason and rebellion of Percy, Catesby & their followers, and their wicked designments may resolve him. And therefore if reason may rule them, none of the kings true subjects can seek the advancement of this treache rous religion.  
Finally papists have no reason to ask that of us in England, which themselves deny to us and our brethren in Spain and Italy. There they will not cease their butcherly proceed, nor put down their houses of Inquisition. Neither will they be induced to suspend their penal laws made against true Christians. What face and forehead then have papists, to ask that in England of us, which they will not yield to us and our brethren in other countries? is it not reason, that they should do to others, as they would have others to do to themselves? and doth not the law quod quisque ff. quod quisque juris. contain great reason, determining, that every man should be judged according to the law, which himself useth?  
But if papists will needs, urge things unreasonable, then must they understand, that true Christians have reason to reject their treacherous, false, erroneous, new, absurd, ido latrous and blasphemous religion.  
And next, that his Majesty hath just cause to abhor the practice of that religion, that (as hath been foreshowed) maketh him the Pope's vassal, and taketh away half his authority, half his subjects, half his revenues, and bringeth the rest into question. Now his Majesty is in no danger by the grace of God. if he can suppress the growing faction of Antichrist. Sixtus Quintus in his declaratory Bull, anno. D. 1588. against our late gracious Queen confesseth, that he had no means to proceed against her, as he had in countries professing popery, to deal with other princes. But let Massepriests gather their bands of seditious persons together and then both prince, and state shall incur great hazard.  
Thirdly, the preachers of the Catholic faith have good occasion to oppose themselves against these wolves, that seek to enter upon Christ's flock. They seek to alter both religion and state, and will not rest before they have deprived all true pastors both of their livings and life. will not then true pnstors awake and vigorously resist them?  
Fourthly, Wise politics may not admit a religion, that will cause dinision, and trouble the peace of the state. Neither may they tolerate such as depend on strangers, and concur with foreign enemies.  
5. The disciples of Christ may have no fellowship either with the priests of Baal, or the cannibal Massepriests, that say they eat Christ's flesh with their mouths and teeth, & swallow his blood into their bellies, or with the disciples of Antichrist, that seek to suppress the true catholic faith.  
6. No true lover of his country can endure rinegued jebusites and Massepriests, that are combined with foreign enemies, and seek to bring their countrymen under the command of strangers, and to murder all, that are studious of the peace and honour of their nation, as Walleyes, and others jesuits actions of late have plainly declared.  
7. Charitable Christians may not tolerate either a race of sturdy begging friars, or a pack of lazy Monks, or a swarm of cannibal Massepriestes, which say they eat up Christ's body really and corporally, but indeed and really devour the poor, the widow and the fatherless.  
8. Men of honest minds and disposition are enemies to all lecherous and fodomiticall Friars, Monks, and Massepriests. neither will they salute them, hear them, or converse with them, lest they be partakers of their sins, and consequently of their plagues.  
9 Christians maintain their Christian liberty, and have reason to detest the doctrine of Antichrist, that enthralleth both their persons and consciences. Further as it pilleth their goods, so it destroyeth utterly the souls of them and theirs.  
Finally, seeing they cut our brethren's throats abroad; no Christian man hath reason to suffer them to harbour here, purposing to cut our throats at home. Faux, Percy, and Catesby, have left a race of cutthroats and gunpowder fellows behind them. should then reasonable men so far forget reason, as to hearken to a petition so unreasonable?   

Chap. 15. That popish religion may not be tolerated, if we respect the grounds of christian religion and policy confessed by the papists themselves.  
THat divers religions are not to be suffered in a christian common wealth, we have before demonstrated by the confession of papists themselves. It resteth therefore now, that we prove by general pofitions holden and confessed by the papists, that popish religion may not be tolerated by princes and states, either professing true religion, or else holding the true rules of policy.  

1. First it is confessed by our adversaries themselves, that no idolatrous religion is to be tolerated in any state. But it is clearly demonstrated, heretofore Chap. 7. that popish religion in divers points is idolatrous.  
2. Neither will they yield to permit any sects, or heresies but it is apperant, that monks, friars and Massepriests are divided into sects. and manifestly have we proved Chap. 8. that popish religion is a mass of old, and new heresies.  
3. Further they confess, that all impious and blasphemous opinions are to be severely punished, and neither by public grant to be authorized, nor by connivence to be passed over. But hardly shall the papists be able to clear themselves of the impieties and blasphemies, wherewith formerly they stand charged.  
4. Fourthly that cannot be true religion, that containeth either falsehood, or foolery, or error. Nor do papists deny, that such false religions are to be repressed, and by laws exterminated out of the commonwealth. But in our survey of Popery we have showed, that divers positions of popery are not only erroneous, and false, but also foolish and ridiculous.  
5. Kings that are subject to the Pope will not suffer any religion, if they can choose, that is either prejudicial to their dignity, or dangerous in respect of their safety. But many arguments & examples do show, that popish religion is of that nature, as formerly hath been declared.  
6. The Popes themselves, albeit usurpers, will not suffer any of their subjects to bind themselves by oath to foreign princes in enmity with them, or to entertain intelligence with them. Why then should such as are sworn to the enemies of the state, and entertain intelligence with them, and practise against the state, be suffered in England?  
7. In Italy no man is permitted to harbour any priest or friar, that denieth the Pope's usurped supremacy. Why then, should the Massepriests and their adherents be tolerated among us that deny his majesties supreme authority in the government of the church of England, that is due to him both by the laws of god and man?  
8. Finally the papists, as much as they dare, resist the pope's pillages, and cry out upon his exactions. Should true Christians then that are now released and freed from these burdens, admit a religion, which teacheth and urgeth these manifold exactions and oppressions?    

Chapter 16. An answer to the title of the petition of lay lapists, and the preface of john Lecey.  
NOw lest any ignorant papists should be abused by glozing reports of their consorts, as if they were able, either to clear these doubts, or to allege just causes of their bold request for a toleration of popish religion, we have thought it not amiss to examine the several chapters, and parts of this apologetical petition, adding our answers to their titles, prefaces, demands, accusations, letters and idle discourses. The title & front of their petition followeth, together with john Leceys preface.  

A PETITION APOLOGETICAL, 
a It is not credible, that papists would either present, or sign and allow such baggage stuff.  PRESENTED TO the Kings most excellent Majesty, by the Lay 
b Heretics and idolaters deserve not the name of Catholics.  Catholics of England, in julie last.  
In eo quod detractant de vobis tanquam de malefactoribus, ex bonis operibus vos considerantes, glorificent Deum in die visitationis.  
In that 
c Here wanteth the beginning of the sentence, viz. have your conversation-honest. can we then repute them honest, that cut of honest conversation?  wherein they misreport of you, as of malefactors, by the good works considering you, they may glorify God in the day of visitation.  1. Pet. 2. v. 12. 
Printed at DOUAI by JOHN MOGAR, at the sign of the 
d To show, that they sail not always without compass.  Compass. 1604.  

THE PREFACE.  
Reverend Sir. 
1 add john, and then it will stand thus, reverend Sir john.  There came to my hands by the way of 
2 That is, by the nearest way about.  Brussels, on the xxviij. day of this month, a certain Petition or Apology of the lay Catholics of England (as I stand 
3 His best ground, you see, is false information.  informed) presented to his Highness about the later end of the Parliament: which semeeth so 
4 Or rather confrontable to reason.  conformable to reason; so 
5 How absolute, when it is made with conditions and limitations, as appeareth afterwards?  absolute in form of their submission, and so 
6 True. For every politic Christian may wonder at their presumption and folly, that suppose that a king, or state will rest assured upon the oaths or promises of massepriests, and their nameless consorts.  admirable for the assurance by them offered for their 
7 Priests of Baal, ordered by Antichrist to sacrifice for quick and dead, and not true priests or pastors.  Priests and Pastors: that the publishing thereof cannot but give contentment (in mine 
8 Not worth an onion.  opinion] to all sorts of men, that desire both to be clearly informed of the true state of things, and that justice and equity should take place, according to men's comportments and deserts, and not according to the prejudicate opinions of such, 
This had been truly spoken, if it had been applied to the inquisitors of Spain & Italy. And with the great auda ciousnesse, and solely of these petitioners.  whom nothing but the blood and utter beggaring of Catholics can satisfy. And therefore I thought good, in more public manner than it was before, to make the world acquainted therewith.   

Reasons of publishing this treatise.  
THE publishing of this Apology cannot but tend much to his 
1 Is it honourable for the king to submit himself to enemies, and to receive conditions of lewd subjects, as these petitioners would persuade him?  majesties honour, 
His majesties honour and service.  and more to his satisfaction and 
2 A goodly security, when a king's life and state shall depend upon a single thread of popish fellows promises. And a most simple satisfaction, where nothing is performed, but only promised.  security; for so much as the Catholics affectionate 
3 Services supposed and obligations broken.  services and obligations therein contained, must needs be arguments of some supereminent virtue and goodness in his sacred parsonage, that could draw from them at all times such extraordinary effects of 
4 Such as appeared in the tumultuous stirs of papists in Scotland against the king, and in the practices of Brook, Watson, and Clerk executed at Winchester for conspiring the destruction of his Majesty. And lastly in Percy and Garnet.  love and devotion: and the more manifest the 
5 What? will resusats now turn protestants? it should seem so. But we are to understand it no further, than a laxative purgation retcheth.  protestations of their purgations shall appear to the world, the more manifold shall be their bonds and obligations of performance, and perseverance therein.  
The Protestant 
6 They have no reason to like either their murmuring petitions, or their bald plead.  Prelates cannot with reason disallow thereof, 
The Protestant Prelates.  because herein is nothing required 
7 A goodly proceeding, when fugitives and malcontents call forth true subjects to answer.  at their hands, but a reasonable conference, and satisfaction in points of their mission and vocation: And when they shall make it evident out of the written word, that they are the true Shepherds and Pastors sent from God to have charge of souls they make proffer without delay to follow them, and with all conformity to obey them, and hear their voices: which when they shall prove, the controversy is charitably composed, and though they fail of their proofs, yet they remain as they do with their wealth, their 
8 These two words are evil placed together. But if talking of massepriests, he had joined their whores & pleasures he had spoken properly.  wives, their pleasures, and palaces: the poor Catholics desiring only a secret and silent permission of such 
9 Of wolves rather. for who made them pastors, or is so simple, as to commit Christ's sheep to them?  Pastors, as shall show to them & the whole world, sufficient 
10 Can they prove the Pope's authority, and the function of priests offering and devouring Christ's body and blood with their mouth? they shall then work wonders.  evidence and approbation for the charge of souls they undertake. The 
1 They laugh at this piled prologue, that would threape kindness upon them.  Puritans herewith cannot be offended, if they peaceably, 
The Puritans.  and precisely seek after contentment, and not contention: because they shall find divers of their maxims zealously, or rather odiously conceived by them against Catholics, overthrown & 
2 Soon may john Lazy evacuate hu brain. but the principles of popish practices he shall neither evacuate, nor answer.  evacuated by most evident demonstration and instances in matters of fact, practice, and experience: especially in that point of conditional subjects, which is so much urged by the ministery.  
The 
3 They shall soon truss your schoolboy mass priests.  flourishing and learned Academiks of Oxford and Camoridge may perceive hereby that Catholics know their Priests 
4 And to requite their kindness, the massepriests know their followers, and their wines & daughters intus & ad cutem.  intus & in cute, 
academics of Oxford & Cambridge.  & take them neither for ignorant in divinity, nor 
5 Their pitiful ignorance both in divinity and humanity is too too apparent.  dunces in humanity; neither for Catiline's towards their Senate, nor for Absalon's towards their David, that dare adventure life, & living for their virtues and loyalties. And I imagine that if your Ministers were put to the like plunges, they would hardly find the like pledges: wherefore I could wish that your Ministers would endeavour rather to excel and surpass them in their Godly qualities, then in their pamphlets and pulpits to urge the State to suppress them with severe exilements and edicts, which are nothing but arguments of their fear, and 
6 Whetstones for lying they deserve. Their faces also are as hard as whetstones.  whetstones of the others fortitude.  
The godly and zealous 
7 They are sorry they attend not on the mass-priests to Tyburn, as they were want.  Artisans and Prentices of London, and other places, 
The Artisans and Prentices  may learn hereby to moderate themselves a little in their outrageous alarms of Stop the Traitor, when they see an innocent Priest pass the streets: for by reading hereof they may be rightly and truly informed and instructed, how far the poor Innocent men are from treasons, and all treasonable purposes.  
The Catholics at home must needs hereby be comforted, and animated in well doing, and faithful serving, 
The Catholics of England.  & obeying their 
8 Viz. The Pope, for to papists the king is not sovereign  Sovereign in pace & gaudio, if they may be permitted, and if not that, yet in suffering with alacrity what shall be imposed upon them for their religion when by his Apology they shallbe disburdened of those former clogs & imputations of disloyalty, and treason.  
The Catholics not only here in Flanders, but in the whole Christian world beside must needs be hereby much edified, and excited to the sincere practice, 
The Catholics abroad.  and profession of zeal and piety towards 
9 That is, towards their god on the earth.  God: of fidelity and obedience towards their 
10 Were the leaguers of France, and ebells that rose against king Henry the 8. and his children, obedient to princes?  Princes: and of a reverent respect, and regard towards their Priests and Pastors, when they find in this present Apology, so rare and remarkable an example of English Catholics constancy in the one, and conformity in the other: and such confidence for the third, that since the Apostles time, & the days of the primitive Church of England, never the like Precedent, either in the time of peace, or persecution hath been heard or read of; that the sheep should engage themselves for their shepherds, and make voluntary proffer to be bound body for 
1 They are not so mad I trow  body, & life for life for their fidelity except that famous 
2 He died for Christ, and not for the cause of Antichrist, as the Pope's martyrs do.  Protomartir of England, S. Alban, who was to them herein a patron and precedent: the end of whose blessed conversation, our English Catholics beholding, do imitate his faith and fortitude, and do succeed him in a reverential love and devotion towards their Pastors. Which heroical mind and resolution of our said English Catholics must needs be as famous to posterity, a it is repugnant to all worldly wisdom and policy; and must also needs be accompanied with as much honour and merit in the sight of God, and all good men, as it cannot but be encumbered with dangers and difficulties in the sight of flesh and blood, and of all those quorum Deus venter est, whose 
3 This is properly said of the Pope's cardinals, & their adherents.  God is only their belly, profit, and pleasure in this world.  
Of this Apology two copies were sent over, the one to France, and the other to Flanders: all one in sense and substance, but it seemeth that the copy sent to Flanders, was taken verbatim out of the first fountain and original: And that the other which came to Paris, was not altogether so 
4 Quod dissonat verum non est, saith Hierome.  ample and complete. Therefore I have thought good to advertise you, that I have followed and set forth that copy, which I found, or at least presumed to be most consonant to the good minds and affections of them, whom it most concerned.  
And thus willing you to make your profit spiritual of these my endeavours, and of the sequent Apology, desiring God that it may serve to mollify the hearts of our heavy 
5 No way so heavy, as the spanish inquisitors.  adversaries, and fortify and corroborate the Saints and servants of God in well doing, and patiently suffering, and carrying the Cross of christ, and crown of thorns, which prick to the quick on every side, I wish you the two most precious jewels that can happen to a christian soul: Gratiam 
6 Papists study as much for the Pope's grace, as for god's grace.  in hac vita, & gloriam in futura.  
From my study in Douai, this 
7 That is, 12. days before the receipt of the book which was the 28. of this month.  16. of October 1604.  
Your very loving Son and servant in Christo Dommo. IO. LECEY.   

The answer to both.  
HOw little our adversaries respécte true and sincere dealing, we may in part conjecture by the untruths of thè title and preface prefixed before this petition. For first they give the title of Catholics to papists. whose religion is proved seditious, false, erroneous, heretical, idolatrous and blasphemous, and in no sort catholic, or professed of true catholics; and secondly they pretend, that it was made by the lay papists of England, whereof I do no suppose them to be so unwise, as that they will avow, what soever is said in this petition, or so presumptuous, as to charge the King with disgraceful breach of promise, or to defame him with suspicion of heresy, as these men do. Further the authors hereof page 19 do cite Caluine, Knox, Luther and Goodman, whose books lay papists may not read, and whose testimonies they have no reason to allege, unless théy have read them. Leceys preface concerning the conformity, and perfection of this petition, & the contentment to be received of all sorts of men thereby, is nothing but a pack of foolish and untrue surmises, as we shall declare hereafter: alleging the words of, Saint Peter. 1, Epist. 2. they leave out the beginning of the sentence, upon which the words by them cited do depend. Have your conversation honest among the gentiles saith saint Peter, that wherein they detract from you as malefactors considering good works, they may glorify god in the day of visitation. those words, have your conversation honest, being guilty in their consciences of dishonesty, they leave out, and translate by the good works considering you, for considering your good works.  
Further, their title, and testimony is not more destitute of truth, than of reason. For neither is a petition, an apology, nor an apology a Petition, that they should call their discourse a petition apologetical. Nor had they reason to allege saint Peter's words concerning the good works of christians, who notwithstanding were reputed malefactors. For little do they fit the cause of papists, whose good works are gheason and whose practices of treason and rebellion in so many records do convince them to be truly malefactors. The secular priests also confess, that the executions done upon Massepriestes and their adherentes were just, and necessary.  
The preface of John Lecey, or rather lazy john, is nothing else but an idle declamation in praise of this pseudapostical petition, and the authors thereof, wherein this scraping fellow endeavoureth to tickel the galled backs of his own companion's with his forged commendations. But let them beware they trust him not to far, lest he draw them within the compass of his own disloyalty, and bring them where Percy and Catesby left them.  
The Lazy fellow directeth his speech to some odd & nameless sacrificer. for he calleth him reverend Sir. but if the Masselovers were not blinded with affection, they might thereby see howsoever this gear is thrust forth under the name of lay papists, that all the advantage proceeding thereof, cometh to the polshorne priests of Baal.  
In the entrance of his matter he maketh great brags, telling his friend, that this petition, or apology (he knoweth not whether to call it) is so conformable to reason, so absolute in form of the petitioners submission, and so admirable for the assurance by them offered for their priests and pastorus, that the publishing thereof cannot but give contentment, in his opinion, to all sorts of men. But his performance is nothing correspondent to his great countenance. For first we have already showed, that this request for a toleration of popery is not only contrary to reason, but also to religion, & all Christian policy.  
Secondly the submission, that they make, is very defective considering their denial of the King's authority in Ecclesiast icall causes, and their dependence upon the Pope, that claimeth a superiority over the king. But did they submit themselves wholly to his majesty, yet should they do nothing but that which is required of all good subjects.  
Thirdly their admirable assurance is most admirably ridiculous: For who doth not wonder and laugh, to hear assurance offered for the life of so great a King, and so potent a state, by a few threadbare fellows, we know not, who they are? the parliament house had been blown up, who should have sued their bonds? who should have brought them into the star-chamber for perjury? Again when the Pope so easily dispenseth with oaths and dissolveth contracts, what reason hath any Christian to depend either upon him, or his adherents. for either oath, promise or bond?  
Besides all this, our prologue, where he thinketh himself horribly eloquent, speaketh plain contradictions, & fooleries. For first if the petitioners had such reason, as he pretendeth, what should they need to make a submission, as having committed some great crime? again what submission can a subject make, to his sovereign, that it is not required of him by duty? thirdly such as make such absolute submissions, as he talketh of, need nor to put in bonds, or pledges. Finally it is foolery to think either that papists are true catholics, or that such, as are truly informed of the continual practices of the fiery jebusites and massepriestes, against the state, will like of their unreasonable requests, and no man can take them to be wise, that charge their judges with prejudice before hearing, but to say or signify, that nothing can satisfy the state, but the blood and utter beggary of Catholics. or rather papists, is plain villainy, and not to be proved against any governor of this state, No, they desire their reformation, and not their destruction or hindrance, and much it were to be wished, that Percy and other papists had been no more maliciously affected to us, than we to them. Alleging reasons for the publishing of this treatise, he disputeth like a wild man, running far beyond his wit & reason. first he saith that the publishing of this Apology cannot but tend much to his majesties honour, and more to his satisfaction and security: as if those did honour him, that charge him with breach of promise, & note him with the stain of heresy & hatred to catholic religion, as the petitioners do. Further what security and satisfaction can those yield his majesty, that esteem neither oaths nor bonds, when the pope contremandeth them? but did they mean to keep both; yet private men's bonds are no security for such a king & kingdom. They talk I confess, of love and devotion to the king. But it appeared but little, by the practice of Brook, Clerke, and Watson first, & les lately by the treason of Percy, Catesby and Faux, who of mere love sought to blow up the king & the whole parliament. to omit to speak of their secret combinations and practices, it is no good sign, that they seek to satisfy the King, and to serve him devoutly, when they seek to set up a religion displeasing to God, disgraceful & hurtful to the King, and most prejudicial to his subjects.  
Secondly He supposeth the Prelates of the Church of England cannot with reason disallow this petition, seeing nothing is required at their hands, but a reasonable conference, and satisfaction in points of their mission and vocation. But it seemeth he meaneth to give them but little satisfaction; that refuseth to give them their due titles, and telleth them of, I know not what wealth, pleasures and palaces pretended to be enjoyed by them. He is also very ignorant. that imagineth, that the teachers of the truecatholike faith, can abide a false wicked, idolatrous, heretical, & blasphemous religion, or true subjects treason and rebellion, and very impudent to call true Bishops in question for their vocation and mission, having no colour of defence either for the mission and vocation of Mass Priests, to sacrifice for quick and dead, as for the Pope to rule the whole Church, or for the Cardinals to practise the troubles of Christendom. Further he was not wise to talk of Bishop's winess being allowed by saint Paul, seeing the perjured Romish priests forswearing marriage and swearing continency, do notwithstanding keep concubines, whoors, and Bardassaes. As for the calling of our prelate's, and ministers, it hath been often and sufficiently justified already, and shall be again, when the intrusion of the pope, and his poleshorne crew, of sacrificing preeests into the Church shall not by any means be maintained, or coloured.  
Thirdly he seemeth very careful, not to offend the Puritans, as he calleth them. But it is offence enough, to give the names of faction to true Christians. Furthermore, if the papists be no better able to plead for themselves and their religion, than these petitioners have done; not only such, as they call Puritans, but also all other good Christians will condemn them to be neither half subjects, nor condicional subjects, nor subjects at all. As for their religion it groweth every day more odious and execrable than other.  
Fourthly the scholars of Cambridge and Oxford of all men rest worst satisfied with this petition, being void both of learning and reason. as for the conceit which ignorant creatures have of mass priests, they regard it not, knowing them to be but shallow fellows in divine matters, though very profound in rebellions and treacherous practices. miserable are they, that follow such guides, and trust such false fugitive companion's.  
Fiftly the Artisans and prentices of London would make a wiser speak, than this petition. so silly defences are therein made for the popish priests, that how so ever they thought on them before, they cannot choose now, but both cry out against them and stop them, as false fugitives, seditious traitors and professed enemies to their prince and country. In the mean while the mass priests have little cause to thank john Lazy, that maketh them plead their cause before artisans and prentices, who generally detest them and their abominable doctrine and practices, and hope to see them shortly hold up their hands at the bar for treason.  
Finally the papists at home and abroad will be very sorry to see their cause so nakedly handled, and so weakly defended; and, if they be wise, will curse him, that published so bare a discourse giving us occasion to discover their treacherous, heretical, and wicked doctrines, and other mysteries of the popish faction. As for the example of Saint Alban and of his teacher, it fitteth the papists in no sort. Those two knew no one point of that wicked doctrine of papists, which the Church of England condemneth, neither was Alban martyred for the pope's quarrel, or the doctrine now contained in the decretales, but for the faith and doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, being as loyal to his governors as the Jebusites and their complices, are perverse and disloyal. And therefore at unawares, where the prologue would use the example of the primitive church of England, he printeth privative church, showing himself to be a member rather of the pope's privative church of England, that is deprived & would deprive Christians of all true faith in verity of religion, and sincerity in conversation, then of the true primitive Church founded by Christ, and governed by the apostles and their true successors.  
But what should I need to stand longer about the examination of this poor speak of this rude & Lazy prologue, who so far forgot himself in his dates of his discourse, that he publisheth in print the 16. of octobre, this apology, that as he saith in the beginning of the prologue, came to his hands the 28. of that month. which if he be able to make good, than he hath sent us rather a prophecy, than a preface, telling us what the lay papists pleaded, some 12 days before their pleading came to his hands,     

Chap. 17. An answer to the two first chapters of the petition, containing causes both of the petitioners long silence, and of their breach of silence.  
IF the two first Chapters of these lay men's petition had been spared, it might percase have been imputed for wisdom unto them. For than neither their ingratitude in not acknowledging his majesties rare favours towards them graciously pardoning their offences, nor their presumption in accusing him for breach of promise, nor their untruth in charging his majesty, the parliament and state, with rigorous and cruel dealing against them, nor their vain brags in pretending that they were so forward in maintening the King's title, and the principal mean, that placed him in his royal throne, would so clearly have appeared. But seeing they would needs acquaint us with the reason of their present speech, and former silence, let us hear them, what they can say.  

A PETITION APOLOGETICAL, PRESENTED TO the Kings most excellent Majesty, by the Lay Catholics of England, in julie last.  

Chapter 1. The cause of our silence.  
MOST 
1 His grace you abuse, his sovereignty you deny, his might you hinder.  Mighty and gracious Sovereign. Many are the reasons that have caused us to expect with perpetual patience, and profound silence, your majesties most gracious resolution for some benign remedy, and redress of our most grievous 
2 You wrong his Majesty, charging him to be a persecutor, and your cause showing yourselves unthankful for his favour.  calamities and afflictions: as the confidence of a good cause: the testimony of an incorrrupte conscience: the memory of our constant and continual affection to the undoubted right and Title, in remainder of your renowned Catholic Mother, to the Crown of England: the imputations, Crosses, and afflictions, we suffered many 
3 If your plots had taken, you had marred all.  years therefore: the public and grateful acknowledgement that your said glorious Mother made thereof, at the time of her Arraignment and execution, in the presence of the Lords there assembled for her conviction, uttering these words: 
[a] Her bludis shed, & yet remaineth peace & authority to work them redemption of her so desired.  Woe is me for the poor Catholics, and the miseries I foresee they are like to endure for their irremoveable affection to me and mive: If I were as free as mine estate and innocency requireth, I would gladly redeem their vexations with my dearest blood.  
The same zeal and promptitude after her decease, we showed in your majesties right, and 
1 His majesties right is but pretension to these lay papist.  pretension to the Crown of England, the oppositions were 
2 Parsons did indeed oppose against the King's right, in his book of titles, & so did all his followers  made by us and our Catholic brethren and friends abroad and at home, leaving nothing in our power undone, that might lawful advance your majesties rightful Title, as Heir apparent to the Crown of England, against all practices or projects to the contrary.  

(b) The L. Monteagle M. Fran. Treshan Sir Lewis Tresham, in the Tower of London.  Our 
3 When there was no remedy.  forwardness in proclaiming your Majesty without any further warrant than the right, and justice of your Title, and the loyalty and affection of our hearts.  

(c) Sir Thomas Tresham at Northhampton.  The 
5 Was it dangerous to proclaim the king?  dangers and difficulties that some amongst us passed in performing thereof, in times so green and doubtful.  

(d) The Viscount Montague largely casting money among the people.  The general 
6 Rather grief, sorrow, and anger.  joy and applause showed by us, with remarkable signs of infinite contentment at your highness entrance into the Realm, with dutiful offices of joy and readiness to proclaim and receive your Majesty, were performed by Catholics, with such alacrity in most places of the Realm, and those in such 
4 None of these I hope, will either subscribe this petition, or confess the Pope to be supreme head of the church.  
(e) The Lord Windsor, the L. Mordent.  distance one from the other, that they could have no intelligence one with another, how they should behave themselves in that occasion: which maketh it evident, that so general a consent, in so sudden and important an affair, of persons so by places divided, could not proceed from any other fountain, but from an universal and settled devotion to your majesties undoubted Title.  
All which offices of our love and loyalty, we assure ourselves, are aswell known to your Majesty, as your majesties candour & Clemency is known unto us, & by us blazed throughout the Christian world: And not by our tongues and pens only are these your heroical virtues made so notorious, as they are by the often public and 
7 Will you say the King hath broken promise?  gracious promises also, & protestations, which your Majesty (out of the infinite bounty and magnanimity of your mind) hath made aswell to Princes abroad, as to private Men at home: as well before as after the Queen's death, as well before as after your entrance to the Realm; both in private and in public; both in Palace, and Parliament, that you would have no blood for Religion. that you would have no sale money for conscience contrary to the word of God, that you would review the laws made against Catholics and give order for clearing of them by reason, in case they have been in times past farther, or more rigorously executed by the judges than the meaning of the la was.  
The intended performance of which your most gracious promises received a memorable commencement in july last passed, some few days before your Royal coronation, when by special order of your Highness, without any suit or motion of Catholics, certain Recusants of the best quality and ability, out of divers parts of the Realm, were sent for to Hampton Court by the Lords of your majesties privy Council, and were by them very respectively and courteously used, & also assured by the said Lords, that your majesties Royal pleasure and Clemency was to exonerate the Catholics of this realm from henceforth of that pecuniary mulct. of xx. pound a month for recusancy, 
The xx pound a month for Recusancy released by the King's voluntary promise in july, 1603.  which your majesties grace and relaxation the said Lords signified that they should so long enjoy as they kept themselves upright in all civil and true carriage to wards your Majesty and the State, without contempt: whereunto reply was made, that recusancy might be held for an act of contempt: It was auswered by the Lords of the Council, that your Majesty would not account 
1 Can men refuse to concur in gods worship, and yet be guiltless?  recusancy for a contempt: And this your majesties gracious order and pleasure the said gentlemen recusants, were willed to signify to all other Catholics.  
Which grace proceeding from your majesties mere clemency & voluntary good will, in that most dangerous time of the discovery of the conspiracy of the Lord 
2 But contrived by Watson & Clerke, two Romish traitorous martyrs.  Grace and Cobham, seemed to us so inviolable and so little subject to change or alteration, that comparing these bountiful effects with the repose & trust, which your Majesty (in your Printed book to your Peerless son) seemeth to put in them that were faithful and resolutely affected to your Mother, and with the speech your Highness made the first day of the Parliament tending to some more 
3 Beware lest your presumptuous challenges & treasons altar not the king's course.  temperate course in matter of Religion than was of late used. we had great reason to abstain from farther importuning 
4 What then meant you by your importune petitions?  your Majesty, either by friends or petition, but to expect with silence, patience and all humble submission, how your Majesty should please to dispose of us, without any diffidence or distrust, either in our own 
5 If merits were respected, what can you claim?  merits, or your mercy.   

Chapter 2. The reasons that have driven us to 
* Better it is to be silent, then to speak foolishly.  breaech of silence, and to a necessary and just defence.  
BUT Alas (Dread 
1 The Pope's vassals dread him not, nor count him supreme.  Sovereign) we see our silence modesty, and simplicity so abused by some 
2 They should be indeed very indiscreet, if they could not discern your false religion from catholic doctrine.  indiscreet Ministers, who in their Books and Sermons make it evident, they think no abuse or indignity offered us, sufficient to satisfy their 
3 Remember your bloody persecution & rigour in queen Mary's cruel reign, you massacrers of Christians.  rigorous minds, or suppress our righteous cause, that we are driven thereby to break our determinate course of silence, urged and enforced thereto by these sequent occasions.  
first, 
The first reason.  that we see ourselves, as superstitious persons, excluded 
4 Not for superstition, but either for refusing to acknowledge the king's supremacy, or for other your demeries.  from that supreme Court of Parliament, that was first founded by and for Catholic 
5 These Catholic men never knew your Caeolike doctrine of Trent, nor your late treacherous practices.  men, was furnished with Catholic Prelates, Peers, & Personages, and was endowed with those Goodly Priveleges and prerogatives by Catholic princes & so 
6 These selows belike, do know what Parliaments were called in King Lucius his time.  continued from the first conversion of our Nation from Paganism for so many hundred years without alteration, till the times of Edward 
7 Do they mean to exclude Children and women from the crown?  the VI, a Child, and, Queen Elizabeth a Woman: and by the laws made by Catholics in those Parliaments, the honour, peace, and wealth of this realm hath been, and is 
8 By this reckoning papists are no Catholics. For they made the king and country subject to strangers, and suffered the Pope to make a spoil of the kingdom.  maintained, and your majesties right and succession to the crown, mightily (against all your adversaries) fortified 
9 Weakly do they support the kings right, that make him tributary to the Pope, and utterly do they overthrow hu succession, that give the Pope power to dispose of kingdoms.  and supported.  
We see daily, 
The 2. reason.  bills and 
10 The parliament is no place where books are exhibited.  books exhibited against us in Parliament and elsewhere, 
11 You are not taxed with names, but for crimes and that most justly.  taxing us very unjustly, with most odious names of heretkes, sectaries, superstitious persons, and idolaters.  
We hear that your Majesty is often 
12 By whon are you not ashamed to belly his Majesty?  solicited to extirpate the very root, 
The 3. reason.  race, and memory of us, out of your Dominions, and rather to admit 
13 A slanderous imputation both to his Majesty, and the state, as if they meant to allow miscreants.  Miscreants and jews than Catholics.  
We hear a new motion is made for the reviving of the 
1 Only against such as commit capital crimes  former capital laws and pecuniary payments, and other penalties, 
The 4. reason.  rather charging us with a heavier hand, then easing us of our former burdens: we hear that men are to pay for their wives recusancy, which in the hardest and heaviest times never was admitted: that the having and keeping of a school master [not allowed by the Diocesan) is to be punished with xl. shillings a day: that all such as go over to study in foreign parts without special licence, are to be disabled of all inheritance, Lands, Legacies, or other goods, chattels or possessions whatsoever. These instances duly considered, cause us greatly to fear, that your majesty may in time, by the 
2 None so clamorous and importunate, as these petititioners.  importunate and daily clamours and calumniations of our adversaries, be incensed & incited against us your most faithful 
3 How are they the king's subjects, that subject themselves to the Pope, or faithful, that so often oppugn their kings?  subjects, woe living in certain security of their own innocency, and your majesties mercy and bounty, labour not by unquiet oppositions to contradict the false informations of our adverse part, but only rely upon the providence of God almighty's protection, and your Majesties, who tanquam Pater patriae is and ever hath been, the certain sanctuary, and common support of all just and innocent men. And since the discharge of our mind, can in our poor opinion bring no other inconvenience, then light to your resolutions in such things, as your Highness is now to determine of in this present Parliament, being the fittest time for your Majesty to hear the desires and requests of your people, and we having no other means to make them known, but by this our dutiful Petition, we are the bolder to present unto your majesties view this our simple and sincere Apology: lest God should be offended with us for our silence in matter of 
4 How do they honour god, that serve saints and idols?  his honour, least the Christian world should condemn us of negligence in defence of our 
5 No marvel if the cause of antichrist be poor and distressed, in the eyes of Christians.  poor distressed cause: lest our Children and posterity should argue us of carelessness and pusillanimity in a cause concerning their lives, estates, & their very soul's 
6 Do you hope to be saved by serving saints, indulgences, popish reconciliations, and such trash?  salvation: finally lest our adversaries should insult over us & repute us tanquam confitentes reos, if after so many blows given, we should not hold up the Buckler hand to save our heads, from utter confusion and destruction, and leave some monument to our posterity of our zeal & devotion 
7 Do lay men take on them charge of souls, or care for souls, that pin their souls on the Pope, chair?  in negotio animarum, and our duty and affection, 
8 A goodly worship of priuces, when you make them the Pope's slaves.  in cultu principum.  
Yet so desirous we are to give your Majesty all possible contentment and satisfaction, so loathe not only to commit, but to conceive any thing that might justly offend your grace, that being by the reasons aforesaid pressed to put pen to paper, and to have recourse to your Highness by way of intercession, we seek not for all that to importunate your Majesty with concourse of multitudes, nor with the subscriptions of thousands of your lay Catholic subjects hands 
(a) As the Millenary ministers lately did.  as some others have 
1 Others faults are no cover for your seditious courses.  done, in alio genere] for the furtherance of their affairs: but some few of us only in the name of the Catholics of 
2 All degrees know you to be falsaries, exhibiting a false libil in the name of all degrees.  all degrees [who every way join with us in our submission and purgation) do present this our sincere Apology and humble Petition, wherein if we seem more tedious for the divers important points we must necessarily handle by this occasion, then is convenient for men that deal with so mighty a Monarch; busied so extremely with the weighty affairs of so many kingdoms: pardon [O noble Prince] this our indecorum, for that we are driven to touch somewhat in this our discourse, which in parliament we should have said, if we thither had been admitted: that which to our adversary we would utter if they had the patience to hear us: and that which we should answer to their sinister suggestions, if we might have that access to your royal person, as the extremity of our cause requireth, and the true and 
3 That appeareth well by Watson, Clerk, Brooke, Percy Garnet and their confederates.  hearty affection we bear to your Majesty and the commonwealth of your Potent Monarchy deserveth. It is not our meaning (most mighty Monarch) being merely lay men, that make no profession of letters, to examine 
4 They think to slubber matter, over with out examination.  curiously and contentiously all that our adversaries have thundered of late against us, or to dispute with them in mood & figure, which combat we leave to the divines of both parts, when your Majesty shall think good thereof: but with due respect to give your Grace an account and reason of our belief and religion, and a full and ample security and satisfaction: of our fidelities and submission,   

The answer to the first and second Chapter.  
THus we see the causes of their silence, and of their speakeinge. but we cannot see that they are either true, or sufficient. the first reasons pretended for their silence are these, as they tell us. the confidence of a good cause, the testimony of an incorrupt conscience, the memory of their constant & continual affection to the undoubted right and title in remainder of the king to the crown of England, their zeal and promptitude showed in his majesties right and pretension (as they call it) to the crown of England, their forwardness in proclaiming his majesty King of England, and their general joy and applause at his majesties entrance into the realm, and for these reasons they say, they have in profound silence expected for some benign remedy and redress of their most grievous calamities and afflictions. But first what absurd fellows are these to talk of silence, having of late time published so many discourses, libels, rhymes and pamphlets both in defence of themselves, and in disgrace of others, and presented so many petitions both to his majesty, and to all, that could help them, or were likely to favour them?  
Secondly if the Massepreestes, and their associates, had a conscience so incorrupt, as they pretend, and such confidence in their cause, as they boast; why do they fly the light and hide themselves in corners? again why do they not make the goodness of their cause appear, and particularly clear themselves of those heretical and treacherous doctrines wherewith they stand charged? they show themselves most shameless, when they defend the pope's claim in deposing kings, and translating kingdoms, and adhere unto him as his sclaves and maintain gross idolatries, and absurd noueltyes to talk either of a good cause, or of a good conscience.  
Thirdly if they indeed had favoured the king's undoubted right, then would they not have called it pretension, nor put him in remainder, as here they do. Nor would so many of them have favoured Parsons and Coluill, that have oppugned the king's title in books published to the world, nor have received pensions, and entertained intelligence with other clay mers and pretenders.  
Fourthly those, which favoured the jebusites and spaniardes, and pope did not then much applaud, when either his majesty was proclaimed king of England, or first entered into the realm. But when they saw the state's forwardness; than whatsoever heaviness lay at their hearts, they were forced to set on the best face they cold, and to do as others did though with small alacrity, as the dejected countenances, heavy sighs and sober cheer of divers of them did declare Knowing the king to be of a religion adverse to the Pope, by the rules of the Pope's decretales, which they regard as much, as the holy scriptures, they might not favour him, nor consort with him, if they had been able to resist.  
Lastly most unjustly they charge the state, as oppressing the papists with gre●uous calamities and afflictions, whereas their consorts in Spain and Italy with all cruelty spoil and murder our brethren, and the state doth only punish recusancy with pecuniary mulctes, and very rarely, and of few and of late time hath begun to exact them.  
But had these fellows so good a cause, and conscience as they pretend, yet should the same rather move than to speak, then to keep silence. For, who is not bolld to speak in a good cause? to mention the king's mother, or the conspiracy of Grace and Cob ham (they should say of Clerk and Watson the principal contrivers of that plot) they had no reason, being the causes of her destruction, drawing her indirectly into their intricate practices, most dangerous to her person and that conspiracy proceeding only from the invention & practice of Papists.  
The next causes of their silence were, as they say, the promises made by his majesty both in public and private, the courteous usage of certain recusants at Hampton court, and his majesties speech the first day of the parliament: But these are matter, that rather might move them to open their mouths, and to give thanks to his Majesty for his undeserved favours, then either to suppress his praises in silence, or to mutinously to mutter, and to utter words of discontentment, as if they had been dealt withal hardly and unjustly. Furthermore they do bewray their ungracious and crooked nature, that seem to charge the king with breach of promise, and alteration of his courses, who promised more than they deserved, and performed all that he promised, and altered not his course of Clemency, though forced thereto necessarily by alteration of their lewd course and their agents importunity. For his promises at Hampton court, which are principally urged, this I answer, that in that place, neither was any toleration of religion demanded nor any such matter promised. nay the cause of the repair of divers recusants thither was the suspicion conceived of them, as if they were guilty of the priests treason, and not any new motion for toleration. Thereupon they prayed his majesty to have a good opinion of them, being guilty of no other crime, as they said, than recusancy. And he like a most gracious king & father of his people answered, that the same should be no conviction, if other wise they d emeaned themselves loyally. Had they been as dutiful, as his majesty was benign and gracious, they would not have entered into those plots, and rebellions, which some did afterward. That his majesty did never promise any toleration of popery at any other time, a noble Counsellor did assure all that were present, when Digby upon occasion did mention and urge the same at his arraignment. His Majesty said he as well before his coming to the crown as at the very time, and always sense, was so far from making a promise, or giving hope of toleration, that he professed, he should not endure the very motion there of by any whatsoever. For his clement courses, against recusants, & evil deserving papists, I need not say much, the same being notorious to the world only I wish that this generation would not abuse his clemency, but seek to be thankful for his former favours then provoke his justice by their continued ill carriage misdemeanours, & secret plottings  
The reasons which they allege for the making and exhibiting this petition, are these. first they tell us that they are excluded as superstitious persons from that supreme court of Parliament, that was first founded by, and for catholic men. Next that daily bills & Books are exhibited in Parliament against them, taxing them with odious names of heretics, sectaries, superstitions persons, idolaters. Thirdly that his Majesty is often solicited to extirpate the race and memory of papists out of his dominions, and rather to admit miscreants and jews than Papists. And lastly that a new motion hath been made for the reviving of former capital laws, and pecuniary payments, and other penalties. For these causes, they say they have emboldened themselves to present to his majesties view this apology, and that first, least god should be offended with their silence in matter of his honour, and next least the Christian world should condemn them of negligence in defence of their distressed estate, and thirdly least their children and posterity should argue them of carelessness and pusillanimity in a cause concerning their lives, estates, and soul's salvation. and lastly lest their adversaries should insult over them, and repute them tanquam confitentes reos. But first we answer, that divers matters here alleged are false and some wicked and slanderous, next that their reasons are impertinent & not concludent. That papists are excluded out of parlias meant it may be proved false by the example of divers particulars, which I could name if I list. Thisis most certain, that no Papistical burgess, or knight is refused in the lower house, unless he refuse to acknowledge his majesties supreme authority: which if he do, he is not only to be excluded out of the house, but out of the land, if he have his right. It is also an old trick of falsity to affirm papists to be catholics they must show that they hold Apostolic and Catholic doctrine, or else renounce the name of catholics.  
Thirdly they err grossly if they suppose, that Parliaments were founded by papists professing the puddle doctrine of the popish sect, flowing out of the sink of the conventicle of Trent, or that they were made for such as impugn the King's authority, and adhere to foreign enemies.  
Fourthly they show themselves not only to be spreaders of false tales, but also ignorant of Parliament causes, that say that books were exhibited against them in parliament for that sacred senate is no place, where to exhibit books. But if in parliament time any Books were published abroad. it was to answer their jangling supplications, and discourses, which thought to be heard for their much babbling.  
fiftly ridiculously in the superlative degree they call themselves the kings most faithful subjects. The falsity thereof appeareth by the proceed at Winchester against George Brooke a lay and lame papist and subject, and his complices, but much more is the same made evident by the flagitious treason of Percy, Catesby, Faux, Owen Baldwine, and their consorts, and the rebellion, which thereupon ensued, wherein they expected, and the jesuits and massepreests promised the aid and concurrence of all the papists in England. and many no question, would have joined with them, but that they were taken before their time, and choked in the birth of their dangerous destinies.  
Sixtly wickedly they slander the state if they suppose that any therein do desire, that either jews, or other miscreants may be admitted, and wrong his majesty, if they say, he giveth ear to such motions. Nay he desireth rather the conversion, than the destruction of papists, albeit they are the only miscreants, that are to be feared in this land.  
Finally it is no new matter, to make motions for restraining the insolency of the massepriestes and their adherents. For if these petitioners be not old, such motions were made before they were borne. King Henry the 8. at the motion of his subjects repressed such. as should attempt to maintain the pope's authority, which is a main ground of popery. And long before his time were laws of provisions, and praemunire made, to stop the pope's encrochements and daily do recusants give occasion to make new laws against them. But admit inassepriests and their adherents and the Popes truly devoted creatures had been excluded out of parliaments, and that in bills & books they had been charged as sectaries, superstitious persons, heretics and idolaters; and further, that his Majesty had been moved to take a course with them, and the parliament, to aggravate their penalties. and to provide for the execution of laws against them; yet have these lame witted lay papists no cause, either to make these outcries, or to publish these slanderous libels, not only to the disgrace of our late gracious Queen, and King Edward that excellent spirit, but also against his majesty, as if he meant to give entertainment to miscreants, and knew not how to keep measure in punishing papists and other sectaries and heretics. For first the Parliament is no place for such as love strangers, better than their own princes, and depend upon foreigners, rather than their countrymen. Secondly papists are no catholics, nor were parliaments founded either by such as believed the filthy doctrine of popery pomped out of the pope's breast in the conventicle of Trent, nor for such caitiffs & miscreants as believe that doctrine.  
Thirdly if such as in England adhere to the Pope, and positively hold his doctrine, be called heretics, sectaries, superstitious persons and idolaters, they are not wronged. For the same is clearly demonstrated in divers treatises, and partly in this answer. And little are these lame petitioners able to say for themselves to the contrary. Nay they have favour, considering their intelligence and practices of late with the pope and his agents, that they are not called far worse.  
Lastly they have no reason to complain of penal laws made against laypapists. for the penalties are only pecuniary, and very remissly pursued. but the bloody inquisitors, and the pope's adherents murdre and massacre all, that profess true religion, in places where they command, and this had Percy and his companion's done in England, if they had prevailed. Further, themselves will not deny, but that idolaters, heretics and sectaries may lawfully be punished. And if they should deny it; yet would the examples and practice both of Hezekiah, josiah, and other godly kings before Christ's time, and of Constantine, Theodosius, and other christian emperors since christianity began to be professed, plainly prove it. But it hath been and shall always be plainly proved, that papists are sectaries, superstitious persons, heretics, and idolaters.  
Their fear therefore, lest God woldbe offended with them for their silence in this cause, is superstitious and very foolish. For god is rather displeased with such, as seek to erect open idolatry, and to maintain gross superstition and heresy, as these ignorant lay papists, or rather lame Massepriestes seek to do; then with such, as keep themselves within the lists of their ignorance, and hold their peace.  
Secondly true it is, as they say, that their cause is poor, and more poorly defended. And therefore great simplicity have they showed in prating of things above their capacity, and for this cause they stand condemned by all true Christians, which would have liked much better their sober silence, than their violent and foolish libels.  
Thirdly their Children, whom these petitioners, that divide themselves from gods church, do divide from the Christian world, as being no part of it, shall in time to come have just cause to curse such parents as bring them up in ignorance of true religion, and open idolatry. And if they have grace, will wish their babbling parents had never meddled in this desperate cause.  
Fourthly so far are they from making any just defence against their adversaries, that they give both them, and others just cause to insult and triumph, seeing that the wits of lay papists and their teachers being sommed and pressed together, no drop of reason or piety hath proceeded from them, to season their unsavoury religion.  
Finally they confess, that they observe no decorum, and yet profess, that they will not examine curiously, that which by their adversaries hath been thundered out against them, nor dispute in mood and figure with them. And yet they pretend to be desirous to give his majesty all possible contentment, and an account of their belief and religion, and a full and ample security and satisfaction, But if they observe no decorum, it is not like they will content his Majesty; and hardly will they give satisraction to so learned and wise a prince without curious examination of matters objected. They must also dispute, if not in mood and figure, yet in some better form, then now they do, if they will either prove unto us their disfigured and evil qualified religion, or else justify unto his Majesty the reasons of their rude request, that is not only subscribed, as approved by subscriptions of a thousand hands, (as that was of the Millenary ministers, of which these lay papists talk idly) but also with the terror of many thousands of the popish faction, as it were obtruded to his Majesty.  
So we may see, that these petitioners are able to bring neither truth, nor reason for the justification of their cause keeping silence, when they should have spoken, and speaking nothing to purpose, when they resolved to break silence. But if we please to examine the true cause both of their former silence, and this present petition; we shall find, that their silence proceeded partly from their great occasions being busied in divers practices against the state, as these horrible treasons lately discovered do declare, and partly from the lewdness of their cause, that by far better orators, than these lay-men, cannot be defended. Contrariwise the occasion of their petition is not any wrong offered by us, but rather a wrong intended by them, and that both to his majesty and to the state, while bragging of the numbers, forces and correspondence with strangers, they endeavour to strike a terror into his majesty, and buzzing these foolish tales into the ears of the multitude, desire to trouble the peace of the state. But the state of things being well known, neither shall his majesty have cause to fear their threats, nor the people reason to believe their foolish tales. For as they feed themselves, (like as all fugitives and malcontents do) with a fond conceit of their own strength without grounds of reason, so they feed their readers with words, and shows, without any sound demonstration of any point of their erroneous religion. God grant, that the simple seduced papist may as well apprehend it, as we shall prove it; and then will they hereafter be more wary, how they venture their state and souls upon the mass-priests warrant, who upon the hazard and loss of others, do reap no small advantage now, and seek to bring all into adventure hereafter.     

Chap. 18. Of the quality, number, and forces of English papists, and of their assurance, and resolution, which they praetend in their religion.  
IT were much to be wished, that thepapists of England did either well know themselves, and their own qualities, numbers, and forces, or else had learned, for what religion they contend. For then neither would they, stand so much upon their merits, qualities, numbers and forces, nor yet once offer to talk of the assurance of their religion, for which they have no ground; and this every other man doth acknowledge, seeing their merits, if we respect favour, to be slender, their good qualities to be few, their forces to be nothing in regard of his majesties numbers of true subjects, and considering that then doctrine of popery may not be examined by lay papists, and wholly resteth on the Pope's pleasure, Their pleading is most simple, as the two chapters following do declare.  

Chapter. 3. The estate and quality of your majesties Catholic Subjects.  
FOR the clear understanding of which two points, may it please your Grace to consider; first what is the state and condition of your faithfulll and Catholic subjects for 
1 They would terrify his Majesty with show of numbers, & reproach him as ungrateful, not regarding their deserts.  number, quality, and desert; next what 
2 Their religion is declared to be a hochpot of heresies, impieties, and novelties. Their grounds are uncertain traditions, and the pope's decretaline fancies.  Religion it is they profess, and upon what grounds: last what they are of your majesties subjects of their Rank, that for former of future services, and submission in all civil and temporal causes, against all both domestical and foreign enemies, have and will go farther, or venture more willingly their lives & livings for the honour and defence of your person, greatness, and posterity, than they, and their friends both have, and will do.  
In delivery of which points, we hope your Majesty will expect no farther art, or eloquence than may be required of men plunged, and perplexed with the 
3 The Pope belike hath given his clients a purgation, that are thus troubled with fluxes and refluxes. But for vexations they have no reason to complain here in England, considering their wealth and case at home, and the cruelty of their consorts abroad, and their deserts at home and abroad.  flux and reflux of perpetual vexations, which is truth that craveth 
4 If you cry for justice, what needeth mercy? we find your plead so absurd and destitute of truth, that neither your crocodiles tears can excuse you, nor justice acquit you.  justice, and tears that cry for mercy.  
It is evident (Dread sovereign) that the subjects of your majesties Realms of England and Ireland consist of Catholics, Protestants, 
5 They put themselves before his majesties loyal subjects, and rail at the state, as bearing with sectaries. They do also leave the Scots out of the number of the king's subjects. judge then whether it be possible to find more proud beggars, or insolent malcontents, or railing hypocrites.  Puritans, and other sectaries: the Catholics and catholicly affected in this Realm, notwithstanding the long persecutions in the late queens days, were at the entrance of your Majesty to this Realm, 
6 God forhid the x. part of the people should be the Popes marked slaves.  esteemed to be as many, as any other of the said professions of Religion: and as for Ireland, few there are of that nation, that are of any account or freehold, 
An Irishman a protestant is rara avis in terris.  but are 
7 They observe only certain external rites for want of better teaching, but understand scarce any point of popish sophistical religion.  professed Catholics besides those that are catholicly affected.  
And as for the Catholics of this Realm, it is well known that their 
8 Some of your ancestors were also pagans or heretics  Ancestors have deserved well of this commonwealth both in war, and peace, both at home and abroad, and for their fidelities, and laudable services have been advanced by your majesties progenitors, under whom they lived and served, from whom we hope that in no point we 
9 In infinite, as may be specified by the bastardly doctrine of Trent, and of other late conventicles, of pope's, schoolmen, and such like teachers of popery.  degenerate only that which in them was esteemed the 
10 Your polestar is not Catholic religion, but the Pope's chair.  polestar of all their virtues (to wit) the Catholic Religion, is in us 
11 Not Catholic faith, but seditious practices and doctrines covered under this mask are punished in England.  punished for wickedness and impiety.  
This did our Catholic Parents, dignified by your majesties catholic progenitors, leave us to succeed them in their Religion towards God: their fidelity towards 
1 You succeed them in neither being neither sound in religion, nor affection to your princes.  our Princes, and their native freedom in this your Realm of England, which we have 
2 So malefactors lose their liberty.  lost of late years under the Reign of our late Queen, for no other crime or offence, then for that we endeavoured to serve God as our Catholic forefathers have done before us, ever since the convorsion of our 
3 Not only Christians, but also Pagans may be ashamed thus to lie. For not only the service of Saints, and Idols used in the Church of Rome, but also the Popish Mass, and all those doctrines of popery, which we refuse have been brought into the Church long after this conversion which they talk of.  Country from Paganism; and to save our souls, which are more precious in his sight, than all the kingdoms in the world: and although we were debarred from all offices and dignities, and lived as it were in perpetual banishment and confinement: yet was it never heard that any one of our number of such suffering recusants, ever 
4 Did not the rebels in the North, Anno. 1560. and in Ireland An. 1599 and at other times lift up their fingers and hands against the Queen? and are not the Papists in all places ready to rise against Princes excommunicate by the Pope?  lifted up a finger to the least damage, or detriment in the world of our Prince or country. And thus by these few lines your Majesty may see the multitudes condition, and disposition of your Catholic subjects; who humbly prostrate at your majesties feet crave to be restored to their former and ancient freedom.  
What we have here spoken, or shall hereafter speak of our 
5 See the ingratitude of recusants, and what Princes receive for sparing them.  hard usage in our late Queen's days, we are driven thereto by necessity, for moving your Majesty to commiseration, by comparing in your wisdom the grievousness of our punishment, with the quality of our deserts, that thereupon you may temper the 
6 Compare it with the proceed of the bloody inquisitors of Spain, and compare our Kings with Popish princes, and then the world may as well see the moderation of Christians, as the cruelly of papists.  asperity of the former proceed against us, which our late Sovereign herself in her later days began to do, giving the world to understand by the last proclamation that ever she made in that kind, that she began to 
7 She did always distinguish aright betwixt the articles of religion and treason. But papists hold it a point of religion to execute the Pope's bulls against their lawful princes, which true Christian's account to be treason.  distinguish between Religion and Treason, and aswell therein, as in divers other books and proclamations tending to that purpose, before published upon any notorious execution upon Catholics, she divers times, and by her Ambassadors to divers Princes abroad did promise and protest, that her will and intention was not to punish her subjects for their 
(a) Our late Queen ever made profession that she meant never to punish for Religion.  Religion & conscience, whereby we conceived some hope, and found some effect a little before her majesties death, and in this mind and disposition God did take her, and your Majesty found us: which considered, we hope your Majesty having no occasion to hate us, and we many old and new occasions to love you, that you will rather imitate your predecessor in her first best, and 
1 Of her nature she was always iuclined to mildness. But it had been better for her and the state, if she had permitted her judges to execute her laws.  last disposition tending to mildness mercy, and moderation, then in her other hard and sharp courses: sithence the fruits and effects of the one, were 
(a) The fruits of a sweet & mild course.  joy, peace, 
2 Or rather discomfort, rebellion, penury.  abundance, and universal union, and combination of minds and affections, both at home and abroad (which your Majesty seemeth most to desire) and the harbingers and handmaids of the other, have been 
(b) The handmaids of blood and persecution.  wars, 
3 Or rather victories against our enemies, and discontentment and hurt to none, but malcontents and traitors.  dissensions, discontentments, blood, and beggary; (which your Grace cannot so well digest.) And that appeareth most evidently by the first twelve years of the late Queen's Reign, which as they were free from blood and persecution, so were they stawght with all kind of worldly prosperity, no Prince was for that space better beloved at home, or more honoured or respected abroad, no subjects ever lived with greater 
4 Then were the papists most wicked and ungrateful, that living thus securely and contentedly practised against her, & sought her blood, being set on by Pius Quintus.  security or contentment: never was the Realm more 
5 Why then did the Papists anno 1569. take arms against their Queen, and seek to alter this opulent state?  opulent or abundant; never was both in Court and Country such a general time of triumph, joy, and exultation: but no sooner did she begin to alter 
6 She altered no course but only repressed unquiet spirits, which sought to alter the state.  her course, and to enter into blood, but all was 
7 Only the malcontent faction of papists was so filled.  filled with fears and suspicions at home, with 
8 Shame come to the Pope and his adherents, that occafinned them. The loss hath lighted upon them already.  wars and divisions abroad, and with continual frights and alarms of strange attempts, either against 
9 Look who these attempters were: and you shall find them to have been either papists, or Atheists set on by papists.  her person or state: and in fine when her treasure was 
10 This may be truly of firmed of her majesties enemies and their states. But not of England, as, I hope his Majesty will witness. But were we hurt by the wars, yet should not this cause us to love papists. that mingled heaven and earth, and stirred the world against us to win their purpose.  exhausted, her subjects and kingdoms extremely impoverished, and all the kingdoms almost about us disgusted, and in open terms of jealousy and 
11 Much to their own loss and pain, as the sequel had declared, if the king had not given them peace.  hostility with her, she began again to think of her former fortunate days, and to incline to a 
12 It is rather madness than mildness to spare either professed enemies or secret traitors.  milder course, as the only means to settle her and her Realm in peace, security, and former prosperity: which times compared together, do demonstrate that the severity of laws made against Catholics, were the 
1 Laws made against papists are the only bands, that hold the flat together, and the best means we can use to contrecarre the mischiefs in ceded by them.  forerunners of infinite mischiefs and miseries, And lest your Majesty beholding such bloody and strange laws made against us, with their 
2 They were always most slowly executed.  rigorous execution by the space of so many years in so long a Reign, as was that of our late Queen; might thereby conjecture that such new and never heard of decrees, could not without urgent or notorious occasions have been invented, constituted, and so severely executed; lest this apprehension of these former proceed might make the like impression in your mind, and aversion from us: we humbly crave your majesties gracious ears and attention: And when you shall review, and consider deeply the laws made against us, & compare them with the objected crimes, that then some overture may be proposed to the present Parliament, for clearing the laws by reason, which is the soul of the law to them, that distinction may be made by justice between the innocent and guilty people: for howsoever the late 
(a) The reason that might move the late Queen to make laws against Catholics.  Queen might have pretension to make them, both by reason of her 
3 A shameless slander. It was only a devise of the popish faction.  illegitimation by her own Father in public Parliament notoriously divulged, and the jealousy she ever stood in of the Queen your gracious Mother, both for the back and alliance she had with France, and the right she seemed to have by the 
4 The Pope is the Church to these men, and by the same reason his close stool may be their chapel. But if they give the Pope power to excommunicate princes, and to depose them, these pope's churchmen are but mean subjects.  sentence of the Church, pronounced against the divorce of her Father; and the divers censures and 
5 Very wickedly and saucily, and treacherously aliowed by papists.  excommunications promulgated against her: Yet your Majesty [of whose rightful succession and most lawful, and legitimate possession of this Crown, 
6 Then is Parsons and his followers more diabolically disposed towards the king, than Satan himself For they have long impugned and denied the king's title to the crown of England.  Satan himself being put to his shifts can make no doubt or difficulty; against whom no 
7 We report us for disproof of this to certain discourses set out by Parsons and Coluil.  Competitor either hath, or had purpose or power to contend, 
(b) Vide D. Giffords' commission, and Monsieur de Be thunes letters.  whom the 
8 This Sea of Rome is a sea of abominations and mischiefs. And therefore it is not much material, what is regorged out of such a guise of impieties. But that the Pope hath not excommunicated the King, it hath proceeded rather from fear, than love, or any endeavour of Gifford, or Bethune. His predecessorr got nothing by excommunicating Queen Elizabeth, and less would the Pope now win by censuring his Majesty.  Sea of Rome is so far from censuring, that she hath, 
9 What thè whore of Babylon doth, his Majesty hath no cause to like. This is certain, the Pope never censured Clerk, nor Watson nor Percy, nor Digby, nor Garnet, and the rest, that sought the subversion of the state.  already censured all those that shall any way seek to give you any disturbance or molestation, and with whom all the Princes in Christendom are in perfect peace and amity; and whom Catholics have as yet no way 
1 Hath the king no reason to be offended with the tumults & practices of papists in Scotland & England? why then was Watson hanged and order taken to persecute the Scottish rebels? why was the la executed against Faux, and Digby, & other traitorous papists?  offended, but by all means endeavoured to serve, satisfy, and content.] 
(a) His Majesty hath no such reason to continue the laws against Catholics, as the late Queen had to enact them.  Your Majesty [we say] for these respects, hath no such apparent cause to continue those laws, as the late Queen had to enact them, the reasons and foundations of those laws, being by this happy mutation of state, time, and persons utterly 
2 Never as long as the king professeth true religion: or refuseth to become the pope's vassal.  removed.  
If then [Dread Sovereign] we have been, are, and will be [as we have and will demonstrate] as loyal, 
3 As the leaguers were to Henry the 3. of France, whose throat they cut, Or as Percy and Catesby of late were to our King.  faithful, and affectionate to your Majesty, your predecessors and posterity, and even to those Princes that dealt most hardly with us, and to the good and peaceable estate of our Country, as any sort of your majesties subjects within the Realm of our Rank whatsoever: we see not how by authority we can be driven to forsake our Catholic 
4 Your faith is proved neither to be Catholic, nor your father's faith.  Father's faith and belief, unless authority can by reason 
5 Authority is one thing reason another. These jumble both together.  convince us that our faith is infidelity, our Religion superstitron, and the service we use Idolatry, or the 
6 This is proved, and all your brabbling objections answered. Contrariwise you prove nought against us, and yet force us to embrace your wicked opinions.  Doctrine we receive heresy. These are points first to be decided and determined amongst Divines and learned men of both parts, and therefore that Magistrates should proceed against us, as men convicted of those crimes, before our cause be heard and determined, by them that are by God 
7 They will only have the pope to be judge.  appointed to handle those high and important points of divinity: we hope your majesties clemency and piety will not permit: But judgement 
8 Never with you in any lawful general council.  being passed on our side already, in so many general councils abroad, and 
9 Prove your pope's mitre and massing sacrifice by convocations and Parliaments, if you can.  convocations and Parliaments at home, commending and approving the faith we profess, what reason can give life to that law, that doth reverse a sentence so authentically given, without the full form of justice and process therein required?   

Chapter 4. The reasons why we are so resolute in our Religion.  

Reasons of Religion.  THE first reason that we give of our faith and Religion [Sacred Sovereign] and why we ought not to suffer therefore as delinquents is, that neither 
1 The Turks and any other heretics are able to say so much as these do, albeit they prove nothing.  obstinate pride, nor presumptuous pertinacy, 
The 1. reason.  nor dislike of order or Discipline, nor contempt of authority, nor curiosity, affectation of novelty, or discontentment in our private humours maketh us so constant and resolute in the profession thereof: but our consciences merely so informed and enforced in manner, by the 
2 Prove this grace, and exhibit this holy word, and then you say something.  instinct of God's grace, and revelation of his holy word and will: but our understanding captivated in obsequium fidei by most evident 
(a) In no Religion but the Catholic only do all these Testimonîes concur.  Testimony of holy Write, of Unity, Universality, Succession, Antiquity, and 
3 Few lay papists understand scriptures in strange tongues, and in vulgar tongues they may not read them. How then come they to know, that scriptures make for them? do they believe the pope and his emissaries, that giveth them black for white?  authority of Scriptures, 
4 With uhose works you are but little acquainted.  Fathers, Saints, Doctors, councils, Parliaments, Virgins, and Martyrs, which all concur only, and jointly in the 
5 What is that to those that profess the pope's particular doctrine?  Catholic Religion, and in no other profession whatsoever: which considerations accompanied with the fear of God's judgements, the danger of 
6 You fear purgatory fire. Hell fire you fear not that run with your holy father headlong into hell, and with rebels into treason.  Hell fire, and the desire of eternal Salvation, command us by the rules of reason, in the practice and profession of that Religion, to obey the law of God 
7 Why then do you prefer the pope's laws before the letter of gods laws?  before the law of man..  
It is an instance and maxim that suffereth no exception, that never any general or universal 
8 What is that to us?  innovation, 
The 2 reason  or alteration in matters of Faith or Religion from bad to better, hath been heard of, either in the whole world, or in any particular nation, be it either from judaisme, Gentilism, Paganism, Atheism, or Idolatry, but that the commission and vocation of the messengers have been authorized Domino cooperant & sermonem confirmante sequentibus signis: 
Mar. 16.  our Lord working with all, and confirming the word with signs that followed: which since our new messengers and reformers, as yet, have not duly, nor clearly showed [pretending as they do, to purge Christendom of superstition and idolatry] how can they in reason crave at our hands credit, or conformity to the new laws made on that behalf? God is ipsa vita, lux, & veritas. God that is the life, light, 
The 3. reason.  and truth itself cannot give commission, credit, and authority, to death, darkness, and falsehood; but it is most evident and cannot be doubted of or denied, that the first Apostles and Conuertors of this our nations of England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Germany, were sent from the Church of Rome, & delivered us the same Roman faith we 
10 That is the question. We prove the contrary by particular instances, and evident demonstrations.  now profess; 
9 All was not of your religion. The Greek church at this day renounceth your erros.  the same Mass, and the same Sacraments; and preached the self same Doctrine, Domino cooperant & sermonem confirmante sequentibus signis: our Lord working with all, and confirming the word with signs that followed. Reason then concludeth thus, that either God in this case hath given testimony to falsehood, or else the doctrine confirmed by the testimony of God is true and avowable, and not to be forsaken for fear of any human laws, till we have like testimony from Heaven to the contrary; and when our adversaries shall duly reprove ours herein, and make their own 
1 We have proved it clearly. But the cannibal mass. priests stick always in this brake.  mission as manifest by the word of God, then if we do not conform ourselves to the new laws imposed upon us, worthily we are to endure these late inflicted penalties for matter of recusancy.  
To convince us then, that either we have not the true Scriptures, 
The 4. reason.  or interpret them not as we ought, or that we dishonour God in honouring his Saints, or err in the number, or nature of our Sacraments, as that our doctrine is false and defective, and to condemn us, and punish us therefore as Heretics and Idolaters, requireth 
2 As if ordinary pastors were not to reprove errors according to the doctrine of the prophets and Apostles, without extraordinary authority.  in all reason an absolute commission from God: the which when it shall be produced, willingly we will obey.  
If they allege Scriptures, the Scriptures are common to us both, 
The 5. reason.  yet more likely in reason to be ours then theirs: because that if the Church of Rome had not conserved them, and communicated the same unto us, our adversaries had been at this day 
3 If Rome had sunk many years since, yet had the scriptures been preserved.  Scripturelesse: the very original Bible, the self same numer● which S. Gregory sent in with our Apostle S. Augustine, being as yet 
4 Where? further what maketh that for you?  reserved by God's especial providence as a Testimony, 
(a) We received the Scriptures from the Church of Rome.  that what Scriptures we have, we had 
5 As if we had in England no Bibles, but Gregory's Bible: or as if Gregory were the author of the Bible.  them from Rome, and have nothing of our reformers, but that we have not so many books of Scriptures 
6 We discanonise no book of canonical scriptures, but papists place apocryphal scriptures among the canonical books.  discanonised and rejected, because they be express Testimonies against their new and negative Religion.  
If they stand upon the sense and true interpretation, we stand on that point more confidently than they, they having no further warrant than their 
7 The papists properly stand upon the private judgement of the pope. we follow no man's private spirit.  private spirit, and we relying on the assistance of the holy Ghost therein promised to his 
8 But not to the Pope, or his adherents.  Church for the instruction of all truth; which is Columna & firmamentum veritatis, the pillar and foundation of truth. If they fly to the Fathers, for one place evil understood and sometime falsified, sometime mutilated, & sometime wholly corrupted, we produce a thousand, not by patches nor mammocks as they do, but whole pages, whole chapters, whole books; & the uniform consent of all the ancient fathers and Catholic Church.  
If they press us with their passed Parliaments and Princes, for one of theirs we have an hundred, and for a Child King, and a 
1 Better a woman Queen, than a woman Pope.  Woman Queen, we have for us so many, so Wise, so learned, so religious, so Victorious Princes, as our Histories without them would be very barren, our Names obscure, our clergy miserable. our Bishop's beggarly, our Parliaments confused, our Laws intricated, our Universities without Colleges, our Colleges without Scholars, our Scholars without maintenance. Reason then the life of the law, requireth to our understanding more ample and 
2 These suppose the Pope's decretals more authentical than scriptures  authentical evidence: before we be cendemned by law, as superstitious or irreligious. The faith we profess, is that 
3 It is no more like it, then false doctrine to faith.  faith & religion which Saint Paul to the Romans so highly commendeth, 
The 6 reason. Rom. chap. 1.  which therefore is called Catholic and Roman, because 
(a) The church of Rome ever was and is the Mother Church.  all the Churches in the world either did in their beginnings. or do for the present agree uniformly with the sea of Rome in union and communion of faith, doctrine, and fellowship; having recourse thereto as to the 
4 The old church of Rome was the Mother Church. But what is this to new Rome?  Mother Church. From the Pastors and Prelates of this Church, to wit, from 
(b) S. Gregory the Pope, S. Auhustine the Monk.  S. 
5 That will hardly be proved further what maketh this for such as subvert the state, pervert Christians, convert none?  Gregory the Pope, and S. Augustin the Monk, we received the benefit of our conversion and regeneration; from them we received the 
6 This self same untruth we have refuted at large in our answer to Parsons his treatise concerning 3. supposed conversions of England.  self same Doctrine, Discipline, Service, Sacraments, Feasts, and laudable Ceremonies, which are by us held, practised, professed, and defended with the 
7 Note how they say they defend holidays, greasings, holiwater, and such ceremonies with their blood.  effusion of our bloods at this very day, and this we find 
8 You corrupt histories as much as you can, and yet they show, how much you are degenerated from true Christians.  verified by the Histories of 
(c) S. Bede, Cambden, Stowe, Hollenshed, and Savell.  S. Bede, Cambden, Hollenshed, Stow, and that Tripartite History set out by Master Savell.  
From this Curch of Rome we received our Bible our Gospel, our Creed, our Canons; 
The 7 reason  which are the same through the whole Christian world among Catholics both for the translation, sense and interpretation.  
This Church is by your Majesty and by the learned sort of the Protestants, 
10 Not this later Rome, that is figured by the whore of Babylon, but the ancient Church of Rome, that was praised by S. Paul.  
The 8. reason.  acknowledged to be the Mother Church, we hope than we are excusable, 
9 So the Gospel of Papists dependeth on the pope.  that reverence and love our dearest Mother, from whose breast our forefathers and we have received the sweet milk of our souls.  
There was vever yet since the Incarnation of christ any heresy that crept into the Church of God, 
The 9 reason.  but we find the names of the 
1 Name the authors of the Angelicks, Nudipedals, Col●yridians, Messelians.  authors of such heresies: we find by the Church of Rome councils called to condemn them, and Doctors employed to confute them: there is not the least Ceremony or circumstance that hath been added, for the greater 
2 For mere scorn & foolery. Further you have devised new doctrines and new worships of god, & not only new ceremonies.  Majesty and solemnity in Gods divine service, but the year is known when, and the Pope by whom it was ordained.  
If matters then of so small moment pass not without recording, reason would that the laws that must condemn our Mother church of Idolatry and superstitions, should tell us the authors that first corrupted her integrity: but if the first inventors and institutors of the Mass, of Purgatory, of prayer to Saints, and the like supposed errors, cannot be produced, doubtless we must attribute them, as we do indeed to Christ and his Apostles: and as derived from such infallible authority, we are bound in all equity to follow them.  
But if by the fruits your Majesty will give judgement of the tree, 
The 10. reason.  the fruits of our 
3 Or rather sedition, wars, massacres, empoysomments, stews, ribaldry, heresy  Religion at Love, Unity, Concord, Piety, acts of Charity, and Devotion: as Fasting, Prayer, Alms, building of Monasteries, erecting of universities, founding of Hospitals, converting of Nations, calling of Counsels confuting of Heresies, obedience to our Princes, though they be Pagans and Infidels, and that for conscience sake: 
(a) Calu. lib. 4. Inst. cap. 4. lib. 4. cap. 10.6.5.  Whereas both practisers and professors of the Religion which we are so pressed to embrace, do far differ from us in those points, 
4 These fellows teach their tongues to speak untruth.  teaching under colour of the liberty of the Gospel, 
(b) Knox in his exhortation to England printed at Geneva. 1559.  contempt of power and authority 
(c) Luther in his book, de potestate seculari: & in his comment upon the 1. of S. Peter. cap. 2  neglect of laws, 
(d) Goodman in his book of obedience: all which teach contempt of authority, & neglect of laws in the places cited.  and obedience. The examples are to late, and lamentable in your majesties Realm of Scotland, and in the persons of your gracious Mother, and Grandmother, Father, and Grandfather, to pass with silence the tragedies by such like, played in sundry other 
5 Can these men justly blame our brethren, that resisted, and would not suffer the pope's agents to cut their throats?  Countries. Reason then the life of the law will acquit us, if we prefer a Faith that hath taken so deep root, whose goodly fruits we daily see and taste, before 
6 Not so slender & slight, as the papists are slender, sleight & green Christians.  a slender sleight, green, and far less fruitful plant.  
About twenty four years now past, when a certain conference was held in the Tower between Master Campion, and Master Sherwin Catholic 
7 Or rather the seditious priests of Baal, that came to stir rebellion in England as appeared by Parsons & Campions faculties.  Priests, and some of the selected learned Protestant divines, there were then in prison in the Fleet, divers Catholics both of honourable and worshipful degree, for Testimony of their conscience only; as the Lord Vaux Master Thomas Somerset brother to the Earl of Worcester, Sir Thomas Thresham, Sir William Catesby, & others: who offered the warden of the Fleet (to procure them licence of the privy Council, to be present at the conference, and to have that question of repairing to the Protestant Church discussed and decided) one hundred 
1 They tell lies by hundreds.  French Crowns for every day that this question should remain thus under examination: but their request could not then be 
2 divers yet living can testify the contrary.  admitted, albeit the said warden did undertake the suit, and confidently promised to effect it, and seriously laboured it aswell by his honourable friends in Court, as by all other means he could possibly.  
The same offer of conformity, and desire to be satisfied in this point which we made then, we in humble wise make now, and that with so much the more greater efficacy, as your Majesty hath a most full and ample possession of our 
3 How can the heart be divided betwixt the king and the Pope?  hearts and affections, for manifold important respects, both for the love your gracious Mother did bear us, and the cause for which we suffer: as also for the often (to us most comfortable) protestations your Majesty hath made, and that in public and in private, that you have a mind free from persecution, or thrawling your subjects in matters of conscience: that you would not increase our burdens with 
4 The King is here compared to an insolent and wicked young man.  Roboam; to which adding your Clemency of which we have tasted, and your gracious promises wherewith we live in hope, and your daily discourses springing from your native bounty and beniguity, make us 
5 If you strain yourself through a colendar. yet nothing cometh from you but vain promises.  strain ourselves to the uttermost, to give your Grace satisfaction. And therefore if we may obtain this favour at your Grace's hands, to be assured in conscience, by the decision of the learned 
6 Let your Divines or rather sophistical priests, prove what they can in writing, and they shall be answered.  Divines of both sides, that the act of going to the Protestants sermons and service, is not a damnable sin: then if after such 
(a) A most hamble and reasonable request A Council, conference or disputation.  dispute, decision, and information, we shall refuse to conform ourselves to your majesties will & example, we think then there is reason to give life and re-establishment to the laws made against us. And this may suffice (we hope) for discharge of the dutiful respect we bear to your Majesty, and desire we have to give your Grace all 
7 All the workers of iniquity vaunt themselves, as the Prophet saith. Psal. 94. and so do these also. But their cracks are vain, proud and foolish.  possible satisfaction in matter our belief and Religion.   

The answer to the 3 and 4. chapter of the petition.  
HItherto these petttioners have well dissembled their violent humours, pretending only humility submission; and offering in terms to give satisfaction and contentment to his majesty. But now before they come to the cause of their religion, they tell his majesty of their numbres both in England and Jreland, secretly intimating, that if they may not have their petition by fair means they have power to take other courses. they do also signify, that some of their consorts have holden the pope's hands from censuring the king, and entreated him, to censure those that should offer the king any disturbance, in the first plainly threatening the state, in the second advancing the pope making the King beholding to him for his crown. Many other particulars there are in these two chapters worthy to be censured. First they go about to persuade his majesty, that as many of his subjects in England and Jreland are papists as professors of true religion. they would percase say the same of Scotland but that their consciience told them contrary. But first they must show, that Papists holding with the pope are true subjects, before they place them in the number of the King's true subjects. next they must bring forth the rolls of the ministers of papists, and name them, or else no man will believe them. For in Ireland, howsoever the common fort retaineth some popish ceremonies the number of that znuerstand the principal grounds and doctrines of popery is very slander, In England except certain, stage players, old women addicted to superstition, silly husbands overruled by their wives and certain Malcontents, and frequenters. of ordinaries, that despair to obteive preferment in this state, and and only hope for honour and dignity in a new world, there are but few papists, and all their numbers & forces, if we respect the multitude of true Christians, amounteth to nothing.  
Secondly they talk very idly of the dignity of English papists. But they name no one man of that sort, that either for his great service in wars, or peace deserveth any singular commendation. Therefore they run out into a long rehearsal of matters forepast, and talk of their ancestors saying, that they have deserved well of this commonwealth. But as well might the Modern Romans allege the great services and noble acts of Scipio, Paulus Aemilius, Sylla, Marius, Catulus, Caesar, Cicero, Cato and others, or of the ancient Trojans, from whom they pretend to be descended. they commend their ancestors also for their love & fidelity unto their princes. But what is that to justify the Practices of late papists both against his majesties predecessors king Edward and Queen Elizabeth, and also against himself both in Scotland, and sense his coming in England? Beside that, if they claim to be descended from those rebels that oppugned king john, and king Henry the 8, and sought to bring them under the Pope's most grievous yoke, and to deprive them of their crowns, it shall not procure them any great honour with the people, or grace from the king. They say they are not degenerated in any point from their ancestors, and that they have endcuoured to serve god, as their forefathers have done, ever since our country's conversion from paganism, and Lastly that no suffering recusant ever lifted up a finger to the least damage or detriment of his prinee or country. But their sayings are convinced to be most untrue both by public records and common experience. for if we respect matter of religion we find, that they hold divers points of doctrine confirmed in the late conventicles of Lateran, Constance Florence & Trent, which were not known, nor heard of when this land was converted from paganism, nor long after. Likewise both their missals, and breviarics, & their masses and forms of gods service are new, and not known of the ancient Britons and English. If we consider matters of state, we find, that popish recusants and papists have been principal actors in most of those rebellions and treasons that have been practised and intended against king Henry the 8. king Edward the sixth, Queen Elizabeth, and his majesty. And I hope they will not deny, that Brook, Markham, Watson and their complices were popish recusants, or that the attempt of the Spaniards anno 1588., was against their country, and set forward by papists. Lastly it is notorious, that Percy, Catesby, Digby, and all their consorts were desperate recusants, and that they lifted up not only their fingers, but also their whole arms and bodies against the king. yet should a man be very strangely conceited, if he thought they meant no harm to their prince and country.  
Thirdly they run out into a large discourse of their hard usage in the late Queen's time, as they call it, and of the Queens proceeding against them, and of the effects thereof ensuing, & pray the king to follow her rather in her, disposition to mildness, then in her other hard and sharp courses. But first all this discourse is from the purpose, and the intent propounded in the 3. chapter. for therein they should declare unto us the estate and qualities of Papists, and not the proceed of our late Queen of blessed memory. Secondly the sameiss most slanderous charging that most gracious and clement Queen with hard sharp and bloody courses. But this is all that Christian princes are to look for at these men's hands, or pens. Let them use all mildness and remissness in proceeding against papists, yet unless they suffer rebels and traitors to practise the overthrow of the state and saucily attempt against their persons, they shall be charged with sharpness and cruelty. she indeed distinguished between religion and treason: and so do others also. But the papists did not so cunningly distinguish, but that seeking to set up their wicked religion, and to bring into the country the pope's tyranny, they fell also in to divers practices and cases of treason.  
Thirdly they falsely commend her mild courses. & show that troubles ensued of the exe cution of laws against papists, whereas in truth her resolute course a against them secured her, & her slow execution or rather suspenfion of penal laws against papists caused troubles, rebelions, treacherous practices & heaped sorrows both upon her, & her true friends, &, I fear brought her to her end. Finally they confess their own lewd disposition, that being not troubled the first 12 years of the Queen's reign, did not withstanding procure the Pope's bull against her, rebelled in the north anno. 1569. & sought to deposeher & murder her, & now rail against her beingded let all christian princes therefore beware, what favours they shewto such vipers, & how they heap benefits on such ungratful persons.  
Fournhly them ention divers excommunications & censures of pope's passed against queen Elizabeth: and talk of Giffords' commission and Bethunes letters in favour of the king, as it seemeth, and of the pope, that hath not censured the king, as yet. But all these matters are also from the purpose-futher they bewray the disloyal humours of papists, that make kings the pope's vassals, and blush not to signify that the pope might in justice censure the king, if he would. Lastly they do therein bewray the weakness of the pope, and the fading force of antichristes kingdom. For now the pope doth not hold his hands from excommunicating the king at the request of Bethune, or Gifford, or any such base fellow, but because he feareth his railing and cursing would either take no effect against the king, or else overthrow the credit of antichrist's thunderbolts.  
Finally they conclude, if they have been, are, and will be loyal to his Majesty, that they may not by authority be drivento forsake their fathers Catholic faith unless their faith beproved infidelity their religion superstition, thire service idolatry their, doctrine here sy. they do pretend also, that the faitq professed by them is confirmed by judgement passed on their side in many general counsels abroad, and in connocations and parliamen at home This they conclude. But their conclusion is grounded upon false premises, their exceptions are disproved, their assertions notoriously false and ridiculous. For what their carriage hath been, it appeareth by the practices first of Watson, Clerke, Brooke, next of Percy and his mates, thirdly of the Lord, of Fentry and their complices against the king, the same is also made evident by there bellions & treasons of papists against Henry the 8. King Edward the 6. and Queen Elizabeth of pious memory. How loyal they are and will be, we may imagine, seeing their dependence on the pope and foreign enemies, and treacherous doctrines concerning deposing of kings by the pope, and the assoiling of subjects from their obedience to princes, their religion and service hath been & shall always be declared to superstitions, idolatrous, wicked and heretical. Neither are they or their teachers able to maintain it, or to answer our objections against it. We have also proved, that both ancient fathers & counsels make against popish doctrine. and that the doctrine of Trent was never received either by ancient fathers, or by the parliaments or convocations in England, or known to papists before the year 1564. themselves must needs confess, unless they be both blindly foolish & desperately obstinate. We may therefore conclude upon their own confession against them that if papists neither have been nor can be loyal to princes, or loving to their country desiring to bring both under the pope, & if their service be idolatrous, & their doctrine heretical, and their practice superstitions as is formerly daemon strated, howso ever idleheads prate of toleration of popery, that neither their religion, nor their audacious boldness & sauciness is any longer to betolerated. we may also conclude that the reasons alleged by this resolution in religion are either false, or not coneludent.  
First they say they have their understanding captivated in obsequium fidei (scilicet papisticae) by most evident testimony of holy writ, of unity, universality, succession, antiquity and authority of fathers, saints. doctors, counsels Parliaments virgins & martyrs & these they say concur in popish religion & in no other, But of holy writ these lay papists have little reason to make vaunts, seeing lay men are little skilled in tongues & stamnd prohibited to read them in vulgar tongues with out licence. furthermore these fellows art not so far traveled, as to know what is contained in scriptures, fathers, counsels & ancient writers concerning matters in controversy. & if they resolve themselves by relation of the massepreests & friars, thenar they most simple idiots to believe matters upon hearsay, and to found themselves upon the reports of such lying companion's.  
Lastly they seem to have their brains distempered, that are made to believe, that the popish sacrifice of the mass for quick and dead, their carnal eating of Christ's flesh with the mouths of men, nay with the mouth of bruit beasts, their transubstantiation, half communions, and idolatrous worship of the sacrament, the pope's universal and plenary power contained in decretales, their 7. sacraments, and doctrine of justification by orders, marriage and extreme unction, their worship of saints, relics, and images, and all the rest of their abominable doctrine may be proved by authority of scriptures, fathers, saints, doctors, counsels, parliaments, and that the same is confirmed die unity, universality, succession, and antiquity, beside the testimony of virgins and Martyrs, This we may affirm of the Apostles creed, and the Catholic faith taught and published in ancient Counsels, but by no means of the faith of the modern synagogue of Rome. Nay in our abridgement, or survey of Popery we have plainly demonstrated that the same is contrary to scriptures, fathers, counsels, ancient writers, and is devoid of the testimonies of martyrs virgins, and decrees of Parliaments, and all other authentical proofs.  
Secondly they allege, that never any universal innovation in matters of religion hath been made, but that the commission and vocation of the messengers hath been authorized by signs and wonders. But this allegation, as it concearneth us nothing, so it utterly overthroweth the petitioners cause. For we have made no universal innonation. Nay we do not alter or abrogate-any one article of the Christian faith, but as in Spain true teachers in former times caused Arianisme to cease and true religion to be received, and as the Christians in the land of Palestine some 400. years sense for a time caused the impieties of Mahomet to be suppressed, & Christian religion to be taught and practised, so do we only abolish the corruptions, false doctrines, heresies, and impieties of popery, and retain every article of the Ancient christian faith. But the massepreests, friars and monks adhering to the Pope have made an universal alteration in the worship of God, bringing in the idolatrous worship of saints, of images, of the sacrament, and receiving many old condemned heresies, and new devised school doctrines and decretaline devices, and yet neither show signs nor wonders, unless a man list to believe the wondrous lies of their legends and breviaries.  
Thirdly they take it as a matter most evident, and that cannot be denied, that the first apostles and converters of England Scotland, Ireland, France, and Germany were sent from the Church of Rome, and delivered us the same faith which the Papists now profess. But they take boldly and affirm impudently that, which no man either giveth them, or yieldeth to be true. Parson's hath spent much idle talk in this argument, and proveth nothing. Coleton is as mute, as if he were turned into a Codfish, and replieth nothing to that which is answered to the petition of Masseprecstes the last session of parliament, and their discourse touching this point. As for these petitioners, they show themselves ignorant of learning, that believe, that the doctrine of Romish traditions of the Pope's authority, of the mass, of the 7. sacraments, of Purgatory and indulgences, and such like matters was known to the ancient Bishops of Rome. but suppose old Rome had sent true preachers abroad, to convert nations to the Christian faith, what is that to new Rome, that sendeth out false apostles, to corrupt the true faith, and assassins & cut-throats to murder such, as favour the truth? this false doctrine and cut throat practise certes was never confirmed with true signs and wonders.  
fourthly they require us to show a Commission from God, if we mean to convince the papists, that they have not true scriptures, or interpret them not right, or that they are idolaters, or heretics: a devise likely to proceed from such idle heads. For neither did those fathers, that convinced the Marcionists, Arrians, Manichees, Angelicks and other heretics either of corrupting, or misconstruing the scriptures, or any other point of false doctrine, show a commission immediately from god, neither do the mass priests, that dispute now against Turks, Arrians, and Anabaptists show forth any such commission. All Christians and not only public teachers have commission, sufficient, to descry & to take heed of false Prophets, that come unto them in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. What needeth then this extraordinary authority?  
Fiftly they tellus', that we had our scriptures from Rome, and had been scripturelesse, if we had not received them from thence He saith also, that the same bible, which Angustine brought into England, is yet. reserved by gods especial providence. But first it is not material, from whence Christians receive holy scriptures. The Romans' received them from the jews and yet I trow Parsons and Coletou, as they are turned Romanists, will not turn Iewes. Secondly that the Britous received the scriptures from the Romans, it is not likely, they being, as the common report goeth, converted by joseph of Arimathaea. Neither do these petitioners show, where the Bible is to be foud, that was brought in by Austen the Monk, nor do they make proof, that this which they show, is the the same Bible, which Austen brought in. If it be the old vulgar translation, it is not likely, that Gregory sent it. For he doth not always follow that translation. Hear also they tell us, that we have rejected and discanonized divers books of scripture, because they be express testimonies against our religion, which it pleaseth them to call new and negative. But neither do we reject any book of canonical scripture, nor can any argument be drawn from the books apocryphal added in the vulgarlatin translation to the old testament, that doth hurt us. Furthermore if we do only deny the heresies of the papists, then do we not frame any new religion unto ourselves. and if the papists affirm matters not known to fathers, then is their religion new & positive, if not wicked in the superlative. For the sense of, scripture they tell us that we have only the warrant of our private spirit, and they the assistance of gods holy spirit promised to his Church. But absurdly they talk of the interpretation of scriptures following therein the private sense of a senseless pope, and neither the interpretation consonant to the meaning of gods holy spirit speaking in scriptures, nor to the judgement of fathers upon whom they brag most fond. Lastly they tell us again of parliaments and princes and say, that for one of ours, they have an hundred, but they show themselves shame less, to speak untruth without any show of proof. For if they look into all histories, they shall not find either parliament or prince within this realm, that allowed the wicked decrees of the conventicle of Trent. Neither did the clergy or the universityes of England ever approve them. Here again they they tell us of a child King, and, woman Queen, as if they had Queens, that were no women, or disallowed of the succession of children to their fathers. So their fift reason is very childish.  
Their sixth reason had been more allowable, if they could have proved their antecedent. For if their faith, had been that, which Saint. Paul so highly commendeth, and which was first taught the English by Gregory; then should we not much contend with them about matters of faith. But alas poret souls, these laypapistes read not S. Paul's Epistles, nor can they tell, what he taught. and as for their Masters, they shall prove themselves desperate fellows, if thèy take upon them to prove their transubstantiation, and massing sacrifice, and other points of popery out of S. Paul. they should also but abuse their readers, if they should undertake to prove, that popery is Catholic doctrine, as hath been often showed. Finally if Gregory the first were judge, yet should they neither prove the popish worship of images, nor the universal headship of the pope, nor the invisibility and impalpability of Christ's body in the sacrament. the contrary rather, out of Gregoryes doctrine may be concluded.  
The 7. reason is nothing else but a repetition of matters formerly denied. They say we have received our Bible, our gospel, and the canons from the Church of Rome. The truth is, that all true Christians have received both the Bible & the Gospel from Christ, and his Apostles-likewise we have received ancient canons from ancient general counsels, & from the same the Church of Rome hath received both laws and canons. But the doctrine of the modern church of Rome concerning the 7. sacraments, half communions the carnal eating of Christ's body with the mouth, and such like Mysteries of the mass they are contrary both to scriptures, and acts of counsels, and were never known to the ancient church of Rome.  
In their 8. reason they affirm, that the Romish Church is our Mother Church. But than is she a cruel mother, that persecuteth and murthreth her children. Of the old Roman Church divers nations received the faith, and therefore to them she might be reputed the Mother church, and so his majesty meant, when he spoke of the old church of Rome. But this later Romish church is rather a stepmother, than a mother, and rather the mother of fornications. as Saint John calleth her, or the mother of errors, as Francis Petrarch calleth her, than the mother of Christians. nay we haveby divers reasons demonstrated, that she is neither the mother church, nor Christ's church, but the whore of Babylon, and Synagogue of Antichrist.  
Their ninth reason is drawn from the manner of the firsten arising, and condemnation of heresies. For if there never yet arose any heresy, but both the names of the authors, and of the councils that condemned them, were well known: then if neither the authors of the mass, or of Purgatory, or of prayers to saints can be named, nor any council found out that condemned them, than they suppose, that these points came from Christ, and the apostles. But by the same reason he might prove that the heresy of the Angelikes, Collyridians, Messalians, Nudipedalls, Nazarites, apostolics, and divers of that sort came from Christ and the Apostles. For neither is Coleton able to name the first authors of these heresies, nor except it be the Angelikes condemned in the council of Laodicea, can he show, that any of these heretics were condemned by counsels. Further we show, who were the first devisers of the mass, and these lay papists confess, that the author of every little ceremony and the time thereof is known. we knowalso, that purgatory for satisfaction for temporal pains after that the guilt of sin is remitted, & prayers to saints was first devised by schoolmen among christians, & by idolaters among Heathen men.  
Their last reason is derived from the fruits of true religion, which, as they say are love, unity, concord, piety, acts of charity, and devotion, as fasting prayer, alms, building of monasteries, erecting of universities, founding of Hospitals, converting of Nations, and such like. But first the erection of monasteries, and such like dens of superstitious persons, and Sodomites, is neither a work of Charity, nor devotion. Secondly these fruits of religion, that are here mentioned, never proceeded from the modern superstition of Rome. And that is most apparent, not only by common experience, but also by the testimony and confession of papists themselves. In Italy & other countries, where popery most reigneth there is little true love, no unity, nor concord either among the teachers, or among their followers, no step of christian piety, no acts of Christian charity, nor sign of sincere and internal devotion. their prayers are directed to saints & angels for the most part, and little understood of the vulgar sort, being in strange languages. Their fasts are superstitious their alms are pharisaical, & for the most part evil bestowed. The pope's & their complices massacre & murdre true christians, & with deadly, hatred prosecute on another, Their enemies they empoyson & murdre, & such as they cannot kill, they curse and hate. They make banks of usury, & set up bordello houses for maintenance of whoredom & bawdry. they have impoverished christians, & occasioned the progress and success of Turks. and as for new Rome it hath confuted no heresies, nor called any lawful counsels, nor erected any universityes, nor taught any obedience to princes. nay contrariwise, the pope's of Rome have dissolved the bands of obedience, and with preferring men unworthy, & fostering jebusites have overthrown universities. Finally; teaching that the pope is above counsels, they have taken away all authority from counsels, & teaching the idolatrous worship of saints, images, and the sacrament, and setting for ward their traditions they have destroyed all religion. and this in the abridgement or survey of popery is proved both by testimonies and examples: against us certes they shall never be able to prove any such matters. They charge Master Caluin, Knox, Luther & Godman with teaching contempt of power & authority, and neglect of laws & obedience, & that under the colour of liberty of the gospel. But this is a common practice of papists, when they are at a stop, to father lies upon Luther Caluin and other godly men. How sincerely they deal, it is apparent, when they allege such authors, as lay papists under pain of excommu nication may not read, & affirm that to be taught by them, which those godly teachers utterly dislike and condemn. Absurdly also, where they undertake to defend themselves, they run out into an accusation of others, sailing as it were without compass, albeit they pretend, that their petition was printed at the sign of the compass.  
If then the papists upon pretence of these absurd allegations desire conference or disputation, then is their case desperate, and their hopes fruitless. For as easily shall we answer by word, as we answer now by writing, of the disputations in the tower betwixt some of ourlerned men, & Campion & his mates they have no reason to make any vaunts neither had either the Lord Vaux, or Tresham or Catesby any great judgement to offer money to be present at the conference. for that poison did they taste there that hath ruined both Treshams, and Catesbyes' progeny, & Campion was put down with a word of Greek, and found unable to maintain his own pamphlet, and much more to uphold the ruinous cause of papists. This certes we hardly believe, that either they offered such great sums of money to be present at the conference, or. that their suit was denied. For we are not hardly entreated to dispute, nor loath to be heard, and now if these suppliants or their teachers think they can do any masteries, let them propose their arguments to the view of the world in writing, that all men may know the cause, and we assure them, they shall not want answer by tongue & pen. and if that will not serve, then let them procure us the like security and liberty in Spain and Italy, that they desire in England and, than they shall not be refused.  
In the mean while I would pray these suppliants either by themselves or their teachers to justify this petition, and to take away this our answer, and that they would be pleased to answer all the particular points either of our challenge which are passed overby Walpoole. or of our survey of popery where for one reason they bring for popery, they shall have a hundred of more strength against it.    

Chap. 19 The examen of lay papists fidelity, of which they endeavour to make proof chap. 5. of their petition.  
THE question is not here only concerning the faithful and loyal carriage of the lay forte of Papists, of which I do think better than of the rest, but principally of the fidelity of the massepreestes their teachers, for whom especially the lay papists make request, and very large offers. Who then doth not perceive, that these petitioners do fail in a necessary ground of their defence, & in their consciences confess, that their teachers are guilty of treacherous dealing? the scribe also in the proofs of the lay papists fidelity doth rather make proof of his own impudence in affirming matters notoriously false & denying matters evidently true, and of his singular folly in ripping open the wounds of his own broken cause, then of any matter in question betwixt us, and intended to be proved by him, as may better appear, the whole discourse being reported, as they conceived it, and as we thus find it in the petition.  

Chapter. 5. The proofs of the lay papists fidelity.  
ANd now we come to the matter of our loyalty and obedience (Gracious Sovereign) in the defence whereof we are driven by the necessity of our affairs & 
1 If in this number you include all, that make laws against Papists, you have the king and Parliament for party.  in portunity of our oppugners, to insist more particularly, 
Reasons of loyalty.  then otherwise were convenient in respect of our own modesty, or your highness bounty and magnanimity; who never yet omitted to recompense and pay suo loco & tempore, love with love, 
2 How can you deserve the King's protection, that yield to his enemy's subjection?  subjection with protection, and virtue with honour.  
For the full and final clearing therefore of that point of disobe dience, and disloyalty, wherewith we are so often charged rather in hatred of Religion, then of any ground or substance that ever cold 
1 Were Brook Clark, Warson, Persy, Catesby and their complices charged unjustly?  justly be showed: may it please your highness to consider that there be 
(a) Three ways of trial.  three ways for a prudent and circumspect Master, to try out the honesty, and fidelity of his servant accused of treachery. 
2 And all insufficient, and foolish.   
The first, 
Former behaviour.  by making inquisition of his former life and behaviour, what 
3 You serve the Pope as your Master, can you then serve the king too?  Master he served before, in what estate, and for how long time, and with what success and trustiness.  
The second, 
Present carriage.  to look narrowly into his present quality and 
4 For your evil qnalified dispute, if you were carried in a clokebag, you might lie the drier.  carriage, and to be assured how he is and hath been affected to him, his forefathers, friends and dependers.  
The last, to compare his actions and comportments, aswell past as present, with those that traduce him; and to see what caution he can give (to stop his enemies suggestions) for his future fidelity.  

(b) Comparison between the Catholics and new Clergies comportments.  To this form or trial (Dread Soneraigne) we submit ourselves, our lives and actions, and will endeavour to give you full satisfaction in all the a foresaid points of our carriage:  obstruatur os loquentium iniqua, to the end that the mouth of him that speaketh wicked things may be stopped, that you may (notwithstanding what exclamations soever to the contrary) serve yourself of our poor 
5 Poor forces and poor services is the king to expect at the hands of the pope's vassals.  forces, lives and abilities, in all your fortunes and employments against all your foes and enemies whosoever.  
To begin then where we left, when your Maíesty made your happy entrance into this Realm, and to put you in mind by what degrees, and for what deserts we were brought into that miserable estate your Highness found us in. It is well known that before our imprisonment and restraint, upon the statute of recusancy, for the only Testimony of our consciences, some of us did bear offices in the common wealth, and were 
6 The more were you to blame, that did dishonour, and seek to destroy her, that did dignify you.  dignified by the late Queen: in which charges and negotiations (without vaunt be it said) our 
7 For want of good neighbours you are driven to praise yourselves.  carriages were 
(c) Catholic behaviours before their restraint & disgrace for recusancy.  civil, laudable, and loyal: and some of us lived without charge, yet not without credit and estimation, of worshipful and honest men, and were aswell 
8 By none but malcontents & enemies of the state.  accepted & reputed in the Countries and Provinces where we dwelled, and had commandment in, as were any other of our neighbours of the like calling and degrees.  
After our restraint our 
(a) Their demeanour after their restraint  behavionr was such as became Catholic Christian subjects towards Christian Magistrates, with all humility, respect, modesty, and subjection, ever either readily doing what they enjoined, or patiently suffering what they imposed.  
The long time of our 
1 Active and not passive.  persecutions: the number of them that were afflicted: the diversity of their ranks & qualities, and of their humours and dispositions: the perpetuity and variety of temptations and tribulations: the infinite in dignities we passed through for so many years, if they had fallen out among any other constitutions of men then catholic, they might have wrong (very probably) out of men well mortified and patiented, some action of dislike, or 
2 All the perilous practices, that have long troubled the state, have proceeded from you.  perilous practice of discontentment, when such multitudes of all degrees were so assailed; especially of people so resolute in that supremest degree of fortitude: which is as 
3 Behold lay men well studied in Aristotle.  Aristotle defineth it, Tristia pro virtute 
4 Lay mens Latin.  tolerare, to endure heavy things for virtues sake, a point very dangerous, and whereof there want not plenty of 
5 Do you not see how they threaten calamilies to the state, if they may not have their wills?  lamentable events, rising from cases of desperate necessity: which Abner the general of saul's army objected to joab David's Livetevant in these words: Exclamavit Abner ad joab & ait: num usque ad internecionem tuus mucre desaeviet? an ignor as quod 
(b) Desperatio periculosa.  periculosa est desperatio? 
Reg. 2, cap. 2.  usquequo non dicis populo ut omittat pierce qui fratres suos? And Abner cried out to joab, shall thy sword be cruel even to the death Knowest thou not that desperation is perilous? Why dost thou not command the people that they cease to persecute their brethren?  
But this may we glory in, (Redoubted Sovereign) that in all this time no diligence of our Adversaries, no Malice, no Policy, no Curiosity, no Argus eyes (of which there was great store, greedily prying into all our doings) could 
6 Then wanted they eyes. For who did not see, that the rebellions of Jreland and of the North, were raised by papists.  ever espy the least shadow of disloyalty, in any one action of the public weals professors and most sufferers in the cause, notwithstanding the long and perpetual course of their servitudes and vexations.  
The true reason whereof is, the Doctrine we are taught by the Religion which we profess; which telleth us, that we must obey our princes: Non propter iram; sed propter conscientiam: not for any indignation, but for conscience sake: and that to resist them, is to resist God's ordinance; and this is the bit and bridle that every true Catholic carrieth in his mouth, to restrain him from that, by grace and fear of God's judgements, which flesh and blood otherwise with the lively sense and feeling of insupportable miseries and afflictions; might drive him unto.  
In this case of our 
(c) The lay Catholics fidelity to the late Queen.  dutiful behaviour in the late Queen's days, fiant inimici nostri judices, let our enemies be our judges therein: let the Rolls, Registers, and Records speak, sithence the great penalties imposed upon us for recusancy what hath been our Innocency, our Integrity; our unimpeacheable carriage and demeanour: how free we have been from the least suspicion of treason and practice, as it pleased the Lords of the late privy council to tell us, 
(a) catholics justified by the Lords of the Council.  that the reason of our imprisonment was not in respect of any doubt made of our loyalties: but only to prevent the Spaniards hopes of our assistance in their pretended invasions.  
In the year 
(b) The carriage of catholics the year 88  Eighty eight, when the Spanish Armado came with intention to invade this Realm, our offers at Eely to the Lord North (than Lord lieutenant in those parts) in the presence of the Dean of Eely, and many others else of worshipful calling there present at that time, for the hasting away of the forces of those countries to Tilbery-camp, were these: we beseeched, and instantly importuned, that we might be employed in those services, in the defence of our Prince and country, and not endure that dishonour, that the whole Realm should be endangered, and we no unworthy members thereof and no mean freeholders, should be exempted from that so behoveful and honourable service: we with voluntary adventure of our lives and worldly fortunes 
(c) Their offer of service in person.  offered 
1 How durst you serve against your god on the earth?  to serve in person with our Sons, Servants, and Tenants, at out own charges; as desirous most joyfully to embrace that opportunity, to make manifest our loyalties in our Prince and country's cause: we desired to be placed in the first front of the battle: we offered to serve in the places of the hottest and most dangerous service: and if we might not obtain that favour of trust and service, for greater security, and lively demonstration of our true English hearts, we did offer, and implore to be placed 
(d) They offer to be placed unarmed in the forefront of the battle.  unarmed 
2 This was to run awoy, without question.  in our shirts, before the foremost ranks of our battles, to receive in our bodies the first volley of our enemies shot, to leave an undoubted Testimony by that our death to stop the mouths of the serpentine maligners of our 
3 This is unspeakable impudence. For the cheese procurers of this invasion were papists.  unspotted integrity, and true English loyalties.  
But if none of these instant requests would be granted us, yet those hands which should have valoronsly been used against the enemy, should be zealously lifted up to God for the delivery of our prince and Country, and to obtain renowned glorious victory against the Inuador; wherein we failed not, answerable to the duty of loyalest English Subjects, all which was offered by us to be performed notwithstanding the late Queen was twice 
(a) They play the parts of good subjects notwithstanding all excommunications.  excommunicated. And this is a demonstrable and undoubted argument, that we are not conditional 
1 Either conditional subjects or no true papists, which are bound to execute the Pope's censures against their kings being excommunicated.  Subjects, a calumny so frequent in the mouths of the Ministry, and by them endlessly objected against us.  
The like offer to that the Catholics at Eely made, the 
(b) The like offer made the Lord Vanx.  Lord Vaux (than prisoner likewise, for Testimony of his conscience, under the charge of the Arch bishop of Canterbury) offered, and in like sort would have done all the Catholics in England, upon like occasion and opportunity.  
When the Spanish Armado was dispersed, and their forces defeated the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge associated with the Dean of Eely sent to Eely to the Catholic recusants there imprisoned, from the Lords of Queen Elizabeth's privy Council, with 
(c) A form of submission sent down to the catholics from the Council.  a form of protestation of their duty and allegiance, penned by the said Queens learned Council, with direction and commission to take the said recusants subscriptions thereunto, being altogether unexpected of them, they being close prisoners, and having no intelligence at all of any Commissioners repairing to them: So soon as these Commissioners had read some part of their commission to the Catholics there, they forth with were severally divided, and in close prison restrained. And notwithstanding the said formal original sent purposely for them to subscribe unto: yet the Commissioners (as it seemed for a more trial or for a more advantage taking against the Catholics there) taxed every of them to set down immediately the protestation of their allegiance and duty, to like purpose as was set forth in the original seat to them from the Lords of the Council, which the Catholic Gentlemen were permitted to have but one only time read unto them. This several form of submission in such strict order exacted by the Commissioners, was in that 
(d) The catholics exhibit a form of submission-far more complete than that which was sent them.  ample 
2 They had some dispensation to do what they did and yet they did no great matter.  manner performed by the said recusants, that the said Commissioners (singularly extolling & greatly preferring the same, before the said original) accepted thereof, and required not at all the Catholics to subscribe to the said original so penned by the said Queens learned Counccil, and addresled by the Lords of the privy Council: to whom the said prorestations being sent, and by them perused, they received such a full approbation, that after that time never any odious imputation or calumniations against the fidelity of the Catholics, prevailed.  
The like was the valour, 
(a) The fidelity of Irish Catholics.  fidelity, and laudable service of the Irish Catholic recusants at Kinsale in Ireland, anno. 1600. who joining their forces with the late Quens against the Spanish power, and against then own Countrymen and Kinsmen, expelled with their assistance, the Spaniard; and were 
1 These bastardly English do rob their own countrymen of their honour in the battle by Kinsalo an. 1600. and give all to the Irish. God's glory like rebels to God they suppress.  special means to keep Ireland in obedience to the Crown of England: which otherwise (in the opinions of the commanders of the English forces then there) had been utterly lost. And none of judgement there doubted, but that it was in the power of those Irish 
2 Of these goodly Catholics, there were 4. rebels at the least, for one true subject in the Queen's army.  Catholic Earls, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, and their followers, to have betrayed then that Realm of Ireland, to the hands of the Spaniards; if either zeal of extirping the Protestant religion thence, and firm establishing of the Catholic religion, could have prevailed with them; or dread of 
(b) Excommunication hindered not the Irish Catholics to do the duties of good subjects.  excommnnication, or threatening of the powerful invader, proclaiming by sound of Trumpet, and dewlging proclamations that his sword should no more spare a Catholic recuss●t disobeying that excommunication, than it should do a protestant resisting in arms. And this singular act of loyalty, so shortly after seconding and confirming the like of the English catholics in Eighty eight, without all gainsaying, convinceth that the English and Irish Catholic recusantes, are not 
(c) English & Itish Catholics no conditional subjects.  conditional subjects, but most true loyal and 
3 To the Pope rather than to the king.  faithful subjects to their Prince, and to the Crown of England; therein giving place to no subjects of those two Realms whosoever, or of what degree soever and whose proof and trial herein, far excelleth all other the subjects of those Realms; if pre-eminence should in that behalf be attributed to any profession of Religion in the said Kingdoms.  
This argument of our  behaviour, and of our obedience under the 
4 Shame you not to charge so merciful a Princess with severity, when yourselves both by colour of la & by lawless massacres most or velly murder quiet Christians?  severity of the late Queen, may in all reason assure your majesty, that in matter of our loyal●e we are like pure Gold, fined and refined in the fire of many years' probation, and therein not to be any way stained.  
The second trial of our fidelities consisteth in matter likewise of fact 
(d) catholics behaviour towards his Majesties Pray-  towards your majesties Predecessors, your Title in them, and in yourself, and the effect of our love and affection performed in all occasions, that might give contentment to your Majesty, both before and since your entrance into this your Kingdom of Ergland; which we will endeavour to touch as briefly as we can.  
It cannot be denied then in the first rank of these our comportements, but that we ourselves in our times, and our Catholic Parents before us at all times of opportunity offered, have declared our devouted affections to your 
1 As may appear by Parsons his book of Titles, by Coluils' libels, and by the subscriptions and allowances of them by divers papists.  said Highness 
(a) catholics always affected to the King's Title to England.  right to this crown, the testimonties whereof are in printed books and public facts so manifest to the world, that we need not long dwell on that point: vouchsafe therefore patience we beseech you (Dear Sovereign) to hear some instances of the 
(b) Blessings & benefits his Majesty hath received by catholics.  blessings and the benefits your Majesty hath received by 
2 But not by papists believing the doctrine of Trent, and the kingkilling positions maintained by the popish faction.  catholics, and by our services and fidelities.  
King Henry the 7. and his eldest Daughter (from whom your Majesty hath received lineally and directly your birth, right, and natural succession to this crown) were most zealous and religious Catholics and for that singular affection he did bear to the 
(c) Henry the 7 preferreth the Scotish King before the French.  Scotish nation, principally for their great zeal at all times to the catholic religion, preferred the same before France, bestowing his said eldest Daughter on your highness great Grandfather, and the younger upon the 
3 King Henry the 7. was dead before the mach made with his daughter.  French King, by which happy marriage came that lineal and rightful descent of blood, that made your majesties renowned Mother heir apparent to this crown of England, who also was the undoubted 
(d) His majesties Mother lineal heir to K. Edward the Confessor.  lineal Heir to King Edward the Confessor, by his sister Margaret, Queen and Saint; and consequently your Majesty from your Catholic Mother, and her Catholic Predecessors, hath not only received the hereditary succession of the kingdom of Scotland, but also a double right to the Crown of England, as 
(e) His Majesty true heir both to the Saxon & Norman Princes.  heir to the Saxon lineal line by a holy Saint and Catholic Queen, and heir to the Norman line by a most worthy Catholic Prince, and a blessed Martyr, and all them united in her, and now duly descended to your Majesty.  
It was the pious and virtuous Queen Mary and her Catholic subjects, 
Queen Mary.  who 
4 Do not the papists profess themselves falsaries canceling the authentical wills of kings?  canceled the forged will of her Father King Henry the eight, exceeding prejudicial to your right in this Crown, that disproved itin Parliament, and deposed the Protestant usurping Queen jane 
(f) Queen janc set up by Protestants, deposed by Catholics.  
5 More papists then true Christians concurred in that action.  set up then by the Protestants to the disinheriting of Henry the eight his daughter's Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth, and his eldest sisters issue, who was your majesties great Grand Mother, and whose issue were in all right to have been preferred before her younger sister, Grandmother to the usurping Protestant Queen jane; who so deposed by that renowned pious Catholic Queen Mary, the crown (by her royal providence) was reserved to the righful, & lawful heirs thereof, consequently descended now to your Majesty, conformable to the law of God, Nature, and Nations.  
The serpentine invective made by Hales and other Protestants, in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, directly against 
1 Not so, but rather against such as pretended a right before Queen Elizabeth.  your majesties Title, thereby intending 
(a) Hales invective against the Title of Scotland.  the advancement of a pretender, potently in those days possessed in the breasts of no mean multitudes, was upon the setting forth thereof in the time of Queen Elizabeth indelayedlie undertaken, fully answered, and learnedly confuted by 
(b) Hales answered by justice Brown and Master Ployden both Catholics.  
2 Neither be, nor Ployden durst speak directly. Neither can it he showed, that they acknowledged the Pope's supremacy.  Sir Anthony Brown then one of the justices of the common Pleas, and lately before in Queen Mary's reign had been chief justice of the same Court, and M. Edmund Ployden famous Lawyers, with the assent of other Catholic Divines, civil Lawyers, and Gentlemen of good worth, judgement, and experience.  
How many 
(c) Hawards', Perseus', Pagets, Vaux, Treshams, Throgmortons', Salisburies', Abington  families of Catholics have endured great damages and detrimentes in renown and state, for desire they had to maintain the right of your most blessed Mother's Title 
3 They cared not a straw for her Title furthen they thought the same a good pretence, and colour for their seditious courses, as appeared afterwards plainly, when they went to others, and oppugned the king's Title.  in remainder, and 
4 By their adventures they brought her to her end without all peradventure.  adventures made to relieve her, and deliver the afflicted Princess out of her captivity; with much abundant love, tears, and affection, your sacred Mother testified publicly at the end of her life.  
Since your Mother's death, we remained ever 
(d) catholics behaviour after the martyr doom of his majesties Mother.  constant to your majesties right to the succession of this Crown, not ebbing and slowing in our affections, but resolute ever to live or die with your Majesty in that most just pretence: but if any particular person in foreign countries hath spoken or written to the contrary, for his private and particular pretensions, he 
5 As if none concurred with him, that were to answer also as well as he for oppugning the king's Title.  is to answer for himself, and his own fact, for therein we disclaim: which party (as we are credibly informed) hath both before and sithence the Queen's death, done great diligence to give your majesty 
6 Viz. if words and leasings were payment.  satisfaction. And your Majesty is not ignorant, (we are assured) what hath been the carriage, opinion, and opposition of us and our friends even in that particular in the favour and defence of your majesties right, both within and without the Realm: what 
(a) The dangers, damages, and disgraces, which M. Charles Paget, Cap. Tresham, M. john Stoner of Stonor, and divers others suffered therefore, are notorious.  dangers we have passed at home, and what slanders and damages very many of our catholic brethren have suffered 
1 So it appeareth his majesties Title was oppugned abroad.  abroad for showing themselves Scotish in faction (as we were termed, that 
(b) Scotish in faction what.  is firmly, and immovably affected to your majesties right of succession to this crown,) your Majesty have heard, and we have felt and shall feel, our honours and estates thereby being extremely diminished and eclipsed whiles we live, unless your majesties pious & royal heart vouchsafe to repair and relieve the same.  
Neither did your majesties 
(c) His majesties zeal in the Protestant's Religion did nothing diminish the Catholics forwardness towards his right and justice.  zeal in the Protestant 
2 Nickname not true religion you professors of antichristian religion.  religion, any way alter or 
3 Then are ye no papists. For such may not tolerate any professing our religion, if they draw others to it, by Bellarmine's doctrine.  diminish the just conceit, and dutiful consideration we carried to that justice and right, which God and nature had prepared for you from your cradle.  
If then our carriage and affection to your Majesty was such, when your Religion was to ours so different your Person to us unknown, your fortune doubtful, the factions divers, the oppositions in all likely hood very great, and the event of your affairs very uncertain: what may your Majesty presume of us now? or rather what may you not promise, and 
4 Just nothing. For the pope taketh on him to dissolve bonds of allegiance.  assure to yourself of our fidelities, in this time of your majesties present prosperity, and fruition of this crown, having proved ourselves so faithful to your Majesty in times of your expectations?  
And to conclude, such is the 
(d) The confidence catholics have in his majesties royal dealing with them.  confidence we have in your majesties 
5 Abused by papists, that infringe his laws and maintain intelligence with traitors and enemies abroad.  clemency, and so far we rely upon the bounty of your nature and royal proceeding with us, that whereas the not payment of twenty pounds a month for recusancy into the Exchequer, (at the terms by law prescribed) putteth us absolutely into your majesties hands and mercy, for two parts of all our lands and revenues during our lives, and maketh us a pray to the discretion of our enemies and promoters, disabling us to sell our goods, to let or set our lands for our relief, to make jointures for the maintenance of our 
6 If this petition were made by maspriests, than they accounted the wives of lay papists to be their own wives, & their children to be their bastards.  wives, or estate of lands to our children, albeit by not payment of the said sums at the terms aforesaid we fell within the lapses of the Laws in such extremity of danger, that our case was not to be relieved but by special act of Parliament: yet such of us, as at Wilton in November last passed had recourse to the Lords of your majesties most honourable privy Council, to be secured from the said forfeiture; which otherwise we were to incur in default of payment, as is before said, they were (far besides their expectation) axed by the Lords of akinde of diffidence, or challenging your Majesty with breach 
1 In this libel you have charged the king with breach of promise.  of promise for the easing us of the said mulcte-mony, in sortt as it was delivered us in julie precedent at Hampton-Court, whereupon we resolved absolutely to put our whole Estate into your majesties hands, that your Majesty may see, how we prefer the credit and confidence we have in your majesties justice, equity, conscience, & mercy, before our own security, our lands, goods and livings; and so do we still remain in the same 
2 Note how lay Papists are put by these libelers in predicaments.  predicament: where if every penny had been a pound, & every of our molehilles mountains, we would (upon such urging of our diffidence) have prostrated all the same at your most Royal majesties 
3 This cannot be done, as long as you kiss the Pope's feet.  feet.   

The answer to the fift chapter of the petition.  
IN july an D. 1604. this Chapter which containeth surmises, or as themselves say, proofs of the lay papists fidelity, carried a far better show. then now it doth. but sense the treason of Catesby, Percy, and their companion's began to be known abroad, it seemeth superfluous to speak of things supposed, and for lay papists fidelity, we are to write of the Papists lame (& halting) Fidelity. For as many proofs else do convince them, to have carried evil minds to their prince and country of a long time, so hardly shall they clear themselves of the blot of this late conspiracy. not that many were acquainted with the particulars of the pouderplot, but because most were acquainted with a general deseignement for the re-establishment of popish religion: a matter proved by divers arguments. First at that time papists, in all places flocked together, and began to lift up their heads.  
Secondly the matter was much talked of in foreign countries. and reported to be already executed. Thirdly both in England, and elsewhere, papists said pater nosters, and Auemariaes' for the good success of their consorts this parliament. Fourthly a rebellion could not be raised, nor succeed without the help of many. Fiftly the masseprests gave out, that their numbers were great. Lastly in a book printed a little before the time deseigned for the execution of this plot, called 7. sparks of an enkindled soul: and containing prayers common for all papists, this horrible treason seemeth to be described psal. 2. Confirm your hearts say they, for your redemption is not far of. The year of visitation draweth to an end. and jubilation is at hand. and afterward: But the memory of novelties shall perish with a crack, as a ruinous house falling to the ground. and again, he will come as a flame that bursteth out beyond the furnace, his enemies shall be as stubble in his way. His fury shall fly forth as thunder. Thus is the gunpowder clap described. The king is is also compared there to Pharo, that by plagues was forced to let the Jsraelites depart. Little therefore need we to speak much of the lame fidelity of papists made so notorious to the world. Notwithstanding seeing this chapter cometh among the rest, let us speak of this lame papists fidelity also.  
Now we come, say the petitioners, to the matter of our loyalty, but that this is an argument, that hitherto they have not attained to it. they tell us also of the matter of their loyalty. But neither do they bring any thing material, nor do their words agree with their doctrine. For in terms they call his majesty gracious sovereign, and yet make him subject to the pope their sovereign Lord and god, and accuse him diversly for following the late Queen in her hard and sharp courses, as they call them.  
Three ways they assign for a prudent master to try out the honesty and fidelity of his servant accused of treachery. and yet never a one sufficient. For neither is it sufficient to make inquisition of his former life and behaviour, nor to look into his present carriage and quality, nor to compare his actions & comportments with those that traduce him: which are the only means of trial, which these petitioners could devise. But the governors of state must further look to the treacherous opinions which they defend, and to the intelligences they have both at home and abroad. further they must look not only to their own demeanour, but also to the attestations of others. again little doth it make for the clearing of traitors or felons, to show that their adversaries are faulty, and no man esteemeth of a man by outward carriage and complements. Finally without sense and feeling of true religion & of a good conscience no man can be truly obedient. as long then as the Papists are delighted with the vain allurements of the mother of fornications, and trade with the mass priests and other merchants of Babylon, their loyalty will be doubtful and their fair looks suspicious, But did we respect no more than these three points here offered to be considered; yet would it go hard with the massepreests, and most of the recusants in his majesties dominions. For the mass priests have all of them the beasts mark, and are all the slaves of the pope, and depend wholly upon him: and the recusants & adherents of this generaton are not clear of suspicion. For first we find, that sense the year of our Lord 1568, divers of them have borne arms against their sovereign; as the lay rebels of the north, and of Ireland, all sworn papists. Likewise did the rebels in king Henry the 8, his days, that rose about the suppressing of abbeys, and the rebels of Cornwall and Devonshiere in King Edward's days, that found themselves grieved for want of greasing, crossing, censing and holy water, and such like ceremonies. Secondly divers of them have abandoned their prince and country, & fled to foreign enemies, as the multitude of wandering English spies & malcontents through Spain, Italy, and Flanders doth declare. Thirdly it is apparent, that the principal motives to stir up foreign princes against the state, have been recusants. the same is testified in the declaration of Sixtus Quintus against our virtuous and religious Queen Elizabeth, in the feditious libel of Parsons and Allen to the nobility and people of England and Ireland, in Sanders his factious book de schismate, and proved by divers letters and Negotiations of Englefield, Norton, Parsons, and others. Fourthly some of this sort came with the Spanish armada an. D. 1588. and others were to follow. Likewise did they follow the Adelantado in the enterprise by sea. an. 1598. and of D. ivan d' Aquila into Jreland. 1600. and much did the foreign enemy depend upon the intelligence and forces of recusants, as is made evident by the Adelantadoes proclamation. Fifily I hope the recusants will not deny, but that they have depended in time past, and purpose still to depend upon the pope, and must be forward in executing his bulls. 6. no small numbered of Papists have served foreign enemies, & received pensions from them: which is no good argument of loyal carriage. 7. the archpreests faction hath long stood for the infantaes title, against his majesty, & no doubt retain the same humour still, but that the king's strength doth keep them in temper. 8: Sammier the jebusite coming disguised into England, about the year of our Lord 1585. did plot so with divers principal recusants in England, as is testisied by the jesuits catechism, that he brought his majesties Mother, and divers others to their destruction. 9 we find, that the principal men, that in King Edward the 6. his days hindered the union of England and Scotland, and the advancement of the state of late time, were papists, and that the quarrel about religion hath been the chief stay thereof. 10. every man knoweth, that the principal contrivers of that treason, for which Watson, Clerk and Brooke were executed were priests and reculants. So likewise were Percy, Catesby, Digby, Tresham and their consorts, that by fire and gunpowderment to make an end of the King and his Royal progeny. They were, I say, most refolute, and principal popish recusants, and thought by fire and gunpowder to make good their Romish faith. And shall any man so far exceed all duty and modesty to make such fellows loyal? Finally seeing all papists profess to serve the Pope devoutly, they cannot serve the king faithfully, that is so contrary to him in religion. For no man can serve two contrary masters.  
To let former practices pass, every papist now is so combined with the Pope, that he is bound to follow him, and to execute his censures. Neither if they were asked the question, would they either condemn former rebellions for popish religion, being warranted by the Pope, or resist the pope's forces invading us, or stand with the king being excommunicated. But howsoever they would promise, their doctrine is such, as no loyal subject can hold it. For their masters teach, that the king is subject to the pope, that the Pope hath power to depose kings and to assoil subjects from their obedience unto them: that the king is not to make Ecclesiastical laws, nor to meddle with the government of the church, but as an executioner of the pope's laws, that Ecclesiastical persons and their goods are exempt from the king's government, & divers others such dis●oy all points.  
Lastly, if we compare popish recusants either with ancient, or modern true Christians; we shall easily perceive a main difference betwixt them. For neither do we read, that ancient or later Christians did murder their kings, that were Heathen, nor that they thought it lawful to do such an act, as the leaguers of France did, nor that they allowed either the breach of oaths, or the rebellions of subjects against their kings, nor that they believed those treacherous points of doctrine, which papists of late both believe, and teach.  
Now then let us proceed on with our discourse, and consider, whether these lay papists have either answered these objections, or brought any matter sufficient to clear themselves, and their consorts from the just imputations of infidelity, and disloyalty toward their princes. Both which points may be resolved by examination of the particular points of this fift chapter, wherein they tell first, that before their restraint for recusancy some of them bare offices in the common wealth, and were dignified by the Queen, and that others had there putation, of worshipful and honest men. But if they meant to have justified their former carriage as they pretended & promised; then should they have told us of their loyal affection to their prince, and of their good services performed for their country. They should also aswell have mentioned the cause of popular recusants, as of the gentlemen. But herein they altogether failed. For neither do they clear themselves nor their consorts of those treacherous practices & doctrines formerly noted, nor are they able to bring proof of either good affection or good action & service performed for their prince & country. But where they talk of the diguifiing of many recusants by the Queen; instead of discharging themselves they charge themselves with great unthankfulness and disloyalty, that always hated and persecuted her, which ceased not to dignify and honour them.  
Secondly they say their behanior after their restraint was such as became Catholic Christians towards christian magistrates with all humility, respect, modesty and subjection. But this would, rather have beseemed some others to speak, than the lay papists: who for want of good neighbours ruune out into an high commendation of themselves. Further more neither are prisoners much to be commended for carrying themselves modestly and respectively, seeing prisons at no places for men to exceed, and grow proud & rebellious, nor did the papists (here falsely called Catholics) keep themselves in so good temper, and order, but that they were to be charged with divers intelligences, correspondences, & practices with the enemies of the state. as appeareth in the records concerning Throckmorton, Arden, Someruille, Babington, Abington, Parry, Brooke, and others. And although for want of means and occasions they broke not forth always into open action, yet their modesty & subjection did never so far restrein them, but they thought it lawful to kill and murder, & depose princes excommunicated by the pope, & unlawful to obey such without dispensation, especialiy in ecclesiastical causes. that therefore which they talk of obeying princes not for anger but for conscience sake, and of their carriage without shadow of disloyalty, and of their integrity and unimpeachable demeanour, is nothing else, but a vain brag without colour or shadow of modesty. For their conscience is ruled by the pope's will, and their practices, treasons, and rebellions are recorded both in story, and in the Crown office. Furthermore their treacherous doctrine against the authority of Kings is published in their own books, and cannot be denied by themselves.  
Thirdly they tell his majesty, what offers were made by certain recusantes in the isle of of Ely, and by the lord Vaux anno 1588. when the Spanish and the pope's forces came against their country. but many things are often offered, that are slenderly performed and such no doubt, would the service have been that is or was offered by them, who seared more the Pope's thunderbolts, than the princes double cannons, and only desired to free themselves out of prison, that they might after take part with the stronger. to desire to be placed in the forefront of the battle in their shirts, they had no reason, unless they had meant after they had put of their arms and clothes, to run away more ligtly. My Lord Vaux was so good a man of war, that I would wish no greater benefit to England, then that all our enemies were such. But suppose some few recusants did offer to serve the Queen; yet neither had she reason to trust them, nor we to believe, that all the rest of the recusants meant to serve her faithfully, being sworn vassals to the pope her sworn enemy. Unhappy had this land been, if their prayers and vows had been performed. Foralbeit some papists than did acknowledge the Queens; authority, notwithstanding the pope's excommunications; yet that was, for that the excommunication did not bind them until such time, as the Pope's bull might be put in exequntion, as appeareth by the faculties granted to Parsons and Campian.  
Fourthly out of England they run into Ireland to tell us of the fidelity of Irish papists. But it appeareth those men never came there to try it. they show so great ignorance of the Irish, and of the affairs of Ireland. For in the battle at Kiusale they cannot name 10. Irish, that did any great service. At other times the most part always abandoned and betrayed those that relied upon them, and ever for one Irish man, that truly served the Queen, there might be reckoned 10. that willingly served the rebels, And this should the king find at their hands, I fear, if he had occasion to try them If than these petitioners have no better arguments to prove the fidelity of recusants than such as these, they will not prove refined gold, nor good copper, but rather Cork guilt over like gold, or some such other light and slight stuff good for nothing.  
Fiftly they tell his majesty of the affection and behaviour of papists toward his predecessors, himself and his title, neither forgetting King Henry the 7. nor King Edward the confessor. But all the question being concerning the modern papists, and their loyalty to princes of contrary religion; who seethe not, how far their discourse runneth out, and is transcendent above their purpose? the welshmen of our time may with better reason allege the noble acts of Hector and Aeneas, of Troy, or of king Brute, King Arthur, or some ancient famous man of Britain, How much they favoured the King it appeareth by divers attempts against him in Scotland. and by the treason of Clerk, Watson, Copley, Brooke, Markham, and now lately of Percy, Catesby and others, sense his coming into England. Parsons and Coluill directly oppugned the King's title, in books in print, and to that book, which Parsons set out as is said, in divers languages, the jebusitical faction yielded a great applause. Many of them also as the secular priests charged them, subscribed unto it.  
If then now they pretend to favour the kings title, it is because it were bootless and dangerous now to oppugn it. likewise the papists, that heretofore wrote and spoke in defence of his majesties Mother, and of the kings title, respected nothing else, but their own particular, thinking by their glozing words, either to bring in Popery, or to advance their own private pretences. Finally they show, they have great Confidence in his majesties clemency, that, they have refused to pay the twenty pound a month due for recusancy, albeit the penalty be great.  
But here they should rather allege cause to move the King to trust them, then to show, that they may assuredly trust the King's mercy, whose Clemency is so exceeding, and word so assured. Further this rather argueth their disobedient, and repugning humour, then justifieth their sober disposition and desire to be loyal. Lastly they show a great difference betwixt the gentle proceeding of true christians, that with light penalties seek to win men, and are slow in exacting them, and the rigour and cruelty of papists that confiscate all the Lands and goods of true Christians, & most barbarously torment and massacre their persons without pity or mercy. If then our lay papists have no better defences nor pretences for their fidelity, than they have formerly alleged, their own words will rather convince them, then clear them, and such, as had no evil opinion of recusants before, will take occasion to suspect, that this stubble of theirs is nothing, but a cover for the seed of much hartburning, discontentment and disloyalty, as their billetts. and faggots of late were laid to cover their barrels of gunpowder couched under the higher house of Parliament.    

Chap. 20. An answer to the petitioners calumniations against the professors of the Gospel set down in the 6. chapter of their popish apologetical, petition.  
IT were a most simple defence for a prisoner standing at the Bar of justice, and answering for his life before his judges, to allege for his defence, that his behaviour is as honest and loyal, as that of his accusers. Yet this is the best defence, which these Massepriests under the mask of lay papists make in this place, supposing very absurdly the accusation of their adversaries to be a justification and defence of their own actions. Nay where they pretend to deal against their accusers, they mistake the matter utterly, and speak against such, as are long since departed this life, and never either accused them, or knew them, and inveigh against the ministers of the Church of England, which are not parties against them, leaving the king's sergeants and attorney to speak what they list, and answering nothing to their informations, accusations, and inditements, which principally touch them. But will you hear their wooden & weak accusation against us, as it followeth?  

Chapter 6. The carriage and behaviour of our Accusers.  
IT resteth now last to consider what hath been the behaviour of some of our 
1 Your accusers are your own consciences, & the king's Attorney, and other officers. The Ministers accuse you not, but answer your sooleries.  accusers (the Ministers we mean, 
The carriage of our Antagonists.  and some hot spirits of their adherents and followers) from time to time in your majesties affairs (that hath so cherished, dignified and advanced them) and to other their lawful Princes, that have not so fully concurred with them in matter of religion as your Majesty doth, ut contraria juxta se posita magis elucescant, that contraries compared together may the more clearly appear.  
If you demand what they were that accounted it a matter treasonable to retain any book or paper in favour of your majesties Title, and that in public books called your Mother's right to this Crown a pretended Title. Agendum est chsignatis tabulis: and we must needs tell you that it was a 
2 A goodly device, all the professors of religion must answer for a student in lions Inn.  Student of lions Inn a Lawyer by profession, and a Protestant in Religion, that in a book printed Anno 1584. & entitled (A discovery of treasons against the Queen's Majesty by Frances Throgmorton) amongst other his treasons, he reckoneth this for one in these words. There were also sound among other his papers 12. petegrees of the descent of the Crown of England printed and published by the Bishop of 
1 He oppugned Queen Elizabeth's right.  Rosse in the defence of the pretended Title of the Scotish Queen his Mistress. What could be more unjust and injurious to that blessed Lady and all her posterity, then in a book printed in defence of an execution of justice, to call her Title false pretended and unjust, and account the cuidences and records thereof as treason in the highest degree?  
If inquiry be made who they were that in prejudice of your 
2 But first of Queen Maries and Queen Elizabeth's right.  majesties right to this Crown did set up the usurping Queen janc, descended from the younger sister of your majesties great Grandmother, that was the eldest daughter to King Henry the seven. Our histories tell us that they were 
(a) The Duke of Northumb. the Dukes of Somerset, Suffolk, & other Protestants, & all the Protest. Bishops, Clergy & Council, of K. Edward & principally the clergy.  enemies 
3 Then it appeareth, that papists were enemy to the catholic faith For they were principal actors therein.  to the Catholic faith which we profess, and the first advancers of the new Religion in this Country.  
If we call to mind the complotters and compassers of the murder committed on the Person of your highness 
(b) His majesties Father & Grandfather slain.  Father and Grandfather, and the barbarous butchering of your Mother's Secretary in her Royal presence, and the miraculous escape of your Grace's person by God's singular protection, when a 
(c) His Majesty pursued in his Mother's womb, and miraculously preserved.  charged pistol put to your Mother's womb by one of the traitorous race of the Gowries, to have destroyed you both at one blow, could not give fire; we find by the printed monuments of Scotish annal that the actors, authors, and inventors of those tragedies were not of the Catholic religion.  
If we demand who they were that took 
(d) The Ministers and Presbytery authors of these tumults.  arms against your majesties gracious Mother, that overthrew her in the field, that laid violent hands upon her sacred Person, and imprisoned her in Lawgbleven that deprived her of her Crown, and expelled her out of her Kingdom, and procured afterwards her captivity in this Realm: no man is ignorant that the 
(e) The Earl or Moray, Knox the catalin of Scotland  Bastard of Scotland with the Presbytery & that runagate Friar john Knox, mortal enemies to all order, rule, & authority, were the Architects of these detestable actions.  
How zealous 
(f) Bothwel & Gowry, two pillars of the Presbytery.  Bothwell and Gowry were against poor Catholics; and what pillars and patrons they were of the Presbytery, the world knoweth, but your Majesty by experience can best testify what perilous, turbulent, and seditious members they were of the common wealth, and how often your sacred Person was endangered by them, & others of their profession  
Moreover, we hope that we may without offence to any, confidently affirm, that they were not Catholics that caused your Mother's untimely death: the memory of which times, for many respects we had forborn to touch, but only to remove the odious and unjust imputations, divulged in the time of this present session of Parliament against us in a certain libel, or rather a clamorous calumnious invective, published in this present session of Parliament, against a most modest, learned, and submissive supplication dedicated to your Majesty in March last: where the Libeler calleth Catholics to the Bar, and would have them indited, and paste their trial for that matter: 
* But justified by proof, and testimony of a man of more credit, then Colebranded Coleton, or any of these libelers.  
* Sutcliffes' own words in the 8. chapter of his said libel  Which done (saith he) his majesty may easily perceive that they are to be hated, and abhorred as causers and contrivers of all his mother's troubles and calamities, his proofs are the author of the jesuits Catechism 
(a) The author of that catechism an inveterate enemy of that order, & therefore more credulous than convenient in matter of their dishonour.  written in disgrace of that order, which book is of as great credit (with 
1 But these tender consciences make no scruple to rebel against princes excommunicated by the Pope and to say, that he hath power to depose kings and to translate kingdoms.  men of tender consciences, and upright carriage in matter of truth and equity) as Lucian's Dialogues, 
2 Will you deny the testimony of a popish martyr, and a conspirator against the king?  Watsons' Quodlibets, or Esopes' fables, and what this Catechiste wrote of private passion, without any authentical warrant, this Libeler doth urge with the like perturbation. And here (Dread Sovereign) we might as readily, as lively, produce a world of invincible proofs in reproof of this 
3 You that are libelers in print have no reason to charge others with your own faults, and yet to answer nothing.  Libeler, by proving the actors of that complotment and tragical proceeding not to have been any one of them Catholics, or their well-willers, but (we carefully shunning to charge any with bloody imbrumems in that lamentable fact of England's agony,) and only to free ourselves from that most odious, impudent, and false calumniation, we solely resort to matter of highest record, daily extant to be seen of all men in public printed statutes, being the forerunners of that strange execution of your blessed and most glorious Mother. Whereby it is most evident and well known (
4 Are papists blear eyed, & pollers of crowns? true Christians certes know no such matters.  etiam lippis & tonsoribus) to blind men and barbers, that they were not 
5 How prove you they were not papists?  Catholics that made and enacted those statutes of the thirteenth of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, for the 
(b) 13. Elizabeth Limitation of the right of the Crown.  limitation of the right of the Crown, to the disposition of the Lords and Parliament from the free right and course of blood and descent. That made it treason in the same Parliament, to 
(c) Treason to say that the persons Titles & possibilities of all pretenders to the Crown be not subject to the acts made in Parliament.  hold or say that the common laws of England, and statures to be made in Parliament, are not of sufficient validity to govern the persons, & to bind and limit the Titles of any that hath any possibility to the Crown.  
They were not Catholics that made it treason in the same Parliament, 
(a) Reconciliation, treason.  to absolve from sin and reconcile, or to be so absolved or reconciled. 
(b) Agnus Dei Beads, or Crosses praemunire.  A praemunire to bring in any tokens called Agnus Dei, or Crosses, Pictures, or hallowed Beads, or to have or receive them.  
They were not Catholics that the 23. of Queen Elizibeths' Reign made it treason 
(c) 23. Elizabeth treason to persuade men to the ¹ Catholic religion.  to persuade men to the 
1 Popery maketh many of her professors rather cuckoldlike, than Catholic.  Catholic religion, and the loss of 200. marks to hear 
(d) 200 marks for saying, 100 marks for hearing a maasse.  Mass, or to pay xx. pound monthly so: 
(e) xx. pound a month for recusancy.  refusing to go to the Protestants service: or the forfeits of x. pound monthly for such as should keep any 
(f) x. pound a month for keeping a schoolmaster.  Schoolmaster not allowed by the Bishop of the Diocese, and refusing to go to Church.  
They were not Catholics who made an act 27. of the said Queen by virtue whereof your gracious 
(g) 27. Eliz. the act was made which caused the death of his majesties Mother.  Mother lost her life; and in the same Parliament it was made treason for all 
(h) In the same year it was made treason to be a Priest and come in or remain in the land, & felony to receive or relieve them.  Priests or Religious men that had taken orders by any 
2 These orders taken from the Pope and his adherents, marking priests in the crown, were the marks of Antichrist.  foreign authority, to remain or come into this Kingdom, and felony to relieve or entertain them.  
It was made treason to be brought up in the Seminaries, praemunire to send thither any relief.  
In the 28. of the said Queen, it was enacted that the two parts of the lands and leases of such recusants, as should fail to pay the xx. pound a month in the Exchequer at the terms prefixed, should be seized into the Queen's hands.  
In the 35. it was enacted that every 
(i) 25. Elizab. certain recusants were by an act then made to abjure the Realm.  recusant, above the age of sixteen years, being not worth twenty Marks (exceeding his confined limits) should abjure the Realm, and if he refused to abjure or returned after abjuration, to be accounted a felon.  
Item that the party should pay ten pound a month that 
(a) Ten pound a month for keeping a recusant in the house.  keeps any recusant in his house after warning.  
In the same Parliament, recusants are 
(b) The same year was the statute of confinements enacted.  restrained to their certain usual, and common places of abode, and are not to remove above five miles thence without licence of the Bishop and two justices, upon pain of forfeiting of all their goods, and all their free and coppyhold lands, and annuities during life: and all such recusants that had not lands of twenty marks value by year, or goods of forty pound, if they conformed not themselves, or repaired not to their places of limitation, shall abjure the Realm. By the course and contriving of such capital and cruel laws at the same time, and in the same sessions, aswell against Catholics, as against your gracious Mother; it seemeth by all probability (to persons esteemed of judgement and great experience, in the insight of worldly drifts both in this Realm, and in foreign Regions) that the principal mark which was aimed at in those times, was at the self same season by severity and shadow of the same laws an instance to ruinated and overthrow the 
(c) The person of his majesties Mother, her right and Title and the Catholics cause, all shot at by the same laws, and at the same time.  person of your gracious Mother and her right, and the professors of the Catholic religion; supposing that those three must either stand or fall together of necessity: but non est consilium contra Dominum: there is no council against God: her right and posterity hath (God be thanked) prevailed, and the poor Catholics from that time to this, the more they have been oppressed, the more they have increased, which cannot fall out otherwise, unless it prove false which God hath said by the mouth of his Saints and servants: Preciosa in conspectu Domini mors Sanctorum eius, precious in the sight of our Lord is the death of his Saints. Et sanguis 
1 These fellows know not what belongeth to martyrs, that write martirum, and put Traitors in the catalogue of martyrs.  Martirum semen Ecclesiae, the blood of Martyrs, the seed of the Church. We accuse no man in particular in this case, and could have been content: ulcus hoc intactum leviter pertransire, to have slightly passed over this boch untouched, but that this respondent would needs deal with us, as Putifars 
(d) The libeler like joseph his Mistress, and Susannaes' judges.  wife did with holy joseph, or the carnal judges with the chaste Susanna, (viz.) put us to our plunges, and purgations for such crimes, as were proper and peculiar unto themselves.  
Never was it heard of that in England or Scotland any Minister or Ministers ever suffered any thing for that gracious Lady, or your majesties Title, but infinite are the 
(a) In Scotland, Seton's, Gordens, Simples, Maxuelles.  families of the catholics that have suffered for them both. As the seaton's, the Gordens, the Simples, the Maxuells in Scotland: the 
(b) In England, Hawards', Perseus', Pagets, Treshams', Throgmortons', Salisburies', Abington, Windsor.  Hawards', Perseus', Vauxes, Pagets, Treshams', Throgmortons', Winsors, Sclisburie, Abington, and divers other worthy Gentlemen in this Land, the shipwrecks of whose opulent abundant states and fortunes, are invincible testimonies of the Libelers falsehood and folly in this his objection, and of the constant fidelity of Catholics to your Majesty and all your race and predecessors, in all their fortunes whatsoever.  
And thus your Majesty doth see the comparison of our former times, and our precedent behaviours, with our present affection and future assurance: If then we be not rewarded, and respected as all others are of other professions that have done their duties, as we did, in advancing your majesties affairs, and acknowledging your rightful Authority: yet at the least we hope that it will not be thought reasonable, that we should be left in the same 
1 As long as you believe in the mass, that is a mass of superstition, idolatry and foolery, you must needs be subject to a mass of misery.  mass of misery, which your majesty found us in at your entrance.  
Make us then (Sweet Sovereign) as able as we are willing to serve you, not by new dignities and authorities, but by restoring us to our 
2 In Spain and Italy our brethren, that proses true christian religion, neither enjoy honours, nor goods nor lands nor liberty, nor life  pristine honours, and honest reputations, and to our birthright freedom, and liberty by your only Peerless justice, clemency, and benignity; permitting us to live in peace, & come dear buccellam nostram sine dolore, to put a bit of meat into our mouths without sorrow, without flights, without flights, and without circumventions of our Adversaries: our wounds are so deep and dangerous in matters of our honours, states, and liberties, that no Physician can cure us but yourself with the sovereign balm of your renowned clemency. What pleasure or profit can redound to your majesties person or estate, if we your approved and assured servants and subjects 
3 Many have been satted in prison, few have rotten in prison, though committed for treason, and not religion.  lot in prison, die in banishment, and live in penury and disgrace; for no other crime or offence, but for the constant profession of that Religion, which in conscience we are persuaded to be the only true worship of God, and salvation of our souls? Of which our faith and belief, we have rendered so 
4 You have only told false reports, and fabulous conccits of your own brains dennyd of reason.  sufficient reason, that we hope, it will fully satisfy and content, so wise, learned, politic, and discreet a Prince, as your Majesty hath showed yourself to be in all occasions presented to make trial thereof, which maketh us the more confident in our just and reasonable defence,, because we sue to a most wise, just and learned Monarch.  
And albeit more than this can hardly be required of men whose fidelities are so sufficiently tried and testified (as appeareth by the whole substance and tenor of this our Apology,) yet pro abundantiore cautela we humbly lay down at your majesties feet in form of submission, and security following, in behalf of our Precsts and pastors.   

The answer to the 6. Chapter.  
THJS is the some of this quarrelsome accusation, slender in comparison of the matters objected, and witless in respect of the handling of it, as the sequel will declare. First they accuse a student of lions Inn, a lawyer by profession. as they call him. But what is this to us? Nay what is that to the Ministers they speak of? Further they sold know, that there is some difference betwixt students of lions Inn and lawyers: betwixt the Inns of court and chancery, but that they lack law and experience. This lawyer by profession, as they, say in a discourse of treasons against the Queen's Majesty by Francis Throckmorton, telleth how there were found among other his papers, 12 pedigrees of the descent of the Crown of England printed and published by the Bishop of Rosse in the defence of the pretended title of the Scottish Queen his Mistress, But whether they say true or no god knoweth. Neither need we to examine it, the matter concerning us nothing. And yet if these men in those times should have discredited Queen Elizabeth's title, and preferred another before her, they would hardly have answered the matter, if they had been called to Tyburn for it, Neither if this student's offence be so great, which only telleth matter of fact, will they be able to clear Parsons and many recusants in England, that have heretofore allowed that traitorous book of titles which infringeth the king's title, that now reigneth in despite of all his oppugners.  
Next they mention the attempt of the duke of Northumberland for setting up the Lady Jane against Queen Mary, and thereto add a commemoration of the execrable murder of the King's father & grandfather, with them also they conjoin David the Queen's Secretary, as they call him. Lastly they run out into a large discourse of james the base brother of the late Queen of Scots, of Bothwel, Gowry & others, that in time passed made some attempts against the King and his mother. But what maketh all this, I pray you, to the ministers of England, against whom they pretend to frame their odious accusation? did not the duke of Northumberland, as they say, die a papist? and was he not assisted and followed by more papists then true Christians? Furthermore did not the Earl Gowry bring with him the seeds of popery, witchcraft, conjuration, yea & of Atheism out of Italy? and was not Bothwell an hypocrite at least in religion aswell as? a traitor in his rebellion? but had they done wickedly, we are not to justify their particular actions, neither can these accusers justify their absurd discourse, joining together matters so unlike, and so far from the purpose, and in some points making against themselves. David was no man fit to be joined with kings. James the Queen's brother was wickedly murdered by a practice of papists. that the King's grandfather was murdered, we cannot learn. they were none of our religion certes, that laid hands either upon his majesties father, or grandfather-likewise his majesties mother was brought into trouble by the practice of Sammier a wicked jebusite, as is testified by him that wrote the jebusites Catechism, a papist & a man of more credit & learning, than these libeling lay papists, & therefore not so easily to be shaken of. But if they will not believe him, nor Watson a Martyr of their Church, yet I hope they will believe pius Qnintus his letters extant in his life written by Hierome Catena, and showing that she was animated in those courses by the pope and his faction, of which any man may gather, what were the causes of her calamity. the same also may be proved by histories, and all the proceed in that cause, which I forbear to relate, least I should offend, as these libelers do, without all respect of persons refreshing the king's grief, and speaking of matters, which he most graciously hath forgotten.  
Lastly they mention certain statutes made partly for the settling of the title of the Crown, and partly to meet with the seditions and cunning practices of papists, which with reconciling men to the pope and by divers notes of faction, as agnus deies, beads, grains and such like sought to unite their consorts to stir up tumults, and to make a side to depose Queen Elizabeth. But all this rehearsal of laws, as it showeth the great or rather necessary occasions given to the state to make laws against factions priests and their adherents, so it maketh nothing for the cause in hand, seeing the peace of the land was thereby confirmed, and the kings right no way prejudiced. But if the Masseprestes and the Pope's agents had been left at liberty to found the pope's kingdom within England; then if the King had not found great trouble at his entrance, yet should he have felt half his authority and kingdom shared by the pope,  
This discourse therefore proceeding from men adverse to the state, and favourable to foreign enemies, and dealers for the Jnfantaes title, as is recorded in divers books, and proved by divers witnesses, & known by good experience, doth plainly declare the authors thereof to want shame, modesty, reason and wit. For if they had not wanted shame; then would they have blushed to charge others with disloyalty, themselves being unable to discharge themselves. if they had not wanted modesty, they would have contented themselves with present favours being such as they afford not to our brotherens in other countries, and not sought audaciously to have dignity, honour and further liberty, If they had not wanted reason, they would not have said, that they have yielded sufficient reason for their religion. and finally if they had not wanted wit, they would no have undertaken to accuse innocentes, themselves being guilty, nor would they have complained of wounds deep and dangerous in their honours, being honoured above their desert, nor would they have called the King Sweet Sovereign, or once mentioned Sovereinty, considering that they over throw the kings Sovereinty, and make him the pope's subject by their doctrine. but yet that passeth all the rest of their fooleries, that not being able to clear themselves nor having spoken one word in defence of their sacrificing priests, and jebusites; now in the conclusion of their request, they speak for them also. for mass priests, I say which contrived the king's destruction, by the practice of Clerck, and Watson, and lately absolved Percy, Catesby, Tressam, and their complices, which went about to blow up the King, Queen, Prince, and high Court of Parliament with gunpowder, to massacre true Christians, to alter laws and to over throw the state.    

Chap. 21. The insufficiency and foolery of the submission promised by lay papists to the king, is examined and refuted.  
THere is no chapter, nor almost clause of this petition of lay papists, whereto we may not take just exception. But yet if we do put them altogether and compare them with the 7. Chapter wherein they offer to be bound for the King and his Kingdom, and to tender a submission to his majesty, for his satisfaction; this will pass all the rest in fooolery and absurdity. listen therefore, I pray you and hear what they say for their massepreestes, and how they secure the king's person and Crown from the treachery of their shaven Crowned treacherous mass priests.  

Chap. 7. The form of the Catholics submission.  
IF we may be permitted to enjoy some quiet, grave, 
The lay Catholics submission.  and virtuous Clergy men for the comfort of our souls, we doubt not but to give your Majesty a far greater security for the few hundreds of our Priests, than was given for the many thousands of Queen Mary's Priests, and Prelates in the late queen Elizabeth's days; against whom, albeit above 
1 Abate nine thousand.  
(a) 10000 Clergy men left their livings, rather than they would leave their religion.  ten thousand of them, did abandon their Ecclesiastical livings, rather than they would conform themselves to the times (especially the 
(b) All Queen Mary Bishops forsook their Prelatures, rather than they would forsake their chief Pastor.  holy Senate of Bishops no one excepted) yet in the time of the said Queen, for the space of thirty years extreme and restless 
2 You are extremely ungrateful, that suffer not our late gracious Queen to rest, that always favoured you to her own hurt.  persecution, no capital laws were made or executed. And in the 
(c) The book in tituled execution for treason, and not for religion, made by the late Lord Burleigh.  book entitled Execution for treason and not for Religion, composed and set forth by the late L. Burleigh then high Treasurer of England, on whom for his great wisdom and policy, the managing of the Commonwealth of this Realm (under the Queen principally depended) Anno. 1583. and Anno Regni Eliz. 26. it is in express words set down what favour these Priests found, in terms as followeth. And though there are many subjects known in the Realm that differ in some opinions of Religion from the Church of England, and yet do also not for hear to profess the saeme; yet in that they do all profess loyalty and obedience to her Majesty, and offer readily in her defence to oppugn and resist any foreign force, though it should come or be procured from the Pope himself, 
(d) None of Q. Mary's priests or Prelates persecuted for religion.  none of these sort are for their contrary opinions in Religion persecuted, or charged with any crimes or pains of treason, not yet willingly searched in their consciences for their contrary opinions that savour not of treason. After which Narration, he reckoneth up great numbers, as 
(e) D. Heath, Archbishop of York.  D. Heath, Archbishop of York, B. Poole. B. Tunstall, B. White, B. Oglethrop, B. Thurlby, B. Watson, B. Turberuill: none of all these were pressed with any capital pain, though they maintained the Pope's authority, against the laws of the Realm: he recounteth 
(a) Abbot Feenam.  one Abbot and divers Deans, whom he commendeth for learning, modesty and knowledge, and concludeth that none 
(b) None of all these held or punished as traitors, though they maintained the Pope's authority against the laws of the Realm.  of these, nor yet divers others of the like moral, and indifferent carriage, were ever called to any capital, or bloody question upon matter of Religion; nor were not deprived of any of their goods, or proper livelihoods: of the like indulgence and lenity mention is made in the same book, used towards the laity in wonderful pleasing words as followeth.  
There are great numbers of others being lay men and of good possessions in Lands, and men of credit in their countries, that do enjoy their estates, though they hold contrary opinions in Religion for the Pope's authority, and yet none of them have been sought hitherto to be impeached in any point or quarrel of treason, or loss of life, member, or inheritance: So that it may plainly appear, it is not, nor hath not been for contrary opinions in Religion; or for the Pope's authority alone (as the Adversaries do boldly and falsely publish) that every person hath suffered death since her majesties Reign: yet some of this sort are well known to hold opinion, that the Pope ought by authority of God's word, to be supreme and only head of the Catholic Church throughout the whole world, and that the Queen's Majesty ought not to be 
(c) To deny the Queen to be supreme governess over Ecclesiastical people not persecuted with charge of treason.  governess over any her subjects in her Realms, being persons Ecclesiastical: yet for none of these points hath any person been persecuted with the charge of treason or in danger of life.  
If then this were the case of Queen Mary's priests, and other quiet and faithful subjects in the late Queen's days, we hope that our Priests (being aswell qualified in all respects to our Princes good liking & satisfaction, as they were; both for quiet behaviour, civil life, and sincere affection to your majesties service) may for our comfort obtain as much grace now, as they 
1 The case is unlike, they never turned Italienated devils, nor held intelligence with foreign enemies  did then, without any such assurance as our Priests shall put in. And to make the case yet more clear and uncontrollable; we add further, that since 
(d) No religion can consist without Priests and Pastors.  no Religion ever did or could consist without 
2 Your Priests are no Pastors, neither had the ancient christian Church any such sacrificing shaven, and greasy mass-priests.  Priests, Pastors, and men to whom the disposition of divine mysteries did belong, we hope that our desire to have the benefit of such Clergy men, as may stand with the safety of our Prince and country, is conformable to reason, as commanded by the rules of conscience, charity, and Christianity.  
And that it may be more apparent to the world, that this our lowly Christian desire, and humble demand, shall not any ways be prejudicial to your majesties Royal person or estate, we 
1 None but plain idiots will make this offer.  offer to answer person for person, and life for life, for every such Priest 
(a) The Catholics offer for their Priests.  as we shall make election of and be permitted to have in our several houses, for their fidelity to your Majesty and to the state; by which means your Majesty may be assured both of our number, and carriage of all such Priests as shall remain within the Realm, for whom (it is not credible) that we would so deeply engage ourselves without full knowledge of their dispositions: their being here by this means shall be public, the places of their abode certain, their conversation and carriage subject to the eyes of the Bishops, Ministers, and justices of peace in every province and place where they shall live: by which occasion, there may probably arise a kind of virtuous, and not altogether unprofitable emulation between our Priests and your Ministers, who shall exceed and excel the other in virtuous living, and exemplarity of life, and other acts and exercises of piety and devotion, which must needs turn to the edification of the people, and extirpation of vice; and we shall be so much the more circumspect and careful of the comportments of our said Priests, as our estate and security doth more directly depend upon their honesties & fidelities.  
To conclude, we do and ever will (Redoubted Prince) acknowledge your Majesty our lawful King and Sovereign Lord, and will 
(b) Catholics opposition against all pretenders.  defend and maintain your Majesty Heirs and your Successors possession, right, and Title, with life and lively hood against all 
2 But such as are invested by the Pope in the right of any crown, are not taken for pretenders.  pretendants to the contrary.  
Furthermore, we will 
3 As you have done hitherto declaring the king's secrets to foreign enemies; and as the mass-priests did in Percies treason.  
(c) Their proffer to reveal & withstand all treasonable attempts.  reveal, and to our powers withstand and prevent any conspiracy, or intended treason against the person of your Majesty, your Heirs and Successors, and we will to our power defend your Realms and Dominions against all invasions, or foreign enemies, upon what pretence soever.  
We do, and will acknowledge due unto your Majesty from us, whatsoever is due for a subject unto his Prince and Sovereign, either by the law of nature, or by the word of God, or hath been used by any Catholic subject towards your highness Catholic Progenitors; and this we will perform by protestation. 
4 The Pope can dispense with both, as they believe.  
(d) The catho likes oath, and protestation.  oath, or in such other manner, as shall seem best to your Majesty.  
And this same oath and protestation, our Priests so permitted, 
1 But what if they break their oaths? then are they perjured, and the state without remedy. What goodly satisfaction is this?  shall take before they be admitted into our houses, otherwise they shall not have relief of us.  
In this sort (we doubt not) but that your Majesty may both in honour and security, take protection of our persons, mitigate our former afflictions, and be assured of our future loyalties, loves, and affections, if you but please to rake the view (which your majesty may do in this our Apology) of the rules of our 
2 These rules declare you to be the Pope's slaves, and the king's enemies.  Doctrine and Religion, in those cases of the experience of our former actions, and of the 
3 Or rather absurd, and full of foolish compliments.  absolute complete form of this our submission and allegiance: which Bands as they are most voluntary on our parts, so are they far 
(a) Voluntary submission far to be preferred before counterfeit conformity.  more honourable, profitable, and durable for your highness security, than all the laws and rigours in the world.  
And to say the truth, what greater glory or triumph can so magnanimous a Monarch as your Majesty is, have in this world, then to see and behold so many 
4 I hope many douzins will not subscribe this absurd and disleall petition  thousands of your faithful Citizens and subjects, manumitted from servitude, resuscitated (as it were) from their sepulchres, recalled from banishment, delivered from prisons, rendered to their wives and children, and restored to their pristine honours, and honest reputations, by your majesties only peerless Clemency and benignity; and to march before your 
5 A poor triumph he is like to receive by these men's services. Persie meant to send him with fire & gunpowder to heaven.  triumphal chariot, with all insignes of liberty, love, freedom, joy, and estimation? of whose affections your Majesty can be no less assured, than a merciful Father of dutiful children. Quos genuit in visceribus charitatis & pietatis suae: whom he hath begotten in the bowels of his charity and piety.  
And if that renowned Roman was wont to say, that he had rather 
(b) More glory in saving one Citizen, then in vanquishing a camp of enemies.  save the life of one Citizen, then overcome a whole camp of his enemies, what now shall your Majesty gain in giving life and liberty to so many thousands (who are sick of the late Queens evil) whom no physic can cure, but the sacred hands of our anointed King, and are like to the 
(c) Cicero the praetor and patron of Sicily.  Sicilians, whom none but Cicero, or the 
(d) Flaminius' restored the Grecians to their ancient liberties.  Grecians 
6 Graeci semper mendaces so are these fellows in the tales of greeks and Sicilians, and of their legends.  whom none but Flaminius could deliver from the heavy yoke, and insupportable servitude, which the Praetors and Princes their predecessors had imposed upon them.  
We are but half men, if men at all, whom in these later days and times no man durst defend, countenance, convetse with, or employ, and (as your Majesty hath well said) we are in deed but half subjects, not that our bodies, minds, wills, wits, understandings, senses, memories, judgements, intentions; or our breaths, bloods, or lives are divided, or deuouted to the supreme honour or service of any terrene 
1 Is the pope a terrene creature if he be how can you say, that you are not devoted to his supreme service?  creature, other than your Majesty only but that the 
(a) In what sense the Catholics may be called half subjects.  better-halfe of our livings, goods, friends, and fortunes, wherewith we should be the better able, and have greater courage to serve your Majesty, are taken from us, and yet your majesties coffers little the better therefore.  
Our desire then is (most gracious Prince) to become your majesties whole 
2 Hitherto than you are not come to be subjects.  subjects, & your Majesty may so make us in the twinkling of your eye, or stamp of your foot, wherewith you are able to raise up more 
3 Not one true papist may serve the king, if the Pope excommunicate him But to omit this case, if papists can raise uparmies so easily in England, it is time to look to them. Let us remember Perseus' late treason.  armies, than ever Pompey the great could do (from whom the metaphor is borrowed) in all his pomp and presumptuous pride.  
Vouchsafe then (Dread Sovereign) to make us as others your subjects are of all professions, 
The conclusion, with an Apostrophe to his majesty  entire and absolute 
4 You must be founded in another mould then popery, if you will become true Euglishmen  Englishmen; for nothing (by God's holy assistance) can or ever shall divide us from our subjection and dutiful affection to your Majesty, but death which is ultima linea rerum, the last period of all things: for all other divisions we renounce, from all other services 
5 Will you leave to serve Saints, images, and the pope? you may not without renouncing popery.  we disclaim, but that only which is due to God in the supernatural course of our salvation, which being governed by secret influences, and supernatural concurrences of his grace, we allot to God without disparagement to your Majesty, assuring ourselves that your Majesty (so conversant in all good writers, and perfect Theology) is well assured, that there is no division so honourable for a Prince, as that which was attributed long sithence to Caesar, and now is not improperly applied to your Majesty.  
jupiter in coelu, Caesar regit omnia terris  
Divisum imperium cum 
6 This is a profane speech, and repugneth to the words of scripture. Further it cannot well stand with the words of decretales.  jove Caesar habet.  
Whiles this Apology or Petition was a printing, there came to my hands the copy of a Letter written by the late banished Priests, to the Lords of his majesties most honourable privy Council; which for the coherence of the argument, I thought good to annex hereunto.   

The examination of the 7. chapter.  
THE matter handled in this chap. is of more consequence than all the rest. For therein they crave an immunity or toleration for their massing priests, to which no man, that is truly religious can be induced to yield, although he could be content to yield any lawful favour to the rest. For albeit seduced souls are to be pitied, and may percase be reclaimed from their haggarrd popish superstition; yet no man hath reason to tolerate seducers & gross idolaters, especially when they depend upon foreign enemies, and are gresed and marked for the pope's slaves, & have heretofore been blotted both wiith treacherous doctrines, and treasonable practices. The treason first of Watson, and Clerk, and lately of Garnet, Hall, Hamond and others that consorted with Percy and his complices doth demonstrate this to be true. But yet no part of the petition is more loosely or foolishly handled. For first in this conclusion they involve a request for their masseprests, having spoken nothing of them before which is alone, as if they should conclude without premises.  
Secondly they require some quiet, grave, and virtuous clergy men for the comfort of their souls. But this is spoken against the polshorne priests of Antichrist. For they are not quiet, but turbulent and seditious, they are not grave, but light & giddy headed, ready to run up the gallows for the Pope's service. They are not virtuous, but base, filthy and lecherous fellows. and this is proved by divers particulars. Finally the comfort of Christian men's souls consisteth not in faculties, indulgences, popish absolutions and such antichristian trash as they bring, but in Christ's sweet promises, and in apostolic doctrine, and comfortable words of true preachers and to such if they would open their ears, they should have both quiet, grave & virtuous clergy men, and true and godly pastors also.  
Thirdly they tell us, what favours were done to Queen mary's Priests,, and other lay men affected to popery, especially in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign. But they could not do us a greater favour, or themselves greater dishonour, them to mention these matters. For first they testify against themselves Queen Elizabeth's great Clemency, that spared them, who had dealt so rigorously herself & others, & did not proceed against the papists, before they began to practise & attempt against her Secondly we seeheerin, that all favour done to papists is lost, as bestowed upon ungratful persons, & enemies irreconcilable. We may deal mercifully with them, & give them life, that otherwise would perish. But if they have once the sword in their hands, they satiffy themselves with nothing but the death and destruction of such, as profess the truth. But to let this pass, little doth the example of Queen mary's priests relieve them. For they were made priests at home, these by foreign enemies. they acknowledged the princes supreme authority, these defend the authority of the Pope. They depended on the prince's grace & favour: these depend on the pope's grace, & withal their forces defend his authority they offended of ignorance notknowing the truth, these of malice running out of their country, and oppugning a truth once known. They professed a plain kind of popery, and were not factiously disposed. these are factious companion's, and profess a more desperate kind of doctrine newly forged in the conventicle of Trent. Finally they acknowledged the Queen's mercy: these bark at her being dead, & never ceased to work against her being alive. For proof of the conformity of their petition to reason, they add in the fourth place, that no religion did or cold ever consist without priests and pastors. But what is that to these priests of Baal, that at no true Prcests succeeding the Apostles in teaching & administering sacraments according to christs institution, but idolatrous sacrificers ordained by Antichrist to offer for quick & ded? again what is that to these murderers bloodsuckers, that are no pastors, but rather gunpowder traitors, sheepbiterss, and destroyers of Christ his flock? Lastly if they seek for true pastors indeed, why do they forsake the bishops and priests of the Church of England, which indeed have both the calling,, and execute the function of true Bishops and pastors, and run after these wolves, murderers and devourers of Christ's sheep?  
Fiftly they offer to answer person for person, and life for life for the fidelity of their priests to his majesty, and the state. But what if the priests absolve traitors, and persuade them to rebellion? where shall the state seecke either for the parties or sureties? And what shall it avail to sue the bonds? Again what a ridiculous conceit is this to think that the bonds of every two or three base companion's will be sufficient to secure either the life of so great a king, or the peace and state of so great a kingdom against men already found perfidious? Thirdly it will be a question, whether if such a matter were to be performed, every piled crowned priest could procure such hostages and bonds as are offered. it may be some good old Ladies and recusant Cuckoos would offer any bond for their darlings. But the wiser sort, I think, would never put their lives in hazard upon the massepreests promises, who if the pope command them to do an exploit for their holy mother the mother of fornications, regard neither promise, nor oath.  
Finally it may be a question, whether any such bonds are good in law, and percase these good fellows knowing them to be nought, are the bolder to offer them, thinking to gull the world with their great offers.  
Fiftly coming to the point of their pretended submission they plainly refuse to submit themselves offering rather articles of a capitulation betwixt the King and them, than any form of true subjection or submission, for first they say, they will acknowledge his majesty to be their lawful King and soverein Lord, and will defend his majesties heirs and successors right. And for this his majesty is much beholding to them. But we must understand, how this offer is made upon condition, if they may have their mass and their Mass priests. if they may not have their requests, than they neither submit themselves, nor offer any thing. Further they acknowledge more than by the doctrine of popery they can make good. For by the chapter v. nam sanctam. extr. de maior. & obed. all kings are declared to be subject to the pope. They do also deny the king's authority in Ecclesiastical causes, and offer many preiudices to the King's right, both over the Clergy and others, and acknowledge him no further to be their lawful king, than it shall please the Pope, who hath power to excommunicate him and depose him, as they say. Lastly where they speak of the King's successors right, they forget to mention the kings right. But what should we stand upon future conjectures, when the treasons of Watson, Clerk, Garnet, Hamond and the rest have plainly declared them to be the kings enemies?  
Secondly they promise to reveal, and to their powers to withstand and prevent any conspiracy, or treason against the King and his heirs, and to defend the realm against foreign invasions. But miserable were the King and state, if they should depend upon their revelations, and withstandings of treasonable attempts and invasions, that are sworn to the pope & depend upon foreign enemies. Former practices and experience showeth, that their words and promises are but snares to catch such as trust them, of late they smothered the treason of Percy and Catesby as much as they could, & sought by all means to have their country set on a flame. They acknowledge to his majesty, what is due by the word of god, or hath been used by any of their sect. but of the word of god they make the Pope supreme judge, and use to deny obedience to Kings excommunicate by him, nay to Kings not excommunicate, in ecclesiastical causes, what they mean to perform it appeareth by watson's and Percies treasons.  
Lastly they say they will perform this, by protestation, or oath, and offer the like for their priests. But what are oaths and promises, when they say the pope can dispense with oaths, and teach that faith is not to be performed to heretics, in which rank these superstitious ministers of antichrist place all true Christians? Furthermore it may be doubted whether these felllowes can bring the stiff necked massepreests to take these oaths. if they can, yet shall they never make them to keep them. doth it not then appear, that these cunning fellows go about to ensnare plain dealing men with their false oaths and feigned protestations? the examples of john Husse, & of the professors of religion in France and Flanders, that have been often massacred, when they relied upon the oaths and promises of the Pope's adherents do assure us of it, and Garnets' treasons may be a caveat for us. wherefore seeing these proud suppliants confess themselves but half subjects. and are much less than half when the pope commandeth them, whose they are body and soul, & seeing they always cut away half the king's authority, and sometimes all, and endeavour to bring upon his majesty and his subjects, not only a false, idolatrous, heretical and impious religion, but also a most grievous yoke of the pope's tyrannical government, from which this land hath by the grace of god, and prowess of his majesties noble ancestors been most happily freed and delivered, and seeing they have alleged nothing, which might either justify their abusive & false religion, or clear themselves from the common imputations of the disloyalty of the pope's adherents, or assure the king and state against the treacherous plots and practices of rinegued English sacrificers, jebusites, and other their associates ever suspected, & now lately plainly detected in Percies treason to be sworn slaves of Antichrist, & professed enemies to the king: I doubt not but his majesty & the state will take a course with these bold & importune petitioners, & assure the church and realm both against their corruptions in doctrine, and attempts in the affairs of Policy, and that in the mean while as all Christians abhor their antichristian doctrine and dangerous practices, so they will concur in repressing and extinguishing the causes of them. This all christians ought to perform, and these especially, that have eminent places both in church and common wealth. What then should I need to exhort them, to perform that, which belongeth to their duty, as they do well know, and which both god requireth, and all true christians expect at their hands?    

Chap. 22. A censure upon certain letters of the banished mass priests, sent back to the lords of his majesties council anno 1604, and annexed to the former petition.  
IT is an old saying, all is lost, that is bestowed on men ungrateful, and may well be verified by the fact of certain massepreests, who having well deserved death if the laws of the land. had been executed against them; were graeiously pardoned by his majesty, & only exiled, for that the state could not otherwise be well secured against their plots and practices, and yet are so far from rendering thanks for any favour, that they expostulate with his majesties council, as doing them wrong, and in effect protest, they will not submit themselves to his majesties order. Nay it is apparent that they resolved to return to continue their former treasons, as may be collected by the examinations of the actors in Percyes' treason and rebellion.  

THE COPY OF THE BANISHED priests Letter, to the Lords of his majesties most honourable privy Council.  
To the right 
a Why is this petitio directed to the Lords? is the king no body with these men?  Honourable our very good Lords, the Lords of his majesties most honourable privy Council.  
RIGHT Honourable. As we have suffered for 
1 Not so, but for Antichrist, and his damned practices and pretences.  Christ his sake, and the profession of the true Catholic religion, (which he 
2 Men plant with hands & not with blood but these priests of Baal tread upon Christ's blood, & root up the Church by him planted.  planted with his precious blood) many years imprisonment and 
3 Those that lived at Wisbich in prison, fared like Lords, and fatted themselves like proks. other massepriests abroad were either chamberlains to their hostesses, or Maggiordons to their hosts, wanting nothing, that they could wish. And this against the jebusitical faction may be proved out of Watsons quodlibets.  deprivation of all worldly comforts and commodities: so do we with the like patience and humility endure this hard & heavy 
4 For those that by laws deserve death, this is extraordinary favour.  sentence of exile, which is a certain kind of civil death, or rather a languishing and continual dying, especially to them that have the honour and safety of their prince and Country, in that recommendation, as we 
5 Then never have they had their prince and country in recommendation, seeking to make both subject to the pope, & his abominable heresy: nay to destroy both, as appeared by the late gunpowder treason.  ever both have had, and have. Notwithstanding lest it might be imputed unto us here after, that this banishment was rather an extraordinary favour and grace, than an undeserved 
6 This thanks the Lords are to look for at the hands of the priests of Baal.  punishment or penalty: we thought it our duty to let your Honours understand, that as we are 
7 Why then do ye murmur  content with patience and humility to suffer, and support whatsoever you should impose upon us for our 
8 For your treacherous practices, and combinations.  Religion: so are we bound with all, to make protestation of our innocency, according to that of S. Peter: 
9 But you suffer contrary to these words of Peter. for railing, libeling, practifing against the state.  Nemo vestrum patiatur ut sur, antony's latro, an't maledicus, aut alienorum appetitor: si autem ut Christianus, non erubescat, glorificet autem Deum in isto nomine. May it please your Lordships therefore to understand, that the quality and condition of those that are comprehended under the self same sentence of banishment, is very different and considerable, both in honour and 
10 What do these base conscienceles swads talk of honour & conscience, that have no other foundation of their actions but the pope's will?  conscience: among the which some there are that came voluntarily into prison, upon a proclamation set out by your Lordships in the late Queen's days and name, with assurance of favour upon such their submission: some came neither voluntarily into the prison, nor into the Realm, and therefore not subject to any censure: and all of them have been ever most 
1 Such faithful servants and well-willers were Clerk, Watson and Brook, executed not longsince at Winchester and Digbie, Grant, Faux, and others executed in Paul's Churchyard & at Westminster, but neither for their faithful service, nor their affection to his Majesty.  faithful servants & affectionate well-willers of his Majesty, and have to show under the great Seal of England his majesties gracious general pardon, by which they are restored unto the peace of his Majesty, & place of 
2 This showeth that their conscience accused them of treachery, & disloially before.  true subjects: since which time they have committed nothing against his majesties quiet Crown and dignity; as being ever since in 
3 As if prisoners might not be disleall, and treacherous.  captivity: and therefore in the rigour & extremities of those laws (which in their best sense & nature were ever held, both 
4 Most gentle, if they be compared with the laws of the Spanish inquisition, or the pope's bloody decretales.  extreme and rigorous) cannot be punished by any form or course of law, with so severe a correction, as aqua & igne interdici, to be deprived of the benefit of the common Air and elements of our most natural and dear 
5 When you sold it to foreign enemies, you made it dear both to them, and yourselves.  country. Yet sithence it is your Lordship's pleasure we should be transported, we are 
6 This is the patience of Lombard's, & not of saints.  content (in sign of obedience & comformity to that we see is your order) for this time to forbear the Realm for a while, & to absent ourselves; reputing ourselves notwithstanding, as men free from all danger or penalty of laws: and neither by this fact of banishment, nor by any other act of our necessary return into 
7 If this be your country, why did you abandon it, & take yourself to the service of Italians & Spaniards?  our country hereafter in worse estate, than your Lordships found us in the prison, when your Lordship's warrant came for the carrying us out of the Realm. And so hoping your Honours will conceive of us, as of men that have the fear & grace of God before our eyes, and the sincere love of our 
8 For pure love they & their consorts an. 1588. sought to cut their countrymen's throats, and to bring their prince and country into the hands of strangers, & for like causes sought Percy to blow up the parliament house.  Prince and country in our hearts, and dutiful reverence and respect to your Lordships in all actions: we humbly beseech your honours, that if we happen for want of health, or other helps necessary for our relief, to 
9 Having been in Italy they should know the penally of banishedmen returning with out pardon or licence  return hereafter into the Realm, this banishment may not any way aggravate our case, or make us les capable of favour & grace, than we were the xxj. of September when your Lordship's order came to remove us from post to 
10 You should have been left at Tyburn post, & never have been suffered to return to the pope & Cardinals, which you count pillars, but that you have encountered with merciful men.  pillar, from prison to exile: & so desiring God to inspire your lordships (upon whose resolutions depends the repose of the Realm, and the 
11 You save none, destroy all, that receive not the beasts mark & your pestilent doctrine  salvation or perdition of many thousand souls) with his holy grace and assistance in all your most grave & weighty determinations, in most humble & dutiful manner we take our leave, from 
12 Many of your fellows an. 1588. that came a 'gainst their country lie in the boton of the sea, from whence they send no libeling letters. your hap is better, your cause equal.  the Seaside this 24. of Sept. 1604.  
His majesties true 
13 As true as the Irish rebels, or as Watson, Clerk, & Brook, Percy, Catesby, Faux, Digby, & the rest of that crew, that were as true papists, as the rest of these massepriests.  and loy all subjects, and your honours most humble servants, The late banished Priests.   

The censure.  
THE Lords, no doubt, looked for thanks for their gentle and mild course taken with these massepreests. if they looked for none, yet his majesty deserved at their hands both thanks and praises, that gave them life, who had so well deserved death, and though he sent them out of England; yet did send them into no place but whether they had fled before voluntarily of themselves. But see the malicious disposition, I pray you, of this viperous generation. For thanks to the Lords they send reproofs and expostulations, & direct their letters to the lords, as thinking the king to be no king, nor worthy to be written unto by such glorious creatures of antichrist, as they take themselves to be.  
They suppose, that they have written wisely & pithily. But of that men may the better esteem by these particulars. First they say they have suffered for christ his sake and the profession of the true catholic religion, which he planted with his precious blood. But this is a gross slander to the state, and to his majesty principally, who is here charged with persecuting Christ, & the true catholic religion. Further the same is a most impudent and untrue assertion. For neither did Christ plant nor water the mass, nor the worship of saints and images, nor the pope's triple crown with his blood, nor is popery Catholic religion, nor did these fellows suffer for their superstitious & false opinion, unless the same drew them into practice of treason, and made them to fetch their greasy ordination from foreign enemies, and to depend upon them, and to join with them in seeking to blow up the state.  
Secondly they pretend to have been deprived of all worldly comforts & commodities. But the author of the quodlibers saith no, and the world knoweth, how they have domineered in the places of their resiance, and lived with all plenty, ease and contentment in prison. Gerrard and Garnet are fat and well liking, and never did men enjoy more worldly delights.  
3 They call the sentence of exile hard and heavy. But in spain and Italy our brethren would thank god for such a favour. so would they also, considering they have deserved death, but that they are graceless and unthankful.  
4. They blush not to affirm that they have the honour and safety of their prince in recommendation, when their doctrine maketh their prince and country subject to the pope and his censures, and their practices tend to bring in strangers, and to dishonour and overthrow both prince and state, as before is declared, and as appeared by Percies treason.  
5. They say their banishment is an undeserved penalty. But the laws of England say they deserved death: and their treasons prove it. are not then favours well bestowed on these treacherous and murmuring fellows?  
6. They allege the words of saint Peter, Nemo vestrum patiatur ut fur, ut latro, aut maledicus, aut alienorum appetitor, si autem ut Christianus etc. But they are no followers of S. Peter, or of his doctrine, suffering for treacherous combinations with foreign enemies, and domestical Gunpowder men, and having long railed against the state, and sought the spoil thereof, divers of them dividing bishoprics and benefices in England in conceit, and being inducted into them at Tyburn or Wisbich, and none of them suffering for any point of Christian faith.  
7. They tell us of the divers qualities of the Massepreestes banished. But what is that to the purpose, seeing none would revounce intelligences with foreign enemies, nor acknowledge the kings supreme authority? Further they cannot prove, that they have any good qualities, being so far engaged in Percyes' conspiracy, and other practices.  
8. They signify, that they purpose again to return into their country. But how agreeth this with their former protestation of suffering with patience and humility? again why should they intrude themselves, where no man sendeth for them? why should they thrust themselves in among true pastors, being ordained by Antichrist to sacrifice for quick & dead? & why should wolves be suffered to entre within Christ's fold, heretics among Christians, treacherous companion's among the king's loyal subjects?  
9 They pray their honours to conceive of them, as of men, that have the fear and grace of god before their eyes, and the sincere love of their prince and country in their hearts. But their doctrines, actions and practices do utterly remove this conceit both out of the minds of the council & of others. Some particulars of their doings we have touched before. the treason of Catesby and Percy toucheth them at the very heart.  
Finally they call themselves his majesties true and loyal subjects. But how true, it appeared first in the practices of Clerk and Watson, hanged at Winchester not long sense, and next in the attempt of Percy and his complices, divers of them being absolved and resolved by massepreests in their wicked purposes, and generally in the doctrine of massepreests against the authority of Kings before mentioned, and in their combinations and intelligences with the pope & other traitors and foreign enemies, as Parsons, and the popish cardinals and such like. What then remaineth, but that such as find themselves aggrieved with the sentence of banishment, should have the sentence of the law, and that such as love the Pope and Italy better than the King and their own country, should be forced to live with their holy father in their Italian Babylon? god grant that neither Prince nor country receive harm by their return, or by any of their associates or companions. Amen.  
FINIS.     

The contents of every chapter of the Book precedent.  

Chap. 1. THE resolution of the petition apologetical of the lay papists, together with a some of the answer made unto it.  
Chap. 2. That the toleration of any false, heretical or idolatrous religion, is repugnant to reasons of religion, and holy scripture.  
Chap. 3. That convinence and toleration of false religion and heresy, and of the professors thereof, is reproved by the authority both of ancient fathers of the church, and of ancient christian Princes.  
Chap. 4. That to admit the exercise of false religions formerly forbidden, is contrary both to christian policy and reason.  
Chap. 5. That toleration of divers religions is contrary to the doctrine and practice of papists.  
Chap. 6. That popery is a false and erroneous religion.  
Chap. 7. That popish religion is heathenish and idolatrous.  
Chap. 8. That popery is a religion composed of old and new heresies.  
Chap. 9 That popish religion is new, and not, as the papists call it, the old religion.  
Chap. 10. That popery is a religion impious and blasphemous.  
Chap. 11. That toleration of popery is contrary to reasons of state.  
Chap. 12. That popish religion is enemy to kings.  
Chap. 13. That the same is burdensome to christians.  
Chap. 14. That the petition of such, as desire a toleration of popery, is void of reason.  
Chap. 15. That the same is repugnant to grounds of religion, and policy practised by papists themselves.  
Chap. 16. An answer to the title of the petition of lay papists, and the preface of John Lecey.  
Chap. 17. An answer to the two first chapters of the petition containing causes both of the petitioners long silence, and of their breach of silence.  
Chap. 18. Of the quality, number, and forces of English papists, and of their assurance, and resolution, which they praetend in their religion.  
Chap. 19 The examination of lay papists fidelity, of which they endeavour to make proof in the fift chapter of their petition.  
Chap. 20. An answer to the petitioners calumniations against the professors of the Gospel, set down in the 6. chapter of their popish apologetical petition.  
Chap. 21. The insufficiency and foolery of the submission promised by lay papists for themselves, and their priests is examined.  
Chap. 22. A censure upon certain letters of the banished massepreests, sent back to the Lords of his majesties council, anno 1604. and annexed to the former petition.    

Escapes correct thus.  
Pag. 8. line 18. read: the apostle 2. corinth. 6. p. 14. l. vl. ulli magistratui. p. 26. lin. 28. Hierem. 2. p. 31. l, 23. Basilidians. l. 25. exorcizations. p. 34. l. 5. with the priscillianists. p. 48. l. 7. and ignorant people. p. ead. l. antepenul. three principal. p. 60 l. 9 whereas I do not suppose. p. 62. l. 6. if the parliament-house, p. 73. lin. 26, are matters. p. ead. l. or so mutinously. p. 74. l. 26. but rather seek. p. 76. l. 12. dangerous deseins. p. 91. l. 22. numbers of papists. p. 94. l. 15. four they mention. p. 95. l. 31. for their resolution. p. 99 l. 33. Helas' poor souls. Literal faults and transpositions of titles pardon.