A Copy of a Letter, written by M. Doctor CARIER beyond Seas, to some particular friends in ENGLAND. Whereunto are added certain collections found in his Closet, made by him (as is thought) of the miserable ends of such as have impugned the Catholic Church. To which Also is annexed a brief exhortation to persevere constantly in the said Catholic Church, what opposition soever may occur, and the danger of living out of the same. And lastly, a few examples of the admirable prosperity, of such as have defended the Catholic Church. 1615. Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. MY most dear and loving friends, if the times were such (as when it shall please God they may be) I would much rather choose to have a poor Vicarage, where I might preach the truth amongst you, than a rich preferment in any part of the world beside, where I might not enjoy your company and friendship. But seeing it is otherwise, I will lay the fault upon no body; but rather have compassion upon all, for such is the violence of the stream, that no one man, no not the Master of the ship himself, is able to stir the ship out of the stream: and yet the course that is held, is certainly very dangerous; not only for all the passengers that are therein, but even for the whole vessel wherein they are carried. If the loss of me might have helped it, I had been happily bestowed at home: but seeing that my presence did nothing but procure great danger to myself every way, and great anger to them, whose game I seemed to mar as a slander by: I thought it the surest way to save myself, and to beckon to as many of my friends as may please to believe me; that they would also look well about them, lost they be overtaken with death, as with a storm, that in such summer times doth often come, when it is least looked for; and therefore against all adventures to convey themselves into a surer ship. I do not desire they should follow me, and leave their lands and livings, their friends and Country, and the presence of their dear and dread Sovereign: (and yet if there be no remedy, for the honour of Christ and his truth, all must be forsaken:) much less do I allow, that any man should withdraw his allegiance and true service from King JAMES, and to bestow it upon any other Prince, or Prelate in the world. Only for the duty I own unto God, who hath called me to the knowledge of his truth, and the love I bear unto my Country, and to all my friends that are therein, I do most humbly and heartily desire them, that they would seriously consider and look to the state of their souls, which being immortal, cannot be saved by any such religion, as is temporal, mutable, and dissonant in itself: And seeing no man can be saved that dieth out of charity with his neighbour (for that an uncharitable soul cannot be altered, and made charitable after it is departed.) Let every good soul take heed, how by the railing slanders of ignorant, malicious and proud men, it be brought and held out of charity with a whole Church, and especially such a Church as cannot be deemed to be the mother of that Church, that is in England; and being a mother Church, it is worthy at least to be heard quietly to tell out her tale at length, before she be condemned by the outcries of those that either of malice, or of custom, do rail upon her: which I writ not that I would have the Church of Rome gain by the goods of England, for I know she intends it not, and the State may provide against; but that I desire the souls of England should gain by the Church of Rome, which if you might freely hear her speak, you would certainly desire also. And although she may not be suffered to speak to you, yet you may inquire of her: and hear what indifferent men without choler or passion do say and write of her. And if you do find her indeed to be the true Mother, suffer not the Devil to possess your understanding by heresy, nor your wills by malice, for any worldly respect whatsoever; but unite your understanding to the understanding of the Church by faith, and your affections to the will of the Church, by love & charity: and if it be possible, unite your outward man also to the authority of the Church, by the participation of the Sacraments, and by all spiritual obedience. But if you find impossibility therein, then having done your best to help the Catholic Church by your faith & charity; as S. AUGUSTINE exhorteth in his book de vera relig. cap. 6. Call upon Christ, who is the immortal Priest and Bishop of your souls, that he would vouchsafe by his absolute power to supply the want of his own ordinance, and to do that by himself without Sacraments, which you unfeignedly would, but cannot have done by any Priest of his sending, and by the Sacraments that he hath appointed: And there is hope that he will do it, as Saint BERNARD writeth in his book de Anima. This was the Course I took, until God gave me opportunity to take a better; for which I humbly thank his heavenly Majesty, and am desirous to give all good men satisfaction, that have any religion at all. But I do consider that there are, as you may easily see amongst yourselves, four sorts of Christians in the world out of the Catholic Church. 1 Some do not believe either hell or heaven, and therefore they are content to go to any Church, and be of any religion; but care for none at all. 2 Some do believe that there is hell and heaven; but that all things fall out by absolute predestination, as by fatal destiny, and therefore there is no Church, nor religion can do a man good, but only to read Scriptures and hear Sermons and to believe that a man is predestinate. 3 Some do believe there is hell and heaven, and that Some religion is necessary; but it is no great matter what; so a man obey the King's Laws, and live like an honest man. For, they say, every man may be saved in his own religion. All these I am out of hope to satisfy, although their follies be against the light of natural reason, but they have lost reason. 4 Some there are that believe there is hell and heaven, and that there is no way to avoid the one, or attain the other, but only true Christian Religion, which they would gladly embrace, if they could know which it were. To them, and for their sakes, I would take any pains to give satisfaction. And I am certain, if they will hear me with patience, they will be satisfied. And for the ground of this question; I think it will be granted on all sides, that, that only is the true Christian Religion which our Saviour Christ did teach himself when he was upon the earth, and which, as he promised, shall continue until he come again. Then the main care is, to find what religion our Saviour taught whilst he was upon the earth. And here I would pray every man of reason to consider: 1 That our Saviour did leave nothing in writing, but taught his Religion to his Apostles by word of mouth. 2 That he commanded not his Apostles to write his Religion, but to teach it, ite predicate. 3 That of twelve Apostles, seven did leave nothing at all in writing, but taught their successors the Religion of Christ by word of mouth. 4 That Saint MARK, Saint LUKE, and Saint PAUL, who wrote most of the new Testament, were not of Christ his company whilst he was upon the earth, and therefore must needs learn their Religion of the Church, before they wrote it. 5 That divers others did write the Religion of Christ, as they did apprehend it, but their Gospels and Epistles were rejected by the Church, LUKE 1. 1. 6 That at the day of judgement, there will be no writing to try true Religion from Heresy, but only the eternal truth of Christ in the souls of his Saints. 7 That the Scriptures were written by men of the Church; admitted Canonical by Counsels of the Church; preserved from Tyrants by the care of the Church, and ever, until of late, expounded by the consent of the Church. 8 How few men are able to read and expound the Scriptures any way, and whether it be not easier to believe the Church, then to believe a few private men, that say they can expound Scriptures better than the Church. 9 That all sorts of Heretics have always boasted of Scriptures, and despised the Church. The Heretics have ever been wont to pretend Scriptures, the more easily to deceive the simple. They know full well, that all the Fathers, all Doctors, all ancient Writers, all general Counsels, Canons, Traditions, all Ecclesiastical Histories, all Chronicles and monuments of Antiquity, all Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and all testimonies both in heaven and earth are flat against them; and therefore they will pretend the word of God, which they know is a plausible persuasion to the simple; and so they delude, and deceive them more easily. These Scriptures they misinterpret, corrupt, falsify, and abuse most shamefully to serve their turns, as VINCENTIUS LI●INENSIS most excellently showeth in his golden treatise, Contra prophanas haeresum novitates, against the profane novelties of heresies. Upon these considerations any man may assuredly pronounce, that whosoever believeth not the Church of Christ, can never come to know what is the Religion that Christ did teach; and which he hath hitherto maintained. And therefore it is impossible for such a man to know which is the true Christian Religion. The means then to know which is the true Religion of Christ, is to inquire which is the true Church of Christ. Hear it cannot be denied, but that that is the true Church of Christ, which Christ himself did found whilst he was upon the earth, to continue until the world's end. And whatsoever Church is founded by any other authority, then that which Christ left unto his Apostles only, cannot be the true Church of Christ, although all the Princes in the world would agree to make it so, and cause all their subjects to swear it were so. Now to know which is the true Church our Saviour did found, we must observe that this word Church doth signify divers things. 1 Sometimes the Church doth signify the building or house of God's service; in this sense our Saviour founded no Church by himself, but gave power to his Apostles and Disciples to found and consecrate Churches, as countries should be converted. 2 Sometime the Church doth signify the Congregation of all those that are baptised, as the Church of Corinth, Rome, etc. in Saint PAUL'S Epistles. In this sense our Saviour founded no Church by himself, for he baptised none, but gave power to his Apostles and Disciples to baptise. 3 Sometime the Church doth signify the Clergy or spirituality, chosen out of the number of all Christians, to dispense the grace of Christ committed to them, for the benefit of the whole body: In this sense our Saviour did by himself immediately found a Church, when he did call and send his Apostles, and did give them the same power which himself, as Man, had received of his Father, Sicut pater misit me, sic ego mitto vos, joh. 20. qui audit vos, me audit, Luke 10. quorum peccata remiseritis, remittentur eyes, joh. 20. mittam vobis Paraclitum quivos ducet in omnem veritatem, joh. 14. Super hanc Petram aedisicabo Ecclesiam, etc. Then to know which is the true Church, we must enq●●●● which is the Clergy that was founded by Christ, and continueth in the unity of the Church by perpetual Succession from the Apostles, & so from Christ himself: & for your certain resolution hereof, you have three infallible arguments. 1 The report of Chronicles and Histories, whereof there is great variety, that can tell you the beginning and occasion of every Schism, if you do but turn the books over. 2 The universality, antiquity and consent of Doctrine taught in the true Church, and the variety, novelty and repugnancy of Doctrine taught in Schism, & herein you may inquire of the most learned, and most honest to inform you. 3 The Scriptures 1 Of the old Testament, to which our Saviour sends us, JOH. 5. Scrutamini Scripturas. By those S. Augustine proves the visibility of the Catholic Church against Donatists. 2 Of the new Testament: by which is proved the perpetuity of the Catholic Church. Portae inferi non praevalebunt. Matth. 16. Vsque ad consummationem seculi. Matth. 28. Consider then, dear friends, what a happy thing it is for a man to live in such a Church, that is, with such a Clergy, as being lawfully called, and continuing in the unity of the Church, have the very same power that the Apostles themselves; yea that Christ himself, as he was Man, had to forgive sins unto the penitent; to convey grace by Sacraments, as Christ conveyed it himself sometime without Sacraments, to exhibit the Real presence of Christ unto the faithful, and to preach the glad tidings of salvation both by word and writing. And on the contrary side, what an unspeakable misery it is to have such a Clergy, that is, such a Church as hath no calling but from a Civil Magistrate, and consequently no power from Christ, no remission of sins, no grace in Sacraments, no Real presence of Christ amongst them, nor warrant from Christ either to preach or expound the Scriptures; although they talk of them never so much. I will not determine against the succession of the Clergy in England, because it is to me very doubtful; but although the successions were never so good, if there be not unity, there can be no grace conveyed from the head unto such parts of the body as are by Schism cut off, and with hostility opposed; as you see most of the Clergy of England to be. Whilst myself was amongst you, I did what I could to reduce unity, and to withstand Schism, and therefore I hope God hath conveyed some grace by my Ministry amongst you; but if you consider duly of the premises, you cannot condemn me for taking a surer course for myself, especially seeing you cannot be ignorant how much I was maligned, and opposed by the Masters and maintainers of Schism. It is a continual grief to me, that I cannot preach unto you: And I pray God so move the hearts of his Majesty and the Parliament, that it may not be treason, nor felony to be a Catholic Priest, nor to maintain the succession of Saint PETER. nor to preach Catholic Doctrine▪ as it is held in the Church of Rome, according to all antiquity, with one universal consent. And if ever I may be so happy to hear such news, I will think myself most happy that I may serve you, and live and die amongst you. Otherwise I will continue as I do, every day to remember you at the oblation of Christ's body and blood, and with my most ardent devotion to pray for his Majesty, the Queen, their Children, and Lords of the Council, my friends at the Court, my loving, and beloved neighbours in the Country, and yourself especially; and ever so I remain. Your most affectionate and true friend and servant in Christ jesus. B. A. CARIER. Liege, February 20. 1614 Stilo Novo. The miserable ends of such as have impugned the Catholic Church: Together With the admirable prosperity of such as defended the same. Deuter. 32. Laudate Gentes populum eius quia sanguinem servorum suorum ulciscetur, & vindictam retribuet in hosts eorum. You Gentiles praise his People, because he will revenge the blood of his Servants, and will repay vengeance upon their Enemies. Esay 60. 12. Gens, & Regnum quod non seruierit tibi, peribit. The People and Kingdom, which will not serve thee, shall perish. 1615. The miserable ends of some notorious Enemies, of CHRIST and his CHURCH. Read JOSEPHUS, 7. belli, cap. 18. of the destruction of the Temple, and of the most grievous punishment of the jews, for their barbarous cruelty against our Saviour Christ. The number of captives was ninety and seven thousand. The number of those which were slain and dead in the time of siege, was eleven hundred thousand. Idem 7. belli, c. 28. The famine so great, as they were brought to eat their own and their children's flesh; to feed in sinks and channels. About forty thousand of them had their bellies ripped up, for the gold they were supposed to have swallowed, etc. and more had been so barbarously entreated had not come forth a Prohibition. They were so vile, as thirty of them were sold for one penny. They have been hated and persecuted of all Nations and peoples. Exceeding great numbers of them in one place or other continually murdered. They have lived in intolerable slavery ever since the destruction of jerusalem, and ever shall. Ioseph. 7. belli, cap. 28. JUDAS hanged himself with a halter. Matth. 26. CAIPHAS' being weary of his life, killeth himself. Clem. Rom. Const. ap. 8. c. 1. ANNA'S also perished miserably, as writeth Nicephor. lib. ●. cap. 40. josephus and others. HERODE ASCALOMITA, as he sought all means to destroy our Saviour Christ, killed all the men children, abimatu & infra, from two years old and under: so being most grievously afflicted with a horrible disease, joseph. an. lib. 17. cap. 17. & cap. 8. sought all means to destroy himself, at last, his dolours being intolerable by Gods just judgement, he was extinct of a dropsy and corrupt humour, which ran betwixt the skin and the flesh, and eaten with worms which crawled out of his skin. Euseb. hist. eccl. li. HERODE AGRIPPA, who put to death S. JAMES, and imprisoned S. PETER, was soon after in a public assembly stricken from heaven with a most horrible disease, and died eaten up with louse; yea his whole stock, according to josephus, which was most ample, within seventy years was clean rooted out. HERODE ANTIPAS, which beheaded Saint JOHN Baptist, was first deprived of his dignity, and with Herodias he was exiled to Lions in France for killing S. JOHN Baptist, as Authors Ecclesiastical affirm. PONTIUS PILATUS was diversly punished according to his deserts, and at last banished to Vienna; he slew himself. Euseb. Cass●odor. Ado. in Chron. NERO hated of all men for his cruelty, at last forsaken of his soldiers, and despairing ever to recover his former state, in great perplexity arrayeth himself in vile attire, flieth away, and perceiving he was pursued, killed himself. Sueton. 25. Dion. in Nerone. DOMITIAN, for his barbarous cruelty, generally detested, was stabbed of Stephen, the steward of Flavia Domitilla: Sueton. Philost. trion. and others; his name and memory was after abolished. Macrob. Satur. lib. 1. cap. 12. TRAIANUS, a cruel persecutor of Christians, is teported to have been poisoned. See Baron. HADRIANUS, like another Phalaris, raged against Christians. The persecution under him was so extreme, as Christians were murdered at the cry of the common people. Nevertheless in his time the Church was spread abroad far and near. At last he was punished with grievous sickness, and so being very weary of his life, sought often to kill himself, and finally procured one to slay him. See Baron. SEVERUS, in regard of his cruelty exercised upon Christians, was so punished of God almighty, as he saw himself most unhappy in his children: for his son Antoninus often attempted to slay him; and also he was not ignorant his son Geta should be murdered as soon as Antoninus could get opportunity to do it. Antoninus slew Geta afterwards in his mother's lap. Lege Baron. SEVERUS died, being consumed with thought and grief of mind. See Baron. DECIUS, a most cruel persecutor of Christians, in the war he made against the Goths, together with his son was extinct. Anno 2. Imper. VALERIAN, as long as he favoured Christians, flourished; but after he began to persecute them, by the treason of Marrianus a Duke, he was delivered over to Sapores, King of the Persians, who ever after used VALERIAN for a footstool to stand upon when he went to horse, at last he commanded him to be flayed and salted. Baron. CLAVDIVS raged most cruelly against Christians, but in the third year of his Empire he died of the Pestilence. AURELIAN, a severe bloody and cruel persecutor, was beaten down with thunder, and afterward killed of his own subjects, MAXIMIANUS, one of the cruelest persecutors that ever was, hanged himself. Anno imper. Const. Panegyr. 4. DIOCLETIAN, a like persecutor, by the judgement of God was reserved unto the eleventh year of Constantine, when he saw Christian religion most flourishing, which he with his fellow Maximian, sought by all means they could to extinguish. At last, this year suspecting some dishonourable death, it is said he poisoned himself. Victor. Also Euseb. lib. 8. cap. vlt. Zozim. lib. 2. Zonor. Cedrens, writ of his miserable death. See Baron. anno imper. Const. 11. MAXENTIUS, a most cruel Tyrant, was drowned in Tiber. Euseb. Zozimus and others. JULIAN the Apostata used all policy and art he could (as formerly had done Diocletian and Maximian, to extinguish Christianity; but all in vain: He was slain in the field against the Persians; uncertainly by whom. S. Gregor, Nazian. orat. 2. in julian. ministry angelorum occisum affirmat. See Baron. When he died, he filled his hand with blood, and cast it up into the air, saying; vicisti Galilee, thou hast vanquished me, O Galilean, for so he called Christ jesus. Nicephor. 10. cap. 3. and also he said saturare Nazarene, etc. VALENS, a most horrible persecutor, making war against the Goths, was burned. See Baron, and others. He with his noble men fled into a poor cottage, which was burnt over his head, etc. MAXIMINUS, a most bloody persecutor, was overthrown and put to flight by Licinius, and at last stricken with a most deadly and horrible disease, his eyes falling out of his head; he dieth miserably, confessing himself worthily punished for his cruelty exercised upon Christians. Also, his children were put to a most reproachful death: his statues, titles, and other monuments were thrown down, razed, abolished. Constantini imper. anno 9 HUNERICUS, King of the Vandals, persecuted Catholics most cruelly: he caused Catholics tongue and right hands to be cut off, who, nevertheless, by the help of God, did speak as well afterwards as they did before. One of these, to wit, Reparatus a Subdeacon, pronounced eloquent Sermons without any difficulty; for which he was highly reverenced in Zeno, the emperors Palace; especially justina the Empress honoured him. See the Comp. of Baron. anno 484. fol. 425. There followeth (fol. 426▪) the miserable death of this barbarous and cruel persecutor: who, when he prepared to triumph over the Catholic faith, which he verily thought to have rooted out, perished most miserably of worms which crawled out of every part of his body, the seventh year of his reign. Victor. lib. 3. EVARICUS, King of the Goths, spoileth France of Bishops, etc. upon desire to propagate Arianism▪ he was a horrible persecutor and enemy of Catholics, like to Hunericus, as reporteth Ecclesiastical writers: being stricked from heaven, perished most miserably, as writeth Turon. in the History of France. LEO ISAURICUS, a most bloody persecutor, was taken by an Earthquake out of this life, as writeth Theophanes. CONSTANTINUS CAPRONYMUS, no less cruel against Catholics, was from heaven stricken with a plague and grief in his thighs▪ which in Greek is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and so died miserably, crying out, and saying (being yet alive) I am given over to unquenchable fire. Theophanes and all other Greek Authors witnesseth the same. See Cedrens. in Baron. anno 775. LEO ARMENUS, a great enemy of the Catholic Church, was miserably slain near the Altar, after he had reigned seven years and five months. And so perish all which hate Zion. FOUR MEMORABLE EXAMPLES FOLLOWING. L. SEPTIMIUS PLAUTIANUS, from base state, was advanced to such honour, as he was esteemed little inferior to the Emperor Severus himself. This PLAUTIANUS thus exalted in such grace with the Emperor, as the like hath scarcely ever been seen, was honoured with very many statues, chosen to be father in law to Antoninus Augustus, the son of the Emperor. He married his daughter to Antoninus, with whom he gave so much riches, and such a dowry, as had been sufficient to have given with fifty, (should he have had so many to have so highly preferred.) He was so horrible and cruel, as when he was to go any whither, some Sergeants or Virgiers were to take order that none should be in his way, or presume to look upon him▪ Of Christians he was a most deadly enemy and cruel persecutor; with the spoils of whom▪ after he had murdered and martyred them, he had infinitely enriched himself. But lo, this cruel murderer of Christians fell from this sovereign dignity into extreme infelicity: in so much as he was (even in the twelfth year of Severus Empire, become a wonderful great laughingstock of human felicity, and a most dreadful example of God's severe justice) he was (I say) put to a most miserable death, by his son in law, Antoninus, his body cast into the street unburied, his statues and monuments pulled down and defaced, his name scraped out, and abolished. His son and daughter were exiled, and at last in great misery made away. So as that of the Psalmist may be verified of him and such like, Inimici domini mox ut honorificati fuerint, & exaltati, deficientes quemadmedum fumus deficient, Psal. 36. The enemies of our Lord forthwith after they be raised to honour and exalted, vanishing away like smoke they shall vanish. See Baron. especially the twelfth year of Severus Empire, where you shall find all these, and much more of this horrible persecutor. EUTROPIUS, a man of servile condition and lewd conversation, was so highly exalted under the Emperor Arcadius, as he was of all other the greatest Courtier, in greatest grace and favour with the Emperor. He was made Consul, although generally hated of all people. He opposeth against Saint john chrysostom, Bishop of Costantinople, and impugneth Ecclesiastical immunities, and liberties of the Church: Against which immunities and privileges of the Church in particular, that none flying to the Altar should have benefit of Sanctuary. But behold the punishment of this Tyrant: It pleased God that Gaynas' being alienated from Arcadius, for his so much favouring and advancing this EUTROPIUS, as all in fury and rage, he made war against the Emperor and brought him to this, that the Emperor was glad to admit what conditions of peace Gaynas would offer. Amongst which conditions, this was one▪ that the Emperor should deliver into his hands EUTROPIUS, that he might put him to what death it liked him. Whereupon EUTROPIUS was deprived of all his places, dignities and riches, which were exceeding great: and so perceiving his misery, fled to the Church, layeth hold upon Sanctuary, and was for that time protected by Saint chrysostom, who stood in the defence of the privileges of the Church, and would not permit the soldiers to take him from the Altar, before he had caused the Emperor to swear neither to deliver him into the hands of Gaynas, nor to put him to death. And although he had been a great enemy of Saint chrysostom, and all the people cried to have him made away. Yet Saint chrysostom, in regard of the privilege, would not condescend, but with an eloquent oration dissuadeth the people, and laboureth to save him. So as it is to be noted, he that opposed himself against this holy Bishop, and privileges of the Church, had no other refuge, then to the same. Finally, being deprived of so many dignities, honours and riches, his name abolished, his statues, ensigns and monuments in all, both public and private places defaced, he was banished into Cyprus; from whence at the instance of gains he was sent for, and beheaded. All this here compendiously touched, is set down in Baronius at large, together with the Author's Ecclesiastical which writ the same. This fellow was exalted and elevated, as a Cedar of Libanus, but forthwith his place was not to be found. Psal. 36. CHRISAPHIUS, a most potent Courtier under Theodosius the Emperor, patronizeth Eutyches the damnable Heretic; persecuteth and deposeth Flavianus the holy Patriarch, turneth all upside down: persuadeth Theodosius to favour the Heretic▪ and to destroy the Catholic Bishop. But God almighty justly punished him. For Theodosius finding out his treachery, repent he had permitted him to protect this monster, whereby such a pestilent sect long after troubled the Church: and therefore he presently depriveth this potent Courtier of all his places, and substance, and at last putteth him to death. Marcel. l. 14. c. 49. Niceph. Cedrens. 〈◊〉 Baron. BARDAS, who ruled all under Michael the third, grievously persecuted the Church, deposed Ignatius the Patriarch of Constantinople, a holy man, and contrary to the Canons of the Church, intruded Photius. It is wonderful to consider how hotly every one of these, as well the Emperor, who was a most beastly monster, persecuted God's Saints, and all holies, as also the usurper Photius, and the tyrant Bardas; what a horrible Schism they made. See all in Baron, and other Authors, cited by him at large, for it is most memorable. These monsters most grievously afflicted the Church for some few years: but God almighty, after long patience powered forth his indignation against the factious and schismatical Princes. Michael the third, which gave himself to nothing but his filthy pleasures, as also Bardas, who swayed all. And first for Bardas, Curopalutes describeth his miserable death, also Cedrens, Glicas and Nicetas, do the same almost in this manner. Bardas had a vision, which was, viz. He saw Saint Peter the Prince of the Apostles, and two terrible men assisting, and Saint Peter being set, he saw Ignatius the Patriarch, whom he had expelled out of his See, lying at Saint Peter's feet, crying; O Porter of the Kingdom of heaven, and the Rock upon which Christ hath built his Church, for as much as thou knowest how I have been injured, comfort my old years, which have suffered many evils. And Saint Peter saith to Ignatius, show thy enemy which hath done thee so much wrong. Et Deus faciat una cum tentatione proventum, and God will make together with temptation issue. And Ignatius turning to me, pointed me out with his right hand. This Bardas is he, who all above others hath offended and injured me, neither yet ceaseth more and more to afflict me. Then Saint Peter said to him that assisted on the right hand, take away this execrable and cursed Bardas out of the Church, and presently cut him in pieces, and therefore I was led to death. All this Bardas saw in a vision: and moreover, he saw him shake his head against the Emperor, saying, Impie sili expecta parumper. This terrible vision Bardas (himself all affrighted, and with tears) reported to Philotheus his faithful friend. Who notwithstanding all this, ceased not more grievously to afflict the holy Patriarch Ignatius for three months after; at the end of which time followed the execution of this vision. When as Bardas, with the Emperor and his army went into Crete, where being suspected of treason, the Emperor commanded him to be hacked in pieces. Now for the Emperor himself, he took one Basilius, a Macedonian, to be his consort. This Basilius created Emperor, studying to reclaim Michael from his wicked and detestable manners and conversation, procured Michael to hate him: in so much as he perceived the Emperor Michael sought to destroy and make him away, as he had done Bardas; and therefore rather desiring to kill, then to be killed, contriveth presently the death of the beastly monster: which act, though it was not lawful, yet was the persecutor justly punished for his cruelty against God's Church. Zonoras', Nicetas and others. This Basil sendeth Ambassadors to the Pope, restoreth peace to the Church, expulseth Photius the usurper from the patriarchal See, and restoreth the true Bishop Ignatius into the same, to the great joy and exultation of all people. Many more like examples might be added to these, but these are most notorious. As God almighty hath a special providence over his Church in the law of grace, as it shall never be destroyed by any impugnation of what enemies soever, but shall still remain glorious, though never so much persecuted by tyrants; which tyrants, and enemies of God's Church, often perish miserably even in this world, besides the eternal miseries they fall into after this life, if they die impenitent. So is it to be noted, that the same God almighty had also a wonderful care over his Kingdom and people, even in the old Testament; and such as persecuted them, we may see by many examples to what miserable confusion they fell at last. PHARAOH with all his host was drowned in the red sea. AMAN which had contrived the means to put to death, and massacre all Gods chosen people under Assuerus, was hanged upon a gibbet fifty cubits high, which he had prepared for Mardocheus. Hest. 7. JESABEL, which slew God's Prophets, was thrown down out of a window, killed with the fall, and eaten of dogs. 4. King. 9 ANTIOCHUS most grievously and extremely persecuted and afflicted God's people, as we read in the 2. of the Maccabees: but as it is in the ninth chapter of the said book; God which seethe all, struck him with an incurable and invisible plague. He threatened to destroy jerusalem and all the people, and God almighty, presently upon it, laid his heavy hand upon him. Read the ninth chapter of the second book, and you shall see the miserable end of this most proud and cruel enemy of God and his Kingdom. He could not go, but was carried: his dolours and anguish was intolerable, and that by the just judgement of God, for he had most unmercifully tortured and afflicted God's people; worms crawled out of his body, and the horrible stink thereof annoyed his whole army: who a little before was so proud and insolent, as he thought he could reach the stars of heaven: him no man can now carry, or come near, for intolerable stink. This cruel homicide, and blasphemous wretch miserably ended his life in his peregrination. See more in the Maccabees. In the fourth book of Kings, and the nineteenth chapter, you may see recorded the miserable dostruction of Sennacherib and his whole army, which had besieged Jerusalem, blasphemed God, and threatened to destroy the City, the holy King Ezechias, and all his people. But God almighty, who knoweth how to deliver his faithful people, sent his Angel into the tents of the Assyrians, which slew a hundredth and eighty five thousand of them in their tents, after which, Sennacherib returned into his own country, where he was slain of Adramelach and Sarasar his own sons. Read the seven and thirtieth chapter of Isal. It is also worthy to be noted, that such as divided themselves by any Schism in the old Law, were most severely punished▪ as for example, Chore, Dathan and Abiron, and their complices, to the number of fourteen thousand and seven hundredth men, besides many others that perished in the sedition before. These rebelled against Moses their lawful Superior. JEROBOAM, who upon a devilish policy drew the people from the true worship and service of God to Idolatry and Schism, God almighty so punished him, as he left not one of his seed to piss against a wall. 3. King. 14. So as we may plainly see there is no wisdom, no prudence, no counsel against God. These Politics take a wrong course to advance and continue their states and families, for Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, etc. Unless our Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it, Psal. 126. for these Houses, Kingdoms and States that are founded by such Machievellian policies, never continue long, as appeareth most evidently, Psal. 16. Noli ●mulari in malignantibus, neque Zelaveris facientes iniquitatem, etc. Read the whole Psalm, wherein it is said, the impious and wicked enemies of God shall whither away as grass, vanish as smoke, their seed and very relics shall perish, though for a while they flourish never so much, and be never so highly exalted, increased and multiplied in the world; yet shall they come in short time to confusion and destruction. As God almighty dealt with JEROBOAM, Author of that notorious Schism and division, so likewise did he to Baaza, Zamri and Achab, Kings of Israel, for that (saith the third book of Kings) they walked in the ways of jeroboam: that is, because they continued the Schism, and did not reduce the Israelites to the true worship and service of God. You shall find that of all those, God almighty left not one to piss against a wall, for this is the phrase of Scripture in that place. These are dreadful examples of Gods severe justice against the Authors, favourers and maintainers of Schism against God, his Church and Kingdom. To these might be added a great many more, which every where occur in the old Testament. Read Psalm 82. where you shall see a great number of Kings and Princes which sought to destroy God's people, to come to miserable ends. These seeking to overthrow God's Kingdom, do nothing less, but they incur his heavy wrath and indignation to their own utter ruin, confusion, and extirpation. Of all this before written, we may gather that God almighty hath a singular providence over his Church and Kingdom, he neither slumbereth nor sleepeth which keepeth Israel. Psal. 120. Tyrants, persecutors and foolish people may oppose themselves against it, seek to extinguish it; but all in vain. Qui haebitat in coelis irridebit eos, & Dominus subsannabit eos, He that dwelleth in the heaven will laugh them to scorn, etc. Psal. 2. God almighty doth graciously protect his Church, and though he suffer it to be mightily impugned, yet faciet cum tentatione proventum, he will make with temptation issue. The Catholic Church, and Kingdom of our Saviour Christ, hath by this means been marvelously increased and propagated, as all Ecclesiastical writers perspicuously testify; as contrariwise the enemies thereof have most miserably perished, and come to confusion. CERTAIN MEMORABLE EXAMPLES OF GOD'S SEVERE REVENGE AGAINST such as were rebellious and injurious to Priests of the old Law. 1 OF CHORE, DATHAN and ABIRON, we have spoken before, how themselves, and all that belonged unto them, was swallowed up of the earth. Numb. 16. 2 MARIA the sister of MOSES, for murmuring against him, was punished with a leprosy. Num. 12. 3 SAUL, because he obeyed not Samuel the Prophet, lost his Kingdom. 1. King. 31. 4 ACHAB, for contemning the Prophet Micheas, and cast him into prison, was slain in war, 3. King. 22. and joram, the son of Achab, and all his progeny were slain by jehu. That I may revenge (saith the Prophet unto jehu) the blood of my servants the Prophets, and the blood of all the servants of our Lord, from the hand of jesabel. 4. King. 9 JOAS, who slew Zachary the Priest and Prophet in the porch of the house of God, was punished most grievously. Paralip. 24. For the year following the Syrians came into judea and jerusalem, and slew all the Princes of the people, and sent all the prey unto the King of Syria into Damascus: and whereas there came but a small number of the Syrians, yet God delivered an infinite multitude into their hands, and joas they punished with all ignominy and reproach, and left him in great sickness and misery: And his own servants rose up against him, to revenge the blood of the son of Ioiad● the Priest, and they slew him in his bed. AMASIAS, King of juda, because he contemned the Prophet of God, etc. was delivered into the hands of joas King of Israel, being spoiled of all he had, and afterwards slain of his own servants. 2. Paralip. 25. O●IAS his son, because he usurped Priestly function and authority, was stricken with a leprosy, 2. Paral. 26. And that which Christ spoke in the Gospel (the blood of all the Prophets, from the blood of Abel the Just, unto the blood of Zacharie the Prophet, shall be required at your hands, Luk. 11.) hath terribly expressed this revenge of almighty God, for the dispersion of the jews throughout all the whole world until this day, is nothing else but the just revenge of almighty God for the blood of Christ, and all the Prophets. EXAMPLES OF GOD'S SEVERE PUNISHMENTS AGAINST SUCH AS Contemn Bishops and Priests. BY many example precedent, as also by these ensuing, collected out of Histories Ecclesiastical and profane, it may appear how Emperors, Kings and Princes, which would not be obedient children to God's Church, but persecuted the same, have come to miserable ends. CONSTANTIVS favouring the Arians, after he had banished Liberius Pope, Athanasius also Bishop of Alexandria, and many other Catholic Bishops, and had arrogated and taken to himself, to hear and know all causes Ecclesiastical (as at large showeth Saint Athanasius, ep. ad. Sol. v. ag. whilst he persecuted julian, etc. ended his life in an obscure place, and in great torment of conscience. As at large describeth Ammian. Marcellin. l. 22. hist. VALENS, who banished the Catholics into obscure places, and used all rigour and severity against them, was punished with like measure himself, with his Princes in the war against the Goths, flying into an old house, was with all his Princes burned, and the house over their heads. Ammian. Marcel. l. 31. This Emperor cast the holy religious man Isacius into prison, as Achab did Micheas the Prophet. VALENTINIAN the younger, who many ways vexed Saint Ambrose, to make him yield a Church unto the Heretics, and threatened to exile him, was hanged by his own servants ignominiously shortly after. ANASTATIUS the Emperor excommunicated of Pope Gelasius, was an extreme persecutor, as well of Bishops as of Monks, and religious persons, was killed with lightning and fire from heaven. MAURITIUS the Emperor, who persecuted S. Gregory the Great, was slain of a common soldier, his wife and all his children before put to death in his own sight, and so cried, justus es Domine, & rectum judicium tuum. Thou art just, O Lord, and righteous is thy judgement. Blondus lib. 3. Decad. 1. CONSTANS, the Nephew of Heraclius banished Pope Martin, for which he was hated of all his subjects, saith Zonoras', and so leaving Constantinople, lived in Cicely, and there was killed in the of his own people about him. Paul. Diac. lib. 18. MICHAEL Emperor, the son of Theophilus, which behaved himself proudly against Pope Nicholas the first, and most injuriously deposed Ignatius the Patriarch of Constantinople: when he went drunk to bed one night, standing at his bed side, was slain of his own domesticals, Zonor. Annal. tom. 3. in Constant & Michaele. CONSTANTINUS PROGNATUS, the son of Leo Isauricus, a most cruel persecutor of the Catholic Clergy, was stricken with fire from heaven, and so died blaspheming. Sigeb. ad Ann. 778. These wonderful and notable judgements of God Almighty, happened to the greatest Princes in the East, which persecuted Christ jesus in his Vicars, etc. And there have been no less renowned in the West. PERSECUTORS IN THE WEST CHURCH. HENRY the fourth, the first of the Western Emperors, which opposed himself against the Church: after many injuries offered thereunto, being excommunicate by Gregory the 7. was deprived of his Empire by his own son, and at last forsaken of all, died in great calamity in exile, out of the limits of the Empire. Nauclerus, vol. 3. gener. 37. FREDERICUS BARBAROSSA, which for many years persecuted the Church of God, very rebellious and proud against the See Apostolic: when he was bathing himself in a river for his pleasure in Cilicia, was drowned of a sudden, and so ended. Naucl. gen. 40. OTHO the fourth, after exceeding great injuries done to the Church throughout all Italy, being assaulted in war, and put to flight by Philip the French King in low Germany; a little after died a private man in Saxony. Staplet. in prompt. mor. in dom. pass. text. 4. FREDERICUS the second, a most cruel persecutor, not only of the See Apostolic, but of all the Clergy throughout the whole Empire, excommunicated by Innocent the fourth, was slain of his bastard son manfred in Apulia, as some writ, poisoned, as others report, hanged: and all his race following the steps of their wicked father, came to the like miserable end. His eldest son Conradus, for like cause excommunicated by Innocent the forth, was killed by the same manfred in Apulia. And the same manfred entering upon the Kingdoms of Apulia and Sicilia, being himself a cruel enemy of the Church, excommunicated by Alexander the fourth, was vanquished and put to flight by Charles, brother to the King of France, whom Urban the fourth declared King of Sicilia and Apulia. CONRADINUS, son to the said Conrade, vanquished by the said Charles, was put to death. And Eutius the other son of Frederick the second, after many wars made against the Church, being taken of the Bononians, was committed to perpetual imprisonment; and so all the race and stock of the sacrilegious Emperor, great in number and power, in short time extinct, left to posterity an example of their wicked rebellions against God and his Church. LEWES the fourth Emperor, twice excommunicate by the See Apostolic, in whose defence against the immunities and privileges of the Church of Rome, those Poets and rhetoricians for this cause infamous, Petrarcha, Dantes, Marsilius, and Io. Occhamus' Schoolman, writ so many things: God almighty judging this cause; when he was a hunting, taken suddenly with a palsy of all his members, falling from his horse, died suddenly. Memorable it is, which Nicephorus writeth of Narcissus Bishop of Jerusalem. Three malevolous persons falsely accused this holy Bishop, wishing evil to themselves if they dealt falsely: The first, that he would be burnt: The second, that he should die of the falling evil, or some other detestable disease: The third wished his eyes out of his head. But Gods divine revenge not sleeping, the first with all his house, kinsfolks and substance, was burnt by one spark that fell from a candle: The second was taken with a most grievous disease, which entered upon his whole body: The third forthwith confesseth the deceitful dealing, and fraudulent proceeding, ceased not to weep and shed tears, until he perceived with his tears to lose the strength and sight of his eyes. These torments of few, may be examples for all. THE UNHAPPY ENDS OF ARCHHERETICKES. ALthough God almighty punisheth and scourgeth his servants and children; yet always at last he casteth the rod into the fire: Deut. 32. Laudate Gentes populum eius, quia sanguinem servorum suorum ulciscetur, & vindictam retribuet in hosts eorum. You Gentiles praise his people, because he will revenge the blood of his servants, and will repay vengeance upon their enemies. This thing is manifest by that which is above-written. And it may further appear by the unhappy and miserable ends of Apostates and Arch-heretiques. As first of SIMON MAGUS, when he began to fly, he was thrown down by the prayers of Saint Peter, broke his legs, and a little after died with great ignominy. Hegesip. lib. 3. cap. 2. de excid. Hierosol. & Arnob. lib. 2. contra Gentes. MANICHAEUS was flayed alive by the King of Persians, not for his Heresy, or his faith and religion; but for that taking in hand to cure the King's son, he killed him. Epiphan. haeres. 66. MONTANUS, THEODORUS, and their prophetesses hanged themselves. Euseb. lib. 5. hist. cap. 16. Certain Donatists, when they did cast the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist to the dogs, were of the same dogs torn in pieces. Optat. lib. 2. contra Parmenianum. ARIUS, when he was going to the Church with great pomp, was suddenly troubled with ache in his belly, and so forced to divert a privy, or house of office, and there together with his excrements, avoided both his entrails and his life. Witness S. Athanasius Orat. 1. contra Arianos, & Ruffin. lib. 10. histor. cap. 13. JULIAN the Apostata was slain from heaven miraculously: he was never buried, but (as saith S. Gregory Nazianzen in his Oration, made in praise of S. Athanasius, near the end) the earth of itself opened, and swallowed him up. VALFNS the Arian, which succeeded julian in persecuting Catholics, was burned alive by the Goths, which also were Arians. Ruffin. lib. 2. hist. cap. 13. NESTORIUS perished most miserably, his tongue being eaten and consumed with worms. evag. lib. 1. hist. c. 7. ANASTATIUS the Emperor, a favourer of the E●tichian Heretics, was killed with lightning, as write Cedronus and Paul the Deacon, in his life. LEO ICONOMACHUS, that is, Image-breaker, burned sacred Images in the open market place of Constantinople. Presently after which fact, the pestilence consumed three hundred thousand people in Constantinople. See the Chronicle of Matth. Palmer. Anno DCC. XLI. TO OMIT MANY OTHERS, AND TO ASCEND TO THE MONSTERS of our age. LUTHER died suddenly, for having supped very delicately and pleasantly, being in perfect health, and having delighted all his company with merry conceits; the same night he died. Coclaeus in vita Lutheri. ZVINGLIUS was slain in war, which he made against Catholics, and a little after, his brother Oecolampadius going to bed in good health, one night, was found dead by his wife in the morning. Coclaeus in act. Luth. an. 1531. ANDREA'S CAROLOSTADIUS, the Ministers of Basil write to have been killed of a Devil, in their Epistle of the death of Carolostadius. JOANNES CALVINUS was eaten and consumed of worms, and died as did Antiochus, Hunery, Maximinus, etc. as witnesseth Hieronymus Bolsecus in his life, who also addeth that the Arch-heretic died blaspheming, cursing, and invocating Devils. This Heretic, that besides his other heresies, denied prayer to Saints, at his death prayeth unto Devils. To all these former examples, we might add infinite more of notorious persecutors, and enemies of God's Church, which all came to miserable ends: and so shall all others come to confusion which hate Zion, which oppose themselves against God's Church and Kingdom, which our Saviour hath built upon a firm Rock, and therefore no storms, winds or tempests can overthrow it. Matth. 16. 18. Port● inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam. The gates of hell shall never prevail against it, as hath promised our Saviour. Whatsoever the devil can do by Tyrants, Heretics, or any other adversaries against this Church, it standeth immovable, Deus fundavit eam in aeternum. God hath founded it for ever, Psal. 47. Saint Augustine expoundeth this of the Church of God. This Church is God's Kingdom, whereof it is said, Luk. 1. & Regni eius non erit finis, and of his Kingdom shall be no end. Of this Kingdom it is said, Dan. 2. In diebus autem regnorum eorum, suscitabit Deus coeli regnum, quod in aeternum non dissipabitur, & regnum eius alteri populo non tradetur, comminuet & consum●t universa regna haec, & ipsum stabit in aeternum. This Kingdom then of God, his Catholic Church, shall stand and continue for ever. No tyranny nor persecution can destroy this Church, no it cannot diminish, but rather increase it, as evidently hath been seen in all ages. And this is that Saint Leo writeth, Ser. 1. de Petro & Paulo, in these words: Non minuitur persecutionibus Ecclesia, sed augetur, & semper dominicus ager segete ditiori vestitur, dum grana quae singula cadunt, multiplicata naseuntur. The Church is not diminished by persecution, but increased, and always our Lord's field is clothed with richer grain, whilst the grain, which one by one do fall into the ground, do spring up multiplied. And although God almighty sometime leaveth some particular country and people for heresy and sin; yet he will still have his Church, he will raise others, and call other countries, as we may see after the fall of the Church in afric, and some parts of the East, many other goodly Kingdoms and Provinces were presently converted to the faith of Christ, here in the West-Church, as in Ecclesiastical histories may clearly be seen. And now since the fall of our Country, and some other places near unto us, from the Catholic faith, we know that innumerable people in afric, in the East and West Indies are converted to this same Catholic Church, and true faith of Christ: whereby we see verified that dreadful threat of our Saviour Christ, Auferetur a vobis regnum Dei, & dabitur genti facienti fructus eius. This Kingdom, that is, the preaching of the Gospel, is taken from us, because we brought not forth the fruits of it, and squared not our lives according to the rules thereof. Therefore God hath take from us our true Teachers, and lawful Pastors, having lawful mission and vocation, without which none ever preached or taught Catholic truth, but were brochers of seditious doctrine and pernicious heresy, as we now see by lamentable experience in these parts of Christendom. This considered, I hope all good Catholics and servants of Christ; which are in the lap of the Catholic Church, will be of good comfort, cleave unto this Rock, the pillar and foundation of truth, as the Apostle calleth it. In so doing they shall never be drowned in the waves of Heresy and Infidelity. If some Catholics, either out of fear of imprisonment, or loss of their temporalties, fall from this Church, God almighty will call others, yea even Puritans, and other seduced souls. These will he call to the knowledge of his truth, these will he gather into his Church; and these once seeing what a singular benediction, what a sovereign benefit it is, to be within the house of God, which is his Church, will for ever laud and praise his holy name therefore: Those will say with the royal Prophet, Psal. 83. Melior est dies una in atrijs tuis super millia. Better is one day in thy Courts above a thousand, and beati qui habitant in doom tua Domine▪ in saecula saeculorum laudabunt te: blessed are they which dwell in thy house, O Lord; for ever and ever they will praise thee: and Elegi abiectus esse, etc. I had rather be an abject in the house of our Lord, then to dwell in the Tabernacles of sinners. And therefore understanding the greatness of this benefit, they will pray with the same holy Prophet, Psal. 23. unam petij a domino hanc requiram ut in habitem in domo domini omnibus diebus vitae meae. One thing have I besought of our Lord; and this will I ask again, that I may dwell in the house of our Lord all the days of my life. Out of this house, that is, the Catholic Church, there is no means of salvation, neither by preaching, nor by Sacraments; out of this Church no remission of sins, out of this Church no good work can be meritorious of everlasting life: Whosoever falleth out of this Church, as he cannot merit by any good work of prayer, fasting, or alms, because he is not in state of grace; so he loseth the merit of all his former good works, though never so many. What loss can ever be comparable to this? Whosoever falleth out of this Church▪ Ioseth the communion of Saints, setteth himself out of God's grace, savour, and protection out of the patrociny of Angels and Saints; such cannot be Gods children, but his enemies, such can receive no influence of God's grace, no sanctification, no justification, no comfort of the holy Ghost: such can have no peace or quiet of conscience: such as be out of God's Church, cannot presume God will hear their prayers, according to that, Psal. 65. Iniquitatem si aspexi in cord meo, non exaudiet deus: Such as are not capable of any Sacrament, and consequently, not of salvation: such as die out of this Church, without doubt perish everlastingly. If then, as I said before, Catholics do not weigh these things, but for fear of temporal losses, or discommodity, fall out of this Church, God almighty will call unto him others, which are yet seduced and blinded with heresy and sin. These after their calling to so great grace, after their souls and hearts are illuminated, will take wonderful comfort in so inexplicable a benefit, as this of their vocation and justification. These will be fervent and devout in God's service, these will never cease to laud and praise his holy name: these will never suffer themselves to be separated from almighty God again: these will contemn life, goods, friends, lands and all, for this inestimable jewel: these like to the Primitive Christians, will never be daunted with persecution, but will rejoice in it, both in respect of grace, God's greatest treasure they receive in this life, and glory, that most ample reward they expect in the next world. And therefore to conclude, let none be discouraged with fear of persecution or troubles: for whatsoever thou shalt lose in this life, thou shalt receive it even here an hundred-fold, and also a crown of glory in the Kingdom of heaven. And therefore I say with S. Cyprian, Non vereamur occidi quos constat cum occidimur coronari. Let us not fear to be murdered, whom when we are murdered, certain it is we are crowned. We should be so far from being terrified with persecution as we should exceedingly rejoice in it: Gaudete & exultate (saith our Saviour) qu●niam merces v●stra copiosa est in coelis. be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. To suffer persecution willingly and joyfully for Christ's cause, for the profession of the Catholic faith, is our glory: and the Apostle saith, Absit mihi gloriari nisi in Cruse Domini nostri jesu Christi. God forbidden I should glory in any thing, but in the Cross of our Lord jesus Christ. The Cross is the most precious jewel of our Saviour Christ: and of this jewel he always giveth the greatest portions to his dearest friends. Let us therefore amids our greatest crosses and tribulations be of good comfort; there is no better sign of our election and predestination, than (living in God's grace and favour, and keeping ourselves in the unity and obedience of our holy Mother the Catholic Church) to be divers ways afflicted and persecuted, to be rob and spoiled, belied and slandered by the enemies of Gods eternal truth. Let us not suffer for theft, for murder, for other criminal matters, but if it be for Catholic religion, for obedience to our lawful Pastors, and spiritual guides, which do watch over us, as bound to render an account for our souls, according to the Apostle, Hebr. 13. 17. Obedite praepositis vestris, etc. Let us not be ashamed, but esteem ourselves even blessed in this life, as our Saviour pronounceth of us. And the more we shall suffer for so glorious a cause, so much more happy we shall be: for there is no proportion betwixt our present sufferings, and the future rewards. Non sunt condign passiones huius temporis ad futuram gloriam. The passions of this time are not condign to the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8. 18. Let us then rejoice in tribulation, and nothing doubt but that our merciful Lord who sends it, will likewise send comfort with it. 2. Cor. 17. Sicut socij est is passionum, sic eritis & consolationis in Christo jesu Domino nostro. As you are fellows of his passions, so also shall you be of consolation in Christ jesus, etc. And again Sicut abundant passionis Christi in nobis: ita & per Christum abundat consolatio nostra. As the passions of Christ abound in us, so also by Christ aboundeth our consolation, as most excellently writeth the Apostle Saint Paul, 2. Cor. 1. 5. To make an end, let us rejoice in tribulation, at least esteem it all joy when we fall into divers temptations, as exhorteth blessed Saint james, chap. 1. 2. But if we do find in ourselves this imperfection, that we cannot rejoice in crosses and troubles, neither yet have that high esteem of it, as we ought, at least let us dispose ourselves to patience, for such as lose patience, as out of fear fall away: the Angel, or rather our Saviour Christ saith in the Apocalypse, Their part shall be in the burning lake, Apocal. 31. 8. And that which may most encourage us, is that comfortable assertion of our Saviour Christ, often repeated in the Apocalypse, Qui vicerit dabo ei edere Mannae absc●nditum, etc. He that shall overcome, I will give him to eat hidden Manna. Qui vicerit dabo ei edere de ligno vitae quod est in Paradiso. He that shall overcome, I will give him to eat of the tree of life, which is in Paradise. Happy are they that shall feed of this heavenly bread, and that shall eat of this delicate fruit, for they shall live for ever. This which hath been said may not only be of great force to confirm the obedient, and resolute children of God's Church, but also may avail much to confound such as live in Schism, and participate with Heretics in their execrable service and Sacraments, contrary to their consciences. Whom, besides these former points, I beseech in the bowels of jesus Christ, to reflect upon the uncertainty of this life, and the vanity of all earthly things; upon God's severe judgements executed upon rebellious and schismatical people; upon the four last things, to wit, Death, judgement, Heaven and Hell: upon the constancy of innumerable most glorious Martyrs of either sex, etc. And they cannot, considering these things with serious attention, they cannot possibly (I say) continue longer in Schism, but with all speed reconcile themselves to almighty God and his Church. And that this (I say) may take better effect with them. I will conclude with those two excellent sayings of Saint Augustine, most worthy to be noted. Firmissime tene & nullatenus dubites non solum omnes Paganos sed etiam Iud●os, Haereticos▪ atque Schism 〈◊〉, qui extra Ecclesiam Catholicam praesentem fini●●●t vitam in ignem aeternum ituro●, qui paratus est Diabolo & Angelis eius. B. August: lib. de fide ad Petrum. Hold most firmly, and in no wise doubt, that not only all Pagans, but also all jews, Heretics and schismatics, which out of the Catholic Church end this present life, shall go into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the Devil and his Angels. And the other: Firmissime tene & nullatenus dubites quemlibet haereticum, atque schismaticum in nomine Patris & filii & Spiritus sancti baptizatum, si Ecclesiae Catholicae non fuerit aggregatus, quantascunque eleemosynas fecerit, etsi pro Christi nomine etiam sanguinem fuderit, nullatenus posse salvari: Omni enim homini qui Ecclesiae non tenet unitatem, neque baptismus, neque eleemosyna quantumlibet copi●sa, neque mors pro Christi nomine suscepta proficere potest ad salutem, quamdiu in eo haeretica, vel schismatica pravitas perseverat, quae ducit ad mortem. Hold most firmly, and no ways doubt, that every Heretic and Schismatic baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, if he be not joined to God's Church, how great alms soever he give, and although he shed his blood for Christ's sake, can no ways be saved: for every man that holdeth not the unity of the Church, neither baptism nor alms, although never so great, neither death suffered for Christ's cause, can profit unto salvation, as long as heretical lewdness persevereth in him, which leadeth unto death. Finally, for such as are within the lap of the Catholic Church, I beseech them to square their lives according to the precepts and rules of Catholic religion, which induce to holiness and perfection of life; and I say unto them with the Apostle. Abijciamus opera tenebrarum, & induamur arma lucis, sicut in die honest ambulemus, non in comm●ssationibus, & ebri●tatibus: non in cubilibus & impudicitijs: non in contentione, & aemulatione, sed induimini jesum Christum. Let us cast away the works of darkness▪ and put on the armour of light, let us walk honestly as in the day time, not in banqueting and drunkenness, not in champering and immundicities, not in contention and emulation, but do you on our Lord jesus Christ. Rom. 13. It is not enough to be in the Catholic Church, unless we live according to the rules of our Catholic religion. If we give ourselves to sensuality and voluptuousness, if we stick not to commit grievous and enormous sins; yea, if we endeavour not to live virtuously, godly and uprightly, we cannot hope to be saved: for as saith Saint Augustine most excellently, Firmissime tene & nullatenus dubites non omnes qui intra Ecclesiam Catholicam baptizantur, accepturos esse vitam aeternam: sed eos qui percepto baptismate recte viwnt, id est, qui absti●uerunt se à vitijs & concupiscentijs carnis. Regnum enim coelorum sicut Infideles, Haeretic● atque Schismatici non habebunt: sic Catholici criminosi possidere non poterunt. Hold it most firely, and doubt not any ways, that not all which are baptized within the Catholic Church shall receive life everlasting: but they which being baptized live well, that is, which have abstained from vices and desires of the flesh. For the Kingdom of heaven, as faithless Heretics and Schismatics shall not have; so sinful Catholics cannot possess. God almighty vouchsafe to grant, that we which be Catholics, may so order and dispose our lives, as may be to the glory of God, edification of others, and salvation of our own souls. PRAYERS FOR CONVERSION OF heretics AND schismatics. OMnipotens aeterne Deus, erue quaesimus Haereticos atque Schismaticos ab erronibus universis, & ad sanctam Matrem Ecclesiam Catholicam atque Apostolicam revocare digneris. Per Dominum nostrum jesum Christum Filium tuum qui tecum vivit & regnat in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alia oratio. OMnipotens aeterne Deus, qui saluas omnes, & neminem vis periro, respice ad animas, diabolica fraud deceptas, ut omni haeretica pravitate deposita, errantium corda recipiscant, & ad veritatis tuae redeant unitatem. Per Dominum nostrum jesum Christum, etc. Alia oratio. DEus qui errata corrigis, & dispersa congregas, & congregata conseruas, quaesumus super populum Christianum tuae unionis gratiam clementer infunde: ut diuisione rejecta vero Pastori Ecclesiae tuae se uniens, tibi dign valeat famulari. Per Dominum nostrum, etc. OF THE TEMPORAL PROSPERITY AND FELICITY OF THEM WHICH have defended the Church. WE have seen to what miserable destruction divers notorious enemies of God and his Church have fallen: I could have added hereunto most memorable examples of meaner, but yet honourable and worshipful Families, as also of divers. Countries, Kingdoms and People's, which either in respect of their revolt from the Catholic Church, or their opposition against the same, have come to utter ruin and desolation. And is not this that the Prophet Isay, or rather God almighty, by the Prophet threateneth, Isai. 60. 12. Gens, & Regnum quod non seruierit tibi peribit, The Nation & Kingdom which will not serve thee shall perish: that is, such Kingdoms and People as will not subject themselves to the yoke of Christ, and obedience of his Church, shall perish. Were not the most flourishing parts of the world for their fall to Arianism, Donatism, Nestorianisme, and other condemned heresies, for a just punishment of God overrun and brought to desolation by the Saracens, and by infinite barbarous and savage people, Goths, Vandals, Huns, Alanes, and others? All Histories are full of these matters, expressly setting down the cause of the overthrow of so many goodly countries in Asia, but especially Africa; and in Europe, as Italy, Spain, France, Germany, England, with other more. Were not these goodly parts of the world, near about us, together with all Africa, overrun and destroyed by the Goths, Vandals, and other barbarous people, for Schism and Heresy? Were not the Britons in this Island, after they were infect with the Heresy of Pelagius, thrust out of their seats, most of them destroyed, and the remnant driven into the barrenest parts of the Island by the Saxons? And I should never make an end, if I should proceed to bring so many instances in this point, as are recorded in all sorts of Chronicles and writings extant in the world. But now let us relate some few examples of so many of the temporal prosperity, and happy success of such Princes as adhered to the Church, honoured and defended it. First, those noble victories are well known which are recorded in the old Testament, as the victories of Abraham, Moses, josua, Gedeon, Samuel, David, Ezechias, josias, and the Maccabees. In the new Testament, that is, in the Law of Grace, Constantine the Great, which first of all the Emperors publicly defended the Church, almost in like sort vanquished Maxentius, as Moses did Pharaoh; for Maxentius was drowned in Tiber, as Pharaoh in the Red-sea. Euseb. lib. 9 hist. cap. 9 Of him speaketh Saint Augustine, lib. 5. de Civitate Dei, cap. 25. Constantine the Emperor not suppliant to Devils, but worshipping the true God, received so many gifts and blessings from God, as none durst presume to wish: this one Augustus held, possessed and defended the whole Roman Empire: In administering and making war, he was most victorious; in vanquishing and repressing Tyrants, wonderful prosperous▪ being of great years, he died of sickness and old age, and left sons three, Emperors, to succeed him. Of THEODOSIVS the elder, in the same place writeth the same S. August. cap. 26. that he had wonderful success in all his affairs, because he was very pious and Catholic: that in the battles he fought with his enemies, their own weapons, darts and arrows, were retorted upon the authors, God almighty fight for him. Moreover, L. Theodoret, in his fift book of history, cap. 24. reporteth that S. john and S. Philip the Apostles, appeared fight for the Emperor Theodosius in the same battle, riding upon white horses. Of HONORIUS also, who was a most Catholic Emperor, and most addicted to the Pope, as in his epistles to Pope Boniface appeareth, as writeth S. Aug. l. 5. de civit. Dei, c. 23. that God did so fight for him, as in one battle he slew of the Goths above an hundred thousand, and did take Radagaisus the King, with his sons, and put him to death: and (which was most admirable) there was not so much as one of his army either killed or wounded. Of THEODOSIVS the younger, writeth Socrat. l. 7. hist. cap. 18. that his army skirmishing with the Barbarians, and himself in the mean space making his prayers unto God within the city, about an hundred thousand of the Saracens were beaten and driven by Angels into the river Euphrates, and so perished miserably. JUSTINTAN the elder, whilst he was Catholic reigned most prosperously, in so much as he restored to the Roman Empire-Italy, afric and many other Provinces, as appeareth in Euagrius l. 4. hist. c. 26. & sequentibus. But after he became an Heretic, and purposed to set forth an Edict for receiving of his heresy, forthwith he died suddenly, and so delivered the Church from great fear, as writeth the same Euagrius, lib. 4. cap. vlt. HERACLIUS also, as appeareth in Zonoras', and other Historiographers, whilst he was Catholic got a most honourable and admirable victory against the Persians, and recovered the holy Cross, at which time the state of the Roman Empire was altogether desperate; but after he fell into the heresy of the Monothelites, he ever had evil success, nothing ever succeeding with him, and himself was extinct of a new and strange disease. Also it is manifest by the histories of the Greeks', that the Emperors of the East, from that time, by reason of the dissension about Images, they divided themselves from the Church of Rome, still decreased in power and authority, until at last they utterly lost the Empire. And in the West it is plain by the histories of the Latins, that the Emperors did more or less flourish, as they were more or less addicted to the Church of Rome. In the time of Urban the second, unto the year of our Lord M. xcviij. the Christians in that holy war made by the Pope for the recovery of jerusalem, when they were in most desperate state, because of the approaching of an infinite host of the Turks and Persians, and they were but a few in number, and well-near starved for lack of food; in so much as even the most valiant and stoutest men did go leaning upon their staves, neither had they but a few horses, so as the principal of them, to wit, Godfrey was forced to borrow a horse, and many Princes were constrained to ride upon Asses: at last God revealed where was the Lance of Christ, and it being carried before them, gave victory in the war, in so much as there were slain of the Turks an hundred thousand, and scarcely four thousand of the Christians lost. And there fell from heaven a dew upon them, which comforted and refreshed both their bodies and their souls. Finally, there appeared from heaven three holy men fight for them. See Paulus Aemilius lib. 4. Guill. Tyr. lib. 6. near the end, and Dodechimus, which continueth the story of Marianus Scotus. In the time of INNOCENTIUS the third, in France, of eight thousand Catholics, were slain in one battle an hundred thousand of the Albigensian Heretics, as writeth Aemilius, lib 6. hist. Francor. In our days, 1531. the Catholics of Helvetia fought five battles in defence of the Catholic faith, against the Heretics of Helvetia, and in every one of them the Catholics got the victory, whereas they were both in number and power far inferior to the Heretics. See Io. Coclaeus in Act. Lutheri. 1531. CHARLES the fift got a victory against the Lutherans, not without a miracle from heaven. Anno 1547. Many other miraculous victories which the Catholics have got against Heretics, both in France and other parts, might hereunto be annexed; but let these suffice. Regi saeculorum immortali & invisibili, s●lt Deo honour & gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen. THE ENDS OF BURDEN OF DOVER, AND OTHERS HIS ASSOCIATES, WHICH IN THE beginning of Queen ELIZABETH'S Reign, went to Canterbury from Dover in derision and lewd sort, to take their leave of divers Catholics of Canterbury. Burden was the Controller of the Custom in Dover. 1 BURDEN being their Pope, within a few years after died at Dover in most loathsome and miserable sort, his friends which came to visit him, were not able to abide the intolerable stink of his body. 2 STORER a Preacher, which carried the Pix, with some filthy thing in it; in their Procession died at Maydston in Kent, being the Preacher of that town; he rotten from the toe upwards until he died: he did savour so, as he was loathsome to all that in good will came to visit him in his sickness, and so most miserably died at Maydston. 3 ROGER WOOD, the Town-clerk of Dover being the Crosse-bearer, died in Smith field at London, foaming at the mouth, with his tongue hanging out in loathsome sort, as big swollen as a bullock's tongue, and died most miserably with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. 4 MINGE▪ a Iurate of Dover, another of that lewd company, himself sitting at table eating, the fit over him fell down, and pressed him to death. His house was at the Peter at Dover, where this befell him. 5 JOHN ROBBINS▪ a Iurate of Dover, another of this company, being at Dunkyrk in Flanders, and putting his bark from the kaye of Dunkyrk, fell into the water, and bet