A LETTER CONCERNING THE JESUITS.  2 Esdras chap. 2. vers. 18. 
And I shown them the hand of my God, that it was with me; and I said, Let us rise, and let us build, and their hands were encouraged in Good. But Sanaballat— Tobias the servant, and Gosem— heard of it, and they scorned us and despised us, and said, What is this thing you do? Why do you rebel against the King? And I answered to them, and said to them, The God of heaven he helpeth us, and we are his servants: Let us rise and build: but you have no part, nor justice nor memory in Jerusalem.  
Printed in the Year 1661.   

SIR,  
IF my ability were equal to my will, or to the equity of their cause, this Answer would prove satisfactory to your demands. For you ask, Whether the scandalous Reports, and malicious Libels lately vented against the Society, have as much real truth as they seem to carry Gall? And your Motives are why you choose me to solve your Doubt, (1) because you know I received my education for many years amongst them. (2) And being now actually a professed Religious of an other Order, you conceive, that I shall impart my judgement with less partiality.  
In criminal matters, de non apparentibus & non existentibus eadem est ratio; And truly, Sir, to be daily conversant with Persons of all Ages, of all Tempers, in several emergent occasions, (when naturally men's humours start forth) and that these persons should be inwardly corrupted with horrid opinions, and yet never break out into word or deed, would be an hypocrisy almost miraculous, and render the Professors of Virtue and Vice indistinguishable.  
Must the fashion of such a Gown, or such a Cassock, with the name Jesuit, be the only marks to notify such Impostors? Certainly Christ hath set other Sea-marks to avoid these Rocks of perdition, E fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos.  

To promote Mental Prayer, the first mark of a Jesuit.  That great Instrument of Piety Mental Prayer, which before was as a hidden treasure, cloistered up in Monasteries, is by their industry so universally laid open, that millions of men, who could hardly have been drawn into the outward porches of God's Temple, have by this Soul-refreshing-prayer ended their days in the Holy of Holies.  
Consider the Prophecy of Abbot Joachim, cited by the learned Stapleton in testimony of the Society; Insurget una nova Religio sanctissima, quae erit libera & 
In prompt. Morali in Dominicam infra Oct. Nat. Dom. textu primo.  spiritualis, in qua Romani Pontifices, potiti pace Ecclesiae, se continebunt. Quam Religionem & ordinem Deus super omnes alios diliget, quia perfectio illius vincet omnes alias aliorum Ordinum. How directly this Prediction points at the Society, I will not engage with Opposers; but methinks the judicious eye of learned Stapleton would never in his application have aimed at the Jesuits, unless the specifical marks intended by the Prophecy were in them visibly apparent. Think but of the multitude of dissolute and carnal persons, who at first either out of curiosity, importunity of friends, or remorse of conscience, have entered their spiritual Exercise; and consider how they have returned like Gold out of the Furnace, become joy to Angels, and high examples of a heavenly reformation. Give glory to God, and let Envy say, Digitus Dei hic est.  
That tedious and insiped employment of Catechising and Teaching Children, which no worldly honour, but much labour and patience attends, is the institution of the Society, nay, the main Pillar that supports the Structure, to the great advancement of Christianity, and confusion of Heresy. In this charge I have known Jesuits, who (after they had laudably performed the chiefest Offices in the Society) have spent with alacrity the remainder of their days. If you turn them out of Schools, shut the doors after, for 'twill then be sadly verified, Parvuli petierunt panem (vitae & disciplinae) & non erat qui daret eyes.  
This is the Fruit which the Tree bears, and all passengers may behold it, if they please but with a charitable hand to remove the leaves, and gather thereof.  
I am confident since my remembrance, almost a thousand Youths of this Nation have been successively in their Schools; produce of them one sufficient witness that will attest, that he was ever taught opinions either to Neighbour or Magistrate pernicious, or when they laid their souls open for remedy of sins, which youth or folly might have led them unto, whether applied found those abominable cases applied to their souls for cure, or not rather the wine and Oil of the good Samaritan poured into their wounds.  
A substantial part of the English Clergy own those Talents of learning and virtue, with which they are endued, to the Schools of the S●oiety: and the holy Orders of St. Bennet and St. Francis acknowledge a high obligation for many eminent Persons now incorporated amongst them. Can any body think, that the Jesuits are the monsters that breed all sedition and damnable opinions, and that none of those should rise in judgement against them? But on the contrary, the best Bishops of all Nations require daily their assistance; the wisest and holiest of Benedictine Abbots have been their Friends and Founders.  
If the Interest of the Society were any thing else but God's honour and glory, or were the Jesuits such self-seekers as some pretend, could it possibly be hidden from such judicious and piercing eyes? A chief Superior of the English Benedictine Congregation, a man deeply learned, who wanted neither opportunity nor judgement to discover fallacies, gave this recommendation of the Society to his Subjects, Amicitiam colatis, 
P. Rudisindus Barl. in Epist. 3. ad Monachos in Apostolica Missione laborantes:  maxim cum Reverendis Patribus Societatis Jesus, quorum & numerus est in Missione perillustris, & gravitas, eruditio, sanctit as ac prudentia tanta, ut merito ab omnibus piis inter praestantissimos Christi Operarios summa cum veneratione censenntur.  
Shall now a few persons, that never were in their Colleges (unless in the quality of an invited guest, who, I hope, retain not the bitter leven of an old corruption) be preferred before such a Cloud of domestic and honourable Witnesses? That Monster of a 
* The unreasonable Reasons.  Libel, that ravening Wolf, whose passion stripped him of the very voice of truth, who had impudence enough to vent falsities of Mr. Simmons and others, when the world was able to shame Crimine ab uno disce omnes. With how much brass must that countenance be covered, who could accuse Mr. Simmons of procuring at Rome the condemnation of certain Propositions, when there are many in London that can avouch, he employed his whole interest to effect the contrary? Never more let the Author set Pen to Paper, unless it be to sign his Recantation: He that will commit such blind errors at noonday, may well stumble in the dark when he rakes the ashes of the dead; who, under the name of Catholic, does blast more fowlly the memory of those dead Persons, than the surviving Records of their Examination.  
The straw of F. Garnet weakly urged by the Libeler might with more humanity have been concluded the sign of God's accepting his repentance, (if guilty) then an argument of the Society's evil disposition, since all know, 'twas a crime detested by him at his execution, by all living now abhorred, and by modest Protestants charitably forgotten. Sum up Cook's Rhetorical Hyperboles, and Indepent Consequences, and in a juridical Arithmetic, they amount only to accuse F. Garnet of the knowledge received in Confession of the intended mischief. But this Author with undigested choler, beyond the officiousness of an Attorney General, charges the very heart with Treason, and impails the whole Society in an hereditary guilt. But 'tis to be noted, that this strong and undeniable conclusion must be gathered from straws. Surely in this Pamphlet, the only Title by which he appears Catholic, is his general calumny. Sanderson in the History of King James says, That 'twas a great affliction to F. Garnet at his Trial, that he should not be enrolled a Martyr. Now grant this supposition to be true, it follows evidently, that he conceived the Society (by whom his Canonization should have been promoted) to abhor those traitorous attempts.  
With what spirit could he calumniate all foreign Missioners, (nay, a Xaverius is not excluded his Catalogue) when the Barbarians upon the account of their sanctly conversation, used them with a civility, that would have confounded the malice of this Author. Certainly the very names of Japonian Martyrs would be so many divine Exorcisms, to expel this spirit of detraction. To pass over many of our English Fathers, that have forsaken the embraces of all worldly content, to spend amongst Savages their days in preaching and want, I will only mention venerable Father White, who would have had more Pagans to testify his sanctity, than I think this Libeler can ween Believers of his forgeries and scandals. To say, That none goes into that Mission but who are weary of their Colleges, is a proof (for the suggesting which) Bale and Osyander would have thanked him, when was their Task to maintain, that St. Austin the Monk converted the English-Saxons from Bad to Worse, from Pagan Idolatry to Popish Superstition.  
The best prayer and excuse that Charity can imagine, is, Pater, dimitte illis, non enim sciunt quid faciunt.  
But the acknowledging in Popes a power of deposing Kings, is the crime which arms all loyal hearts against Jesuits; this, this is the Article of faith proper to the Society! for the condemning which, Racks and Laws have been invented: Here is the Ionas, who have caused all the storms of Persecution on Catholics.  
Before we let reason pass sentence upon the Jesuits, these following considerations ought to be weighed.  
A Congregation held 1606. and confirmed by their General Claudius Aquaviva, commanded all Subjects of the Society, in virtue of holy obedience, to forbear the teaching, that Popes can depose Princes. By this 'tis evident, that Jesuits conceive this Deposing Power to be no part of their belief: For 'tis an obligation indispensable to all Christians, not only to believe all Articles of Faith, but also openly to profess them when occasion requires; and no command of any Superior whatsoever can excuse him from being an Apostata, who publicly, or by silence, tacitly denies or refuses to profess any Article, though his inward persuasion be the contrary.  
Upon examination we shall find, that this pretended Article of Faith shrinks into a Problematical Doctrine, which (having its Full and Wane, according to the Conjunction with States and Persons) must necessarily cause a Schism, if we impute Heresy to the Maintainers either of the Affirmative or negative part; for, as Unity in Faith is the foundation of Communion Ecclesiastic, so Heresy is a crime of that high nature, as it denounces ipso facto Separation. Hence the incommodious and circumstantial expression of disavowing the Deposing Power as Heretical, in the Oath of Allegiance, bars not only Jesuits, but all Catholics from taking it. When I detest from my heart all opinions offensive to Government, that manner of expressing, which adds nothing of security to my Prince, but evidently causes a rent amongst Christians, and cast dirt upon our forefathers, aught to be carefully avoided. If I am required to lay down my Arms, 'twould be malice to cast them in so unlucky a posture, as thereby to wound my Neighbour.  
Upon the Parricide of Henry the Fourth, the Parliament of Paris (seeing no Arrest of Theirs could defend the King's life, against a Villain that will contemn his own) published a Decree of the Council of Constance, judging the Church's Anathema to be more powerful in deterring Subjects from such wicked attempts, since this retains its full force, when Racks and Wheels, with the corporal death, surceases. Thus speaks the Synod, ss. 15. We have been lately informed, that certain erroneous opinions are holden, contrary to peace, and good estate of the Commonwealth, viz. That a Tyrant may be lawfully and meritoriously taken away, and killed by any Subject or Vassal of his, notwithstanding whatsoever Oath of Fidelity or Allegiance that he hath made to him. Such Doctrine is contrary both to Faith and Manners, and whosoever shall hold it pertinaciously are Heretics, etc.  
He is no Jesuit that will not (if occasion require) seal this Doctrine with his blood; and certainly this Canon is a great defence to all Princes, against Rebellions and secret Machinations: And when the Pope does depose Princes, (that are foedary to the See of Rome) in the case of Infidelity or Heresy, he utterly 
Card. Peron. The Oath of Allegiance.  disallows the assassination of them; the prayer of the Church being against sudden and unprovided death, but leaves them to the Imperial Laws: As when Bishops declare such to be Heretics, they intermeddle not with sanguinary punishments, but deliver them to the Magistrate.  
We see Land held by certain Tenors, does, upon breach of customs or particular covenants, escheat to the Lord: and when the Principality of Parma was given by the Pope, 'tis not to be doubted, but that such a Proviso was inserted in the Deed; that in case of Infidelity or Heresy he lost all right thereunto; and that the gift, as also in default of issue, should return to the Donor.  
Granado and Navarre were made Foedary to the Pope under Julius the Second; Naples sendeth a Palfrey, as a Heriot due to the Church of Rome: The Canaries, Hesperides, and Gorgon Islands, were subjected to the See of Rome, under the chief Rent of 400 Flo. by Lewis of Spain: and of both the Indies, Alexander did reserve the Regalities. Since there are such Princes, who have submitted their Thrones to the Chair of St. Peter; without doubt 'twould be a temerarious Oath to forswear in general terms a Deposing Power in the Pope, but to detest it as an Heresy, would be absolutely Schismatical; although to deny the effect of such a Power in England might be done upon prudential grounds; and, I think, there are divers considerable reasons which may guard the Assertion against Opposers.  

Engubinus.  Constantine, in his Dotation of the Church, where many Kingdoms are made Foedaty to the Papacy, England is not named, as if the Emperor would have reserved the place of his nativity from all Temporal subjection whatsoever.  
Never by any Act of Parliament was this Nation in Vassalage concerning Temporals to the Pope; but on the contrary, many Laws have been enacted in cutting off encroachments of the Papal Temporal Power: And although some object, that King John did submit his Kingdoms to Innocentius the 3d. yet, the Deed of Conveyance lies so dormant in the Vatican, that it could never be awaked or produced upon any provocation. And Sir Thomas Moor, the just Assertor 
p. 296.  of the Pope's spiritual jurisdiction, denieth, that King John either did or could make England subject to the Pope. Neither is it to be objected, that Peter-pences, or Romescot were Duties, but Alms, for in our ancient Authors they are termed, the one, Elemospia Regis, the other, Larga benignitas Regis, which truly would be very improper expressions, to signify a Tribute or marks of Subjection. Hence I gather, that we may conscientiously promise; notwithstanding the Deposing Power the Pope may have over other Princes, yet we will never put in execution the said Power as concerning England, to which all Jesuits by Oath will engage themselves, though the particular Covenants and Agreements of other Nations with the See of Rome, would cause a scruple, to assert the same Proposition in unlimited terms.  
As 'tis objected by their Adversaries, that they were banished for this opinion out of France and Venice; so likewise it might be pleaded, that by the same States they have been recalled: The Magistrate condemning only to the fire Books of a few Authors, who held forth those dangerous Tenets, and did not (as some do) cast with a poisonous breath the ashes of a  Doctrine into the faces of the Innocent.  
But to gratify their Adversaries, suppose them all guilty, and that they were required to give satisfaction before their re-admittance; the same assurance of Loyalty will be joyfully given (when demanded) to our present Powers: And I hope, that security of Allegiance, which fully appeased the jealousies of France and Venice, may prove sufficient for England.  
There is no Nation in Christendom keeps a stricter Eye upon the Pope's growing Power than France, and yet the Jesuits are no no where in greater esteem than there. Henry the 4th. in whose Reign they were expelled the Kingdom, appeared an earnest Advocate for their readmission, and in requital of the Jesuits dutiful affections to him living, he bequeathed his Royal Heart to them in his last Will and Testament: And his Successors have constantly committed their Souls to the direction of certain Fathers of the Society; and what power and credit they now have at Court, let the Jansenists (who are most sensible thereof) declare.  
It must then be concluded, that either the Kings and Ministers of State in France are weak Politicians, to nourish these Serpents in their bosoms; or else we must believe, that the Jesuits are good Citizens, and hold Principles consistent with Loyalty.  
The Government of the Society is Monarchical, the Supreme Power residing in the General, all other Officers are constituted by his approbation, and, upon misdemeanours, by him may be displaced; therefore even to be right Jesuits, they must necessarily suck with their education Maxims very agreeable to Monarchy and Regal Power. And may be this very consideration did not a little retard the wary Venetians, from granting so speedy a re-establishment into their Commonwealth, especially the Monarches of France, Spain, and Germany being their earnest Solicitors.  
The Rebels in Bohemia did believe the Jesuits to be of such a Monarchical temper, that they conceived themselves not sufficiently secured in their ways, by throwing headlong the Imperial Commissioners out of a high Tower in Prague, unless they had completed their work by expelling the Jesuits, which they presently performed. Cardinal Richeleu, after the Siege of Rochel, erected there a College of Jesuits, judging that more effectual to contain the Revolters in their due obedience to his Christian Majesty, than any Citadel or Canons the ultima ratio Regum.  
Many are the instances of this nature, not to be comprehended within the limits of a Letter: Therefore I will conclude with the constant practice of the * 
Alexander.  Prince of Parma, who wheresoever he rooted out Rebels, he always planted Jesuits.  
The result of this Discovase demonstrates, that lawful Governors have always found in the hearts of Jesuits a Sovereign Antidote against the poison of Rebellion, and that Usurpers must send away the Ark, if they will have their Dagon stand. But the Pamphleter shall have his choice, either to be busy in piecing up broken Dagon, or with the Ark return to Israel.  
The Actions committed in Queen Elizabeth's Reign I will not defend; and if I should accuse the Jesuits to be the only causes of the Penal Statutes then enacted, all Historians would confute me: Yet this I believe is a great truth, that if the Title of the Queen of Scots (to favour which Cataolicks were suspected, and thence sprung the Sanguinary Laws) were now to be argued, it might be done with more thanks, and less contradiction.  
For Queen Mary of England and Queen Elizabeth could not both pretend a Title to the Crown, as right Heirs, unless the Parliament had supplied a Defect in the one; and whether the power of any Parliament (unless it be a Rump-Parliament) extends so far as to dispose of Crowns, let those whom it may concern, judge.  
If the Jesuits were faulty, 'twas but in antedating their Allegiance to the Sacred Family of the Stuarts; and since Hales and voluminous Sir N. B. and many other Protestants did not receive a just punishment for promoting the Title of Suffolk, I see not why the Jesuits may not deserve a commendation, their Transgression (if it must be so called) being in the happier extreme. But those that kept the middle and surer way, in defending against Hales and the like Cabal, Queen Mary's right in succeeding after Queen Elizabeth, were Sir Anthony Browne Chief Justice in the Common Pleas, and I. C. (who for his eminent knowledge was commonly called the Father of the Law) both Catholics and Friends to the Society. But it may be remembered to the immortal praise of Father Parsons and Father Campian, who procured a mitigation of the Sentence Declaratory of Pius Quintus against Queen Elizabeth, and Pope Gregory following declared that The Subjects of England ought to perform all duties to the Queen notwithstanding the Censures, and whatsoever their inward judgements might be concerning her Title, yet after the Parliament had acknowledged her as lawful Queen, all Civil obedience was most exactly paid. And this may be looked upon with a gracious eye, that the present State of England owes more to Causin the Jesuit for publishing to the world those deserved Encomiums of the Heroic Queen of Scots, than it does to Buchanan (suborned by Murrey, and countenanced by a domineering Faction then in England) for his defaming and false detections.  
Religious persons can appear in no other Arms for the defence of Justice, then in servant prayers and wholesome counsels; these weapons the Jesuits did not want in our late Wars: Their lives they did expose to hazard in assisting His Majesties Catholic Subjects; and they were waiting to perform their Function within the reach of the same shots that deprived His Majesty of two most loyal Servants, Colonel Gage and Sir John Smith. Passages acted in private I will not produce. I will only desire a reflection upon Mr. Wright (who assisted Colonel Gage at his death) when being arraigned and condemned in the time of the Rump-Parliament, for being a Jesuitical Priest; his intimate friendship with Colonel Gage an enemy to the State, was at the Bar violently urged against him.  
The condition of our present King was so deplorable that it did require the immediate hand of God to apply a remedy, all humane industry being at a stand; but their prayers were always imploring God's mercy on our pressing miseries. And whensoever His Sacred Majesty was pleased to honour their Colleges with His Presence, all dutiful respect did wait on His Royal Person: and they did extend the utmost of their abilities in relieving His needy and sick followers. Surely had Treason and malicious thoughts lodged in their hearts, it might have then appeared by some disdainful action, when no disadvantage could accrue thereby; but on the contrary, it might have been countenanced both abroad and at home.  
I have given a glance on all the Times since Jesuits set footing in England, but what proofs can sufficiently convince their Adversaries, since the Laws have confined them to a disguise? Yet here are evident symptoms of a healthful body. To frame a right judgement of a Corporation; (1) The persons that unite aught to be looked into. (2) The course which they hold in their proceed, must be examined according to the standard of justice. (3) And last, there must be an eye on what design their actions terminate. These three qualities are highly eminent in the Society. (1) The holiness of its first Institutors God did proclaim to the whole world by Miracles. (2) Their Laws and Rules bind them up in a most strict obedience both to God and Man. (3) The aim of all their labours is the salvation of their own and their Neighbours Soul. Particulars aught no more to prejudice a whole Body, than a Judas may defame the College of Apostles. Nor is there any understanding so void of natural Logic as to conclude the innocent with the guilty; yet when we reduce this principle to practise, our passions hurry us with such a violence, that in rooting up the tares we frequently trample down the corn. Censurers ought to be mindful of the Aphorism of St. Ambrose, Saepe in judicando majus est peccatum judicii, quam peccati illius, de quo fuerat judicatum.  
Sir, I am afraid in compliance with your commands, I have by this weak Defence betrayed the justness of their Cause, which no body could have defended better than themselves, if they had not been pleased rather Sicut Agnus coram tondente, to endure the sharpness of reviling tongues with a Christian patience: permitting those Libelers as so many murmuring waves to dash themselves against the silent Rock, and vanish, according to our great exemplar Christ, when the witnesses were not sufficient, nor the proofs convincing he never opened his mouth to answer malice. Sir, In this Letter you have not only my opinion of them, but also the respects to yourself  
Of a most affectionate Friend.