A MODERATE APOLOGY Against a Pretended CALUMNY.  
In Answer to some Passages in THE PRE-EMINENCE OF PARLIAMENT.  
Newly published by James Howell Esquire, one of the Clerks of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council.  
Wherein a Reason is rendered, why The Popish Royal Favourite styled him, No Friend to Parliaments, and a Màlignant. And the copy of a Letter written by George Gage from Rome to King james, inserted, to manifest an Agency between him and Rome, to procure the Pope's Dispensation for the Spanish Match.  
By William Prynne of Lincoln's Inn, Esquire.  Prov. 27. 5. 6. 
Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the words of a friend, but the kisses of an Enemy are deceitful.  
Printed at London for Michael Spark, Senior. 1644.   

A Moderate Apology AGAINST A pretended Calumny.  
THou shalt not raise a false report, nor put thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous judge, Exod. 23. 1. is a divine precept of such Justice and Equity, as should bind all Tongues, and Pens to the good behaviour, and engage every man to be as tender of his Brother's reputation as his own. A good name is better thee precious ointment, Eccles. 7. 1. and rather to be chosen then great riches, Prov. 22. 1. therefore not rashly to be blasted, traduced with slanderous defamations.  
Being then publicly taxed by Master james Howell, though in a modest candid manner, in his Pre-eminence and Pedigree of Parliaments, pag. 10. 11. etc. (newly printed,) as criminal of offering him very hard measure, nay, of doing him apparent wrong, in styling him in a Book entitled, The Popish Royal Favourite, p. 42. NO FRIEND TO PARLIAMENTS, AND A MALIGNANT; a character which (he saith) he deserves not, and disdains; I shall give both himself and the world this brief account of these harsh expressions, not any ways to traduce this learned Gentleman (whose excellent parts I highly honour) but to acquit myself from pretended guilt, of a malicious or groundless Calumny.  
The title of a Malignant, since the late deplorable differences between his Majesty and the Parliament, is grown into such common and universal use, that none but Neuters, and Ambodexters (if they) either do or can evade it. The Cavaliers and Royalists on the one side, the two Houses of Parliament and their Adherents on the other side, both in their Discourses and Writings style all such who are opposite, or not professedly cordial to either of them, MALIGNANTS; a truth so experimentally evident, as needs no demonstration. It was Mr Howels disaster among others (as himself ingenuously confesseth, page 13.) to fall so heavily under the displeasure of the highest Court of Parliament; that he was, upon some informations given in against him, by its Authority and direction apprehended and committed to the Fleet, (where he hath continued Prisoner sundry months, and yet remains) his Papers seized, his Letters intercepted, for this cause especially (as I was credibly informed from some Members of Parliament, who had the perusal of his Papers) that he had been in arms against the Parliament, and was a dangerous MALIGNANT, MUCH DISAFFECTED TO THE PRESENT PARLIAMENT, who by reason of his Abilities, and acquaintance with Malignants, might probably do much mischief, and very ill offices against the Parliament, if not restrained. Receiving therefore such a Character of his unknown person and disposition, from so good Authority, and meeting with sundry Satyrical Passages in his Vocal Forest, and in his Parley between Patricius and Peregrine against this and former Parliaments, (discovering a more than ordinary Malignity in him against such Assemblies;) having occasion to transcribe some passages out of him, touching the King's voyage into Spain, and some occurrences during his abode there, (to satisfy Malignants, and Opposites to the present Parliaments proceed) in some Letters and Compliments then passed between the Pope and King; I imagined with myself that I could not probably so clearly convince, and resolve them in this particular by any printed authorities whatsoever as by this of Mr Howels, reputed one of that party by the Parliament, and most who knew him; and that other Malignant Readers unacquainted with his person or inclination, might take notice of him, as one addicted to the King's party (without any thought to injure or defame the Gentleman more than any other of the King's adherents) I used these expressions of him; 
The Popish Royal Favourite, p. 42.  Now that such Letters really passed between the King and Pope during his abode in Spain, appears not only by divers ancient printed copies of them in sundry Languages, but is also thus expressly attested by Mr James Howell (an attendant upon his Majesty in that expedition) NO FRIEND TO PARLIAMENTS, BUT A MALIGNANT NOW IN CUSTODY, in his Vocal Forest, etc. If Mr Howell be so great a Royalist, as this Book of his proclaims, and most repute him; I presume he will esteem it no Calumny, nor dishonour in this age to be styled, No friend to Parliaments, but a Malignant: this being the chief ground of his present Dures in the Fleet, and that title wherein most Cavaliers now glory: 
Pag. 11.  But if his imprisonment hath made him, as much a friend, and as real an affectionate humble servant and Votary to the Parliament as possibly I can be, and that he will live and die with these affections about him, as he now professeth in print, I shall rejoice at his conversion, and readily retract my censure of him upon his reconciliation to this Parliament; and his Retractation of these Anti-parliamentary Passages in his Vocal Forest, that have given great offence, (which he seems tacitly to confess, pag. 18.)  
Not long after Druinas Monarch convokes a universal Assembly, 
Vocal Forest. p. 182. 183. 184. 188. 189. 190.  etc. Who with much alacrity agreed to a good round supply, and indeed it was the greatest gift that ever subjects gave King; but before it was brought to any sound perfection, this good work was unluckily disturbed by a multitude of Questions concerning the Privilege of the Subject, and Prerogative of the Sovereign, by which delays the realty and reputation of that great donative was much lessened, and the foreign actions the Royal Oak, was engaged in, abroad, received much prejudice: yet he did formerly confirm unto them all their former Privileges, and gave two most gracious Answers to their Petitions tending to this end. And having complied with them thus to their hearts desire, as also in two former Assemblies, wherein were delivered them as sacrifices, some of the Crown Officers; and done them sundry Acts of Princely Grace, yet some extravagant spirits given over to fancy and faction disturbed the calm of these proceed. They fall like thunder upon Villerio, etc.  
The Great Assembly aforesaid rejoined, and met again in one body, and now he that was supposed to be the cause of the tempest being thrown overboard, there were greater hopes a calm should ensue, but the storm continued as furious as ever, and unlucky passions blasted as much, if not more than they had done formerly in Villerios' time.  
They flew a fresh upon other great Officers, and questioned a duty, that for guarding of the Seas and common defence of the Realms, had been indisputably granted to so many preceding Kings for a bene esse; which they made difficulty to afford the Royal Oak Regnant, unless he would first renounce all Right to it, and so receive it merely from them: thus they chopped Lodgick with Sovereign Majesty, who moved with these traverses, resolved though to his unutterable grief, to dismiss this Great Council: but upon the point when this was to be done in form; the Lower Assembly in a strange tumultuary manner adjourned themselves before they had received his Royal pleasure: They denied him his Officers at Arms, violated the Prolocutor, being twice sent for, delayed to let in his Messenger, and discontentments turning this to a strange kind of disobedience, they break up in confusion. Add hereunto, that notwithstanding, there was an other peculiar Assembly of Reverend Yewes of purpose for the regulating and sweeping clean of the houses of the Almighty, yet the Poplers must make it their office to tamper with the Constitution of holy things; and indeed this is one of the greatest scandals and brands; that not only Petropolis, but other foreigners (who have with her forsaken Petropolis) cast upon Druina, viz. that her Ecclesiastical Ordinances are the Commands and Injunctions of this Secular Power and Members of this Assembly; who not only confirm (which may be come them well enough, and is necessary for a general obedience) but take upon them to be judges herein. So that one being asked, what they did in that Lower Great Assembly, he was Answered presently, That they were making of a New Creed; Another was overheard to say, That he could not be quiet in his conscience, until the holy Text should be confirmed by an act of theirs; whence may be inferted, that some of them believe it belongs to them to make Sanctions as well as Statutes.  
This induced the Royal Oak, though he be responsible to none for the account of his actions, but to the High Majesty of Heaven, to publish an open Protest unto the World for the satisfaction of his better sort of Subjects, of the Causes of these disorders: declaring, that while Villerio lived, he was entitled to all the distempers and events of former Assemblies: therefore much endeavour was used to demolish him as the only wall of separation twixt their Sovereign and them: but he now being cut off, no alteration was found amongst them at all, or calmness in their proceed.  
He was pleased to declare further, That he imputed not these Commotions to the whole Assembly, knowing that there were amongst them, many Religious, grave and well-minded Patriots; but the sincere and better part of them being over-borne by the clamours and practices of others, who careless of their duties, and taking advantage of the times and his necessities, constrained him to break off that Meeting, which had it been answered with like duties on their parts, as love on his, might have proved happy to all Druina.  
These fatal distempers as they did much hurt to the body politic at home for they were like humours stirred in the Natural body without Evacuation, so did they produce disadvantageous effects abroad; and better had it been that the raysers and fomenters of them had never sprung up in Druina, etc.  
When this Gentleman, I say, shall have fully recanted these bitter passages against a former Parliament, with all his violent Invectives in his late 
a The Printer avowed, a●d stil● ma●●fested this Discourse to be his.  Discourse or Parley between Patricius and Peregrine (upon their landing in France,) touching the Civil Wars of England and Ireland, suppressed at the Press; the most Malignant invective satire I have hitherto met with, against the Sovereign jurisdiction of all our Parliaments, and the proceed of the present Parliament, against which (as I was credibly informed) he had taken up offensive Arms, being in the battle of Egde hill; I shall then cordially retract my Censure of him; till than I must appeal to his own conscience and the world, whether I have slandered or misreported him in the least degree. 
Pag. 5. 16. 17   
Now whereas Mr Howell endeavours to excuse his Majesty's compliances with the Pope during his residence in Spain; averring, that the Dispensation for this Marriage, and capitulations stipulated in favour of the Romish Catholics in England, were negotiated only by the King of Spain's Ministers, because his Majesty would have nothing to do with Rome: I must inform both him and others, that though by the 
* Mercury Francois Tom. 9 An. 1623. p. 517. An. 1624. p. 14.  Articles of the Spanish Match, the Pope's Dispensation for it was to be procured by the King of Spain's Negotiation, yet King James himself writ Letters and sent Agents to Rome to expedite it, as is evident by this ensuing Letter of George Gage to King James from Rome An. 1623., the copy whereof (with others of this kind) was found among Secretary Windebanks own papers.  
SIR,  
IT may please your Majesty to understand, that in a Congregation held the 22 of March, stilo novo, the Dispensation was finally resolved, and order taken that Cardinal Bardino should draw the Articles in Form, the Cardinal La Susanno, make the Breve, and Monsignor Aquas the Popes Secretary, (who was present at the two last Sessions) draw some Instructions for Monsignor de Massimi the Nuntio, now resident in the Court of Spain. And in the following Congregation held the 29. these things were seen and allowed, and the next day presented to the Pope, and allowed by him: Concerning the particulars of the proceeding here, of difficulties overcome, and of what yet remaineth to be done; I have given a large account to Master Secretary Calvert, by which if your Majesty receive not that satisfaction which we who have laboured therein have most earnestly desired; I shall most humbly beseech your Majesty to believe: First, that we have left no diligence undone by which we could hope to remove impediments: And secondly, that such difficulties as are either spent, or yet to be advested, have not been laid hold on by the Cardinals, either to frustrate or prolong this Treaty: But out of an Opinion that they could not otherwise secure their conscience, proceed upon a just and valuable ground, and satisfy the judgement of such discreet Persons as may in times ensuing understand the passages of this great business: And this point I am the bolder to represent to your Majesty's gracious consideration, because jointly with all their Protestations to this effect, their Actions have concurred also to give good testimony thereof. They hold most Honourable language of your Majesty, 
Nota.  they profess a great desire to have occasions of doing you all humble service; they have a firm opinion, that the former rigours used towards your Catholic Subjects have risen from others, 
Nota.  but the graces given them from yourself: And they are confident that your Majesty, now that so potent intercessions have been used with you, and all grounds of civil jealousies removed, will not only command a real performance of what you are pleased to promise in their favour, but suitably to your own great Royal heart enlarge the benefit of your Princely goodness. I have therefore (Sir) finding them thus affected, thought it suitable to your service, to let them understand, that since they expect these things from a Prince who yields to no man, either in esteeming or returning a benefit, they may safely promise themselves all good success, and give way to their own good dispositions, of respect and affection toward your Majesty: and the rather I have done so, because I persuade myself, that your Majesty is of the same opinion with him, who speaking of the Romans to King Bocchus, said, Licet Parentes abundè habemus, amicorum neque nobis neque cuiquam mortalium satis fuit.  
I send your Majesty Letters from the Cardinals Bandino and Lodojusio, 
Nota.  which they writ in answer of your Majesties to them, who above all others have sought to oblige your Majesty, as by my Letter to Master Secretary you will perceive. After the Ester Holidays I shall begin my journey toward Florence and Parma to perform your Majesty's Commandments there, whereof I will give your Majesty account in due time: It will be the end of May before I shall get out of Italy, during which time I shall with devotion expect your Majesty's Orders, if any thing further you shall be pleased to command my service. So I humbly pray the Divine goodness to give your Majesty many fair years of life, Thereby to enjoy the fruits of this noble Alliance, and to make happy your gracious Government.  
Your Majesty's most humble and loyal subject, GEORGE GAGE.  
This Letter, with our late entercouse with Rome by sending Mr Walter Montague and others, extraordinary Agents thither, maintaining Sir William Hamilton a constant Leger there, and receiving three Popes Nuncio●s successively (Panzam, Con, and Rosetti) as constant Residentiaries here in London to reduce us back to Rome, to omit all other particulars, are a most pregnant testimony, that King James, and some of his great Ministers of State (as I shall God willing manifest by undeniable testimonies) have had overmuch commerce with Rome, which is now no time to palliate.  
I shall therefore conclude with the same Request in effect to Mr Howell, which he makes to me in the close of his new Pamphlet, That having unpassionatly perused what I have here written, in penning whereof my conscience, quill, and hand have concurred, he would be pleased to be so charitable and just; as to conceive, I had probable if not real grounds for what I formerly published, without the least intention to defame or misreport him, or any other personated in that Treatise.  
FINIS.