An Answer to a PAMPHLET, Entitled [The humble Apology of the English Catholics.] Written by a Royalist before Christmas 1666. THUANUS, Miseros Principes quibus de conjuratione non creditur nisi occisis.  
Printed in the Year 1667.   

READER,  
THis small Paper was printed in haste, and by none of the skilfullest hands or plainest Copies: If therefore thou wilt overlook the mistakes in pointing and correct these following erratas, it will be but right to the Author and an help to thyself.  
Pag. 4. l, 16. deal be. p. l. 9 league infortunately. ibid. l. 24. that of, league of that. p. 7. l. 2. forts lege sorts. ibid. l. 16. in league is. l. 20. deal? l. 22. pro; league? lin. ult. lege Incestuous. p. 8. l. 1. lege impossible. l. 13. lege much. p. 9 l. 17. lege both. l. penult. lege persecutions. p. 10. l. 3. lege toleration. l. 8. against his league against his. p. 11. l. 1. lege them. l. 8. your league you. pag. 12. l. 3. of lege or. l. 4. deal, l. 28. None league none. p. 13, l. 6. lege pamphlet. ibid. Margin. l. 6. the IV the league the IV to the. p. 13. l. penult. lege since. p. 15. l. 10. lege Leaguers. lin. ult. which league with. p. 16. ad l. 3. in Margin. lege These Sixteen were the chief abettors of the League in Paris. l. 9 deal, lin. 10. league greater. lin. 23. high lege by. l. 34. repentance, for lege repentance for. ib. fact being league fact; being.   

An Answer to a Pamphlet, Entitled [The humble Apology of the English Catholics.] Written by a Royalist before Christmas 1666.  
THUANUS, Miseros Principes quibus de conjuratione non creditur nisi occisis.  
IF the Author of the Apology could make good the beginning of his Discourse, I could very hearty turn Apologist for him and his Friends. He says right, (and the Devil spoke true when he cried aloud that Jesus was the Son of God) that the Arms which Christians may use against lawful Powers in their severities, are only prayers and tears; Thus far he speaks like a Protestant, that is to say, a primitive Christian; and it might have stood as a fair Character of his pretended innocency, had he not foully bespattered it in the sequel with the dirt he casts upon the face of Authority. But first it would be considered what it is that the Apologist would be at upon his frequent Compellation of his Lords and Gentlemen; is it to draw them to a firm combination with those of his Roman party against all such that shall question the innocency of his Carriage and Intentions? Nothing less it seems can satisfy or secure him; unless my Lords and Gentlemen, that is, the old constant Royalist stand up for his advocate, he must fall under the heavy censure of his greatest adversaries, who, (to complete the mischief and misery of it) are not only become his accusers, but his insulting judges, as he complains.  
And now it is high time for my Lords and Gentlemen to remember their often vows to that party, and renounce all further conjunction with them, that have been the cause of so great calamity to the Nation, as he there tells them.  
But is not this Divide & Impera? and though they did not nip the plant in the bud, yet now being grown up & not likely to answer them in the expected fruits, they will endeavour so to dismember the party as may manifestly endanger the whole.  
For what else mean those words, let it never be be recorded in story that you forgot your often vows to us in joining to them (those insulting judges as he terms them before) that have been the cause of so great calamity to the Nation.  
Is not a disunion here manifestly endeavoured? and that in direct contradiction to what was before protested? [far be it from Catholics to perplex Parliaments.] To reconcile this difference in the expressions will well become the Apologist before he answer the following objections which he makes his next task.  
And here first he presents his Catholic Party astonished even to admiration, at that calumny above the rest that their principles are said to be inconsistent with Government, and they themselves thought ever prone to Rebellion; As if because they account themselves the only Orthodox Christians they must necessarily be very Loyal subjects at the least.  
Indeed if they could make good the former we had reason to expect some compliance as to the latter; seeing Religion hath its name, 
Religio a religan●o.  from that connexion and strict conjunction it works in its Professors, as with each other, so in all, with that Government and Governor under which they have their common protection.  
But how Orthodox and united Roman Catholics are in the grounds of their belief, (the main ingredient in the essence of Religion) hath sufficiently appeared in the writings of many, who have unanswerably evinced the nullity of the Romanists Faith: whether ultimately resolved into their virtual Church, the Pope with his Conclave, as the Jesuits will have it; Or into the representative Church, a General Council, as others will have it; Or into both the former conjoined, as others contend; Or (erranti nullus terminus) into the new mode of Oral tradition, as it is lately and clamorously urged by others who abominate the former. Yet though our Catholics do thus stagger in the grounds of their faith, are they not more firm in their fealties, and Loyalties? surely their principles are every way consisting which the Government under which they live.  
Nothing less, and it will plainly appear if we consider the Doctrine of their Church and their frequent practice.  
To the former much need not be said. That the Pope, the acknowledged head of their Church, hath a plenary power to excommunicate all Christian Kings that will not close with the Papal persuasion; and when they are excommunicated that they cease to be Kings, that their subjects are absolved from all fealty and allegiance to them, yea may take up Arms against them and so murder them; All this is so notoriously known, that as no real Roman Catholic will deny, so it were needless to urge further proof of it: 
Becanus, Bellarm. Bozius, Molina, Campian. Stapleto. etc.  He that hath leisure may find enough of this in Alvarez, Mariana, and divers others that speak expressly enough at this rate; and hath it not been sufficiently verified in the Roman Catholics practice? 'tis well known who encouraged one Parry to murder Queen Elizabeth, what Pope it was that issued out his dreadful excommunication animateing the Subjects of England against her; And if you will allow of Cardinal Perron's positive sentence, he will tell you that that doctrine which renders Kings indeposeable opens a gap to no less than schism and heresy, as if it were not only lawful, but necessary to suppress whatever they be, that will not conform to the Popish Hierarchy.  
He that should see a Sovereign Prince holding the basin whilst the Pope washeth his hands; and another no less sovereign holding the stirrup (though unfortunately mistaken in the side) whilst he mounts up on horseback; Yea he that should see that Bishop of Rome treading on a great Prince his neck and abuseing that of the Psalmist for the Justification of his usurped Power— Super Leonem & Aspidem, etc. Cannot but conclude that Dominus Deus noster Papa (as the Canonists style him) will be the supreme Prince of the Christian World and that all other Potentates must limit their Authority and Jurisdiction according to the measure of his placet.  
And now the premises considered (that upon the Pope's excommunication Kings cease to be such, and stand lawfully exposed to all Insolences from their Subjects, (as hath already appeared;) I can not but very much wonder, that the Romanists should be so angry with Cromwell, Bradshaw, and the rest that of hellish crew, for murdering our late Sovereign of blessed memory. Were they not taught by those Romish Fathers above cited to murder CHARLES STUART, and yet not kill the King? I dare boldly say that our late Republicarians have not one tenet that is destructive to Civil Government and the Sovereignty of Kings, that was not first broached by the Romanists, to whom we own our late confusions; Which hath answered the Predictions of Gondamore the Spanish Ambassador, who upon his return into Spain gave out that he had kindled a fire in England which would burst out into a flame forty years afterwards.  
Not to insist upon those several disguises, presented by the Romanists in the late troubles under the habit of all sorts of Mechanics, Artists, Soldiers, and others, so to preach up & foment the rebellion with our homebred Sectarians; this may suffice to demonstrate how ill consistent their principles are with our English Government, and consequently how weakly they acquit themselves of that Calumny they complain of even to admiration; But the Apologist hath his other pretences and will clear all objections that may encounter him in his way; it will be necessary to take a brief view of them.  
And here first our Author amuseth us with a pretended submission to lawful powers; gins then to boast how patiently their party did bear with the proceed of the present Parliament; how they used no tricks and subterfuges to nip their proceed in the bud: (this in his expression.) And I would be glad to know what they could have done more than they did; what means he by this nipping in the bud? Would he have had another Gunpowder treason? To what purpose all this enumeration of our several Kings? Richard I. Edw. Longshanks, Edw. III. and Henry the fift. their opinions of their Popish Subjects; In the first place it may be said they were not so clear-sighted as Princes are in these days; that the Roman writers were not altogether so insolent, plain, and positive against the sovereignty of Kings as now.  
As for the French Kings, they did very roundly maintain their rights and sovereignties, having been sufficiently tormented by their Popish subjects in the time of the Ligue; that what the Jesuits were venting to the prejudice of Kings, was by cunning and insinuation writing one thing and making their French Kings believe another, as is usual with that kind of People.  
As for the House of Austria, they have the greatest dependences upon the Pope imaginable, & the Pope has a very great tye upon that House for by their incestuous marriages authorised by the Popes they make it impossible for them to throw off the Authority of the Pope, for should they do so, all of that House would prove Bastards; And now even in these our days the present King of Poland (in the life time of his Brother known by the name of Cardinal Casimir) did marry his said own Brother's Wife, and this was the policy of the Pope with our Henry the VIII in his dispenseing with his marrying his own Brother's Wife, that he might have as great a dominion over the Kings of England, as of Spain.  
As for the Author's branding this last Century that what was perpetrated now, was never done before, (as to Mary Queen of Scots, and our late Sovereign.) I very much wonder at the impudence of the man, to mix these two actions. The first was done by lawful authority, for her being Queen of Scotland did not bereave Queen Elizabeth of her Sovereignty, and I have heard it averred by learned and knowing men, that the King of Scotland hath sat in an English Parliament in former ages as a Peer of England; and then no wonder, nor injustice neither, that the Queen of Scotland suffered death for her treason against the Queen.  
As for the latter (the murder of our late Sovereign of blessed and glorious Memory,) the action is without example, such and so heinous a thing was never acted upon the Theatre of the World: And as I said before, so I will again, that the murder of that good King may properly enough be said to be the abominable product of that accursed doctrine of the Pope's Infallibility, and his Sovereignty over Kings; For those accursed Regicides, and murderers of that glorious King, did but a little alter the argument; For that power which the Romanists lodged in the Pope, these wicked miscreants placed in the People; They had heard there was a power above Kings, and instead of giving it to the Pope, they gave it to the People's Representative: And so fell this great King to the consternation of the whole World, and for a memento to all Kings to awake them out of their Lethargy and be an exhortation to them to vindicate their Supreme Authority; We do all of us much commend the fidelity of Carlos, Whitegrave, and the Penderels, and Huddlestone, and this Author is much mistaken if he think any of us do wish them ill; We have said enough already to evidence that they effected that glorious and happy action, (happy I say to all these Nations) through some other Instigations than the principles of the Romish Religion; They were led thereto certainly by a hand Divine as well as assisted by it; They carried English hearts about them at that time; But if they will Apostatise, 'tis none of my fault, for my part I am well content they be dispensed with as a mark put upon them for their miraculous preserving our good King.  
As for the stigmatised person; I must needs say for him that he laboured in the vineyard before the last hour of the day, and was very ready both with hand and pen, to promote the Interests of the King for his restauration, and therefore that word of reproach might will have been left out.  
That we differ in religion is but too true; and we dare as boldly as yourselves appeal to the day of Judgement. Something you say we differ; I say very much, else why does your Church damn ours? But this is not a place either to dispute about Religion or express wherein we vary. We are assured our Religion is the best; free from Superstition, free from too much homeliness; God and the King are best served in our way; Our Church is Monarchical as well as yours; but still with a subordination to our Sovereign Temporal Prince. What our great Ancestors were, we shall not be ashamed to remember, nor the Conversion of England from Paganism, which possibly (as all the World besides converted from the like errors) did retain some few Pagan Ceremonies, from which the Church of England was purified in the reformation of Edw. VI and Queen Elizabeth; He does well to put us in mind of Romish perfecutions, are not we justified thereby if we do the same to you?  
France forsooth is instanced, where the reformed Religion is permitted, which I shall leave indifferent whether to attribute that toleration to their vast numbers, or to the innocency of their tenets, not at all prejudicial to Kings; this I am sure, they own no Sovereign above their Natural King, they have no foreign jurisdictions in their spirituals, and as little in their Temporals; Let this be remembered they assisted their Henry the III. against his Popish Rebels, even after the Massacre at Paris; and Henry the FOUR in his siege of Paris, when the Duke of Parma relieved it.  
But as for the French King, he is no competent instance in this case; Had you singled out some Trent-Catholicks (such our English Catholics would be acknowledged) there had been a fairer colour for your Argument. When you have found some Roman Catholic Princes of the Trent persuasion, allowing the same favours to known Protestants, you may more plausibly plead for the like allowance; till when, by their Inquisitions and such like entertainments of protestants, they have prescribed the Law for other Princes, towards those that no less differ from them in matters of Religion.  
We will wave the Massacre at Paris to come nearer home, what think you of the Massacre in Ireland, as a forerunner of the English troubles? was not the Massacre and Rebellion in Ireland Countenanced, and owned by a Pope's Nuntio? Let us draw nearer to these times and speak of what passed within this twelvemonth; Was not the Pope's Bull, an occasion of Cornett Nangles Rebellion? Which had been as universal as the first, but that the Romish party there wanted strength? The Author by mentioning the French Kings kindness to the French Protestants, puts me in mind to affirm he is much mistaken; for that King has of late begun very much to persecute them; He has taken from them most of their Churches, will not suffer them to educate their own Children, and many other grievous punishments he does now inflict upon them, and it may well be suspected he intends yet more against them having already purged his guards of all of their belief.  
The Author grows yet more impudent & extravagant, for first he goes about to illegitimate Queen Elizabeth, & then bespatters the fame of our King Henry the VIII. and by that one may see where he has his breeding, and where he learned to speak contumeliously of Kings.  
Your urge the Allegiance sworn to Queen Mary; and 'tis no such wonder considering the Artifices and Power of the Roman Catholics at that time; But all Roman Catholics will grant that Queen Maries Mother was King Henry's Brothers Wife; Yes and it will be replied that the Pope dispensed with the marriage; He did so, but St John the Baptist (whom our blessed Saviour honours with so high a testimony in the Gospel) would not have done it, he condemned the like marriage in King Herod, & had be lived in those times would have done no less in Kings Henrys. Though perhaps the Pope like another Herod would have cut of his head too for that bold affront; yet the Pope's power, though never so much revered in those times could not then silence the suffrages of our Universities here, nor those in foreign parts, who jointly affirmed and confirmed, both the lawfulness, and necessity of King Henry's Divorce from his Brother's Wife: which doth sufficiently wipe off that filth, the Auth or from his impure mouth breathes out against that Queen of glorious memory; But King Henry the VIII. it seems is a great eyesore to you, and you will leave no place unsearched for some stones of reproach to throw at him: yet if you would be pleased to cast a serious eye upon divers of your Popes, the chief heads of your Church (you may find a full choice in the ninth & tenth Centuries (besides several others) and when you have throughly perused the exact symmetry of their Carriage and practices (as described in some of your own Authors, then turn your eye upon King Henry the VIII. & you will readily I doubt not conclude the saint to be on his side.  
And making so bold with Princes, it would be a wonder if Ministers of State did scape his pen; and it may well be affirmed, that King James is wounded through Cecyls' side, of rather that wise King himself is deeply pierced, for may not one thus understand the Apologist? Cecyl is compared to Ulysses & King James to Cromwell. The whole Parliament, is likewise aspersed by him, and according to the opinion of the Apologist, God is mocked every fift of November; so that God himself cannot scape him neither.  
He insists much upon the merit of those of his Religion, that ventured their lives in the quarrel of the late King of glorious memory; Where this great merit lies I cannot well understand for these reasons; First they were his Subjects, and so they were in duty bound to fight for him; Secondly they were persecuted by the Long Parliament, and that good King (upon pretence that he so much countenanced them) was persecuted likewise for their sakes, and so they were constrained to stand by him, and for him, for their own preservation; And there is one of his Subjects of that Religion that stipulated, and did drive a bargain with the last King, before he would engage for him. The Author would have us believe Dinner-bells are mistaken for Mass-bells: Do the Papists dine at 6, 7, or 8 of the clock in the morning? All their Insolences the Author would persuade us to attribute to the height of their zeal against Constables, or other persons in authority formerly against the King; When it is very well known that dureing the Rebellion, when the late Rebels Cromwell and Bradshaw, and the rest, were in humane appearance, confirmed in their Thrones; None were better used that went under the name of Cavaliers than Papists: & now since the happy restauration of our gracious Sovereign many of them endeavour to strike in with the fanatics, desiring them to join with them, and they will take an order with the Episcopal party; These are the men that so much boast themselves of their Loyalty.  
As to the burning of London, God reward them according to their demerit, that were the authors of that dismal and execrable fire; This is most certain, that the Papists rejoice much in those sad flames, and it is a common discourse amongst them, that the burning of that City is a happiness to the Kingdom, and has cured it of the Rickets.  
It is now time to draw to a conclusion, though perhaps some things in the Pamplet (being stuffed with many ridiculous passages, and little pertinent to the purpose,) I have for brevity's sake omitted to speak to.  
For a farewell I will only add this to the Author; that if the Protestant assertors of his Majesties Right, had been as few as those he has set down in red letters of his party, He should here have been imitated by me; but our numbers are so vast, that many large folios would not contain them.  
But instead of the Apologist his bloody or red list, take here an extract of some things out of the History of Henry the iv of France, written by Hardovin de Perefix Bishop of Rodez, formerly Tutor to this French King Lewis, concerning the Ligue in France, called by its abettors the Sacred Vnios, supported by Popes, & more especially by Sextus Quintus, & Gregory the XIV; & entered into (by persuasion of the Roman Divines) by the Rebellious Roman Catholic Subjects of the two Henry's the III, & IV; to oppose which they were most chief assisted by their Protestant Subjects, who were always most ready to help them in time of extremity & still proved their best and most Loyal Subjects.  
On all hands little notice is taken of Henry the iv his right to the Crown of France, 
Fol. 61. 〈◊〉 Author wr●● thus conce●●ing the succision of He the IV Crown o● France. 1● year of Lord.  because he was removed above the seventh degree of blood from Henry the III. of France; beyond which there is no kindred as to private succession. Besides he was not of that Religion, which was ever professed by the French Kings ever since King Clovis, and consequently was uncapable of wearing the Crown, and bearing the title of Most Christian, etc.  
Some French Divines for the promotion of the League (& since approved of by Pope Sextus Quintus) did maintain that that Prince ought to be deposed, 
Fol. 66 Popish principle con●●●ning Kings Do. 158  that did not do his duty, that power is only of God which is well regulated, otherwise when it is ill ordered it is not Authority but thievery: The words in the Original are thus— Qu'il n'y a que la puissance bien ordonne, que soit de Dieu; autrement quand elle est dereglee, que ce n'est pas authority, mais brigandage, & qu'il est aussi absurde de dire que celuy lasoit Roy, qui nesçait pas gouverner, & qui est de pourveu d'entendement, comme de croire qu'un a vengle puisse servir de guide, ni qu'une statuë immobile puisse faire mouvoir des hommes vivans.  
Then came news from Rome, 
Fol. 68 Ann. Do. 1585.  that the Pope Sextus Quintus who succeeded to Gregory the XIII. had approved the League; and over and above, had thundered out his Bulls of excommunication against the King of Navarre, & the Prince of Condé, declareing them Heretics, relapse, chiefs, fautors, and protectors of Heresy, and as such fallen into the Censures and penalties imported by the Laws & Canons; deprived them, and their heirs, of all Lands and Dignities, and uncapable to succeed to any Principality whatsoever, and more especially to the Kingdom of France, absolveing their Subjects from their Oath of Allegiance with a command not to obey them.  
When Henry the iv (then King of Navarre) heard what the Pope had done against him, 
Fol. 71. Ann. Do. 1585.  he sent presently to King Henry the III. to complain thereof, and let him know that it concerned him more than himself; That he might well think if the Pope took upon him, thus to determine of the succession to his Kingdom, and declare a Prince of the blood uncapable of the Crown, he might afterwards proceed further, and unthrone him, as heretofore Pope Zacharie had degraded Childerick the III.  
The Pope gives to the Duke of Joyeuse all the King of Navars Territories. 
Fol. 82, Ann. Do. 1587. Fol. 100 An. 1589. Fol. 101. Ann. Do. 1589.   
Henry the III. is excommunicated by Pope Sextus Quintus. The Leaguers would have the Duke of Mayenne to take upon him the title of King of France; which he refuses but accepts of another title which they give him to be Lieutenant General of the State and Crown of France, as if the Throne were empty; the Leaguers break the King's great Seal and make a new one, on the one side whereof were the Arms or scutcheon of France, and on the other an empty Throne, and this inscription about that new Seal, [Charles Duke of Mayenne, Lieutenant of the State and Crown of France.]  
Henry the III. being killed by a Roman Priest called Jaques Clement a Jacobin, those that did not oppose him, 
Fol. 〈◊〉 An●● 〈◊〉 158●  because he was a Roman Catholic, did believe themselves obliged in Conscience to join with the Leagners against the King of Navarre now King of France by the death of the aforesaid King Henry the III, because he was an Hugenot; For the Papists of that Kingdom, do hold that none can be King of France, that is not a Roman Catholic.  
The reproaches of the Parisians, 
Folly▪ 〈◊〉 An●● 〈◊〉 159●  the instant desire of the Legate; (whom the Pope had sent to countenance and uphold concerns of the League) & the Spanish Cabal oblige the Duke of Mayenne to give battle to King Henry the iv of France.  
Paris being besieged by the French King, 
Fol. 〈◊〉 Ann● 〈◊〉 159●  the Pope's Legate forgot and omitted nothing, that might encourage the Parisians to hold out; he consulted the Faculty of Divinity, and obtained from that society such resolves against the Bearnois (for so was called by the Leaguers Henry the iv) as he thought good; The Legate caused several processions; and all Officers took an Oath of fidelity to the Holy Union; for so was the Ligue called by its abettors. 
〈…〉   
In the mean while Sextus the V dies, leaveing in the treasury of the Church 5 Millions of gold; To him succeeded Vrban the VII. who died within 13 days, and to his urban succeeded Gregory the XIV. who with very much zeal supported the League. 
〈…〉.   
The King of Spain was seconded by Pope Gregory XIV. in his assistances to the Leaguers who was much more eager and earnest, than the said King for them; For notwithstanding all the entreaties, & letters from the Lord of Luxemburgh (afterwards Duke of Piney,) and other Princes and Lords who continued which Henry the IV; & being deaf likewise to the submissions & remonstrances made to him by the marquis of Pisany (deputed to the Pope from them) he very hotly embraced the Interests of the Ligue; He kept correspondence with the Sixteen receiving letters from them and writing to them again; the Pope moreover did prodigally lavish the Treasure left him by Sextus Quintus, to raise an army of 12000 men, which he sent to secure and assist the League, the Command whereof he gave to Count Hercules Sfondrati his Nephew, (whom he made Duke of Montmortion, at that instant for the greater lustre.) And this Army was seconded by a monitory, or Bull of excommunication, against all Prelates that should assist King Henry, and sent this Bull by Marcellin Londriane his Nuntio with a great Quantity of money to be distributed amongst the Sixteen and other chiefs of that faction in the principal Cities of the Kingdom of France.  
The Parliament at Tours caused the Bull to be torn by the hands of the common hangman, and ordained seizure of the Pope's Nuntio: On the other side the Parliament at Paris repelled this decree, ordaining that the Pope and his Nuntio must be obeyed.  
King Henry receives succours out of England, 
〈…〉.  and from the Protestants of Germany, and then besieges the City of Rouen.  
King Henry turns Papist and is absolved by the Archbishop of Bourges in the Abbey Church of S. Denis; 
〈…〉.  against the said Bishop the Pope is very angry for absolveing the King, and till he obtain it of the Pope, his Rebellious Roman Catholic subjects refuse to obey him; Neither would the Pope be persuaded to grant the King his absolution, till his Majesty had upon the matter totally suppressed the League.  
Jean Chasiel a young Student educated by the Jesuits attempts to kill the King, 
〈…〉.  but by good fortune only wounds him in the face, whereupon the society of Jesuits are banished out of France; and their Scholar is executed for this wicked and lewd attempt.  
King Henry the iv is killed by Ravillac who never expressed any kind of sorrow or repentance, for so wicked a fact being persuaded he had done the Pope and Church of Rome a very acceptable service, because he thought that King was marching into Germany to overthrow the Roman Catholic faith there.  
FINIS.