SYr, your priuate occasions which you recom­mend to my care, I haue so tendered, that euery thing is as forward as any diligence of mine can set it, and in my last haue explaned to the full, the course I tooke, which I trust is cōformable to the di­rections you sent mee, and will I hope haue the suc­cesse that both you and I desire. The progresse of the matter you shall vnderstand as occasion serueth. In the end of your Letter, you make mention of a diui­sion lately growne amongst vs, who should be ex­amples of loue and vnion, and laments the bitter fruites sprung thereof, as pernicious to many a Chri­stian soule. Whereof diuers friends of mine by name are charged to be some cause, for that they were not ready at first to yeeld to the late authoritie of Maister Blackwell, nor as yet can be brought to acknowledge the same. Truly Syr, for that you are my friend, and I throughly acquainted with the origine & processe of the difference, I thought it my part, for your better information, & discharge of my blamelesse friends, briefly to set downe what is done in this matter, and vpon what ground, and then to leaue the censure of it to your prudent consideration.

To build sure, I lay this foundation; that it is nei­ther pietie nor true obedience, at the first sight to ad­mit any authoritie but such as is orderly procured, and lawfully promulgated, in such sort that subiects [Page 10] may remaine morally sure, that it proceedeth frō the true fountaine of superioritie truly enformed, which of it selfe is so manifest that it needeth no proofe; for the contrary were to open the way to all forgeries and intrusions: and in fine, the ouerthrow of all Ca­nonicall proceedings. Here hence followeth; that which true prudence and vertue doo dictate: that when any new and extraordinary authoritie is pub­lished, they whom it concerneth; before that by ac­ceptance they approue it, should of dutie looke and examine whether it be accompanied with the con­ditions aboue mentioned, and so admit or reiect it, as discretion & conscience shall require. To the pur­pose, in both these conditions of lawfull authoritie, this we speake of is feared to hault, and not without great presumption. And for that to handle both at large would exceed the limits of a Letter; and a de­fect in either, doth sufficiently warrant their procee­dings, I wil leaue the first, (for that must needs touch particular persons and their actions: which without further occasion and very iust, I am loath to do) and shew briefly how the manner of promulgation is in no way sufficient, but rather full of suspition, and gi­ueth iust occasion of distrust.

And first the credit of this promulgation, dooth wholly hang vpon their credits, who taketh autho­ritie vpon them, who for that they are parties in this action, may iustly be suspected as partiall in their owne cause, which cannot choose but leaue the matter doubtfull in any indifferent mind: or such at least as no man is in conscience bounde to beleeue. [Page 11] Againe, put case they were lawfulll promulgators, yet they bring nothing sufficient to ordaine such au­thoritie or iurisdiction: to erect such an authoritie, cannot be lesse then an expresse commaundent of his Holinesse: and giuen for this particular purpose. And the same also authentically notified of al which the aduerse part sheweth nothing, for neither do they challenge any such expresse decree from his Holi­nesse: but onely order giuen to the Cardinal Pro­tector, to take vp our controuersies and iarres here, which is nothing to build such an extraordinary su­perioritie vpon: or if they did, we are not to giue full credit to the Cardinall his bare word, in a matter of so great weight: seeing that in such businesse he hath heretofore bene founde ouermuch affected to the one part, who haue their finger and hand in these af­faires, and for this reason hath bene excepted against as vnfit to iudge in such causes, that so neare concern those parties as these things do, therefore these men demaund but right, if they require an authenticall instrument from his holines to specifie his will here­in, and in the meane while determine nothing, but rest ready to imbrace whatsoeuer his holines shal ap­point.

Furthermore, there are now 8. or 9. moneths past, sith first the authoritie was diuulged, & sithence the lawfulnes therof, for the reasons aboue mentioned and diuers others was doubted of, as not proceeding from his holines: yet the maintainers notwithstan­ding the hotte, eager, & earnest course that they take in defence of it, would neuer obtaine the least ticket, [Page 12] or testimony vnder his holinesse hand, or directly from him, in confirmation of it: nor yet to notefie that euer any suche matter was appointed by him; knowing that such a note woulde haue ended the whole controuersie. And this maketh men in their mindes to question with themselues in this sort: doo not these men by ordinary course, monethly or oft­ner receiue Letters from Rome? hath not Cardinall Caietan weekely, yea daily accesse to his holinesse as other Cardinalls haue? doo they want fauour with him who is wholly theirs; or his forwardnes to fur­ther that himselfe hath either begunne or followed; and for the credit whereof, hee hath graunted what Letters themselues would request, and as effectuall as themselues could drawe them? or would his holi­nesse refuse to testifie that he is the appointer of this authoritie if it had proceeded frō him? No, no, there is cunning some where, which when matters are dis­couered will quickly appeare. And this is confirmed with another presumption of no lesse moment then the former. For when these friends of mine by vni­forme consent of many of their owne brethren, wise and learned, & the auncientest, had resolued peace­ably and quietly to send ouer to knowe the Popes pleasure in this matter, they sent to the contrary part, to intreat thē to haue so much patience as to expect what answere these messengers did receiue from his holinesse: and if matters proued to be so as they said they were, then without further resistance, euery bo­dy was ready to ioyne with them, & to resist whoso­euer should resist them: and so the whole matter [Page 13] might haue bene very briefly and quietly ended be­tween themselues in loue and charitie, without scan­dall or hurt to any.

But this so reasonable a request could not be heard, but as if they had feared some present daunger now after sending, they posted about more earnestly then euer before, send abroad papers, threaten excommu­nications, promise fauours, abuse the laitie with infamous reports of their brethren, sending into all quarters of the countrey to begge hands and sub­scriptions: and where any for what iust cause soeuer did refuse, their meanes open or secret were deuised to supplant and disgrace them, and accusations for­ged to withdraw their lay friends, and consequently their maintenance from them. Which must needes constraine the wronged to defend and cleare them­selues euen with the same lay-friends; & so the mat­ter grew to a cōtention, & became publikely knowne amōg the Laitie, that women & childrē do tattle and descant euery where, and passe their censure therof. And what followeth of this, euery body may see, and it is too lamentable to speake or write, what hurt our cause hath sustained hereby.

But what good I pray you did these men pretend by so hurtfull a course? Was the Pope so desirous of thankes that it must be procured with such broyles? I cannot thinke it. Certes it maketh men iustly to mistrust, that there is a further matter intended then in shewe they pretend: and that these hands & sub­scriptions by such meanes and so carefully procured to be sent ouer in such haste, must serue to salue and [Page 14] heale somewhat that is not sound there: happily to draw the Pope to consent to that which perchance he neuer heard or allowed of, and so heereby con­straine men to put too their hands, saying it is his ho­linesse will they should doo so, and there perswade the Pope to allow of it, for that it is the Priests volun­tary request & sute here. By which meanes no doubt but that they may easily procure the Popes confir­mation; who is and hath bene ready to referre the choosing of the superiour to the Priests of England, as Father Persons himselfe can witnesse: which was the cause that at the beginning when such a matter was proposed to his holinesse: he would not proceed in it without they agreed & consented also, as there is great reason for him. For whose aduise, consent, and allowance, are required to the choosing of a su­periour, if not theirs that are to obey and liue vnder the said superiour, when he is chosen? do not the fel­lowes in euery house in Oxenford (and according to the statutes and foundation) choose and elect their head and Rector? Do not likewise all the religious companies choose their superiour? Nay do not theDist. 63. cap. 12. & Dist. 61. cap. 13. Canons of holy Churh decree that Priestes should haue the election of their Bishop? and this late au­thority is for the amplenesse, in punishing more then Bishoplike. Yea the Canons allowe further, that the Cleargy may, and should (if they finde themselues wronged by hauing a Bishop put on them against their consent and liking) resist and withstand the in­trusion or iniury; And not only Popes haue decreed that their Cleargy should choose their Bishops, but [Page 15] Emperours haue constituted the same: as appeareth by the ordinary glosse vpon 63. Distinction, cap. 34. All which, maketh our friends refusal much more iu­stifiable.

And last of all, M. Blackwell himselfe reported, that he had authoritie to excommunicate and command to the Court of Rome; which now belike, vpon better scanning of his authoritie, hee goes from. Againe shewing his instruction, said, that they were made at Rome, and by the Contents being conuinced that they were made in England, could not deny it; which sure cannot choose but make men more doubtfull of what he affirmeth in his owne affaires. Now good Sir, these reasons well weighed, cannot but leaue any indifferent minde doubtfull whether this proceede from supreme authoritie or not; which doubt, can­not more quietly, clearely, and orderly be resolued, then by sending men of conscience and iudgement, to know his holinesse wil, if he haue not decreed and appointed it, to let him vnderstand the abuse, & take order for the reforming of it. If he haue, then to sig­nifie wherein perchance he might be misinformed, that therby he may the better redresse what is amisse; or if after due information, his wisedome shall think the course taken, to be for the benefite of our cause and countrey, then they carry a mind prostrate bothHow then could their delay be schisme, they being alike ready to obey. for themselues, and in the name of the rest that ioy­ned with them in this action, to accept and obey whatsoeuer the Apostolicall sea shall herein decree. This course I know not what reason any man may haue to condemne, as either rash, or vncharitable, [Page 16] much lesse why these men should be termed for their iust proceeding, factious, seditious, schismaticall, or the like. Heereby also you may perceiue, where the roote and true cause of the scandalous reports which daily come to your eares doth remaine; notwith­standing the libertie of speech, clamours, and vniust exclamations of some who would haue it to be else­where. I pray God that these men doo build vpon God almighty, and not vpon their owne wittes and deuises. Heere I say nothing of the iust exceptions that many make against the manner of procuring this authoritie, which are neither fewe, nor yet of small moment, but these wil be deliuered in an other place by them that shall informe his holinesse: and if occasion shall require, and we be pressed therevn­to, you shall vnderstand them in an other Letter. In the meane while, take and peruse this with indiffe­rencie, and iudge as reason and conscience shall dic­tate.

Fareyewell.

VEry Reuerend Syr, As from my very cradle I acknowledge my self many wayes beholding vnto you, for your manifold courtesies, both towards me and other of my dea­rest friends; so haue I had alwaies a speciall desire, to yeeld such corre­spondence in my demeanour, as I might neither giue you, nor any other of my friends, iust occasion to withdraw from me their friendly affection. Ne­uerthelesse I gather by some speeches that passed not long since, betweene you and a friend of yours and mine, that you haue conceiued a worse opinion of mee, then wittingly I haue deserued, or willingly would deserue. The sinister reports of some, whose endeuours are different from their professiō, hauing caused in you, not onely a surmise, but as it seemeth, a strong and firme opinion, that I am disobedient to the See Apostolicke, and enemy to the Fathers of the societie, and a contemner of the late authoritie of our Arch-priest. These be the crymes wherewith I suppose, both my selfe and diuers others are taxed, (or truer) most iniuriously slaundered. Being there­fore very vnwilling to permit you to remaine in that [Page 18] opinion grounded vpon mere fictions and falsities, I determined to make mine Apologie with you, and to yeeld you reason for all my proceedings in these matters: which being weighed in the equal ballance of your indifferent iudgement, I nothing doubt but it will yeeld you full satisfaction, and giue you some light to see how you haue hitherto beene abused by false informers. I know it to be a difficult thing so to take away and remoue, out of a mature minde, a con­ceit, which hath long without contradiction posses­sed it, so to take it away I say, as there remaine no scruple nor doubt thereof. Yet when I doo con­sider on the one side, your graue and sincere iudge­ment, voyd (as I verily thinke) of all partialitie: and on the other side, the clearenesse and manifest truth of the matter I am to speake of; I cannot almost doubt but so to satisfie these obiected crimes, as that you will easily see, both my selfe and others, to haue suffered mightie wrong by the raisers thereof.

Let me therefore good sir, craue onely this of you, that you will not measure that which I shall say, ac­cording to the preiudiciall opinion which you haue already framed of my person; for so shall you easily preiudice the equitie of my Plea: but let your iudge­ment proceed of the thing it selfe, without respect either to my person or any other, and so being voyd of affection, shall it bee more free from errour. If I say any thing that may leane vppon humaine creditte as matters of narration or fact, I desire to bee beleeued no further, then I can manifestly proue. [Page 19] If I vtter matters of opinion or iudgement, as argu­ments, or reasons for any fact, I desire no more, then that they be measured according to the weight and truth they do containe. This is so indifferent a de­maund, that if I should doubt the graunting thereof, I should in mine opinion, offer you no small wrong. I will therefore Sir, deteine you no longer with vn­profitable circuits of wordes, but I will come to the matter: and whatsoeuer I shall say in mine owne behalfe in this affaire, you may vnderstand it of others that bee of the same opinion with mee there­in.

The former accusations, to weete, that I am diso­bedient to the see Apostolicke, an aduersary to the Fathers, and an impugner of our Arch-priests autho­ritie, are all grounded vpon one and the selfe-same foundation; which I thinke, I shall easily shewe to be both friuolous and false, and consequently ouer­throwe whatsoeuer is built therevpon: howsoeuer some men do labour to fortifie the same, not by the probabilitie of any reason, or equall debating the matter, but by confidence, or rather impudent infa­ming of such as labour to defend the truth.

All these accusations therfore are forged vpon this one principle, because forsoothe I did not acknow­ledge M. Blackwells authoritie vpon the receit onely of Cardinall Caietaines Letters: wherein he affirmed that the Pope had giuen vnto him, authoritie to appoint a gouernment ouer the Seminary Priests in England. For this cause I am saide to resist the Popes authoritie: and because the Iesuites were [Page 20] the procurers of this delegation, therfore am I coun­ted their aduersary, because I did not accept of the thing and meanes to establish it, which they thought good of: And lastly, because I did not acknowledge M. Blackwell for my Ecclesiasticall superiour, vpon the forementioned testimonie, I am said to be an im­pugner of his authoritie.

Loe Syr, here is the whole ground of all the for­mer accusations, neither doo I thinke they laie any thing else to my charge: If they doo, when I may know it, I will either satisfie their obiections, or ac­knowledge my fault and errour. In the mean while, I would to God that they who do accuse me of these or whatsoeuer crimes, would stand to the arbitre­ment of any indifferent Iudge: such a Iudge I meane as hath interest neither in them, nor in me: that his sentence might be voide of all partialitie; most wil­lingly would I binde my selfe to the iudgement of such a one, and if I were conuicted, I would make such satisfaction, as the same Iudge should prescribe. But I know it is not the guise of mine aduersaries to admit any such tryall; for vnlesse they may be accu­sers, informers, and Iudges too, they will stand to no arbitrement. Wherefore to omit this indifferent de­maund, because I am in dispaire to obtaine the grant thereof, I will by shewing mine owne innocencie, make plaine what open iniurie and apparant wrong is offered me.

The first accusation wherevpon the other do de­pend, and therefore that answered, the other must needs also be satisfied, hath so small proofe or proba­bilitie [Page 21] in it, as I cannot but wonder how any man of indifferent iudgement, vnderstanding the state of the matter, should be induced to conforme his opi­nion thervnto. For to disobey, is to resist, contemne, or impugne the knowne commaund of a superiour. To be a schismatique, is wilfully to deuide himselfe from the vnitie of the head as head; or frō the mem­bers of the bodie, as subordinate to the head of gods Church. These propositions are of themselues eui­dent: but if any doubt of them, let him looke. S. Tho­mas touching the first. 22. q. 104. ar. 1. & q. 105. per tō ­tum. Touching the second, 22. q. 39. ar. 1. and Caie­tane, ibidem. These principles being admitted, I mar­uell that any scholler, though but meanely learned, should perswade himselfe, that I did either disobey the Popes holinesse, or incurre any schismaticall re­bellion, by not admitting M. Blackwells authoritie, vpon the onely testimonie of Cardinall Caietanes Letters. But I perceiue there is no paradox so im­probable, that will not finde some approuers. I say therefore, that his holinesse will, was not sufficiently notified by those Letters, to make the refusall of the ordinances conteined therein, either disobedience or schisme, which I prooue by manifold examples. Put the case therefore, that some one of our Nobili­tie here in England, should addresse his Letters into Ireland, or some place of England furthest distant from the Princes abode, in which Letters he should signifie, that he had receiued authoritie frō her Ma­iestie, to ordaine and establish in that Country, what gouernment he thinketh best, and together, specifi­eth [Page 22] such a gouernment, as was neuer heard of in that Countrey, or any other, and this without any other testimony or proofe of his authority, besides his own Letters.

This case being thus put most like vnto ours (sa­uing onely that some circumstances are omitted for breuities sake, that make more for our aduantage) I would demaund of these that accuse me and my bre­theren of schisme, what these subiects ought to doo in this case. If they say that they ought to obey the Noble mans writ, and to admit such a Magistrate as hee dooth appoint them, how discommodious soeuer it seemeth to their Common wealth, and how disagreeing soeuer it bee from the forme of go­uernment of their knowne Prince: they will binde them to so many and imminent incōueniences, that in truth I thinke they wil not auouch such an impro­bability. For first this would be to enforce them to incurre euident daunger of rebellion towards their knowne Prince, by admitting an vsurper: for it may be, notwithstanding his owne word, that he hath no such authoritie: yea though the Prince should truly giue vnto him that authority, yet the subiects hauing no other notice of it but only his own Letters and te­stimony, they should be so farre frō rebelling against their Prince by deferring to admit his ordinances, till they had more perfect intelligence of theyr Prin­ces will; that they should be accounted both pru­dent and loyall for so dooing: and for the contrary, they should worthily be condemned of foolish leui­tie, if not of open conspiracie.

For if they should bee called to account, and bee de­maunded by whose authoritie or commaundement they changed their gouernment, wil any man thinke it shoulde bee a sufficient warrant, to say by such a Lords Letters, specifying no other testimony of his authoritie, but his owne? I cannot thinke that any woulde beleeue that aunswere sufficient to excuse them, at least from suspition of disloyaltie, seeing in this case, they should be no more excuseable, though he had true authoritie, then if he had none at all.

An other inconuenience which these subiects should infallibly run into is, that hereby they should open the way to euery ambitious or seditious person to chalenge the same priuiledge, to haue his owne testimony admitted, whensoeuer he should say, hee hath authoritie from the Prince, to ordaine what he list. Which who seeth not what a heape of inconue­niences it bringeth with it; and these not following chance or accident; but out of the very nature of the thing it selfe, supposing the corruption of humaine frailtie, which no man can take away: which mis­chiefs also do necessarily follow vpon the admission of such a pretended authoritie for the time onely, vntil better certainty may be procured, either for the establishing or reiecting of the same.

But if they say, that these subiects ought to reiect this obtruded and vncertaine authoritie, as a thing voyd of all lawful and customary proceeding in such affaires, & not without great probability of fraud and euident suspition of surreption, they shal speak more cōformably to reason, cōmon sence, & practice, both in ciuill and ecclesiasticall gouernment. [Page 24] But if they will auoid both these extreames (wherof the latter without all comparison is more secure, and doubtlesse of it selfe most lawfull) and say that these subiects ought at least not absolutely to deny the ad­mitting of his authoritie, but to delaie till more per­fit notice be giuen. If, I say, they affirme this, we will yeeld it vnto them; yea, and that the saide subiects, which is much more, are bound of their owne cost and labours, to seeke the further knowledge of their Princes will: and then I demaund of them what of all this, I & my brethren haue offended, whereby we shuld deserue the note of schismatiques, rebels, sedi­tious persōs, or the like Epithetons, which they most prodigally bestow vpon vs. But if they can neither proue nor yet shew any disparitie in the case, which of it selfe seemeth to be too too cleare, I cannot tell how they will auoide the fowle note of slaunderers and detractours, who haue by word and writing, in England, Flaunders, Italy; & where else they come, accused vs of schisme, rebellion, sedition, and the like.

Two disparities, peraduenture, they will alledge in the case: First, that I put the case in ciuill gouern­ment, whereas it ought to be in Ecclesiasticall. The second, that I put the case in one that is not knowne to haue any ordinary authoritie in these affaires, whereas it is contrary in our case, the Cardinall be­ing Protector of our Nation. But both these are ve­rie seely shifts, not worthie of any answere. For first the inconueniences that do follow in the case before proposed, doo follow by so much more euidently in [Page 25] Ecclesiasticall gouernment, by howe much more large the precincts of the Popes iurisdiction are, and further from the place of his abode, thē the gouern­ment of any one temporal Prince, and by how much lesse sensible ordinarily, and more spirituall Ecclesia­sticall punishment is, then is the temporall, for such vsurpers. The second is as friuolous; for albeit Car­dinall Caietaine was our Protectour, and also Cham­berlaine of the Church of Rome, yet is it euident, that by neither of these offices, hee had any ordinary Ec­clesiasticall iurisdiction ouer our Cleargie, especially to erect any new gouernment: and therefore if hee had any authoritie in this matter, it must needs be deligate and extraordinary: and consequently, was as well to notifie vnto vs the same, by some sufficient testimonie besides his owne word, as the Chauncel­lour of England is to shewe his warrant, if he intend to take vpon him the office of the high Martiall, or a­ny other not perteining to the Chauncellourship.

But they wil further obiect, that to deny or doubt of that which the Cardinall affirmeth, is to call his credit into question, whose authoritie ought to be sufficient testimonie for whatsoeuer hee saith: this is their maine obiection, and as it were their Achilles, whereby they would prooue vs all scismatiques. But first this argument concludeth not. For suppose that we did offend in not admitting nor beleeuing his te­stimony for the instituting of this new authoritie, yet it followeth not that we should therfore be schisma­tiques, but at the most, that we sinned against hu­maine credit, which cannot be schisme, as by it selfe [Page 26] is verie euident. But that we neither offend in this manner, it shall appeare by the two last answeres to this obiection; and that we committed not any act of disobedience, by denying to obey the Cardinalls ordinances, it is verie cleare: for it is a farre different thing for any one to deny obedience to him whom he knoweth or beleeueth to be his superiour, and to deny it to him whom he probably thinketh is not his superiour, especially if he do it therefore onely, be­cause he thinketh him not to bee his superiour; of which two, onely the first is properly disobedience: the second is neither disobedience nor any other sin, if it proceed of an opinion as probable, or more pro­bable then the contrary, much lesse when it procee­deth of certaine truth as in our case.

Secondly I say, that they must also answere this obiection, if they admit the case put before: for if we were bounde to obey Cardinall Caietaines ordinan­ces vpon his owne Letters onely, then should the subiects before mentioned, be bound to do the same in that case, and so should follow all the inconueni­ences mentioned.

Thirdly I say, that it is not any offence to denie that vnto any one, that is not due vnto him; but it cannot be due vnto any man thogh in neuer so great honour, to haue his owne testimony admitted for the acknowledging of that authoritie which he hath not of himselfe but from an other, for otherwise eue­ry one in honour might chalenge the same, and so bring confusion in all gouernments.

Fourthly I say, that the authoritie whereby an act of publicke office is practised in any Common­wealth, [Page 27] either ciuil or Ecclesiasticall, requireth a for­mall or iuridicall proofe, to make it authenticall. Which kind of proofe or testimonie, is not required in any other humaine action; for we see that the te­stimonie of an ordinarie person may be sufficient for the Iudge, with helpe of other strong coniectures, to pronounce a partie guiltie or vnguiltie: and yet the Iudge himselfe must shewe other warrant for his authoritie then his owne word, or else his sentence cannot binde, thorow default of the vncertaintie of his iurisdiction, though he be otherwise of neuer so great honour: neither is this any disparagement to his credit, the nature and state of the thing requiring it. The like is in all other actions of publique autho­ritie, as it is manifest by all experience. For albeit, to conuince a man of treason or fellonie, is a greater matter in it selfe, then it is for one to prooue that hee hath the authoritie of a Iudge, or of any other pub­licke officer, yet the testimonie of priuate persons, though otherwise of small estimatiō, serueth for that, and the Princes seale onely sufficeth for the other. Which is not to be imputed to the credit of the par­ties testifying, but to the condition of the thing testi­fied; for which cause it is verie absurd, to say that the testimonie of any man though of neuer so great ho­nour, is sufficient in his owne cause to make proofe of the authoritie he claimeth, without concurrance of any other testimonie; for it is but his owne word, albeit his word would be abundantly sufficient for the proofe of any other humaine matter, as one wit­nesse. For seeing that no man of himselfe, I meane of [Page 38] his own person, hath anie iurisdiction ouer an other: if anie man chalenge it, he must either shewe how he hath it, or else the other is not bound to beleeue him. As for example, Peter is no more bound to beleeue, that Iohn is his superiour, then Iohn is to beleeue, that Peter is his; vnlesse the one can shew it by some suffi­cient proofe besides his owne testimonie, for in that they are not much different, although they differ in wealth or honour: which things authoritie, dooth not consequently follow. And to cōclude this point, I say, if the Cardinall had giuen his word or Letters in testimonie of anie truth, not involuing the vse of authoritie, his testimonie would haue bene admitted without all exception; wherby it appeareth euident­ly, that it was not want of due credit that hindred the admitting of his testimonie in our businesse, but because the nature of the thing it self required other proofe: neither can our aduersaries be ignorant of this, but that they are disposed to contend without matter: for those that will not denie the Sunne to be vp at noone day, cannot denie or doubt of this.

And thus reuerend Sir, you see, that conteining our speech within the compasse that the verie state and condition of the thing requireth, how farre af­fection hath ledde them beyond all sence & reason, that haue condemned their bretheren of horrible schisme, where there is not so much, as any litle shew or probabilitie thereof; though we do consider the matter in all rigour, abstracting from all circumstan­ces, which being verie many and euident for our ad­uantage, make the thing more plaine and cleare. As [Page 29] first, that this authoritie did beare euident suspiti­on (I might say euident proofe) of manifest surrepti­on. Secondly, it was procured cōtrary to the CanonsDist. 63. s [...] plebibus. of holy Church, which prescribe that Priests should haue the election of their Arch-priest. Thirdly, it is against the very light of naturall reason, that a man who is of a distinct gouernment or body, should bee the chiefe: yea, the onely elector and appoynter of the head and gouernour of an other body without the consent thereof. As for a Benedictine Monke, to elect or appoint (for example) the head and generall of the Fathers of the societie, and to thrust him vpon them against their wills and consents. Who euer heard of such an absurditie? Which in our case is by so much more apparant, by how many moe bad cir­cumstances concurre. Fourthly, the thing it selfe car­rieth euident remonstrance of an intollerable bur­den without any commoditie at all, and not without manifest suspition of a plaine plot or stratageme, to confound and take away all Ecclesiasticall Hierar­chie and auncient approoued gouernment in our Church.

These reasons, wherevnto I might adde many moe, if they be not so apparant to you, being thus wrapped vp as it were in a bundle, I shall if you giue me occasion vnfold them, and make them as cleare as the noone-day. Which if they be but indifferent­ly pondered, will not onely cleare vs from all schisme and sinne, but also conuince our accusers of manifest badde dealing: who without all shewe of reason or iust cause, began the quarell, to the open scandall of [Page 30] the world; and yet do labour tooth and nayle to cast the slaunder and ignomie thereof vppon such as were onely defendants, and endeuoured to deliuer themselues from manifest iniury.

Notwithstanding these reasons, and many moe which we had, not onely to deferre, but also vtterly to reiect this disorderly procured gouernment: you shall now heare how peaceably and orderly we pro­ceeded in the matter; and contrariwise, how turbu­lently, and without all shewe of equitie, our aduersa­ries dealt with vs. Which because it requireth onely a narration of these things that haue actually passed betweene vs; I shall not need to alleadge any rea­son by way of argument to conuince that which I shall say, but onely if any thing be denied, to call the world for a witnesse of the truth. Neuerthelesse I do not intend to rippe vp the matter from the begin­ning, for so I should weary you with too long a speech: but omitting the maner of proceeding vsed in the first procuring of this late ordeined gouern­ment, which was very exorbitant, and altogether dis­sonant to reason, and the accustomed practise of Gods Church in such affaires. I will begin with the first receiuing of Cardinall Caietaines Letters, where­by we had first notice of this authoritie, and so chief­ly relate some chiefe occurrents that haue actually happened among vs since that time, whereby you shall easily see, whether we haue offered or suffered wrong.

Vpon the first receit therefore of the Protectors Letters, after due consideration of the tenour there­of, [Page 31] because they conteined an ordinance vnheard of before in the Church of God, and that without any authoritie from his holinesse, contrary to the conti­nuall custome and practise of that See. Wherevpon grew many doubts whether that proceeded from his holinesse commaund or no; but that which most of all moued, was because there appeared no proba­bilitie that it proceeded from him truly informed of the state and condition of our Countrey and Clear­gy; neither the thing it selfe, nor the maner of procu­ring it, yeelding any probabilitie of such informati­on: wherevpon we thought it altogether repug­nant to Ecclesiasticall discipline and gouernment, to admit any such ordinances intangled with so many doubts. For which cause, we determined before we did admit this institution, to procure more cer­taine knowledge and notice of his holinesse his will and pleasure in this matter, with most firme and con­stant resolution and purpose, to admit whatsoeuer we should certainely knowe to be his will, the state of our Countrey first vnderstood. For this cause we sent to Rome two reuerend Priests, earnestly reque­sting M. Blackwell and the Fathers, the procurers of this authoritie, to be quiet in the meane while vntill the returne of our messengers, or some other suffici­ent certitude came from Rome, that hee was constitu­ted our superiour: without full notice whereof, it was not possible to take away all doubts & scruples, which would be the occasions of great contentions and strifes. But they vtterly refused to admit the of­fer, saying, that it was disobedience and rebellion to [Page 32] the See Apostolicke, to seeke any further certificate of the matter. Because (as the thing it selfe bearethFor this case [...]e Bullam [...]aenae Excom. [...]0. & 11. & Nauar. [...]idem. euident shewe) they suspected their owne inordi­nate proceedings, and thought that if his holinesse should be truly informed, he would reuerse this or­der, and so frustrate all their deuised plot. For which cause they proclaimed vs here in England Schisma­tickes at the least, & preuented with their Letters, the comming of the two Priests to Rome: where at their arriuall, they were taken by father Parsons the Archi­tect of all these troubles, spoiled of their Letters and writings, cast into close prison, seperate one from the other, and all to hinder their accesse to his holinesse. And after a whole winters imprisonment, they were sent from Rome, seperate likewise, and confined into two seueral places, Fraunce and Loraine, without any allowance for their maintenance, where they should remaine in banishment, to the end they might not returning into England, report how religiously Fa­ther Parsons had entertained them. Who could haue shewed more vnequall dealing in any proceeding? At last, Father Parsons hauing stopped all other infor­mations from the Popes holinesse but his owne, pro­cured his holinesse Breue for the confirmation of this authoritie; which being receiued, euery one ad­mitted M. Blackwell for his superiour, and obeyed. Who then is so voyd of reason, yea of commōsence, as to say that we are Schismatikes, rebells, or disobe­dient to the See Apostolick? who least we should do any thing against the ordinances thereof, made all possible meanes to knowe the will and disposition of [Page 33] his holinesse, with full purpose and protestation after due knowledge; to admit, imbrace, obey, & obserue it, yea and defacto, did imbrace it? And who would not rather condemne them of worse then bad dea­ling, who left no meanes vntried to hinder vs from the due knowledge of his will? Who vnlesse they intended to crosse the accustomed proceedings of Gods Church approued by all antiquitie, and esta­blished by all holie authoritie of the Pastors and go­uernours of the same, would neuer haue condemned vs of schisme & rebellion against Gods Church, for appealing to the See Apostolick, & seeking to know the will of the Pastors therof in a matter of such mo­ment, and so euidently belonging to his authoritie to determine. But this improbable and senselesse Pa­radoxe, they haue raised to cloake their manifold in­iuries and wrongs practised against vs their innocent brethren, which if euer it be laid open to the view of the world, as peraduenture it may be, I thinke they will not passe without great admiration.

Good Sir, heere I might make an ende, and thinke this sufficient to discouer the falsitie of such grounds, as haue bene and are still with some, the foundations of such slaunderous reports and opini­ons of detestable schisme vniustly raised, and vncon­scionably mainteined against mee and others of my bretheren: and that it might also suffice for our de­fence against such vntrue & vnchristian detractions, yet seeing I haue begunne, I will goe a litle further in declaring our innocency in this matter.

Our Arch-priests authoritie being now of euery one admitted vpon the receit of his holinesse Breue, [Page 34] and thereby all argument or shewe of schisme, diso­bedience, or rebellion, quite taken away (howsoe­uer before matter was fained to vpholde so vncre­dible a fable) euery one of vs for peace and concords sake, readie to remit the iniuries done vnto vs by publike slaunder of schisme, published to the world in written pamphlets: and our Arch-priest writing his Letters, willing, and by his authoritie commaun­ding, that no more speech should be made of matters past, but that euery one should compose himselfe to peace and vnitie with his brethren; the Fathers (who are not subiect to his authoritie, albeit they were the procurers thereof, for they loue to impose great bur­dens vpon other mens shoulders, which they them­selues will not touch with one finger) perceiuing be­like, that by this peaceable composition, there was like to ensue a continuall agreement amongst the se­cular Priests, which they feared would be the baine of all their designements, they quickly deuised a way to breake this vnitie. For it is a principle with those that seek dominion, to keep diuision alwaies among such as they intend to bring vnder their regiment. To this purpose they renewed, as it should seeme, the slaunder of schisme, in more intollerable manner then before: for now they said, that we were not on­ly schismatikes, but that whosoeuer should dogmati­zando, say the contrary, should incurre the censures of holy church. And M. Blackwell himselfe, notwith­standing his former prohibition (by their suggesti­on, as it is more then probable) writ, that they had receiued a resolution from the mother Citie, that we [Page 35] were schismatikes, and that in his opinion, we were not to be admitted to the Sacraments, without satis­faction done for the same. Will any man now say, that these men desire and seeke the peace & tranquil­litie of our afflicted Chuch? Can any one bee so shamelesse as to avowe it? No, no. When therefore we perceiued our late composed peace, contrary to all expectation to be thus quickly broken, and that our good names began to bleed afresh, the old gaules beeing not yet firmly cured: we requested of our Arch-priest that we might haue a parley or confe­rence vpon the matters in controuersie, with these conditions.

First, that M. Garnet, M. Lister, and whom, and how many soeuer of the societie they should thinke good to choose vnto them, to be reasoners, deba­tors, or disputers, on the one side, and of the other, three such Priests of our company, as wee should nominate.

Secondly, that the groundes, reasons, argu­ments, answeres, and reioynders, on both sides, af­ter full discussion & agreement, should be set downe in writing.

Thirdly, that the Vmperes or Arbitrators, to heare or determine of the weight, truth, and cohe­rence of all that should be said or alledged by either side, should be 2. or 3. of the seniour Assistants, and M. Doleman, and that it should be in the choise of our Arch-priest, to admit such of the Laitie to be hearers of the dispute, as to his wisedome for the qualitie of the conference, should seeme meete.

Fourthly, that each of the Arbitrators, should faithfully promise in the word of a Priest, to proceed to the giuing of sentence vpō the proofe or disproofe of either side, according to the dictamen of their con­science, and inward perswasion, without delay, co­lour, mittigation, or partialitie.

Fiftly, that if the said Arbitrators, should iudge that our case was schisme, and our selues schisma­tikes, then we most humbly should aske pardon on our knees of our Arch-priest and the societie, for hi­therto defending the contrary against the veritie of their affirmances. If of the other side, they should censure or deeme that we were no schismatikes; then the societie, especially the penner and the approuers of the Pamphlet of schisme, should acknowledge their errour, reuerse the tract, and make vs some ra­table satisfaction to the heape of iniuries & infamies sustained.

Sixtly, that it should be lawfull without offence or prohibition, for either side after sentence giuen and fulfilling of the premisses, to seeke, if it should so please, a resolution in the difference, frō the Vniuer­sities beyond the seas, vpon shewe & euidence of the said dispute, grounds, reasons, proofes, & arguments subscribed, with the hands of the Vmperes & dispu­tants of both sides, to the end it might manifestly ap­peare to be the same, and no place left to the other side to suspect any indirect dealing, either by adding, changing, or subtracting ought, too or from the ori­ginall; and that none of the foresaid Arbitrators or disputants, refuse or deferre to put too his name, be­ing requested therevnto.

Could you, good sir, deuise more equall condi­tions then these? Or if these men did not intend to maintaine continuall brawles and strifes, would they not haue admitted them? there being no more indif­ferent meanes to end all controuersies. Notwith­standing, this so reasonable and indifferent an offer; they tearmed it a tumultuous or rebellious demand, and commaunded that none vnder paine of suspen­sion, should either by word or writing, defend him­selfe from being a schismaticke, wherby we were de­barred from defending our own good name vniust­ly taken away.

Finding therfore our selues in these miseries, that we must either loose our good names, or by aduen­turing to defend them, incurre some high displea­sure, we set downe the state of the controuersie, and sent it to the Doctours of the famous Vniuersitie of Paris, requesting their opinion and censure therevp­on. For although wee knew our selues altogether cleare from all contagion of schisme, yet because we would not be our owne Iudges, least peraduenture wee might bee suspected of partialitie in our owne cause, we sent to haue their opinions, who are free from suspition of all partialitie. The Doctors retur­ned vs answere as followeth.

This we shewed to our Arch-priest, who, that he might leaue no way vnattempted to iniurie vs, pro­hibited all Priests vnder paine of suspension from the Altar, and losse of all their faculties, and Laie-men, vnder paine of being interdicted ipsefacto, to defend directly, or indirectly, the censure & opinion of the Doctors of Paris, whether it were giuen by true in­formation or otherwise: which was not onely an in­tollerable iniurie vnto vs, prohibiting against the law of nature from defending our good names, but also an absurd indignitie against so famous an Vniuersi­tie. I doo not knowe how any man could haue vsed more vnequall dealing. If our matter had bene suffi­ciently heard, and we condemned of a competent Iudge, these proceedings might haue some shewe of Iustice: but to proceede in this sort with innocent men, for moderately defending their good names vniustly taken from them, they being altogether vn­heard in the matter wherof they are accused: I think the like was neuer heard of amongst Christians, and much lesse among Priests and Religious men.

By these and the like violent dealings, both in these matters and others, wherof, beside my selfe, di­uers [Page 42] haue tasted abundantly; they haue giuen too too pregnant proofes of their further designements, if so that they can effect their purpose. For if notwith­standing the manifold troubles of these times, they haue attempted & put in practise such violent cour­ies, trusting to their owne power, and not to any e­quille: what will they not attempt, or what may we not expect, if future times and other opportunities be answerable to their desires? Which desires, if they be to Gods greater glory, & more to the good of his Church, with my whole heart I wish they may take effect, & that they may consummate what they haue begunne. But verily their proceedings haue hitherto bene farre different, not onely from theirs who haue planted and watered the vineyard of Gods Church from the beginning, but also frō theirs to whom be­fore all other men, we ought most to attribute that hope we haue of the recouery of our poore Country to the Catholicke faith; namely Cardinall Allane, of most holie and happie memorie, whose life if it had pleased God to haue lent vs till this day, we should haue had, if not in some sort, a flourishing Church, yet a Church at least without such enormous dissen­tion, strife, and debate; a Church full of true simplici­tie, religious zeale, and fraternall charitie; for such a one (God concurring to his holy endeuours) hee planted, and vntill his dying day, kept & conserued. Notwithstanding those who do now so greeuously perturbe our peace, did attempt the same euen in his dayes, but their endeuours being preuented by his prudence, tooke small effect so long as he liued. But [Page 43] alas, since his too timely death and departure, what miserie hath found vs, and what trouble hath fallen vpon vs? God pardon the causers thereof, and grant vs perfect peace and brotherly charitie: Vt omnes cognoscant quòd discipuli Christi simus. That all men may know vs to be the disciples of Christ.

Thus good Syr, haue I laid downe vnto you the whole grounds of the crimes, wherof both my selfe and diuers others of our brethren are accused. I re­referre the matter to your iudgement, to discerne whether we be guiltie of them or no. If you doubt of the truth of my relation, I desire none other triall then the testimonie of mine accusers; who if they denie any one word that I haue vttered by way of narration, I can easily procure such proofe there­of, as they shall not denie, vnlesse they will denie themselues. If my deductions, arguments, or sup­positions, vsed in yeelding reason for our not ad­mitting M. Blackwells authoritie vpon the onely re­ceit of Cardinall Caietaines Letters, and that for so doing, we incurred no note either of schisme, or disobedience to his holinesse; if they I say need any proofe, I will vndertake to make them most eui­dent.

Wherefore according to these grounds, I humbly beseech you to passe your opinion, and yeeld your iudgement of our cause. And if the grounds prooue true, your iudgement conformable therevnto, may remaine firme: but if they prooue otherwise, your iudgement notwithstanding shall not be faultie; for he that iudgeth according to his euidence, is not cul­pable [Page 44] of any errour. This good Sir, I request, because I desire to know your opinion of our cause, which if you giue according to these grounds, I shal easily vn­derstand whether you wil condemne or cleare mee & my brethren of the crimes obiected; for I am sure I haue not erred in declaring the state of the matter.

If this which I haue said be not sufficient for your full satisfaction; I hope it wil suffice at least to suspend your iudgement of vs, vntill further triall be had of our cause; which being had in any indifferent man­ner, and if we being conuicted, do not acknowledge our fault, and make competent satisfaction, then do not spare to account of vs as Heathens & Publicans. But our aduersaries purpose not to put the matter to any indifferent tryall, or to ende it by any equall meanes, but to decide it by strong hand, might, and violence; by perpetuall oppressing vs with infamous slaunders of schisme, faction, and the like; thereby to depriue, if it can be, our brethren abroad, of all con­uenient entertainment, and to debarre vs in prison of necessary reliefe, to the ende that necessitie may compell vs to yeeld to their desires: the inequalitie of which proceedings, I beseech you with indifferē ­cy to cōsider. Sometime it is seen, that a partie wilful­ly bent to contend, is iustly compelled to admit an equall compremise, and to stand to the arbitrement of an indifferent Iudge: but it was neuer seene where iustice and conscience ruled; and muche lesse amongst such as ought to be the rule of other mens consciences, that the partie willing to stand to anie indifferent tryall, should bee compelled [Page 45] by violence, to agree vnto the desire of his aduersa­ry, how iust or vniust soeuer it be, and that without any further sentence, but onely because his aduersary must haue his will.

Good Sir, we are heere in this place, diuers in great want, in so much, that besides our debts to the keeper, we haue not to defend vs from the iniury of the winter weather: whereof that you may haue some special taste, I doo you to vnderstand, that since Trinitie Terme, wee haue receiued no more from London, from whence the chiefest part of our reliefe commeth, then will suffice for three weekes charges with him that can husband his matters best. And this shalbe sufficient to insinuate vnto you our wants, hoping that as opportunitie serueth, you will con­curre to the relieuing thereof; confidently hoping withal, that God for whose cause we suffer, not onely of the cōmon aduersary, but also of those who ought to be our friends, wil giue vs patiēce whatsoeuer cros­ses befal vs, to beare them to the end. For mine owne part, they may by their violent proceedings, make me yeeld my breath and life, which by Gods grace, I shall if need require, willingly sacrifice for the de­fence of iustice, equitie, and mine owne innocencie: but my consent to these vniust dealings, by Gods as­sistance, they shall neuer extort out of me.

If any one to whom you shall thinke good to im­part this (as I am not against the imparting it to any, so that you keepe the originall your selfe) shall vn­dertake to improue me of any vntruth: I will either satisfie his obiections euen to your own iudgement, [Page 46] or else I will acknowledge mine errour.

Take this, good Sir, for a taste of our internall and domesticall troubles, wherewith I imagine you are not much acquainted, and therefore are you worse affected to our cause: and as you shall giue me here­after occasion, you shall vnderstand more; for this is but a small thing in respect of that which this matter affordeth. But I feare I haue bene too tedious in this so disgustfull a discourse; but let, I pray you, the hard tearmes my good name is brought into, plead my pardon for my tediousnesse, and the equitie of my Plea, procure me your fauour, and so in all humble sort I take my leaue.

SIr, if you do not consider diligently the haynousPost scriptū. enormitie of schisme imposed vpon me, you will peraduenture condemne me of too much precise­nesse, if not of contention, for labouring to defend my selfe from the note thereof; and will thinke that I ought rather to suffer some small infamie, then by opposing my selfe so earnestly, to repell the same, to procure a further breach between mine accusers and my selfe, to both our harmes, and to the offence of o­thers. But if you consider first, to admit the infamy of this slaunder, (though it were of it selfe but small) were in some sort to giue occasion to mine accusers, to heape vpon my head greater wrongs hereafter, [Page 47] (for he that will offer wrong in one thing, will do the like in an other if occasion serue) you shall finde it to be neither wisedome nor pietie, to giue place to such beginnings. Secondly, the condition of mine estate requiring a most entire fame, I should both wrong my selfe, and slaunder my function, if I should admit any blemish or blotte therein, which I may by mine owne endeuour wipe away: and therefore to pur­chase peace at such a price, I hold it not lawfull: for Non est faciendum malum vt eremat bonum. Euill is not to be done that good may ensue. And as S. Augu­stine saith: Qui famam suam negligit, crudelis est. Hee that neglecteth his good name is cruell. But if third­ly you cōsider the intrinsical enormitie of this crime, you will easily excuse mine endeuour in clearing my self therof, from all note of contention. For amongst all other sinnes against our neighbour, schisme is the greatest: and the pennalties which the Church hath alwaies inflicted on such as haue bene guiltie therof, proue the same; to weet, excommunication and se­peration from all vse of Sacraments, as appeareth by diuers auncient Canons, & also in Bulla caenae: which being graunted, necessarily followeth heynous sacri­ledge, committed by the ministratiō of Sacraments, and the frustrating of all confessions made to all such as they do terme schismatikes. For my fuller acquit­tance of which schisme, in one word I say, that if I be a schismaticke, Clemens the eight is a schismaticke; for his wil is my wil, both in this and all other things pertaining to Ecclesiasticall gouernment, and for mine obedience and subiection to him in the same, [Page 48] as hetherto by Gods grace I haue not, so God assi­sting me hereafter, I will not refuse to yeeld my life, if at any time it be exacted.

Peraduenture Sir you will maruell, how I dare at­tempt to say thus much in mine own and my brethe­rens defence, our Arch-priest hauing vnder paine of suspension, commanded the contrary. But you may vnderstand, that this commandement cannot bee of force (and therefore not to be respected) for diuers causes. And chiefly, for that the law of nature graun­teth absolute freedome to euery one to defend him­selfe and his goods either of fame or fortune, and to labour by lawfull meanes, to recouer them being vn­iustly taken from him. For which cause it is an intol­lerable errour, annullating any iuridicall sentence to forbid a man to defend himselfe. Siluester verb. Ex­com. 2. num. 1. & 16. Our Arch-priests prohibitory censures therefore in this case, are euen by the law of nature made void. And if he say that we haue suffred no wrōg by the losse of our good names, but that we haue iustly deserued the infamy of schisme, it wil not serue his turn, for he being in this case, a party subiect to triall, and therfore no Iudge to discerne whether we haue suffered wrong or no, his sentence or opiniō herein can be of no more force, then his ought to be, who hauing taken away an other mans goods, saith that he hath not wronged him, and therfore forbid­deth him to prosecute the case against him, vnder paine of a greater displeasure: for this is iust our case. I might say much more in this matter, but I haue bin too long already, and I hope this will suffice for this point: and so once againe I take my leaue.

1 ¶MAister Bish, it being now di­uers moneths since you de­parted from hence, and no one Letter appearing yet from you: or frō your friend M. Ch. it made vs maruaile, considering your promises at your departures; and some began to suspect (that which I feare me will proue too true) that you were fallen into that temptation which each man did easi­ly foresee heere before you went hence; and I many times foretold you also, to wit, that you hauing recei­ued euil successe here in your iourney by your owne defaults, and going among men that would & must of courtesie bemone the same (for who will to your faces seeme to like of it, or say you haue deserued it) [Page 50] you would be in daunger thereby to chaunge your good mindes that here you shewed, of acknowled­ging your owne errours: and for excuse thereof, would laie the fault where it is not, and so make poste­riora peiora prioribus.

2 ¶ And albeit at that time you saide you would neuer fal into this pitte, yet I doubt me you haue not performed it; for by a stale Letter which I receiued this weeke from you, written soone after your arri­uall at Paris (to wit, the 11. of Iune) I perceiue you were slidden much forward, seeing you say, you cannot but tell me of the great dislike which ordina­rily all sorts of men haue of your imprisonment and hard vsage heere in Rome. And moreouer, you say that euerie one crieth out against it, although you vse all the modifications which in truth and equitie you may. And thē further, you wish me to preuēt in time the odious name of a rigorous & sterne gouernour, and not by colourable words, but by effectual deeds; and that it is a corosiue vnto you, that those good­ly giftes (so you write) which God hath bestow­ed vpon me, should by the alienations of our Coun­try-mens affections from mee, be made lesse able to do our Country that good which all desire.

3 ¶ All which words, and some other in the same Letter, (though these are the principall) doo shewe a great chaunge in you, from that you shewed here at your departure: which thing notwithstanding mo­ueth not me so much for your owne persons (consi­dering the roote from whence it groweth, and that griefe must haue some vtterance) as that which is [Page 51] written hither diuers waies, and by diuers persons of credit, of other mens speeches (vpon your reports and complaints by all likelyhood) touching your su­periours also; for by this same Poste, and with your Letter came another, of our friend M. D. C. which you do also mention, and he saith that your friends (though he commend your owne moderation) do crie out and complaine of singular iniustice done vn­to you: and that you could not be heard iuridicè, nor haue your Proctors, or proceed in your processe as Iewes & Turkes and common malefactors are per­mitted.

4 ¶ But another friend yet writeth more largely from Flaunders, by the Ordinary of this weeke, that passing of late by those partes where M. Ch. resideth (though he talked not with himselfe) yet he repor­teth that others crie out in like manner, being stirred vp as hee saith (for I will relate his owne words) by the grieuous complaints of M. Ch. who threateneth to set downe in Print the whole storie of your vsage here; to make it knowne thereby, as he writeth, both in England and else-where, how Priests be receiued by his holinesse, that come from Catholiques to dis­close their griefes vnto him; and that hee doth not beare himselfe as a common Father, but as partiall for Iesuits, preuented by them, to the ruine of poore Priests; and that in Turkie they should haue bin vsed no worse: and that he and you, seeing how matters passed, determined neuer vnto this day, to open vnto his holinesse, nor vnto the Protector, the true causes of your sending, nor what errand you had, which [Page 52] should haue bene deliuered to his holinesse onely. Moreouer hee saith, they lament bitterly the poore estate of Catholiques, who at home are persecuted, and abroad cannot be heard when they send to open their griefes to him that ought to giue eare to all as a common Father, and that the Colledge at Rome is brought into a Spanish and Italian gouernment, F. Parsons bearing himselfe not as a Country-man, but Italianated; that men will labour in Englande that none do send ouer their sonnes to be brought vp in it, for that it is not fit for English natures; that it will neuer be well in England vntill Iesuites be recalled: Saltem tempore persecutionis, &c.

5 ¶ These, and many more points like vnto these, our foresaid friend writeth, which for breuitie I doo omit, and these I would pretermit also without any answere at all, for so much as toucheth my selfe and our societie (whose deeds doo speake of themselues against all calumniation of wordes) but that those thinges which touch our superiours (his holinesse especially, & our two Cardinall Protectors that had your matter in hearing by his holinesse Commissi­on) may not be let passe, to run with so false and in­iurious reports, against all truth and equitie.

6 ¶ Wherefore I must needes recount with you the storie briefly againe, for recalling you to better memorie if you forget, or conuenting your consci­ences, if you or your fellow vpon passion doo ouer­lash; or at least wise for satisfying in part our foresaid two friends that haue written to mee of these com­plaints, by whose hands I meane that this Letter shal [Page 53] goe open for them to read, and after to send or deli­uer vnto you: and I pray you also, that M. Ch. may haue a sight or copie of the same, when you haue vewed it; together with some good temperate coun­sell from you: and he is thought to haue more need of it by his hotte nature knowne, and by the reports that come daily frō his parts of like speeches to these before specified: which if once they come to the eares of them whom most they concerne, they may chance to bee called by them to further examinati­on, which I would gladly were preuented if it may bee.

7 ¶ First then touching the matter it selfe, you can­not but remember that at your arriuall at Rome, vpon the 11. of December, 1598. (if I mistake not) after friendly offer to entertaine you in this Colledge for the dayes of Hospitalitie accustomed (though the cause of your comming to Rome, was knowne to bee farre other then the rule appointeth for such as are so to be entertained) I tolde you at large how all mat­ters stood, and how his holinesse then in Ferrara, hauing beene enformed by his Nuntios in Fraunce and Flaunders of your comming, was much offen­ded therewith, and meant to put you in prison if you had commen to Ferrara, as appeared by a Letter of F. Bellarmino, now Cardinall, which I had sent pre­sently to Flaunders to meet you there, if you had pas­sed that way from Fraunce, as it was thought you would: and by that Letter appeareth also that I had not enformed against you, seeing that his holinesse willed the Father to write to Rome, to know my opi­nion [Page 54] of you, as by the original Letter yet here extant is manifest; and the cause of his holinesse offence a­gainst you was, that hauing bin vexed for more then three yeares together immediately before, with such a sedition of Englishmen heere in Rome and in Flaun­ders, as had vtterly wearied him & this whole Court, and had scandalized all Christendome, and highly discredited our English Nation and Catholique cause; and hauing after all waies of examination and trials, both by visitations, commissions, memorials, and the like, found no other ground of all these stirs, clamours, & tempests, but only enuie, emulation, and dissolute humours, of loose behauiour in some, and no one point proued, nor able to be proued of the manifold slaunders which were exhibited in these tumults, against most innocent men of the Societie, who had bene the best friends of the troublesome: his holinesse resolued to make an end at last, and so did in this Colledge, by punishing the principall; and how much the finger of Almightie God assisted him in this action, the blessed fruites that haue ensu­ed since, of peace, vnion, modestie, spirit, learning, and deuotion in these youthes, haue euidently decla­red: whereby they haue regained againe a great part of that estimation and good opinion, which the for­mer had lost by their contrary vices.

8 ¶ Moreouer, his holinesse perceiuing that the tayle of this matter had passed also into England, and began to worke the same effects there, vpon the same grounds of emulation & seditious spirits, he thought no better way to cut off the said emulation, then to [Page 55] appoint a subordination among Priests themselues; which Iesuites especially among other Catholiques their friends, haue demaunded for many yeares to­gether, thereby to deliuer themselues from all shewe of that calumniation vsed to bee laide against them, that they would gouerne the Priests against their wils; and hereof proceed the long deliberation of his holinesse: together with the Cardinals, not onely Protectors, but also of the Inquisition, whether it were best to appoint at the beginning, a Bishop or Arch-priest: which deliberation endured aboue a yeare together; and in the meane space his holinesse tooke information also sufficient, about the person most fit for the office, and that from Priests of Eng­land, though not perhappes from you, as it was not necessary; and in the ende, resolued vppon the dignitie and man that you knowe. Which beeing admitted and appointed most willingly by al the bo­dy, both of Priests and other Catholiques in Eng­land, and abroad also, you only, and very fewe others ioyned with you (as heere was proued by your ac­count) opposed your selues, and not expecting to bring any matter of substance against his gouernmēt that was appointed for your superiour, you substrac­ted your selues from his obedience, and gaue occasi­on for others to do the like: and consequently, to cause a most perillous schisme and sedition amongst Catholicques in our Countrey; which his holinesse foreseeing, meant to restraine you at your comming: but yet to heare and examine all that you brought, as afterwards he did, and you do greatly wrong him, if [Page 56] you report the contrary.

9 ¶ Well, all this and much more I tolde you at your comming hither, and that not in colourable, but in plaine and friendly words: offering you fur­ther, to be a meane notwithstanding, to end all qui­etly, and with your credits, if you would. For said I, heere bee now the immediate superiours of both Priests and Iesuites: to wit, the Protector of our Na­tion, and the Generall of the Societie, let vs deale with them to end all matters, and to send you backe againe with your honour; and with Letters both to the Arch-priest and superiour of the Fathers, to giue you any satisfaction reasonable, and remedie any thing that is amisse, concerning any persons of each of those bodies. This point I dealt with you most effectually many times, both in seuerall, and iointly, while you remained in this Colledge, & after whiles you laie in the Citie before your restraint, but could neuer obtaine anie inclination in you to the same, but that you would needs impugne both the autho­ritie and man by his holinesse appointed; wherein I euer told you plainly, that both I and all others that loued vnion, and respected with due obedience our superiours ordination, must needs be against you. And the same told you also, M. D. Haddock, M. Mar­tin Array, and Priests of your owne coate that laie here, and are your auncients, both in your owne or­der, and their trauells in England; and the verie same we made you to see to be the iudgements of the gra­uest of our Nation, in Flaunders, and other places, and especially in England: from whence I assure my [Page 57] selfe I shewed you first and last neare two hundreth names of Priests writing & subscribing against you: & you afterwards vpon your oathes could not name a dozen to be for you, as yet appeareth in the Regi­ster.

10 ¶ Thus then standing your case and obstinacie, and hauing bin exhorted both by the Cardinall Caie­tane Protector, and by Cardinall Burghese Vice-Pro­tector, to desist frō your enterprise of contradiction, without foundatiō at all (as after appeared, and then was suspected) his holinesse after seuenteene daies of your persisting or thereabout, willed you to be rety­red to some place of custodie, in respect of your of­fence, and there your allegations to be examined, whether they were worth the handling or no; which comming to my knowledge, I entreated rather that your retirement might be with secrecie in this Col­ledge, then with more infamie in anie other place, though I easilie foresawe what thankes I was like to haue for my labour; but I did it for him by whom I cānot leese, as I did also the rest; to wit, in giuing you of the best chambers in the house, in cherishing you gratis, in visiting you often, and making each of you good new gownes for the winter; in giuing you a Father to be your Notarie gratis, & procuring your Iudge to come to the Colledge and lie here to exa­mine you: with commoditie, which otherwise would haue cost you much money, and manie pain­full iournies about the streets, and other incommo­dities, which now you litle consider.

11 ¶ Well, your examination and retirement, en­dured [Page 58] three moneths or more; you had time & com­moditie to say or write what you woulde, yea you were willed vpon your oaths to say what you could, and all that you said is written, and you did sweare you had no more to say of moment in all matters handled, as appeareth by the Records: and all that you said was considered of maturelie, as wel by your Iudge that was a Lawier, as also by the two Cardi­nalls, the one a Diuine, the other a Lawier; who to the ende they might be sure to heare all, and satisfie both you and themselues, did come in person one day to the Colledge to examine you, and to heare redde in your presence, all that you had said and de­posed, or could say: and after this, yet staied they di­uers weekes to enforme his holinesse, before they gaue sentence in your cause.

12 ¶ And how then can it be said with anie colour that you had wrong, and that you had lesse iustice here, then is permitted to Turkes and Iewes? How can his holinesse and the Cardinalls be accused of partiall dealing? seeing they heard all you could say, and would haue had you saie more, and were asha­med to finde you to haue comen so long a iourney with so little to saie, finding you also not to haue brought with you, so much as anie one Letter of cre­dence from anie communitie or priuate person, in such forme as might giue credit, for that those little open scrowles that you brought without substance or forme of anie Commission, were ashame to looke vpon? Your secret memorialls also that you had set downe here in M. Ch. owne hand, to exhibit to his [Page 59] holinesse, of your most secret businesse, are here to be seene; and the Iudge, Cardinalls, and perhappes his holi. also, haue had the view of them, & haue found them of no more weight then the rest; and how then is it said that you kept your chiefe message to your selues and disclosed it not? what message could this be? or from whom? for of the Iesuites and of the Archipresbyter you said your fill, and were willed vpon your oaths to saie more, if you had anie to saie, in that or in any other points. And as for those priests that sent you, they were verie fewe as appeared; and I shewed you well neere twentie times as manie names of the same order against you: who testifie al­so for all Catholiques which deale with them, to be of the same opinion, and to haue misliked your iour­nie and cause, and detested the schisme that thereof insued.

13 ¶ And how then doo men vpon this little part or faction of yours vse those praises, that the Catho­liques are intollerablie afflicted, being persecuted at home, and cannot be heard abroad? Who are these Catholiques? or what audience is denied to them? If we compare the persecution of those Priestes at home, by the heretiques that hold with you, or with the Arch-priest and Iesuites, it is easily seene who are most persecuted and hated by the Councell of Eng­land; and if anie complaine that your side hath not bene heard by his holinesse, let his holi. patience for three or foure whole yeares together, in dooing no­thing else but hearing & examining of their imperti­nent clamours in this Citie, deliuer him from that [Page 60] vniust calumniation. And so much of our Superi­ours.

14 ¶ As touching my selfe, my defence shall be much shorter; you aduise me to preuent the odious name of a sterne and rigorous Gouernour, and that not by colourable words, but by effectual deeds, and I embrace the aduice most willinglie, for indeed I finde great aversion in my nature of all these points you name; I meane, of sterne, rigorous, colourable, and no lesse perhaps from Couernour, which euer I haue fled and avoided, vntill now, that perforce I am constrained to haue the gouernment of this house; wherein yet I suppose, that I may haue as many wit­nesses as here be inhabitants, that my proceeding, is neither sterne, rigorous, nor colourable with them, & with you I am sure I neuer vsed it, as may appeare by that which before hath bene saide, of my plaine, reall, & friendlie dealing in your affaire; and I would aske but one example to be alleadged and proued to the contrarie, as I could alledge manie in my behalf, and one somewhat notorious since your departure, of one M. Shawe a Priest, who hauing fallen fowly in England, & railed afterwards egregiously against the Societie (as hee had done also here in Rome first before his going into England, and commonly these matters goe together) yet comming hither of late, and being in great miserie, both spiritually and tem­porally, and in daunger to dispaire, and to lie God knoweth how long in the Inquisition, I haue com­forted and assisted him in this Colledge, as if he had bene mine owne brother, and this for manie daies [Page 61] together, procuring him also a good and fauourable dispatch, and afterwards to bee placed in a good Church vnder religious men in Naples, where he li­ueth with great contentment to himselfe, and edifi­cation hitherto of others.

15 ¶ Sir I must needs say here with the Apostle: Factus sum insipiens, sed vos me coegistis: to shewe my selfe to be neither sterne, nor rigorous, nor coloura­ble, I am forced to speake of that I would not. It may bee you doo mislike in me my firme standing against the troublesome of this house first, and against you, and your companiō afterward, that came in defence of the former troubles: if it be so, you and I do differ in iudgements, for I do thinke that vigour and forti­tude to bee so necessary and commendable, which is required to stand in confractione, as the scripture tear­meth it, against vnquiet striuing spirits, as without it, no good in any gouernment can be expected; and albeit in some it cause alienations of affections, as you signifie, yet in others it worketh the contrarie; and that which most importeth, it vpholdeth truth, vertue, and Gods cause. And I would aske you now againe (as sometimes here in presence I did) in what case do you thinke our common cause of England had beene at this daie if no man had resisted the de­signements of the troublesome in this place, or if your endeauours after them had taken place?

16 ¶ Let vs example but one example; you talked before your restraint heere, with the Commissary of the Inquisition, and you gaue him such a relation of English matters, as afterward when M. Doctor Had­dock, [Page 62] and M. Martin Array had talked with him also, and informed him as they thought of the very truth of matters, he told an honourable man of Rome, and a great friende of mine, that foure English Priestes hauing talked with him, they had taken from him all list to beleeue any Englishmen, or matters more, they told him so different tales, and yet all of them would seeme to be men of zeale: well then, if you had bin let alone by his holinesse to deale with all the Cardinalls, and great men of Rome in like sort, would you not haue brought our common cause in a pretie plight trowe you, and your selues also?

17 ¶ Moreouer, it appeareth by your papers and depositions yet extant, that you tooke the way first to discredit so much as in you lay, M. Blackwell, the first, man of all your order that euer was yet in autho­ritie, and of those parts and merittes that all English men know; yea in the very matter of his faith, for that an heriticall proposition was laid to his charge. Se­condly were to be discredited such English Priests as stood with him, who are the principall of your coat; and with them, all Iesuites, but chieflie those that are known to haue laboured most in the common cause, and by whose intercession Catholique Princes haue bene most mooued to assist hetherto the same: and what would haue followed of this? Further, the Pro­tector himselfe must haue bin changed, if all design­ments in your papers had taken place; the Semina­ries must haue beene taken from the gouernment of Iesuites, & the whole societie called out of England: [Page 63] and albeit you proposed not in words al these points together when you came, & how matters stood: yet were they mentioned as is to bee seene in your pa­pers from your partners in England; and you see that now they begin to be giuen abroad againe, in places where you or M. Ch. are or haue beene, and vttered discontentment.

18 ¶ And if all these points had bene brought to passe by you, or at least that other point wherevpon you stood so much heere, to haue two Arch-priests in England, not subordinate the one to the other, but each one absolute with his traine of subiects vn­der him, opposite the one against the other, would not all our cause haue comen quicklie to ruine? and shall those then that haue stood against these ru­ines, be accounted sterne and rigorous, or rather cō ­stant & pious, yea friendly towards your selues? for that with the ruine of the common cause, yours also and all other Priests should be inuolued; and now God be thanked, by the good order which his holi­nesse hath setled, all is well ended and remedied, if men can be contented; and now Priests haue their head and subordination, and Iesuites also theirs, and both are happilie vnited together, and all strife is en­ded in England, to Gods great glorie and our com­mon good I hope; and his holy name be euer blessed for the same.

19 ¶ And as for the gouernment of this Colledge here in Rome, whether it be Spanish or Italian, I know not; but sure I am, it tendeth all to vnion, peace, loue, vertue, and learning; & that do the schollers finde by [Page 64] the effects, hauing receiued more cōfort, quiet, true mirth, and gaine of learning, in one moneh sithence the reformation, then in some yeares before; & as for youthes to come vnto it, let no man haue care: for would to God we had so much maintenance, as we could haue choise of schollers to enioy it; and no wise Catholique is there in England or else-where, that hearing of this chaunge and reformation, wil re­fuse to send his children hither (if he loue them, and may be in hope to haue them placed) for the words or writings of any such to the contrarie, as M. Ch. threatneth, who shal bemonethe lack of liberty. And if M. Ch. or anie other should attēpt to put any thing in print of matters passed heere (as our friend writeth is threatned, but I cannot beleeue that any such in­tent can be) the matter would easily be answered, for that here remaine authenticall registers, of all that passed by publique authoritie.

20 ¶ Well good Sir, I will end then, and pray you to be a mean (as I know your nature to be more mo­derate, and you promsed it here also) that things may rest as they were, and are well ended, without renew­ing of further griefes, as both in wisedome and con­science, and vnder your oathes also, and vpon paine of censures both of you are bound: and surely if these things should be true, which before I haue alleadged to be written hither by credible relators, whose Let­ters are here extant, I cannot see how either of you that should bee cause of so false and dissentious re­ports, can be safe in conscience for very great sinne, and grieuous censures also; but I hope they will not proue true.

21 ¶ And as for the request you make in your Let­ter to mee, to deliuer you from the false report writ­ten hence to Flaunders, and thence to your partes a­gaine, that you should confesse heere to haue beene moued onlie by ambition, to take your last action in hand, I will deliuer you most willingly from anie thing that I haue written, or willed others to write; for as you saie, I did euer attribute your attempt, ra­ther to errour and lack of consideration, then to am­bition; wherein you may see I was not rigorous; but yet seeing your matter passed by diuers mens hands and knowledge, I cannot let them to thinke, speake, or write, what they iudge best; yet do I suppose veri­lie, that none would saie or write that you confessed so much here, tho I haue heard diuers speake and su­spect so much, vpon the sight of your papers; for that seeing in diuers papers and scrolles of your fellowes, which you brought open with you, you were pro­posed for Bishops, and in a long discourse of a friend of yours sent out of Englande after your departure, you two by name were appointed to bee Arch-bi­shops & Primates; and that besides this, a principall man of your side, writing to you certain notes about your message, vseth the phrase of your LL. with his owne hand yet here to be seene; it was much to be suspected what motion moued you.

22 ¶ But (as I said) now all is ended, and this and all the rest will easilie die and be forgotten, (as alrea­die I trust all is forgotten on all hands) if you and M. Ch. do beare your selues well and prudentlie, and do staie and not stirre vp such as do seeme to fauour or [Page 66] bemone your cause, which though you terme by the phrase, of all sorts of people, in your Letter, yet must you not deceiue your selues, for that finallie all those sorts must be reduced to a verie small number, in re­spect of others that do condemne your action.

23 ¶ Heere in Rome you prooued how the grauest sort of people, both straungers and others, iudged of your cause, after they had heard and examined the same; I shewed you also the Letters and subscripti­ons of manie of the chiefest and most principall of our Nation, in Flaunders and England; and since that time I haue receiued manie more, and manie com­plaining of the ouermuch lenitie vsed in ending of the cause; how then do all sorts of men crie out of the rigour or iniustice vsed towards you? but in truth it is a verie vncertaine thing to depend vpon the spee­ches of men; diuers speake faire, and will bemone a man to his face, when their harts are farre otherwise; and some being discontent or in passion themselues vpon other groundes, are glad to take such occasions as this of yours is, to disburthen their stomackes of their owne griefes; others euill enformed at the be­ginning vpon pittie doo bemone you; which after­wards vpon knowledge of the truth wil change their mindes, and crie crucifige.

24 ¶ The onelie way is, to depend of God, and of a good conscience, and to wish well to all, and speake euill of fewe, and to doo the good a man may for all sorts, without respect what they will saie or do again; and finally, to haue patience with whatsoeuer falleth out; and this rule I do counsel to you, and do meane [Page 67] by Gods assistance to follow it my selfe, wishing no worse to you and yours then to my owne soule, as he is witnesse who is maister of vs both: to whose holie protection I do most affectually commend you: and my selfe to your holie praiers and sacrifices. From Rome, this 9. of October. 1599.

This Letter of F. Parsons, did the Arch-priest send abroad by his Agent, with an Iniunction to those to whom it was carried, that they must beleeue all that was contained therin, assuring them that it was most true, notwithstanding hee had made a seuere Edict not long before against all such as should diuuldge anie thing set out for the space of two yeares before, wherein the credit of anie Ecclesiasticall person of the English Nation, should particularly & by name be touched. How many faultes were in this action of the Arch-priest, it is not for me to discypher: but it is verie manifest, that in this Letter of F. Parsons, the credit of two English Priests by name, are very much wounded, and as it should seeme by the censure fol­lowing, the Letter deserueth litle commendation for truth therein contained.

YOur Letters (Father) of the 9. of Octob. came late vnto my hands, being by you sent about (as it were in circuit) open; to be read & cop­pied out by diuers others before they should come vnto me. Meete it was surely, that so odde a storie might not runne the ordinarie course of vulgar Let­ters: but against the propertie of missiues, and con­trary also to common ciuility, be communicated first to others, and last to him, vnto whom they principal­ly belong. Yet truly when I heard of others, the pur­port and contents of them, I had no great delight to looke vpon them, but let them lie by me more then a moneth, ere I read them once ouer, so vnwilling haue I alwaies bene, and yet am, to giue my minde to such troublesome businesse, which is like to drawe me from a desired repose, into the lists of an vnplea­sing dispute: and that with those who pretend to be (as in equitie they should be) my verie good friends. I had also long before often heard of many slaunde­rous rumors raised of me vniustly, and seene some [Page 137] flying Letters stuffed full of misconstruction of my actions: yet I remained silent, not without the of­fence of diuers honest and wise personages, for that I spared to write in defence of my owne innocencie, and to purge and cleare my selfe from iniurious ca­lumny. But I knowing my poore credit to be a mat­ter of small moment: and fearing least to treate of such a pittifull subiect, might be some hinderance vnto the Catholique cause: did preferre the com­mon good before my priuate interest; our blessed Lords honour before mine owne reputation; lea­uing vnto his omnipotent diuine dispositiō, the suc­cesse and euent of the whole matter. And so putting vp patiently those iniuries, passed ouer the time in si­lence quietly, vntill that now (Father) you haue by addressing such Letters vnto mee, rowsed mee (as it were) out of my quiet Lodge, and doo presse mee, either to acknowledge for true, that which I take in many pointes to swarue much from the truth, or to declare and shewe what I knowe concerning those matters. Wherefore being verie sure that the honour of God his cause cannot be stained by a true defence of my selfe his poore seruant from dishonour, and that it needeth not (as the Prophet saith) our lying, but is rather by truth and equitie vpholden & main­tained. I will set downe the veritie of that affaire (as before almightie God my iust Iudge) most sincere­ly, and withall, so temperately, as that no vpright and in different Reader shall haue reason to be offended with me. Yet to speake (after my manner) plainly, I cannot (Father) but mistrust, least you will not take it [Page 138] well, for you haue alreadie shewed your selfe to haue bene mooued with my former Letters, which only had friendly requests and admonitions: how much the more are these likely to trouble you, which carry in them also, free, yet friendly reprehensions; which vnto a high and hotte stomacke are of much harder digestion? But to mittigate the matter, consider I pray you, how vnwillingly, and as it were enforced by your selfe, I come at length to set penne to paper: and what liberties by God and all good men are al­lowed vnto all sorts of persons, speaking in their own defence: and then remembring how you haue ta­ken in accusing of vs a rethoricall license, you cannot in equitie and reason, but approue and like in vs de­fendants, a modest, Christian libertie of speech. And so desiring you to prepare your selfe vnto some small patience, I come now to the answere of your Let­ters.

In the beginning whereof you write, that no one Letter appeared as then from mee to you, accusing my long silence, and within ten lines after, you say, that that weeke you receiued a Letter from me of an old date, to the which you answere. What Riddle I pray you may this be? No Letter appeared from me to you when you began to write: and yet that week you had receiued a Letter from mee, what? was the Letter you receiued inuisible, that it appeared not in his likenesse when you receiued it? Yet it appeareth by your particular replie vnto the parts thereof, that you had throughly seene and perused it. To say that after you began your Letter you were a weeke ere [Page 139] you came vnto the tenth line of it, & that mine came in the meane season, were ridiculous. What then re­maineth, but that in the first period of your Letter, there is either some egregious equiuocation, or eui­dent vntruth, which fell out (by God his prouidence as I take it) verie fitly, to forewarne your Readers what credit they may giue vnto much of that which followeth. For, if in the verie first lines they find such apparant vanitie, voluntarily vttered without anie iust cause; let them iudge what conclusion and dub­ling is like to be deuised, when it will serue for an ad­uantage. Correspondent vnto this ouersight is that bad construction which you make of my former let­ters; but that it sauoureth a litle more of an vnchari­table minde. In them I gaue you to vnderstand, that they by whom I passed (not all sorts of people as you report) misliked much of your rigorous dealing: and therefore desired you for the loue of our generall cause to vse more mildnesse. You hereof inferre that I am fallen into temptation, and much changed from that I was. In this your collectiō I find two faults, the one, in that you insinuate that then I spake placentia, but that now I writ acerba: There indeed I often re­frained franckly to speake what I thought, because it was like to do you small good, and more then like to do me much harme, yet I manie times to your selfe, and to those who would tel you all, greeuously com­plained of your seuere and rigorous kind of carriage towards your countrimen of all sortes, much vnsee­ming (as me thought) your priuate person, more dis­sonant from your holy profession, and very ill suting, [Page 140] both with the times we liue in, and the parties you haue to deale withall.

The other fault more fowle in my opinion, is that of a friendlie admonition you gather a falling out: & because I went about to perswade you, to be more milde, kinde, and curteous, towards your own coun­trymen, who otherwise endure sorrow inough: you iudge me fallen from your friendship into a daunge­rous temptation, and to haue incurred many (I know not what) greeuous sinnes and censures, but I am not greatly dismaid at these your bigge words and terri­fying consequents; when as I finde them to be (as this is) erronious in the light of nature, and condem­ned euen by the Heathen Philosophers, who like well, approue, and commend as verie dutifull among deare friends, not onlie exhortations which I then vsed for the loue I bare you, but also reprehensions, which I now come after withall, being therevnto by you cōpelled. I am sorry to see you who haue so long liued among so many good religious Fathers, so farre frō that pitch of humilitie, & mortificatiō, which ma­keth a man to contemne himselfe and the honors of this world, & to desire to be euil thought & spokē of: that you may not abide to heare tell of any fault of yours, but by & by, you fall out with your friend, for that he in faire tearmes intreateth you, to looke vnto such an euil humor, as partly by naturall inclination, partly by long custome of harkening vnto flatterers, you may be subiect vnto. And albeit in another pas­sage of yours, you would seeme not to mislike them, who aduertise you of that they think amisse: yet this [Page 141] your euil taking of such aduertisements when they come, doth euidently proue the contrarie: and this fault is taken to be too common in some of your So­cietie; and I my selfe once before, found the like de­meanour in one of your principall Agents in Eng­land:These Let­ters were th [...] cause why h [...] lost an Assi­stantship, by M. Black. [...] owne repor [...] whom I friendlie certified of some odde dea­lings which were reported of the Societie, assuring him that I beleeued them not, but desired to heare from him the veritie of those affaires, for my further satisfaction. I was so farre off from receiuing a good answere (due at least in courtesie for that I desired it) that my Letters were read openly and shewed vnto others, and sinister construction made of them, to procure me euill will and discredit. What kinde of religion, ciuilitie, or humanitie may be in such maner of dealing, I can hardly perceiue, and list not heere to discusse, hoping that when you shall see other men scanne, examine, and confute your Letters, as you were woont to do theirs; you will be hereafter more mannerly & milde interpreters, least you otherwise hap to meete with the same measure that you meat to others. Well, let vs goe on.

You pretend, that you expected to receiue from me louing Letters and much good seruice. A great presumption surely of my no small mortification, if you speake vnfainedly. For it were no vulgar vertue for manifolde and manifest slaunders, calumniari­ons, imprisonment, and exile, which I receiued there among you: to returne and render commendati­ons, congratulations, all sorts of sweetnesse and cour­tesies; which neuerthelesse, you would haue the [Page 142] world weene that you attended at my hands. But to speake without glosing, your owne guiltie consci­ence, tolde you euen before our departure as you sig­nifie, that you were not like to receiue from mee (whom you knowe to be plaine and round:) any o­ther then ordinarie curtesie; such as the loue of God and lawe of charitie bindeth me vnto: the which for those good parts it hath pleased God to endowe you with, I will alwaies afforde you in a high de­gree, and more too, when I shall perceiue that you esteeme more of it, and to goe about not in emptie words, but by sound deedes better to de­serue it.

But not to wander vp and downe after all the particularities of such a long tedious Letter: I will reduce my whole answere vnto two points. The for­mer shall shewe what reasons mooued my brethe­ren to send vnto Rome, and vs to goe thither at their request. In the latter shall be declared how we were vsed there; in the one or the other I will answere to whatsoeuer in your Letter touching me, and hope by both to giue ful satisfaction vnto all honest, equal, and vpright consciences, of that which they haue heard obiected against me, concerning that negotia­tion.

The most holy and blessed course, of the peace­able reduction of our Countrey vnto the auncient Catholique faith in Apostolique manner, being be­fore somewhat hindered by a dispute about gouern­ment in Wisbitch: and afterwards much more trou­bled by emulation, growing betweene some En­glish [Page 143] of the Societie, and certaine other Priests: who tooke themselues much impeached in their credit by them: it did not a litle grieue me (who had imploy­ed a great part of my best yeares in that our good Lords haruest: and had nothing on earth in so sin­gular recommendation, as to see that heauenly work prosper) to consider what impediment and let of it was like to follow, if those sparkes of dissention were not speedily quenched. Wherefore, with many o­thers of the auncientest sort, and of better marke, me­rit and affection towards our Countrey, I trauelled about a soueraigne medicine, for the present mala­die (as it seemed vnto vs) and a notable preseruatiue against any other that might ensue afterwardes; which was to vnite and knit our selues together, in some louing, sweete, and easie association and bro­therhood, that so by mutuall intelligence, counsell and ayd, we might either prudently preuent, or spee­dily meete with all inconueniences that might hap­pen to arise among vs: being now many in number, and euery one left vnto his owne gouernment and discretion. This matter of vnion was communica­ted vnto all, and euerie man almost requested to ioyne in it: a draught of rules were drawne, which were fewe, easie, reasonable, and much profitable: which were also shewed vnto whosoeuer would see them, that if they misliked any thing therein, it might be amended, and so made agreeable vnto all honest desires. What could in reason be more demaunded? Yet, because this proceeded not, as it is thought from the Societie, nor had any dependance vpon [Page 144] them; although at first they seemed to approoue it much, as that which was in itselfe, honest, iust, and necessarie: yet afterward seeing it likely to goe for­ward, and to growe into such a body as theirs is, they openly opposed themselues against it, and stirred vp their fellowes to contradict and crosse it, as much as they could: and in the meane season coyned a new forme of gouernment or subordination (as they call it) neuer heard of in the Church of God since the the beginning of the world, vntill our dayes; and by Cardinall Caietanes authoritie, caused the same to be cast vpō vs, at vnawares; our cōsents or likings neuer demaunded, vntill it was (as they said) established. This cunning and audacious enterprise with the prepostorous vnaduised proceeding in it: mooued farre greater discontentment among vs then was be­fore, and was the principall cause of sending vnto Rome, (the soueraigne Court of Ecclesiasticall con­trouersie) that from whence the fountaine of our griefe did seeme to spring, from thence in like maner we might deriue and drawe the streames of consola­tion. That we had many waightie, vrgent, and law­ful motiues to sue vnto that Court, a wise, vpright, and well practised man in Ecclesiasticall affaires, shall (I doubt not) willingly graunt mee after he hath well weighed and pondered these reasons fol­lowing; which are taken of the order it selfe, of the obtaining, sending, publishing, and executing of it.

First, touching this subordination, it being no such as our sauiour Christ Iesus deliuered to his [Page 145] Apostles, or that hath bene seene practised in anie part of Christendome these 1600. yeares: no mar­uaile though simple witted men, who desire not to straie from the holie steps of our forefathers, were at the first not a little amazed at it, and could not be so verie easilie induced to approue it. This also, besides the noueltie of it, being much more odious and in­tollerable (as it was then proposed) then anie other gouernment that our predecessors had euer liued vn­der. For hauing full and absolute power to punish ri­gorously, and that (as it were) at pleasure and discre­tion: it had no facultie ioyned with it, or abilitie to benefit or do anie good at all: no not so much, as vp­on amendment of the partie punished, to restore vn­to him againe that hee had taken away from him be­fore. If now he haue more ample authoritie, he may thanke our complaints, which were no smal cause of it. And herevnto his Iniunctions (whereof more in an other place) that Priestes should not meete toge­ther priuilie in our countrie; that they should not se­cretlie send vnto their friends ouer the sea: whereas openlie they can doo no such thing, as all the world knoweth; and tell vs (I pray you) when and where euer you heard of such an Ecclesiastical gouernment in anie Christian countrie before: that sacred Priests, the free children of God his familie so greatlie priui­ledged by all good Christian Princes, should be (I know not by whom) in such a seruile sort yoaked?

Againe, this punishing authoritie cannot be wel practised in England during this heate of persecuti­on, and therefore seemed to be frustrate and giuen in [Page 146] vaine: for by the Canon lawe (which is the com­mon rule of spirituall causes) as by all other lawes; no punishment ought by sentence of Iudge to be inflic­ted vpon the offender (not confessing the action) be­fore he be by order of lawe conuicted. Confession of the fault is sildome in that Court or neuer to be expected: wherefore lawfull defence is to be graun­ted vnto anie person accused before he be condem­ned. But no processe according vnto order of lawe can be framed & followed, so long as we haue hotte persecutors, laying waite euerie where to apprehend vs. For to omit all other difficulties (which in practise will be founde to be verie manie) where can a safe place be found to assemble the parties, their witnes­ses & Proctors together; and there to hold as it were an Assize, for the determination of their controuer­sies, which to be necessarie, Lancelot a man singularly seene in both lawes and authour of the institutes of the Canon law setteth downe (which he taketh out of the Canon lawe, Extra de appell. cap: ex parte tua: see also the glosse there: which both require a secure place, both for the parties, Proctors, and witnesses, or else holdeth them for excused if they appeare not) Institu. L. 3. Tit. s. § Locus in these words, Tunc enim ius dicenti impune non paretur si locus citatione designatus pestilens sit aut alias pro citato male tutus. Then may a man freely not obey him that ministreth iustice, whē the place in the citation assigned is infected with the plague, or otherwise not safe for the partie cited. Now euerie Catholicke knoweth, that there is no place in our Country, free from daunger for Priests [Page 147] to assemble together: such diligent watch and ward being laide in euerie shire to apprehend them. And who will be so simple, as to allow them a hall in his house for their pleadings, whereby he (that cannot start) doth cast himselfe into a hundreth perills, of loosing not onely all his goods and libertie, but his life also and inheritance? A place of assurance then cannot in these times be appointed for the appea­rance: hee therefore is warranted by lawe not to ap­peare, although he be cyted by his lawful magistrate. And so no action can be commenced, much lesse de­termined by this authoritie of the Arch-priest: and consequently, such penall power is to small purpose in our Country. This subordination then being ex­trauagant without example of antiquitie, hatefull, as hauing power to punish, but not to pleasure; and scarcely possible to be now practised in our Coun­trie, had we not great reason to certifie his holinesse of the inconueniences of it, and in humble sort to sue vnto him for remedie and redresse, before hee put to his hand vnto the confirmation of it?

And this you must needs much more easily grant, if you consider how this subordination was procu­red and gotten: for it seemeth to haue bene by false information, which alone is sufficient to ouerthrow the whole authoritie. My proofe shalbe pregnant, ta­ken out of the verie letters Patents of the Archpriest, where are these words, Rationes pro illa subordinatione ab ipsis Sacerdotibus Anglis redditae S. ^mo D. N. proba­tae fuerunt. The reasons by the English Priests them­selues exhibited for that subordination vnto his ho­linesse [Page 148] were well liked. Marke I pray you how this subordination was obtained at the suite and perswa­sion of the Priests in England. Now I appeale vnto the consciences of my louing bretheren the Priests then in England, whether euer they had heard of a­nie such stratagem or straunge subordination before they felt it (as it were) clapped on their shoulder, sure I am for the most part of them, howsoeuer they wereM. Iames [...]tand: who had giuen his name to be a [...]esuite (and was the man who by Fa. Parsons sub­ [...]rnation im­ [...]loyed him­selfe in this action) con­fessed before diuers priests [...]t his return, [...]hat he had [...]n interpre­ [...]atiue con­sent of the Priests in England. drawne afterwards to accept of it by flatterie, fraude, or threats, that they neuer dreamed of it, before they sawe it, so farre off were they from deuising and ten­tering perswasions vnto his holinesse, for the admit­ting of it. I will not deny, but that some one Priest, who had bene in England, being then idle in Rome, might by euill counsaile and subornation take vp­on him to be sent of the whole bodie, and so contra­ry vnto conscience and good order, speake in their names, that neuer sent him. But what was graunted vpon such vntrue suggestion, euery man knoweth to be of no force and validitie; and that we in England had iust cause to certifie his holinesse, by trustie mes­sengers, how we were greatly abused, by thē who v­sed our names, to obtain that exorbitāt deuise, which we neither desired nor liked, but rather, that it would please his holinesse, to establish among vs, that sound Ecclesiastical Hierarchy which was instituted by the wisdome of God, & had bin euer sithence in time of persecutiō, as wel as in peace, obserued in all Christi­an Nations: that he would (I mean) giue vs Bishops the successors of the Apostles, and onely ordinary Pastours of God his Church, who might confirme, [Page 149] consecrate oyles, and bring many other of God his blessings among vs. But not to digresse from my pur­pose.

The third cause why this subordination did mis­like vs, was for that it came not authentically from his holinesse, by Bull, Breue, or any other lawfull in­strument, but was framed by you Father (as it is thought) liked by Cardinall Caietane, (a great patron of your plots) and by vertue of his Letters authori­sed and sent in amongst vs. If his L. had beene so prouident as he was aduenterous, hee should haue certified vs before, how he came by any such soue­raigne commaundement ouer our Countrey: for that was vtterly vnknowne vnto the most of vs. We had heard that he was Protector of our Colledge, and of our Nation in the Citie of Rome: but it litle followeth thereof, that he might erect a spirituall Monarchy in England. For there be in Rome many other Protectors of Nations, but yet no one besides him, that taketh vpon him any such authoritie. But to purge himselfe from this staine of vsurpation, hee writeth that his holinesse willed him to take order a­mongst vs for peace and vnitie. Let vs do him the honour to beleeue him on his word (although some report that hee hath little deserued it at our hands:) was there no other meanes to be found for appeasing of all parties, then to cast vpon vs without our priuities and consents, contrary to the Canons of the Church, a platforme of gouernment, neuer before seene or heard of in the Church of God? Would not a man maruell where his Lordships [Page 150] iudgement was, when he approued without any one president such nouelties? Surely, their wits seeme to haue bene gone on wooll-gathering, that inuented this, as a way of peace and vnion; it being most like, what for the straungenesse of it, as also for the disor­derly obtaining and sending of it, to engender much more debate amongst vs then was before. For, accor­ding to the generall voyce of the wisest Common­weale men: there is no higher way to dissention and garboiles, then to bring in (as it were perforce) a new and straunge order of gouernment. But not to omit any thing for his Lordships excuse, he writeth in the same his Letters, that his holinesse liked well of the reasons exhibited vnto him for that subordination: so in the same sentēce he saith, that we english priests presented many gentle perswasions vnto his holines, for the admitting of it, but in this his Lordship see­meth to haue bin deceiued: why then might he not so be in the other? But admit that his holines liked of the reasons, & that there was no surreption: no more followeth, but that his holines would haue the Car­dinall prooue how the priests in England would like of that subbordination, and according as he should heare of their acception, hee would after either ap­prooue or disprooue it. This (at the most) to haue beene his holinesse minde, I heard of a principall Officer of his at Rome. Also, other honest and ver­tuous Priestes, affirme on their credits, and are ready to binde it with their oathes; that they heard you Father, yea and the Pope his Holinesse himselfe say, that hee would not establish and set any certaine [Page 151] superioritie amongst vs in England; before hee had heard from vs of our good wills and likings, which was fatherlike, louingly, and wisely spoken; confor­mable vnto the auncient Canons: see dist. 61. can. nullus inuitis detur Eps. Let no Bishop bee giuen to men against ther wills: the reason he setteth down in the lawe: dist. 63. can. si forte: ne ciuitas (inuita) Epis­copum non optatum aut contemnat aut oderit. Least ha­uing a Bishop giuen them against their wills, they do either contemne or hate him, whom they desired not. If such liking and consent be required by the Lawe for ordinarie Magistrates: how much more for extraordinary and such as they neuer heard of before; and that especially at the first reducing of them to subiection, who before were free from that yoake: when after the glosse vpō the word Rogarunt: dist. 21. can. In nouo. non nisi volentibus dabitur Prela­tus etiam a Papa. A Prelate is not to be giuen but to the willing, no not by the Pope: much lesse of a Car­dinall. Heere we tooke these words of the Canon first cited dist. 61. to haue place. Sit facultas Clericis renitendi si se viderint pregrauari, & quos sibi ingeri ex transuer so agnouerint non timeant refutare. This passage falleth so fit to our purpose, that it seemeth to haue beene made for the like case. Wee were about a sweete brotherlike association, euerie man made pri­uie to it, euery ones aduise and counsell required and desired: in the meane season to crosse our good meaning and designement for vnitie and concord, a stately superioritie is intended vpon vs, whether we will or will not. Who can now condemne vs for [Page 152] taking the benefite of this lawe, which giueth vs as it were commission to resist such intrusion, and bid­deth vs boldly to reiect and refute him that was so o­uerthwartly thrust vpon vs; especially by appeale and recourse vnto both our superiours, for the compo­sing and quietting of all parties? And truly to declare my opinion, who of many haue thought very well of M. Blackwell, and euen then wished him greater preferment: he surely, if he had harkened vnto his owne naturall disposition and accustomed mode­stie, and had not bene by some hastie hot-spurres pricked forward, would not vpon so slender a foun­dation as a Cardinalls Letter, haue taken vpon him so straunge a vocation, against the consents of so ma­ny his bretheren: some his auncients, some his e­qualls, many not much his inferiours, in standing, learning, good affection, and merit towards our Countrey: a man of his grauitie and pietie, that had no doubt many times pithily declaimed against am­bition and desires of honours, should at least (as mee seemeth) ere he had vndertaken that dignitie, haue graunted so many graue learned men, leaue and re­spite, to informe themselues throughly of the whole matter, before they did binde themselues to that sub­iection.

But to proceed forward in my proofes, the pub­lication and execution of this subordination much more yet increased our dislikes, and ministred new occasions to appeale from it. The publishing of it, by the Arch-priest his owne Letters, seemed vnde­cent. Where were your wisedomes? Could not a [Page 153] Letter at least haue bene deuised from the Cardinall (who was ready to assigne al that Father Parsons pre­sented vnto him) to the Priests, aduertising them of this his good pleasure, or some other mannerly in­uention haue bene framed; but that the good man himselfe must needs be made his owne Trumpeter and Crier: and be forced to offer that violence to his modestie, as to blow abroad & divulgate his late atchieued promotion, and to begge of his fellowes, or commaund them (take of the two whether you thinke more ciuil) to like well of his preferment, and therevnto in all haste, to set to their hands: they must not in anie case, staie to examine his authoritie, what it was, whence or how it came, but foorthwith put their neckes in the collar, be subiect and obay him. This vncomely & vntimely haste to bind our selues, I know not vnto what subiection, seemed verie raw, and of hard digestion: and nothing sutable with the grauitie and waight of the matter, which required much more mature deliberation.

Moreouer, when by word of mouth he broached the same his authoritie vnto certaine Priests, he to a­mend the matter withall, added thervnto somewhat of his owne: and being forthwith taken tardie, hee did presently cōfesse that he indeed put therto some­what: as honest Priests on their oathes will testifie. This gaue a great presumption that the matter was contriued by their friends, and that they might adde or diminish at their pleasure. Which is more pro­bable, if we call to mind and marke what instructions he gaue forth at the first as receiued from the Cardi­nall. [Page 154] Among others, were these, that Priests should not meet secretly together, that they should not send any priuie messages ouer the seas; that they should take in good part whatsoeuer was either written or spoken against them, and such like which are not in the rowle of his instructions sent him from the Car­dinall, as euerie bodie may see; and I can by produ­cing a true copie of them, when need shall be, eui­dently demonstrate: and besides are so voide of rea­son, so odious and intollerable in our Country, espe­cially at this time, when Priests cannot meete toge­ther or do any thing, but in secret: that a babe might plainly feele them, neuer to haue proceeded from his holinesse, or from anie noble, free or compassio­nate heart, but to sauour of (I know not what) base minde too too much addicted to terror, crueltie, and seruitude. I will (that I be not ouerlong) omit diuers other pregnant & forcible reasons which we had of sending vnto Rome; this onely I may not leaue be­hinde, which of it selfe were a sufficient cause to sue and speak for redresse in season: vz. that in the whole drift of this subordination, extreame partialitie was apparantly shewed, which as the world knoweth, was no good meanes to appease all parties & to ende their debates; the onely cause pretended of this late­ly erected authoritie, & namely to accord the Priests and Iesuites, as the Letters Pattents specifie. Now that controuersies be wel decided, and all honest par­ties agreed, it was meete (perdie) to choose vpright and indifferent Iudges and Arbiters, who should without fauour, feare, loue, or hatred, waigh euerie [Page 155] mans cause vprightly, in the ballance of equitie, and without respect of persons, giue sentence according to iustice. This is a principall in iudgement so cleare, by the light of nature, that it is graunted of verie Pa­gans: yet in our cause very badly obserued: for both the Arch-priest and his counsellours, (vnto whom the determination of our causes are to be referred) were all chosen by the one partie, with a speciall pro­uiso, that no one be admitted vnto that number, who did not greatly fauour the same partie: howe contrary soeuer they were vnto the other partie, it imported not: yea perhaps the more earnestly bent against them, the rather elected. Had not trow you, the other poore partie iust cause to refuse such Vm­peeres and Iudges that were so alienated from them, and such fauourites of the aduerse partie: and to pre­uent the vniust sentences that were like to follow of this partialitie, to flie in time for refuge vnto their lawfull superiour? And if in all pettie iudgements, euery priuate man is allowed by lawe an exception against a partiall Iudge, how much more is the same to be graunted vnto many auncient, graue worthie men, in a generall cause of a Country.

Two proper points of pollicy I obserue in this election, the one in choosing the Officers so plyant to their pleasures, that they may be the more readie to runne byaz when it will serue their turnes. And yet because men are mutable, to hold them in awe, their authorities might be taken from them, what time soeuer the Cardinall thought good, as in the points it is to be seene: but let this goe, because I tou­ched [Page 156] it before; the other peece of pollicy yet more fine, is, that the Arch-priest himselfe who is appoin­ted to giue iustice vnto both parties, hath power on­ly ouer the one partie; & none at all ouer the other: so that the one he may by censures & seuere punish­ment, constraine to stand to his definitiue sentence: but the other needs not to care for him any further then that he may vse him, to plague his aduersarie. Vt sibi caueat loco. These hardy champions, hold it not sufficient to haue the fauour of the Court for them: but for feare of after claps, wil haue also their persons exempted from the principal magistrate, and reserue themselues onely, to their owne Fathers iudgement, which must be sought for also, farre inough off from Rome, and that in forme of supplication, if I mistake not much the Arch-priests instructions.

Here seemeth to be the place to answere to that sentence of yours (Father), where you tel vs in good sadnesse, that many yeares you demaunded with your friends for this subordination. I beleeue you surely, considering that neither you would haue yours comprehended in it, and yet you would haue the appointing of all the Officers, and ordering al­most of all matters belonging to it. But say you it was thereby to deliuer the Societie from that calumnia­tion, vsed to be laid against them, that they would gouerne the Priests against theirs wills: and you had some reason so to say, if you had suffered the Priests to haue chosen their gouernours according to their owne wills & desires: but you putting in, and choo­sing such commaunders, as at your becke, should be [Page 157] readie to doo whatsoeuer you will, doo manifestly prooue that saying to be no calumniation, but a plaine demonstration of your incroaching, vpon the gouernments of priests, much further then your pro­fession or vocation doth require. For by the ordina­rie course of the Church, religious men are to be go­uerned by some of the lay Cleargie, and not the Cleargie by them.

Well to drawe towards the end of my former part, this subordination being both straunge in the Church of God, hatefull of itself, and not to be ex­ercised in our countrey in these times, it being also procured (as it seemeth) by false suggestion, authori­zed by him, that was not knowne to haue any such authoritie, and finally by partiall election of the go­uernours, tending vnto the oppression of many no­table personages, who had excellently well deserued of our countrey by their long and fruitfull trauells: yet remaineth euident and most manifest, that wee had sundry, iust, lawfull and great causes in humble sort to sue vnto our superiours for a mitigation or al­teration of it, and for establishing of some better and more fit for our countrey. Whereof appeareth first, how vaine that vaunt of yours is, where you say, that we came and brought nothing with vs, and that you were ashamed to see that wee had taken so long a iourney and had so litle to say, when besides the cau­ses before mentioned, we had many other points al­so of importance in our message. As to desire and sue for Bishops, or at least, that the facultie to con­firme and to consecrate oyles (whereof our countrey [Page 158] standeth in very great need) might be giuen vnto some of our auncient Priests, with diuers such like, which were not vnknowne vnto you, wherefore I maruell with what conscience you can say, that wee brought no matter of substance, or worth our tra­uell. Secondly, out of the premisses followeth, that the loue of God his cause, the zeale and earnest de­sire of some good order for peace & vnitie, mooued mee (at the earnest request and solicitations of ma­ny godly and graue Priests) to forgoe the company of my deare friends, to contemne mine owne ease and commoditie, and to put my selfe vnto the paine, daunger, and part also of the cost of such a long pe­rillous iourney: and not ambition, as many of your dependants, haue with euill conscience bruted a­broad in diuers coasts, and one of the societie an especiall correspondent of yours, did not blush to write, that we in Rome had confessed, that nothing but ambition incited vs to this iourney, of which I certified you in my former Letters, and you writ that you cannot beleeue, that any body would giue out any such impudent reports, but I assure you that I haue seene it written, and can haue their Letters pro­duced, when time shall serue to confront the shame­lesse spreaders of such slaunderous rumours. And albeit you cleare me of that crime most willingly (as you write) yet as men that speake hollowly, and not from the heart, you giue forth some suspitions out of other mens speeches, and lay downe in their names, your reasons for confirmation of them. The first is, that in the papers we brought with vs, there were [Page 159] voyces for our promotion: I answere, that with those papers I was not much acquainted, as one that neither gathered them, nor carried them; and full well I knowe and protest, that by accord among our selues, it was determined before I resolued to take that iourney, that they which were sent should not accept of any preferment willingly, although it were offered them, least they should giue their euill wil­lers occasion to carpe at them, rather to seeke their owne particular, then their generall good. Their se­cond reason is, for that in a foolish Letter de presidētijs incerto autore, a request is made, that wee should bee made not Bishops onely, but Arch-bishops (for­soothe) and such a ragmans rowle, there is in it, of which is the first dignitie after the Bishop, which is the second, and so (as farre as I remember) vnto a­boue twentie, that any foole almost, may see that Letter to haue bin contriued to worke our disgrace; and so as a fiction not worth the answering. Their last reason was, for that in an other Letter of I know not whose (the phrase is) of your L L: for your Lordships: but this Letter would neuer be shewed (although it were most instantly desired) because they said it to be from a very friend of ours, a general answer vnto these Letters is; that it is easie, for those that list to deuise what Letters wil best serue for their turnes, and then make great matter out of them. But howsoeuer it were, yea admit that all were true, as they say: yet nothing else can be prooued out of them, then that many wished and desired our prefer­ment: whereof whosoeuer would gather, that wee [Page 160] were ambitious and desirous of honour: I will bold­ly say that his wits begin to faile him, if they euer were good. For the humblest men in the world, and those that were farthest off from ambition, were euer thought most meete, and were most desired to take the charge and dignitie of the best seates. God make me as free from all vaine desire of worldly promoti­on, as were S. Barnard, S. Francis, S. Thomas of Aquine, and such like most learned and vertuous, and withall most meeke and humble personages: who neuerthelesse, were greatly desired, euen of the grea­test, to take vpon them great and high dignities. In a word, it was no ambition in vs that others wished and desired our preferment. And as I afore said, their wits weare apace, and are neare the wane, that of so vaine and light surmises, iudged vs ambitious, and their consciences fowly cankered and corrupted, who of so weake and slender presumptions, went a­bout by writing or speaking to impaire our credits, and to hurt our good names.

Heere I would finish this part, but that I take it very expedient and almost necessarie, to touch by the way (vntill a fit confutation come, which will be shortly, if the Author supposed will auouch it: as one of the best of the societie thinketh he will not)Fa. Maior. to touch I say in a word or two, a sawcie, rude, and vnlearned discourse, intituled Contra factiosos in Ec­clesia, Listers Treatise. because the drift of it is, to proue that we were so farre off from hauing good cause to send to Rome about that matter, that we were all Schismatickes, who did not at the first sight of the Cardinalls Let­ters, [Page 161] receiue the Archpriest without anie more adoo, & to haue cōmitted many other enormious crimes. I am sorie to see such a base peece of work, & so chil­dishly handled, to proceed from one, who, if hee did not despise others (that might haue sometimes bene his good masters) as Dwarffes in diuinitie, (Homūcio­nes enim vocat) & take himself to be some huge Giant were to bee esteemed to haue much better skill in schoole diuinitie, thē he at his first comming to light amongst vs hath made shewe of. And trulie, I had ra­ther thinke it to proceed from some other not so ho­nest a man, and a meaner scholler, it is so void of lear­ning, so full of arrogant & approbrious tearmes, and hath so many pergoes and properoes, odde interro­gations and preposterous exclamations. All which are nothing vsuall among schoole-men. Well, who­soeuer it be, besides diuisions, the penalties that en­sue of schisme, and much other impertinent stuffe, it hath but one bare ground of that badde asserti­on, which seemeth also to hang vpon gimballes (as they speake in my Country): for it standeth vpon a proportion or similitude, this it is in forme. That is schisme in the Ecclesiasticall state, which is rebellion in a ciuil Common-weale; but in a ciuil state, it is re­bellion, not to receiue a temporall magistrate, cho­sen by the King, and recommended by his Letters, therfore it was schisme, not to receiue a spirituall ma­gistrate, elected by the Pope, and by his Letters sent vnto vs. This is his argument, in substance, & framed in as good order as it can be: but it concludeth not, nor prooueth any thing at all: for to speake plainlie, [Page 162] all the propositions & parts of it be faultie, the Maior, or first proposition taken of a similitude is verie fee­ble, for Argumentum a simili (as the learned hold) Ma­gis valet ad ornandū orationem quam ad aliquid proban­dum, it serueth more properly to trimme vp and flo­rish out a matter that is well prooued, then to be the maine ground of a proofe. So that it was no small o­uersight in a man of iudgemēt, to laie so foule a foun­dation of his whole discourse. The Minor or second proposition of that argument is apparantly false: for in what Countrie I pray you, or by what lawe is it rebellion not to receiue a magistrate appointed vnto vs by the King? It may be disobedience, if they haue not great reason to refuse him: it may bee also con­tempt, if it be not done in dutifull sort, acknowled­ging their bounden dutie vnto their soueraigne, and making their recourse vnto no other but vnto him­selfe for redresse and remedie; but to teach it to be re­bellion, where there are no armes borne against the Prince, nor no obstinate deniall of his princely po­wer; is to bring a new doctrine into the world, con­trarie to both the signification of the word rebellion, and vnto the common acception and vse of it amōg the learned. Now the conclusiō collected of a feeble Maior, & false Minor, must needs be nothing worth: & so notwithstanding that argument, it is no schisme not to haue receiued a magistrate nominated & cho­sen by the Popes holinesse Letters; other arguments he bringeth none, but a certaine generall kinde of Maxime. Qui vos spernit me spernit, which was spoken vnto the Apostles, and may serue for such like, to [Page 163] proue no schisme, but a contempt: when without good reason, and after an vndutifull manner, we ob­stinately contemne our superiours. In the allegation also of that one Canon Nulli fas est Dist. 19, where­vnto this trifler often referreth vs. There are 3. foule faults. First it is euil applied vnto a Cardinals Letter, being in the lawe set downe for confirmation of the Popes decretall Epistles, which as the learned know, are of farre greater authoritie, then his owne ordina­ry Letters: and doo without all comparison so farre surpasse a Cardinals Missiue, that to apply to the one, that which is proper to the other, is litle lesse then to doate. Secondly that decree is onely against Prelates that disobey the Popes commaundement, which to extend to all sorts of persons, is a foule fault in penall lawes, which passe not their case. Thirdly the decree plainly sheweth, that in Prelates it is only disobedi­ence & presumption, not to obey the Popes decree, and not schisme: for these be the words; Damnatus sua inobedientia & presumptione. If then in these his principall forces, he hath shewed himselfe so weake, iudge I pray you what worthie stuffe the rest is like to be. But because I heare my brethren endure the contumelie and approbrious name of Schismatikes, albeit that they vpon the first sight of his holinesse confirmation of the Arch-priests election, submitted themselues vnto him: I wil by the proper passion and inseperable qualitie of schisme, proue that our action to haue bene nothing schismaticall. All schisme (as it is properly taken) is ioyned with such a rebellion a­gainst the Church & chiefe Pastour of it, that it ma­keth [Page 164] his subiect obstinately to contemne his com­maundement, and to refuse to stand vnto his iudge­ment and determination.

These are the words of the Angelicall Doctor, and most sure pillar of schoole Diuinitie, S. Thom. 2. 2. q. 39. ar. 2. Pertinaciter eius preceptum contemnere, & recusare eius iudicium subire. Marke the words. It is no schisme where there is not contempt of the superiors commaundement, and that obstinate and wilfull: which is not whē a man vpon probable reason, doth not presently do that which his superior commaun­deth, hoping that when his superior heareth his rea­sons, hee will not be displeased with him. This man (as euery man seeth) despiseth not his superiour, al­though he may by errour or ignorance perhaps of­fend him, and yet not onlie contempt of the superi­ours commaundement is required to make schisme, but also an obstinate resolution that he will not (for examining his reasons, and finall dicision of the con­trouersie) stand vnto his superiours iudgement. Vt cū recusat eius iudiciū subire. And that you may know that this is not onely S. Thomas opinion, who alone might suffice, as being the Prince of schoole-men: I will ioyne with him that most reuerend, holy, and learned Bishop of Florēce, S. Antoninus the ringleader of casuists, who in his Sum. P. 3. Tit. 22. c. 5. § 11. wit­nesseth the same in these words. Schismatici sunt om­nes resistentes Papae non quocunque modo, sed per spontane­am intentionem, & manifestam rebellionem & eius iu­dicialis sententiae recusationem non recognoscendo ipsum vt caput Ecclesiae. All they are Schismatickes, not in [Page 161] what sort soeuer, but such as resist the Pope vpon wilfull intention, and by manifest rebellion, and by refusall of his iudiciall sentence, in not recognising him to bee head of the Church. Of the same opini­on is Siluester Verb. Schisma. §. 1. to omit all late wri­ters: we therefore that delaide to receiue our Arch­priest, vpon many probable reasons, the which I haue before rehearsed, and referred our selues vnto his holinesse iudgement, and sent speedily to giue him to vnderstand of our difficulties, with humble submission vnto his finall conclusion: cannot pos­sibly be prooued Schismatickes, or to haue come a­ny thing neare that obstinate contempt, and vtter refusall of his holinesse sentence, which is alwaies ac­companied with Schisme, and can neuer be sepera­ted from it.

This argument necessarily deliuereth vs from the note of Schisme, although our Arch-priest had beene chosen by his holinesse, and by the Pope him­selfe recommended vnto vs: but when hee was one­ly nominated by subdelegation from a Cardinall, who neuer made publickely knowne in England what authoritie he had ouer vs, it had bene great sim­plicitie, (that I say not great folly) to haue admitted of him, without further inquisition, considering all the circumstances, of the procuring, sending, & exe­cution of it, as I haue at large alreadie discoursed. Wherefore to conclude this former part, it was nei­ther rebellion or schisme, as where was not any ob­stinate contempt of his holinesse, or refusall of his fi­nall sentence: or any disobedience, not to haue ad­mitted [Page 166] of our Arch-priest before he had the Pope his holinesse Letters in confirmation of his authori­tie, no man being bound to receiue him before; both according to the practise of the Church in all coun­tries, and conformably to the grounds of the Lawe recorded by that singular Canonist Lancelot. Lib. 11. Tit. 9. de confirmatione. § Petet qui confirmatus est ab Apostolica sede literas confirmationis suae tenorem conti­nentes, illis (que) ostendet ad quos ea res pertinet, alioqui nulli eum abs (que) dictarū literarum ostensione recipere tenebun­tur, without shewing of Letters from the See Apo­stolicke conteining the tenor of his confirmation, no man is bound to receiue him. To say that a Car­dinalls Letters are such, would deserue litle lesse then the Inquisition, if a man were in place where, and the censures also that fall vpon the falsifiers of the Apostolicall Letters: so that I say it was not so much as any disobedience vnto our superiours, much lesse did we incurre thereby any of those censures noted by this Libeller; but contrariwise, the acts of all the Cardinall vertues were to be seene in this our fact. First of fortitude, in resisting them that went about wrongfully to oppresse vs, and take our priuiledges of electing our gouernours, graunted by the aunci­ent Canons: then of iustice, both in suing for our right of choosing, as also in aduertising of his holi­nesse of the subreption and other inconueniences of that subordination. Of temperance, that in such a milde sort we sought for a moderation of it, by the way of intreatie and supplication, and consequently some part of prudence must needs haue bene obser­ued [Page 167] in the due exercise of the other vertues: yet as I am none of the wisest, so I willingly confesse now as I did then, with you Father (not any errours as you write) but that there was lacke of due conside­ration in my fact, as in some other circumstances, so especially that passing through Fraunce, where I might easily haue procured the Kings Letters, and thereby haue beene preserued from all sudden sea­sing, and secret shutting vs vp; and so haue bene able to come vnto equall triall of our cause: I vpon other reasons omitted so to do. This my negligence grew in part, of the ouerweening, I had of their mode­stie, charitie and religion, with or against whom I had to deale: whom I found (much cōtrarie vnto my expectation) sharply bent vnto warre and hostilitie, and vtterly resolute to take aduise of no man; but omnibus vijs & modis, as they say, determined whatso­euer came of it, to do their owne willes. God graunt them therefore good wills and wayes; and so to knit vp this part, all that I haue said concerning the Arch­priest & the subordination, is not to discourage any of my brethren from it, beeing now confirmed by his holinesse; and for that it is better to raunge our selues vnder whatsoeuer order, then to loose our times about contentions: but (as I shewed before) it is to purge and cleare vs from sundrie false accusa­tions, being therevnto as it were by others enfor­ced, and to shewe what reason wee had to doo that which we did.

Now I come to the latter part, wherein I promi­sed to declare how we were vsed there: the which I [Page 168] will do as briefly as I may, because the matter is la­mentable and scarce worth the hearing, and should for me haue beene buried in obliuion: had not you (Father) by misreport therof vrged me vnto the true narration of it. If in the relation of it, I differ some­what from you, you must beare with me, for that you dissent much (by your leaue be it spoken) from the veritie of that matter, it may be, you remember not so well, what then was done, as we which felt it; Pium est hoc credere, it is good so to thinke, although it be more like, that you being ashamed to heare what was reported of it, thought it good policie to colour and disguise the matter as much as you could, and much more then you should, to saue your credit, with those at least, which take all your words for Oracles; and by the first setting of it foorth vnder your name, to forestall (as it were) and drawe vnto you other simple soules that are too credulous. Wherefore I am to request all indifferent readers, who hath seene yours, not to suffer themselues to be carried away with a smoothe tale cunningly tolde them, but they will keepe one eare for vs; and then (laying all affection and partialitie aside) hauing heard both parties, iudge vprightly as before Al­mightie God, the soueraigne and most iust Iudge. To come then to the matter, I will first set downe how all things passed plainely, and afterwards exa­mine most briefly the iustice of it, and some points of your narration.

We comming to Rome, about the time you write (for where you tell truth I will agree with you) not [Page 169] willing to acquaint that Courtanie further with the imperfections of our Country then must needs, and desiring rather in faire and friendly sort, to compose matters, then to contend with our brethren, we went the same day vnto the Colledge, to open vnto you our good meaning and purpose, requesting you to ioyne with vs, about the contriuing of some such lo­uing, reasonable and indifferent order, as all honest parties might be contented, and so drawne vnto one sweete and sure band of peace & concord. The same our intention, we declared shortly after vnto both the Cardinalls, Protectors. Caietan who was ere we came thither greatly incensed against vs: (God par­don his soule) and Burghesio, whom we found more calme, and desirous that all our disputes might be well and quietly ended: you (Father) also seemed at the first not vnwilling to hearken vnto that our pro­position for peace: hoping then (belike) to winne vs to whatsoeuer order you should deuise & frame: but finding in fewe daies conference that we were reso­lute not to condiscend to any thing, that was not e­quall, and good generally for one as well as for ano­ther: you sent vs word (much before our daies of hospitalitie were accomplished) to depart the Col­ledge presently, and to prouide for our selues where we could: which we did, keeping frō you the know­ledge of our lodging; because then we be began to misdoubt some foule play, calling to minde, how rudely you had handled the Schollers & Priests also before; and seeing that in the citie we were then fea­red euen of your friends as a shrewd bustling Beare. [Page 170] It fell out euill for vs, that his holinesse, as then was not there, who returned out of his iourney from Fer­rara but three daies before Christmas, so that for the presse of great personages, who went to welcome him home, and the festiual daies following, we could haue no fit audience, till after Christmas: you in the mean season not sparing that high solemnitie of our Sauiours birth, contriued our apprehension, and ha­uing by the indiscretion of one of our friends lear­ned out our lodging, came vpon S. Thomas our Pa­trons day (to make your celebration of those feasts) to visit vs as a good friend, and to aduertise vs, that you had heard that it was his holinesse pleasure, that we should be restrained, but for the loue you bare vs, you were come before in haste (for you came puffing and blowing vp the staires): what? to aduertise vs be­like to looke to our selues, & to be gone betime least we should be taken; nothing so: but much more like to giue vs a Iudas kisse. For you had the Comissa­rie with his ministers at your taile, & came (for ought I can ghesse) to leade them to the place, and to ap­point them out the persons whom they should take, and leade warily, not vnto the prison, for there we were like to meete with ordinarie Officers, equall to all but vnto the Colledge, that there being shut vp from all helpe, we mightlie whollie at their deuoti­ons. I know (Father) that you came thither preten­ding to intreate for vs, that we were not sent vnto prison: but that was but for a colour, for that you might haue done as well absent as present. The Co­missary being wholly yours, set on, lead, and lodged [Page 171] by you: in the Colledge we were locked vp apart in two litle close Chambers, much more like the worst then the best in the house, with poore schollers fare, and in smoaky coloured gownes, such as the seruants weare, farre otherwise (Father) then you bragge of: for the most part kept without fire, being verie cold, and for twentie daies, not suffered to goe out, not so much as to heare Masse vpon New-yeares day, or the Epiphany. Examined we were, by one Signior Acarisius, a trustie friend of yours Father Parsons, an humble seruant of Cardinall Caietane our potent ad­uersary. The examinations were, what is your name, how old, where remained you in England, how and which way came you ouer, what money brought you ouer with you, &c. and much such like imperti­nent stuffe to fil vp the papers, that when we came to the matter it selfe they might be briefe: taking bare­ly what we came about, without the reasons & per­swasions of it: yea obiecting against it, & peruerting it what they could.

And because Signior Acarisius seemed not some­times sharpe enough; Fa. Parsons himselfe would be an examiner also: when I heard that Cardinall Caie­tane should be our Iudge, I excepted against him, as being one principal partie: but I could not be heard; I called also for a Proctor to assist vs with his counsel: it was denied. NO remedie, for there was no bodie to be spoken withall, but Fa. Parsons and whom hee appointed: we had not so much libertie, as one of vs to conferre with another; all our instructions were taken from vs also, and neither pen or paper, or any [Page 172] booke allowed vs, wherewith we might helpe our selues in that our common cause, vntil the day of our hearing came, which was a little before Shrouetide in an afternoone, where the Cardinall Caietane and Burghesio being present, our examinations were read each mans apart, which spent most of the time; after a long bill exhibited against vs, with some Letters al­so in the end of it: and so the time was spent vnprofi­tably, little examining and waighing the substantiall points we came about: we were after that kept two moneths close, attending their LL. sentence, which some ten daies after Easter was deliuered vnto vs: to this effect especially, that we should goe whither they sent vs, and not returne into England without expresse license. Propter controuersias quas cū sui ordinis hominibus exercuerunt, for maintaining of controuer­sies with mee of their owne order. This is I assure you on the word of a Priest, the very truth of the sto­rie.

Now touching the equitie of it, let any prudent man, neuer so little voide of passion, iudge what iu­stice it was, first to haue all our instructions & proofes taken away frō vs: after to seperate vs that we should not one help another; then to keep frō vs all learned counsell; lastly to make our professed aduersaries our Lawiers, the relaters of our cause, and finally our Iudges. I would gladly see for the excuse of the mat­ter (but I should meruaile if any man were able to shew) a president of such a forme of iustice, or iudge­ment. Indeed I must needs confesse that the Cardi­nall Burghesio alwaies seemed desirous to haue heard [Page 173] the matter better sifted and discussed; but being punye and the other so exceedingly bent against vs, hee could doo nothing for vs. Now concerning the ge­nerall point of our restraint, I could neuer get them to tell me, some reasonable cause, why we Chatho­lique Priests, that had so long laboured with the pe­rill of our liues, for the Catholique cause, and then suing in humble and dutifull sort vnto the Court; should be cast in prison, before we were conuicted, or lawfully accused of any crime. I demaunded of the Confessor, that sometimes visited me, he could tell none, although he lacked not skill in cases of con­science, but referred me vnto the Comissarie. I asked him, hee would giue mee no other answere, then that it was his holinesse pleasure: you (Father) goe about to shewe the reason why his Holinesse would haue it so: but with such a circuite and con­fusion, that it is hard to picke out what you would say, that it was, because we opposed our selues, and not tarrying to bring any matter of substance against his gouernment, &c. What matter we had against that gouernment, hath bene before declared, and the reason why we stayed no longer, was that we might come to shewe our griefes before his holinesse had confirmed him. For it is to be vnderstood, that be­tweene the election of such a high Officer and con­firmation, there is a certaine pawse made, to heare whether any thing will be obiected against the par­tie, or concerning that point of office; that in season conuenient remedie be prouided, and the person elected if he do intermeddle in his charge, before he [Page 174] bee confirmed, is presently to be depriued of all that interest which was giuen him by the election; which if our Arch-priest had looked into, hee would not haue bene so hastie, as to haue dealt in that charge, before he had receiued his Letters of confirmation; but you say at last, that his holinesse cast vs in prison, because wee subtracted our selues from the obedi­ence of the Arch-priest, and gaue other men occasi­on to do the like.

I denie now as I did vnto you then, that I sub­tracted my selfe from his obedience, either therefore set downe, wherein by word or deed, I with drew my selfe from his obedience, or else let the world take you for an egregious calumniatur. For I was with the Arch-priest before I went, and tolde him of my iourney, and gaue him the cause of it in writing vn­der my hand, taking also a copie of it vnder his hand; and he neuer commaunded me not to goe, neither in any other point did I transgresse any of his pre­cepts. What an irreligious and damnable slaun­der then was that inuented of purpose, to haue vs taken and shut vp before we were heard: that they might haue the deliuerie of our message, and be our Interpreters and Proctors, and so make vs say what they listed, and our matter to be such as they would haue it. But say you. Did you not come to Rome a­gainst him? There was no disobedience in our go­ing to Rome to sue vnto our superiour, for it was con­formable vnto the Canons and practise of the Ca­tholique Church, and was not, nor could not haue bene forbidden by him: See, Nauer. cap. 23. Num. [Page 168] 37. The subordination indeed did not like me, for the causes aboue mentioned: yet I carried my selfe so warily, that I did nothing against it, but sought or­derly vnto my superiours, in time and place to haue it amended, which is very lawfull; yea if he had bene an Arch-bishop, and must needs haue bin graunted by lawe, if we had had our Courts of lawe as in other Countries they haue: if any were scandalized at this our orderly repaire vnto our ordinarie superi­ours, let the wise iudge whether it were Scandalum datum or acceptum. I should now according to the order I proposed, examine and confute, sundrie false calumniations, which you let fall by the way; as that we deposed we had nothing else to say, and that wee could not name a dozen Priests for vs, and as your followers amplifying, such flying tales reported, wee had not halfe a dozen that gaue vs their suffrages, when we had twentie nine in writing with vs, some of them speaking also for others, and yet neither sought for many, nor staide about that matter, but contenting our selues with some of the most aunci­entest, most learned and of best reputation in our Countrey: trusted to the waight of reason, which we had on our side, and to the equitie of the magi­strates, before whom we went to present our selues. Againe, how ridiculous was it to expect of them that are to be so narrowly searched when they passe out of the Countrey, that they bring their testimo­nies with them in great sheetes of paper, as though the vertue of witnesses lay in the bignesse of the pa­per, and that we should haue brought some Princes [Page 176] Letters patents with a broad Seale at them; where­as the magistrates are our enemies. These and many such like I will leape ouer, that I may at length come to an end; and if my Letter seeme long, let the blame be imputed vnto yours, which, in answere to halfe a dozen lines, grew into two sheetes of paper and a halfe: if it be thought too sharp, let it be well waigh­ed, whether men first hardly vsed in fact, and after­wards by wordes and Letters much damnified in their credits, haue not iust cause to write roundly: and if you like not to be so freely reprehended, be not so lauish of your penne, for vnlesse my foresight faile me, you are like hereafter to be no more spared of many then you spare others. Wherefore to drawe vnto a conclusion, apply to your selfe some part of the good counsell you gaue me in the latter end of yours, haue patience with whatsoeuer falleth out, and perswade your selfe that he which offen­deth many, is sure to be offended by many: where­fore holding your selfe within the bounds of your religion, meddle with other mens matters as litle as you may; and if for the common good of our coun­trey you please to be doing, take rather the way of mildenesse which winneth mens hearts, then of ri­gour which lightly offendeth all. Follow the noble, prudent, and admirable steps of that rare ornament of our countrey, and singular light of the Catho­lique Church, Cardinall Allen, who carried himselfe so courteously towards all men, so charitably and withall so wisely, that he was able to haue done with vs Priests what he would most easily; and did hold [Page 177] the Laie Gentlemen in such a reuerend and louing awe, that albeit some of them were verie prone to contentions & quarels, yet his authoritie and coun­saile so brideled and raigned all exorbitant humors, that in his time, to his perpetuall praise, no great flames of dissention burst out, especially amongst vs Priests, when you taking the contrary course of seue­rity, haue made an open breach amongst vs alreadie, and God knoweth what may fall out heereafter, if you looke not vnto it in time, which because you are wise, I hope you wil do, and so shall you purchase vn­to your selfe much more good will and quietnesse in this life, and better assurance (if I be not farre decei­ued) of euerlasting repose, & ioy in the life to come, the which with all my heart I wish you; and so hum­bly commending my selfe vnto you,

WEll, well, Fa. Parsons, I pray God send you a more sincere and quiet spirit. I finde that true daily more and more, which oftē I haue heard good Cardinal Allein, Father Holt, and others of your owne coate, re­port of you, that you were a man of too violent and hard a nature. It were high time that you should permit your selfe & vs, to carrie our gray haires in peace to our graues. The trouble and scandall you haue wrought in our Church these late yeares by your polliticke courses, doo quite cancell all your former desert. Was our peace and vnion made at the comming of his holines Breue, and the most iniurious calumnie of schisme and enormious disobedience to the See Apostolicke, raised and cōti­nued most presumptuously against vs & our ghostly children by your societie here, to the greeuous scan­dall of our whole Nation: was it, I saie, put vp by vs, and for loue of peace and vnion forgiuen; that pre­sently after we had receiued the authoritie, and sub­mitted our selues to it, you, and yours might more safely and liberally renew the infamie against vs, and [Page 179] by the Arch-priestes authoritie (assured to you in whatsoeuer you listed to attempt against any) at your pleasures persecute and oppresse vs? You haue in the highest degree, dishonored & iniured Peters Chaire, whiles by your cunning you so enormiouslie abused our bretheren (as good doubtlesse as your selfe) ap­pealing and comming in all humble & dutiful man­ner to the Apostolicke See; defaming them, and a­uerting his Ho. minde from them, as from vile and badde persons, by your vntrue reports before they came; and procuring (a most impious and horrible thing to be recounted for perpetuall, yet hateful me­morie, of your fact) them to be imprisoned as noto­rious malefactors, before they had bene heard, stop­ping vp all meanes of accesse to his holines, and your selfe playing their Iaylour, a fit office doubtlesse for so well disposed a religious person, and finally pro­curing their hard banishment, to no lesse dishonour to the See Apostolicke, (abused by your informati­on) then to your owne perpetuall ignominie. And whiles you haue done all this by abuse of the supreame authoritie, through your vnconscionable and vntrue informations: you giue all our Nation here cause enough, neuer to admire or hereafter to exclaime against the iniquitie of aduersaries, who may truly iustifie themselues in their hard procee­dings against vs, by these vnconscionable courses of yours. A lamentable case, that now by the polliticke shifts of one person of religious profession, orderly appealing to S. Peters Chaire, must be thought a tres­passe, and punished as a greeuous crime. Our statute [Page 181] of Premunire may well be repealed now: Father Parsons a Iesuite, hath laid a plot sufficient enough to hinder appellation or accesse to the See of Rome. Is it possible this iniquitie of yours should be kept se­cret from the world? Is it possible his holinesse and the gratious Cardinalls you haue so notably abused, should neuer be brought to knowe the innocencie of vs whom you haue thus wronged and persecuted in our bretheren, and neuer can cease to afflict? Will they neuer, thinke you, finde out your deceit, and by iust discussion of our cause, relieue our miseries, and repay you your deserts? The clamours of innocent men, will in time no doubt, ascend vp to heauen, and wee cannot but hope that our Lord Iesu (whose worke we haue in hand, and whose glorie wee seeke with innumerable vexations for his sake) will once stirre vp and direct his Vicar, to iudge and discerne our cause, and to deliuer vs from your most violent and wrongfull oppressions. In the ende it will be found we were no Schismatickes, nor in the least point that may bee deuised by an vnconscionable head, disobedient to his holinesse, or any superiour he hath or shall appoint ouer vs. I am perswaded surely, that God will haue you and your adherents knowne ere it be long. For defame vs before wee come; imprison vs at our arriuall; keepe vs close from being seene or heard; yet shall you not goe so away with your iniquitie; we are resolued verily, that with our good names, you shal bereue vs also of our liues, before we sit downe with this vndeserued calumnie. Either will wee bee prooued no Schismatickes, or [Page 181] found no liuing men. We haue laboured what wee could, that the controuersie might be taken vp, and haue a quiet end among our selues before it were carried further. This would not be graunted by you and yours, but for our good endeuours, they take from vs our faculties (I might haue said you take) whereby we liue; we wish rather you had at once taken from vs our liues, but we take it to be Gods prouidence, that enforced to come to buckle with you once againe before S. Peters Chaire, we may cleare our selues, and discypher what your selfe, M. Haddock, and others of you are: for better, or lesse euill it is, you suffer as you haue deserued, then ey­ther the See Apostolicke be abused and deluded by you, or our afflicted Church be thus exceedingly disturbed by men that are fledde from the worke and campe of Gods souldiers, and some of you, of no great edifying conuersation whiles they were among vs. Most glad we would be (God is our wit­nesse) if we might on all sides be at peace and sincere friendship one with an other: but if you will not permit this, Gods will be done: we must defend our good names, and our childrens, as deare vnto vs as our liues; in which the most of vs I hope, finde no such sweetenesse (how pleasantly soeuer you and yours liue) among these innumerable aduersities, as we can desire or delight to keepe them, with the in­famies you haue most vncharitably and vniustly laid vpon vs. We impute no fault nor blame to his holi­nesse, or his Cardinalls, in beleeuing your false infor­mations against vs, till wee come to speake for our [Page 186] selues: for who, not knowing your conditions, but he may easily be enduced to beleeue what you say? your age and gray hayres, requiring a true tongue, and your religious profession requiring also, a sin­cere, charitable, and quiet disposition, and not a tur­bulent, reuengefull, and craftie carriage in word or deed? Iesu send vs all his grace, and deliuer me and all good men from your mischiefe. London 13. of Nouember. 1600.