THE FIRST EXAMINATION OF Mr George Blackwell Arch Priest, assigned by the Pope for England.
Taken at Lambeth by the most Reuerend Father in God, the L. Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace and some others, the 25. day of Iune, 1607.
BEeing demanded, M Blackwel was apprehended neere Clerken well on Midsummer day at night, viz. 24 Iunij. Whether his name were Blackwel, He answered out of a place of [...] Chrysostome writing vpo those words, Estote prudentes si [...]t serpentes, & simplices sicut columbae; That before hee came into trouble, he was to vse all caution for the preseruation of his head, that is, of his faith: but now that he is apprehended, hee is to deale simply without [Page 2] any duplicitie. And there upon he acknowledged his name to bee George Blackwell, and that he was Arch-Priest, which Office hee hath borne about nine or ten yeeres.
Georgius Blackwellus Archipres-byter.
¶The second Examination of M. Blackwell taken at Lambeth, &c. the 26. of Iune 1607.
HEe confesseth, he hath not his Pardon, but sayth that he laboured to haue obtained it: but no man durst mooue for it, his name being so knowen.
Being demanded, How hee durst take such an Office vpon him as he hath, to direct and command, first her late Maiesties, and now the Kings Subjects without their consent, hee answereth; That it was layd [Page 3] vpon) him without his seeking for it: That hee vndertooke onely to keepe the Priests in order, and to stay all vnlawfull attempts so farre as he was able &c.
Georgius Blackwellus Archi presbyter.
¶The third Examination of M. Blackwell, taken at Lambeth, &c. the last day of Iune 1607.
MAster Blackwell being required to deliuer his knowledge [...]hing a Booke lately come forth, Intituled, Quaestiones duae de sacris alienis non adeundis, ad vsum praxim (que), Angliae breuiter explicate: concerning the occasion, and authour of it, saith, that as he thinketh, M. Parsons is the authour of it; and that he so thinketh, by reason of the subscription, R. P. and vpon no other information.
[Page 4] That the occasion of the treatise (as he supposeth) was a certaine short Pamphlet of a sheete and an halfe, as hee guesseth, written by Thomas Wright a Priest, conteining certaine reasons, to prooue it lawfull for Recusants, to goe to the Church here in England; which reasons being sent to Rome (but not by this Examinate, nor with his priuitie) were answered in such sort, as in the said Treatise doeth appeare.
Being hereupon demaunded, whether the said treatise written by M. Parsons as aforesaid, bee generally receiued by the Priestes here in England, as conteining a true decision of the points it handleth: he answereth, that the same notwithstanding, unus quis que abundat in suo sensu, as he supposeth, &c.
Georgius Blackwellus, Archi-presbyter.
¶The fourth Examination of M. Blackwell, taken at Lambeth, &c. the first of Iuly 1607.
THat he was appointed Archpriest by Henry Cardinall Caietane, as appeareth [...] the said Cardinals Letter, beginning, The effect of this Breue and of the other, is set downe in the latter end. Scitum est &c. and dated from Rome the 7. of March, 1598.
That the said Cardinall together with the said Letter, sent vnto him certaine instructions for his direction, and better execution of his Office, the first whereof beginneth thus, Cùm praecipua intentio suae sanctitatis sit, &c. They bare the same date with the said Letter, viz. 7o. Martij, 1598.
That hee receiued the said Letter and instructions the 9. day of May following, viz. anno 1598.
That vpon the receit thereof, hee acquainted two Priests with the contents of [Page 6] them, and from that time forward did execute his Office for peace, and for restraint of the stubbornnesse of some.
That in Nouember following, another Letter was directed vnto him from the said Cardinall, beginning, Admodum Reuerende, &c. and bearing date 10. Nouember, Anno. 1598.
That the yeere after he receiued a Breue from Pope Clement the 8. for the Confirmation of his Office. The Breue began thus: Ad futuram rei memoriam, &c. and bare date 6o Aprilis, Anno 1599.
That hee made the same knowen vnto some of his Assistants; that the same yeere hee receiued certaine Spirituall Faculties from Cardinall Caietane, in number, eight: which he sent vnto some of his Assistants. The Faculties were thus intituled, Facultates concedendae Sacerdotibus, &c. and his Letter which he sent vnto his Coadiutors, began thus: Dilectiss. Coadintores, iam tandem à superioribus deducta est ad me potestas communicandi facultates, &c. My beloued [Page 7] Coadiutors, now at the last, is brought vnto me from my Superiours, authoritie to graunt Faculties, &c.
Memorandum, that the Copies of all the said Breues and Letters were in the hands of the L. Archbishop of Canturbury, and acknowledged to be true by M. Blackwell.
Georgius Blackwellus, Archi-presbyter.
¶The fift Examination taken at Lambeth, &c. the second of Iuly 1607.
THat he receiued another Breue from Clement the 8. beginning, Cùm nobilissimum Angliae Regnum, &c. and dated from S. Makes in Rome, 17. Augusti Anno 1601.
That he published the said Breue, wherin hee is declared to bee Arch-priest in the whole Realme of England, and to be placed by the same authority the Prefect ouer all the Catholikes in England. This Breue, [Page 8] he saith, did afterwards appeare vnto him, to haue beene vnlawfully sent into this Realme.
That certaine Bookes being printed Permissu Superiorum, hee certified the Catholikes, that they might with a safe conscience reade them, as not being within the compasse of the sayd Breue.
That hee receiued from Rome another Breue, beginning, Venerunt nuper ad Nos nonnulli Sacerdotes Angliae, being dated, 5. Octob. 1602.
That he published the said Breue, which had been published before, and printed by the discontented Priests that procured it.
That he gaue order for generall prayers to bee had for the good successe of that which was intended by himselfe in his prayers: which was not (as hee sayth) for any good successe towards the Rebels in Ireland in the late Queenes time: but forasmuch as there was a certaine report giuen out of the Infanta her being with childe, that shee might haue a safe deliuerance: [Page 9] adding, that he euer detested those courses in Ireland.
That vpon the late Queenes death, when his Maiestie was proclaimed King, he was very ioyfull; sent wine to a bonfire not farre from him: and afterwards, fearing some euill intent, because hee perceiued some, who had been alwayes too forward in disobedient attempts, to goe with great attendance vpon them in gallantrie, hee divulged his letters of perswasion and commaundement (so much as lay in him) to all Catholikes and Priests, that in any wife they should be quiet, and attempt nothing, but liue as became Subiects, in duetiful and peaceable obedience.
That vpon the publishing of the othe of Allegeance made the last Session of this present Parliament, he divulged his iudgement and direction for the lawfulnesse of the taking of that oath: and many Priests did concurre with him in opinion therein, though there were some that dissented.
That when M. Singleton was banished, [Page 10] this Examinate, as fearing that his former direction should be disliked in Rome, did deliuer vnto him the reasons of such his opinion, and directions to be imparted euen vnto the Pope himselfe, if occasion should require.
That matters were handled with such speede, as that M. Singleton in his iourney towards Rome met a Breue from this Pope Paul the fifth, at Sienna, comming towards the Low Countries, to be sent from thence hither.
That after the departure of M. Singleton, this Examinate not contenting himselfe with that which he had committed to his relation, prepared one purposely, to haue been sent to Rome with all his reasons in writing: and in the meane while, till his sayd messenger might be ready, he wrote his Letters and reasons with a more speedy passage, to haue stayed all directions or Breues against the taking of the sayd oath of Allegeance.
That when his sayd Letters were come [Page 11] to Rome, none durst present his reasons to the Pope: that M. Singleton sent him word, how he himselfe hauing had speach with the chiefest Cardinals, and most of the learned men in Rome, did finde them to be in opinion contrary to this Examinate: and that his this Examinates sayd opinion is condemned already in Salamanca, as hee hath been informed.
That afterwards the sayd Breue which M. Singleton met at Sienna, came to this Examinate: but with no more particular direction to him, then to all other Catholikes.
That this Examinate hauing receiued the said Breue, as others likewise had, did shew the same vnto some persons: but hee sayeth, that hee did neuer publish it: and, that he hath bin challenged both at home, and from abroade, and greatly blamed in that respect: adding, that when some haue vrged him in that behalfe, his answere was, that he would not thrust his head into the halter wilfully: and that therefore hee vtterly [Page 12] denyeth theThis Letter cō teineth the publication of the said Breue, against the taking of the oath aforesaid. Letter shewed vnto him dated 28. Septem. 1606. to haue proceeded from him, or that euer hee had any knowledge of it, but sayeth it was falsely giuen out in his name.
Georgius Blackwellus, Archi-presbyter.
¶The sixth Examination taken at Lambeth, &c. the third of Iuly 1607.
BEing demaunded, whether vpon the receipt of the sayd Breue last mentioned, his former opinion for the lawfulnesse of the taking of the sayd oath of Allegeance, be altered: After a due time of deliberation he saith, that his said opinion is not altered by the said Breue, or by any other reason which hitherto he hath seene.
Being further asked, whether hee doe [Page 13] hold this a lawfull oath to be taken by Catholiques in England, and whether hee himselfe, if he shalbe required, will take the same, he saith, that the oath carying that sense,His Maiesties speech in the Parliament, letter C. pag 1. Their point of doctrine is that arrogant and ambitious Supremacie of their Head the Pope, whereby he not only claimes to be Spirituall head of all Christians, but also to haue an Imperiall ciuill power ouer all Kings and Emperors, dethroning and decrowning Princes with his foote as pleaseth him, and dispensing and disposing of all Kingdomes and Empires at his appetite. The other point which they obserue in continuall practise, is the assassinates and murthers of Kings, thinking it no sinne, but rather a matter of saluation, to do all actions of rebellion and hostilitie against their naturall Soueraigne Lord, if he be once cursed, his subiects discharged of their fidelity, and his Kingdom giuen a pray by that three crowned Monarch, or rather Monster their Head. which his Maiesties words, touching the doctrine of the Church of Rome in that behalfe, do seeme to import in his speech before the Lords & the rest in Parliament, 19. Martij 1603. His iudgement is, That the same may and ought to be taken by al the Catholikes in England, and that he himselfe, if it shalbe tendered vnto him, will not refuse to take it.
And hereupon he wished, that he might but haue spoken with Master Drury before his death: in that he vnderstandeth his life had bene preserued, if he would haue taken that oath.
Being further demaunded, forasmuch [Page 14] as his sayd former opinion for the lawfulnesse of taking the said oath is not altered, whether he can be content, to write to the Priests as much as heretofore he hath deliuered vnto them by word of mouth, touching that his opinion: he saith, that when he first deliuered his said opinion, hee did relie vpon certaine reasons sent by him to Rome, (the briefe whereof he hath before set downe in one of his former Examinations:) and that, his opinion continuing the same it was before, he could be content to write as much concerning the lawfulnesse of taking the sayd oath, as before hee hath deliuered in speech to some Priests, were it not, that hee should therein subiect himselfe to great opposition: and therefore now addeth, that relying vpon his Maiesties sayd words, as formerly hee did, and now perceiuing, how the Parliament did purposely auoyd in the penning of the sayd oath, to call into question the Popes authoritie to Excommunicate, but did only intend to preuent the daungers which [Page 15] might ensue by the supposed doctrine of such inferences, as thereupon haue beene made, and are mentioned in that oath; he can be content to publish in writing vnder his seale to all the Catholique Priests in England, that in the sense aboue by him expressed, he thinketh it lawfull for them to take the sayd oath: and doth himselfe take the same accordingly: viz.
IGeorge Blackewell doe truely and sincerely acknowledge, professe, testifie, and declare in my conscience before God and the world, That our Souereigne Lord King Iames is lawfull and rightfull king of this Realme, and of all other his Maiesties Dominions and Countreyes; And that the Pope, neither of himselfe, nor by any authoritie of the Church, or See of Rome, or by any other meanes with any other, hath any power, or authoritie to depose the King, or to dispose any of his Maiesties Kingdomes or Dominions, or to authorize any forreine prince to inuade or annoy him, or his countreys, or to discharge any [Page 16] of his subiects of their allegeance and obedience to his Maiestie, or to giue licence, or leaue to any of them to beare armes, raise tumult, or to offer any uiolence or hurt to his Maiesties royall Person, State, or gouernment, or to any of his Maiesties subiects within his Maiesties Dominions.
Also I doe sweare from my heart, that notwithstanding any Declaration or sentence of Excommunication or Depriuation made or granted, or to be made or granted by the Pope, or his Successours, or by any Authoritie deriued, or pretented to be deriued from him, or his See against the said King, his Heires or Successours, or any absolution of the said Subiects from their Obedience; I will beare faith and true allegeance to his Maiestie, his Heires and Successors, and him and them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoeuer, which shall be made against his or their Persons, their Crowne and Dignitie, by reason or colour of any such Sentence or Declaration, or otherwise, and will doe my best endeauour to disclose and [Page 17] make knowen unto his Maiestie, his Heires and Successours, all Treasons and traiterous conspi [...]ies, which I shall know or heare of to be against him or any of them.
And I doe further sweare, That I doe from my heart abhorre, detest, and abiure, as impious and hereticall, this damnable doctrine and position, That Princes which be excommunicated or depriued by the Pope, may be deposed or murdered by their Subiects, or any other whatsoeuer.
And I doe belieue, and in conscience am resolued, That neither the Pope, nor any person whatsoeuer, hath power to absolue mee of this Oath, or any part thereof, which I acknowledge by good and full Authoritit to be lawfully ministred vnto mee, and doe renounce all Pardons and Dispensations to the contrarie.
And all these things I doe plainely and sincerely acknowledge and sweare according to these expresse words by me spoken, and according to the plaine and common sense and understanding of the same words, without any Equiuocation, or mentall euasion, or secret reseruation [Page 18] whatsoever. And I doe make this recognition and acknowledgment heartily, willingly, and truely, upon the true faith of a Christian: So helpe me God.
George Blackwell Arch-priest.
¶The seuenth Examination, taken at Lambeth, &c. the 4. of Iuly 1607.
MAfter Blackwell being vrged to explicate himselfe more fully touching the sense hee relieth vpon out of his Maiesties words 19. Martij 1603. since published in print: in that he may so vnderstand them, as notwithstanding his oath formerly taken, that duety which is expected is no way satisfied: because his Maiesties meaning is euident, that he doeth account it to proceede from appetite, and rashnesse in any of the Bishops of Rome whosoeuer, who presuming to excommunicate any [Page 19] King, shall by the same either absolue his Subiects from their obedience, or excite them to beare Armes against him, or authorize them to lay violent hands vpon his Person, or to stirre vp any sedition or tumult within his Kingdome, or to assist any that shall make such Attempts either against the King, or the State of the Kingdome:
Hee answereth for the further opening of his meaning, That no lawfull Excommunication can [...]roduce such effects, nor ought to inforce the same. And he further saith, First, that he is verily perswaded in his conscience, that the Bishop of Rome wil neuer Excommunicate his Maiestie; and yet that if he should so do, and in the same take vpon him to discharge his Maiesties subiects of their allegeance, or require them to beare Armes against him, or to offer violence vnto his Royall person; he this Examinate would neuerthelesse for his owne part continue his Maiesties faithfull Subiect: and that in his iudgement, all Catholikes [Page 20] ought to concurre, with him therein, notwithstanding any thing in the sayd Excommunication that might be inserted or threatned against those Catholikes, that should so doe. For he verily thinketh, and therein is resolute, that no lawfull Excommunication can bee iustly denounced or published against his Maiestie, that can or ought to worke any such effects: but that all his Maiesties Subiects, the same notwithstanding, doe continue obliged vnto him, as fully to all intents and purposes, as euer they were before, or as if the sayd Excommunication had neuer bene either framed, denounced, or published.
Georgius Blackwellus Archi-presbyter.