IF my ability were equal to my will, or to the equity of their cause, this Answer would prove satisfactory to your demands. For you ask, Whether the scandalous Reports, and malicious Libels lately vented against the Society, have as much real truth as they seem to carry Gall? And your Motives are why you chuse me to solve your Doubt, (1) because you know I received my education for many years amongst them. (2) And being now actually a profest Religious of an other Order, you conceive, that I shall impart my judgment with less partiality.

In criminal matters, de non apparentibus & non existentibus eadem est ratio; And truly, Sir, to be daily conversant with Persons of all Ages, of all Tempers, in several emergent occasions, (when naturally mens humors start forth) and that these persons should be inwardly corrupted with horrid opinions, and yet ne­ver break out into word or deed, would be an hypo­crisie almost miraculous, and render the Professors of Vertue and Vice indistinguishable.

Must the fashion of such a Gown, or such a Cassock, with the name Jesuite, be the onely marks to notifie such Impostors? Certainly Christ hath set other Sea-marks to avoid these Rocks of perdition, E fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos.

To promote Mental Prayer, the first mark of a Jesuit. That great Instrument of Piety Mental Prayer, which before was as a hidden treasure, cloystered up [Page 2] in Monasteries, is by their industry so universally laid open, that millions of men, who could hardly have been drawn into the outward porches of God's Temple, have by this Soul-refreshing-prayer ended their days in the Holy of Holies.

Consider the Prophesie of Abbot Joachim, cited by the learned Stapleton in testimony of the Society; In­surget una nova Religio sanctissima, quae erit libera & In prompt. Mo­rali in Domini­cam infra Oct. Nat. Dom. textu primo. spiritualis, in qua Romani Pontifices, potiti pace Eccle­siae, se continebunt. Quam Religionem & ordinem Deus super omnes alios diliget, quia perfectio illius vincet omnes alias aliorum Ordinum. How directly this Pre­diction points at the Society, I will not engage with Opposers; but me-thinks the judicious eye of learned Stapleton would never in his application have aimed at the Jesuites, unless the specifical marks intended by the Prophesie were in them visibly apparent. Think but of the multitude of dissolute and carnal persons, who at first either out of curiosity, importunity of friends, or remorse of conscience, have enter'd their spiritual Exercise; and consider how they have return'd like Gold out of the Furnace, become joy to Angels, and high examples of a heavenly reformation. Give glory to God, and let Envy say, Digitus Dei hic est.

That tedious and insiped employment of Cate­chising and Teaching Children, which no wo [...]ldly ho­nor, but much labour and patience attends, is the institution of the Society, nay, the main Pillar that sup­ports the Structure, to the great advancement of Chri­stianity, and confusion of Heresie. In this charge I have known Jesuits, who (after they had laudably performed the chiefest Offices in the Society) have spent with alacrity the remainder of their days. If you turn them out of Schools, shut the doors after, for 'twill then be sadly verifi'd, Parvuli petierunt panem (vitae & disciplinae) & non erat qui daret eis.

This is the Fruit which the Tree bears, and all pas­sengers [Page 3] may behold it, if they please but with a chari­table hand to remove the leaves, and gather thereof.

I am confident since my remembrance, almost a thousand Youths of this Nation have been successively in their Schools; produce of them one sufficient wit­ness that will attest, that he was ever taught opinions either to Neighbour or Magistrate pernicious, or when they laid their souls open for remedy of sins, which youth or folly might have led them unto, whether applyed found those abhominable cases applyed to their souls for cure, or not rather the wine and Oyl of the good Samaritan poured into their wounds.

A substantial part of the English Clergy owe those Talents of learning and vertue, with which they are endued, to the Schools of the S [...]oiety: and the holy Orders of St. Bennet and St. Francis acknowledge a high obligation for many eminent Persons now incor­porated amongst them. Can any body think, that the Jesuits are the monsters that breed all sedition and damnable opinions, and that none of those should rise in judgment against them? But on the contrary, the best Bishops of all Nations require daily their assi­stance; the wisest and holiest of Benedictine Abbots have been their Friends and Founders.

If the Interest of the Society were any thing else but God's honor and glory, or were the Jesuits such self­seekers as some pretend, could it possibly be hidden from such judicious and pierceing eyes? A chief Su­perior of the English Benedictine Congregation, a man deeply learned, who wanted neither opportunity nor judgment to discover fallacies, gave this recommen­dation of the Society to his Subjects, Amicitiam co­latis, P. Rudisindus Barl. in Epist. 3. ad Mona­chos in Aposto­lica Missione laborantes: maxime cum Reverendis Patribus Societatis Jesu, quorum & numerus est in Missione perillustris, & gravi­tas, eruditio, sanctit as ac prudentia tanta, ut merito ab omnibus piis inter praestantissimos Christi Operarios summa cum veneratione censenntur.

[Page 4] Shall now a few persons, that never were in their Colledges (unless in the quality of an invited guest, who, I hope, retain not the bitter leven of an old cor­ruption) be preferr'd before such a Clowd of dome­stick and honorable Witnesses? That Monster of a The unreaso­nable Reasons. Libel, that ravening Wolf, whose passion stript him of the very voice of truth, who had impudence enough to vent falsities of Mr. Simmons and others, when the world was able to shame Crimine ab uno disce omnes. With how much brass must that countenance be cover'd, who could accuse Mr. Simmons of pro­curing at Rome the condemnation of certain Propo­sitions, when there are many in London that can avouch, he employ'd his whole interest to effect the contrary? Never more let the Author set Pen to Pa­per, unless it be to sign his Recantation: He that will commit such blind errors at noon-day, may well stumble in the dark when he rakes the ashes of the dead; who, under the name of Catholick, does blast more fowlly the memory of those dead Persons, than the surviving Records of their Examination.

The straw of F. Garnet weakly urged by the Li­beller might with more humanity have been conclud­ed the sign of God's accepting his repentance, (if guilty) then an argument of the Society's evil dispo­sition, since all know, 'twas a crime detested by him at his execution, by all living now abhorr'd, and by modest Protestants charitably forgotten. Sum up Cook's Rhetorical Hyperboles, and Indepent Conse­quences, and in a juridical Arithmetick, they amount onely to accuse F. Garnet of the knowledge receiv'd in Confession of the intended mischief. But this Au­thor with undigested choler, beyond the officiousness of an Attorney General, charges the very heart with Treason, and impails the whole Society in an heredi­tary guilt. But 'tis to be noted, that this strong and undeniable conclusion must be gathered from straws. [Page 5] Surely in this Pamphlet, the onely Title by which he appears Catholick, is his general calumny. Sanderson in the History of King James says, That 'twas a great affliction to F. Garnet at his Trial, that he should not be inrolled a Martyr. Now grant this supposition to be true, it follows evidently, that he conceived the Society (by whom his Canonization should have been pro­moted) to abhor those traiterous attempts.

With what spirit could he calumniate all foreign Missioners, (nay, a Xauerius is not excluded his Ca­talogue) when the Barbarians upon the account of their sanctly conversation, used them with a civi­lity, that would have confounded the malice of this Author. Certainly the very names of Japonian Mar­tyrs would be so many divine Exorcisms, to expel this spirit of detraction. To pass over many of our English Fathers, that have forsaken the embraces of all worldly content, to spend amongst Savages their days in preach­ing and want, I will onely mention venerable Father White, who would have had more Pagans to testifie his sanctity, then I think this Libeller can ween Believers of his forgeries and scandals. To say, That none goes into that Mission but who are weary of their Colleges, is a proof (for the suggesting which) Bale and Osyander would have thankt him, when was their Task to maintain, that St. Austin the Monk converted the English-Saxons from Bad to Worse, from Pagan Ido­latry to Popish Superstion.

The best prayer and excuse that Charity can imagine, is, Pater, dimitte illis, non enim sciunt quid faciunt.

But the acknowledging in Popes a power of depo­sing Kings, is the crime which arms all loyal hearts against Jesuits; this, this is the Article of faith proper to the Society! for the condemning which, Racks and Laws have been invented: Here is the Jonas, who have caused all the storms of Persecution on Catholicks.

Before we let reason pass sentence upon the Jesuits, [Page 6] these following considerations ought to be weighed.

A Congregation held 1606. and confirmed by their General Claudius Aquaviva, commanded all Subjects of the Society, in vertue of holy obedience, to forbear the teaching, that Popes can depose Princes. By this 'tis evident, that Jesuits conceive this Deposing Power to be no part of their belief: For 'tis an obligation indispensable to all Christians, not onely to believe all Articles of Faith, but also openly to profess them when occasion requires; and no command of any Superior whatsoever can excuse him from being an Apostata, who publickly, or by silence, tacitly denies or refuses to profess any Article, though his inward perswasion be the contrary.

Upon examination we shall find, that this pre­tended Article of Faith shrinks into a Problematical Doctrine, which (having its Full and Wane, according to the Conjunction with States and Persons) must ne­cessarily cause a Schism, if we impute Heresie to the Maintainers either of the Affirmative or negative part; for, as Unity in Faith is the foundation of Com­munion Ecclesiastick, so Heresie is a crime of that high nature, as it denounces ipso facto Separation. Hence the incommodious and circumstantial expression of disavowing the Deposing Power as Heretical, in the Oath of Allegiance, bars not onely Jesuits, but all Catholicks from taking it. When I detest from my heart all opinions offensive to Government, that man­ner of expressing, which adds nothing of security to my Prince, but evidently causes a rent amongst Christi­ans, and cast dirt upon our fore-fathers, ought to be carefully avoided. If I am required to lay down my Arms, 'twould be malice to cast them in so unlucky a posture, as thereby to wound my Neighbour.

Upon the Parricide of Henry the Fourth, the Par­liament of Paris (seeing no Arrest of Theirs could defend the Kings life, against a Villain that will con­temn [Page 7] his own) published a Decree of the Council of Constance, judging the Churches Anathema to be more powerful in deterring Subjects from such wicked attempts, since this retains its full force, when Racks and Wheels, with the corporal death, surceases. Thus speaks the Synod, ss. 15. ‘We have been lately in­formed, that certain erronious opinions are holden, contrary to peace, and good estate of the Common­wealth, viz. That a Tyrant may be lawfully and me­ritoriously taken away, and killed by any Subject or Vassal of his, notwithstanding whatsoever Oath of Fidelity or Allegiance that he hath made to him. Such Doctrine is contrary both to Faith and Man­ners, and whosoever shall hold it pertinaciously are Hereticks, &c.’

He is no Jesuit that will not (if occasion require) seal this Doctrine with his blood; and certainly this Canon is a great defence to all Princes, against Re­bellions and secret Machinations: And when the Pope does depose Princes, (that are foedary to the See of Rome) in the case of Infidelity or Heresie, he utterly Card. Peron. The Oath of Allegiance. disallows the assassination of them; the prayer of the Church being against sudden and unprovided death, but leaves them to the Imperial Laws: As when Bi­shops declare such to be Hereticks, they intermeddle not with sanguinary punishments, but deliver them to the Magistrate.

We see Land held by certain Tenures, does, upon breach of customs or particular covenants, escheat to the Lord: and when the Principalitie of Parma was given by the Pope, 'tis not to be doubted, but that such a Proviso was inserted in the Deed; that in case of Infidelity or Heresie he lost all right thereunto; and that the gift, as also in default of issue, should return to the Donor.

Granado and Navar were made Foedary to the Pope under Julius the Second; Naples sendeth a [Page 8] Palfrey, as a Heriot due to the Church of Rome: The Canaries, Hesperides, and Gorgon Islands, were subjected to the See of Rome, under the chief Rent of 400 Flo. by Lewis of Spain: and of both the Indies, Alexander did reserve the Regalities. Since there are such Princes, who have submitted their Thrones to the Chair of St. Peter; without doubt 'twould be a teme­rarious Oath to forswear in general terms a Deposing Power in the Pope, but to detest it as an Heresie, would be absolutely Schismatical; although to deny the effect of such a Power in England might be done upon prudential grounds; and, I think, there are divers con­siderable reasons which may guard the Assertion against Opposers.

Engubinus. Constantine, in his Dotation of the Church, where many Kingdoms are made Foedaty to the Papacy, England is not nam'd, as if the Emperor would have reserved the place of his nativity from all Temporal subjection whatsoever.

Never by any Act of Parliament was this Nation in Vassallage concerning Temporals to the Pope; but on the contrary, many Laws have been enacted in cutting off incroachments of the Papal Temporal Power: And although some object, that King John did submit his Kingdoms to Innocentius the 3d. yet, the Deed of Conveyance lies so dormant in the Vatican, that it could never be awak'd or produc'd upon any provocation. And Sir Thomas Moor, the just Assertor p. 296. of the Pope's spiritual jurisdiction, denieth, that King John either did or could make England subject to the Pope. Neither is it to be objected, that Peter­pence, or Rome-Scot were Duties, but Alms, for in our antient Authors they are termed, the one, Elemo­spia Regis, the other, Larga benignitas Regis, which truly would be very improper expressions, to signifie a Tribute or marks of Subjection. Hence I gather, that we may conscientiously promise; notwithstanding the [Page 9] Deposing Power the Pope may have over other Princes, yet we will never put in execution the said Power as concerning England, to which all Jesuits by Oath will engage themselves, though the particular Covenants and Agreements of other Nations with the See of Rome, would cause a scruple, to assert the same Proposition in unlimited terms.

As 'tis objected by their Adversaries, that they were banished for this opinion out of France and Venice; so likewise it might be pleaded, that by the same States they have been recall'd: The Magistrate condemning onely to the fire Books of a few Authors, who held forth those dangerous Tenets, and did not (as some do) cast with a poisonous breath the ashes of a burnt Do­ctrine into the faces of the Innocent.

But to gratifie their Adversaries, suppose them all guilty, and that they were required to give satisfaction before their re-admittance; the same assurance of Loyalty will be joyfully given (when demanded) to our present Powers: And I hope, that security of Al­legiance, which fully appeased the jealousies of France and Venice, may prove sufficient for England.

There is no Nation in Christendom keeps a stricter Eye upon the Popes growing Power than France, and yet the Jesuits are no where in greater esteem than there. Henry the 4th. in whose Reign they were ex­pelled the Kingdom, appear'd an earnest Advocate for their re-admission, and in requital of the Jesuits du­tiful affections to him living, he bequeath'd his Royal Heart to them in his last Will and Testament: And his Successors have constantly committed their Souls to the direction of certain Fathers of the Society; and what power and credit they now have at Court, let the Jansenists (who are most sensible thereof) declare.

It must then be concluded, that either the Kings and Ministers of State in France are weak Polititians, to nourish these Serpents in their bosoms; or else we must [Page 10] believe, that the Jesuits are good Citizens, and hold Principles consistent with Loyalty.

The Government of the Society is Monarchical, the Supreme Power residing in the General, all other Officers are constituted by his approbation, and, upon misdemeanors, by him may be displaced; therefore even to be right Jesuits, they must necessarily suck with their education Maxims very agreeable to Monarchy and Regal Power. And may be this very consideration did not a little retard the wary Venetians, from grant­ing so speedy a re-establishment into their Common­wealth, especially the Monarchs of France, Spain, and Germany being their earnest Solicitors.

The Rebels in Bohemia did believe the Jesuits to be of such a Monarchical temper, that they conceived themselves not sufficiently secur'd in their ways, by throwing headlong the Imperial Commissioners out of a high Tower in Prague, unless they had compleated their work by expelling the Jesuits, which they pre­sently performed. Cardinal Richeleu, after the Siege of Rochel, erected there a Colledge of Jesuits, judg­ing that more effectual to contain the Revolters in their due obedience to his Christian Majesty, than any Cittadel or Canons the ultima ratio Regum.

Many are the instances of this nature, not to be comprehended within the limits of a Letter: There­fore I will conclude with the constant practise of the *Alexander. Prince of Parma, who wheresoever he rooted out Rebels, he always planted Jesuits.

The result of this Discouase demonstrates, that law­ful Governors have always found in the hearts of Jesuits a Soveraign Antidot against the poison of Re­bellion, and that Usurpers must send away the Ark, if they will have their Dagon stand. But the Pamphleter shall have his choice, either to be busie in piecing up broken Dagon, or with the Ark return to Israel.

[Page 11] The Actions committed in Queen Elizabeths Reign I will not defend; and if I should accuse the Jesuits to be the onely causes of the Penal Statutes then enacted, all Historians would confute me: Yet this I believe is a great truth, that if the Title of the Queen of Scots (to favour which Cataolicks were suspected, and thence sprung the Sanguinary Laws) were now to be argued, it might be done with more thanks, and less contradiction.

For Queen Mary of England and Queen Elizabeth could not both pretend a Title to the Crown, as right Heirs, unless the Parliament had supplyed a Defect in the one; and whether the power of any Parliament (unless it be a Rump-Parliament) extends so far as to dispose of Crowns, let those whom it may concern, judge.

If the Jesuits were faulty, 'twas but in antedating their Allegiance to the Sacred Family of the Stuarts; and since Hales and voluminous Sir N. B. and many other Protestants did not receive a just punishment for promoting the Title of Suffolk, I see not why the Jesuits may not deserve a commendation, their Trans­gression (if it must be so called) being in the hap­pier extreme. But those that kept the middle and surer way, in defending against Hales and the like Caball, Queen Mary's right in succeeding after Queen Eliza­beth, were Sir Anthony Browne Chief Justice in the Common Pleas, and I. C. (who for his eminent know­ledge was commonly called the Father of the Law) both Catholicks and Friends to the Society. But it may be remembred to the immortal praise of Father Parsons and Father Campian, who procured a mitiga­tion of the Sentence Declaratory of Pius Quintus against Queen Elizabeth, and Pope Gregorie follow­ing declared that The Subjects of England ought to per­form all duties to the Queen notwithstanding the Cen­sures, and whatsoever their inward judgments might [Page 12] be concerning her Title, yet after the Parliament had acknowledged her as lawful Queen, all Civil obedi­ence was most exactly paid. And this may be lookt upon with a gracious eye, that the present State of England owes more to Causin the Jesuit for publishing to the world those deserv'd Encomiums of the Heroick Queen of Scots, then it does to Buchanan (suborn'd by Murrey, and countenanc'd by a domineering Fa­ction then in England) for his defaming and false detections.

Religious persons can appear in no other Arms for the defence of Justice, then in servent prayers and wholsome counsels; these weapons the Jesuits did not want in our late Wars: Their lives they did expose to hazzard in assisting His Majesties Catholick Subjects; and they were waiting to perform their Function with­in the reach of the same shots that depriv'd His Ma­jesty of two most loyal Servants, Collonel Gage and Sir John Smith. Passages acted in private I will not produce. I will onely desire a reflection upon Mr. Wright (who assisted Collonel Gage at his death) when being arraign'd and condemn'd in the time of the Rump-Parliament, for being a Jesuitical Priest; his intimate friendship with Collonel Gage an enemy to the State, was at the Bar violently urg'd against him.

The condition of our present King was so deplora­ble that it did require the immediate hand of God to apply a remedy, all humane industry being at a stand; but their prayers were alwayes imploring Gods mercy on our pressing miseries. And whensoever His Sacred Majesty was pleased to honour their Colledges with His Presence, all dutiful respect did wait on His Royal Person: and they did extend the utmost of their abilities in relieving His needy and sick followers. Surely had Treason and malicious thoughts lodged in their hearts, it might have then appear'd by some dis­dainful [Page 13] action, when no disadvantage could accrew thereby; but on the contrary, it might have been countenanced both abroad and at home.

I have given a glance on all the Times since Jesuits set footing in England, but what proofs can suffici­ently convince their Adversaries, since the Laws have confin'd them to a disguise? Yet here are evident symp­tomes of a healthful body. To frame a right judgment of a Corporation; (1) The persons that unite ought to be lookt into. (2) The course which they hold in their proceedings, must be examined according to the stan­dard of justice. (3) And lastly, there must be an eye on what design their actions terminate. These three quali­ties are highly eminent in the Society. (1) The holiness of its first Institutors God did proclaim to the whole world by Miracles. (2) Their Laws and Rules bind them up in a most strict obedience both to God and Man. (3) The aim of all their labours is the salvation of their owne and their Neighbours Soul. Particulars ought no more to prejudice a whole Body, than a Judas may defame the College of Apostles. Nor is there any understanding so voyd of natural Logick as to con­clude the innocent with the guilty; yet when we re­duce this principle to practise, our passions hurry us with such a violence, that in rooting up the tares we frequently trample down the corn. Censurers ought to be mindful of the Aphorism of St. Ambrose, Saepe in judicando majus est peccatum judicii, quam peccati illius, de quo fuerat judicatum.

Sir, I am afraid in complyance with your com­mands, I have by this weak Defence betray'd the just­ness of their Cause, which no body could have defen­ded better than themselves, if they had not been plea­sed rather Sicut Agnus coram tondente, to endure the sharpness of reviling tongues with a Christian patience: permitting those Libellers as so many murmuring [Page 14] waves to dash themselves against the silent Rock, and vanish, according to our great exemplar Christ, when the witnesses were not sufficient, nor the proofs con­vincing he never opened his mouth to answer malice. Sir, In this Letter you have not only my opinion of them, but also the respects to your self