AN ENCYCLICAL EPISTLE, Sent to their Brethren by the Vene­rable Dean and Chapter of the Catho­lick CLERGY in England, upon occasion of Dr. Leyburn.

THE Blessing of Peace and Union is so essen­tially necessary to every Community, especial­ly to that which is to succeed the first Christian Colledge of the Apostles in their carriage and calling, that 'tis the very Life which gives such Bodies both their Being and Beauty. 'Twas that which our blessed Saviour breathed upon his Apostles with his own sacred mouth, when he gave them their Apostolical Mission; Pax vobis, sicut me misit Pater, ita & Ego mitto vos: And 'tis that which we so much prize that no [Page]Consideration can be so dear to us as the preserving so in estimable a Iewel. Nay, we judge that even a Defen­sive, which may breed some disquiet, is disallowable, if order may be taken to secure our peace by any other means. But, when we find by too late and dear expe­rience that our bearing with former injuries and calu­mnies against our persons and Church, begets nothing but a more violent proceeding in them; when we per­ceive that our long suffering finds no other effect but an implacableness in contentious, uncharitable and sedi­tious carriage; the same love of Peace obliges us, though unwilling, to lay open the source of all the disunion and disasters our poor Church hath suffer'd these late years; ever since, through our too charitable silence and conni­vence Doctor Leyburn was permitted to gain so much opinion and authority as to be able to hurt her. Some particular passages of whose Demeanor we thought good to signifie to you our Brethren by this our Encycli­cal Epistle; that being forewarn'd you may more warily avoid a compliance with any Disturbers of our quiet or Commencers of Schism in our Body.

'Till about the year 1648. or the beginning of —49. our Clergy enjoy'd an happy and peaceable Union; the Chapter having good intelligence both with their Bishop and their Brethren: not the least noise of siding and gathering into Factions being heard among them. About which time Dr. Leyburn was sent into England by my Lord, Vicar General in solidum. In August fol­lowing there was held a General Chapter; Mr. Fitton came from Paris sent by our Bishop to preside in our Chapter as Dean. The Chapter-men from all their Districts being met, Mr. Leyb. (against the known order and rule of such meetings) brings thither, without [Page 3]the Dean's notice, two other which were not of the Chapter; The Dean civilly told them the nature of such meetings permitted only Capitular men to be present, Hereupon they retir'd; and it was order'd, that two should be sent to them from the Chapter to give them reasons for their non admittance. One of them was sa­tisfied, the other vow'd revenge. Mr. Leyb. took their non-admittance as a great wrong done to himself; and had many contests with our worthy Dean about it in the time of the Assembly; which was ended with much sa­tisfaction to all others except Mr. Leyb. Who, after the Assembly, draws a party to himself, alledging all was go­vern'd by Mr. Harrington and Mr. Gage. Insomuch that the Chapter in and about London, found a Schism insen­sibly brought into the Clergy by Mr. Leyb's, means. To stop the encrease of which they desir'd a meeting with Mr. Leyb as the root from which it grew, and Mr. Har­rington writ a letter to invite him. All met, save Mr. Leyb. and another who was sick. Only a letter came from Mr. Leyb. not to Mr. Harrington, who had writ to him, and was his equall and fellow-Vicar, but to Mr. Herbert, desiring to know the result of the meeting. Mr. Harring­ton waving this affront, to shew the desire he had of gai­ning Mr. Leyb. to an union, if possible, order'd two of the Company to acquaint him that if he could not or would not come to them, they would all come to him; He answer'd, they might come. All went, and being sate, he presently fell very foul in words upon Mr Gage, and could not be brought to any manner of condescen­dency unto them by any perswasions, and so after an hours wrangling, all left him.

After this Mr. Clifford coming into England, did by my Lord Bishop's Order endeavour to bring him to a­mity [Page 4]with his Brethren, which he refus'd, unlesse they would yield to him in an unreasonable demand, which was neither in his Patent as Vicar-General, nor (as him­self confest) had he any particular Order from the Bi­shops to exact it. Mr. Clifford desir'd him to referre it to the Chapter; but he refus'd again, saying, he would not referre the matter in difference to the Chapter, but to the ancient Priests, that is, to a few private persons of his own faction; for scarce any ancient Priests of the Chapter (though there were many) but he had diso­blig'd them by particular quarrels. And so Mr. Clifford return'd, leaving him as irreconcileable as he found him.

Finding no wayes to prevent Mr. Leyb's. fomenting Divisions among the Clergy, even in his absence at Do­way, the Consult in London resolv'd to summon a Gene­ral Chapter, which met accordingly Iuly 10. 1653. But Dr. Leyb. and his friend who had vow'd revenge for­merly (though to end all quarrels kindly invited thither) effected that my Lord sent his Mandate to dissolve the Assembly as met to out him from his Episcopal Autho­rity; They amaz'd at such a groundlesse malice, protest their innocency to my Lord. Mr. Leyb's friend gave un­der his hand that the letter he writ Dr. Leyb. to send my Ld, was alter'd in one part of it, and that himself feign­ed the rest, to see how they who preach patience and charity to others, could endure a wrong done themselves. They are his own words in his own hand yet extant. Now this al­ter'd letter passing through Dr. Leyb's. hand to my Lord, my Lord expressing that he had it à personis fide dignis, Mr. Leyb. writing at the same time to my Lord, and en­closing his friends letter, upon the receipt of which two letters immediately issued the Mandate; 'tis no hard [Page 5]matter to perceive plainly who was joyn'd with that mis­informer, and so made my Lord expresse them plurally. Upon examination, my Lord confest himself mislead by false suggestions, and promis'd not to lend so easy creduli­ty for the future. Yet still we were as far from union as formerly,

For the whole Assembly writing a civill and conde­scending letter to Dr. Leyb. entreating him to keep corre­spondency with Mr. Harrington, and give him timely no­tice of such Missionaries as he sent into England, that Mr. Harrington might be the better enabled to provide places for them; Mr. Leyb. in his letter to Mr. Peterson utterly disavow'd ever writing to Mr. Harrington, or sending Missionaries to him, or of communicating with him or with Mr. Blacklow in the least; and this was after my Ld. (as appears by his letters to Mr. Walton) was so sorry for the injury he had done Mr. Harrington, that he continued correspondence with him to his dying day, and also profest he should hereafter love him more then e­ver. Mr. Peterson in his reply demanded why he should scruple to keep correspondence with Mr. Harrington more then his Predecessours and our Bishop himself did, and the Clergy both here and abroad do upon all occasi­ons? or with Mr. Bl. more then Dr. Hyde did, who knew well Mr. Bl's. Opinions, yet sent to him to live with him in the Colledge; which he did, with all love, peace, and exemplarity. Mr. Leyb. in his reply alledg'd exceptions against Mr. Bl. for approving Mr. Damport's book; That no man knew the sence of the ancient Priests (a specious word he ever us'd, to oppose the Chapter with) better then he did, and that he was not to be taught. Which was all could be obtain'd of him. So that the due order of sending Missionaries hither (in which consisted a main [Page 6]part of our Union) was utterly broken by his refusing Communion with our principal Officer.

It was propos'd to Vote in the Assembly of 1653. That, seeing the President of the Colledge of Doway is to be nominated by his Holiness, from whom he receives his Authority, independent from the Clergy, insomuch that the Superiour of the Clergy (notwithstanding the many great summes the Clergy hath given and procur'd to be given to that Colledge) hath not power upon any occa­sion whatsoever to place either Priest or Scholar in that Colledge but by way of entreaty, which many times hath met with rejection; it be consulted whether it may not be fit all the Clergy be advis'd to treat with such as give Alms to that Colledge that their Donations be so left to the Dispose of the Clergy; that they may have power to raise a stock thereby, and that they may apply the rents thereof towards the maintenance of such as the Clergy shall think fit to commend to that Col­ledge.

This Point was by the Assembly thought fit to be waved for that time for fear of disgusting of D. Ley. who notwithstanding having notice of this Proposal, which proceeded no further then a motion, and (though held reasonable yet) was put off for his sake, calumniated the whole Assembly, that it went about to take away all cha­ritable Donations to the Colledge: which we leave to your Wisdomes to judge how true it is; as also, whe­ther it may not now be fit to put that point in execution, as occasion shall offer.

Afterwards my Ld. constituted Mr. Andrew Knight­ley his Vicar-General, a very virtuous and good man; to whom Dr. Leyb. sent a letter, desiring him to com­municate the contents of it to our Brethren; which [Page 7]were That His Holiness judg'd the principal head and mem­bers of our Body were Schismatical; that he would take his Pension from our Colledge because of Mr. Bl. That Mr. Bl. made us odious to all Christian Princes, the Doctrine therein contained touching them as much as the King of Scots, (as he term'd his Majesty;) That his Book of Obedience and Government is against the Protector Cromwel as much as any; That it makes it lawfull for any one to kill the Prote­ctor in some cases; That it hence appears, (to wit, a­mongst other things, from it's being opposite to the Ty­rant Cromwel) That his Book is void of common sence, rea­son, and religion; That tis high time to discard him as an un­worthy Member out of our Society; That the least we could doe, is to disclaim vnder our hands and shut him out of meet­ings, That he was actually excommunicated, That he sleights Decrees from Rome, That his other Books have been long since censured, had not the plague hindred the Congre­gations from meeting, that he teaches the happinesse of damned souls exceeds all the happinesse of this life. Also in the close he hath a gird at the Chapters Authority, that he believes not Mr. Plantin (our Agent) will say that his Holinesse or the Cardinal Protectour any waies approved the Chapter, Dean or Sub-Dean, who yet is ready to attest the contrary, and depose (if need were) that his Ho­linesse both voluntarily mentioned those as fittest to govern 'till we had a Bishop, and that the Cardinal Pro­tectour told him hereupon he had not lost his labour in coming. Mr. Bl. aggriev'd with this letter, begg'd leave humbly of the Consult to clear himself of these accusa­tions, which can be denied by us to no Chapter-man. His request was unanimously and equally granted by all; but of the printing or the manner of his writing not a word spoken, or thought mov'd; Leave obtain'd, he [Page 8]replies in a like return of language as Mr. Leyb. had used; and to save charges of transcribing prints it, but took or­der the Copies should come only to the hands of our Brethren whom it concern'd. Mr. Leyb. replies furiously, prints his Pamphlet, and publishes it to the Laity in the first place by expresse order of his letters, so that even Protestants came to the sight of it, In it he names the chief members of the Clergy about London in those dan­gerous times, vilifies the Consult (who had not provok't nor medled with him) by unworthy and contemptible termes, and disgraces the Sub-Deanship with false a­spersions; which two Acts of his break asunder all that little union he had left among them. He brings to light unnecessarily businesses concerning the Government of the Chapter; he thanks two for not concurring with their votes, whereas one of them did as much as the rest (that is, agreed Mr. Bl. should clear himself) the other was absent and knew nothing of the businesse. Also in a private letter he accuses another of concurring with us in our votes against him in that meeting, who was not then in the Kingdome; and another to have been Coun­cellor or Secretary to Mr. Bl. who protests he knew not of the thing, nor the printing it, 'till it was done. More­over, in that Libel he seditiously endeavours to set divi­sion between the Consult and their Brethren in the Countrey by bearing them in hand that the Consult abuses them. The many falsifications and calumnies which his Adversary made appear in this his Libel we omit as belonging to their private quarrel, which we were so far from espousing in behalf of one side or other, that we condemn'd and blam'd both parties manner of proceeding. What we insist on is, that we protest in the sight of God and Man, we gave him not the least oc­casion [Page 9]by any Vote of our's to be offended at the Con­sult; and yet received from him (and that in Print too to be publish't to the Laity) so many unsufferable abuses, and seditious calumnies and accusations.

About the same time he writ this Letter to Mr. Knight­ley, that he might set all his Engines awork at once, his particular friend Mr. Catterick Arch-Deacon of York, whose indiscreet Zeal, misled perhaps by Dr. Leyb.'s great words and Saint-like protestations (of which he is noted by persons of honour to be too carelesly lavish) had totally submitted it self to his conduct, began to de­ny to communicate with us, telling us flatly in his Letter of Ian. 1656. that He would give no vote nor have any hand amongst us; that We disgrac't our Clergy at home and abroad, &c. Also in his Letters of Sept. 24. 1656. that We were held a Schismatical Clergy: and in his Let­ter to Mr. Thomas Medcalf of Octob. 13. 1656. that he recall'd his Vote, that he would not assent to any thing we doe, because we went on in a Schismatical way not only to the disgrace of our Body but of our whole Nation: He writ also divers disobedient and refractory Letters to his Vicar Ge­neral Dr. Blundeston.

While our Church was torn by these intestine Divi­sions, it pleased the Right honourable Ld. Abbot Mont­ague (never to be mention'd by us but with grati­tude and honour for his love then shewn our Body) with our Venerable Brethren in France Dr. Holden, Mr. Clif­ford and Mr. Carr, to interpose and endeavour to bring the Two to an accord. Mr. Clifford also and Mr. Carr out of their great Charity and Zeal of our Union took a journey to Doway to treat with Dr. Leyb. about it, and to bring him to some terms of correspondency. Moreover, a common Letter was writ by the four mention'd, to [Page 10]Dr. Leyb. complaining that out Unity in Yorkshire was actually broken by his special friend Mr. Catterick who ca­lumniated the Chapter as schismatical, and refus'd flatly to consent to any thing it should doe; disobeying and writing offensive Letters to his Vicar-General Dr. Blundeston; ear­nestly requesting him to desist from all schismatical resisting that authority, which our two late Bishops of happy memory had establish't and left amongst us, that he ought not to goe about to remedy abuses by open resistence, this being the com­mon pretext of all rebellion agaist Authority, That the Ca­tholick Church hath her legal and authoritative way both subalternal and supreme to examine and condemn whatever may be amisse either in his or any other man's writings whatsoever; That particular men can only inform those whose office it belongs to, of what they judge erroneous or dangerous, though as friends and Brethren we may cover what we think we are not necessarily obliged to complain of, That Information once given we ought to forbear all scanda­lous & clamorous defamation till the Delinquent be sentenc't; That they could not expect, much lesse exact and demand of Mr. Bl. that he should renounce his Doctrines till they knew what and how by an authentick censure, That they heartily desire both of them and all our Brethren, they would cordially embrace our last Bishop's pious advice and prudent Council given in several Letters to Dr. Leyb. himself and others, to forbear all Acts of siding and faction tending to schism and Division as being much worse then all Mr Bl's. Novelties: Thus they. Also by their Letters to Mr. Bl. they dealt with him to give under his hand a submission of his writings to the Church and See Apostolick, which was what Mr. Leyb. desir'd of him, and with which he profes't he would rest satisfi'd. The summe of which Profession (as we have it subscrib'd by his own [Page 11]hand) is this:

On the other side Mr. Bl. desired only that he would acknowledge the Authority of the Chapter, let his Bre­thren be quiet and not injure them by wrong informati­ons. And for what was required by Dr. Leyb. he yielded to it and gave under his hand his submission of his wri­tings in form following.

VVhereas I under-written have heretofore given a sub­mission of my writings to the holy Church and See-Aposto­lick to satisfie such as might doubt of my obedience to the [Page 12]Pope. And that notwithstanding I gave it as full and am­ple as possibly I could according as my true intention then was, now is, ever hath been, and ever shallbe, God willing; I hear that some have misunderstood it, and have conceived that I intended only by those words [Holy Church and See-Apostolick] the Catholick Church and Pope conjoyntly; but not the See of Rome and S. Peter's successour the Pope, separate from a General Council: as also that I only de­clar'd my opinion but professed no actual submission of my writings: I therefore do now ingenuously and freely declare and professe that it is my opinion and judgement, all Catho­licks ought in heart and in all humility and obedience to sub­mit their Divinity writings not only to the Holy Church in common and in a General Council, where the Pope may be in person, or by his Deputies, but also to the particular See of Rome, & S. Peter's Successour the Pope, even out of a General Council; which as I have alwaies done in my heart, so doe I now likewise actually and willingly submit all my writings to the particular See of Rome and S. Peter's Successor the Pope, even out of a General Council; and this according as my opinion & belief hath ever taught me. Ratifying & confirm­ing to this effect all the contents of my former submission. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2. Iuly 57. thus Mr. Bl. The Consult likewise & the particular persons, he had so causelesly and publickly injured in print, wav'd the clearing themselves, and demanding satisfaction, and Mr. Bl.'s Reply to his Pamphlet, though printed and rea­dy to be publish't, was held in by him, & Mr. Leyb. permit­ted to have the last word. By these condescentions and actual performances so amply and satisfactorily on Mr. Bl.'s part, this charitable forbearance on the Consults, and (as it then seem'd) these faithfull and truly intended promises on Mr. Leyb.'s (being given under his own [Page 13]hand with so solemn an engagement to such Venerable persons all our Brethren and Catholicks) all things seemed to conspire to a perfect union. To compleat which by Mr. Leyb.'s performance of what he had pro­mis't, a General Assembly of the Chapter at the request of the Mediators was call'd, whither Mr. Bl. and Dr. Leyb. were invited. It met Nov. 23. 1657. Mr. Bl. came thi­ther in person. Dr. Leyb. sent his Agent: who at the very entrance of our meeting, shew'd us how soon Dr. Leyb. had forgot his promise, and that all Union with him was hopeless by his excepting against the whole Assembly be­cause it was of Chapter men only, and alledging, He was sent to an Assembly of the whole Clergy: whereas the whole Clergy being some hundreds, could not possibly meet in those times, nor indeed at any time (without leaving all England destitute) but by their Representatives and Superiours, who were the natural Deputies of the Districts. He began to press also the disclaiming and censuring Doctrines in the first place ere he would treat or any waies concurre with us towards the obtaining a Bishop; He gives in a paper in Dr. Leyb.'s name, and as his Agent, containing many unjust accusations against our Chapter and it's proceedings. He urges violently both in his words and his Vote (as also did Mr. Young Mr. Catterick's Deputy) and exprest the same in his pa­per, that Dr. Leyb. might be propos'd for a Bishop; and lastly (all the rest unanimously concurring) he and Mr. Catterick's Agent at the end of the Assembly, refus'd in plain terms to subscribe to the Votes of the Major part (which common reason tells every one is the manner of all publick meetings) and gave under their hands their reasons, that, being Deputies they could not exceed their Commissions: By which 'tis apparent that their Com­missions [Page 14]or Orders were that they should make no U­nion, nor have any Communication with us as far as con­cern'd the Acts of our Assembly; which reach't to a ve­ry great part of our Church-Discipline, our petitioning his Holiness for a Bishop, the establishing and compleat­ing our Chapter, and divers other most considerable points to the advantage of our Body. Though the same Deputies subscrib'd to the Narrative of the carriage and transactions of the Assembly as truly related: which to any one who reads the Acts themselves will abundantly justifie the sincerity and impartialness of our proceedings there.

Thus ended the General Assembly of 1657. intended by the Mediatours and us to conclude a peace by Dr. Leyb. to prosecute his revengefull and implacable hu­mour, against Mr. Bl. and withall (as we upon good grounds fear) his own ambitious ends.

The Institute of Nostre Dame de Vertu near Paris under the reverend Fathers of the Oratory, whose whole course of life breaths nothing but pastoral and Clerical, was such an advantage to the Clergy and Church of England, as was not to be hop'd for by any solicitation of our Wishes, much less to be offerr'd us out of a voluntary charity, by the most Reverend General of that solidly pious Body. There might our Brethren have a place of retirement after their Scholastical studies in Colledges or distractions in England; to prepare, dispose or refresh themselves in order to their spiritual and Sacerdotal me­thod of living, and to enable and facilitate themselves in the best practises of Pastoral functions; this was look't on by our most pious and learned Bishop of Chalcedon as a blessing from Heaven upon our persecuted Church; who the last journey he ever made, coming to that [Page 15]house, and seeing and blessing the Society of English then present, he said, that his Eyes had seen that which his heart had desired, and he had endeavoured for thirty yeares before. This Institute was put forward by the charity and favour of that most religious Order and most venerable General, embrac't and advanc't by us to our utmost; and more had been done, had Dr. Leyb. permitted our Cha­pter to have the due influence it had otherwise enjoy'd; This was very much extoll'd by the gratefull return of most high commendations by our pious Brethren who came from thence; and lastly, this was most zeal­ously promoted by the heroick charity and patience of our most honoured and venerable Brother Dr. Gough; who in the midst of all discouragements and oppositions from those Colledges, whose Governours belonging to another Body saw better then many of our selves, how considerable that proffer was to our Clergy, and strove by all means to divert their Subjects from going thither, yet still to his great expence and labour preserv'd it on foot, till Dr. Leyb. by articling with him in most unreaso­nable and unhandsome terms, and proposing conditions most senslesse to be comply'd with e're he would send a­ny more thither (as if Dr. Gough and not our Body had receiv'd the benefit) quite disheartned and extinguish'd the fervency of that zeal; the impossibility of successe, and it's progresse being too apparent, unlesse Dr. Leyb. would leave off that uncomplying humour and come to better terms.

In the mean time our Venerable Dean having acce­pted the Deanship upon the Letters of the Assembly, and the conditions being comply'd with which he re­quir'd e're he could conveniently settle in London, came up to reside amongst us; and our Church began to [Page 16]close to an hearty Union through the general love and respect every one bore him. Nay, even Dr. Leybs. most unreasonable friend Mr. Catterick being unsolicited by him of late, and left to himself, began to come to better terms: when the times opening and giving a freer pas­sage for Dr. Leyb. into England, he resolv'd to come in person to blast our hopefull Union in the bud. Before Mr. Bl's. presence in our Consults was his greatest corro­sive, and his exclusion mainly press'd, which made us hope his so far removal now from our Countrey and bu­sinesse would satisfie and pacifie him. Yet still (no consi­deration being had to the former Agreement, and Mr. Bl's. complyance on his part by submitting his writings) the old tune of Declaming, so ungratefull to the eares of our Reverend Bishop, our General Assemblies and the Mediatours, is sung to us, and our Brethren in town se­ditiously solicited to subscriptions. Our Chapter and Venerable Dean's authority, though his own Agent (as it happen'd) voted for his election in the Assembly, is disavow'd by him; If we visit any person of honour who is a friend to Mr. Bl. he objects our common civili­ty to him as such an heinous fault, as if we had treated with an excommunicated person. His unconscientious and rash censures even upon mens souls and their future eternal state, as if he were sent to passe judgement upon both the quick and the dead, we have both horrour to hear and shame in his behalf (considering his function) to relate. Mr. Mark Harrington our late Sub-Dean, whose exemplar life and pious death were precious in the sight of heaven and earth, he judges to have dy'd in a sad case. Honour'd Dr. Blundeston Vicar-General of the North, a person of eminent learning and exemplar con­versation, receiving an hurt by a fall from his horse, and [Page 17]not long after dying, is sentenc't to have been thus pu­nish't by God's just judgement for being a friend to Mr. Bl. A learned Benedictin, who respected Mr. Bl. being sent to Rome by his own Order in the time of the Plague, and dying of the infection there, is pronounc't to have this signal Judgement light upon him for favouring Mr. Bl. Another Priest yet living because held a particular friend to the same person, is doom'd by his lavish censure to have utterly and irrecoverably lost his soul; and this proclaim'd by him in divers companies; All the Priests that have faln from faith of late, though out of known licentiousnesse or Scepticism, are given out by Dr. Leyb. to have fal'n because friends to Mr. Bl. whereas none of them were ever his Scholars, or had any friendship or conversation with him, more then common courtesie requir'd. Divers Honourable persons escape no better if he conceive them to dislike his waies. Our Venerable Dean also whom he sees his principal cause of our Uni­on, and so most hindring his making himself a party and promoting a Schism in our Body, is particularly piqu't at by him, could he find any hold to fasten his Calumnies upon him. Mr. Bl. being absent, (and Dr. Leyb's. fashion having ever been to have a quarrel with some particular person, to gain a pretence not to joyn with the common) he falls upon our Secretary, and begins to set him in Mr. Bl's stead the object of his anger. Dr. Leyb's. two friends Mr. Catterick & Mr. Young coming to town to meet him, the Consult, that they might leave nothing unattempted on their part, which Charity could suggest, resolv'd to wave Mr. Catterick's defaming them for Schismaticks, and we friendly invited them to meet with us to hear what satis­faction we should give them, both concerning the vali­dity of our Chapter, as also to the complaints they had [Page 18]against a certain Letter of our Secretaries written by or­der of the Consults. We had hopes giv'n too that Dr. Leyb. would be present, which we were heartily glad to hear. They seem'd willing to meet, being come as they said purposely to London to unite with us. But, the even­ing before the intended meeting Dr. Leyb. told our Dean, that he would not come in the place where our Secretary was, and therefore if he were to be there he would not come. The other two met us, but our Secre­tary (who by reason of his place as Canon, his office as Secretary, and his being the party accus'd ought not to be absent) coming in and civilly saluting them, Mr. Cat­terick turn'd his head to the door, went out without bid­ding farewel to any of the grave persons assembled for their sakes, the other follow'd him; and so without leave taking or affording us a word at our Meeting, or so much as giving notice to some of our Brethren who had made them a civil invitation as Guests, & obtain'd a pro­mise of their coming, away they went back into York­shire, carrying along with them, as we are inform'd, Dr. Leyb's. Order to gather the hands of divers there; which is the seditious way he still takes, notwithstanding the Command or Counsel of so many Reverend, Vene­rable and sober persons to the contrary.

Having seen how unappeasable and uncharitable Dr. Leyb. still declares himself in his whole carriage against Mr. Bl. and all he conceives friends to him, it were not amiss to desire our Brethren to reflect upon what he gave under his own hand formerly, and to which he en­gag'd himself so solemnly, that if Mr. Bl. should make a submission of his Writings he would for the future respect and honour him with as great sincerity and real affection as any friend or Brother alive; and the same upon the same [Page 19]score, all who may be esteem'd his Adherents; and then leave to their judgements to consider and determine whether he hath the least regard of common principles of honesty; of any agreement, engagement, protestation of sincerity, or of what he gives under his hand, or even any civil respect for the Honourable and worthy persons, our Brethren or Catholicks in general, to whom he made this engagement, who, without any offence given him, nay all possible condescensions us'd towards him, assoon as his fair promise had obtain'd from his Adversary the con­ditions he requir'd, carelesly & boldly breaks through all these ties & considerations, to prosecute his former anger with the same or a greater fiercenesse and violence?

Divers other things Dr. Leyb. & his friends use to object to the Chapter; As first, Their disobedience to my Ld. Bishop in making Mr. Harrington Sub Dean of the Cha­pter without his Order. Secondly, for calling the Gene­ral Assembly held Iuly 1653. without leave had first from the Bishop. Thirdly, that though the ruling part of the Chapter in London still say they desire a Bishop. Yet their intentions are thought to be otherwise, and that they mean to rule and govern in a Capitular way without a Bishop.

To the first it is answer'd, 'Tis true, my Lord Bishop writ to those of the Chapter in London, taxing them for making Mr. Harrington Sub-Dean without his Order, which they could not doe; but the Chapter return'd Answer to his Lordship that Mr. Fitton their Dean being to leave England order'd Mr. Harrington Sub-Dean in his place till his return, This all the Chapter agreed to, and this Dr. Leyb his Lordships Vicar General knew and made no complaint of. Again it was not the dignity of Sub-Dean Mr. Fitton and the Chapter confer'd on Mr. [Page 20] Harrington, but only order'd for the time he should pre­side in all Capitular meetings, which by virtue of his be­ing the ancient'st Canon he might lawfully do, without leave from the Bishop, and with this Answer sent to my Lord, His Lordship was very well satisfi'd. To the se­cond we answer, That being the General Assembly was only a Capitular meeting to consult and order such mat­ters as might be for the good of the Clergy; and that all their votes and resolves therein were to be presented to his Lordship for his Approbation or Rejection there­of, there was no more disobedience to his Lordship in calling that General Chapter then there was in calling any other Chapter or Capitular meeting thereof weekly or monethly held, especially there being no difference at all between his Lordship and the Chapter. And the reason why the Chapter did not write to my Lord Bishop of this General Assembly was their fear they had Dr. Leyb. would use means to make my Lord forbid it.

In answer to the third you may be pleas'd to know, that in the year 1653. it was propos'd in a Capitular Consult (Dr. Leyb. being one of them) to move my Lord Bishop to admit of a Coadjutor as the best means to continue the succession of Bishops in the Clergy. But Dr. Leyb. being of opinion that the having a Coadjutor would shorten his Lordships life, it was then waved. Al­so Dr. Hyde after writing to the Chapter that their friends at Paris together with my Lord of Andover had mov'd my Lord Bishop therein, and that some Letters (of which we have Copies) past between my Lord Bishop and my Lord of Andover concerning that businesse, notwith­standing my Lord of Andover out of his noble Good­nesse and Charity to us had made offer (if the Chapter would send him their Commission to act their businesse [Page 21]for them) to go to Rome and in their names to solicite for a Co-adjutor: yet the Chapter still reply'd, (with their humble thanks to his Lordship) that they could not med­dle in that point without my Lord Bishops consent, whose satisfaction they esteem'd more then the hopes they had of a Co-adjutor. And indeed the Chapter in all things possible were zealous in maintaining their Bishops honour and jurisdiction over them; for, some Missionaries coming from Rome to London, and refusing the Canonical Oath of their Obedience to my Lord Bi­shop, alledging they were inform'd his Lordship had no Jurisdiction, the sub-Dean and Chapter of London by re­lating the conditions of my Lords delivering up his E­piscopal patent, satisfy'd them, and all other Priests that came after them into England. By which 'tis evident, that the Chapter was the principal and onely upholder of my Lords power and Episcopal Jurisdiction over the Cler­gy against all opposers; and omitted nothing, either in my Lords life time, or since his death, that might con­duce to the continuation and succession of Bishops in the Clergy; as their sending two Agents to their great expence and charge most evidently show.

Fourthly, 'tis objected that divers Priests of the As­sembly of 53. were excommunicated by my Lord for their disobedience. But the direct contrary is to be seen in my Lord's Letter to Mr. Walton, in which he ac­quits them and rather puts himself in the fault for being too credulously perswaded; promising to love the per­son he most suspected and by name sent his Mandate a­gainst, more then ever.

Fifthly, they object Dr. Leyb.'s usual calumny That his Holiness judges our Chapter Schismatical. But how infamous an untruth this is, both our Agents can attest; [Page 22]and that they never received the least rebuke from his Holiness upon that or any other score; nor yet the least signification of any suspition that we held unsound Do­ctrines. So that we fear (as his custome is here) himself endeavour'd to fix that Calumny upon us at Rome, hoping the Eccho of it, did it take, might rebound hi­ther to our disgrace. Besides how senseless is it and de­rogatory to his Holinesses prudence and goodness to imagine that he would receive the Agents of Schisma­ticks and treat with them so long without endeavouring all the while to reduce them from their Schism, nay not so much as give them some gentle admonition or make the least mention of it!

Lastly, (to come to an end of their petty objections) we are accused as uncharitable for denying to pray for Mr. Ogle's Soul. But our Secretary's Letter, which themselves produce, sayes the express contrary, in these words; The Consult agreed and Order'd me to write to our Brethren to recommend Mr. Ogle's Soul to God, as al­so I have done. Onely, whereas in the last Assembly it had been order'd that every Priest say two Masses for any Brother that dies, and ordered likewise that none shall receive any priviledge or benefit by the Chapter unless they acknowledge the Chapter; hence we expres't our selves, that as publick persons we could not order Suffrages for him in case he had dy'd in opposition to the Chapter. So that 'twas onely this benefit order'd in the Assembly we spoke of, not the private prayers we ow'd him as Christians. Nor was it meant or signify'd to be a denial of prayers either publick or private for him, (for the Letter showes we afforded him both) but we intended it as a seasonable and proper admonition to Mr. Catte­rick's disobedient humour; which is the true reason he [Page 23]thus without the least ground, exclaims against it.

But to proceed more close to Dr. Leyb.'s main diffi­culties; his greatest calumnies against us at present, and which they insist most upon, are two; One, that our Chapter has no Authority; next, that we are Blacklow­ists; whereas, for the former we shew him our first Bishops constitutive Letters, expressing, that, Post ma­turam hac de re habitam deliberationem non tantum cum prudentissimis gentis nostrae hominibus, verum-etiam cum exteris Praelatis sapientissimis, qui ad Episcopum spectare, inque illius potestate situm esse censuerunt Decanum & Ca­pitulum constituere, illudque ad conservandam Episcopa­lem atque Ordinariam Iurisdictionem omnino expedire. Itaque ad Dei Omnipotentis gloriam ac Ecclesiastici Ordinis ac formae in caeteris Orbis Christiani Ecclesiis instauratio­nem, Decanum ac Capitulum in Ecclesia Anglicana nostrae pastorali sollicitudini commissa, erigendum, constituendum & instaurandum curavimus, & per praesens Instrumentum ac litteras nostras patentes omnibus melioribus modo, via, jure, causa, forma atque ordine, quibus melius, validiusque & efficacius possumus ac debemus, erigimus, constituimus ac instauramus, &c. We show him our second Bishops In­strument confirming the first, and expressing, that, Ad Iu­risdictionem Episcopalem Sede vacante conservandam ac continuandam praedictum Decanum ac Capitulum in toto & in parte approbandum, validandum, ratificandum ac con­firmandum curavimus, & per praesens Instrumentum ac litter as noctras patentes omni-meliori modo, via, jure, ac forma, quibus melius validiusque id possumus ac debemus, approbamus validamus ratificamus & confirmamus, &c. Concedentes Decano & Capitulo & omnibus & singulis Capituli Canonicis, ut in Capitulo legitime seu canonice con­gregato, voce activa & passiva, in causis id requirentibus [Page 24]utantur ac fruantur, & libere uti ac frui possint, praeter­quam in casibus ob culpam à jure exceptis; Lites & con­troversias graviores circa res Ecclesiasticas occurrentes, aut causas ad forum spirituale spectantes adse perlatas au­diant ac decernant, Electiones Canonicorum, etiam Deca­ni, locis per aliquorum mortem vacantibus, faciant, cum nostro ac successorum nostrorum consensu; &, Sede diu­tius vacante, etiam successoris nostri consensu non expecta­to, dummodo numerus Canonicorum cum Decano triginta non excedat. Iurisdictionem Episcopalem, ad regimen Ec­clesiasticum & disciplinam procurandam necessariam, sede va [...]ante, exerceat; etiam censuras Ecclesiasticas, ubiopus fuerit, inflig endo, & pronunciando, in casibus tamen à jure permissis. Episcopi in nostrum aut successorum nostrorum de­sunctorum locum subrogandi nominationi & electioni ad­sint & faciant, atque ita à se nominatum & electum, Sum­mo Pontifici pro tempore existenti condigna humilitate as reverentia praesentent Apostolico calculo approbandum, caeteraque agant & exerceant, quae ad Decanum & Capitulum jure communi vel universali Ecclesiae con­suetudine quovis modo spectare dignoscuntur. We shew him the Judgements of Canon-Lawyers, who were consulted with when our Chapter was instituted, persons of knowledge in those affairs beyond exception, one of them being Hermannus Ottenbergus, Bishop of Arras, and formerly Auditor Rotae at Rome. We shew him the same exceptions he makes now against our Chapter, foreseen by our Bishops themselves and an­swer'd in their very Constitutive Letters. We show him under Mr. Fitton's own hand, that, It was the sense of Pope Innocentius return'd to him by Cardinal Capponi our Comprotectour, that we should govern by a Dean and Chapter 'till we had a Bishop, that he would leave us to go­vern [Page 25]our selves, that he would not disapprove what we did, but let us alone to agree upon what we our selves thought fit. And this was in the vacancy of our Seat. We alledge Pope Urban the 8ths. order to the same Mr. Fitton then our Agent, when our Bishop was about renouncing his Authority; to whom, urging the inconveniences which would fall upon the Clergy by this renunciation in re­gard of their want of Government; his Holinesse re­ply'd, that as to what concern'd the Government of the Cler­gy, his will was that it should continue in all things as it was, (that is, Capitular) till the supream See should order other­wise. We produce the testimony of Mr. Plantin, our A­gent there since my Lord Bishops death, a person of gra­vity, worth, and integrity; that his Holinesse signifi'd to him we should govern by the Chapter till we had a Bishop; Also, that whereas he exprest himself to his Holinesse and the Cardinals that we desir'd a Confirmation of our Chapter, not that we held it invalid without it, but to shew our deference to the See-Apostolick, and our wil­lingnesse to depend upon it, they never in the least gain­said our pretence of it's validity avouch'd in their own presence; and this was attested by Mr. Plantin to Dr. Leyb's. face. We shew him how his Holinesse and the Court of Rome have from time to time treated with our Agents as sent by the Chapter, a sufficient approvement of it for us to proceed upon, especially being in a posses­sion of near fourty years continuance, and the Interval of two Bishops. We alledge the Acts, opinions and sub­missions of two general Assemblies of the Clergy, ac­knowledging the Chapter as valid and unanimously a­greeing to proceed with it. That of (53) delivering their Resolve in these words, Concerning the Point of the Government of the Clergy after his Lordship of Chalce­don's [Page 26] death, if he die before any change of Government come upon us by the coming in of one or more Bishops, or o­therwise, our Resolution is, that all the Clergy stand in a mo­dest defence of the Dean and Chapter, and yield due obedi­ence to the said Dean and Chapter and to such Vicars and o­ther officers as they de jure communi may and shall consti­tute to continue the Government, till it shall please God and the See-Apostolick to send us a Bishop or Bishops to govern us, or declare the first Institution, and after-Confirmations of the Chapter to be invalid, and so the Chapter to be null. In which case our Resolution is that the Dean, Sub-Dean, Vi­cars and other officers hold their places of Superiority and Government (but without the names of Dean, Chapter or Vicar) by a voluntary deference of the rest of the Clergy unto them, till it shall please the See-Apostolick to establish some other Government amongst us; but with this Proviso & Con­dition that the Superiours then exercise no power but such as the diffused Clergy may by their voluntary submission con­fer upon them; This was the order and resolution of that grave and prudent Assembly, being the Representative Body of the whole Clergy, which was after confirm'd by another General Assembly of the Chapter held Nov. 1657.

We produce the Common Letter of the Right Ho­nourable Lord Abbot Montague and our Brethren in France, friendly admonishing Dr. Leyb. that to resist the Chapter was schismatical. We produce him a Catalogue of our several Agents and very many Letters sent to the Pope and Court of Rome by our Deans and Chapter, and in their names, collected lately by our present Agent at Rome out of the Archives there; some of them also sub­scrib'd by Dr. Leyb. himself, as then Secretary, and au­thenticated by a publick Notary. We shew him divers Letters in our hands, and authentick Records of others [Page 27]sent to us in the name of Dean and Chapter, or to Cha­pter Officers from divers Cardinals, from our Prote­ctours and Comprotectours there, from the Congrega­tion De propaganda fide, from divers Nuncio's, particu­larly from his Holiness's Nuncio Paris (appointed by Gregory the 13. and Urban the 8 our Ordinary in the Vacancy of the seat) written to us about a month agoe; and inscrib'd Perillustri & admodum Reverendo Domino Domino Onuphrio Elliceo, Decano Capituli Ecclesiae & Cleri Anglicani; and within it, in the Popes name, these words; Supremus enim ac Universalis Pastor Capitulum istud tanquam Filios charissimos diligit. Lastly, to come as near home to him as may be in point of Convicti­on, we bring him his own Letter written in my Lord Bishops life time, in Dr. Leyb's. own hand, and so ac­knowledg'd by himself, asserting, that Our Chapter was to have Episcopal jurisdiction after my Lords Death, and that this was conferr'd on it by the sacred Canons of the Catholick Church,— that the Chapter is to be look't on as his heir apparent or lawfull Successor,— that our Government is to reside in the Chapter after our Masters death, &c. Yet, all this, enough to convince and satisfie even unreasonableness it self, works nothing with him to bring him to an union with us; and to make him joyn with our last General Assembly towards the obtaining one of the Six there mention'd for a Bishop; which is all the charitable favour we desire of him at pre­sent.

His next Calumny is, that we are Blacklo'ists, a nick­name he affixes, how causelesly soever, on all that stand in the way of his ambition, that so he may disgrace and remove them. Sometimes he charges Mr. Bl. with fault of cozenage and injustice; as, that he has embez'ld or [Page 28]converted to other uses a summe of Money left in his hand for the Clergie's good: whereas we know the contrary by divers persons both Ecclesiastick of our own Chapter and Lay-Gentlemen; in whose hands and to whose trust he hath left the said summe to be em­ploy'd hereafter for the good of the Clergy: Yet if any concurre not with him in this and such like unreason­able calumnies he is presently a Blacklo'ist. Sometimes or rather continually, he mistakes Mr. Bl.'s Opinions, or wrests them to a sinister sense, which the Author never meant; and if any one go about to rectifie his erroneous Judgement, he straitway charges him to have read Mr. Bl.'s books, and therefore to be a Blacklo'ist; though the person charg'd holds opposite to Mr. Bl. in the said points. The like is if any, to oppose his uncharitable language, expresse a good Opinion of Mr. Bl.'s virtue, (which others, even those who most dislike his Tenets confess unimpeachable) his very following the common principles of Charity and Christianity shall make him too a Blacklo'ist, and fall under the correction of his severe censure. If any sober reason be calmly produc't and prest which confounds and non-plusses him, he presently flies back all amaz'd and exclaims, that 'tis a Suggestion of the devil. If the word (Rational) happen to slip out in dis­course he is immediately struck at it and expresses great abhorring of it, as being a word Mr. Bl. uses. To such a strange heigth does his passion transport him.

Now, his main reason why we are Blacklo'ists, is, because we will not declare against Mr. Bl.'s Doctrines, Our reasons not to do so, are,

First, Our last Bishops commands in his Letter to Dr. Leyb. himself, dated Iuly 6. 1652. delivered in these words, I have divers times written to you to suppresse [Page 29]all clamours against Mr. Bl.'s novelties, and (as you have written to me) you have so done; but still divers of my chief Officers write to me that you do the contra­ry, which I am very sorry to hear, for so you will cause the inconvenience and Schism which will be worse then the Books are.

Next by our Reverend Bishops reason giv'n in the same Letter, and in these wise and charitable words, For Gods love by all means seek Charity and Peace, and whiles the See Apostolick speaks not of these novelties, you have no need to cry out so loud against them; let us follow and not go before our Pastour, but with love and charity expect his final sentence. Which words shew also, that my Lord was jealous of Dr. Leyb's. disquiet spirit, and thought it seasonable to keep it in due limits by this vehement ad­monition and exhortation to Charity. Now whereas Dr. Leyb. pretends a contrary Order of my Lords, the Letter he shewes for it, contains no such thing; but onely that himself, being Vicar General, should not own the Doctrine, and that he should suppresse some books of Mr. Bl.'s, which were coming over, by pre­venting their publishing; which is done in a silent and quiet way of intercepting or buying them up, not by cla­mours and gathering hands of private persons, which is the very way of Sedition. And that this was my Lords sense is seen in his Letter to Mr. Bl. written, as appears after Dr. Leyb. had thus mistaken or would seem to mis­take my Lords meaning. I have been so far from com­manding Dr. Leyb. to cry out against your Book, that I de­sir'd him to suppresse all speech against it, as I assure you is true, and I hope he will not deny— Perhaps he knowing I much dislik't your Book, gather'd, that I would have him speak against it: but whatever he sayes or gather'd, this is true which I write.

[Page 30]Thirdly, by the Orders and Decrees of two General Assemblies of -53. and -57. representing the whole Bo­die of the Clergy, who agreed that we should not trans­gress my Lords commands in that point, but follow his grave, fatherly and charitable advice.

Fourthly, by the Judgement of the right honourable Lord Abbot Montague and our Venerable Brethren in France in their common Letter of Mediation to Dr. Leyb. repeating my Lords advice to him, that we should follow, not go before our Pastor. And this was when Mr. Bl.'s submission of his Writings to the Church and See Apo­stolick stolick was not yet made; much less can it be exacted of us now, since he hath submitted his Doctrine to the Church; for by so doing he hath left the controversie now in the Churches hands, and so makes our's or any other's intermedling very improper.

Lastly, We are mov'd not to disclaim Mr. Bl.'s Do­ctrines by the example of other Bodies and Communi­ties, and particularly that of the Society; who when Tenets written by some of their Body, have highly scan­daliz'd the World, and were actually censur'd by very many Bishops and his Holinesse also, yet thought it not prudent to make Declarations against them themselves, much lesse to begin to censure them first. Nay more, (with respect to those grave and prudent Bodies be it spo­ken) we have exceeded the most forward of them in this point, having our selves upon this occasion requested the Nuntio of Paris (through whose hands, as being our Ordinary, Commands from his Holiness are to come to us legally, to send to us any Decree which concern's us, promising to receive and publish it. We have signifi'd also the same to his Holinesse and the Court of Rome, to the Cardinal-Protectour, the inter-Nuntio of Brussels and [Page 31]others, which (as far we know) no other Order has done concerning any of their Body.

Now We appeal to all the World, whether it become the gravity of Ecclesiastical persons of our place & voca­tion to neglect the prudent and charitable Counsel and commands of our late Bishop, & of such venerable persons as compose our Assemblies, that is, all the Vicar Generals, Canons and Arch Deacons in England, as also of the most worthy Mediatours, to neglect the example of all other Communities, & the evidence of our own reason too, which tells us that a mature and orderly procedure ought to be observ'd in such Censures; and all this to follow and second the passion of one single man, whose very moving and stirring in such a matter, is beyond his duty, in regard he is but a private person, and can shew no Order or Commission from any Superiour, is so plain­ly an Act of sedition, that nothing can suffice to justifie it in the opinion of any sober man, who shall but consider that the Catholick Church hath Order and Government in it; and that affairs of this nature (determining what is Faith, what Heresie) are not to be carry'd on by cla­mour and getting hands of a few ignornat or passionate Persons, by surprize or misinformation, but by an Au­thority deriv'd in an orderly and legal manner from the Supreme Bishop; or, in case it be matter of Opinion and not of Faith; then 'tis solid and prudent reasons and not empty and rude noises, which are proper to confute such Errours.

As for Mr. Bl.'s person, we have known him to be ever of a most unblemish't life and exemplar conver­sation; and, as such, we are taught by Christian princi­ples to honour and respect him. He hath born many principal Offices under our Clergy, done as many parti­cular [Page 32]services, and hath been Master to very many of our eldest and gravest Brethren; with considerations give them and us a gratefull esteem and respect for him. His learning all grant to be eminent; which by the com­mon principles of civility and humanity oblige us to va­lue him accordingly; and to wish and pray he may so employ his pen that his other works may be as servicea­ble to Gods Church, as those against Hereticks have been. But to defend him in any Tenet which may justly be conceiv'd against Superiours either spiritual or tem­poral, or against Doctrines held forth by the Catholick Church, we abhor in our hearts; for his opinions very few of us know them, few or none understand them all; and we seriously protest we know not one of our Bre­thren who holds all the opinions he maintains; And if some hold some, what wonder is it, or how is it avoid­able, while 'tis left in the hands of the Schooles, that is, till the Church declare her self what we may hold consi­stent with faith, what not? Yet to give satisfaction even in this. Our two last General Assemblies have unani­mously declar'd that we will readily approve or disapprove all Doctrines and customes as we shall understand they are approv'd or disapprov'd by the See Apostolick. Our Ve­nerable Dean hath sent a Declaration to our Officers to be subscrib'd by all Priests, that they do condemn Opinio­nes Iansenii aut quorumcunque aliorum novitates à sancta sede damnatas; And we hope our following offers made to Dr. Leyb. will satisfie any man not very far gone in pas­sion and prejudice.

First it has been offer'd him that if he will pick out some opinions of Mr. Bl's, and make them satisfactorily appear to be Heresies, we should heartily expresse our ab­horrence of them, which he refuses to doe, but would [Page 33]have us condemn them (as he strangely phrases it) in globulo; by which we conceive he mean's in the bulk. Whence it would follow that we must condemn the Tenets of the Trinity, the Incarnation, and all other my­steries of our Faith, all these being found in Mr. Bl.'s Books, and going in the same Bulk or Book with the rest: So that the same common Words of Condemna­tion must be levell'd at one as at the other, unless some distinction be made; Which yet he will by no means undertake to doe, but all his heat is to have them con­demn'd in globulo.

Again, It hath bin offer'd him, that if he please not to engage himself in a Dispute with Mr. Bl. by particu­larizing which opinions he thinks censurable, which not; he would pick out those Propositions he judg'd most dangerous, and we would joyn with him to send them to the University of Doway to be censur'd as they think fit: which proffer he likewise refuses, telling us, that Mr. Bl. would fall foul upon that University to their small content and liking. To which was reply'd, that if they could not or durst not censure them, fearing some dis­advantage thereby, how then durst we, whom we con­ceive himself judges neither of greater Authority nor learning then the Doctors there?

Moreover our venerable Dean, in presence of his Bre­thren, offer'd him, that if he would select those Proposi­tions he judg'd to sound most dangerously, we would joyn with him in sending them to Rome to his Holinesse and requesting his Censure of them, that so we might know what to eschew and what to allow of; and that we would receive this Censure thus procur'd and sent us by our Ordinary, the Nuntio at Paris; and publish it to all our Brethren to be observ'd strictly, with as deep an [Page 34]Injunction as we could lay upon them. But all proffers which have any thing of reason in them are equally dis­accepted by him; and nothing pleases his fancie but condemning in globulo; that is, good and bad together. Which our judgement gives us is both unreasonable in us to do, and pernicious to the faithfull, and of whose Soules we have the charge.

Also before Dr. Leyb's. coming, some of our Brethren in Town dissatisfied with some particulars of Mr. Bl.'s Doctrine, resolv'd upon a more peaceable, rational and charitable way; which was to gather out of his Books divers Propositions most liable to exception, and to have them sent to Mr. Bl. requiring of him either to explicate them in a Catholick sense, or retract them. This Proposal of theirs we willingly and readily em­brac't, and promis't our utmost concurrence with them: both because this way tended to the clearing something, & so some kind of satisfaction and utility would redound to the faithfull, one way or other; whereas the con­demning Opinions confusedly, without telling which hazards to ensnare the faithfull to abhorre also the good ones which run mixt with the bad in the same con­demnation; And Mr. Bl.'s way of writing being short and obscure, unlesse he were first put to explicate him­self, we might happen to engage Authority against a Te­net as held by that Author, whereas perhaps he held the quite contrary; which would injure the good Opinion Governers ought to conserve, making them seem partial, passionate, and rash. Beside, this method of proceeding seem'd well becomming Brethren of the same Body; that if upon his explaining himself it appear'd he was misap­prehended and faultless, Charity and brotherly amity might still be preserv'd with him, and so all remain still [Page 35]united; If evidently faulty and persisting in that fault, it might more unanimously unite all the rest against him, and render their relinquishing him more justifiable. But the great fruit we justly hop't from this fair procedure, was totally dash't by their desistence and drawing back about the same time Dr. Leyb. came; whether by his tampering with them to joyn with him in a more vio­lent course, so to gain himself a faction, will best be judg'd from his solicitation of other Brethren of ours in town to the same purpose; and by his Attempts elsewhere, and lastly by his own words upon this occasion, that God would send a Blessing upon those who should in this dis­unite and divide the Clergy.

We must not omit one very material passage; which is, that Dr. Leyb.'s friends, Mr. Catterick and Mr. Young, while in town much insisted upon the disannulling our Chapter, and having a Bishop without a Chapter; that is, not an ordinary Authority, which by the Canons is to govern with a Chapter, but an Extraordinary one. As also Dr. Leyb. mov'd to our Dean, and writ to Rome falsely pretending that the greater part of the Clergy in England are well satisfy'd, and would think themselves happy in having a Vicarius Apostolicus, and that onely some few of the Chapter oppose it. Now to receive such an Extraordinary Authority is both against the pleasure of HER MAJESTY, our most gracious Patroness, ex­prest in Her Commands to our Agent at Rome, not to accept it; against the Lawes of our Catholick Ance­stors, against the will of our State; and so most dan­gerous for us to admit, subjecting us to a Praemunire and all who adhere to It or us; Likewise, against the minds of our Brethren in the two last General Assemblies, a­greeing to petition for a Successor to our late Bishop, who [Page 36]had Potestatem Ordinarii; Against all the Consults since the last General Assembly, both in their orders to Mr. Pendrick and Mr. Gage. And lastly this striking at the de­struction of the Chapter is both against my Lords Institu­tion and Orders in his Instrument whereby he confirm'd the Chapter; against the judgement of the Mediatours, against the orders of three Popes, nay even against Dr. Leyb's. own thoughts formerly (as appears by a letter in his own hand) till his passion against the Chapter was grown to the height.

But put case a Bishop without a Chapter was best for us while the Bishop liv'd, and were neither against the command of our Superiours, nor endangering security; let us consider what would become of our Church in the vacancy of the seat, the Chapter being disannull'd, what jurisdiction, what order should we have, all being levell'd into an equality, that is, an Anarchy? whence should the Priests have extraordinary faculties, when they want them to dispense in vows, degrees of consan­guinity, affinity, marriages contracted or to be contract­ed, absolving from Ecclesiastical Censures, Irregularities, and other reserv'd cases not contain'd in the ordinary fa­culties of their Missions, as consecrating Altar-stones, chalices, &c. the want of which power must force the Clergy in such necessities to repair themselves, or send their Penitents to Regulars (who, as so many standing Bodies here are impowr'd with these faculties, or may be by their immediate Superiours in every of their Di­stricts) to the great prejudice and unheard of dishonour of the Clergy. Again, the Chapter being null, how can the Clergy, in the Interval of a Bishop or Superiour in chief over them, be long kept in due obedience to the decrees and commands of his Holinesse, or of the Kings [Page 37]Majesty, as they are bound in conscience; when there is no one higher then another, and so none at all who has power to receive, publish, and enjoyn their obser­vance, or inflict Ecclesiastical penalties upon the offen­ders? Besides, how shall the Clergy be able to make a­ny Contract with any for pious legacies, or to receive Donations to raise a Found or common stock, to comply with obligations contracted for, which in justice they must be bound to perform? And in defect of Chapter Officers, to whom shall the Contractees have recourse? not to particular persons, when each man may with truth say, he made no such contract. Lastly, how can there be any means or way to pay common expences of the Cler­gy, the maintenance of Superiours and under-Officers? To whom shall Priests be sent from the respective Col­ledges? Who must provide from them when newly ar­riv'd, till they be plac't? Who must relieve other indi­gent Priests of the Clergy? Who must send Agents to his Holinesse, be at the charge of Letters, keep correspon­dency with our Brethren and friends at home and a­broad, with the Nuncio's, the Court of Rome, with the Colledges of Doway and Lisbo, &c. without which the Clergy's affairs can neither be manag'd, nor themselves subsist. Wherefore the Government by extraordinary powers being altogether unsecure to us, and the Go­vernment by Chapter in the vacancy of the Episcopal See, being both De jure communi Ecclesiastico, and also the most inoffensive Government to our State and Laws; nay, a kind of Authority, particularly agreeable to the sense of the King's most sacred Majesty, our gracious Sovereign, to which we ought humbly to conform, when the necessity of maintainingour Catholick professi­on obliges not our consciences to the contrary; much [Page 38]more when the stream of Catholick Ecclesiastical Ca­nons go along with his Commands. Again, it being most evident from what hath been said, that the ruine of our Clergy, of it's Unity, it's honour and subsistence at­tend the disannulling of the Chapter; 'Tis likewise most evident that Attempts to disannull the said Chapter aim at this ruine of ours. Yet with this disposition of wills Dr. Leyb's. two friends fled from our conversation here, and carry the same along with them to communicate to as many as they can perswade; himself in the mean time prosecuting it here to his utmost power: What greater disadvantage could our busiest Emulatours wish, or even imagine against us?

We omit for the present to lay open at large his o­ther manifold wranglings, calumnies, and passionate car­riages against Dr. Champney, Mr. Hammond, Mr. Harring­ton, Mr. Southcot, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Gage Mr. Peterson, Dr. Holden, Mr. Clifford, Mr. Carre, Mr. Fitton, Mr. Manly, Dr. Blundeston, Mr. Green, and (in a word) a­gainst almost all the eminent and grave persons of our Clergy, especially if they were of any authority to con­troll him in the least, his giving them the lie, his writing against them to my Lord, running away from their As­semblies in case he were contradicted, and such like; e­nough to make a large History, were they particularly laid out.

Nor do we at present much insist upon his mis­government in the Colledge, both formerly, and of late more especially; so evident and testifiable by the Depositions of many worthy persons, too many to be wip't off with a Letter of the Inter-nunce of Brussels, surreptitiously procur'd, while none was summon'd [Page 39]to appear there against him to enforce and make good the Charge.

We only hint the unfitnesse of some he hath sent hither not long ago as Missionaries; As (to omit many others) of one who in another Seminary was deny'd presentati­on to Orders, because of his unsettled brain, and (as we are inform'd) wisht the next day his throat had been cut when he took Orders.

Of another, a person in a manner phrenetical, who within six or seven moneths at most, was a marryed man, a Widdower, a Priest and Missionary.

The third, of a wild mad nature, for open Sedition in the house and publick soliciting all the Scholars to the Warres, was expell'd the Colledge by him; to whom yet, after his expulsion, he sent faculties to come hither as Missionary. He hath now been half a year in England, yet never officiates nor performs any duty belonging to a Priest.

We onely hint these few of many at present; hoping that the horrour and shame exprest by all who hear of it, and reflect how sacred the function of a Priest and Apostle is, will make him more circumspect for the future; and that these are enough to let our Brethren see how necessary 'tis to have a Dean and Chapter, to examine who are fit, who not, ere they admit them.

Also these few instances are sufficient to shew, how unfit he is to govern a Church, who so ill go­verns a private house; how unworthy to be a Bi­shop who hath so little reverence or care of what belongs to that holiest of functions, Apostolical Priest­hood.

But not to insist longer upon his carriage in the Col­ledge, [Page 40]and to return to his constant Demean our here. 'Tis made too manifest by the several contents of this our Re­monstrance, that all Dr. Leyb's endeavours both former­ly and at present are to disunite and stir up Sedition in our Body, to keep a party on foot for himself to work by: to what intent his own Conscience can best tell. But, by his refusing to joyn with us in obtaining one of the Six propos'd in our last General Assembly for a Bishop, and by divers other passages we omit, he makes the com­mon report and opinion an evident Truth, that he in­tends to make himself our Superiour; whom, to de­clare our selves freely and conscientiously, we conceive every way unworthy that sacred Dignity, and much more for his ambitiously seeking it by such indirect, un­charitable and seditious courses. If this were not his meaning, and that truly he desires we should have a Bishop, why should he refuse to joyn with us in proposing those Six, they being persons beyond all Exceptions and even his own; that is, they were never held promoters of Mr. Bl's. Doctrines in the least? Nor, as it seems, is he content with aiming at only a bare superiority, but (as appears by his and his friends urging the dissolution of the Chapter, and the acceptance of an Apostolical Vi­car) he intends to make himself Paramount and uncon­trolable; not bound to Canonical procedure, nor need­ing the concurrence or assistence of any, that so he may rule in Virga ferrea, and give full swing to his revenge and passion; Which we experience so implacable a­gainst the whole Chapter, that we too plainly foresee no sacrifice is likely to appease it, but the ruine and destru­ction of our poor Church.

Reflecting then upon Dr. Leyb's. proceedings from first to last, that he broke the order of Capitular Meetings in [Page 41]the Assembly of 1649. by bringing in private persons a­gainst the Dean's leave: That, he endeavour'd to gather a party of private persons after the Assembly was finish't, calumniating the proceedings of his Brethren as illegal, and carry'd on by two persons only. That, he passionate­ly refus'd to come to an accord with his Brethren so ci­villy treating, and so charitably desiring it of him; That, in private debates he contentiously refus'd to stand to Ar­bitratours, himself inexorable. That, his friends and he through false calumnies mov'd my Lord by his Mandate to dis­solve the General Assembly of 1653. and thereby inju­red the whole body of the Clergy in that their Repre­sentative. That, he refus'd to send Missionaries to our Chapter-officers though kindly intreated to do it by Let­ters from that whole Assembly; That contemning our last Reverend Bishop's orders, which were not to cla­mour against Doctrines till condemn'd by the See Apo­stolick, sleighting his censure that this way of proceeding was schismatical, and the judgement of two General As­semblies and of the Mediatours to the same effect, he e­ver did and still does pertinaciously continue to prose­cute this illegal course. That, transgressing and (as much as in him lies) disannulling the Institutes of our two Re­verend Bishops, the Concessions of three Popes to our several Agents, the sense of the Court of Rome, of divers Cardinals, of our Protectours, of the Congregation De propaganda fide, of divers Nuncio's, particularly that of Paris (our now Ordinary) exprest in their Letters to us from time to time as a Chapter; Also against the Agree­ment of two General Assemblies, speaking the sence and bearing the place and authority of the whole Clergy, a­gainst the judgement and advice of the Honourable and [Page 42]venerable Mediatours (expressing in their Letter to him that to resist the Chapter is Schismatical) he formerly hath and still doth slight, vilifie and resist the said reverend Au­thority of the CHAPTER. Finding also that by his printed Libel he endeavour'd to sow discord between the Consult and their Brethren in the Countrey, falsly and injuriously charging them with what they are ready to depose they are no wayes guilty of. That, his Adhe­rents through his suggestions disobeyed their immediate Superiours and writ Letters against us, reviling us for Schismatical. That Mr. Bl. having perform'd on his part what Dr. Leyb. requir'd, by submitting his writings, he perform'd nothing on his, that is, Neither acknowledg'd the Chapter, nor desisted from calumniating & clamour­ous wayes to the great injury even of the Mediatours themselv's, who are oblig'd in honour to endeavour, to their power, to see the Conditions comply'd with, and have a right over him to exact it from him. That the Ge­neral Assembly of 1657. meeting to receive his perform­ance of those conditions he had promis't, & so compleat­ing an Union, he by his own and his friends Agent broke them all, clamouring against Doctrines, rejecting the Authority of the Chapter, & by his express Commission, refusing to subscribe to the Votes of the Major part. See­ing that he cuts up by the root all possibility of accord by his thus openly breaking at pleasure all Agreements and Engagements, though made to most honourable and worthy persons, given under his own hand, and fortified with solemn protestations of sincerity; in preserving which inviolate, consists all moral honesty, all com­merce and civil conversation. Seeing that he rejects the Authority of our venerable Dean upon frivolous and false pretences; though his own Agent (as it happen'd) [Page 43]voted for his Election. Seeing that by his uncomplying and unreasonable Demands and Capitulations he hath contribu­ted highly to the discouragement of our best friends abroad, & to the final breaking up of the Institute of Nostre Dame de Virtu' (deservedly look't on by us as a most considerable ad­vantage to our Clergy. Seeing that he disaccepted all rational profers made by his brethren to have Doctrines censur'd, & calumniates all that will not follow his violent & unlawfull way: Since contemning all charitable & Christian principles, he casts about his Calumnies & rash judgements at randome upon the souls of persons both living and dead, long known to us of approv'd vertue and merit, if he hath conceiv'd, how causlesly soever, a private grudge against them; and that he looks upon all both Nobility, Gentry and Ecclesia­sticks, whom his fancy dislikes, as on Excommunicate per­sons, and so carries himself towards them; nay expects o­thers should do the like under penalty of his heavy censure; Seeing his two chief Adherents refuse to treat with us, and are sent down by him (as we hear) to gather hands to make new turmoils. Seeing that himself and his said two Adhe­rents press the Introducing Extraordinary Authority, against both the laws of our Countrey, and the resolution of her Majesty, as also the sense of our Reverend Assemblies and Consults in regard of it's insecurity and dangerousnesse to Catholicks. Seeing that, both against the Orders of several Popes and the unanimous sense of our Assemblies and Bre­thren, they presse the disannulling the Chapter, so to reduce us to an Anarchy and Desolation in the Vacancy of our Seat: Seeing that his whole course tends to oppose all pro­cedures which are orderly, legal, charitable, and authorita­tive, and, on the contrary, still vehemently endeavouring to to carry things on by a violent hurry of passion, clamour and censure: Seeing (we say) that not considering himself but [Page 44]a private man, and as such, of no Authority at all here, he so often hath and still doth unrelentingly persist to disturb our publick peace by his illegall machinations, we held it our duty to give you notice at large of his many and manifold Schismatical proceedings, intreating you to satisfy all whom it may concern of the patience and charity we have us'd to­wards him so long time, and his unreasonablenesse and ob­duratenesse in his Schism against us. And lastly, beseeching you all to joyn with us in hearty prayers for his timely a­mendment; that, leaving off this spirit of bitternesse, Schism, contentiousnesse, revenge and implacablenesse upon pri­vate disgusts, he may unanimously joyn and go along with his Brethren, in the perfect settling our Body under a pious and prudent Pastor. Which is now so far advanc't through the gracious favour of her Majesty, that we foresee no im­pediment, but his wrong informations to the Inter-nunce and our Protectour, can any way obstruct it. So commit­ting you to the Protection of the God of Unity and Peace, We rest,

TO HER MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE HENRIETTA MARIA QVEEN OF GREAT, BRITAIGN D.^R LEYBVRN'S APOLOGIE.

The most renown'd Card. Ba­ronius representing wi [...] his lear­ned pensil the scene of troubles, which the Arrians had rais'd against S. Atha­nasius (for as much, as in compliance with his pastorall charge, he zealously endeuor'd to obstruct the spreading of their pernicious do­ctrines) [Page 2]expresses therein, that this glorious Champion of the Catholick Church, being inform'd of sundry wicked aspersions, which the said Arrians had craftily cast vpon him, with design to take away his good name, euen amongst his own Brethren, iudg'd it ne­cessary to addresse an Apology vnto Con­stantius the Emperour for the clearing of his innocency, least by neglecting to publish truth, the wounds his integrity had receiu'd from slandering tongues migh grow wider, truth being the sole cure, and soueraign re­medy against such hurts.

After the example of this most illustrious Prelate, I haue thought it expedient to pre­sent to your sacred Maiestie an: Apology of the like nature, that is my owne defence, in Answer to an Army of affronts and calum­nies, which a wanton schollar, and his Ad­herents haue cast vpon me: and (abstracting from a speciall supernaturall prouidence of [Page 3]God, that guided the pen of S. Athanasius in all his writings, and so made him a great Doctor of his Church) I haue greater motiues of aduantage to induce me to this presum­ption, as to myne, then S. Athanasius had, as to his Apology.

First, Constantius the Emperour was a Fa­uorer of the Arrians, and the sole support of their nouelle Sect: but y.^r Ma.^tie hath euer shewn a great abhorrence of all prophane nouelties, and an extream dislike of each introduced custome, that is not conform to the generall practice of the Church of God, and confirm'd from the Chaire of S. Peter.

Secondly I was the first English Priest, that was sworn of your Ma.^ties Chapell, in consequence of which, I do not beare the marke of a meer subiect onely, but of both subiect, and seruant: and since an iniustice done to a seruant, of necessity reflectes v­pon the master, or mistris, whose seruant he [Page 4]is, it follows by naturall inference, that I can challenge something of right, as to re­curring to your Mâ.^tie for protection in a iust cause; and truly if the defence I haue dres­sed vp, shall appeare guilty of false dealing, then I will cease from playing the Apologer, and become an humble Petitioner, that my name may be for euer blotted out of the list of your Ma.^ties seruants, and my selfe beare the infamous brand to all posterity of being, as my Aduersaries endeuour to make me, a very rogue.

Thirdly Constantius the Emperour was not onely a fauourer of the Arrian Clergy, but a persecutour of S. Athanasius, of whom that clergy had sayd all mamer of euill. Contrariwise your Ma.^tie hath shewn kind­nesses for me, far aboue any desert of myne; I was committed Prisonner to Douer Castle, vpon suspicion of being a Priest, and your Ma.^tie compassionating my vniust sufferings, [Page 5]obtain'd my deliuerance. Again being false­ly accused to principall Ministers of our la­te king of most happie memory, vnder the support of your Ma.^ties protection, as to my Religion, I voluntarily appear'd at the Coun­cil Table euen in a coniuncture of a violent storme casually rais'd against Priests, and was dismissed with honour, nothing of euidence being produc'd, that could render me guilty of the least medling, in order to affairs of state; and indeed during your Ma.^ties stay in England you neuer protected Priest, or lay-Catholick otherwise, then with this prouiso: If he has done nothing against the state: your Ma.^tie knew right well that the supreme pro­uidence had set bounds to euery vocation, soe that no man ought to put his sickle on strang ground. The office of a Priest is to ma­nage onely what is his own, and Christs bu­siness, and to leaue to Caesar, and the wise Ministers of his Council, a [...]irs pertaining [Page 6]to the state, vnless in regard of their extra­ordinary abilities they be call'd thereto by Cae­sar himselfe, for Priests are bound to serue their soueraign Prince in euery employment, that can bring aduantage to him, and no disgrace, or preiudice to their vocation, or function.

Fourthly my greatest Patron, whiles I con­tinued in the English Mission, was that gal­lant person the R.^d Father Philip, Beloued of your Ma.^tie in a high measure, sutable to his merits, for he executed his charge of Ghost­ly Father with extream prudence, and ma­nag'd all his affairs with an admirable con­duct: b [...]es he was versed in all manner of learning, and as to an exact knowledge of holy Scriptures, Councils, Fathers, and Controuersies, I knew none in your three kingdoms, except our most R.^d Bishop of Cal­cedon that could equall him; This learned wise person [...] aliue when Iansenius no­uelties [Page 7]were spread in France, and also when M.^r White, alias Blacloe began to publish his phanatick learning; and his sense being required (at sundry tymes my selfe present) in order to both of them, he alwais gaue the same answer, saying, that he was too ould to embrace any new Religion.

Fiftly I haue hazarded my life, and spent, not of my superfluity, which I had not, but of my pouertie, what I had (after the imita­tion of the poor good woman that cast into the Treasury of Ierusalem her two mites which were all her riches.) To serue our la­te soueraign Lord your Ma.^ties Husband of most happie memory. The Church of God does not teach Catholicks to desert their true, and lawfull Princes in their sufferings, neither does their aduersity lessen the power they had in their prosperity to exact obedience from their subiects, but encrease it.

Now MADAME hauing set down the [Page 8]principall motiues, which haue enbolden'd me to address an Apology to your Sacred Ma.^tie vnto clearing of my Innocency, whe­rein I haue imitated the great Athanasius: I haue an other part to play after the exam­ple of the pious Mardocheus, whom the su­preme prouidence had put to rule ouer the Iews (the seed of Gods chosen people) which had been carryed away from Ierusalem in the captiuity of Iechonias king of Iuda: This great seruant of God Mardocheus perceiuing that the wicked Haman, and his friends had a design to destroy them, made humble In­tercession to the glorious Queen Hester for the preseruation of the sayd People of God, whose Religion she professed. In like manner whereas M.^r White & his Adherents menace the Colledge of Doway (whereof the supreme prouidence hatth constituted me, (though most vnworthy of the charge) principall Gouernour) which receaued the seede of Ca­tholicks, [Page 9]that had been carryed away from England in the captiuity of Catholick Reli­gion vnder the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. For the preseruing of the said seed after the example of the pious Mardocheus I haue thought it expedient to intercede to your Sa­cred Ma.^tie, who doubtless is as glorious a Queen in the sight of God, as was Queen Hester, whom not onely you haue equal'd, as to professing of the true faith, but sur­passed, as to the many sufferings your Ma.^tie hath endured patiently vnto gaining a crown of Martirdome, and indeed according to our great Apostle S. Gregory true belieuers that suffer persecution for iustice sake patiently, and innocently, are Martyrs without effu­sion of blood: and I am certain of your Ma.^ties vniust sufferings, and more grieuous, I dare auerre, then euer Christian Princess endured, Y.^r Ma.^tie haueing bin banishd wrong­fully, the king your Husband barbarously [Page 10]murdered, the King your son in continuall danger of his Fathers murderers and in want of requisits necessary to his Ma.^ties condi­tion. Neither can I doubt, but that your Ma.^tie hath both patiently and innocently endured them, because your most Religious Confessor himselfe told me that he had heard your Generall Confession twice, (once in eminent danger of death vpon the sea going out of Holland, when the raging wa­nes threatned present ruine) and professed, that he could neuer accuse your Ma.^tie of one mortall sin. Wherefore I intercede vnto your Sacred Ma.^tie not as to a glorious Queen onely, but as to God's Martyr also, for our poore Colledge, that hath preseru'd the seed of Catholick Religion down from the begin­ning of Queen Elizabeths Reign till these present tymes. I intercede for a Colledge of Pastours, so called in as much, as since it was founded by that most excellent Prelate D.^r [Page 11]Allan (who was the first President, and a­fterwards Cardinal) and erected in Doway in the yeare of our Lord 1568. it hath sent a­boue a Thousand Pastours into England for the ministry of that litle Church I interced for a Colledge of Martyrs, so named because about a hundred and fortie of her Pasto­rall Priests haue endured imprisonments, rack's, hyrdles, and at last shed their inno­cent blood in defence of the Church, the sea Apostolick, and Catholick Faith; a glorious haruest for so little seed, as came of the Re­liques of Queen Maries dayes, that is of a few graue learned Priests vnder the conduct of D.^r Allan, which vnder the Reign of Queen Elizabeth left their goods and pre­ferments and came to Doway. I interced for the Mother-House, so commonly stil'd in regard, as it was the first Seminary ere­cted according to the ordinance of the Coun­cil of Trent, and a pattern of many others: [Page 12]so it has been the mother of all our English Colledges in Rome, Spain, and S. Omers which it furnishd for a great tyme (that is vntill S. Omers Colledge was erected, and some tym after) with Schollars, and fit sub­iects, yea many, and euen the chiefest of our English Regulars were children of this Col­ledge: for example Father Campian, and sun­dry others gallant Personages Priests of the Society; that great Schollar Father Rudicind Barlow the first President of our English Be­nedictins, and divers other worthy men of that Congregation were Children of this Col­ledge; four Provincials of the English Recol­lects were Children of this Colledge, and one of these ought not to be named by me without an ample acknowledgment of gra­titude, for he being inform'd that his old mother this Colledge was reduc'd to great ne­cessity, piously interceded for her to lay Catho­licks and procured a reliefe of 200. l [...]ster. Last­ly [Page 13]I intercede for a Colledge properly cal'd the spirituall Mother of all our English Ca­tholicks, for as much as before any other Community of our Nation sent Missionaries into England, she had sent about a hunde­red Priests, who with much labour, and ef­fusion of their blood brake the first Ice, and made the way for such as came after.

MADAME, for my selfe I am an Apologer onely, but for our Mother-House I am an Intercessor, most humbly beseeching your Sacred Ma.^tie to looke on her with a gracious eye, to the encouragement of your Catholick Subiects, and the discouragement of our few wanton Clergy-men of this pha­natick age, that endeuour to hurt her, since they cannot make her a plantation of their new notions. I cannot doubt of your Ma.^ties gracious fauour towards her, she hauing had formerly (about 22. yeares agoe) eui­dence enough of your Ma.^ties extream ten­dernes [Page 14]and compassion vnto conseruing her, when she was reduc'd vnto great necessity through warre, and pestilence, wherewith as soon as your Ma.^tie was acquainted by Fa­ther Philip, and the Right Hon.^ble Personage now your Ma.^ties great Almoner my Lord Abbot Montague (my selfe hauing mou'd them afore to that good worke) you were pleas'd to order considerable supplies for her releife. Likewise I intercede for her Clergy Children, that these through your Ma.^ties power may cast away all phanatick nouelties, walke in the wayes of their glorious Prede­cessours, giue obedience where obedience is due, and loue one an other carefully ende­uoring to keepe vnitie of Spirit in the bond of peace, Eph. 4. And MADAME all this is faisable enough, if your Ma.^tie shall constitute my L. Ab. Mountague your great Almener Iudge of Maters in debate for your authoritie, and his prudent conduct will be [Page 15]able to remedy what is amiss, vnto preuenting of schism, that menace's the litle Church of your Catholick subiects. And as to my own person, if for my sake the present tempest is come vpon our Mother-House, and the Catholicks of England; so that they be sau'd, cast me into the sea, that is thrust me out of the Mother-House, and banish me from my natiue Country (which was my offer to our wanton Brethren at my last beeing in England) and as I speake this from my hart, so I will endure affliction gladly for so generall a good: a small hole in any corner of a Catholick Commonwealth will serue to end the remnant of my dayes, and bring my aged head with comfort to the graue. Howeuer let God dispose of me accor­ding to his diuine pleasure, I hope he will giue me grace to feare him, and honour my King, 1. Pet: also, as in duty & gratitude I am bound, to wish your Ma.^tie all prosperity [Page 16]both in this, and the next life, which is, and euer shall be the daily prayer of

D^R. LEYBVRNS ENCYCLICALL ANSVVER SENT TO HIS BRETHREN OF ENGLAND.

PERHAPS some of you do conceiue that the contumelious Epistle subscribed by Dr. Ellis, and the other few of our Brethren that adhere to Mr. Blacloe, will swallow me vp with ouermuch heauines; but Vnfainedly I am nothing trubled at the foul aspersions it casteth vpon me. Non qui patitur, sed qui facit contumeliam miser est: Hier. ad Marc. Not Ioseph, whom his Brethren accused, reuiled, and persecuted, did suffer preiudice thereby, Gen. 37. but they his Accusers, and slanderers, who conspired against him wrongfully, (that is, for as much, as they were affraid, least he might come to beare rule, and authority ouer them) carrie the infamous brand to all poste­rity of being wretched men. As it is no dishonour to be accused, since the best integrity, and innocency is subiect to that scandall: so it is an honour to be accused falsly: the vnchast Elders falsely accused the Chast Susanna of incontinency, and the accusation [Page 4]turn'd to her honour, Dan. 13. The wicked Ammon falsely ac­cused the pious Mardochaeus of impiety, and he was exalted thereby Esther. 8. nay the Eccesiasticall Annals of our Country afforde euidence enough of this asserted truth: for all Catholick posterity celebrates with much reuerence the memories of S. Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, S. Wilfred Arch-Bishop of Yorke, and blessed Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester, for their godly, and Religious enterprises, notwithstanding, that in the pursuance thereof, they were resisted, falsely accused, and iniured by their own Clergy respectiuely, and at different tymes.

Again I am nothing trubl'd, because I know right well, that as it is naturall vnto a serpent to hiss, vnto a scorpion to stinge, and vnto a Dragon to breath foorth poison: so is it vsual, and familiar to wanton schollars, that are ambicious to vent new notions, and become Authors of new sects, as likewise to their adherents, to reuile, and say all manner of euil against such, as resiste them in the pursuance of their pernicious enterprises: for example the Pelagians, against S. Austin; louinians against S. Hierome, the Arrians against S. Athanasius sharpened their wicked, and slandering tongues: the poison of Adders is vnder the lipps of such singular Teachers, which trauell after plantations of new notions, as a woman that is about to bring forth a Child: and carried away with their own lusts, breath out of their mouths Venemous calumnies to the lessning, and hurting of such as piously, and religiousely endenoure to obstruct their wicked designs: howe­uer innocency is a wall of brass inuincible: Gaude (says the great Dr. S. Chrysostome) Innocentia & exulta, gaude inquam vbique illaesa es, vbique secura: si humiliaris erigeris, si pugnas vincis, si occideris coronaberis. Innocent men, are like stork's, for as these deuoure venemous serpents, and receiue nothing of hurt, but much nourishment thereby: so those digeste poisonous words, slanders, and all manner of calumnies to the encreasing of their honour, and celebrating of their name.

Moreouer I do not value any slandering aspersion as proceeding [Page 5]from Mr. Blacloe and his Adherents, hauing often a fore frustrated to their shame the vnhandsome endeuours, they haue vsed to ruine my reputation: and three remarkable victories I haue obtained. The first happened soon after I engaged in the management of our old mother's affairs, for one halfe yeare was hardly expired, when I was summon'd to encounter with a litle army of false accusations (forged by Mr. Blacloe, and his adherents) and exhi­bited against me to the Nuncio of Brussels vnto whose iurisdiction I was subiect: and his lordship after diligent inquisition, and ma­ture examination of my answeres to all the said accusations, was euidently conuinc'd of the inordinate proceeding, vsed by my Aduersaries: in so much, that he was pleasd to call the aspersions cast vpon me, the Bowes of the wicked, and styled, my Aduer­saries malicious men, as appeareth by his said lordships letter written to my selfe, which although I haue inserted formerly in my declaratory Epistle in answer to Mr. Blacloes printed ca­lumnies against me, neuertheles I haue thought fitting to set down in this my Encyclicall Answer, and it is, as followeth.

Which giue euidence enough, in order to this conflict, of my victory and my aduersaries shame.

The second victory I obtained at my last being at london Octob. 1660. which happened thus. Sr. Kenelme Digby Mr. Bla­cloes Maecenas, accused me to our Queens grand Almener, the Lord Abbot Muntegue in the presence of Mr. Car, that I had inform'd the Hon. Mr. Secretary Moris, that there was come ouer a Ball of books (Mr. Blacloes statera morum) directed to Mr. Holland (Secretary of the Chapter) vnder the name of Smith, and likewise that I had told his Honour that it was a worke of dangerous consequence as to the State, and therefore required a warrant to intercept the said booke: also that I had acquainted his Honour, Mr. Secretary with priuate affairs concerning Catho­licks: again that I had intercepted his to the Chapters Secretary, and the Chapters Secretary Letters to him, and opened them. After Sr. Kenelme had finish'd this formidable charge, my Lord Almener asked of him, if what he related were certainé? certaine, replyed Sr. Kenelme; my Lord: I come now from Secretary Moris, who told it me. The next day my Lord grand Almener acquainted me with the aforesaid charge, and giuing credence to what Sr. Kenelme had vttered, seemd much trubled, that I should carrie my selfe so vnhandsomely, as to that proceeding: I made Answere saying surely Sr. Kenelme will neuer atteste such a passage, and Father it vpon me; surely replyed his lordship, he [Page 7]hath attested it: and being a matter of fact, it is easely prou'd, or disprou'd; to which I answered, saying, tis very true, and therefore beseech'd his lordship, that Sr. Kenelme, and my selfe might meet, and dispute this busines face to face; his lordship approued my proposition, and promised to goe with me to Sr. Kenelme. In the meane while I assured his lordship in the word of a Christian, and a Priest, that neither had I euer spoken with, nor been in the company of his H^r. Secretary Moris; neither had I euer made addresses vnto him directly, or indirecty: neither had I euer in all the course of my life intercepted, or opened any letters, or Letter directed to Sr. Kenelme, or his friend Mr. Holland, Secre­tary of the Chapter. This my protestation amazed the grand Almener, in so much that his lordship told me that of necessity I ought to go to Sr. Kenelme. In the interim, his lordship meeting with, said vnto him: Sr. Kenelme doubt lesse there is a mistake, as to the information you gaue me against Dr. Leyburn, for he will depose, that he neuer spoke with Secretary Moris, or euer made addresses vnto him: he knowes not the man &c. Sr. Kenelm replyed in these words (as my lord Almener told my own selfe) truly I confess, Secretary Moris did not name Dr. Leyburn, but I gathered from the Secretaryes words, that Dr. Leyburne had so inform'd him. Thus I carried the second Victory.

Notwithstanding all this I am informed that Sr. Kenelme, be­lieuing me to be the person, that especially obstructe's the spreading of the Digbean Theology, according to his wonted manner at Paris, and after the imitation of his all knowing master Mr. Blacloe (who in a printed letter calleth Dr. Leyburn sycophant, madman, hissing serpent, calumniatour, sylly, and ignorant man) brandeth me at London with the names of periur'd man, and pe­danticall foole: which contumelious speeches without proofe do not beseem him, neither as he is a meer man, nor as he is a Gentleman, nor as he is a knight, nor as he is in outward pro­fession, a Catholick. There is parity between me and Sr. Kenelme in all these degrees: for as to human nature, he is no more man [Page 8]then myselfe vpon that scoare. There is parity as to Gentility, because when William the conquerour inuaded England, there was a Sr. Roger Leyburn of Conswick in westmoreland (as appeareth by the Records of Durham) which is the ancient house of the Ley­burns, (whereof now actually my own Brother is seigneur) and so hath continued from Generation, to generation vnsold: The last knight of Conswich was Sr. Nicholas Leyburn Father to the Duchess of norfolke, whose name was Elizabeth Leyburn mo­ther to the old Countesse of Arundell and Grand mother of the earle of Arundell that now is: and likewise Father to the Lady Howard of Noward in Cumberland, and to the lady Munteagle of Hornby Castle in lancashire. And if we will peruse the Records of Douer Castle (which Sr. Edward Dyring shewd vnto my selfe when I was his Prisonner there) we shall finde that my Ancesters haue perform'd, as good, and faithfull seruice to their soueraign Princes, as perhaps Sr. Kenelm's family hath done. But tis true, that in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth our family lost great fortunes for mayntaining the old Religion, which it neuer Changed. This doth euidence enough, that there may be parity bet­ween Sr. Kenelme Digby and myselfe as to Gentility: and I am certain that there is parity, as to knightship, for as much as I am a Dr. of Diuinity. Again there is parity, as to Catholick, because I am a Catholick Priest, and Sr. Kenelme is but at the most a Ca­tholick layman, howeuer I will say with S. Hierome, Gratias ago Deo meo, quod sim dignus, quem oderint homines, quoniam illi magis, quam his studeo placere. Moreuer I will say to Sir Kenelm, what S. Austin said afore to his Aduersary a manichaean, Sentide (Ley burno) quicquid libet, sola me in oculis Dei conscientia non accuset.

The third victory was got thus: being come to london I was inform'd, that my Chapter Aduersaries there had perswaded sundry of our Brethren, how in my last great sicknes I had an intent to giue our College away from the Clergy. Which was onely a crafty enterprise of the said Aduersaries to render me more odious to all my Brethren, for the report was so false, that as God best know's, [Page 9]I had no thought of any such design. Besides it was no more in my power to dispose of Dow: College, then it was withim my reach the last summer to hinder Mr. Holland, the Chapter Se­cretary, from his Secret iournay to Roterdame, where he continued about two months with Mr. Blacloe, that then was printing his Statera morum: Or preuent Dr. Ellis, and other Chapter men from reporting, that their Secretary Mr. Holland was in one, or other County of England, when he was in the Town of Roter­dame. Furthermore, as soon as I perceiued that my Phisitians dispai­red of my recouery, I called vnto me the seniors, and Counselled them to thinke of some one, that might succeed in my roome, as likewise to the end a person named by them might finde some­thing of aduantage by my recommendation, I signed two blancks with my own hands for letters to the Pope, and Cardinall Francis Barbarin, our Protector, and Ordered Mr. Edward Robinson Professor of Diuinity (who will attest as much) to write the said letters: Moreouer being desired by the said Seniors to nominate my Successor, I answered, that I should aduise them to make choice of D. Ellis: such was the opinion I had of him then.

After the gaining of these three notable victories as to vindica­ting my integrity, no man as to reason could haue imagined, but that I might haue been freed of my Aduersaries calumnies for the future: notwithstanding I finde too true in our age what S. Bernard l. 2. De considerat. C. 10. obserued in his dayes, Alius inoleuit mos, dies alij sunt, & alij hominum mores, & tempora periculosa non instant iam, sed extant: fraus & circumuentio & violentia inualuere super terram. Calumuiatores multi, defensor rarus. And indeed, as to my owne particular I dare with confidence say, that in this present age falsi accusatores sunt multi, to witt Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis, and seuen more (which M. Blacloe in his last booke names the Clergy of London and they call themselues the Church of the Catholick Clergy) who haue put forth an Encyclicall Epistle filled with many seando­lous aspersions which they cast vpon me, vnto wounding my honour, and reputation, as by my Encyclicall Answer will appeare, or [Page 10]otherwise let me fall in the iudgements of all my Brethren, and lay Catholicks of England. Wherefore in pursuance of my design, as to the conseruing of my good name, I will take my rise from these words of the said Epistle About the yeare 1648. Dr. Leyb: was sent in to England by my lord Vicar Generall in solidum. Which Dr. Ellis Mr. Curtis &c. set down in the 2. page of their Encyclicall Epistle, and shall furnith a fit occasion to forme a Preamble narratiue (afore my engagement in order to a speciall clearing of my selfe) to shew how first of all dissention, and di­vision crept into our Clergy, as likewise how I came to be in­uested with the Ecclesiasticall Dignity of Vicar Generall.

As to these two poynts, tis obseruable, that about the yeare 1628. I was constituted Sole Agent, as to the outward management of all affairs pertaining to our Bishop, his Clergy, and our old Mother: and so continued till about the yeare 1642. during vvhich space of yeares, and long afore, our Clergy extreamely florished, and enioy'd fulnes of peace amongst them selues, and perfect vnion vvith their old Mother, whose affairs were then managed by that gallant person D. Kellison, (Cuius memoria in benedictione est.) and during the tyme of my Agentship the supreme prouidence so prospered Dr. Louell, (who was an excellent Clergy man) and my owne endeuours, that, in order to the Clergy's conseruation, we perswaded the ancient Priests, and others to contribute considerable sum's for the erecting of a fund vnto assisting and relieuing such Brethren, as might be either destitute of Residences, or otherwise brought to necessity. Also in order to our old Mother my owne particular endeuours were crown'd with success, as appeares by Dr. Kellisons last will, and testament, which containe these express words written with his owne hand, Viz: I giue to Mr. George Leyburn who hath been a great friend, and Benefactour to me, and this House, my best Ring, and Iewell, and what else my Executours shall thinke fit to bestowe on him, for he deserueth more then I am able to giue. In like manner my lord Bishop by his lordships last will, left vnto me his god pectorall Crosse, and considerable Charities to this com­munity [Page 11]But about the yeares 1638, 39, 40. dyed all the most eminent Clergy men, namely Dr. Kellison, Dr. Stratford, Dean Bennet, Dean Collington, Dr. Louell, Dr. Shell, Mr. Broughton, Mr: Troloppe, Mr. Rogers, to geather with Sundry other Chapter men of great Zeale, prudence, and eminency, who euen in the tyme of those afore mentioned yeares respectiuely, begun to perceaue Mr. Blacloes in­clination to prophane nouellties, and therefore extreamely disliked him, but especially Dr. Kellison, Dr. Stratford, D. Louell, Mr. Musket. and my lord Bishop who suruiued the other four to publish his dislike and resiste the pernicious doctrines set foorth by him which afore he had taught in priuate onely:Wheras Mr. Blacklo about the yeare 1633. had vnaduisedly ap­proued a certain booke that contained sundry new notions, that disedifyed many lay Catho­licks and the Clergy Generally, my lord Bishop, Dr. Kellison, Dr. Stratford, Dr. Louell, M. Musket, and my selfe delt with him to recall his approbation. Which he obstinately refused. and indeed his Iordship was wont to say to me, and others whom I can name, that he had the two marks of an Heretick, to wit Singularity, and nouelty: and for my own part I had so great an abhorrence of his wicked opini­ons, euen afore they were pu­blished in print, that as his Adherenrs cryed them vp, I contrariwise cryed them down. Et hinc illae lacrymae: that is the sole ground of the grieuous persecution which as to calumnies, I haue endured less, or more, for the space of 18. yeares: but about the yeare 1642. considering seriousely with my selfe the great distempers then beginning in our Country, the absence of our Pastour, the miss of Dr. Kellison, Dr. Stratford, D. Louell, &c. the chief ancient heads of our Clergy, and our new Deans aduancing of Mr. Blacloes Adherents, I resolud to retire out of England, follo­wing the example of S. Gregory Nazyanzen, who perceauing that, the great labours which he had exercised in his Episcopall charge at Constinople for the bringing of souls out of sin, and heresy, had brought a mighty Odium vpon him selfe, the Arrian Bishops, [Page 12]enuying extreamely the happie success he had in his godly enter­prises, quitred euen his Bishoprick, conceiuing, that it would not ly in his power to ouercome his potent Aduersaries, and imagin­ing that by his absence they might the sooner be brought to reason, or at least be appeased therby: which indeed was my imagination in order to Mr. Blacloe and his Adherents. Wherefore after I had acquainted our Dean, that was not versed in our affairs (ha­uing not been in England in 40. yeares afore) as likewise Mr. Gage who principally directed him in the gouernement of his Charge, with the end for which the fund was erected, and with the monyes entrusted with Mr. Blacloe, I deliuered vp all my offices, and steer'd my course for France, with design to spend the rest of my dayes in some obscure corner of the world: but being to pass by Paris, my duty obliged me to waite vpon my lord Bishop, thorough whose earnest persuasions, I engaged in the seruice of Turnay College for the space of two yeares. In the inte­rim, came to Paris Sr. Kenelme Digby, Mr. Blacloe, Mr. Fitton, and Mr. Harrington, Dr. Holden was there afore, and then (togeather with Iansenisme) Digbean Blacloisme begun to be taught euen to laymen and women, before it came forth in print, which was an occasion of continuall disputes; my lord Bishop shew'd an extreame dislike of Mr. Blacloes nouellties, and as to me, after my wonted manner I endeuoured to crush them in the bud, and cry them down as often as I heard them mentioned: which rendered me more vngrattfull vnto Sr. Kenelme, Dr. Holden, Mr. Fitton, Mr. Harrington, and Mr. Car they all being great Admirers of Mr. Blacloes Learning. Yet as to Mr. Fitton, he about the yeare 1636. being brought to the point of death by a redeous Sicknes, deliuered all Mr. Blacloes books, which were then put foorth to the Inquisitour of florence shewing his dislike of the Tenets therein conteyned: and foretelling, that they would be condemned, if they were not already: as the Hon. Mr. Henry Sommerset, and Dr. Kitton (Mr. Fittons executeurs) haue attested.

[Page 13]About the yeare 1645. hauing finish'd the tyme of my enga­gement, as to the seruing of Turnay College, I humbly requested my lord Bishop for his leaue to departe from that employment, and euen from the Towne of Paris; his lordship refused to grant my request: telling me in plain tearms, that he would not trust the said College with Mr. Fitton, nor with any other except myselfe: Mr. Clifford hauing afore quitted his principalship. Howeuer after two, or three bouts, I quieted my lord, and obtai­ned his lordships condescention to my departure, on condition to returne, when his lordship should lay his commands vpon me.

Thus being freed of my engagement, and thereby deliuered from the sight of my Aduersaries, that lookt vpon me with an enuious eye, in reguarde they saw, that I went about to obstruct the spreading of Mr. Blacloes new doctrines, I retired from Paris to Rhemes in Champaign, where I had not continued aboue three months, but my lord Bishop sent me an express order signifyed in two seuerall letters, to bring me again to Paris, because our Queen was newly arriued out of England, and had oppointed Sr. Kenelme Digbie as Agent to his Holines, and intimated with all, that he in respect of his great abilities, her Mai. countenance, and the great kindnes he had for Mr. Blacloe, Mr. Fitton, Dr. Holden, &c. might extreamely aduantage our Clergy. In obedience to his lordships commands I return'd, and suddenly after my arri­uall, a consult was held in my lord Bish: chamber, consisting of his lordship, Mr. Fitton (newly constituted Dean) Mr. Clifford. Dr. Holden, Mr. Blacloe, Mr. Car, and my selfe. The sole busines, that Mr. Dean propounded at this meeting, was the Seasonablenes (in reguard of Sr. Kenelme's Agentship) for our Clergy to suppli­cate the Pope vnto obtaining of his Holines approbation, and confirmation of our Chapter, and therefore required that letters might be expedited togeather with a commission to impower Sr. Kenelme, with authoritie vnto negotiating in behalfe of the Clergy: which accordingly was performd▪ being carryed by plurality of [Page 14]votes; and indeed I was, against mouing in the Court of Rome for a confirmation thereof (and onely his lordship voted with me) alleaging as a reason, that we had continued in possession of Ecclesiasticall dignities (constituted by his lordship, and his Prede­cessor) for a considerable series of yeares, without any sentence pronounced by the Court of Rome vnto the disannulling of them, and if we shall still so continue, it will be a great motiue to his Holines (whosoeuer is Pope) to continue vnto vs a Bishop, which is the happines we desire onely: but if our motion for the confirmation thereof, sayd I, were reiected, where as now we build on the tacite consent of his Holines, as to the confirmation of the sayd Ecclesiasticall dignities, we should then wholly destroy the ground on which we build. The successe Sr. Kenelm Digbie had in the pursuance of that negotiation I will not tell for sorrow.

About the yeare 1648. Dean Fitton in complyance to his charge, and in consideration of the tymes that begun to be more calme, and moderate vnder the Gouernement of a new master, resolued to go into England, and at the same tyme my lord Bishop was desired to constitute Mr. Harrington his Vicar Gen. In soli­dum; where fore his lordship after a serious deliberation with himselfe (as he told me) thinking it inconuenient that the sole principall men of his Chapter should consiste of Mr. Blacloes Adherents, whereby nouelties might be countenanced to the pre­iudice of our body, and others also, called me vnto him, and sayd, that he had made choice of me for his Vicar Generall, and therefore desired, I would prepare my selfe to go suddenly into England. But I refused absolutely the charge, alleadging that the acceptance thereof might bring me to my graue, with continuall vexations, Mr. Blacloe and his faction (that would beare cheef rule in the Chapter) looking on me with an enui­ous eye. To this, his lordship replyed, saying, my desire is to obstruct the spreading of new Doctrines, in our Country, whe­refore you must not refuse euen to suffer inconueniences for so [Page 15]good, and laudable an end, and thereby it shall appeare that I am an Enimy to all prophane nouelties. In sum his lordships great earnestness preuailed with me so far, as I promised to con­sider seriously, and commend to God his lordships proposall, and to this end, and purpose I exacted 7. dayes respite, before I might bring my Answere, which was granted me: and as God is my witnes, in each one of those dayes, I frequented places of greatest deuotion, and such especially as had the B. Sacrament exposed, beseeching the diuine goodnes to direct me, as to the Answere I was to giue. The seauen dayes being expired, I re­paired to his lordship, who instantly asking of me what I had resolued, my replye was in these words; Qui vos audit me audit, qui vos spernit me spernit: The will of my superior must be Gods will, and therefore resolued to do it, although I should encoun­ter with Armyes of troubles in the performance thereof. My lord Bish. hauing thus obtained my consent, caused a patent to be drawne, writte two letters himselfe, one to our Chapter men, an other to the Hon. Mr. Mountague who is now our Queens great Almener, and so dispatcht me away suddenly without ac­quainting Mr. Fitton, Dr. Holden, Mr. Blacloe, or Mr. Car. But as soon as these vnderstood, that I was arriued at london, and constituted his lordships Vicar Generall, vnto excluding of Mr. Harrington (Mr. Blacloes principall Disciple) they were starteled, yet perceiuing no remedy, there being an impossibility to vndoe my lord Bish. owne Act, betooke them selues to crafty dealings. For vnder a specious colour of greater vnion they much importun'd his lordship to create Mr. Harrington a second Vicar Gen. In solidum, that his power might equall myne: and in the pursuance of their importunity they employed the endeuours of all such (men, and women) as they were sure, his lordship had a speciall kindnes for; in so much that his lordship wrought vpon by their importunity, and carried on with the specious pretext of establishing greater vnion, by creating Mr. Harrington a se­cond Vicar Generall, he yeelded. Thus hauing gained a great [Page 16]aduantage against me they belieued (as they had reason) that my authority would be so ecclipsed thereby, that it should sig­nifie nothing in the Chapter, the principall members thereof (which were a pack of Mr. Blacloes friends) hauing obtained a Vicar Gen. of their own faction, inuested into equall power, and iurisdiction with my selfe. Howeuer mens Proposals, and Gods direction do not alwais agree: and such as too much attend their own ambitious ends, seldome confine themselues to Gods pleasure, and means, as plainely appeared by the vn­godly endeuours they vsed to incense my lord Bishop against me, and to lessen my reputation in the opinion of all our Brethren. For the supreame prouidence that did not leaue Ioseph in his prison, nor Danyel in his Denne, did not desert me in the persecution these men craftely by vvicked Calumnies raised to the obscuring of my good name for my power with my lord Bish. my credit with the Lay-Catholicks in Generall, and my authority with our Brethren, such especially as were no London Chapter-men encreasd thereby, while I remained in England. But I dare say that Mr. Blacloe, and his faction persecuted me as violently, and Calumniated me as craftely, as the Arrians did S. Athanasius.

From the premises does euidently appeare the florishing cofi­dition of our Clergy as to good seed, that was sown in the field of their harts, till Homo inimicus came, qui super seminauit zizania discordiae, & haeresis. Thus much as to shewing the manner how diuision crept into our Clergy, and the means whereby the dignity, or office of grand Vicar in solidum, was conferred on me; and although these sole passages set down were sufficient enough to defeat my Aduersaries, as to the particular aspersions, they cast vpon me: neuertheless that they may not brag hereafter, as if I had return'd them but a lame Answere.

Iam, iamque animo maiora paranti Da ventam lector.

PAg. 2. Of the Encyclicall Epistle. In August following (1648) there was held a generall Chapter in which presided Mr. Fitton our Dean. [Page 17]The Chapter-men from all their districts being met, Dr. Leyb. (against the known order, and rules of such meetings) bringes thither without the Deans notice two others, which were not of the Chapter. Mr. Dean ciuilly told them.—VVhereupon they retired one of them was satisfyed, the other vow'd reuenge. — VVhich (Chapter) was ended with much satisfaction to all others except Dr. Leyb.

This first charge, for as much, as it obiectes scandalous matters and proues nothing thereof, carrieth the infamous marke of a slander, for Accusatio, quae caret probatione, calumnia est: and indeed, if to accuse were sufficient enough to take away a mans good name, innocency could not be deliuered from the malice of slandering tongues: In consequence of which I am not bound to Answere. Howeuer since the accusation comes from Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. whose bare Testimonies may haue something of weight, and authority, therefore I haue thought it expedient to cleare each particular poynt of the sayd Charge.

As to the first, that obiecteth transgression against the known order, and rules of such meetings, for bringing thither two of our Brethren, which vvere not of the Chapter: I replye to this pytha­gorian Testimony (which is Dictum proprium named by Aristotle Argumentum stultorum) that inuolues two false supposals: whereof the one is, that there were known order, and rules vnto exclu­ding such Brethren from a generall Assembly, as were not of the Chapter: for afore any of my Accusers were Clerici (except Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Plat my scholler) I was in all the con­sults and generall meetings of our Clergy, and in those it was the vse, and custome to inuite thither such graue, and deseruing Brethren as accidentally came to London, in the tyme of the said meetings, although they were no Chapter-men; the intent whereof was to do them honour in respect of their great merits. The other false supposall is, as to our two Brethren which Dr. Ellis &c. say, I brought vnto the afore mentioned generall As­sembly: truly I did onely summon them in vertue of my lord Bishop his owne letter, wherein his Lordship expressed that he [Page 18]had constituted both of them Canons, and the letter I shewd to the Dean euen while he vnciuilly, and disobediently dismiss'd them before the Assembly begun to sit; and hence arose the first dispute between the Dean and my selfe. I produced his Lordships letter whereby the two foresaid Brethren were consti­tuted Chapter-men, and complained of the Deans inciuility, and disobedience, but he pretended that his Lordship had giuen him leaue to make such a number of Canons: and accordingly had compleated it: withall added, that it was not in his Lordships power to encrease the said number. Whereunto I replyed, that surely the power of a Bishop to make Chapter-men more or lesse, as he pleaseth, is not exhausted by making thirty, whereas afore he might haue created thirty two, vnless he had tyed his hands to a Non plus vltra, which Mr. Dean could not euince.

But this was not the sole contest between me, and the Dean in that Assembly (as they say) for he, and Dr. Holden espe­cially had composed a small booke of rules, and constitutions to be obserued by the Chapter. These the Dean read in our first session, and after the reading thereof required approbation and confirmation of them: I resisted this request, alleadging that they contained sundry points destructiue of my lord Bishops Epis­copall authority, and instanced principally in one particular con­stitution, that exacted obedience to the Chapter, from all Clergy Priests of England, and Wales: and this I carried against the Dean, and his party, the Assembly refusing to pass it without their Bishops condescention vnto it. Likewise I instanced in an other constitution, that required an oath from all Chapter-men, obliging them not to reueale passages, and transactions done in the Chapter, to any persons, or person whoseouer. I perceiuing, that Mr. Blacloes Adherents intended thereby to keepe his Lordship from the knowledge of affairs, stood vp, and said, that I excepted against the particle, VVhosoeuer, alleadging, that it might beare no good meaning, and withall told the Dean plainely, that [Page 19]I should refuse to take an oath vnto excluding my lord B. from the knowledge of his Chapters proceedings. This netled extrea­mely the Dean, and that party; howeuer being put to votes, I carried it, and in the oath of secrecy, that my selfe, and the rest of the Assemby then tooke, his Lordship was excepted: and truly I acquainted my lord immediately with these passages, who as God is my witnes, writte back vnto me, as to the rules, and constitutions, Mr. Fitton, and Dr. Holden had shewn them vnto him, and that he had signifyed, for as much as he had read, his dislike of them: and as to exhibiting obedience to the Chapter he commanded me to prohibite in his name the execution thereof. Notwithstanding after the dissolution of the Assemby, Mr. Blacloes Adherents continued in the pursuance of their design, as to exhibiting obedience to the Chapter, in so much that my lord Bishop threatned to depriue them of their faculties if they should not suddenly desiste from that enter­prize.

As to the second point of the charge; that is of moment, to wit, The other vow'd reuenge. By this pythagorian Testimony without proofe; euidently appeares, that Dr. Ellis, M. Curtis &c. do not sharpen their slandering tongues against me onely, but likewise against all such, as shew a dislike of Mr. Blacloes Doctri­nes, and these mens proceedings in the countenancing thereof. For I dare boldly auerre, that the worthy Party, Whom they ac­cuse of vow'd reuenge, is guilty of no other sin in order to them, or their affairs, then his dislike &c. He is a person that I haue known for the space of aboue 40. yeares, he tooke the degree of Licentiat, and performd all Acts required to the creating of him Dr. in the schools of Sorbon, when Dr. Ellis was a meer youth: he hath laudably laboured in the Apostolicall mission about 30. yeares without reproche: he hath had euer an extream abhorrence of such actions as beseem not Priests, namely, going to playes, hanting of Alehouses and Tauerns, playing the solicitour, traffic­king out of a desire of wordly aduantages; also he hath had [Page 20]euer a great kindnes for Dr. Ellis, whom he had known a young youth of modest behauiour, and hath giuen him much good ad­uise, and Counsell, at his entring into his office of Deanship, and since; which if he had embraced, he would neuer haue so vncha­ritably abused the president of Dow. Coll: that is to say, his Father, (that College being his old Mother) by putting forth vnaduisedly an Encyclicall Epistle, wherein, he accuseth the said President of sundry grieuous crimes, and extolleth aboue the clouds the said Mr. Blacloe for his gallant parts, his vnimpeachable vertue, vmblemisht life, and eminent learning, which vnparalelled Elogium to the euerlasting dishonour of our Clergy Mr. Blacloe hath published in Latin as followeth.

De me Cleri Londinatis Encyclica ad Fratres per Vniuersam Angliam Epistola, hoc testimonium continet. Quantum ad Albij (alio nomine, quo notus sum Fratribus, me appellat) Personam attinet, nouimus eam semper vitae irreprehensibilis & exemplaris conuictûs fuisse, & propterea ex Regulis Christianae pietatis tenemur eam aestimare & honorare: Plura insignia munera Cleri authoritate gessit, totidem egregia seruitia Clero rependit. Pluribus Fratrum nostrorum granissimis & aetate prouectissimis Scientias praelegit; quae nos obligant vt & nos & illi cum gratitudine honorem rependamus. Scientiam ipsius esse eminentem fatentur omnes, quae nos ex legibus naturae & societatis humanae cogit ad paremilli aestimationem retribuendam. Hactenùs de me Epistola Encyclica.

As to the third point, or third pythagorian Testimony, that is, Proprium dictum without proofe, Viz: which (Chapter Aug: 1648.) was ended with much satisfaction to all others except Mr. Leyb.; there will be no great need to replye, because the premises set down doe clearely shew, that to the extreame dissatisfaction of Mr. Blacloes friends, I obstructed the confirmation of the consti­tution, that exacted obedience to the Chapter from all Clergy Priests: as likewise I preuailed so, as to the oath of Secrecy, that it was taken in that Assembly without excluding my lord Bish: from the knowledge of the Chapter's proceedings, and transactions. Again, as God is my witnes, sundry members of that Assembly [Page 21]told me in express words, that it was a Parliamentary Chapter, for, said they, as the parliament hath depriued their king of his whole power, so the Chapter goes about to take away their Bishops authority: which does euidence that it ended not with much satisfaction to all others, except Mr. Leyb. Wherefore the pre­mises of this, and the other two replyes clearely verifie the saying of the great Dr. S. Chrysostome: Non modo nullum incommoduns ijs, qui perferunt infidias, verum etiam, id omne in caput insidiantium conuertitur.

Pag. 4. A generall Chapter met Iuly 10. 1653. but Dr. Leyb. and his friend, who had vow'd reuenge formerly, effected that my lord sent his mandate to dissolue the Assembly, as met to out him from his Episcopall authority &c.

In this, as in the former Charge Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. imitate pythagoras, as to their Testimony, which is Dictum pro­prium onely; they produce no conuincing reasons to proue what they assert: neither indeed can they alleadge any, the said charge consisting of two most false propositions the Latter whereof is, that my lord Bish. sent his mandate to dissolue the Assembly (Iuly 1653.) as met to out him from his Episcopall authority. The other is: That Dr. Leyh. and his freind effected the sending of the said Mandate.

As to the latter proposition set down in the first place, in regard of my lord, that is thereby concern'd, I do proue, that it hath nothing of truth, thus: His Lordship neuer harboured such a thought, as to belieue, that the Assembly was met to machinate against his Episcopall authority: Ergo his Lordship did not send his mandate to dissolue the Assembly, as met to out him from his Epicopall authority. The consequence is good, and the Antecedent, from whence I infer it, euidently appeares by my lord's Answere to Mr. Harrington, Mr. Harrison, alias Herbere, Mr. Knightly, Mr. VValton, Mr. Ashton, & Mr. Pe­terson, alias Curtis writ Aug. 1653. after that Assembly was ended: and is as followeth.

To the same effect, and purpose his Lordship writte an Answere to Mr. Blacloe, vvho espoused Mr. Harringtons quarrell, [Page 24]and I haue iudged it expedient to ioyn it with the former, that the Matter in debate may be confirm'd, and Mr. Blacloes insolent petulancy appeare thereby: The Answer is expressed, as fol­loweth.

[Page 26]These letters giue full euidence, that my lord Bish: neuer be­lieued, suspected, or imagined our Chapter men assembled Iuly 10. 1653 to machinate against his Episcopall authority, in conse­quence of which, the afore mention'd proposition, His Lordsship sent his Mandate to dissolue that Assembly, as met to take from him his Episcopall authoritie, has nothing of truth. My lord feard no preiudice, as to him selfe from the Assembly in generall, but suspected crafty dealings from Mr. Harrington, and some few other (principall members) of Mr. Blacloes faction. And here is ob­seruable, that immediately after the breaking vp of the said Assem­bly, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Curtis persons of greatest power and authoritie, and principall fauorers of Mr. Blacloe, so wrought with Mr. Knightly, Mr. Ashton, and Mr. Walton, that they gott them to ioyne in the vnhandsome letter, that accused my lord of condemning all the Priests of England, and Wales (though his Lordship had onely condemned Mr. Harrington) and required him to recall the said condemnation vnder his hand, and seal, for reparation of their good name, whereas, as to reason, and obedience due to their Spirituall Fa­ther, they should haue vs'd greater moderation, as likewise be­lieued, that it might haue been a sufficient ground of sending the Mandate and accusing Mr. Harrington his Vicar Generall of ingratitude, and sedition, because he had called the said Assem­bly without acquainting his Lordship; and indeed such a procee­ding, as comming from such a subiect, if it had been brought to a iuridicall Tryall, would haue been sentenced as vngratefull and seditious, especially if my lord had vrged against Mr. Harrington the crafty dealings, that he and his party had vsed to out his Lordship of his Episcopall authority in the Assembly held Aug. 1648. But what was the intent of Mr. Harrington, Mr. Harrison, and Mr. Cuttis who contriued the foresaid letter, to bring all the Priests of England, and Wales vnder the condemnation of one particular man, God knowes best, though there wanted not sufficient ground to conceiue, that they imagined, they might [Page]thereby engage the whole Clergy in their quarrell: ho [...] when the other three Mr. Knightly, Mr. Ashton, and Walton saw my lord's Answer to the letter they had scribed, they submitted themselues instantly, and my sel [...] [...] ­ceiued Mr. Knightlys, and Mr. Ashtons submissions to sen [...] his Lordship.

Besides doubtles my lord was inform'd à fide dignis that [...] Blacloes faction had a design to preiudice his Episcopall aut [...] 1. because Mr. Ashton, that was a Deputy for our lancha [...] Brethren in that Assembly, when he perceiued, that my [...] Bish: tooke in ill part the afore mentioned letter which [...] ­nocently had subscribed, writte vnto me in these express [...] (his letter I haue shewn to our Seniors) I so behaued me Assembly by opposing whatsoeuer, I thought would disguste our (my Lord) or entrenche vpon our Mothers ancient priuiledges, a [...] in priuate meetings that I haue been called, and am accounted a Leyburnian. I do not shame of the Title: for I neuer knew [...] any thing, that was not iustifiable; but now after all this; and if I had tyme to relate it, may not I crye out of fortune, if you thinke me inueigled into their party; I hope you can neuer harbo [...] a conceipt of me: my complying in some things with them, hath m [...] better learned in their passages, then I should haue been: far was [...] me, and far be it from my thoughts, to ioyne Issue with them in op [...] to our master, who is so much worthy of honour, reuerence, and Secondly, the worthy person, who, as you say vnad [...] vow'd reuenge, writ expresly vnto me thus. Since Yr. de [...] they (Mr. Blacloes party) haue laboured much to bring of those went Yr. way, and with many they haue effected their purpose, shake their heads, and will be indifferent, so no opposition appear [...] Grandees begin to declare the intention of their meeting which is tot [...] out your master as you call him. An authenticall copie o [...] letter I haue shewn to our Seniors and therein is a long dis [...] also between him selfe and Mr. Herbert, which you boa [...] say he hath disauowd; if he hath done so, I suppose he [...] [Page 28]after the imitation of that worthy Arch Deacon Mr. T. B. now liuing, to whom Mr. Gage, and Mr. Curtis, at my comming into England, had communicated the design of outing my lord Bish: and of the course they intended to steer for the effecting it; The vertuous person after he was departed from them, re­flecting vpon his duty, office, and oath, came to my chamber, who was his Lordship Vic: Gen: in solidum, and reuealed what Mr. Gage, and Mr. Curtis had imparted vnto him in secret. wherefore I told him, that he was bound to make a certificate thereof, signe with his own hand, and send it to his Lordship: which was done accordingly. Afterwards Mr. Gage, and Mr. Curtis being inform'd from Paris that his Lordship was extreamly offended with their machinating against him, they replyed to the Informer, that the good Arch-Deacon ought not to be credited, because he was (said they) a person much addicted to the Iesuits, thinking to discredite his Testimony thereby. But his Lordship writ vnto me after the arriuall of this information, that Mr. Tho. B. inclination to the Iesuits was not a sufficient ground to inualide his Testimony, so that his Lordships iust wrath continued, and they put to new inuentions, vnto appeasing him: wherefore they made their addresses to Mr. T. B. himselfe, signifying that the Testimony, he had giuen, would of necessity cause great distractions, and diuisions in the Clergy: and there­fore vrgd him to moderate it in such a fashion at least as his Lordship might haue some grownd to thinke that their meaning and intent, as to the words of the said Testimony, might bear no sound of a rebellious design, which thorough their impor­tunity, and his own vertue, and piety (that desired vnity in our body though with the lessening of his own honour) he moderated accordingly. But after he had done so, they vanted, that he had recal'd his said Testimony. I belieue that, after the same manner Mr. Harrison, alias Herbert delt with the other afore mentioned: wherefore tis probable that Dr. Ellis &c. make vse of the piety and pitty shew'd towards Mr. Herbert to reuenge themselues of [Page 29]that pious, and vertuous person, in regard he is counted an enemy to Mr. Blacloe, and his Adherents; for truly what he relates of Mr. Herbert in his letter I do easily belieue, because Mr. Herbert, (whom I preferred to the best Residence of England) tol'd me to my face, that he saw no reason, why that man should be our Superior, who neuer came among vs; and after my arriuall in the low Country's he writ vnto me, that it was not Hon. to oppose Mr. Blacloes Doctrines, who had been my Master; to which I replyed, that I had onely studyed his writings in the first book of physicks, for the space of about 3. monets, till Dr. Stratford returnd from Paris; howeuer I added, that I preferred my Spirituall Father, and Superiors Counsells which were, that we should abhorre prophane nouelties, before a million of masters, that should be carryed about with euery wind of Doctrine. Thirdly my lord Bishop in a letter dated after the breaking vp of the Assembly Iuly 1653 (I haue shewn it to our Seniors) writeth thus: Mr. Lancaster telleth me that Mr. Page (a vertuous Priest, and Arch-Deacon) vpon his deaths Bed told him that, the intent of the pack (so Mr. Blacloes Adherents were named) in the last meeting was to cry vp Mr. Blacloes Doctrines, and ouerthrowe my authority, which (authority) Mr. Car said lately to my face was imaginary, and this, I assure myselfe, he said not of him selfe alone: so they can make vse for themselues of an authority, which they account imaginary. And indeed Mr. Blacloe held it for such, as appeares by a letter, he writ to the Nuncio of Paris, which is set down in my declaratory Epistle published 1656. he dares not now deny the letter, though his Paris friends made him once disclaime from it, and persuaded my lord Bish. that it was composed by our Aduersaries vnto fomenting of dissentions.

As to the other proposition, to wit, Dr. Leyb. and his friend, that vowd reuenge, effected that my Lord sent his Maudate. To this I replye, that it is so false, that as God best knows, I had no such intent; howeuer Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. to persuade our Brethren, that I was an efficient cause of the said Mandate they [Page 30]dress vp a proofe with darke words, and sentences, knowing well that if they had spoken plainely, I should haue discouered their crafty dealing as plainely. The proofe (such as it is) they set down pag 4. thus Mr. Leyb. friend gaue vnder his hand, that the letter he writt him, to send my lord, was altered in one part of it, and that himselfe feigned the rest, to see how they who preath patience, and Charity to others, could endure a wrong done themselues. They are his own words in his own hand yet extant. Now this altered letter passing through Dr. Leyb. hand to my lord, my lord expressing that he had it a Personis fide dignis, Dr. Leyb. writing at the same tyme to my lord, and enclosing his friends letter, vpon the receipt of which two letters, imme­diately issued the Mandate: tis no hard matter to perceiue plainely who was ioyn'd with that misinformer, and so made my lord express them plurally.

As to the proofe, it is a mere story cut out of a phanatick brain that hath nothing of sense or reason. For 1. Dr. Ellis, and Mr. Curtis &c. auerre, that Mr. Leyb. friend writte him a letter to send to my Lord: but Mr. Leyb. protesteth that he had no order from his friend to send any letter to my lord that friend writt at any tyme. Secondly they auerre that the letter writte to Mr. Leyb. was altered in one part of it: but they do not specifie in what, it was altered. Thirdly they put in a different character: To see how they, who preach patience and Charity to others, could endure a wrong done themselues; and immediately followeth these particles expressed in the ordinarie character, They are his owne words in his own hand yet extant. Here I was extreamely troubled to conceiue whether the immediate, written in a different, or the precedent words expressed in the ordinary character ought to be meant, By his own words in his own hand yet extant: Neither as yet can I pick vp the meaning thereof. Fourthly they auerre that the altered letter passed through Mr. Leyb. hand to my lord; but they do not mention by whom, or whether afore, or after the receipt thereof it was altered. If they had meant aright without design to abuse our Brethren they would haue set down [Page 31]the letter, and declared plainely in what part thereof, and by whom the alteration was made. But they durst not do so, for they know well, that though their great support at Paris inter­cepted the originall, neuertheles there is an authenticall copie in being subscribed by two Priests. Whereby appeareth that the said letter was vvritten to my own selfe, and not to my lord, neither was I aduised to send it his Lordship. Howeuer I doe confidently belieue, that the foresaid friend, what he did, was out of tender compassion towards Mr. Harrison, to the end, he might be reconciled to my lord Bishop, least his nephew then his Lordships Secretary might suffer preiudice thereby: and I am certain that meer pitry mou'd the aboue mentioned Arch-Deacon to qualify and moderate his Certificate. But tis not a Priest-like action to slander a worthy Brother for performing an act of Charity to the lessening of his own honour. Fistly they auerre that my lord Bish: in his Mandate said (Vt à personis fide dignis) plurally, because I sent the letter to his Lordship; whereby they do most petulantly accuse their Bishop of manifest ignorance as to the Churches canons which require two testimonies to the constituting of Personas fide dignas, in matter of debate: but he that sends one sole Testimony, or the messenger that carrieth it does not make two witnesses: and as God know's best, I sent to my lord my friends letter writ to myselfe onely. Again the letter sent was dated 23. Iune 1653. Stilo veteri, and I am sure, that his Lordships receiu'd a copie thereof about the 2. of Iuly, and the original intercepted was sent 6. weeks after at least, whereby plainely appeareth, that Dr. Ellis &c. speak vnaduisedly, in saying, that vpon the receipt of that letter issued the Mandate, seing that the Assembly began to sitt Iuly 10. 1653. and hereby further appeareth that there was neither sence, nor reason to accuse me of being an efficient cause of my Lords Mandat. Besides, the ample Testimonies which I haue produced to the manifesting Mr. Blacloes parties intent to inuade my lords Episcopall authority in that Assembly) do euidence enough, that [Page 32]his Lordship might heare of that design a Personis side dignis wi­thout the helpe of my friends letter. Wherefore let Dr. Ellis &c. make better vse for the future of the holy Churches prayer set down before the preface of the mass. Pone Domine custodiam ori meo, & ostium circonstantiae labijs meis: vt non declinet cor meum in verba malitiae ad excusandas excusationes in peccatis.

Pag. 5. Mr. Leyb. in his letter to Mr. Peterson vtterly disauow'd euer writing to Mr. Harrington, or sending missionaries to him, or of communi­cating with him, or Mr. Blacloe; and this was after my Lord (as appeares by his letters to Mr. VValton) was so sorry for the iniury he had done Mr. Harrington that he kept correspondence with him to his dying day.

This Charge hath two branches, vvhereof one importes my refusing to vvrite or send missionaries to Mr. Harrington; the other expresseth my Lord Bishops sorrow for hauing iniured the same Mr. Harrington. As to the first, though I am confident that the words, as they are dressed vp neuer came, from my pen, howeuer it matters not, as to the poynt in debate. For I do grant vnto Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. that I refused to send missionaries to Mr. Harrington, and I had great reason so to carrie my selfe, because I knew well that he vvas carried away wholly with Mr. Blacloes pernicious and blasphemous Doctrines, obstinately maintaining them to my face in the presence of Lay-Catholicks, at sundry tymes; wherefore I thought my selfe bound both as to reason, and conscience neither to entertaine a familiarity with him (that being against the Apostles Counsell and the Churches canons) nor committe my children to his direction, and instruction for that might bring their soules to euerlasting ruine. Again by doing so I should haue trangressed the law of God and nature; these exacting from a Superior care, and vigilance to the conser­uing of himselfe, and such as are committed to his Charge. I haue thought it expedient not to particularise here the pernicious Doctrines, but to to reserue the naming of them for my answere to Mr. Blacloes Vnimpeacable vertue, vnblemisht life, and most eminent, [Page 33]learning, vvhich are the illustrious Characters Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis, togeather vvith 7. other Canons (which name them­selues the Church of the English Clergy) haue Canonically giuen him.

As to the other branch, that imporees my Lord Bish. expressing of his sorrow for hauing iniured Mr. Harrington &c. Here Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. after their vvonted manner bring nothing of proofe; but as pythagoras required from his schollars, so they exacte from their Brethren credence to their Propria dicta. Yet I perceiue that they vvould willingly haue our said Brethren imagine, that Mr. Waltons letters carried some sound that vvay, and therefore they shut within a parenthesis these particles (as appeares by Mr. Waltons letters) so as that they may relate to the precedent, vnto signifying the tyme of my refusing to send missionaries to Mr. Harrington, or to the subsequent words, vnto testifying my lords sorrow for the iniury done Mr. Harrington, This in earnest is crafty dealing: but doubtless if in their eui­dence boxes any letters were extant, that might express this aspersion, vvhich they Cast vpon our most R. B. they would haue set them down vvith an Io Triumphe. But if his Lordship expressed sorrow for iniuring Mr. Harrington: of necessity it was either in order to the Mandate, that calleth Mr. Harrington ingrate, and seditious, beginning thus. Quoniam vt à fide dignis ac­cepimus, Tu Marce (Harrington) Vicarie mi Generalis ingratè, & seditiosè conuocasti &c. Or in order to his Lordships Answere written to the six Priests, Viz, Marke Harrington, William Harrison, Andrew Knightly, sames Walton, Thomas Ashton, and Peter Peterson, alias Curtis. Wherein his Lordship expresseth him selfe thus in order to Mr. Harrington. You call Mr. Harrington Sub-Dean of Yr. Chapter, which office I neuer gaue him, nor any other, who had authority from me. Is not this to vsurpe vpon Episcopall autho­ritie, and to take Spirituall authoritie giuen by none? which, what offence it is, you well know: Or lastly in order to my lord Bish. his Answere written to a letter to fiue of the fore mentioned Priests, [Page 34]Viz: Mr. Harrington, William Harrison, Peter Peterson, Tho­mas Ashton, Andrew Knightly, wherein, as to Mr. Harrington, his Lordship says thus: And as for Mr. Harringtons Sub-Deanship, I Answere that I neuer constituted such an office, nor would make him Sub-Dean, though Mr. Fitton did desire me, nor euer assuredly knew, that he euer vsurped such an office, till I read Yr. first letter: wherefore I commande him to giue it ouer, till he shew me, both that Mr. Fitton had authoritie to make him Sub Dean and legally made him such Pacem & veritatein diligite, & Deus pacis crit vobiscum Farewell, 11. Oct. 1653. Now if Mr. Dr. Ellis, Mr Curtis &c. can demonstrate that his Lordship euer recalled his Mandate, as to acknowledging of wrong done Mr. Harrington, or his vvords expressed in order to Mr. Harrington in either of his foresaid letters, then I shall belieue, that my lord was sorry for the iniury done M. Har­rington: In the meane vvhile am certaine that 3. of the six Priests, Viz: Mr. Knightly, Mr. Ashton, and Mr. Walton sub­mitted, and gaue full satisfaction to his Lordship without standing out. Besides (though a good while after) Mr. Harrison (by the helpe of my friend, who is accused seuerall tymes in the Encyclicall letter of vowing reuenge) made his peace with my lord, through an humble submission in so much that his Lordship immediately after, vvrit vnto me in these very words. New Mr. Harrison, and I am friends: vvherefore I desire that you tvvo vvill be friends also. But of Mr. Harrington, or Mr. Curtis submission, and reconciliation I neuer heard. I vvill end now with the exclamation, that St. Policarpe vsed in the tyme of his persecution. Deus bone, ad quae tempora nos reseruasti? A company of 9. Priests brand a most R. Bishop their Spirituall Father, and Superior, that dyed a Confessor, and Martyr: brand him I say to all posterity with the infamous marke of committing a deadly iniury; for Iniuria est Inris alieni violatio sine cause.

Pag. 6. It vvas propos'd to Vote in the Assembly of 1653. that [...] seeing the President of the Colledge of Doway is to be nominated by his Holiness, from vvhom he receiues his Authority, independent of the Clergy. [Page 35]— vvhether it may not be fit all the Clergy be aduis'd to treat vvith such as giue Alms to that Colledge that their Donations be so left to the Dispose of the Clergy that they may haue povver to raise astock thereby. — This Point vvas by the Assembly thought fit to be vvaued for that time— vve leaue to your VVisdomes to iudge — vvhether it may not novv be that point in execution, as occasion shall offer.

Here Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. after their wonted manner endeuour to render me odious to all my Brethren accusing me for hauing calumniated the whole Assembly of 1653. but since they do not proue the calumnie, it follow's of necessity, that they haue calumniated me, (Accusatio quae caret probatione calumnia est) and indeed so they haue; for the aspersion they Cast vpon me is so false, that as God know's best it neuer came into my thought to conceiue amiss of that whole Assembly, either in order to the inuading my Lords Episcopall Authoritie, or preiudicing our old Mother-House committed to my charge; notwithstanding I knew well, that Mr. Blacloes faction had conspired against each of both. And as to their design against my lords Episcopall Au­thority, the ample Testimonies afore mentioned proue euidently enough their conspiracy: likewise, as to myselfe, and our Mother-House, they had laid their plot to ruine vs, before that Assembly began to sitt. For Mr. Foster sent me a letter about that tyme (I haue communicated it to our Seniors) which containes these express words. I had a sight of the proposition; ere the Assembly met▪ one of them vvas, that all legacies that should be left to your House, at the instance of any one, or more of the Clergy, should be by them dispos'd of tovvards the maintainance of vvell dispos'd youths of each County to be brought vp in Yr. House, and thence being qualifyed to returne to their Country, Yr. House not being to medle therein, as also that none should be sent ouer, but such as had ended their studies. This was vvhat I savv before the Assembly met. I was inuited diuers tymes by the Prime of the Assem­bly (Mr. Harrington) yet I neuer did go, that so by my absence I might testify the dislike I had of a proposition destructiue, I thought, to the good of our Mother-House. Besides our North Country Chapter-men, [Page 36]men, that sat in the said Assembly, namely Mr. Ashton, and Mr. Young, togeather with some others, writ vnto me how valiantly they had carried themselues in behalfe of their old Mother. As God know's best I mistrusted not at all that Assembly, though I knew that all the Grandees, that is the principall members thereof, vvere Mr. Blacloes Adherents: Nay albeit that Mr. Blacloe hath much strengthned himselfe since the conuening of the said Assembly, and my Lord Bish: death, for as much as he has new Chapter-men created, which are according to his own hart: for example Dr. Ellis. Mr. Plot, Mr. Manly, Mr. Singleton, Mr. Cancefield; neuertheless, if now a generall Assembly of Chapter-men were to be called I should not apprehend preiudice as to our Mother-House thereby, because I am confident, that there would be called vnto it sundry conscientious, pious, zealous, and well affected persons to their old Mother, and myselfe, that might hinder Mr. Blacloe, and his partys machinations and vn­godly enterprises as to our preiudice. And notwithstanding that this disaffected party may imagine, that they haue vndone both of vs by their Encyclicall Epistle, howeuer I do not doubt, but that our old Mother shall receiue benefit, and my selfe honour thereby, whiles they beare the infamous brand to all posterity, of being vngratefull (& ingratum si dixeris, omnia scelera dixeris) for Dr. Ellis vvas an Alumnus of our Mother-House, Mr. Plot had all his breeding in it, was my schollar about 3. yeares, and besides I mou'd Dr. Kellison to receiue him for nothing. Mr. Iohn med­calse, and Mr. Iohn Singleton were like wise Alumni, and the first amongst our yorkeshire Brethren, that haue cast dirt in the face of their old Mother: in like manner Mr. Manly, and Mr. Can­cefield the first amongst our Brethren of Lancashire, that haue committed such an impiety. Hereby appeares euidently how vnad­uisedly, and vnhappily these few of our Brethren haue dressed vp this charge against me. But whereas in the close thereof they craftily exhorte our Brethren to put in execution Mr. Blacloes former design, as to disposing of Charities giuen to this Mother-House, [Page 37]Saying. VVe leaue to Yr. vvisedomes to iudge — vvhether it may not now be firt to put that point in execution, Mou'd thereby out of a tender care for the conseruing of the Mother-House, and preser­uing her children, from prophane nouelties, I haue iudgd it expedient to haue recourse to all our English Catholicks, vnto preuenting of their vngodly enterprises.

Pag. 7. Dr. Leyb. sent a letter to Mr. Knightly, vvherein vvas signi­fyed, that Mr. Blacloe made vs odious to all Christian Princes, the Do­ctrine therein contained, touching them, as much as the king of scots (as he tearm'd his Ma.^tie) that his booke of Obedience, and Gouer­nement is against the Protector Cromvvell &c.

In this Charge Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. imitate the crafty fisherman who loues to fish in troubled water, for thinking to make some aduantage against me by the said letter, they haue troubled, transplaced, and confounded the words thereof; though not so much, but that I shall be able to escape their nets: for they do not conceale the chiefe substance. And indeed I do acknowledge that I writ to Mr. Knightly a letter wherein I signifyed, that Mr. Blacloes Doctrine, contained in his booke of Obedience and Gouernement, made vs odious to all Christian Princes, and was as much against Cromwell (then kinging it) as against the king of scots and so I called his Ma.^tie; this I am certaine was the substance, and the words where with my Ad­uersaries charge me importe as much. But it seem's to me a strange thing, that Dr. Fllis, Mr. Curtis &c should dare to object vnto me the abhorrence I haue from the Doctrine contained in Mr. Blacloes booke of Obedience and Gouernement (cut out of Mr. Hob's leuiathan) rendring the English Clergy odious to all Christian Princes; since Mr. Tho. White, alias Blacloe in the said booke of Obed. and Gouer. writeth thus, 1. Pag. 133. If a Magistrate hath truly deserued to be, and is dispossessed, euery one to his povver is bound to resist him. Secondly Pag. 135. If a Magistrate be innocent, and vvrongfully dispossessed, he is obliged absolutely to renounce all right, and claime to gouernement: and if he does not, he is vvorse [Page 38]then an infidell. Thirdly pag. 147. Any, vvho hath suffered wrong by a Monarch, when he is dispossessed may proceed as if there were no Commonwealth, by the lavv, vvhich in a wildernes warranteth vs to kill a Tyger or Robber, that seeketh to kill vs, not pretending lavv, for our action, but that it is manlike, and rationall.

The ground, or foundation on which he seem's to build these his horrid, Vnparalleld, Vnauthorized, and Vnchristian Tenets, is laid afore pag. 38. It follow's not (says Mr. Blacloe) that I wrong him (an other man) euen though I do him harme, or secke his ruine for he is no othervvise to me, then a piece of cloath or wood, which I cut, and shape after my own will, fittingly for my vse.

I name the Doctrines set down Horrid, because no reasonable man can read them without being horrour-struck: Vnparalleld, because no writer Christian or Heathen hath euer broachd the like: Vnauthorized, because Mr. Blacloe can not shew that he is sent to teach them, and mission to teach and preach the Apostle requireth, Rom. 10. Quomodo praedicabunt, nisi mittantur: Lastly I name them Vnchristian Tenets, because the Doctrine of the Apostles on whom Christian Religion was built, beare not the least sound that way. For example Rom. 13. Let euery soul be subiect to the higher powers; for there is no power but of God, whosoeuer therefore refisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receiue to themselues damnation — wherefore ye must be subiect not in regard of wrath onely, but also for conscience sake. Which scripture-Testimony does euidence plainely, that subiects shall receiue to themselues damnation, if they take away from their Prince his Royall authority: and those are to receiue greater damnation that wrong, hurt, resist, or kill him so depriued, because he en­deuours, though by force of Armes, to be restored to his iust rights. Again 1. pet. 2. subiects are commanded to obey not onely good and curteous, but also froward Princes; and as a king that is dispossessed by his own subiects, by the law of God and nature continues their king: so the dispossessers of him continue his subiects, in consequence of which, they, vnder penalty of euer­lasting [Page 39]damnation, are bound, not onely not to wrong him so dispossest, but to Cherish, obey, honour, and restore him to his former power, and authority.

Hereby tis euidently manifest that Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. haue nothing of reason, or aduantage against me by their charge in order to Mr. Blacloes booke of obedience, and gouernement, vvhich I dare say vvas Odious to Cromwell himselfe, though the Author, and the party that put him vpon that worke con­ceiued that they might haue gaynd him thereby vnto giuing them power to giue laws to all the Catholicks of England. But such, as attend their own ambition, vvorke without Gods means, and direction. For Cromwell conceipted himselfe to be as great a Magistrate, and Monarch, as any other whosoeuer, and vvhen he was inform'd (as I haue heard) Mr. Blacloe taught in his book, That to do harme vnto, or seeke the ruine of an other, was not to wrong him &c and likewise, that it was manlike, and rationall, for any that had suffered vvrong by a Monarch to proceede (when he is dispossessed) as if there were no Commonvvealth, by the lavv, vvhich in a wildernes vvarranteth vs to kill a Tyger or Robber, that seeketh to kill vs; Therefore Cromwell mou'd with these reasons set light by the said booke.

But lastly Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. accuse me of calling our gratious Soueraign King of the scots; to which I replye that very vnaduisedly they cast that as an aspersion vpon me, because in their Encyclicall Epistle they extoll Mr. Blacloe for his eminent Doctrine which vvas plainely destructiue of his Ma.^ties person; for if a man will iudge by Mr. Blacloes Tenets set down, he would haue made our king Charles no king at all; howeuer his Ma.^ties own seruants durst not giue him a greater Title then the king of scots, in their letters writt into England. Moreouer I am so vvell known to his Ma.^tie and his principall Ministers of state, that it will not lie within the reach of Mr. Blacloe, and all his Adherents, to preiudice me in the opi­nion of our gracious Soueraign, for whom I haue hazarded my [Page 40]life, and spent my little fortunes in his Ma.^ties seruice.

Furthermore Dr. Ellis &c. out of the fore-mentioned letter of mine to Mr. Knightly obiect against me thus. He (Mr. Leyb.) belieues not, Mr. Plantin (our Agent) vvill say that his Holines, or the Card. Protectour any wayes approued the Chapter, Dean, or Sub-Dean. To this I replye, that at my last being at London I con­ferred vvith Mr. Plantin, as to this point, and enquired whether the Pope vsed the vvord Approho (I approue) and he answered onely, that hauing Audience of the Pope in the nick of his de­parture he demanded of his Holines, how the Clergy might be gouerned till a Successor vvere constituted: whereto vvas replyed this meer Quere: Nunquid habetis Capitulum, Decanum, Sub-Decanum? without naming the word Approbo, I approue: wherby appeares, that I did no wrong, by saying, that I will not belieue, that Mr. Plantin, our Agent &c. But perhaps Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. will replye, that the Quere, Nunquid habetis &c. imported appro­bation: Transeat, which is to say the interpretation is admitted, though not granted; and I am certain, it cannot be clearely infer'd from his Holines Quere. But then perhaps it may be demanded whether his Holines so interrogating Mr. Plantin, meant of a Collegiate or Cathedrall Chapter, for it might be in the power of our Bishop to moulde, fashon, and make ready either of both for his Holines confirmation; now how this question can be decided out of, Nunquid habetis Capitulum, Decanum &c. I do not conceiue; wherefore I told Mr. Plantin that he should haue humbly beseech'd his Holines to declare his will, and pleasure in writing, as to the exercising of lurisdiction, till a Successor might be constituted, because the saluation of souls dependes thereof. And truly if the Chapters Dean haue not power to giue faculties, and notwithstanding giue them he committeth a grieuous Sin; for the Councell of Trent sess. 14 defines, Nullius esse momenti eam absolutionem quam Sacerdos profert in cum, in quem nee ord narians vel delegatam habet iurisdictionem: Again though the Pope did approue the Chapter by saying. Nunquid habe [...]s Capitulum &c it [Page 41]will not appeare thereby that he inuested the Dean with Episcopall authority vnto making him an Ordinarius; wherefore if my Counsell might haue been heard, nether Dr. Ellis nor the Chapter had exercised Episcopall authority without his Holines leaue expressed in a Breue. For immediately after the death of our Bish. I sent a letter to Mr. Knightly his Lordships Vic. Gen. wishing him to aduise our Brethren pertaining to the Chapter to make addres­ses suddenly to his Holines for a Successor and for the Interim, to desist from the assuming of Episcopall iurisdiction (as the Chapter did at the death of his Lordships predecessour) the exercise whereof might beget a iealousy in the Court of Rome, that they were resolu'd to make their Chapter a Bishop in effect, whether the Pope gaue them a Successour, or not: Two other reasons more I alleadged; the one was, that I knew well that my lord Bish. who was versed in the Canons of the Church, did not belieue, that the Chapter (which after the imitation of his Predecessour, he had moulded, fashoned, and put in readines for his Holines confirmation) ought to succeed in Episcopall authority, without the Creation of a Successour, or confirmation from his said Holines; for as God know's best, his Lordship sensible of his great age, commanded me To giue to our Chief and most deseruing. Brethren extra-ordinary faculties, telling me with all, that be did not thinke that after his death, such faculties would be suddenly obtained. The same power and command his Lordship gaue to our Hon. Brother Mr. Clifford. In complyance to this commande I empowrd sundry of our principall Brethren whereof Dr. Ellis, was one (but Delegatus non potest delegare) with extraordinary fa­culties. My other reason was, that Dr. Gage residing at Paris at the tyme his Lordship dyed, and intending for his Country, sent me à letter wherin he requested me to grant him the ordinary faculties pertaining to the missionaries of this house saying that he did not thinke that the Chapter had power to grant them; and indeed a Bishops authoritie expires and dyes with him; vnless Ius commune Canomcuns, or prinilegium speciale [Page 42]pontifieis (who is aboue the Canons) continue it in a Chapter, till a Successour be appointed, and constituted. These were the grounds and reasons of my Counsell communicated in my letter to Mr. Knightly; but Mr. Harrington, and the principall Chapter-men Mr. Blacloes Adherents despised them: they neuer sought to the Court of Rome till they were constrained so to do, our Brethren generally pressing the London Chapter-men (which managed all affairs) to send an Agent to Rome for the obtaining of a Successour, and confirming of their Chapter. But from the death of my lord Bish: and afore also they had so deported themselues, that their Agent Mr. Plantin return'd without a letter written from his Holines, or the Protector, to the Chapter that sent him: which nothing troubled Mr. Blacloe, and his party. For though Mr. Blacloe had no opinion of my lords Episcopall authoritie while his Lordship was aliue: neuer­theless he made no doubt of the Chapters Episcopall authoritie, my lord being dead; besids he defended openly in the Assembly of 1657. what he had asserted in his printed Insti. Tom. 2. lee. 8. parity between a Bishop and a mere Priest, as witnesseth Mr. Progers, that was in the said Assembly in his letter vvritten to myselfe and dated 14. Novemb. 1657. (which I haue shewn to our Seniors) I told (sais he) the members thereof, Mr. Blacloe being present that I thought they intended not a Bishop. And in his letter dated Nouemb. 28. 1657. (which I haue showen likewise to our Seniors) wherin he giues me an account of all proceedings in 4. seuerall meetings, or consults, in the 7. account, he hath these express words: It much encreasd my suspicion of their being satisfyed with their present Gouernement, and not to desire a Bishop to see them so peremptory in refusing to subscribe to a disclaime from all nouelties and scandalous opinions taught by Mr. VVhite, alias Blacloe. Tis Mr. white togeather with the London Chapter-men his proselytes that haue ruin'd our whole Clergy by depriuing them of their natu­rall head, which might haue preuented many great scandals. Howeuer they still continue so obstinate in their wayes, that [Page 43]whatsoeuer Brother does shew himselfe against Mr. Blacloe, or an enemy to their inordinate proceedings they represent him to our Brethren residing in the Country, as disaffected to their Chapter, seditious, and factious: and young missionaries if they do not say as they do vnto extolling Mr. Blacloes, Vnimpeachable vertue, vmblemisht life, and most eminent Doctrines (which art the illustrious characters Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. giue him in their Encyclicall letter to endeare him thereby to all our Brethren) they menace, and depriue them of common charities, as men disaffected to their Chapter. And truly at my being at London Sundry Priests did complaine vnto me of those horrid abuses. And in order to my owne particular as I haue beene constant in expressing an extreame abhorrence from Mr. Blacloes pernicious Doctrines: so they haue been as constant in casting vpon me slanders, and procla­ming me an enimy to the Chapter establyshd by two Bishops (vpon that scoare onely) though God is my witnes, I euer esteemd a Chapter the best Gouernement our Clergy could haue, and the best means to secure vnto them a Bishop, which is the naturall head of Clergy Priests. But I profess ingenuousely that my hart often tymes hath been swallowd vp with heauynes to see such as manage affairs, carryed away with the winde of prophane Doctrines vnto the loosing of that best Gouernement. And this shall suffice in Answere to all the pages of the Ency­clicall letter, wherin I am accused for hauing a gird at, or going about to dissolue the Chapter, that being so false, that as God best know's I neuer had the least thought that way: my zeale tending onely to the preseruing of our Chapter, and Chapter-men from suffering preiudice. And to dissuade from the exercise of Episcopall authoritie, till a Successour might be constituted, was not to inuade, but to conserue the Chapter, nor to persuade the Chapter-men to a disclaim from wicked Doctrines vnto taking away of scandalls, was to hurt, but to saue their honour, and reputation. But as to what our two Bishops did act in the establishing of the Chapter, I do assure it was in order, reference, [Page 44]and expectation of the sea Apostolicks confirmation as appeares plainely by sending of Agents to Rome, and by their frequent solicitations, and supplications exhibited to his Holines for the obtaining of a confirmation. And indeede it is not in any parti­cular Bishops power to dress vp a Chapter otherwise, especially in a Country where Chapter-men haue no Collegiate, or Cathe­drall Church to meet daily togeather to the celebrating of diuine seruice. For in this case not onely his Holines approbation, but dispensation is required in order to the Churches ordinances which confine Chapter-men to a Collegiate, or Cathedrall Church, for such an end, and purpose. Let not the Counsell of our great Apostle S. Gregory be forgotten Si obedientes suerimns Prae­positis nostris, obediet Dominus [...]rationibus nostris.

Furthermore Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. mention Mr. Blacloes reply to the foresaid Letter, that Dr. Leyb. sent Mr. Knightly, and vse these express words. Pag. 8. He (Mr. Blacloe) replies in a like return of language, as Dr. Leyb had vsed. For this I Answere, that it is an aspersion as falsely cast vpon me, as it is true that Mr. Blacloe in his reply calleth me Sycophant, hissing serpent, boute­feu, madmen &c. But perhaps Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. will answer, that in the forementioned Letter I cryed against Mr. Blacoes Doctrine contained in his book of Obedience and Go­uernement as rendring the Clergy odious to all Christian Princes; O Brethren Let vs follovv the truth in Charitie, and in all thing grovv vp in, and into him, which is our head, that is Christ Iesus, Ephes. 4. Such false pieces of coyn'd aspersions which you cast vpon Yr. Brother in euery page of Yr. Encyclicall Epistle, do not beseem Christians and much less men of Yr. function. Loquimini veritatem vnius quisque cum proximo suo. Zacha. 8. quia testis falsus non erit im­punitus Prouerb. 19.

Pag 9. About the same tyme he (Dr. Leyb.) writt this Letter to Mr. Knightly, that he might set all his Engins a worke at once, his particular friend Mr. Catterick Arch-Deacon of York shire-whosemdesertet zeal &c.

[Page 45]Because Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. call the Arch-Deacon of Yorkshire my particular friend, which is very true, and truth being seldome put down in any one passage of the whole Ency­clicall Epistle I haue thought expedient to take notice of it, and to say thus much in his vindication, that I know him to be a person of great worth, and merit, of a good conscience, of excellent piety and Religious zeal, as to giuing duty, and Obe­dience to his Spirituall and ciuill Magistrates, or great humility, as to honoring the Current of D.^ts in the Church of God, and as to running in the steps of his glorious Predecessours. Besides he is a benefactour, and a most gratefull child to this Mother-House, that bred him. And as to the accusation you haue dressed vp vnto lessning the esteem our Brethren haue of his vprightnes in all his proceedings, I will adde thus much more, that in re­garde he was not ignorant of Mr. Blacloes partys crafty dealings against our Spirituall Father, and Superior my Lord Bish: and our old Mother, as likewise of their design to counte­nance Mr. Blacloes pernicious Doctrines vnto dishonouring of our whole Clergy, he might haue great and iust reason to name the Chapter schismaticall as to that part of it; but all such Brethren, as excepte against Mr. Blacloe and his pack of friends you proclaime as slanderers of the Chapter and Clergy. If we shall, not abide in truth, God will not abide in vs, Quoniam veritatem requirit Dens. Psal. 30.

Pag. 9. 10. Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. make mention of a common Letter writ to me by the Right Hon. L.^d Abbot Montague, Mr. Clifford, Dr. Holden, and Mr. Car, in order to an accord between my selfe and Mr. Blacloe, which common Letter they produce with this preamble: p. 9.

VVhile our Church was torn by these intestine Divisions, it pleased the Right honorable Ld. Abbot Montague (never to be mention'd by vs without gratitude and honour for his love then shewn our body) vvith our Venerable Brethren in France Dr. Holden, Mr. Clifford, and Mr. Carr, to interpose and endeavour to bring the Tvvo to an accord. Mr. [Page 46]Clifford also and Mr. Car out of their great Charity and Zeal of out Vnion took a iourney to Do way to treat with Dr. Leyb. about it, and to bring him to some terms of correspondency. Morcover. à common Letter was writ by the four mention'd, to Dr. Leyb. Complaining that our Vnity in Yorkshire was actually broken by his special friend Mr. Cat­terick who calumniated the Chapter as schismatical, and refus'd flatly to consent to any thing it should do, disobeying and writing offensive Letters to his Vicar. General Dr. Blundeston; earnestly requesting him to desist from all schismatical resisting that authority, which our two late Bishops of happy memory had establish't and left amongst us, that he ought not to goe about to remedy abuses by open resistence, this being the common pretext of all rebellion against Authority, That the Catholick Church bath her legal and authoritative way both subalternal and supreme to examine and condemn what euer may be amisse either in his or any other man's writings whatsoever, That particular men can only inform those whose office it belongs to, of what they iudge erroneous or dangerous, though as friends and Brethren we may cover what we think we are not ne­cessarily obliged to complain of, That Information once given we ought to forbear all scandalous & clamorous diffamation till the Delinquent be sen­tenc't;

Again pag. 13. Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. mention a generall Assembly of the Chapter, at the request of the afore named the Rt. Hon. L.^d Abbot Montague, Mr. Clifford, Dr. Holden, and Mr. Car; moreouer in order therto express themselues in these very words. It (the Assembly) met Nou. 23. 1657. Mr. Blacloe came thither in person, Dr. Leyb sent thither his Agent (Mr. Progers) who at the very entrance of the first meeting, shewd vs how soon Dr. Leyb. had foregot his promise, and that all Vnion with him was hopeless by his excepting against the whole Assembly, because it was of Chapter-men onely, and alleadging that he was sent to an Assembly of the whole Clergy, vvhereas, the vvhole being some hundreds could not possibly meet—He, (Mr. Progers) began to press also the disclaiming and censuring Doctrines in the first place &c.

Wheras Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. here name the Rt. Hon. [Page 47]the Ld. Abbot Montague. Mr. Clifford, Dr. Holden, and Mr. Car: And thence take a rise to dress vp their likely tale concer­ning an accord between my selfe, and Mr. Blacloe as procured by them, in order to the establishing of a much desired Vnion amongst all our Brethren, and likewise ascribe the obstruction thereof to my violating of my promise; I haue iudg'd it expedient, for as much as a false tale may seem true till another, that is true indeed, be told, to tell my tale before I do engage in an Answer to the accusations set downe: to the end the falsenes of their tale may more clearely appeare thereby. My true tale in order to both the accusations, is as followeth.

About the yeare 1656. Mr. Blacloe being much incens'd at the aboue mentioned Letter sent Mr. Knightly, set forth in print a larg phamplet full of calumnies, and reprochfull language, vnto wounding of my honour, and reputation, which he and his Adherents spread in great diligence, and extreame exulting, and triumphing there was amongst his friends at home, and abroad, at Paris especially (where resided principall Clergy men, and Lay-Catholiks of our Country, which supported, counte­nanced, and defended Mr. Blacloe and his learning) imagining that the said pamphlet had cast vpon me so great an affront, and disgrace, that my resisting of Mr. Blacloes learning would signify nothing for the future. But mens supposals, and Gods directions seldome agree. For this proceeding ministred the occa­sion, that begot my Manifest, which laid open so plainely his crafty dealings, and extreame ambition to begin a plantation of new notions, and pernicious Tenets, that the veile, which hid his vngodly purposes being drawn, and taken away thereby, he appeared, what he was indeed, A wolfe in sheeps Cloathing: Now after Mr. Blacloes chief friends residing at Paris had perused my Manifest, and heard of the applause it had got amongst all sort of Catholicks respectiuely, as appeares by aboue 20. sundry Letters: then and neuer afore, Dr. Holden, and Mr. Car thought it expedient to endeuour an accord between my selfe, and Mr. [Page 48]Blacloe, vnder the specious colour of bringing the whole Clergy vnto vnion thereby, and for the effecting of this design they got the right Hon. the Lord Abbot Montague, and the Hon. Mr. Clifford to engage in the pursuance thereof, wherin they carryed themselues most piously, and Religiously, hoping to extinguish thereby the fire of discord, and dissention which Mr. Blacloes prophane nouelties had kindled in our Clergy. In order here­to Mr. Clifford, and Mr. Car: gaue me a visit at our Mother-House, deliuered a Letter subscribed by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Abbot Montague, Dr. Holden, and themselues expressing their ioynt desire for a setlement of peace and Vnion vnto taking away diuision, wherewith our said Clergy was branded: and in sum me wishd conference with me about the carrying on of so good a worke; and for my part I shew'd as great a willingnes to embrace, as they had demonstrated readines to promote so good a worke.

In our first conference I excepted against the Letter for as much, as I saw, that it was written by Dr. Holden, and as I conceiued by him contriued out of information receiued from the aduerse party and indeed diuers points thereof I might haue disprou'd. Howeuer I was not a litle troubled to see Dr. Holdens hand to the Letter who was a party against me, and had enough to do for his own works; for when I was at Paris Dr. Holden put forth a pamphlet vnbeseeming his Religion, and function, wherin he accused the Court of Rome of ignorance and corruption: likewise he had set forth a booke much dero­gating from the Popes authority. Again neither Mr. Clifford nor Mr. Car mou'd me to approue the contents of the said Letter, the intent thereof being onely to express a ioynt desire of peace and Vnion which I embrac'd gladly, and accordingly propounded such points, as I iudg'd necessary requisits to the effecting of peace and Vnion. Which were these 1^o, that Mr. Blacloe might submitt all his writings to the sea Apostolick and print nothing more without the approbation of these Drs. of [Page 49]Diuinity named in the common Letter sent Mr. Blacloe, and subscribed by the R^t. Hon. the Lord Abbot Montague, and the other three. Secondly that some of our grauest and chiefest Brethren out of each District respectiuely might assemble togeather to determine of all affairs pertaining to our Clergy, and I nam'd graue and principall Brethren, because I knew well that the farre maior part of our Brethren then pertaining to the Chapter, were a pack of Mr. Blacloes friends, so that it seem'd to me a thing impossible to vote down in such a Chapter, his prophane Do­ctrines, on the extinguishing whereof peace, and Vnion necessarily depended. Besides I knew likewise, that some of our Brethren had resigned, and others had refused to accept Ecclesiasticall dig­nities (in our Bishops life tyme) that so they might avoide contests with Mr. Blacloe and his party; and truly in the yeare 1654. by order from my Lord Bish: I mou'd Dr. Daniel twise to accept of the Vicar Generalship In solidum, who replyed vnto me in a Letter the 10. of Ian. 1654. in these express words. (I haue shewn it to our Seniors) You moue again, and I see my lord is ready to honour me far aboue my desert and expectation. Truly Sr. I am not so wedded to my own defires, or Interests (vvhich hath long been to lead a single, and quiet life) as not to yeild my vimost endeuors to the common, vvhen it may appeare that I may really further it: Giue me leaue therefore to represent my doubts, I conceiue in this [...]ffered employment. First then Mr. Clifford telleth my Lord, that noe exceptions vvill be made against me; but this I much feare, because Mr. Blacloe is, as yet, no vvay appeased, or satisfyed vvith me, and then certainely beth he, Dr. Holden, and both their friends, vvill oppose me vvhat they can. And although afterwards Dr. Daniel made his peace with Mr. Blacloe, and thereupon was chosen Dean (which happened after my Lord Bishops death) neuertheless he iudg'd it necessary for our Clergy to disclaime from Mr. Blacloes new notions vnto extinguishing the fire of discord, as can witnes Mr. Wolstan Paston, a Lay-Catholick of great worth, and merit, whose singular charity hath extreamely obliged both the secular [Page 50]and regular Clergy. Thirdly being I was of Dr. Daniels opinion, as to the necessity of a disclaime, I propounded that our Brethren assembled togeather might in the first place disauow all Doctrines contrary to the generall practise of Gods Church, whether vented by Mr. Blacloe, or any other, as likewise to giue obedience to such declarations or declaration as his Holines should make in order to prophane nouelties.

This was the sum of what I propounded to the Hon. Mr. Clifford, and Mr. Car for the effecting of our desired Vnion: and they approu'd each point thereof, and at their return to Paris acquainted therewith the Rt. Hon.^ble the Lord Abbot Montague, who in a Letter dated 13. of Octob. (which I shewd to our Seniors) writeth to me in these express words. I doubt not but at the meeting proposed, vvhich vvill be more conuenient at London, then Paris (I had propounded to Mr. Clifford, and Mr. Car that our Brethren might meet at Paris) by reason of the impossibility of so many appearing here, as are requifit to that vvorke, the proposall is to be made of disauowing all that is new, and vnconformable to the receiued practise, and Doctrine of the Church of Rome, and promise to submit to any declaration, the Pope shall make in point of nonelties either vented already by Mr. Blacloe or any other, or vvhat shall occurr here after vpon any declaration. This profession I iudge conuenient to be made in the entry of that Assembly vve propose, and am assured of the acceptance of it vnanimousely, which answers fully to Yr. desire. This Testimony alone comming from a person of so great eminency, as is my Lord Abbot Montague giues euidence enough to shew to our Brethren how falsely Dr. Ellis, Mr. Onrtis &c. haue accused me of forgetting my promise to the obstructing of the desired Vnion.

And if my Deputy, Mr. Progers excepted against the Assembly for as much as the far maior part thereof was a pack of Mr. Blacloe friends, and if in the first place he vrged the disauowing of nouelle Doctrines, he proceeded according to his instructions, which were conform to the propounded poynts, and approu'd [Page 51]vnanimously by my Lord Abbot, Mr. Clifford, and Mr. Car, as necessary requisits to the effecting of the said desired Vnion, and this shall suffice in answer to the slander cast vpon me in the cited 13. pag.

Now as to the common Letter set down pag. 10. it seems to me a strang thing, that Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. should produce the said Letter with intent to preiudice me, since I was not required to admit, and acknowledge the contents thereof as to matter of fact, which I purposely wau'd regarding onely the ioynt▪ desire in Order to Vnion. Again I can in rigour deny the Letter as it is set down, to be the common Letter subscribed by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Montague &c. I can personate them and say, as Martiall the Poet did to one Fidentinus, that had rehearsd a poeme of his amiss.

FOR example Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. to make our Brethren belieue that by that Letter I onely am desired not to resist the authority, which two late Bishops establish'd, and left amongst vs, in the room of Earnestly requesting you (to witt my selfe and Mr. Blacloe ioyntly, as plainely appeares in the originall Letter) they set down Earnestly requesting him (Dr. Leyb.) And whereas immediately follow these words directed to my selfe alone; This authority we are confident you are far from opposing, vnless, as perceiuing it led, and gouernd by a faction of Mr. VVhites. In earnest Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. haue vsed crafty dealing in the changing of You into Him, but especially in omitting to set down the other words immediately following. This authority we are consident you are far from opposing &c They had no desire our Brethren should know, that my Lord Abbot, Mr. Clifford &c. were consident, that my selfe was far from opposing our [Page 52]Chapter, that is, the authority establish'd by two Bishops, vnless &c. or that our said Brethren should know, that my Lord Abbot &c. did make a difference between opposing the Chapter, as Chapter, and opposing Mr. Whites faction, as leading and gouerning it, and therefore conceald that part of the Letter, because Mr. Curtis &c. represent, as enemyes to the Chapter, all such Brethren, as shew a dislike of, or moue a disclaime from Mr. Whites pernicious nouelties; nay my selfe is proclaimd in their Encyclicall Epistle as girding at, and seeking dissolution of the Chapter, because at my last being in London out of pure loue, and Zeale, I told Dr. Ellis, that although the Chapter were without exception, he ought not to exercise any Iurisdiction as Dean, in regard his election according to the Churches Canons was made void, because he had not accepted his said election with in the prefixed time, set downe by the Canons which re­quire acceptance of election within the space of one moneth, and Dr. Ellis did not accept it within the space of 8. months: Besides Priuantut iure per electionem acquisito; qui post acceptationem intra tres menses confirmationem non petunt. C. quam sit. de Elec. & Elect. pores. in 6. Item qui ante Confirmationem administrant. ibi. C. Auariliae. But he that tell's truth, draw's an odium vpon him­selfe.

Furthermore if Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. had been minded to deale sincerely in publishing my Lord Abbot, Mr. Clifford &c. their religious endeauours in order to the afore mentioned Vnion in our Clergy, they should not haue produced onely, their common Letter to me, but like wise their common Letter to Mr. Blacloe, which they craftily conceal'd from our Brethren; because my Lord Abbot, Mr. Clifford &c. in their said com­mon Letter sent Mr. Blacloe (wherof a Copie was giuen me) haue these express words: If herefier you intend to publish any thing concerning or nearly relating to Religion, you vvill be pleasd to lee it be perused, and consented vnto by Mr. Blusion Mr. Daniel▪ Mr. Ellis, Mr. Gennings Dis. if Diuinity. And in the close of the common better▪ [Page 53]are these words in relation to the former. This vve conceiue vvould be a means to preuente all future occasions of Dr: Leyborne or any others complaints against Yr. Doctrine; This vvill satisfy, as vve belieue, and in some sorte preserue our body (vvhereof you are a principall member) from those feares of blemish, vvhich are pretended to fall vpon it through Yr. exotick opinions. By the premises is plainely verified to the shame of Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. the scripture Testimony proverb. 27. Qui fodit foueam incidet in eam, & qui voluit lapidem reuertetur ad eum. They digged a pit to swallow me, and they are faln therein themselues, they rolled a stone vnto shaming of me, and the stone is returned with sham vnto them.

Pag. 11. vvhereas, I vndervvritten (Mr. Blacloe) haue &c.

Here Dr. Ellis, and Mr. Curtis &c. produce a copie of Mr. Blacloe's submitting his writings to the Sea Apostolick, and both they, and all other his Adherents much glory therin without cause: for indeed that his submission signifies nothing, fince Mr. Blacloe, and his pack of friends, soon after in the Assembly 1657. did not onely reiect his Holines Decrees, that prohibited, and condemned sundry of his prophane books, but also went about to forewarne our Brethren against censures from Rome, If procur'd by indirect wayes (against Mr. Blacloe) though by direct they should come to them: I vse Mr. Progers (that was present) his words set down in the 9. account of the declaration he sent me as to the passages of that Assembly, and he sais further in the same account, that in order to that fore warning he made this Quere. Be not such preuention and forestalling, the beginning of Rebellion in the state, and schisme in the Church? Moreouer whereas I sent the said Decrees to Mr. Knightly by order from the Nuncio, Mr. Curtis writt vnto me vnaduisedly, saying that he wonder'd that I would send Decrees, which I knew did not bind there: and of this vnhandsome writting I chalengd him, when last I was at London: But Bone Deus in quae tempora, hoc est, in quam dierum inobedientiam nos reseruasti? Again since the reiecting of the said Decrees, Mr. Blacloe hath put forth a pernicious book intitled Statera morum, [Page 54]fiilled with fordid, and damnable Doctrines, and this he dedicates to the Bishops of this Country: also hath dispersd it in sundry places, with design to stirre vp such as are addicted to Iansenisme vnto rebellion against the authority of the sea Apostolick: wherefore since Mr. Blacloes subsequent actions haue vnmade, what his precedent Act, as to submitting to the Pope, had made afore, his submission now signifies nothing; in consequence of which the producing of it must of necessity turne to the sham of Mr. Blacloe, and such as produce it in his fauour. Wanton schollars of new notions in all ages whiles they were without a Potentate to protect, or a strong party to secure them from the power of Rome, submitted their writings to the Pope; a stratageme onely to gain tyme vnto spreading, and establishing of their wicked Doctrines. And indeed Ecclesiasticall Histories make mention of sundry Hereticks submission of their Doctrines to the sea Aposto­lick, before they were fast in the saddle.

Pag. 12. Mr. Blacloes reply to his (Dr. Leyb.) pamphlet, though printed and ready to be publisht, vvas held in by him, (Mr. Blacloe) and Mr. Leyb. permitted to haue the last word.

To the disprouuing of this Tale, I can say thus much, Mr. Car himselfe told me, that Dr. Holden had receiued a Letter from Mr. Blacloe, wherein was signifyed, that he had an Answer in readines to Dr. Leyburns booke, and Dr. Holden writ back vnto him, that if he had prepared an Answer he should do well to light a fagot and burne it: for he would gain nothing of credit by answering it. This Mr. Car had from Dr. Holden himselfe. Again as to reason it is not probable that Mr. Blacloe would suppress his Answer, if printed, out of his innate goodnes to spare me; The Encyclicall Epistle, that breath's forth ranck poison of malice, giues euidence enough of his, Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. their great charity towards me. But perhaps the said Encyclicall Epistle is cut out of the said Answer which lies hid out of bashfulnes.

Pag. 16. Mr. Mark Harrington our late Sub-Dean he (Mr. [Page 55]Leyb.) iudges to haue dy'd in a sad case;

In Answer to this accusation I say 1.^o that it seems to me a strang thing that Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. dare name Mr. Harrington Sub-Dean, since my Lord Bish. in his Letter to Mr. Harrington, & Mr. Curtis, alias Peterson afore produced, says expresly, that neither himselfe nor any other who had authority from him, gaue Mr. Harrington such an office, and thence his Lordship infer'd that they vsurped vpon Episcopall authority by assuming to themselues Spirituall authority giuen by none. Secondly, as to Mr. Harringtons dying condition, Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. attest point blanck, that I iudge him to haue dyed in a sad case; but in regard their Testimony importes an accu­sation without proof, of necessity it beares the infamous marke of a slander; and indeed such are the other aspersions they cast vpon me all a long their Encyclicall Epistle. Besides I know well that the power of iudging is a reseru'd case pertaining to the son of God Ioan. 5. Pater omne indicium dedit Filio. Yet notwithstanding all this tis lawfull for me, or any other Catholick, that was acquainted with Mr. Harringtons peruerse, and obstinate defending of Mr. Blacloes pernicious Doctrines, to conceiue coniecturally, that the Tribunall of the same son of God (which iudgeth euery one according to his works 2. Cor. 5.) might shew him nothing of fauour, since in the sicknes of which he dyed, he had made no outward shew of disauowing them, though his Dean Mr. Fitton, brought to the like extremity, had disauow'd them.

Furthermore, whereas Mr. Knightly, the Gen. Vicar, had writ vnto me, that Mr. Harrington after a sicknes of many dayes was departed out of the world without receiuing any one Sacrament, as likewise without disposing of any one penny vnto procuring of prayers for the benefit of his soul, perhaps I signi­fied in my Answer, that thereby might appeare a iust iudgement of God that Mr. Harrington, who in his life tyme had impu­gned the efficacy of holy Churches Sacraments as to conferring [Page 56]of Sanctifying grace, and the Sacramentall absolution as to taking away sins without perfect contrition, and also the deliuerance of good souls out of purgatory through the prayers and suffrages of the Church, before the generall Resurrection, should want the comfort, and benefit of the Sacramentall viaticum, that is the holy Euchariste, the Sacrament of Extream-Vnction, and a Priests Sacramentall absolution, but hence can onely be inferd, that I might conceiue (as indeed so I did, and do still) Mr. Harringtons death not to haue been outwardly at least so pious, and precious in the sight of Heauen, and earth, as the Encyclicall Epistle, makes it. For truly I do think that neither the Heauen of the Church triumphant, nor the Earth of the Church militant do approue the death of such, as dye with singularity of Doctrine, which is contrary to faith, and the generall practise of Catholick belieuers; howeuer to thinke or conceiue Mr. Harrington to haue dyed in a sad condition in order to outward signs and circum­stances, is not to iudge him as to the Tribunall of the son of God, who for as much as his mercy is aboue all his works, might assist him with efficacious illuminations in the last moment of life: men can onely form conceptions conform to outward sensible actions; tis God alone, that hath inspection into the whole man, and consequently it is he alone, that can iudge him, who hath an exact knowledge of both his outward, and in­ward action.

Pag. 21. Fiftly they obiect Dr. Leyb. vsuall calumny, that his Holines iudges our Chapter schismaticall — so that we feare himselfe endeuour'd to fix that calumny vpon vs at Rome.

In Answer to this obiecton which is built vpon Dictum proprium (a Testimony without proofe, that Dr. Ellis, &c. vse all a long their Encyclicall Epistle) I protest fincerely that it is so false, that as God knows best I neuer had an intent to brand the Chapter with schism, or inform against it at Rome. Howeuer I am very certain that the Apostolick seat, does harbour no good opinion of Mr. Blacloe; for Dr. Gage their Agent in his Letter of Feb. [Page 57]20. 1661. (which hath been shewn to our Seniors) hath these express words. Mr. Blacloe Doctrine is in so great a detestation here, that neither that of Luther or Caluin euer vvas in a greater. Whereby is euidene'd, that Mr. Blacloe hath no such enimy, as his own Doctrine, nor our Chapter any such Aduersaries in the Court of Rome, as are those Chapter-men, that adhere so fast vnto him, as to dare to publish his Doctrine for eminent learning, which is held in detestation at Rome, censur'd by the Vuiuersity of Doway as scandalous, Hereticall and impious. These London Chapter-men are those, which if not preuented by a supream prouidence, of necessity will bring our Clergy to ruine: and wheras Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. endeuour after their wonted manner to abuse our Brethren by seeking to persuade that euen in this present tyme our Chapter is in esteem, and credit at Rome, I dare boldly say vnto disabusing our sayd Brethren, that it is so odious (as they haue made it) that not any friend of our Clergy residing in that Court will presume to open his mouth in fauour of it.

Pag. 24. VVe shew him (Dr. Leyb.) the iudgements of Canon lawyers, who were consulted when our Chapter was instituted, one of them being Ottenbergus Bishop of Arras — we shew him vnder Mr. Fitt [...]n's own hand, that it was the sense of Pope Innocentius return'd to him by Cardinal Capponi our Comprotectour, that we should gonerne by a Dean, and Chapter till we had a Bishop.

This obiection hath two branches, whereof one is built vpon the iudgements of Canon lawyers as to a Bishops power vnto instituting a Chapter: which importes nothing of the question in debate, to wit, whether a Chapter instituted by a Bishop can succeed in Episcopall authority at the death of their Bishop without his Holines obtained condescention thereto? or whether a Dean elected a new is not bound to aske confirmation of his election before the exercising of Episcopall Iurisdiction? If Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. could haue produced Ottenbergus or any other Canon lawyers Testimony, that might haue decided the [Page 58]said two Queres in confirmation of what they now practise, they had performd a great vvork vnto iustifying their procee­dings.

The other branche is built vpon a testimony vnder Mr. Fittons own hand as Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. auerre, although in good earnest I haue no inducement from the words set down to giue credence vnto them. 1.^o because to my knowledge Mr. Fitton was at Paris when Innocentius was made Pope, and there con­tinued for the space of diuers yeares. Secondly Cardinall Capponi was not our Comprotectour after the death of my Lord Bishop, for his Comprotect our ship continued onely till: Cardinall Francisco Barbarini was restored into Innocenti [...]s fauous, which is about 10. or 11. yeares agoe: soe that my Lord Bishop was not dead till long after Cardinall Capponi was outed of his Comprotectourship, and therefore tis not as to reason consonant, that Capponi should returne the sense of Pope Innocentius in these express words; That we should gouerne by a Dean▪ and Chapter, till we had a Bishop, since my Lord Bishop was not dead then. Howeuer I make no doubt, but that the Apostolicall sea in the vacancy of our naturall Head, hath at least tacitely assented to its gouernement in order to the faculties left by our la [...]e blessed Bishop; yet thence it follows not that the Chapter can assume the exercise of Episcopall Iutisdiction, especially a new dean being elected, that neither obserued the holy Canons, as to his election, nor euer sought to Rome to confirm him so Vncanonically introduced.

Pag. 27. Lastly we bring him his (Mr. Leyb.) own Letter asser­ting, that our Chapter was to haue Episcopall Iurisdiction after my Lords death—that the Chapter is to be look't on, as his Heir [...]pparent, or lawfull Successor, that our gouernment is to reside in the Chapter after our masters death.

To this accusation I answer: inregard I haue found by expe­rience that Dr. Ell is, Mr. Curtis &c. do corrupt, and falsity the originall Letters, which they mention in their Encyclicall Epistle, [Page 59]I cannot be induc'd to belieue, that they haue repeated my words aright, neither do I thinke that there are the particles Our Chapter &c. I remember that vpon notice giuen me, that Mr. Blacloe, and his Party went about to out my Lord Bishop from his Episcopall authority, and that Dr. Blundston vpon that scoare endeuour'd to draw all our Brethren residing in his district, to promise obedience to the Chapter, I writ the said Dr. Blun. a Letter, telling him that he proceeded vnaduisedly because a Chapter ought not to execute the Bishops authority while he was aliue. For in all Catholick Contries where Bishops seats are establish'd, the Bishop while he liues gouernes the Clergy, and not the Chapter: to which (if Cathedrall) the Canons of the Church giue leaue onely to suceeed in his authoritie during the vacancy of the seat. And if a new Dean be elected in the meane while, or afterwards, he is bound by the said Canons to aske of his Holines confirmation, as, to his election, otherwise it is null, and inualide: wherefore to haue writ that the, or a Chapter is looks on as the Bishops Heir apparent, or that our gouernement is to reside in the Chapter after our masters death, is not to approue the exercise of Episcopall Iurisdiction in the Chapter without his Holines con­descention thereto: and this I counseld as a necessary requisit to our gouernement my Lord Bishop being dead. But my Counsell had no weight with, Mr. Blacloe and his Adherents, who play'd not one, but many Bishops suddenly, without consulting the supream Pastour.

Pag. 27. Sometymes he Charges Mr. Blacloe with cozenage, and iniustice, as that he has embez'ld, or conuerted to other vses a summe of money left in his hand for the Clergies good: whereas vve knovv the contrary by diuers persons, in vvhose hands, and to vvhose trust, he left the said summe, to be employ'd hereafter for the good of the Clergy.

In Answer to this accusation, I say, that Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. do me wrong, for as much as they assert, that I haue accused Mr. Blacloe of cozenage and iniustice as to embezling a summe of money committed to his care, and trust; I neuer Charg'd [Page 60]him with iniustice as to spending the principall stock, but for conuerting to his own vse the Rents thereof contrary to all iustice. For example our last Bishop about 55. yeates agoe pre­uaild with an Hon.^ble person his friend to bestow a summe of money vnto the erecting and maintaining of a litle community in the Town of Paris which might consist of such Clergy-men as their Superior should iudge fit and proper for the end the erection was intended, to wit, for the keeping a continuall succession of able schollars as to positiue, scholasticall, and polemicall Theolo­gie especially; knowledge in controuersies being thought neces­sary vnto resisting the Enemies of Catholick Religion. To the aduancing of so good a worke the most R^d. and Illustrious Abbot of Arras lent our Clergy a small Colledge, built in the said Towne of Paris pertaining to his Monastery, and therefore named the Colledge of Arras. The money procured for the entertainment of this community was deliuered into the hands of Mr. Iohn Colleton to whom the trust was committed; but he, in regard of his imprisonment thought fit to recommend the trust, and management of the said fund vnto Mr. Iohn Hammon, who about the yeare 1640. entrusted Mr. Blacloe with it, who hath neuer employed one penny for the end, the fund was erected. The Rents that maintained constantly afore a community of some fiue prime Clergy-men (and indeed two Bishops, and two Deans were of Arras Colledge community) now entertaine Mr. Blacloe in poore cloathing. Of this Mr. Blacloes most vniust dealing at my last being at London I complain'd to Mr. Curtis that receiues the Rents, and told him plainely that it was a mighty shame to our Clergy to suffer or countenance such an vnworthy, scandalous, and vniust proceeding. To which Mr. Curtis replyed saying: But how can vve helpe it, Mr. Blacloe is entrusted with the money: vve cannot take it from him but he say's that he vvill leaue it to the Clergy. Besides said Mr. Curtis; Mr. Blacloe hath giuen to Lisboa one hundred pounds, and allovv's the Dean Dr. Ellis thirty pounds yearely, and twenti pounds yearly to Mr. [Page 61]Robert VVorsley out of the Rents of an other fund left by Dr. Bosvvel, and vvherevvith Mr. Blacloe is also entrusted. What I haue herein set down in relation to the fund of Arras Colledge, I protest sincerely, I heard from Mr. Collingtons own mouth, from my Lord Bishop, from Dr. Kellison, and Dr. Louell: besides I haue some reason to haue full knowledge of the said fund, because my selfe togeather with Mr. Bitcon, Dr. Blundston, Mr. Ireland, and Dr. Reyners, were entertain'd in Arras Colledge, and maintained with the Rents thereof. And as to the substance of my answers to Mr. Curtis afore-mentioned, I will be depos'd, that I haue expressed them most sincerely. Wherefore I leaue it to the wisedom's of our Bhrethren to iudge, whether Dr. Ellis does not commit a grieuous sin, for as much as he employes money to his own, that was giuen, and alwais afore applyed to another vse and purpose, that is the entertaining and maintaining of a smal community in the Town of Paris. For indeed Mr. Blacloe hath noe colour of right as to the dominion or disposing of the said fund in any other way: and this truth does euidently appeare by a continuall custome of paying the Rents for the vse of such a community, and by the Testimonies of Dr. Boswel, and other principall members of our ancient Clergy which are extant in our Mother House, and my selfe haue seen them.

Pag 28. 29. Our last Bishops commands in his Letter to D. Leyb. himselfe, dated Iuly 6. 1652. deliuered in these words, I haue diuers tymes vvritten to you to suppress all Clamours against Mr. Blacloes no­uelties, and (as you haue vvritten to me) you haue so done; but still diuers of my chief officers vvrite to me that you do the contrary, which I am very sorry to hear, and so you vvill cause the inconuenience, and schism, which will be vvorse then the books are.

In amazemen [...] as to this accusation, I wonder if our last Bishop writ me such a Letter (which I am confident he did not in the words therein expressed) how Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. came vnto it, of necessity they must haue intercepted [Page 62]it; because t'is not, as to reason credible, that my selfe should put it into their hands: and in case they intercepted the said Letter, in consequence thereof, they kept from me his Lordhips commands; wherefore they haue nothing of ground, or reason to obiect to me commands that I neuer receiu'd. Besides the particle Commandes is not set down in his Lordships Letter, as themselues express it. Again my Lord, that was a prudent, and wise Prelate, would neuer haue let fall from his penne the words: And so you vvill cause the inconuenience and schism, which will be worse then the books are: These particles carrying the sound of a litle nonsense, for as much as The inconuenience, importe a relation to something said afore, which is not expressed: and if his Lordship would haue had the said particles to relate vnto the subsequent words, he would haue said, An inconuenience, which &c.

Howeuer as to the clearing of this matter in debate, t'is ob­seruable, that about the yeare 1653. Mr. Blacloe publish'd in print his pernicious book concerning the middle state, or condi­tion of souls, and dedicated it vnto my Lord Bish. who vpon that occasion writ a Letter vnto me (which is imparted to our Seniors) wherein are inserted these express words following. Mr. Blacloe hath presented me with his new booke, which he hath dedi­cated to me, wherein he hath done me this pleasure, that he acknowledge's, that I dislike his nouelties, so that I shall not need to make any publick declaration of my dislike of them, seing himselfe hath publish'd it. Whereby euidently appeare's, that in case Mr. Blacloe had not acknowledged his Lordships abhorrence from his Doctrines, he himselfe would haue published it by an open declaration. Notwithstanding his Lordship being nothing ignorant of his pastorall duty, which was to watch, for the souls of his flock, as one bound to giue account thereof, Hebr. 13. writ an other Letter, wherein order was giuen me, to suppress the afore mentioned book of the middle state of souls, as containing naughty Doctrines, that contradicted holy scriptures, Councils, Fathers, and the generall practise of the Catholick Church: and to the same effect his Lordship [Page 63]writ to Mr. Harrington, who was the second Vic. Gen. In solidum; wherefore in Obedience to the order enioyn'd me, I dispers'd copies thereof amongst sundry of our Brethren respectiuely, and his said Lordship's order made so great an impression in the harts of our Brethren residing within the districts of Yorkshire, that twenty of them ioynd vnanimousely in a modest disclaim from Mr. Blacloes Doctrines, iudging that the best, and most necessary expedient to the suppressing of them. The Tenor of the said disclaim togeather with the names of such as subscribed vnto it, I haue thought fit to set down, and they be as follow's.

CVm ex Reuerendissimo piae memoriae Episcopo Chalcedonensi acceperimus, Thomam ex antiqua Familia de Albis, East Saxonum varios Libros edidisse; In quibus multa erronea scandalosa, temeraria, & Doctrinae, praxique Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae dissona, reperiuntur; Cumque magno quidem, & intimo dolore intellexerimus, totum Clerum Anglicanum, apud quosdam magnae Notae Viros, ideò male audire, adeoque horrendâ Schismatis inuri Infamia.

NOs infrascripti eiusdem Cleri Anglicani indignissima membra, Collegijque Anglo-Duaceni aliquando Alumni, testamur, Nos eiusdem Thomae de Albis Doctrinas suspectas nullo modo approbare, sed ab omnibus, & singulis taliter suspectis, intimis ex praecordijs, penitus abhorrere; In cuins fidem proprijs manibus Nomina subscripsimus.

• William Ogle Arch-Deacon.
• Iohn Mettcalfe.
• Iames Dalton decan: ruralis.
• Robertus Chamber.
• William Meynell.
• Matthew Thimbelbi.
• Thomas Duffield.
• Thomas Sutton.
• Michaël Robinson.
• Gulielmus Salisburius.
• Georgius Cathericke Arch:
• Ioannes Younge.
• Thomas Goodricke.
• Ioannes Iowley.
• Mattheus Chamber.
• Francis Blacstone.
• Ioannes Hardwicke.
• Thomas Faceby.
• Nicolaus Postgarte.
• Christophorus Lawson.

[Page 64]But here is obseruable that one of these zealous Brethren, in the performance of their Pastorall charge, namely Mr. Iohn Mettcalfe, is faln from his subscription; He that afore protested against Mr. Blacloes learning as scandalous, and dissonant to the generall practise of the Catholick Church, now for as much as he is inuested into an Ecclesiasticall dignity extolle's it aboue the clouds, as eminent.

Now Mr. Harrington togeather with others of that faction residing in London, as soon, as they were inform'd, that I had vsed endeuours to obstruct the spreading of Mr. Blacloes Doctri­nes, they complain'd to their Paris friends of the order which my L. Bish. had sent me, and of my proceeding in the execution thereof, which they stiled a clamorous decrying of Mr. Blacloes learning. Here vpon the said friends expostulated with his Lordship, 1^o. as to his order, which they named a condemnation of Mr. Blacloe, and thence inferd, that his said Lordship had vsur­ped vpon our supream Pastours authoritie, since to pronounce sentence of condemnation, is a prerogatiue pertaining thereto. His Lordship replyed as to his own order, that he had not condemned Mr. Blacloe; and indeed a meer order to suppress a book, does not importe a condemnation, taken in the proper sense. Secondly as to my clamorous decrying, his Lordship answer'd, that he neuer gaue me order to cry out against Mr. Blacloes books, there being a great difference between crying out against, and a gentle suppressing: and likewise between suppressing all speech against, and meer suppressing of a booke. Howeuer doubtless if my Lord Bishop were now aliue to peruse other bookes put forth since his Lordship death by Mr. Blacloe, and likewise to read the illustrious Testimony, which he alleages (in his weake Answer to the Vindiciae) of his own Vnimpeachable vertue, and eminent Doctrine giuen him by Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis, and seauen other Chapter-men vnder the name of the London Clergy, doubtles I say his Lord [...]hip Surgeret vt M [...]yses, surgeret vt Phynees, pro domo Dei. At least he would publish against Mr. [Page 65]Blacloe, Pope Lueius 3. (C. Ad abolendam, de Haereticis) his defini­tion, and proceed also against Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. as did the glorious Bishop of Alexandria S. Peter the Martyr against Arrius for fauouring of Milesius, Qui (as attesteth S. Epiph.) sectam dumtaxat fecerat, & non à fide defecerat. My Lord Bish. knew right well to exercise his Episcopall authority, that is, to vse it either in the spirit of loue, and meeknes, or in the Pastorall rod (1. Cor. 4.) vnto the conseruing of his flock: his Lordship knew right well, that it was a necessary requisite vnto a full execution of his charge to resiste prophane notions of wanton schollars euen in their bud or first springing vp. For although to pronounce sentence of condemnation against Teachers of new notions, which contradict Councils, and the generall practise of Gods Church, is the supreme Vniuersall Pastour's prerogatiue: neuertheless the Pastorall staff is not giuen to a particular Bishop in vain. Besides euery particular Bishop, for as much as he is the Chief Spirituall Dog of the suprem Pastour, is bound to barke, and fight against such, as endeauour to hurt his flock. If a wolfe come, and the sheapard's Dog shall not giue warning thereof by barking, of necessity he will be counted guilty of betraying the Sheep vnto the wolfe. The french (as Cicero in one oration relateth) attempted to seise on the Capitol of Rome, and because the watch, or Guard Dogs did not barke vnto giuing notice of their comming, they were brought before the common Court of iustice, and there sentenc'd to haue their things broken. Priests, yea Lay-Catholick's (as to the matter in debate) but Bishops especially, are the Spirituall watch-Dogs of the supreame Pastour: and their office is to barke at and bite wolfes, that go about seeking among the flock of Christ, whom they may deceiue, and deuoure: that is to say, they are bound to speake, teach, and write against singular Doctours of new notions which are wolfes in sheep's cloathing, and such, as to this poynt, shall neglect the duty, that God requireth from them, will receiue their Triall at the high Court of diuine Iustice, [Page 66]vnto being condemned as vnprofitable seruants, to a far greater punishment, then was that of the Capitols watch-Dogs, to wit, To vtter darkenes Mat. 5.

Pag. 30. VVe are mou'd not to disclaime Mr. Blacloes Doctrines, by the example of other bodies, and communities.

If Dr. Ellis &c. would haue follow'd the example of other Bodies, the many great scandals, whereof they now beare the guilt, had been taken away long agoe: Religious orders do not defend, or countenance such of theirs, as vent pernicious Doctrines to the ruine of souls, and the dishonour of their bodyes respectiuely. The society turne out, other Regulars inflict seuere punishments vpon such, as beare the infamous brand of being suspected for heresy, or for any disobedience against the Spirituall, or ciuil Magistrate: Besides Dr. Ellis is not ignorant of our English Benedictin's Zealous proceeding vnto securing, and punishing of that learned man of their order Father [...]ohn Barns as soon, as they were fully acquainted with his wicked designs to broach dangerous Tenets to the destroying of souls. And in­deed that famous man of their order Father Rudicind Barlo himselfe told me, that the securing of the said Father Iohn Barns cost the order 300. l. ster. But D. Ellis &c. contrariwise do bolster vp Mr. Blacloe, obserue his directions in the mana­gement of their affairs, keep constant correspondence with him, receiue his pernicious writings, giue publick Testimony of his vnimpeachable vertue, vnblemisht life, and eminent learning: again haue refused to publish the sea Apostolicks Decrees, which pro­hibited and condemned seuerall books of his, pretending that a condemnation of a book In globo, that is without expressing of particular propositions signifies nothing. Dr. Ellis himselfe told me that they Pope must tell them what in particular they ought to auoide in order to Mr. Blacloes Doctrines: to which I reply'd, that it did not beseem him, to reach the supreme Pastour how to proceed in his Decrees. Besides the custome of con­demning books In globo without censuring particular propositions [Page 67]hath examples in antiquity, as euidently proues the Rescript of diuine Constantinus Emperour sent to Bishops, and lay people of the Empire, which is as follows.

‘VICTOR CONSTANTINVS MAX: AVG: EPISCOPIS, ET POPVLO. CVm Arrius scriptorum & impiorum hominum consuetudinêm imitetur, eandem cum illis ignominiae, & turpitudinis notam merito subire debet. Quemadmodum Porphyrius capitalis pietatis hostis, qui nefarios libros contra Religionem Catholicam seu Christianam edebat, mercedem dignam laboribus recepit, & eiusmodi quidem, vt apud posteriora saecula non ipse solùm maximis probris vexatus fuerit, & turpissima labe infamiae aspersus, verùm etiam impia eius seripta deleta, & penitus extincta; sic etiam visum est Arrium & eius Sectatores Porphyrianos nuncupare, vt quorum secuti sunt mores, eorum etiam nomen habeant. Quin etiam si quod opus ab Arrio scriptum reperiatur, illud eremandum esse. Addit: illud etiam mandamus, vt si quis librum ab Arrio compositum occultasse deprehensus sit, & eum non statim in medium adductum igne combusserit, morte mulctetur, nam mox vt comprehensus fuerit, plectatur capite.’ And indeed the first Council of Nice, as witnesseth Nicephorus l. 8. C. 18. burnt the books of the Arrians: Again the sixt Generall Council condemnd sundry books In globo that is the whole volum's. Furthermore in Bulla coenae & in Indice librorum prohibitorum, Regul. 2. all books written by Hereticks are prohibited and condemned, notwithstanding, that they contain seuerall Catholicke Tenets. Hereby plainely appeares how vnaduisedly Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. obiect against me pag. 33. thus. He would haue vs condemne them (Mr. [Page 68]Blacloes opinions) as he strangely phrases it, in globulo: by which we conceiue he means in the bulke, whence it would follow that we must condemn the Tenets of the Trinity, the Incarnation and all other Mysteries of our faith, all these being found in Mr. Blacloes books, and going in the same Bulke or booke with the rest. But how vnhandsome­ly haue Mr. Ellis &c. set down this obiection, or rather false accusation against me: for I neuer propounded a condemnation; onely aduised a disclaim from Mr. Blacloes pernicious books, which the Court of Rome had prohibited and condemned. Again I neuer mention'd Condemn in globulo, as they strangely and vnaduisedly phrase it. For I said In globo, which signifies In the whole, without expressing particular propositions. Further­more Dr. Ellis &c. will not deny, but that Caluins Institutions are condemned, and not all the Tenets of the Trinity, the In­carnation, and other mysteries, which notwithstanding go in the same Bulke or book: and I doe not see how D. Ellis &c. can pretend inuincible ignorance for an excuse; as to this particular errour. Lastly, whosoeuer shall read all Mr. Blacloe's Bookes, will not find in them all the Mysteries of Our faith, as they (Dr. Ellis &c.) auerre; vnlesse by Our faith, they meane Mr. Blacklo's new Faith.

Pag. 31. 32. As for Mr. Blacloes person we haue known him to be euer of a most vnble'mish't life — His learning all grant to be eminent, which by the common principles of Ciuility, and humanity oblige vs to value him accordingly.

As to Mr. Blacloes most vnblemish't life, and vnimpeachable vertue, which be the glorious Characters giuen him all a long the Encyclicall Epistle, tis euident as to reason; that if the Testi­mony of Dr. Ellis &c. were built vpon truth, Mr. Blacloe would neuer haue writ my Lord Bish. such a Letter, as is afore set down, wherin he calleth a Brother equall to him selfe Lying and periur'd sycophant, a wret'hed sycophant &c. and brand's his Lordship's own selfe with the infamous markes of Paramount Bishop, and domineering wayes. Nor is it, as to reason consonant, that my [Page 69]Lord Bish. a wise, and vertuous Prelate indeed, should in his answer to Mr. Blacloe (if vnimpeachably vertuous) haue put him in mynde of the solemne promise he made at his ordination to giue reuerence and obedience to his Ordinary, and likewise of the Churches prayer read in the ordination of a Bishop: Qui maledixerit tibi, sit ille maledictus, & qui benedixerit tibi, benedictionibus repleatur; And in the close of all wish Mr. Blacloe to call to his remem­brance the words of the Apostle: Maledici regnum Dei non conse­quentur. And to tell him withall, That such reproachfull words, as he vsed in his Letter, did beseem neither Christian nor Priest. Whereby euidently appeares, that the vnimpeachable vertue, and most vnblemish't life, which Dr. Ellis &c. ascribe to Mr. Blacloe were not acknowledged by my Lord Bishop his Spirituall Father, and Superior: Besides his Lordship writ vnto me about a yeare after (the Letter is shewn vnto our Seniors) in those express words: One told me that M. Blacloe's iudgement is much weakned, surely his vertue is. Again Mr. Blacloe is had in greater detestation then euen was Caluin, as is said: and Mr. Blacloe against all equity detaines a Rent charge piously left for the entertainment of a litle community in the Town of Paris, as is said afore; wherefore he can make no good claim to an vnblemisht life.

As to Mr. Blacloes eminent learning in regard whereof Dr. Ellis &c. highly value him; that alone bring's vndeniable eui­dence against his vnimpeachable vertue, and vnblemish't life: for indeed his learning is the Vanity of vanities Eccle. 1^o. in as much as t'is built vpon heathen Philosophy: and Abomination of desolation Mar. 13. because it is destructiue of Religon, and morality, as I shall euidently proue out of a small draught or extract onely, of his vain abominable Tenets, which I haue thought expe­dient to set down (vnto a fulnes of satisfaction in order to all our Brethren, and Lay-Catholicks) vvhich are as follow's

Imprimis Mr. Blacloe as to his learning, is destructiue of Gods [Page 70]omnipotency; for in Musc. vent. 12. n. 6. he denyes, that God has power to produce a flye, that himselfe (Mr. Blacloe) acknowledge's Possible.

Item he is destructiue of the diuine prouidence ascribing thereto (praefa. Chrysaspis) his grosse geometticall errours, togeather with his other prophane nouelties, insinuating to the Reader, that he receiu'd them from Heauen, as opportune requisits to the gouernement of the Church in the present coniuncture of circumstances. Non à me haec hahes (says he vnto the Reader) sed ah eo, qui ex legihus prouidentiae suae ea gubernationi Ecclesiae suae in hoc rerum articulo opportuna & fecit, & vidit.— Quod super est, tibi con­sule (lectorem alloquitur) & ostentum, à caelis ad te delapsum, ne contemnito. From this preface arose the name giuen Mr. Blacloe at Rome, to wit Tremulante, that is, Quaker: in regard he attend's, and pretend's to the Reuelations of phanatick Quakers of these dayes.

Item he is destructiue of the necessary being of the three diuine persons in one God. for l. 1. Inst. pag. 200. he teacheth, that God the Father did not more necessarily beget the 2. Person of the B. Trinity, then he produce's the most contemptible cre­ature in consequence of which, as God might haue been without each contemptible creature, so he might haue been without the 2. Diuine Person.

Item he is extreamely iniurious to the Holy Ghost, for T. 1. p. 278. Inst. sac. he wantonly asserte's, that the words of the Apostles Creed, Conceiu'd of the holy Ghost, ought beare this inter­pretation to wit. Conceiued of the Father, and so excludes the Holy Ghost's concurrence, or cooperation in the Mystery of Incarna­tion, and thereby depriues him of his Chiefe propriety or attribute, as to that worke in order to mans Redemption, notwithstanding that scripture, Councils, and Fathers attribute the Incarnation of the son of God, for as much as it is an Act of greatest loue, vnto the Holy Ghost, who is loue it selfe, and the fountain of all true loue on earth, and in Heauen.

[Page 71]Item he is iniurious to our souiour Christs Humanity for Musc. vent. 15. he teacheth that it is not Ens, nor indiuiduum naturae, which is the heresy of Eut ches.

Item he is iniurious to the diuine piety; because T. 2. Inst. 328. he teacheth that Christ did not die for all men, which is the Doctrine of Caluine 4. Inst. C. 24. and condemned by Pope Innocent the 10. For temerarious, scandalous, impious, derogating from the diuine piety, and hereticall. And indeed S. Iohn the Apostle in his first Epistle 2. Chap. euidently attestes this Catholick truth in these words: He (Christ) is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours onely, but also for the sinnes of the whole world: Whence the Council of Trent ses. 6. Cap. 3. inferreth that not all those for whom Christ dyed haue receiued the benefit of his death; not because they could not, but because they would not cast away their transgressions; reiected the mercifull grace of Christ who will all men to be saued, and come vnto the knowledge of truth, hauing giuen himselfe a ransome for all men 1^o. Ti­moth. 2.

Item his learning is iniurious to Christ's Mother the Virgin Mary, and to all the blessed Saints of God: because he teacheth de med. anima statu, dem. 3. that they haue need of, and that we ought to offer prayers for them; again dem. 9^o. he imprison­nes them all In Atrio, that is in a porch out of Heauen till the generall resurrection: which errour he borrow's of ancient He­retick after the imitation of Luther, and Caluin.

Item he is iniurious to the good souls in Purgatory for as much as, De med. sta. he peruersely, and obstinately denyes their deli­uerance from pains till the generall-Resurrection, which contradicts the Gen. Council of florence, the definitiue Decree of Benedictus 12. and the vniuersall practice of the Catholick Church, that crect's Priuileg'd Altars, offer Masses, and apply suffrages for their speedy releasment as conform vnto the said Council of florence and definitiue sentence of Benedictus 12. and the Churches practice afore.

[Page 72]Item he is iniurious to the Church of God, for as much as he acknowledgeth some errours to haue crept into her, in order to the admistration of Sacraments. And indeed he is so petulantly phanatick, that in his booke intitled Tesserae &c. he auerre's, that though the Church might fall into an errour, neuertheless so falling, and suddenly after returning to the ancient faith the continuation of the same faith shall not be preiudiced, but receiue an encrease of beauty thereby, As a black patch, or spot in venus body, or face (that is his prophane comparison) does render her more comely, and beautifull.

Item he is iniurious to the Church of God; because in his Tabule suffragiales tab. 15. he say's poynt blank, that there neither is, nor can be, a Iudge of Controuersies to determine what is, and what is not of faith.

Item he is iniurious to the supreme Spirituall Gouernour, Christs Vicar the Pope; for in his Booke called Sonus Buccinae Pag. 369. 372. he teacheth his Holines infallibility to be an Arch-heresy, and those that assert it to commit a greater sin, then is the burning of Churches, violating of holy Virgins vpon the Altar, trampling vnder foot the Br. Sacrament, or introducing the Turk or Anti-Christ into Christian Countries; and to proue this his prophan Doctrine in Tab suffrag. p. 251. after his wonted manner he cut's out of his phanatick brain a Reuelation. I did accuse (says he) that opinion (concerning the Popes infallibility) of hereticall vncleannes I could not, nor ought I do less: and if I had not done so, I had been an Anathema from Christ. And in his Monum. Excant. 46. He lais claim to a diuine command that bid him preach so. Wherefore Mr. Blacloe, alias white, shall not be called for the future Thomas Albiorum Tri [...]obantum, but Thomas Albiorum Tremulantum: And indeed he deserue's the Title of the most learned phanatick of his phanatick age.

Item he is most iniurious to suprem temporall Gouernours, or ciuil Magistrates in as much as he teacheth in his book of Obedience and Gouernement 1^o. pag. 133. If a Magistrate hath [Page 73]truly deserūed to be, and is dispossessed, euery one to his power is bound to resist him. Secondly pag. 135. If a Magistrate be innocent, and wrongfully dispossessed — he is obliged absolutely to renounce all right, and claim to Gouernement. Thirdly pag. 147. Any who suffered wrong by a Monarch, when he is dispossess'd — may proceed as if there were no common-wealth by the law, which in a wilderness vvarrant's vs to kill a Tyger, or Robber, that seek's to kill vs, not pretending lavv for our action; but that it is manlike, and rationall.

Item he is iniurious to all Bishops making nothing of essentiall difference between them, and meer Priests, To. 2. Inst. l. 1. lec. 8. he teacheth that either Bishop, or Priest may exercise all Episcopall functions in Countries, where no Ecclesiasticall diuision is made into Bishopticks.

Item he is most iniurious to the holy scripture, for he assertes that is is as ridiculous to seek the decision of controuersies from thence, at to cut with a beetle, or knock with a straw; dial. 2. §. 11. p. 309.

Item all along his works he most petulantly decryes Schoole-Diuines, whose volum's he say's are filled with, or rather the filling, and stuffing it selfe, of intricate trifles, or trifling intri­cacies. Praefa. Inst.

Item he is iniurious to the Canon law, because Monum. pag. 62. he scruple's not to teach that no Canons, that concerne the outward Court of the Church, and sundry Degrees of Eccle­siasticall dignities pertaining thereto, oblige in England; and this opinion asserted by so classicall an Author, as Mr. Blacloe is, purgeth out the leauen of scruples as to our London Chapter-Men's proceedings.

Item he is iniurious without pitty to many wretched sinners. For To. 2. Inst. p. 357. he impiously affirm's, that their is an absolute impossibility for many of them to auoid damnation: and indeed he denies absolutely all sufficient grace To. 1. Inst. pag. 124. though sometymes he grantes it, as giuen onely by God, that man may beare the guilt of sin: which is that man may [Page 74]commit sin. And perhaps he means by wretched sinners, which he called wretched men, Carthusians, Capucins, and other Religious orders. 1^o. because he teacheth To. 2. Ins. pag. 207. that life to be the best requisit to blessednes which enioyes the fulnes of corporall pleasures, and that sinnes (in an other place) are perfections of the soul. Secondly because in his book of Meditations he nameth the vertus of Religious Orders Idioticall, and in his booke of Obed. & Gou. ground 4. he affirmes that Obedience is a vertue onely in case of imperfection: as likewise teacheth that to renounce our vvil, is to renounce our vvits, and manhood, and compares it to the going vpon of all four like a Beast. Malitia excaeeauit cor illius. Pro. 17.

Item he is iniurious to all the Churches Sacraments instituted by Christ himselfe, for as much, as Tom. 2. l. 1^o. Inst. lec. 8. he nameth them certain contracts onely betvveen God, and man without any efficacy as to Sanctifying mans soul. He does not belieue that the Sacramentall water in Baptism that toucheth the body washeth the soul vnto Sanctification of life. Whereby he con­tradictes S. Austin who says. Vnde tanta vis aquae (speaking of Baptism) vt corpus tangat, cor vero abluat.

Item he is an enimy to the Churches Councils, for in his Tabulae suffragiales. Tab. 22. he renders them liable to errour, in as much, as they may (says he) endeuour to make that an article of faith, which was not afore, and by so endeuouring, fall into errour, and press the same errour vpon the whole Church. Be­sides in his Muscarium, (flye-flap) he accuseth the Council of Calcedon (one of the four first generall Councils, which S. Gregory reuerenc'd as the 4. Euangils) to haue erred indeed.

Item he is an enimy to young children, for as much as he teacheth in his Muscar. pag. 49. nu. 2. that liu'd faith, that is, faith working by Charity (whereof young children are not capable) is a necessary requisit to Baptism, which is an heresy of the Anabaptists condemned by the Council of Trent.

[Page 75]Item he is iniurions to Charity it selfe To. 1. Inst. pag. 89. for whereas S. Paul affirmes, that it is infus'd into the soul of man by the Holy Ghost, he teacheth that tis produced by our own actions.

Item he is iniurious to euery man for, in his booke of Gouerne­ment, and Obedience pag. 38. It follovv's not, says he, that I vvrong him (an other man) euen though I do him harme, or seek his ruine, for he is no othervvise to me, then a piece of cloath, or vvood, vvhich I cut and shape after my ovvn vvill fittingly for my vse. They are his express words.

Item he is destructiue of free will, because he teacheth quest. Theolog. §. 9. that our free will is neuet more free, then when it is necessitated.

To these prophane, and wicked Doctrines I should adde many others, censured by the famous ad much renown'd Vniuersity of Do way as hereticall, erroneous, dangerous, scan­dalous, and impious respectiuely, if the censure it selfe, and its gallant vindication were not already spread in our Country: wherefore it shall now suffice to haue set down this smale draught of his exotick, and abominable Tenets, it alone giuing euidence enough of the manifest weaknes that Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. haue shewn by their vnaduised Testimony of his Vnimpeachable vertue, and eminent Learning, and for as much as Mr. Blacloe hath publish'd the said Testimony in the latine tongue to the sight of the world, the Clergy of England will beare the infamous brand to all posterity of being Mr. Blacloes Adherents, and Proselites. And whereas Dr. Ellis &c. be onely 9. Clergy­men and their Testimony goes vnder he name of the London Clergy, it will appeare, that as the Adherents to wicleff stole the seale of the Vniuersity of Oxford, and craftily set it to the Chief Tenets of the said wicliffe, that so the approbation of the vniuer­sity of Oxford might get his learning credit, and credence abroad in Bohemia where it had taken some roott, in like man­ner Dr. Ellis &c. will be thought to haue stoln his Brethrens [Page 76]votes for the same purpose. Our most Rd. Bishop (Cuius memoria in benedictione est) foresaw the great scandals Mr. Blacloe would bring vpon himselfe and his party, for in a Letter dated 6. of Feb. 1654. which his Lordship writ to my selfe (and I haue shewn it to our Seniors) are these express words. I haue not yet seen Mr. Blacloes last book in which as you write there are such horrid speeches against the Popes infallibility, which if it be true, I feare Mr. Blacloe vvill goe yet further for such speeches shew the last disposition to leaue the Pope, and then it will better appeare what kind of Aduersaries you and I haue had.

Now I leaue to the wisedom's of our Brethren to iudge, out of the premises, whether Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. their Testi­mony, which Mr. Blacloe in his weake Answere to the Vinditiae, set's down in these words. De me Cleri Londinatis Encyclica ad Fratres per Vniuersam Angliam Epistola, hoc testimonium continet. Quantum ad Albij (Blacloi) personam attinet, nonimus eam semper vitae irreprehensibilis & exemplaris conuictus fuisse — scientiam ipsius esse eminentem fatentur omnes, quae nos ex legibus naturae & Societatis humanae, cogit ad parem illi aestimationem retribuendam. Whether I say, the said Testimony comming to the Popes notice, his Holines may, as to reason, be mou'd to confirm their Chapter, and giue them their own desires as to a Successour; or whether they may not haue a design to obstruct thereby the good intentions of his Holines in order to a wish'd setlement of Gouernement in our Clergy, that so they may continue as they are in authority? Or whether Dr. Ellis could subscribe vnto such a Testimony with a good conscience, since my selfe and others that I can name haue heard him call Mr. Blacloe an vnhappie man, and since he told a sober learned Brother of ours (whose Letter I haue shewn) & another person of great quality whom I can name, that part of his learning was Damnable. Vir duplex animo inconstans est in omni­bus vijs suis. Iacob. 1. Again whether Catholicks for the future are bound to belieue Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. when they hear them deny their adherence to Mr. Blacloe, and his learning; [Page 77]furthermore whether they are not bound to embrace a learning which they iudge to be eminent, and know likewise the Author of it to be of an vnimpeachable vertue, and of a most vnblemisht life. Furthermore whether Lay-Catholicks may do prudently to leaue the Charities they intend for the reliefe of the Mother-House to be dispos'd according to the instructions which Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. suggest to our Brethren in their Encyclicall Epistle to the great preiudice of the said Mother-House? Sed iussisti Domine, & sic est, vt paena sua sibi sit, omnis in ordinatus animus. Aug. Confess. l. 1^o. c. 12.

Pag. 32. And to wish and pray, that his other works, may be as seruiceable to Gods Church, as those against Hereticks haue been.

Here Dr. Ellis &c. prostrated, offer their humble prayers to Heauen for Mr. Blacloes perseuerance in the pursuance of his eminent learning vnto seruing the Church of God, by resisting of Hereticks. In this heauenly prayer they set down a false supposall, being I am certain, they can produce no euidence to proue that Mr. Blacloe hath composed works, which haue brought aduantages to the Church of God &c. yet when I vse this manner of speech to any of his principall Proselites, instantly Rushworth Dialogues are named, to which I haue and do still reply that those are no works of his; for though he beare the name of Thomas Blacloe, Thomas White, Thomas Anglus, Thomas Albiorum Trinobantum, and Thomas Bolton, neuertheless he was neuer called Mr. Rushworth. Again my selfe knew very well Mr. Rushworth, and that he alone was the true vndoubted Author of those Dialogues (except onely some few blasphemous and exotick propositions respectiuely, inserted therein by Mr. Blacloe) To cleare this busines vnto giuing to Mr Rushworth, what is due to Mr. Rushworth, who when I was but a Philosopher executed the office of Generall Prefect in our Mother-House, a graue, vertuous, and Religious Person, a good Diuine, and much versed in Polemicall Theology, that is [Page 78] In controuersies, and when I was Agent for our Clergy, he wanting a Residence, I procured one for him in the Town of London, where he had the opportunity to conuerse frequently with Mr. Blacloe (who then was in great esteem, and vogue with all our ancient Clergy) and to communicate his conceptions, as to his Dialogues, hauing a great kindnes for him & an opinion of his learning; The said Mr. Rushworth not suruiuing to put forth his Dialogues, and Mr. Blacloe who euen then had conceiu'd prophane nouelties, thinking that the publishing of those Dia­logues (whereof he had a good opinion, as indeed they highly deserued) might proue a fit forerunner for the establishing of his own nouelle Doctrines, he borrowed the Manuscript thereof from Mr. Edward Enderby Nephew to Mr. Rushworth, who is yet aliue, and without his leaue or knowledge printed it, and notwithstanding that in the preface to the said Dialogues, when they were first printed Mr. Blacloe does confess Mr. Rushworth to be the Author thereof, neuertheless Mr. Blacloes friends haue made him the Author vnto giuing credit and esteem to his other writings, Sic vos non vobis mellificatis apes. Mr. Edward Ender by knows this to be true; and a certain knight of great worth, and learning with whom Mr. Rushworth communicated his said Dialogues hath been heard to say (and he is aliue also) that sundry poynts which are in the printed Dialogues were not in the manuscript: which shew's euidently Mr. Blacloes crafty dealing, and the false supposall of Dr. Ellis, &c. that Mr. Blacloes Workes haue been seruiceable to Gods Church, &c.

Pag. 35. As also Dr. Leyb. mou'd to our Dean, and writ to Romè falsely pretending that the greater part of the Clergy would think them­selues happie in hauing a Vicarius Apostolicus, and that onely some few of the Chapter oppose it. Now to receiue such an exterordinary Authority is both against the pleasure of her Ma^tie exprest in her commands to our Agent at Rome not to accept it: against the lawes of our Catholick Ancestors, against the will of our state, and so most dangerous subiecting vs to a Premunire &c.

[Page 79]For the satisfaction of out Brethren in order to this accusa­tion, they may be pleas'd to know 1^o. that Dr. Gage their Agent writ vnto me, that he found his Holines willing to grant vnto vs a Bishop, with the Title of Vicarius Apostolicus, and withall desired me to giue my opinion and sense, as to such a gouernement, which I did accordingly, intimating in my Answer, that I did not doubt, but that all our Brethren (except some Chapter-men) would think themselues happie to be so gouern'd; and am still of that beliefe being assured, that our Clergy formerly de­sired nothing more of his Holines, then to enioye a Spirituall Gouernour inuested with Episcopall authority, as doe the Clergy and Catholicks of Holland. Secondly what Dr. Gage, their Agent, writ vnto me, as to the matter in debate, the same also, he communicated in a Letter to Mr. Car, as himselfe told me, who withall added, that he saw nothing of reason, that should moue our Clergy to reiect so faire an offer: and truly I see no reason wherefore Beggers should be so their own Caruers, as to refuse a considerable Almes or Charity that is presented Gratis. Hereupon I writ vnto Mr. Knightly complaining, that the Chapter wrong'd our Clergy extreamely, for as much as they had refused soe aduantageous a requisit vnto making them happie; Mr. Knightly imparted the contents of my Letter to Dr. Ellis, who to excuse the carriage of that busines, writ vnto me in these words: VVe vvould be content vvith any Bishop, but the Court of Rome vvill giue vs none; Whereby is plainely euidenced, that I writ not to Rome falsely, since the venerable Dean Dr. Ellis writeth: VVe vvould be content vvith any Bishop &c. Whereas Dr. Ellis &c. excep against the Title of Vicarius Apostolicus, as importing an Ecclesiasticall dignity that our most gracious Queen forebid Dr. Gage to accept, for as much, as it is inconsistent with the lawes of our Ancestors, the will of the state, and the good of the subiect, making all men liable to a Praemunire, that adhere vnto it. Now as to this poynt in debate I cannot be easily induced to belieue that our gracious Queen commanded Dr. Gage not to [Page 80]accept of the Popes offer, as to a Vicarius Apostolicus, though there had been iust ground enough for her Ma^tie to haue inter­posed her authority against it; I conceiue that our said gracious Queen, for the extream respect she hath euer shewn towards the sea Apostolick, did onely intimate the inconueniences, that had been inculcated vnto her craftily, as to the admitting of such a Spirituall Gouernour; I say craftily, because Mr. Blacloe had persuaded his pack of Chapter-men to except against the Title of Vicarius Apostolicus, as importing an Authoritie against the ancient Statutes of our Country made about the 13. or 17. yeare of Richard the 2^d. a Catholick Prince, and vnrepealed in part, which statutes Dr. Ellis &c. vnad uisedly call the lawes of their Ancestors, saying Our Ancestors. Also against the state, which were (when this busines was mou'd) Cromwell and his grand Council; likewise against the good of the subiect, whom such a power makes liable to a Praemunire according to the said ancient statutes; This is the sum or substance of what the Chapter inculcated as I imagine, and was pretended to our Brethren outwardly, vnto hindring the making of a Bishop with the Title of Vicarius Apostolicus; whereas, indeed, Mr. Blacloe, and his London Chapter-men's sole motiue of that their proceeding was in regard they apprehended that his Holines might elect a Brother to that office, who should be an enimy to prophane nouelties, and consequently no friend to their wayes. Besides they knew well, that such a Bishop would beare rule ouer the Chapter, and all the Priests of England, and Wales, so that the dominion the Chapter has now, as to gouerning, would be made thereby to signify nothing. This I say, was their sole motiue, wherefore they excepted against a Bishop, with the Title of Vicarius Apostolicus, and will except against any Bishop who­soeuer, if they shall conceiue that he is like to discountenance the London-Chapter-men.

As to the reasons which Dr. Ellis &c. alleadge against a Vicarius Apostolicus, they carrie no weight with them 1^o. because [Page 81]a meer Bishop, a Prouinciall or President of an order, or any Apostolicall Missionary, sent by the Pope into England without the kings leaue, is as much against the ancient statutes of our Country, as a Vicarius Apostolicus, sent without the kings leaue also. Secondly there are no lawes ancient or moderne that will hang a Bishop as Bishop, or a Vicarius Apostolicus as Vicarius Apostolicus, though they be sent into England without the kings leaue; but our moderne lawes will hang each Apostolicall Missionarie that is a natiue if conuicted to be a Priest, or to haue taken orders beyond the seas, though he be but a meer Deacon; whereby tis plain, that the exception against the Popes giuing of a Vicarius Apostolicus, might with more reason be made against his Holines giuing Apostolicall Superiors, and all Apostolicall Missionaries whatsoeuer, because the ancient lawes of Richard the 2^d. vnrepealed are against these for as much as they are sent without the kings leaue: and the moderne lawes of Queen Elizabeth are more seuere against them in as much as they are Priests, and haue taken orders beyond the seas.

Pag. 38. VVe omit for the present to lay open at large his other manifold wranglings, calumnies, and passionate carriages against Dr. Champney, Mr. Hammond, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Southcot, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Gage, Mr. Peterson, Dr. Holden, Mr. Clifford, Mr. Carre, Mr. Fitton, Mr. Manly, Dr. Blundeston, Mr. Green.

Here Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. according to their wonted manner cast aspersions vpon me without proofe, which proues themselues to be slanderers, for as I haue said afore, Accusatio, quae caret probatione, calumnia est. But vnto cleareing my innocency more particularly, I profess sincerely, that as to Dr. Champny, I euer had a great kindnes for him, and a litle while before my departure out of England (in the yeare of Edg-Hill Battle) I procured for him two pensions from two Rt. Hon. Ladyes, one allow'd him 10. l. star. per. an. and the other 50. sh. or 3. l. per an. Besides I had done sundry other ciuilities, and neuer had contest with him. Secondly as to Mr. Hammond the aspersion is so false, that [Page 82]as God best knows I neuer gaue him angry word in all my life. Thirdly as to Mr. Harrington, he and Dr. Holden, were Mr. Blacloes Cheefest Proselites, which was an occasion of a cold correspondence between them, and me: but before Mr. Harrington espous'd Mr. Blacloes pernicious Doctrines, I had procured for him 300. l. star. who afore was not worth 300. groates. Fourthly, as to Mr. Herbert, I was his greatest Benefact our, and extreame­ly lou'd him vpon the scoare of that friendship, which we had contracted in our Mother-House yet told him sundry tymes between him, and me that his adhering to Mr. Blacloe would be the ruine of our Clergy. And dying he left me a legacy, and his old Mother an other. Fiftly, as to Mr. Southcot, I had alwais a great reuerence towards him as the most principall member of our body, and if the supreme prouidence had preseru'd but his life, the scandals which are faln vpon our Clergy had been preuented, for he was a person of great authority with all sort of Catholicks, and to my knowledge had a great dislike of Mr. Blacloe, euer after he refused to recall the approbation afore mentioned: Sixtly as to Mr. Gage, and, Mr. Curtis to them were committed the fruits of Mr. Southcot's and my la­bours, to be managed for the good of our body; I neuer wrongd either of them in all my life to my knowledge; I haue repre­hended Mr. Gage sundry tymes, and gaue him good Counsell, which if he had embraced, he might haue departed out of this world more with his honour then he did. Seauenthly as to Mr. Clifford he is a person of great worth, honour, and vertue, I appeale to him selfe, being he is aliue, whether euer in my life I haue calumniated him, or cast vpon him any one affront as Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis &c. assert in this charge. The others afore mentioned are dead saue Mr. Peterson, and therefore I cannot appeale to them, and if Mr. Peterson, alias Mr. Curtis I haue calumniated, let him proue the calumny, and I will aske him forgiuenes and make reparation to my power, in the mean tyme Conscientia mea non me accusat: eightly as to Mr. Manly who [Page 83]is aliue I sent him a young youth to our Colledge at lisboa for a smal sum at his Aunts Charnock's entreaty, and I neuer wrong'd him more then speaking my mynde plainely vnto him, in order to his countenancing of Mr. Blacloes pernicious learning. Ninthly as to Dr. Blundeston, Requiescat in Pace; I neuer heard that he is his life tyme complaind of my wronging of him: Tis true I haue endeuoured to draw him from Mr. Blacloes wayes of Doctrine. Tenthly as to Mr. Green he has a great kindnes for me, and this Mother-House, for which he hath done more ciuilities then Dr. Ellis, and all the other eight that call themselues vnaduisedly the Church of the English Clergy. Besides Mr. Green is my Benefactour, I haue receiued sundry considerable presents from him, and in his last Letter writ about 20. dayes agoe he signifyes that he hath sent me a new present, which giue euidence enough to proue Dr. Ellis &c. their accusation to be meer calumny to render me odious to all my Brethren. Iussisti Domine & sic est, vt paena sua sibi sit omnis inordinatus animus.

Pag. 38. Nor do vve at present much insist vpon his (D. Leyb.) misgouernement in the Colledge—

We only hint the vnfitnesse of some he hath sent hither not long ago as Missionaries; As (to omit many others) of one who in another Semina­ry was deny'd presentation to Orders, because of his vnsettled brain, and (as we are inform'd) wisht the next day his throat had been cut when he took Orders. Of another, à person in à manner phreneticall, vvho vvithin six or seven months at most, vvas a marryed man, à VViddovver, à Priest and Missionary. The third, of à vvild mad nature, for open Sedition in the house and publick soliciting all the scholars to the VVarres, vvas expell'd the Colledge by him; to vvhom yet, after his expulsion, he sent faculties to come hither as Missionary. He hath novv been half à year in England, yet never officiates not performs any duty belonging to à Priest. VVe onely hint these fevv of many at pre­sent; hoping that the horrour and shame exprest by all vvho hear of it, and reflect hovv sacred the function of à Priest and Apostle is, vvill [Page 84]make him more circumspect for the future; and that these are enough to lee our Brethren see hovv necessary tis to haue à Dean and Chapter, to exa­mine vvho are fit, vvho not, ere they admit them.

In this charge Dr. Ellis &c. to proue my misgouernment, instance in three Missioners which not long agoe I haue sent into England. As to the first I answer', if he had an vnsetled brain, it was more then I knew when I presented him to orders: I was onely entreated by a worthy friend to make him Priest, that he might be sent to Nostre Dame des Vertues, and as God best know's I was not acquainted till after he had receiued orders, that he had weakned his brain by studying too hard, or through scruples, when he liu'd in the Colledge of Rome: howeuer I gaue him entertainment Gratis for about one yeare, and a halfe, before he was presented to holy orders, during which tyme he perform'd the exercises of our House very handsomely at which my selfe was present; and truly he was esteem'd a pious, and vertuous person, and although in regard of the weaknes of his head he wanted strengh to perform the many, and long exercises, which were exacted of such, as the House of Nostre Dame of vertue admitted, and therefore was returnd vnto me again, neuertheless he brought a Testimony of his pious comportement, in so much that I employed him in teaching of Grammar, and figures, for he was a Humanist sufficient enough, desirous to haue more triall of him before he should be sent into the mission; and truly when I was last in England, I made diligent enquiry, as to his comportements, and I could heare nothing reported amiss; and whereas Dr. Ellis &c. publish in print that he wishd his throat had been cut vvhen he took orders, tis not the part of either Priest, or Christian to take away the good name of his Brother vpon a meer As we are inform'd: besides the information (which they do not produce neither) is certainly false, as all this family belieues, hauing heard nothing at any tyme comming from the said Brother that carryed the least sound that way. Tolerabiliores sunt fures, qui vestes, & alia bona nostra diripiunt, quam fures qui famam nostram lacerant. [Page 85]S. Ambros. and indeed a man's good name is priz'd aboue great riches. Pro. 22.

As to the second Missionary Dr. Ellis &c. stile him in a manner phreneticall; although they would not take it well, if any should call them phanatick, for as much as they hauing their itching Eares, do after their own lusts adhere to a master of new notions, which is to be phanaticks indeed, and the said Missionary is in a manner phreneticall onely as they say. It does not beseem per­sons of their call, to sharpen their slandering tongues against a Brother, that deserues great ciuilities from them for many respects: 1^o. he is descended of a noble Catholick family. Secondly he is a Priest, that is, Christ minister. Thirdly he is a Dr. of Phisick, and the scripture bid's vs to do honour vnto Physitians. Eccles. 38.

Whereas Dr. Ellis &c▪ assert that the said Brother vvas within six or seauen Moneths at most, a marryed man, widdower, Priest, and Missionary. They vnaduisedly adde the particles, At most. For if they will make a true computation of the tyme from his wifes death, vntill his going into England, they shall find the space of a whole yeare at least. But this matters not much, since he was legally ordaind; and about the same tyme our Organist's Father vvas a marryed man, widdower, and Priest within tenne Months space. Again I did not present the said party with design to engage him in the mission, nor licenced him to goe into his Country for longer tyme then might be requisit vnto dispatching his affairs, which he had left imperfect. Besides in receiuing of Orders his sole design vvas to auoide the tentations of the vvorld, contenting him selfe with the smal Rents his elder Brother had left him in these Countryes, and setled on our Mother-House in case he should haue no issue. But the true reason vvherefore Dr. Ellis &c. stile him phreneticall, is because he hath signd to a disclaim from Mr. Blacloes pernicious Doc­trines, and indeed some of that pack, as tis signifyed to me, called that vertuous and learned man Father Angelo Prouinciall of the Recollects Madman, because he had publish'd a command to [Page 86]all his Order vnto the detesting of Mr. Blacloes learning, and all the Religious orders of our Country were resolu'd to do the like.

As to the third Missionary Dr. Ellis &c. call him A man of wild mad nature, and say, that he was expelled by me for open sedition. I answer that his fault was not of soe great malice, as to deserue the brand of open sedition; being onely a scandalous disorder committed our of frailty, vvhich vvas not so deadly neither, but that I intended to pardon, and had pardoned him after a fatherly chiding, vvherein my zeale told him, that I would turne him out of the House, to which he replyd, that I durst not, which answer truly mou'd me to vse seuerity aboue my naturall inclination, least it might appeare, that I had vnpresidented my selfe by yeelding to a subjects menacing of me: howeuer I did not expell him the Colledge, but dismiss'd him onely without faculties, and afterwards at the entreaty of all the family in a manner (which did not count him A man of a vvild mad nature) and especially at the intercession of a Rt. Hon. person his friend, and in regard of his own submission, I gaue him faculties; knowing well that he had good abilities. If euery dismission taken in the proper sense might be cald on expulsion, Mr. Iohn Singletons departure from this House might be term'd an expulsion, for his vnquiet Spirit, which before had rebelled against my Predecessour, Blessed Mr. Musket, constrain'd me to dismis him, though I delt more nobly with him, then he hath delt gratefully with his old Mother. Again vpon the same score Mr. Holland the now Secretary of the Chapter his departure from the Colledge of Lisboa might be call'd expulsion, for Mr. Bradford (Gods peace be with him) and others of the said Colledge now aliue, which I charitably entertain'd, told me that his President not liking his proceedings sent him into England.

But now to come more close to Dr. Ellis in order to the charge set down against me, I am able to object more clearly his misgouernement during his Presidentship ouer Lisboa Colledge. 10. [Page 87]he made Mr. Bradford Deacon, though he told him he did did not think that he was come to yeares required by the Churches Canons for the receiuing of that order, and indeed he wanted a competent age, as him selfe hath said, and there are now some in this Colledge that can witnes as much. Besides he dispatch'd him away, whence he came to this Mother-House with intent to receiue the order of Priest-hood, and to com­pleate his studies, and I receiu'd him into our family, where he continued aboue 3. yeares extreamly gratefull to me, and ciuil to euery one, and truly he was a young man of a singular good nature.

Secondly Dr. Ellis made one Mr. Williams Priest in his Logick, and before he heard either Philosophy, or Diuinity sent him into England, and him I receiu'd into our House out of meer compassion, gratis: as likewise afore 4. or 5. others of the said Colledge of Lisboa, onely 50. l. star. being exacted for the entertaining of them all, and Dr. Ellis was engaged to pay the said summe, which notwithstanding he does not satisfy though he hath been often vrg'd to perform his engagement, which he know's in his conscience to be a due debt.

Thirdly Dr. Ellis made Mr. Holland Priest soon after his being receiued into the Church; and before he was grounded either in Scholasticall or Morall Theology came Missionary into England, and for the greate zeale he had shewn at Lisboa towards Mr. Blacloes new notions of Philosophy, and for his readines in writing of English (who had been scribe to the Bishop of Durham afore) he (Mr. Blacloe) cherish'd and employed, and finding him very nimble, wanton, and actiue, as to maintaining, and spreading of his new Doctrines, prefer'd him to be secretary of the Chapter, that so he alone might hold the pensill to represent the scene of affairs to our Country Brethren as he should iudge expedient for the carrying on of Mr. Blacloes designs: and indeed all orders, and intelligences both at home and abroad come from him. Neuer did our ancient Clergy or any other commit [Page 88]so great an errour, as to prefer a young raw Neophite to such a Charge contrary to the express aduise of the Apostle least puffed vp with pride, he fall into the iudgement of the Deuill. 1. Timo. 3. the word Neophite, (which taken in the proper sense signifies such, as are newly baptized) ancient Fathers extend to all such as be newly retired from prophane wayes, (S. Hier. Ep. 83. ad Die. & Dialo. ad Lucif. C. 5.) of whom good triall ought to be taken, before they ought to be preferred to Ecclesiasticall Charges; & either confirm'd by miracle, which occasioned S. Ambrose Ecclesiasticall perferment; or by gallant writings against all prophane nouelties, which caused S. Austin's preferment after his deliuerance from the Manichean Heresy; or by a vertuous and exemplar life togeather with competent learning, which hath exalted sundry of our Nation since the Change of Religion. But Mr. Holland suddenly after he had abiur'd the errours in which he was bred, embraced the prophane nouelties of Mr. Blacloe, whereby appeares plainely, that he hath been preferd vnaduisedly, and indeed, as to him the Apostles Prophe­tick caution is come to pass. From the premises appeares that Dr. Ellis saw a mothe in his Brothers eye, not considering the beame that is in his own eye. Lu. 6.

Pag. 40. But by his (Dr. Leyb.) refusing to ioyn with vs in obtaining one of the six propos'd for a Bishop, and by diuers other passages we omit, he makes the common report, and opinion an euident truth, that he intends to make himselfe our Superiour.—He intends to make himselfe Paramount, vncontrolable &c.

As to my refusing to ioyn &c. perhaps Dr. Ellis &c. hint at Mr. Progers denying to signe the Transactions of the meeting afore mentioned, held 1657. otherwise I know not what is meant hereby, for not any one of them euer required my con­currence, as to the procuring of one or more Bishops; and whereas Mr. Progers refused to subscribe vnto the transactions of the said meeting he had great reason to do so, since the said meeting did not proceed according to the agreement expres'd in [Page 89]his Instructions; besides I gaue Mr. Progers an absolute order not to act any thing, as to that meeting, vnless Mr. Clifford were present at it, whose Counsell togeather with my Lord Abbot Montague his instructions, I wishd him to obserue punctually: wherefore Dr. Ellis &c. after their wonted manner vnaduisedly, haue cast vpon me this particular aspersion: and whereas fur­ther they accuse me in the said charge, as intending to make my selfe Superiour, Paramount, Vncontrolaeble &c. they manifest thereby an extream peruersnes in their violent wayes. Because at my last heing in London, I perceiuing, that they were affraid, least I might come to beare rule ouer them, I assured Dr. Ellis, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Manly, and others of the Chapter, that I had no other ambition then to get them to disclaim from Mr. Blacloes impious Doctrines, to the end our Clergy might recouer the credit, and honour which they had lost both at home, and abroad thereby, and withall protested sincerely in the word of a Christian, and Priest, that vpon this condition of disclaiming, I would be bound to refuse whatsoeuer Superiority, or Iurisdiction his Holines might intend to confer on me in order to them Moreouer I offered with the same asseueration, that I would be obliged likewise, to dispossess my selfe of my Presidentship to make room for some other deseruing member of our Clergy, that may haue better abilities to bring greater aduantages to our Mother-House; and thus much I offer again (for the preseruing of our said Clergy's honour) on the condition afore-mentioned, and shall not faile in the performance of my engagement, or otherwise let me fall in the opinion of all our Brethren, and Lay-Catholicks of England. Moreouer I will be bound to leaue our Mother-House in a better condition then euer it has been in any tyme of my Predecessours. Thus much in Answer to the Encyclicall Epistle (that came to my hands about a moneth agoe) whereunto I was mou'd for sundry pregnant reasons.

10. that I might heale my wounded Innocency with the euidence of truth. Qui lapide feritur quaerit medicum: ictus autem calumniae [Page 90]grauius, quam lapides feriunt. Est enim calumnia claua, & gladius, & iaculum incurabile, vt dixit Salomon: sed his veritas mederi potest, qua ubi negligitur, vulnera accepta acerbiora fiunt. S. Athanas. Apolog. ad Constant. Blows from slandering tongues wound more grieousely, then stones, clubs, swords, or dartes, and truth onely can cure the wounds which they inflict, in so much that truth being ne­glected, the wounds grow wider.

Secondly that so I might lay open the crafty dealings, which Dr. Ellis &c. haue vsed to draw our Brethren vnto an engage­ment with Mr. Blacloe and themselues, which if espoused of necessity will bring vtter ruine: his eminent learning, and their supporting of it, tending that way.

Thirdly, for as much, as I was informd that Dr. Ellis &c. had not onely spread their Encyclicall Epistle amongst our Brethren, but euen amongst lay-Catholicks, and likewise sent it into France, and these Countryes. From Brussels a worthy person writeth vnto me thus. I am very sorry to see the Clergy carryed avvay with Mr. Blacloes vnholsome Doctrines to its great dishonour, and that the Chapter-men in London are so factious, and disunited from many others, as I perceiue by their scandalous Epistle put out in order to your selfe: This Letter I haue communicated to our Se­niors.

Furthly I was mou'd to put forth my Answer for two other reasons, which especially preuail'd with me. The one is, because I am President of the Mother-House, so that the many great affronts, and foul aspersions which the Encyclicall Epistle cast's vpon me, of necessity must reflect, and redound vpon her at least in part; a wicked Husban is a disgrace to his wise though she be good: and indeed my very soul would be swallow'd vp with grief to bear the infamous brand to all posterity of being the first President of the said Mother-House, that should carry the deadly guilt of ambition, faction, sedition, and all mannet of Euills, which the Encyclicall Epistle accuses me of.

The other speciall reason is, because Dr. Ellis &c. in the Ency­clicall [Page 91]Epistle menace our Mother-House for as much as they do couertly stir vp our Brethren to deale with lay-Catholicks in manner afore expres'd. Since they conceiue an impossibility of preuailing with her to deuiate from the wayes of her ancient Gouernours, and the generall practice of Gods Church, they endeuour craftily to make her Children dependent of them. Howeuer I doubt not, but that the supreme prouidence will ouerthrow their inordinate design to her greater honour and Luster; our English Catholicks can neuer be carryed away against their own Spirituall Mother, I say their own Mother, for in Christ Iesus she hath begotten many of their Ancesters through the Gospel. This Colledge that was erected in Doway in the yeare 1568. (and consequently her yeare of lubily is not farre of to the comfort of all her good Children) hath furnish'd the Catholicks of England with Priests and Pastours, which haue ministred the Sacraments, preach'd Christian Doctrine, and sa­crific'd their lifes, vnto conseruing the true faith of Christ amongst them, euen diuers yeares afore any other Colledge or Monastery of English Missionaries was erected. So that this Mother-House is not onely a Seminary of Pastours, that hath sent aboue a Thousand Priests into England, but of Martyrs allo, for as much as about 140. of her Children haue shed their blood in the defence of Catholick Religion. Besides this Mother-House hath had to the number of about 40. Doctours of Diuinity as Dr. Allan the first President, afterwards Cardinall, Stapleton, Bristow Kellison, Stratford, and others, Quorum memoria in benedictione est, which in regard of their famous writings, haue brought many wandring sheepe to the folde of S. Peter. Wherefore this Mother-House being so supported with Pastours Confessours, Martyrs and Doctours (confiding in the prouidence of God, who pro­mised protection to the Citty of Hierusalem for his seruant Dauids sake 4. Reg.) shall I hope stand against all the Assaults of her Aduersaties.

Now, much honored Brethren, tis high tyme to end this vnhappie [Page 92]conflict, (wherein I had not engaged my selfe if it had not been to vindicate my dead Lord our Spirituall Father, and Superior, my owne, and our old Mothers honour and innocency) onely giue me leaue in her name, (whose speaker my office makes me) to present vnto you 4. speciall requests as true Testimonies of her motherly affection, and piety.

First, that the prudent, and wise conduct which her old Children your elder Brothers, and Predecessours haue shewn in the setling and gouerning of our mission; may be vnto you a guiding Card to steer your actions by. The learned writings of her Doctours humbly and soberly deliuered in full conformity to the generall practice of Gods Church, the extream labours of her Pastours carefully exercised, and valiantly endured vnto conuerting of souls, and the bloody sacrifices of her Martyrs piously, and clearefully offered in confirmation of the truth hath sown the seed, that hath preseru'd, continued, and encreas'd Catholick Religion in our Country.

Secondly that our late blessed Bishop, Spirituall Father, and Superior his constant peaching against prophane nouelties, may draw your harts from being carryed away with euery winde of Doctrine. As S. Iohn the Euangelist perpetually exhorted his Children vnto reciprocall Charity commanding them to loue one another; so our most godly Bishop, constantly perswaded his Children vnto an abhorrence of singularity, and nouelty, telling them that these were the marks of an Heretick. The reason that mou'd his Lordship to inculcate this pastorall caution so often, was, because if Pastours entertaine wicked Doctrines, doubtless they will suffer them to take root in their Iurisdictions, or districts in consequence of which, they shall bring many souls to euerlasting ruine.

Thirdly that you will take into your serious considerations the Religious Acts of your two last Deans to wit, Mr. Fitton, and Dr. Daniell, both wise experienc'd men, and great Louers of Mr. Blacloe, who notwithstanding shew'd at last their great [Page 93]dislike of his learning for Mr. Fitton vpon his deaths-Bed de­liuered vp his books to the Inquisitor of Florence telling his Executours, that they were already, or would be condemned: and Dr. Daniel soon after he was elected Dean declared a ne­cessity to disclaime from his learning, and without doubt would haue done so, if he had suruiu'd one halfe yeare longer; and indeed he had ioyn'd with me in a Letter to our Brethren long afore, that press'd them to an vnanimous disclaim both from Mr. Blacloe, and Dr. Holden's learning.

Lastly our old Mothers request is that you will be myndfull of the Counsell which S. Gregory the great our Patron and Apostle of England often inculcated to his flock, that is, Si obedientes fuerimus praepositis, Deus obediet orationibus nostris. For as much as Ioshua was obedient to God, God was obedient to his prayer vnto staying the sun in the middes of Heauen vntill the people of Israel auenged themselues vpon their enimyes: but S. Gregory means not by the particles si obedientes fuerimus praepositis onely the supreme Superiour, that is God alone, but all his vice-gerents vpon earth both spirituall and ciuil, and our old Mothers request is that you giue to all Superiours their duty for there is no Superiority but of God, and whosoeuer resisteth Superiority, resisteth the ordinance of God, and thereby shall receiue to himselfe damnation; wherefore you ought vnder paine of eternall damnation to giue to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and to the Bishop of Rome what is due to him: these being Gods principall Vice-Gerents on earth and your Chiefest Superiours; and Catholick Religion teacheth that obedience of necessity is due to each of them, to the one in order to spirituall, to the other in order to ciuil Matters. He that taketh from Caesar to giue to the Pope, and he that taketh from the Pope to giue to Caesar, they both are abomination to God, whose will is that we giue to all Superiours their duty. Thus hauing presented our old Mothers Requests, I subscribe my selfe