THE SUPPRESSING OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PRETENDED Shee-Iesuites.  
By the Edict of our most holy Father and Lord, VRBANUS, Dei Gratia.  
The eight (of that name) now Pope of Rome.  
Translated out of the Low-dutch Copy, Printed at Brussels.  
LONDON Printed for Nathaniel Butter, and Nicholas Bourne. 1631.   

Vrbanus, Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to everlasting Memory.  
THe Pastoral care and vigilancy of the Romish Pope (unto whom the Vineyard of the Lord of Sabbath, through the unspeakable providence of the chiefest and supremest Father of the Family, is committed) doth chiefly aim at this scope, that no Labourers shall presumptuously intrude themselves into this Vineyard without being lawfully called and elected, who may destroy the good seed, root out the well-growing, make weeds to spring up, and mix evil bastard branches among the good plants.  
Notwithstanding that there hath been made a very sharp and strong prohibition, by the Christian Ordinances of the General Lateran Council, and the Council of Lions, that no person should dare to ascribe so much power to himself, or take upon him to bring in innovations in Religion, and that likewise by the godly Institutions of our predecessors of blessed Memory, john the 22. and Clemens the fifth, Popes of Rome, all assemblies of Women, instituted by their own power and authority, was clean cut off, and rooted out, and condemned as most dangerous and pernicious. Nevertheless, (as we have understood not without great grief and sorrow of heart) there are in diverse parts of Italy, and of the Netherlands, certain Women and Maidens, which have boldly and presumptuously taken upon them the name of Shee-Iesuites, without the consent and approbation of the Holy Apostolical Chair. These have of late years made Convents and Assemblies, under pretence, and show, of leading a devout and religious life. They have used a singular kind of habit, differing from all other, built Edifices and Houses in manner of Colleges, erected places named by the name of Novitiate, or trial and probation. In these builded Colleges they have established one to be General, and governo over the whole Assembly, giving them Styles of Shee-Provosts; Ascribing and taking upon them such power and authority, as seemed good unto themselves. Making Vows and Protestations of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, and these to stand for sound and solemn Vows, having no ground nor warrant for this their Obedience, but only their own pleasure and well seeming, (all under this Cloak and pretence of promoting Souls salvation) taking upon them (not withstanding their Vow) to walk freely about the Streets, and to perform such works and businesses, which go beyond the weakness, and capacity, and brain of that sex. And which do in no wise beseem and befit the modesty and civility of Women, and especially the Virgin Chastity. Yea, such things, which godly and learned men, well experienced in the holy Scriptures, being of great knowledge and honest life, are wont to exercise and practise, not without a great deal of trouble, and much difficulty.  
We therefore desiring and labouring by all means, in time to extirpate and root out, all weeds and briars out of the field of the holy Militant Church, have Commanded and Charged our Reverend Brother Aloysius, Bishop of Tricariken, Ours and the Holy Apostolical Chairs Nuntius in the Countries of Lower-Germany, as also diverse other Ordinaries, that they finding and perceiving the great dangers and scandals which do thence arise, should (in the name of our Apostolical Authority,) earnestly admonish, and forewarn, and exhort the aforesaid Women and Maidens, to withdraw themselves from such intended courses and practices, and to betake themselves to better and wiser ways and devises.  
But whereas these presumptuous Women, contemning and despising the fear of God, and Us, and abusing the great respect due unto the Apostolical Sea, to the great prejudice of their own souls, and offending of many good religious people, have not only not obeyed our Fatherly and Godly admonitions, but have not been ashamed to continue and go on in these their idle practices, and to broach and produce many things contrary to the Godly Truth and Doctrine of the Church. We have now earnestly resolved to prevent such a farther contempt and presumption, with a sharp and bitter sentence and penalty. And to root out and extirpate all such plants and sprouts utterly, being so infectious, pernicious, and hurtful to the Holy Church, for fear lest they spread themselves farther, if they be not suppressed.  
Therefore having held wise and provident Counsel with our Honourable Brothers, the Cardinals of Rome, and the General Inquisitors, specially deputed against all evil Heresies of the said Sea, with unanimous Counsel and Consent, according to the Decrees of the foresaid Counsels, adhering to the Institutions of our Predecessors, We have tituled the said Convents and Congregations of the said Women or Maidens, Shee-Iesuites. And doomed their sect and State, from the first beginning of their Institution, by our Apostolical Authority. And do by the tenor of this present Edict of Ours, declare the same to be void and of none effect or power, and that the same is of no worth, neither ever was.  
And because they have proceeded with the very action and execution of this their profession, We do by our Apostolical Authority, utterly suppress and annihilate the same, and make them subject to eternal abolition, and take away, and cut off the same from the most holy Church of God. Willing and ordaining, that the same Order of Women and Maidens, shall of all Christian believing people, be held for suppressed and abolished, extinguished, utterly taken away, and extirpated. Neither will We that the same Women or Maidens shall any ways be tied, or obliged to perform the solemn Vow which they so strongly have made to this purpose.  
Furthermore, We will, ordain, and declare, that all Shee-Visiters, shee-registrices, and shee-Provosts, as all other Shee-Governants and officials of the said Congregation and sect, by what name or title they may be named or called, shall by power of this our Edict be deprived of the Office, service, or place which they have taken upon them to perform or execute.  
We do likewise absolve all and every Woman or Maiden, which under pretence of a solemn Vow, hath (upon whatsoever occasion in this kind) bound or obliged herself to any obedience tending to this Order, and utterly free them from such Vow and Obligation. Yea even those that have in this nature tied themselves by approbation of an Oath.  
Furthermore, We do ordain, and command all Women or Maidens, and their  Governors, named or dignified with the foresaid or other manner of titles, (by virtue of the holy obedience due unto Us, and upon penalty of our Bull, and farther Excommunication, which they will presently incur, and from the which they cannot be absolved by any but ourself, and whosoever shall be Pope of this holy City of Rome) to departed, and separate themselves from all those Colleges, or Houses where they are assembled, prohibiting them to have any more meetings or assemblies together, to consult, confer, or treat together, or perform either spiritual or temporal exercises. Willing and charging them presently and speedily to abandon and dismiss the manner of habit supposedly and fally taken upon them, and never to put on the same any more, neither to admit any other Women or Maidens to receive and put on the same. As also that they with their consent shall not suffer, nor counsel, help, or favour others to do it directly or indirectly, or in any manner whatsoever, neither shall they profess themselves, or make known themselves to be religious persons, followers of that pretended sect and Congregation.  
For the better suppressing of which Assembly, We do freely and willingly absolve all those Women and Maidens, who have really and punctually made their Vows (as We said before) with that intention, being in such an estate, condemned and reprobated by the Apostolical Chair, although they have not performed the promised conditions of their secret Vows, nor could not perform the Obligation of their Vows fully.  
But all those who in any case have made Vows, (being they are simple Vows to live honestly and religiously, being separated from the other, and this reprobate State, and the pretended sect and Assembly, shunning and avoiding whatsoever hath by this Edict been prohibited, these We permit to submit themselves to the obedience of the Ordinary, with the use, but nor the full command of their Goods, but with such power which We mercifully grant them, both in their lives, and before their decease to dispose of them to holy and pious uses. Nevertheless this provided, that the same Goods shall, without any will or Testament befall, and be derived unto those, which by right and equity were to succeed in them, and to inherit the same, if so be that these women or maidens had not made such a vow of voluntary poverty.  
And in case any of these aforesaid women or maidens would betake themselves to the estate of Matrimony we grant them free permission to marry: but with this proviso, that they shall keep that which therein is to be observed, and we do afford them our apostolical Benediction, and as fare as necessity requires, the relaxation and quittance of all their vows (as aforesaid) made by them.  
But because the Apostle teacheth, that he that marries doth well, but he that remains unmarried doth better, we do therefore, as earnestly, and with as much power as we can, admonish and exhort those aforesaid women and maidens, by the mercies of God, in our fatherly love and care, that they would but recall and truly consider, the zeal and affection which they have had to embrace a holy, Religious, and Spiritual life, and to take upon them the Lords yoke, and that they renounding themselves, and all worldly luses, cares, and concupiscences, would betake themselves into some holy and religious order instituted and approved of by this Holy apostolical Chair. And there with a faithful, holy and godly desire, and intentions, make their vows unto the God of jacob: and with innocence of hands, and purity and sincerity of heart, practising and performing holy spiritual exercises of Religious works, would manifest themselves to be the purest and pretioust part of Christ's Sheep and Flock. And there kindle their lamps with the flames of Love, and so prepare themselves to mere the sweet heavenly Bridegroom of their souls.  
Thus than we do ordain, that these present Letters, and all the Contents of the same, yea notwithstanding, that the women or maidens of such a Sect and Assembly, or any other, having some suspicion or scruple of the Premises, or pretending to have, should not have consented unto the same, or have not been summoned and heard in the matter. And that the reasons of this same Edict, alleged, verified, and otherwise sufficiently justified, shall at no time whatsoever hereafter be subject to subreption, or obreption, nullity, or invalidity, or accounted wanting in our intentions. Or be accused of any fault or defect, how great, unthought of, or substantial the same might be; neither be lessened or dimished. No not although that in the aforesaid business, the Solemnities, and all other things afore said, which ought to have been kept and observed, were not prosecuted, observed, and performed, Nor by reason of some Capital point or Clause in Law, Ordinance, or Use, nor by reason of any total breach or prejudice, nor under pretence or any other excuse or cloak whatsoever: nor conclution of Law, nor any just reasonable and and privileged reason, which for the strength and validity of the Premises, aught to have been produced or performed. Yea although that of our aforesaid will and pleasure, could no ways nor no where appear, nor be made good or manifested otherwife, yet the same shall not be impugned, opposed, made invalidable, be brought into Law, be controverted, nor be brought upon terms of Law. Neither shall any easement, making of way, terms and times granted by Law, or any other judicial acts and remedies of favour, grace, or justice be obtained, or any way granted in this behalf. Neither shall it be lawful for any one who hath obtained such easements, to use or employ them, or benefit and help himself with such means in or without the Law. Neither shall these letters of ours be comprehended under any other equal or unequal favours, which in time to come shall be recalled, suspended, held back, or which might otherwise in time to come be disposed of: but these shall ever be excepted and exempted, and shall for ever hereafter stand firm and unalterable, and have their full force vigour and perfect effect. And shall be observed and obeyed infringeable and unviolable, of all those whom they do concern, or shall concern hereafter. And thus (and no otherwise) in this matter aforesaid shall it be judged, by all judges, Ordinaries, Delegates, by the Auditors also of the affairs and matters concerning the apostolical Palace, and the Cardinals of the holy Romish Church: Legates and the Nuntius, and all others of whatsoever authority or power they are or shall be, in all Instances and judgements, depriving them all of all authority and power of judging otherwise. Wherefore we do declare whatsoever shall be contrary, or be attempted contrary to this our foresaid Edict and Letters, of whatsoever Authority the same may be found, to be frustrate, quite void, and of none effect, whether the same be undertaken wittingly or ignorantly.  
Furthermore, for the better execution of this our will and pleasure, we do command by apostolical Edict and Writing, all our Reverend Brothers, and well-beloved Sons, Ours, and the apostolical Chairs Nuntius, all Patriarches, Superiors or Governors of the Church; Arch-Bishops, Bishops, and Ordinaries, wheresoever they are seated; that as soon as our present letters shall come to them, or any of them, or shall any way be made known unto them, solemnly to publish them, and cause them to be published: and to put the same, and cause them to be put, in some place fit for that execution, either by themselves or others, as they shall find fit and expedient in the Lord. Also We will and command them, earnestly to censure by sentence, and severely to punish by Spiritual punishment, and other just and reasonable means, which may constrain and compel them. All those who are rebellious, gainsaying, and will not obey our fore said Edict, debarring them, and depriving them from all manner and way of appeal, refuge, and recalling, employing to this end, the Temporal Magistrate, as fare as shall be found requisite and necessary. Notwithstanding (as fare as shall be necessary) the Constitutions of Boniface the eight, our Predecessor, of blessed Memory, instituted one, and the General Counsel of two days journey, and all other contrarying.  
And to the end that this present Edict, and the Contents thereof may be made known and manifested to all men, and no man may pretend or plead ignorance, We likewise will and command, that the same, be by one, or diverse of our Couriers affixed and published upon the Church door of Lateran, and Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles of this City, and of the apostolical Chaunceries. And upon the Corner of the Flower-field. And when the Copies shall be taken off, reprinted, and distributed abroad, which be thus affixed and published, all those (within two months after the day of the said Publication) whom it doth concern any way, shall thereby be so tied and obliged, as if notice of the same were given to their own persons. Also that all the Copies thereof printed, being sealed with the feal of any Person placed in Spiritual Dignity, and subscribed by the hand of a Notarius Publicus, shall have so much credence and belief given thereunto, as aught to be given unto this present, if so be it were extended and showed.  
I● is not lawful therefore for any one whosoever, to transgress these our Letter of Suppression, annihilating, subjection, extenuation, and our Ordinances of Privation, Ablation, Obsolution, Remission, and Our Commandment of Declaration, Permission, Favour or Grace, Admonition, Desires, Will and Pleasure; or to oppose the same, or contrary the same, through bold and impudent presumption. For whosoever shall dare to undertake and presume so much, the same shall fall into the wrath and indignation of God Almighty, and of his holy Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul.  
Given at Rome by Saint Peter, in the Year 1630. the thirteenth of januarie, and the eight Year of Our Papacy. E. Dat. A. Rondininus. Viewed and examined in the Council. 

A. Durandus.  
C. Montanus.    
Registered in the Secretary of Roles.  
In the name of God, Amen. In the year of our Lord jesus Christ 1930. the one and twentieth day of May, being the fourteenth Indiction, in the ninth year of the Papacy of the most Holy Father in Christ, and our Lord Vrbanus the eight, by the Providence of God, Pope of Rome.  
The foresaid Letters were published, and held at the Church door of Lateran, and Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles of this City, and of the apostolical Chancery: and on the Corner of the Flower-field; As the manner is. By me Augustine de Bolis Roman Courier of our most Holy Father the Pope.  


Mathias Spada Courier-master.  
F. Aertsb. of Comp. Nuntius.    
FINIS.