THough I had nothing from you this weeke, but a notaries Act, yet I must write vnto you. The occa­sion is a word you writ to sir Ken. that F. Hardi­quan thanked you and that monsr Bernardiere was the cause. The which I wonder you should write: for the effect being against the Queens intention, that is our state for the present, you cannot haue deserued thanks if you haue done according to her intention. The which neuertheles I suppose you haue done, both because you haue taken the trust vppon you, and because you are none of those, who think that priuate men vnder pretence of Religion may dis­pose of Kingdomes, the which they doe who think that Ireland must be put in its own hands, and our King to rely upon their faiths. For the Pope, or strangers to order things so I easily conceaue it no inconuenience: But for an English man. I know not how he can do it with mantaining his duty to his country, that is, to God. God hath set diuers degrees in our country, and haueing giuen the charge of gouerning to some eo ipso hath taken it from the rest who are to pro­mote their Religion all they can, vnder and not oppositely to the steerage of the common. This I write to be shewed to mr. Fitton whom when I was in Paris, I found vehement in that kind: and told him then as much, as I write now, [Page 2] but feare I moued him not. Lett him consider that if Ireland be made a souerain, both England and Ireland will be ruined temporally, and England by all probability also in Religion: for both will be engaged in a perpetuall war, and England hardened in heresy by opposition, as we see it hath hapned in Holland. But if the King for despayr, or necessity sub­mitt to the Parliament and all the forces of Scotland & England fal upon Ireland? If the good of Ireland be to keep England in war, are they English men, that shall second this good of theirs? If I apprehend ryghtly, it is an easier matter to sett England ryght, then to putt the Scors out of Ireland: This is to be don by sieges of as strong places as any be in Hol­land, that by a Feild, or two. England helped brings in Ireland: Ireland set vp makes the helping of England more hard. If Religion haue any footing in England, it will be mistres in Ireland, but it may be mistres in Ireland, and haue no footing in England. For loue of God be wise, and lett all helpes march together; for if one draw one way, and others other ways, all will be too little. And if all must go one way, it must be the Queenes way: for fittinger it is we should submit, then shee. you haue my sentiment, and I shall be glad, if you do not like it at lest that you should know what constructions others make.

Annotation. What occasion Dr. Holden gaue for this Letter, I cannot tell: certainly it must be of a very odious nature, otherwise the whole discourse of this Letter is nothing to the purpose: probably Dr. Holden with his vsuall rashnesse gaue some ad [...]ice relating to Ireland, which displeased Mr. Blacklô, who was a Patriot euen vl­tra aras beyond Iustice and without due regard to ryght. Which ap­peared by his booke of obedience and Gouernment: where he pretends the King's ryght to his Crowne to cease, when it cannot bee recouered [Page 3] without disturbance of the Commonalty. Preferring the Peace of a few cittisens before the iust ryght of his King, the Nobility, and a great part of Gentry who were at that time trampled vpon by the meanest of the Commons, in whose fauour he writ that book.

I haue yours of the 3. currant: for which I humbly thank you. we neede not trouble our selues about the vncertanties, and disorders of our Letters, for now that commerce will be at an end: within two days after the next posts arriuall I hope to be gon hence, and then shall make all possible hast to you, possible to so many as I trauell with, 15. or 16. If It seemes that Sir. Kenelme himself, how true soeuer he were to the Blackloistical party, could not escape this man's centsure you vnderstood my way of negociation, you could not dis­like it: and to censure an important action, without know­ing its principles, mr. Blacklow says tis french Leuity. Vpon occasion of your so mutch disliking what I do, I may without vanity say, that more is done for our good in this Court, then could haue been expected and it is enough to go thorough with our businesse: nor is it in their power, you mislike, to hinder it. And what is giuen to them is accounted thrown jnto the riuer, but necessary to make them propitious to permit the worke be done. Cerberus must haue offam, to lett Aenoeas, and other pious souls passe by him. But you will still Leap ouer the stile, A true cen­sure of Dr. Holden's pro­cipitant way of proceeding in all things. This com­plaint is well grounded. before you are at it. Giue me leaue then to say, it were both honesty, and wisedome in those friends you mention c. to forbear [...]ugling vnder bord, to embroyl my businesses when peraduenture I work vppon the same principles, as they, and for many reasons know better then they, how to conduct it dextrously. But nothing serueth their turn, [Page 4] that is not don their ovvn vvay. Remember vvhat I say to you: This is a­kind of Pro­phesy: for jn reality jt hapned as he foretells: as we shall see Letter 46. At the end of my negociation, I shall be ruined (as much as the vvorld can ruin me, which I valevv not a stravv) for doing the iust contrary of vvhat you tax me for. And jn the mean time those from vvhom I shall expect the most correspondence, make my negociation vncomfortable to me by false biases, and foisted cardes. A very vn­gratefull pro­ceeding of Dr. Holden's freinds. Sinc [...] they once thought me fitt to be trusted vvith a businesse, they should haue relyed some vvhat uppon my dexterity in the managing of it, vvho though I be no vvise man, yet they knovv I am not a naturall foole. Neyther should they thinke jt became me att euery time, and to euery person to reueale the secret springs I vvrought by: they should be content to see jt done to their minde jn the end: and jn the meane time permitt me some times, (vvith­out taking alarmes) to looke one vvay, vvhiles I rovved another. But the best js, I care not hovv any body taketh vvhat I haue done, from the hyghest to the lowest; nor vvhat becometh of me, vvhither applauded, or scorned. I am sure I haue done my duty honestly, and vvith some measure of Prudence: and God hath blest me vvith better successe, then at the beginning I could haue hoped: what he hoped for God knows; but jt js certain he succeeded jn no one point of his negociation, nether for the church, nor state: for he nether did the queene's busi­nesse, nor the secular clergy's. He nether got a Bishop, nor the chapter confirmed. He disturbed all English residing jn Rome, disordred all their negociations, troubled the ministers of that Court, Laboured to banish this man, and to affront that. And at last after much time, and many spent jn vain, with the queene's consent, he returned to France, leauing a bad opinion of his Person at Rome and bringing away with him a perfect hatred of the place and court: which he often exprest in virulent termes to many, and was for that sharpely reprehended euen by moderate and ciuil protestants, jn Particular by my Lady Countesse of Denbigh. And I should haue yett had better, jf these ouer wise sticklers for Religion vvould haue beene quiett, for by raysing diffidence, they haue made my conditions the harder, vvhich js all vvell, jf the King assent to them; but jf vve make him blanck at them, we ruine our businesse. And herein js the exercise of reason that giueth Iudgment, not onely vpon good appearing jn one regarde; but omnibus pensatis. But enough of this. I hope to see you shortly.

The Parliament of England hath endeauored to sell some men's estates, but none vvill venture to buy them. It js thought they vvill giue a generall pardon, and so get a round sum of mony by composition, since that they cannot get jt by selling. I heare that the Scots haue deliuered three querys to the Parlament. the first vvhether they jntend to depose the King or no; The 2. vvhether they jntend to settle the crovvn vppon the Prince. The 3. vvhat js the reason that they do not establish Church Gouernment according to the Couenant. The Scots jn Ireland are very vveak, and Preston js novv entred jnto Vlster vvith his army, hauing reduced all to Conough. This is the sum of our nevvs. And novv Iam called vppon to recommend vnto you our humble suit concerning the chap­ter jn England. They cry out on all sides for vvant of superiors: Hence it appeares that none of any side were sa­tisfyed with the settlement of the Chap­ter, otherwise they would not haue been on all sides so clamorous for superiours, as hauing some already. This we shall see confirmed jn the following Letters. Now if the chapter from its begining was not canonicall, how could jt become so after ward [...]? Non firmatur tractu temporis, quod ab jnitio jure non subsistit: Is a Rule of the Law. and none can be made vntill the chapter be setled. 6. Thu [...] vvith my vvonted respects to your noble selfe I cease 21. sept.

This is only to acknowledge the honour you did me by yours of the last of sept. I think you will doe God good seruice, and the King also, jf you can gett the Pope to em­ploy 40 - of our own sailes, Take notice here of the Pragmaticall spirit of this good man, who althô not called to it, must be giueing Directions to the Queene's ministers without, and probably con­trary to her's and the King's orders. for by good managing they will become a fleet for him, and Religion. If you can further pro­cure that he should send such orders, or rather such a man jnto Ireland, that may conserue the peace, and seeke more after the substance then after the outside of Religion your Iourny will be well employed though you obtain no farther. As for my follyes, I sent you half the first part by Mr. Skinner: the second half goeth to back this. The Appendix had been ready also but that a pedler had more monyes then I, and soe a Catechism, that he had to sell at the next fair made my worke stay. There may haue been other motiues for that retardment that the Printer had so much Learning as to see that work contained Errors and so much zeal as to be willing to take any pretence to delay its printing, althô thorough hopes of gain he was un­willing to Lay it quite aside. I hope jt will be ready for my next Letters vnto you▪ soe with my best respects to your self, and your Coronel I rest this 25. of october.

I Haue yours 19. nou. And your hopes of a good successe in our businesse doth beget an assurance of it in Dr. Holden, and my selfe. As for our aduersaryes they obiect the same against vs, which the Parliament obiecteth against Bishops in England, and with as little reason as they doe. And if possi­bilityes of impertinencys may crosse the discipline of the Church, there should be no Chapters, nor Bishops in any part of the world: & if there be more fear of such imper­tinencyes in England, then in any other place, it is because we haue beene abridged of that authority, Here he ownes that our English secular clergy know not how to vse Episco­pal authority, jf they had it amongst them. And jndeed jt appeared so, by the successe of the Late Bishop, whom they engaged jn seuerall con­trouersyes, to the great scandall of catholicks and no lesse danger to Religion. And so per­aduenture may in the begining commit some errours in the managing of jt, but this danger will be the greater, the lon­ger we are depriued of that which we must haue at last and the sooner we haue it, the sooner we shall be acquainted how to vse it without committing the obiected impertinences. Howsoeuer the fear of impertinences be it neuer so great ought not to depriue vs of the thing it self, but rather such caution is to be vsed as may preuent the Impertinences, and yet conserue the authority entire. I doubt not but you haue procured this already. And as for our businesses since you do so kindly accept of the trouble, we shall not acquaint any body with them, but your self, when they are of im­portance, as this is, nether haue we acquainted Mr. skinner with this in particular, nor doth our clergy intend him [Page 8] to be their Agent, although my Lord Bishop hath stiled him such jn his Letter to the Protectour: I suppose he meanes, that he js his Agent. Howsoeuer he expressed a great willing­nesse when he went from hence to jndeauor to procure vs a pension, for our house here, and I could not refuse his cur­tesie, for I haue found jt that the discreetest men are not always the best beggers. But I leaue jt wholy to him self, to do what he pleaseth jn jt as holding jt desperate, yet foo­lish By co [...]uersing with Dr. Holden, something of his censorious spirit did work jn him: Other wise so moderate a man, as Mr. fitton would not haue thus censured Mr. skinner. persons do some times preuaile jn this kind contrary to all expectation. Mr. White goeth to morrow from hence b. This was Mr. Iames skinner, known to some by the name of Bently: a [...]ery orthodox man, and no freind to Blacklôs Noueltys; And for that reason gratefull to the Bishop of Calcedon, a profest enemy to them. towards you he offered him self to assist vs jn procuring an English Bishop. we haue accepted of his curtesy with many thanks, when time shal require jt: but we jntend not to meddle jn that vntill this businesse of the chapter be ouer, nor then nether, vnlesse you do aduise vs to jt. This is the zeale for the Discipline of the Church and that Dignity establisht by Christ our Lord: which they by these words make to depend on the pleasure of a Lay man. No Bishop till the chapter be setled, that he may act nothing but what it shall appoint him. And no Bishop after that settlement, vnlesse sir Kenelme like of is: So here is giuen to Sir Kenelme Digby an authority more then Episcopal, then Archi Episcopal, then Patriarchal, or euen Papal: all these being by the Institu­tion of Christ bound to prouide Bishops, in due time where they are wanting; which here is left to the Determination of a Lay-man. Let the secular clergy boast as they please of their Endeauours to procure a Head to the English Church, & charg amongst their deluded disciples the Regulars with the odium of hindring it, neuer any Re­gular thought that grand affair So indifferent as to be left to the Caprichio of a priuat secularman, nor resolued to haue it stand, or fall by his verdict. you must charg Dr. Holden to send you French news, etc. 14. Dec. your most humble and faithfull seruant Peter Fitton. On the backe: from Mr fitton 14. Dec. 1646. This was Richard White Esquire elder Brother to Mr. Blacklo, who resided long jn Rome. Here we see, who they are that oppose the making of a Bishop: althô they odiously cry out on the Regular Clergy, as the only opposers of jt. It js the Chapter they seeke to get confirmed, and till that be done, [...]ill admit of no Bishop: and haue opposed a Bishop as often as he hath been offred. som [...]times excepting against the Person, sometimes against his Authority, as contrary and cons [...]quently displeas [...]ng to the state. They are jmlued with some principles of Independantisme: vnwilling to obey, after they haue so long commanded, without con­troul of any.

Mr. Fitton's arguments ought to preuail, if the Pope be head of the Church, but not other­wise, for then the next Prouinciall Bishops ought to prouide Hereis a plea­sant condi­tion put: If the Pope be head of the Church; but not otherwise. Is then the Pope's being Head of the Church brought to Iffs, & Ands? Is his supremacy become such a Topicke, as to be made to stand only as an Hypothesis by supposition, which way any impossibility may be sayd with Truth, as Sophists say of this other proposition: if a man flyes he hath wings. what shall we say to the 2. general Council, acknowledging the Pope to preside ouer the Fathers of it as the Head presides euer its Parts? To the Council of Florence in which euen the Greeks acknowledged it. To that of Trent which expressely de­fined it? wither will these men Lead their Followers? vpon what quick sand will they build, haueing rejected the Rock? in what Cock-boat will they sayl, hauing abandoned the ship of S. Peter? To what flock will they ioin, who forsake that of Christ. for their neighbours.

I presume to enclose this in one to my Brother, though it be an answer to yours of the 24. of Dec. because it bea­reth nothing of hast. Idesire you to consider that the notes de Origine m [...]ndi are not a treatise, but an appendix added to shew how Diuinity depends of Philosophy, & so hath all its grounds in the former worke, without memory wherof it is not well vnderstandable. I thought once to haue cited the places of the Institution, but finding it would ha [...]e caused some brouillerie with my printer, I easily declined to the slough­full side. Who shall consider, that nothing conformable to nature hath hitherto beene deliuered of that subiect, will require no ample discourses to make the Project probable. For my expr [...]ssions of your worth, they are far short of what I desired, & could haue done afterwards. But I am a clod of Earth, & feel my self gouerned by fitts & weathers, and what I putt in my preface was the best that occured then. As for Diuinity since the finishing of my Printing, partly expectation of my Brother, and prouiding for him, partly the weakenesse of my head, haue kept me from such con­templations, and I feare will for some time. God knoweth what is best. I send you the catalogue of some more errours then are expressed in Print. I dare not say all, though the Printed were enough to shame vs all, who had care of the Print­ing. God reward you for what you labour for the Clergy: though I do not vnderstand why they desire it.

I pray vpon occation presse my brother to Print.

I haue yours Ian. 7 And as for a Bishop, I think it not conuenient to moue for one vntill our Chapter be confirmed, Here is the reason alleaded Letter 3. l. [...]. Which is of greater consequence. Nor then nether, vntil the times grow better, that we may haue wherewith to mantaine him. Here is a nother reason, why thèy would not haue a Bishop: they haue not meanes to mantaine him: nor can haue, till times grow better. yet Bishops are chiefly necessary in time of Persecution, in ill times, because of the Sacrament of Confir­mation, cheifely necessary in th [...]se times: (still supposed that the Bishops presence be not cause of the persecution) as these same persons often sayd in defence of the Bishop of Chalcedon. Now to refuse one barely vpon the score of lack of main­tenance for him, is so new in the Church, that I defy the whole party, to produce out of Ecclesiasticall Hystory any one President for it. And moreouer it is an affront to the body of English Cathholicks to surmise them vnwilling to make him partaker of their Temporals, who Communicates vnto them spiritual Graces..

I am glad to vnderstand by yours feb. 18. That that busie man VVhat you may haue heard, and from whom, I cannot tell: but sure I am that F. Courtny stayd in Rome after Sir Kenelme's retreate thence and neuer left that place till his dying day. Is commanded to leaue the Citty. It is now no secrete here, for F. Iohn writ it to F. Paul in these termes: F. Courtney is commanded by the Pope to retire himself to Liege, & is banished Rome, at Sir Kenelme his procurement by order from the Queene of England. Yesterday I spoke to my Lord Iermin con­cerning him, & told him what I knew. Mr. Grant is now dispatched, & I hope he will settle all in Ireland, if Ormond proue not false, that is, if he turne not Parlamentiere. Mr. Bennet doth also returne back with particular instruc­tion to my Lord Digby. As for your self I haue giuen Mr. Grant a note to remember to dispose the Irish & the Nuncio according to your desire in your last Letter. The news from Ireland are these: the generall Assembly sits, but as yet hath not publisht any thing: they were at first disunited by the Marquis of Ormond, and Clanrichards, faction: but afterwards by meanes of the Nuncio they were vnited againe Clanrichard is in Dublin, and hath declared himself for Ormond. Where vpon the generall assembly sent a body of horse into Gallaway to plunder all his Tenants, & adherents as they did accordingly, only those excepted, who tooke the oath of Association, & now they are quartered vpon his Lands. I am affrayde Mr. Grant will come too late to disswade Or­mond from adhering to the Parliament, for Ormond writes in his Letter to the Parliament they should dispatch succours to Dublin, with all speede, because he cannot hold out longer then the 10. of March: in the meane time the Irish are sending both Preston and Oneale to besiege Dublin againe. I vnderstand now that Mr. Bennet his Iourny doth not hold, and that my Lord Digby is expected shortly. Dr. Holden will write vnto you how F. Paul bestirrs himself against our chapter, [Page 13] but I beleiue to little purpose. He is affrayde that F. Iohn Father Iohn neuer stirred out of Rome: so Sir Kenelme had as ill successe in procuring his banishment, as that of F. Courtney. will be sent after F. Courtney. Thus with my wonted respects I cease

These are to thanke you for yours of the 25. Of march and for the trouble This trouble was occationed by some copyes of Blacklow's Phylosophy which being sent to Rome were seised on by the Inquisition, which Sir Kenelme labaured to retriue. you haue had for me. I am sorry for your indisposition, which I hope summer will cure. I pray thanke Sir Michel Angelo when you see him for his, & tell him I intended not to deserue soe much honour as he doth me. I p [...]y remember mee al soe to Monsieur Bourgeois Monsr Bourgeois was the Champion of the Iansenists in France, and sent to Rome to defend their Errors, And monsr Duchesne. What you tell of metaphysicks is a long winded businesse. I pray all soe commend me to F. Iohn Points his Prayers. You see he was in Charity with one Regular, and thought his Prayers worth the asking. I doubt not but you will easily answer the Fathers Authorityes, which they can bring, for there is none Thus he rashly pronounces without knowing what was alleadged against him of which will come home. When you giue me notice of S. Basil's, authority in particular, I shall giue you the best account I can. But I feare it not with a like rashnesse he says, he feared not S. Basils authority, althô he knew not what it was. The businesse then in dis­pute, blamed in Mr. Blacklo's Phylosophy, Was whither Accidents could sub­sist without a subject? The Church teaches, they can, this Mr. B. denyed. Against him were produced 1. Council of Constance, which in expresse words con­demned that error, in Wiclef. 2. S. Basil: As appeares by this following paper composed by Dr. Hart, as the inscription on the, backe in Sir Kenelme's hand, proues. My brother hath written to mee, that my booke will not sell in Rome, because of the opinion of the motion of the Earth. Soe that I may not trouble my self with sending the 72, dis­ciples, vnlesse you can putt him in a better way, then he knoweth any. I told him he must get a stationer there to send to his correspondent here to take soe many bookes, as he could vent eitheir vpon ready mony, or vpon a day.

[Page 14] But he despayreth of it. The Iesuits haue beene beaten here alsoe a little: but they will still fall on rheir leggs. My health hath beene soe doubtfull that I resolue as soone as I can gett mony to take some waters, I beliue it will be about Iuly. In the meane while I rest

In Concilio Generali Constantiensi Sess. 8. sub Anathe­mat is interminatione prohibetur ōnibus et singulis Catholicis ne de caetero 45. Articulos Wicleffi vel eorum aliquem audeant publice praedicare, dogmatizare, tenere velquomodo­libet allegare. Nisi ad eorum reprobationem:

Inter hos articulos: numero 2. hábetur: Accidentia pani [...] et vini non manent sine subiecto in sacramento Altaris. [Page 15] Et ne quis dicat hanc censuram non vrgeré, aut premere eos qui dixerunt Impossibile esse Accidentia sine subiecto manere: [...]o quod dicta Censura prolata sit sess. 8. quando nondum erat definita quaestio de Legitimo Pontifice Rom [...]no supremo totius ecclesiae Catholicae Capite, a cuius approbatione decreta Conciliorū firmitatem ac robur habent, sed lis pendebat inter Ioanem XXIII. Gregotium XII. et Benedictum XIII. quis eorum verus ac legitimus Pontifex esset: Sciunt omnes Martinum Quintum in eodem Concilio sess. 45. quae est vltima praedictam Caensurā ac damnatioem approbasse ut videre est in epistola dicti Martini; ad finem concilij.

Neque releuat si quis instet Concilium et Pontificem voluisse tantum reprobare Wiclefum, quod docuerit in Sacramento Altaris post Consecrationem sub speciebus panis et vini manere substantiam panis et uini: quod etiam intendit Lateranense sub Innocentio III. Cap. Firmiter. Trident­inum. Sess. 13. Can. 2. Et Textus. De Consecrat. D. 2. Cap. Species. etc. Nos autem. Vbi damnatur qui dixerit in Sacrosancto Eucharistiae Sacrmēto rēanere substantiā panis et vini vn [...] cum Corpore et Sanguine Christi: et negauerit conuersionem totius substantiae panis et vini in Corpus et Sanguinem Domini manentibus dumtaxat speciebus panis et vini. Ex quibus non colligitur accidentia manere sine omni subiecto, sed solum non esse substantiam panis et vini, in qua, tanquam in subiecto recipiantur:

Hoc inquam, non releuat: nam Pontifex, et Concilium in dicto Constantiensi loco allegato distinguunt duos articulos Wieleffi: et 1. reprobant vnum quo dicit Post Consecrationem manere substantiam panis et vini: Deinde reprobant alterū tanquam Articulum distinctum quo asserit: Accidentia panis et [Page 16] vini non manere sine subiecto in Sacramento Altaris.

Atque haec ex Concilio circa accidentium extra subiectum existentiam in ssmo Eucharistiae Sacramento. Vnde Coni­bricenses expresse dicunt esse conclusionem de fide, de quo Christiano Philosopho dubitare non licet, posse deum conservare accidentia extra subiectum.

Alia possunt afferri testimonia ad probandum accidentia posse extra subiectum existere ac conservari [...] Vnicum adducam ex S. Basilio Hom. 6. De Opere sex dierum. Vbi docet in primâ rerum creatione lucem solia productam fuisse 1. mo die et mansisse tribus diebus sine sub­iecto ac tandem quarto die productum corpus solare, in eoque lucem illam primogeniam positam fuisse.

Verba Auctoris sunt: Tunc (id est primo die) ipsa natura Lucis producta est: Nunc autem (id est quarto die) hoc s [...]li [...] corpus conditum est ut illi primogenitae Luci vehiculum esset. Haec ille. Ac ne quie exiscimaret ipsum nomine Lucis intelligere a­liquam substanriam Lucidam, non qualitatem accidetalem; Addit paulo post: incredibile nemini videatur & a fule obhorrene quod a me dictum est: Aliud nimirum quiddam esse a luce splendorem: aliud item corpus subsidens Luci et subiectuns. Primum enim res onmes a nobis dividi solent in ipsam essentiam suscoptricem, et i [...] eam qua ipsi accidit qualitatem. Vt igitur diversa sunt natura, Albedo (inquam) et corpus dealbatum: sic et ea quae modo dixi­mus, differunt quidem, vnita tamen sunt potentiâ Creatoris. Ita (que) ne mihi dixeris fieri non posse vt lux a corpore solis separetur. Ne (que) enim ego huius a solis corpore separationem mihi ac tibi possibile [...] esse dico: Sed asserendum esse censeo, quae mentis solius agitatione cogitatione (que) (supple a nobis) disparari a se possunt, ea reipsa seiungi facultate Creatoris vtrius (que) natura posse.

Neque dicas S. Basilium eo loco velle tantum Lucem solis differre a sole, sicut vis vstiva ignis differt ab eius splen­dore, et posse divinitus separari, ita vt maneat sol absque Luce: sicut splendor ignis manere potest in igne absque eo [Page 17] quod vrat: deo (vt Scriptura loquitur) intercidente flam­mam. Aliud est autem solem existere sine Luce; aliud Lucem solis existere absque sole vel alio subiecto.

Respondeo. Licet Basilius hoc etiam ibidem asserat nimirum posse solem divinitus tantum separari a luce, in quo distinguit solem a luna, quae etiam naturaliter potest carere luce; tamen asserit etiam aliud; scilicet lucem solis tribus diebus mansisse extra corpus solis sine omni subiecto, vt constat ex verbis paulo ante citatis.

Hoc testimonium Basilij, magni faciendum est. Siqui­dem in concilio Florentino sub Gregorio. IIII. Qucestio circa S. Spiritus processionem a Patre et Filio disputabatur auctoritatibus SS. Patrum, et praesertim Basilij vt vid re est in disputatio nibus Marci Ephesini et Provincialis Lum­bardiae a collatione 14. ad vigesimam. Praeterea S. Thomas. 1. p. q. 66. a. 3. Ait caelum Empireum non posse na­turali ratione investigari, sed poni propter authoritatem Basilij, Bedae, et Strabi. Alia ad hanc rem de Basilio dici possunt.

Ex his patet Wicleffum mentitum esse 2. parte ser­monum, serm. 58. Dum ait esse mendacium scandalosum dicatque ante Innocentium III. nunquam auditum fuisse accidens extra subiectum esse nam Basilius dixit inculcavit­que accidens extra subiectum posse existere, & extitisse. Floruit autem Basilius sub Valente Imp. Anno Christi 360. Innocentius vero tertius anno. 1198. Othone IV. Imperium tenente. Ex Genebrardo in chronicis.

These are to giue you accompt of the Iourney I intend to make, to wit first to the waters of Pougues, which are of vitriol. Thence I intend to see Paris, where if you please to command me any thing, I think the answers of these may find mee. From thence if the wars doe not hinder mee, I think to goe to Doway, whither the President hath inuited mee to pass a uacation. Hee is a very able man, & all things considered peraduenture behind none of our Clergy. He accounteth himself extremely beholding to you, and imputeth it to mee, whō am not as yet guilty, but if occasion serue hereafter I shall be very glad to incurre any obligation for him. My intention is to see whither I can plant any impression Tou see how he Laboured to so [...] D [...]rnel amongst the good Corne in that Feild. How far he preuailed I cannot tell. Dr. Hyde seconded his desi [...]ne and countenanced his Labours; but he soon after dying, Dr. Leybourne his successour weeded those tares out. Amongst the venerable Fa­thers, of the H. Order of S. Bennet, he made one Proselite, but by the Autho­rity of R. F. Rudesin Barlow, and the industry of R. F. Stapleton, then professor of Phylosophy, & since Dr. of Diuinity & worthy President general of the whole congregation that one man was remoued, & that doctrine quite banisht your house. of my doctrine in that colledge for I conceiue it may in time gett a great root, if it were sett constantly on foot therein. Old Mr. Smith passed by, & the good old man gaue mee order to testify his great ob­ligations to you very hartily, & both his company, & all others, who past heer giue extream good reports of your person. But they tell mee, that you would haue a care of my health, haue none of your own. Bee it for the greate paines you take, or as they thinke, that the ayre doth not agree with you. I Leaue here a packet of an hundred copyes to be sent vnto you. The addresse is to your selfe, the recommendation to Mr. Trichett whom my brother and Signor michael Angelo both know. It is your goodnesse, that is cause of your trouble. I doubt it will be a good while before they come. I pray lett Dr. Bacon haue 4. which I promised him. & if my brother desireth any, I must not deny him. Of your self I say nothing, supposing you know you are master of all. Although I think you will not now [Page 19] Think of remouing soe soon (these last news hauing sett new doubts vpon your affayres) yet I shall obserue your order of leauing a bill at my Lodging, & at the Escu de France. I haue no news, but only that Plutark de Placitis Philosophorum L. 3. C. 17. attributeth my opinion It is no news to any, who are conuersant in the workes of ancient Authors, that Blacklo's opinions should be found in them: for they will find them all in those workes: Blacklo only reuiuing antiquated errors, which he exposes as of his own inuentions, suppressing the Authours, from whom he borrowed, or stole them. Now he mentions those, whence he tooke that de Aestu maris to flop the mouths of the Italians, who accused it of Nouelty. de aestu maris to Aristotle, and Galisaeus to one Saleucus a mathematician: which peraduenture will astonish your Ita­lians, who take them for new inuentions. Mr. Bourgous either is not yet passed, or at least called not vpon mee. The Iesuits it seemeth haue been to strong for him euen in Paris It is no great wonder that in the town of Paris so Orthodox & zelous for the Faith of their Ancestors, monsr Bourgeois, who defended all the Errours of Iansenists, and Arnauld, in his booke of Frequent Communion, should be worsted. He had many supporters, & very powerfull Patrones; but Magna ve­ritas & preualet. And the Iesuits hauing in that controuersy Truth, & the God of Truth, & the Church, which is the Pillar of Truth on their side, might easily ouercome him. No more but that I rest

I haue yours Aug. 5. And I am glad that our businesse is in way towards an end: & I do not wonder that monsig­neur Albize, & Padre Hilarione plead against vs, being men alltogether ignorant of the state of our country, & who neuer had their ear [...]es open to any but to our Enemys. I wonder more at P. Luca: but when I consider, that he is a Fryer, A pretty flurre on that whole Holy order. he may be excused. That which doth most asto­nish is the weakeness of their motiues. As first that they should call this an innouation in the Church, I am sure it is not, & for vs in particular it hath been practised amongst vs these 25. yeares. As for the 2. it is no wonder if they repented still the Gouernment they gaue vs, for they neuer gaue vs any Yet they had giuen them two Bishops. that was canonicall, as this is. As for the 3. if they please they may chang the title of Calcedon, and call him the Bishop of England: for my part I see no in­conuenience in it. Howsoeuer the Pope may erect our Chapter, Here againe the Chapter is vvrged; & the Bishop postponed. and giue vs a Bishop, when he thinks it expedient. The 4. is of little force, for not withstanding Card. Millinos actiuenesse in procuring such denials from the congregation, I am sure the congregation did neuer intimate to vs any order to suppresse our Chapter, or any mislike His Holi­nesse and the congregation haue always exprest a mis­like of the Chapter. of it 5. if they are fryghted to offend the English Regulars, they haue no reason to discontent the Clergy, who I am sure will in the end be more able He is ne­ther a Prophet nor son of a Prophet. to do that court seruice, or disseruice then the Regulars can be. And lastly whereas they apprehend danger of making Before long we shall see them nibling at that very thing, or some thing worse. a Patriark it is so chil­dish, that I know not what to say to it: but if any thing can put vs vpon such courses certainly it must be when we find by Experience, no hope of obtaining from that court any request we make, be it neuer so iust. Yet after all this I cannot dispaire of a good successe of our businesse, [Page 21] as long as I consider that our Protecteur, & your self are Actors in it, & so I will passe from it to a matter that con­cernes vs more neerely.

You must know that at last not only the Independents, Here be­gins the treat­ing with the Independants of which much here­after. but the King himself do giue vs solid hopes of a liberty of conscience for Catholicks in England in case that we can but giue security, that our subiection to the Pope shall bring no preiudice to our allegiance towards his Maiesty or that state: it is true the King will not appear in it; but would haue the Army to make it their request vnto him: & so I vn­derstand he hath aduised the Catholicks to treate with the army about it.

The businesse will be to frame an oath of Allegiance (for this it is which the army requireth of vs) & I beleiue we shall do it without aduice from that court, for we haue found by experience so little successe there in any businesse that tends to the good of Catholick Religion, if it be not ioined with their interests there, who proceede vpon princi­ples of Policy, & are oftentimes guided by factious persons, as that we haue little encouragement to hazard the embroyl­ing of a businesse of concernement by putting it in to their hands before it be fully finished. Howsoeuer you may do well to see if you can discouer any vnderhand dealing in that court concerning that businesse, for I doubt not but that the Iesuits, and Benedictins there will be tampering vn­derhand about it, yet I can assure you they will haue little to do with it in England. This cleares Regu­lars from the blame of de­aling with those Rebels, & charges it on the secular clergy, & the chapter Party. You may also of your self take occa­sion to try the pulse of that court, & see how they will relish it if we declare that the doctrine of deposing Princes is no article of faith. To which I suppose, Monsig. Albizi will reply 1. That we are hereticks. 2. That we will nether preach, teach, nor perswade that doctrine. 3. That we will discouer all such as shall preach, teach, or perswade it. 4. That in case the Pope should actually free subiects from their allegiance in England, This all Catholickes, euen Regulars subiects to his Maiesty, will readily signe. we will renounce any such discharge from him. Some such thing as this I suppose [Page 22] will be done, if we cannot get it at a cheaper rate: & so i. nether monsigneur Albizi, nor any can think, the Deposing Power to be an article of Faith: & so could not call any Here­ticks for de­nying it. you may do well to dispose that court to it, but without taking notice as if any such thing were actually on foot; but only by supposing to his Holinesse & others that you conceiue the Independents will in conclusion exact some such thing as this from vs. You may also make aduantage of this businesse to get some thing from the Pope to oblige the Queen, & to keepe the King in a good mind towards vs. Ireland is in a poor case &c. Thus with my wonted respects I cease

Ayant veu celle que vous auéz pris la peine d'escrire a Mon­sieur Fitton, & me trouuant a diné chez Here is a compendium of the three states of Frāce brought on the stage to Iudge of Clergy's go­uernment in England. A Bishop for the clergy: A President for the nobility, & the Doctor for the third state. No wonder, that the Poet, who disposes the farce should make them say, what he please. vn President de mes amis de cette ville, ou il y auoit vn Euesqne & vn Doc­teur de nostre faculté, & leur faisant raport des peines que vous prennés d'obtenir l'establissement de quelque autho­rité chretienne & canonique en Angleterre, ilz se mirent tous a vous louer, & dirent des merueilles de vos beaux talents. Car vous estes cognu de presque tous ceux quy estoyent a table. Et comme le leurs ay conté quil y a plus de vingt ans de ma cognoissame quil y a en Angleterre plus de six cent pretres seculiers, & trois au quatre cent Reli­gieux, & beaucoup de milliers des Catholiques laiques, & [Page 23] tout cela sans Euesque, sans authorité, sans superiorité, sans subordination, sans gonuernement, This is false: for within those twenty yeares there were two Bishops: the later was then actually aliue, & had his vicar Generall, in England: besides other subordinate offices. And the Chapter was then in Being: whose authority they recommended to those who depend on them, at the same time, that in corners they own it to be nothing. chacun dit, chacun fait ce qu [...]il luy plaist, viuants pelle melle sans ordre, & sans regime & qú'auec toutes les supplications, & toutes les solicitations, que nous auons peu faire en court de Rome, pour auoir quelque authorité, & quelque Iurisdiction ca­nonique nous n'auons Iamais sçeu rien obtenir, & que vous meme y trouuéz des difficultés insuperables. Le Pre­sident dit en cholere tout haut, The case hauing been so ill stated, no greate wonder the Gentleman should dislike the Procee­dings. Yet such words as these relish more of Dr. Holden's spirit & passionate heate then of a President of the Parlament of Paris. Here is an embrio of schisme which the faction hath euer since beene licking into some shape. Ces bougres d' Athées veul­lent ilz encore perdre ce peu qui reste de Religion en Angleterre? nous sommes heureux de n'estre suiets au maudites maximes de ceste court simonique & infame. Et le Prelat me diti Monsieur vous deuéz vous addresser au Clergè de France, c. ayant prealablement faitre­soudre la question en sorborme, que cela se peut, & se doit faire. Ie vous asseure, Monsieur, cette Procedée dela Court de Rome fait crier vangeançe a tout le monde, & ruine l'au­thorite Papalle. C'est peu de choses quela confirmation de nostre The confirma­tion of such a Chapter as that of England is of so vast consequence, that it can neuer be hoped for by any wise man. chapitre, vous nous deuez faire donner quatre ou çing How vnconstant these men are in their de­sires. Sometimes no Bishop, till they can mantain him; new nothing but four or fiue will content them: sometimes they solicite them from France; now Sir Ke­nelme must procure them from Rome: sometimes they must haue titles in Par­tibus; now their titles must be English. And still clamors against Rome for not cond [...]scending to euery request, whilest these men blame to day what they demanded earnestly yesterday, & will to morrow condemne, what they solicite for to day: proceeding with their spirituall superiours, the Pope, as the sectarys at the same­time did with their Temporall superiour, the King Petitioning for what they please, & resolued before hand to be dissatisfyed with the Answer, whither it were a Grant, or a Refusall. euesques titulairs du Pais, que pourroyent gou­uerner leurs Eglises selon l'institution de Iesus Christ, & l'ordre du droit. Iesuis resolu de voir ce qui dirá nostre faculté a ceste question, que Ie vous enuoye cy iointe, car iamais il ny auoit tant d'apparence de liberté pour les Ca­tholiques en Angleterre qù asteure, & il est par trop insup­portable de viure tousiours soubs vn ioug si pesant, & dans vn desordre si effroyable: nous resemblons plustost ala con­fusion du synagoge de Caluin, (deest aliquid) a l'vnion de l'Eglise Catholique. How the secular clergy will like this description of their state from one of their cheife Brethren, I cannot tell: but should any Regular haue made it, he would haue heard of it with both his eares. En fin vous sçauéz que extremis malis extrema remedia, ce que vous ne pouues effectuer a Rome, l'espere le faire a Paris, ou Ie seray en attendant vostre retour, plus que Iamais

Quaeritur an supposito quod sumus Pontifex respueret vel a. The Bar­barisines, & solecisines contained in this writing, shew its Authour, who could neuer write fiue Lines without, them, as these who knew him very well assure. negligeret Catholicos Angliae, 1. e. numeroso fidelium Anglorum gregl Episcopos prouidere, quodque iam per multorum annorum spacium exhibitis in hunc finem sedi Apostolicae infinitis propemodum supplicationibus, & va­riorum prestitis nunciorum sollicitationibus, dirâ constaret [Page 25] experientia, liceat ne sexcentum & amplius Sacerdotibus saecu laribus, & millium aliquot Catholicis Laicis omni superio­ritate iurisdictione Let the secular clergy take notice what opinion this man had of their Bi­shop, & Chapter, to which they exact obedi­ence from others. Regimine privatis vicinos Galliarum Epis­copos appellare, ac deprecari, vt iuxta Conciliorum & Ca­nonum decreta, acephalis sibi, ac perturbatis & incomposi­tis Episcopos providere dignentur.

Hanc ego proponam quaestionem facultati nostrae, cui haud ignoro quam mihi datura responsionem. Nempe appellationem licitam esse, & Episcopos Normanniae tanquam vicinioris provinciae posse ac teneri iure Canonico, & chari­tatis praecepto acephalis hisce, & incompositis Presbiterorum & fidelium Laicorum numerosis turmis Episcopos providere.

Hoc facile praestabit, cum saepius sese obtulerit Ar­chiepiscopus His Grace neuer would do any such thing: he was cleare-syght­ed enough to see the consequence of such an attempt, so contrary to the Practice of the Church. Rhotomagensis. Effectum verò sustentabit par­liame [...]tum He reckned without his host here: the Parliment's intentions were far from so much kindnesse f [...]r any Bishops, or Papists, sufficiently appeared by the following persecutions in which the s [...]cular Clergy, notwithstanding their humble Applications to it, found little more fauour, then the Regulars, who did not bend their knees to that Baal Angliae. Quibus si quis restiterit, non Reli­gionis; sed factionis causà puniendum, & ablegandum esse iudicabitur.

On the Backe: Dr Holden's question with his Letter of the 30. Aug. 1647. c. The concealing of the Answer of the faculty if the question was euer proposed. & that no effect followed it. shews that it was far different, from what he promist himselfe so considently. f. Catholicks may here see, what meeke men they are like to find the Blackloist faction, if they [...]et Power, or credit with those who haue it. Here is Punishment, and Banishment, designed for all, who should not haue ac­knowledged that illegall, & vncanonicall Gouernment. And to bereaue those Catholicks of the Comfort of suffring for their Conscience, (althô that alone should moue th [...]m to refuse to adore those Idols) they should be banisht not for Religion but for Faction. VVhich is so fit a description of what Catholicks haue of late suffred, that we may think the contriuers of the Persecution took their Idea from this man. VVhich coniecture will be more confirmed, out of Larger explication of this design, in Dr. Holden's Instruction.

I haue yours of the 12. of the last which came to me a week too late, for had it come before I sent you my Latin Ques­tion, & my French Letter, I should sure haue written in a strang stile. It could scarce be in a stranger stile, then this is. Vppon the Proposition of an Oath of Allegiance in England Mr. VVhite, i. e. Blacklow, & I met at Mr. Fitton's to whom we proposed the Oath of the Dialogue or discours you mention: but he like a Roman could not digest it: we stood so strongly for the Iustice of the cause, that we declared no less should be offred, & so nothing is don. In the interim in England my Lord Brudenall the cheife Actor with the Army in this businesse, and who consults only with Iesuits, & Mr. Montagu whose zeal & phansy is stronger then his knowledg in this case, hauing discussed the businesse, & maturely considered all things, are sending or haue sent to Rome, for his Holinesse Very ele­gant, acute, and witty. Bulls to beget English Calues. I am so mad at them, that I am going back to my hermitage, that I may hear of such fooles, and factious fellows These Noble men are much obliged to him, for his character of them. no more. I hope to be 15 days [Page 27] absent, & by that time I hope my choller will be appeased. I could find in my hart to go streyght to the Independents Army, and make them demand He pre­sumes very much on his credit with the Indepen­dants. what either the Catholicks should perform, or els be banisht for Traitors; not for Re­ligion. And the very truth is, Sir, that could I perswade my self the Independents would settle the Kingdome, I would haue been in England ere this, I should either vnite the foo­lish Catholicks, More dis­couerys of h [...]s kindnesse to Catholicks: before he would haue them banisht; now hanged: if they did not submit to his dictamens. It is well the Cursed cow had short hornes. or hang them; but I can not imagin that England must be setled This vn­setled condi­tion of the Nation saued the Catholicks from the storm, with which this blustring man threatened them. The Clergy is much obliged to you, for your honourable opinion of them. thus. The Presbiterians may make head, the Independants may be diuided, & many other things may be which I fore see not, I can only confesse my igno­rance. Mr Fitton will be more carefull of his correspondence hereafter, but I would haue you come away, vnlesse you can get a subsistance there, for our Clergy is not worthy I neuer heard of any that Dr. Holden wrought vnlesse it were that writing, & talking at the rate we see here, none should haue returned his civilitys in some way proportionable. the paines you take for them: nor will neuer dare go to the close stool without a Breue from Rome. I told you in my last, I wished you in England, there you myght do good indeed, & if euer the Catholicks haue wit to make themselues consi­derable, now is the time. But Preston in Ireland & Sir Iohn Cansfeld in Rome will neuer work g. miracles. I suppose its Dr. Leybourne Dr. Leybourn is very much in the books of the Blackloists: we shall hereafter find it; & haue occasion to wonder they should treat in such a manner a worthy man, & a Brother. puts Cansfeld on. I was going about to re­print the dialogue with the Petition, & Protestation of Fi­delity, but there's no good to be don where the Instruments haue such maleuolcus, or malignant influences into a bu­sinesse. There's no mony to be got any where, nether out of England, nor in France. Here's a letter from your son as I beleiue. The secrets sentiers dellamour de Dieu, shall be bought because this is the third time you haue written for them. Here's Mr. Fitton's Letter which will tell you all news. A dieu this 6. of September.

I haue yours of Aug. 19. And as for our businesse I doe now in a manner giue it ouer for desperate. The truth of it is I do wonder at that court, & I do not vnderstand it, if we would make as little account of our duty towards that court, as they do of Iustice towards vs, I assure you we haue at this present an occasion offred vs to giue them as deep a wound, as they do vs, if we will but ioin with the Independents It seemes all of that gang had great Confidence in the kindnesse of the Rebels. & vse their assistance, to vindicate our s [...]lues; & yet we need to do no more, then what shall be most iustifiable in conscience. Besides I am certain at this present that if we will, it is in our power to thrust the Ie­suits It seemes the Iesuits were not so much in the fauour of those Rebels. and I easily beleiue [...]. Yet I shall nether enqui­re what in­troduced the secular Clergy, nor ex­cluded the Regular from that fauour. out of England. What we shall do, or attempt I know not, only this you may assure his Hol. That if what we haue so long desired be now at last denyed vs, I beleiue we shall haue little commerce To deny communication, or commerce with any Person or Church, was the old forme of Excomunication, & when betwixt two churches it was a schism. This is threatned here because he says they resolued to haue little commerce with Rome: not declared because they would retain some. How conscionable this is I need not to say, much lesse how far from Piety. The hing speakes of it selfe. hereafter with that court: but relying uppon the Iustice of our cause, we shall seek to redresse our selues the best way we can, & I hope we shall not be blamed, if we chance to set certaine questions on foot Hinc illae Lachrimae. This is the root of all those Exotick opinions concerning Purgatory, Indulgences, the Pope's Authority, the Oaths, &c, which haue been set on foot, & asserted with great boldnesse by the Secular Clergy of late, & almost euer since this ti [...]e. I wish all who hear them aduance such Noueltys, knew, that when they plead for their truth all their reasons are Non causa pro causà: for the tru & only reason is that they are offended with the Pope: & doe not intend to asserta Truth; but to satisfy their Passion. which the Diuines on this side of the Alpes do hold may be disputed without breach of vnity of the Church. But now to other businesse. The proposition of the oath [Page 29] goeth on This is a Flea put in his Holinesse eare, with design to allarme him: Yet I neuer heard his H. was moued there with. & seuerall ones are already framed by vs. If his Hol [...] chance to take it ill that we doe not aduertise him, of what we are doing in this kind, as I suppose the Iesuits, & others do, you may tell him, that we haue no encour­agement to deal with that court in any thing, considering how they haue dealt with vs vpon all occasions euer since the beginning of this schisme. Howsoeuer let him not feare that we shall do any thing, but what shall be approued of by Learned & Catholick Diuines. I easily belieue Mr. Fitton was really perswaded of what he here writes other­wise he would haue detested the whole, for which he pleads, whose persons he Loued; but much more the Church. Yet certainly the sequele hath proued, that there was ground to fear they would teach such doctrines, as no Catholick Diuine euer taught Viz, that of Purgatory. Catholick Doctrine is like an Arch of which each part hath both a connexion with, & a dependance on all the rest: & no one can be remoued without the fall of the whole, nor loosned, without shaking all. I am perswaded that scarce any of the Heresia [...]kes foresaw all the Errours, they breached at last▪ they thought onely some particular Truth, which they thought saluâ Fidei Com­page, myght be denyed. Then by naturall consequence they were brought to question other Points, till little was left vnstirred. So seditious men seldome propose open Rebellion, & a totall dissolution of the Gouernment, at the begining of their commotions. They design to be free from some inconuenience, eased of some burthen, redressed in some either real or pretended wrong: but when they are once engaged, they knew not how to withdraw, nor where to stop, & so are perswaded to perseuere, & defend one seditious Action by another..

My Lord Brion is newly com out of Ireland &c.

I thought to haue been in my solitude ere this, but I haue differred it vntill munday Labouring to think of some meanes how to free our foolish English Catholicks Marke the opinion this good man hath of the Catholicks of the whole Nation. not only from losing that liberty which they were neuer in such hopes of since Queene Mary's days, but from that ruin, which they will run into for want of a little wit, or knowledge. Had you been in these parts some weekes a goe that you myght be in London now whateuer become of businesse, The busi­nesse, he speakes of, & desires he had neglected, other he had vndertaken them, were those of the King, & Kingdome, recommended to him, by the Queene, which he th [...] promoted (with what earnestnesse is easily ima­gined) [...] Rome. you would easi­ly haue layd such grounds, as that an vnspeakable good to Ca­tholicks would follow in time, though not presently. And truly could I perswade my self that the Independants would be able to settle the state, I would be in London within 10. days. I suppose Mr. Fitton will tell you that now Mr. Haggerston is dead, Mr. Brudenell the elder, Mr. Smith, &c, are our Agents sent down to the Army. I cannot read with pa­tience the Letters our friends write. My former to you will [Page 31] fitt the subiect you write of to Mr. Fitton, & if the Inde­pendants doe continue to second vs I feare not but Rome will content vs, if not we shall find satisfaction else where. They build very much vppon their Credit with Indepen­dants which what a quick­sand it was, did appeare soon. I here send you a sheete, This sheete neuer fell into my hands: so what it con­tained I know not. But the In­structions. follow this Letter. I haue caused to be printed, whereof I haue sent some copyes into England with those Instructions in writing which I here send you also; you know how secret all this must be. These I haue sent will I hope come to Parliament men's hands. I conceiue you may freely giue out the Independants By the effects we may guesse at the intenti [...]n of the Independants better then by their words. intend vs an absolute tolleration, & that they declare themselues already, & that they will let Catholicks haue their Bishops, & the rather to counterpoint the Protestant Bishops, & therefore desire they may be titular of the Kingdome: that lesse then six will not be sufficient in England. Which if you make any stay there, & that the Independants goe, & that the Pope will doe what he cannot refuse, or what at least must be don without him, I shall easily specify here after the Bishopricks which are to be de­sired, Here the good man takes vpon him by Authority Patriarchal, & Hyper-Pa­triarkal to dispose the whole Gouernment of the Catholicks to name Bishops, assigne them their Residences, diuide their Dioceses prescribe their limits, de­termin their Authority, & restraine their Power. By whose Commission doth he this? with the shires of other Bishoprickes, which are to be annexed vnto them de presenti with the names of those, who are fittest to be promoted. This you see I haue already complotted the whole busines in my idle Brain. But as soon as I get into the forest of Beaumo [...]t, I shall forget all these thoughts. I haue gott les secrets fentiers &c, but the Anatomia Animae is not to be found here. I should wish you to g [...]tt such a Breue as you gott for Madame de Chamberge, that is le­aue to enter into the monastery of Saint Marie au Fa [...]bouig some times a year with one companion for Domina Lucia de­la Roche foucault vid [...]a Domini de T [...]uruille, Domina adhono [...]s Illustrissima Principis de Conde, &c. But I feare it will not be worth the labour: it is Mrs M [...]. G [...]rbier puts me on. What will become of her two sisters, I cannot tell you as yet. Here's one, from England, I know not from whom. I would you, & I were both of vs there, though I know not as yet what effect the best endeauours would haue. Iohn Lee is newly come to London, & he hath vndon me by his too long absence. [Page 32] I feare that Frere, & Bee the booke binders will cosen me of Mr. VVhite's bookes, because Iohn Lee was so long absent, & the bookes were out of my hands, before I knew that they make difficultyes to pay me. Here's one from your Son. I am iust now called vpon to goe into the town & there­fore Adieu.

If it shall please the Parliament to suffer the Roman Catho­licks to liue amongst them with liberty, & freedome lett it likewise please them to take this aduice from a Roman Catholick for their greater & better security.

First Let no foreigne King or state intercede for them, nor meddle in the compounding of businesses for Catholicks; but let the Catholicks see the Parliament giues them freedome meerely out of their own disposition, and good will towards them.

Secondly By what Authority doth he pro­pose this Oath, vnder paine of Banish­ment? Lett this Oath sent her with in print be vniuersally taken by all Catholicks of what profession so­euer. [Page 33] And if there shall be found any one Ecclesiasticall or Secular, Religious or Lay who should refuse it Let him be desired to withdraw himself out of the Kingdom as an vnfit member of the Common wealth, as things now stand. Thirdly let the Catholicks haue, or rather oblige them to haue six or eyght Bishops more or lesse by whom they may be gouerned. Lett the Bishops be titulars of the Kingdom, causeing them to renounce, expressely by Oath all rents, reuenues, & temporalityes belonging to those Bishops. By the first part of this clause th [...]se Bishops will be suffi­ciently Independent How can hauing titles in the King­dome, make them Inde­pendant on Rome, se­ing all Bi­shops here­tofore were dependant, althô titulars in it? of the Pope, which otherwise they can­not be; & by the second all suspition of pretending to or hindring from the disposall of those Bishopricks, or Bishops estates will be taken away.

These Bishops will be (as all other ordinary Bishops are) in the beleife of all Catholicks successers to the Apostles, hauing authority immediatly Can yours, or the Par­liaments nomination make their Authority, [...]e immedi­atly receiued from Christ; & not the nomination of the Pope▪ from Christ Iesus himself, & consequently independant of all other spirituall power, euen of the Pope himself. For though all Bishops are bound to ac­knowledge the Pope their head or the ch [...]ife Paster, yet he can­not impose any speciall command vpon them of what nature soeuer vnlesse both they, & the common wealth in which they liue doe think it fit. And this hath been the practice heretofore in Catholicke times in England, is now in France, & in all other Catholicke states & Kingdomes.

Let all clergy or Ecclesiasticall men, be they secu­lar or Regular depend Here is another iniu [...]ction contra [...]y to the Canons of the Catho­lick Church, imposed vnder pain of Ba­nishment. on these [...]shops, & make them renounce d. all immediate dependence of any other whom­soeuer out of the Kingdom. And this because diuers Regu­lars pretend to be exempted by the Pope from all ordinary Episcopall power, & Iurisdiction & to [...]e immediatly subiect to the Pope, or the C [...]all of their order [...]n, & of a for­rain nation. Wherefore lett all Preists both s [...]cular & Regular take an Oath, & oblige themselves thereby not to exercise [...]y Eccles [...]asticall Function, or any spirituall authority, or Iuris­diction, [Page 34] but by the leaue & as deriued from the sayd Bishops. Which whosoeuer shal withstand, or sh [...]l pretend to depend immediatly of any foreign Prelat or power what­soeuer, lett him, or them be wished to with draw themselues out of the Kingdom, as vnfit members of the common wealth, as now things stand.

All the lay Catholicks of the Kingdom (according to the beleife of all Catholickes) will be truly, & by Christ's institution VVhere did Christ ordain, that all Lay Catholicks be sabiect to Bishops not canoni­cally male; but nominated by such a Pragmatical Man, as this is? & con­firmed by a Rebellious Parliament? subiect to these Bishops in all spirituall things, & consequently these Bishops may be in some sort made an­swerable VVhat Law can oblige a Bishop to answer for all the Crimes of his subiects, vnlesse they are chargeable on him, for hauing commanded, counselled, or abetted them, or that they are Committed through his negligence of his function? what Country euer Called Bishops, or any other superiours to account for the faults of their subiects, except on those scores? for all their subiects Crimes (if any should happen) against the state. And Least these Bishops should extend their spirituall authority Here he takes vpon him to restrain that spiritual Authority of the Bi­shops, which before he taught was independant of the Pope, & not restrainable by him. For he takes to himself, & giues the Parliament a greater power ouer them, them he ownes in the Pope the head of the Church. So his Power is Hyper-Papal. too far especially in things, which haue relation to the Temporall Gouernment as in probats of wills; dis­posall of pious Lega [...]yes, iudgments of marrages &c, It will be easy to limit their Iurisdiction in these occations as it may be thought sitt in the discussion of particulars.

Now because Mr. Fitton in his Letter of this day speakes of an admirable aduantage they had ouer the Iesuits, & that it was in their power to thrust them out of England. (See Letter 16.) & Dr. Holden very charitably proposes it to the Parliament. But the Parliament had other businesse to think on, then this: & by sl [...]ghting these maliteus suggestions, sh [...]wed more discretion, then to follow or regard such lgnes Fatuos. the Iesuits doe seem to be the most dangerous body, & are thought to be most factious by all Christian states not Catholicke, if they, or any other Re­gular Order refuse either the Oath here with sent in print, or to be subiect to these Bishops as before, lett them bee thought vnfit members of the common wealth, as now things stand, & therefore lett them be wished to withdraw them­selues out of the Kingdom, not for their Religion. Here we haue another hint at such a pers [...]cution, as Catholicks suffer at present, not f [...]r Religion, says the Gazet; but for the state, & the susp [...] ­tion it may haue of them. Suppose after the Iesuits, the Clergy should be vnder a like pretext banisht? Is it not possible it may in a like manner giue suspi­tion to the state? Hath it not effectually don so, euen in Catholick times? VVhat Policy is here to dig a pit for another, inten [...]ich they themselues may as wel f [...]l [...]? But for the saspition the state may haue of them, which the rest of the Catholickes will not oppose, Catholicks, who haue a care of their souls wil not willingly part with Regulars as long as they see the secular Clergy promote so many erroneous dogma's contrary to Faith, & these schismaticall principles contrary to Charity. VV [...]re this scribler a liue, I should desire to know of him, by what Autho­rity, by whose commission he makes this addresse to the Parliament? It containes things concerning all the Catholicks of England, it imports the design of an Ecclesiasticall Gouernment vnheard of in the Christian world from Christ's time till this day, & all imposed with so great a penalty as Panishment, had hee an Order from Catholicks to offer it? Had he their aduice? Did he so much as communicate it to them, or the maior, & chiefir part of them? Not one word of that. VVhat doth this rashnesse deserue in a priuate man, to deal such businesses of so general concern of his own head? Addistion to these notes: Is there not reason to suspect, that this design did not dye with Dr. Holden; but Liue still in that party? & that Mr. Sergeant's great design in his going for England, is this s [...]me. no more then they did in venice, & other Catholicke states, much lesse in a Kingdom not Catholicke.

On the back: Doctor Holdens instructions into England sent me with his Letter of the 13. 7ber 1647.

If it shall please the Parliament to suffer the Roman Ca­tholickes to liue with the same freedom & enioy the same liberty which the other free borne subiects of the Kingdom do, & which their naturall birth ryght seemes to challeng as due vnto them Let it please them to take into their con­sideration these few heads proposed vnto them by a Ro­man Catholicke, who knowing the principles & maximes of the Roman Church, & beleife, conceiueth them fit to be thought of, for their better satisfaction, & greater security of the state.

First let no forrain King, nor state be suffred to interceede or medle in the behalf of Catholicks, to the end the Catholicks may see their freedome doth only proceed from the Parliaments gratious disposition & willingnesse to settle vniuersall liberty, & consequently that they are not to depend, nor hope, nor be obliged to none but them for their freedome.

2ly, that such an Oath of Allegiance be framed (if it be thought necessary that any be requisite) as may stand with the principles of Catholick Religion (whereof there is a draught in Print will be easily made fully satis­factory) which may be vniuersally taken by all Catholickes of what profession soeuer, & if any either Ecclesiasticall, or Lay should refuse it, let him be banished out of the King­dome, Here Ba­nishment is cleerely commanded in case any presume not to conforme to his iniunc­tions: which­in the other. Instructiōs was expressed more sweetly, Let them be desired to withdraw out of the Kingdome. But the sense in both is the same. as an vnfit member of the Common wealth.

3ly. Let the Catholickes be obliged to haue six or eyght Bishops more or lesse, by whom they may be go­uerned in matter of Religion & conscience. Let these Bi­shops haue some of the ancient nationall titles of the King­dome according to their seuerall districts, & consequently haue ordinary iurisdiction ouer the Catholicks. By these me­anes, that is for as much, as these Bishops haue nationall [Page 37] titles, & consequently are ordinaryes (as we call them) the Parliament is secured, the Pope can haue no Po [...]er ouer them to the preiudice of the state. For they being ordinaryes he cannot depriue them of, nor limite nor touch their Iu­risdiction at all; being a generall tenet amongst Catholickes that all Ordinaryes are successours to the Apostles, & haue their authority immediatly from Iesus Christ, & consequently a [...] immouable, & absolute in their kind, as the Pope's in his. So that all immediate influen [...]e from the Pope vpon the Catholickes of England is cut of by this meanes, & there­fore no fear of the Pope's arbitrary power, which can be only suspected, & dangerous to the state. These Ordinaryes will gouerne the consciences, & souls of their flocks by their owne proper authority, which we hold to be innate into their offices & persons Iurediuino. Hence it follows that these Ordinaryes are not bound to obey or receiue any speciall command from the Pope of what nature soeuer, if either contrary to the customes, or canons of the Church or pre­iudiciall to the temporall laws, & gouernment of the state, whereof the state it self is to be iudge. It is tru these Or­dinaryes must acknowledge the Pope the first Bishop, & head Here is a new kind of head, with­out any au­thority, or Influence ouer its Body. A thing mon­strous in Na­tural, & much more in mysticall bodyes. of the Church; but not receiue any of his commands without the leaue of the state. Whereupon these two ge­nerall tenets may be exacted of these Ordinaryes, & of all Ecclesiasticall, & lay Catholicks of the Kingdome. First that no Catholicke of what profession soeuer shall acknowledge any forrain, or outlandish authority, or superiour either Pope, or other ouer his person, or personall actions in any ciuil or temporall practise, or busines whatsoeuer. Secondly that no act of command, or authority either spi­rituall, or temporall from the Pope, or any other outlandish person of what quality soeuer shall be receiued, or admitted by any Catholicke of what condition soeuer, without the knowledge, & consent of the ciuill magistrate.

4ly Where as these Ordinaryes aboue mentioned, who may & ought to oblige themselues not to receiue any [Page 38] commands or orders from the Pope as aboue, without leaue from the ciuill magistrates (which hath been the practise heretofore in Catholicke times in England is in now in France, & all other states & Kingdomes) whereas I say these Ordinaryes might seeme by reason of their titles, to giue suspition of their pretension to the temporalityes of the Bi­shoprickes where of they should beare the titles, (which connot be iustly suspected) the lands being sold by order of Parliament yet may they be obliged by oath to renounce all claim & title to the lands, liueings, or temporalityes of those Bishoprickes vnder what pretence soeuer.

5ly where as seuerall sorts of Regulars or Religious are sent from the Pope to exercise Pastorall functions, & guide the Consciences of lay Catholicks who pretend to be exempted by the Pope from all ordinary Episcopall power & iurisdiction, & to be immediatly subiect to the Pope himselfe, or to the Generall of their order in, & of a forraine country, lett all such & all other Ecclesiasticall & clergy men whatsoeuer oblige themselues by oath to depend immediately on the aforsayd Ordinaryes, as they ought to do by the canons of the Church, & not to exercise any Ecclesiasticall function, or spirituall iurisdiction but by the leaue, & as deriued & receiued immediatly from the sayd Ordinaryes. Nor shall any pretend to haue any spirituall power, or faculty immediatly from the Pope in any either spirituall, or temporall affaire whatsoeuer, or from any other outlandish person whatsoeuer, saue only from the aboue mentioned Ordinaryes, or their officers natiues of England. Which whosoeuer shall refuse, or withstand, or will pretend to depend immediately of any forrain Prelat, or Power lett him be banished out of the state.

6ly. Where as the lay Catholicks of the Kingdom will be subiect in matter of Religion & conscience to these Ordinaryes, who are their tru & lawfull Pastours (according to the doctrine of the Catholicke Church) & this by Christ's [Page 39] institution, & expresse command (as all Catholickes do beleiue) & are therefore answerable for soules: & farther are obliged both by the principles of their Religion, & by their particular interests to be watchfull ouer the persons, & actions of the Preists whom they appoint vnder them, to g [...]ide the consciences of the layety; It will be of no small security to the state to admonish, & charge these Ordinaryes to be vigilant, & carefull, that nothing be complotted, nor attempted against the state, & to discouer it if they suspect or hear of any such thing, they being in some sort answe­rable to the state for such crimes, as may be committed by their subiects against the temporall power, or Gouernment through their negligence, or conniuence, either by the Preists, whom they appoint, or by any of the Catholick Layty.

7ly least these Bishops should extend their authority too far, especially in spirituall things, which haue a neer re­lation to the temporall Gouernment, as in probats of wills, disposall of legacyes, Iudgment of marriages, &c, it will be easy to limit their iurisdiction in these occations, as the state shall think fit in the discustion of these particulars.

8ly. If any Catholick Ecclesiasticall, or secular, or Regular shall refuse to submit to these Thus this Dictator enacts laws, with seuere Penaltys, which our nation neuer owned the King himself could do, but in Palia­ment. particulars, lett them be banished out of the state, as vnfit members of the common wealth: the state declaring their banishment not to be for their Religion, but for the suspicion it hath of their loyalty, whereat other Catholickes can take no exception, no more then they did at the expulsion of the Iesuits out of the state of Venice, & els where, nay much lesse considering a state not Catholick hath more reason to be cautious, & wary of such persons, then a Catholick state hath.

Besides these generall heads, Haueing determined by his owne head the substan­tiall points, he leaues some circumstances to be discussed by the body of Catholicks, when the generall heads require grea­ter discussion, & more ma­ture delibera­tion then the particulars. wherein many par­ticulars are comprehended, which would require seuerall dis­cussions & resolutions, there be many other particulars, which are to be referred to those who treat, & agitate this business with order, & Commission. [Page 40] As to what is to be don in case the Pope refuse to giue Bishops to the Catholickes vppon these termes, conceiuing twill exclude his power out of the state, & preiudice the greatnesse of his Court by giuing such a president to oth [...]r states to do the like, whether in case of refusall the Clergy & Layty may not haue recours to France, or Ireland to haue Bishops from thence? & whether some Preists may not be appointed in the interim, whose power by the state's assistance may be Equiualenr VVhat a rash, & vn­heard of Pro­position, is this: that an Hereticall assembly of R [...]bels can inuest ordi­nary Priests with here­tical Autho­rity equiualent to that of Lawfull ordinary Bishops? VVhat opinion had he of the Authority of Bishops who aduances this? [...]et this man must be thought the Assertor of Epscopal Authority? to this in effect?

Whether these Bishops should not make knowne to the state the places of their ordinary aboad?

Whether the clergy should not make known to the state both at the first, & afterwards from time to time the names, & persons of those whom they choose to be Bi­shops, to the end that none be promoted: against whom the state may haue any iust exception?

How, & in what manner the Catholickes may haue their Assemblyes of Diuine seruice, for number places, &c?

What habits their Bishops, & Priests may wear openly?

Whether & how the Catholickes may be admitt [...]d to any publicke charg? or bear any office in the common wealth?

What cours is fit to be suffred for the education of Ca­tholickes Children in Learning, or other qualityes, that they may not be sent ouer Sea to bee brought vp amongst forraines & strangers, mantained vpon the Pope's & other Princes pen­sions which draw many inconueniencyes into their dispositions.

No writing vpon the back, till of late about 3 Yeares a goe: but is all in Dr. Helden's hand writing. ²

These are to humbly thank you for yours of the 29. of Iuly: which I receiued at Paris, & to giue you accompt of my re­turne to Lyons. The wars about Doway hindred mee from go­ing thither, & soe missed of my mark yet I hope I haue done some good at Paris As for the businesse of Ireland, by some discourse with Mr. Bennet I perceiue that Marquesse Ormond had truly a designe to keep low, if not ruin Catho­lick Religion by setting a diuision betwixt the nobility & [...]ler­gy, he supporting the N [...]bility to ruin the Clergy. Alsoe that Owen Oneale is a man both of wit, & martiall skill I am sorry you are soe greatly troubled with the Clorgres business, the which I wish to goe well A very zea­lous man, for the Clergy, who regards lesse, how their general concern goes, then for the Personal con­cern of Sir Kenelme! cheifely because you are engaged in it. My waters would haue don well with mee, had I not been fixed on my Iourny, which caused me ra­ther to stay, th [...]n take them. Soe I stayed to days: yet I conceiue thus much refreshed my body. I am not yet soe Skillfull in my disease, as to be able to giue a good ac­count of it, & therefore spake but in common to Dr. Fludd of it I am glad you take that course with obiections of Phylosophy & Diuinity, to examin them Joint by Joint: for that will carry you thoroughall: but am sorrie you are inportuned in the kind. I shall be glad, & humbly thank [Page 42] you for what soeuer you shall doe, for Mr. Hyde. I should be sorrie you should venter there another winter, with so troublesome health Vix Priamus tanti The King is much obli­ged to this man who thinks, he doth scarce deserue, that for his seruice Sir Kene­lme should hazard his health! God send your bu­sinesse done in good time, that you bee not putt againe to a winter Iourney. At my coming from Paris I found a letter from Mr. Chanron of Grenoble, in which he says he can giue you satisfaction concerning the Mercury of Saturn I intend to send him word, that he bee very well assured of it, & for the rest I shall expect your order. There is growing a busi­ness, wherein peraduenture you will be importuned, con­cerning an Oath, the which Catholicks should take to haue the penall laws renuersed. But I hope it will not stay you there. For neither doe I apprehend this present state will stand, nor that any thing will bee done in Rome concerning such a subiect, with that expedition or rationality as is ne­cessary for our affaires: neither that there is the place to treate such a businesse which importeth the circumcizing of Papall Authority. I had not the honour to see your son George at Paris, for while I was at S. Germans his vacation came in & he was sent into the Country. Mrs. Mary Capland it see­meth hath found the way to apply Mathematicall abstractions to materia sensibilis, which I feare her master will be long a doeing. I am here out of news, the which I doubt not but these times dayly afford you store of: wherefore I rest as euer. Lyons Septem. 19.

Till yours of the 5. Aug. (which I conceiue you mistake for September) I had not heard of your 4. weekes absence, & therefore was in pain at your long silence. My businesse here would allow me the like, for I haue nothing to write to you about. But my respect will not see you remaine long vntroubled by me. Yet too I haue a word to say vnto you, concerning F. Courtney: See on the other side the Annotation. a. He is hugely mortifyed, & afflicted that you should haue shewed my Long letter concerning his submission to the Queen, vnto some body in Paris, that hath written hither to his Generall out of it things extreamely to his preiudice. But I bad him rest secure on that hand, for that I know your prudence so well, & your vnderstanding, so entirely what belongeth to a Princes secretary, that you neuer shewed to any body Letters of secret aduice that con­cerne the Queene's seruice, & much lesse such as myght blast those whom the Queen receiues into her graces & is pleased to make vse of vpon occasions. This comforted him a little, but withall I was faine to go to his Generall yes­terday to do him good offices there: for vpon his return to her maiestys seruice, all those who were formerly his de­clared freinds, & supporters, are now his violent This is most malici­ous against the whole Court of Rome, as representing it to be fall of most bitter enemyes to the Queen which is not only false, but in­credible also & the easy acceptance of Sir Kenel­me's inter­cession for F. Courtney proues the cō ­trary. enemys; & will in the end remoue him with mortification from hence, This predi­ctionis as false as the rela­tion: they ne­uer did re­moue F. Courtney. if her maiesty avow not powerfully her protection of him, which as things stand in this court, & particularly with him, is most for her seruice that she do. Therefore of any thing be broken out in your quarters to his preiudice from my letter, I pray you silence it the best you can. The late defeate of Ireland maketh all Rinu [...]uenis freinds, & most of this court hang the head. They now repent the breach of the peace with my Lord Ormond. In fine, they are much mistaken, who expect any good from this court, otherwise then meerely for their owne interests. Therefore our English [Page 44] Catholicks are very simple, VVhat fol­lows is con­form [...]be to Blacklo's spirit false, rash, & tending to schisme. that treat here any allowance of what they are transacting with the Army in England. Let them guide themselues by what is in it self iust, & fit: for if they introduce this court into the treaty, they shall be co­sened, & the businesse will be foyled vnlesse it be manag [...]d wholy in pursuance of their end [...] : & th [...]n I am sure it will be very auerse to ours. For they care no more for what Catholicks suffer in England, then the Marechal de Gramont or my Lord Powis, A great & groundlesse reproach to those noble men: wh [...] being parts of the mysticall body of Christ, cannot but be sensible of what it suffers any where. Here we haue a tale of a tub, without sense, reason, or Probability: F. Courtney to be banish [...], & yet stard there: the motiue of his banishment, his sub­mission to the Queene's orders, & Deuotion to her seruice; yet stopt, & the sentence reuersed vpon a word spoken in her name. All his freinds changed into bitter enemys, because he promoted her concernes; & changed again to be his freinds, because they were told her Concernes required it. VVhat a sicke man's dreame doth this greate wit relate, being awake! VVhat is certain is, that Sir Kenelme going to Rome as the Queene's Minister, vndertooke the businesse of the secular Clergy, which he thought re­quired the remouall from that place of all such as were not well affected to it, such as [...]e thought were F. Courtney, & F. John, the one of the Society, the other a Benedictin. In this he thought to haue preuailed once, as appeares by Mr. Fitton's Letter of the 15 of March of this yeare. (vide lit. 9.) It is now no secret here, for F. John writ it. He knew it therefore before, thô as a secret. And probably to procure it, he had vsed her Maiesty's name, thô doubtlesse without her order. At last finding his negociation fruitlesse, (F. Courtney being too well knowne, & seated in that Court, to be remoued vpon such friuolous reasons, as were alleadged against him) to saue his owne credit, he pretends, F. Courtney was conuerted to the Queene's seruice (to which he neuer was auerse althô he had been represented otherwise by her Minister to her) & that it was necessary for her seruice, he should be taken into her protection, & was stopt in Rome by his interest. Thus he colours the ill successe of that vndertaking, & when he was really foyled, proclaimes him­self victorious, as the vnlearn [...]d Pretender to Learning doth in Lucian. or other such good natured men, doe care for what the Christians suffer in China, or I [...]pan. God send us once wise, & to stand vpon our leggs. We shall then be vpon good termes, with God, our Prince, our country, & all good, & wise men in the world though peraduenture this court (not the Church) of Rome will scold at vs. I pray you see my Letter to my Lord Iermin, & I rest.

I humbly thank you for yours of the 6. cadent. And am ryght glad to heare of so good disposition of the Independants Of this good disposi­tion we neuer had any reall effects. towards vs. For Gods cause let vs not forfeit it by tam­paring indiscreetly with this court, to limit our dutyes to the King, & state. In such cases they consider not vs, but their owne fordid ends. It is a shame to see how deafe they are to true charity & piety, A very Charitable re­presentation of the Persons in Rome. & how eagle eyed to their owne temporall emoluments. Some good men here say it hath not bin always thus in this court, in so extreame a degree. But that it is your zealous frend Innocent & his tender con­scienced Sister-in-law, that haue brought all things to their own bias; according to the old law, Regis ad exemplum totus I hear the Pope hath already been written vnto in the name of the English Catholicks about what they haue in agitation [Page 46] with the army. But I cannot beleiue it, much lesse, that Mr. Montagues hand is in it, who knoweth with what a dis­respect it were to the Queen to bawke her & her minister here, in such a case. Besides in the businesse it self we shall suffer much, if it be so treated.

On fryday last I gaue the Pope a memoriall for his resolution (after our so long patience) in your businesse: vpon which he hath promised a speedy meeting of the Con­gregation about it, & a finall determination of it. I beseech you thank most humbly & hartily Sir Iohn VVintour in my name for his forwardnesse to oblige me in my businesse. I beg of him to continue his fauour therein, & to get her Maiesty's order to effect it; which I doubt not but he will haue upon his first mouing it to her Maiesty. And so with my humble & best respects to you, I rest.

Postcript. You can hardly imagine how troublesone, & ma­licious Sir Iohn Cansfild is against all you of the Clergy, & any settlement for you; & in particular beyond all measure against poore Hyde: whose fame he [...]eareth, & prosecuteth with all violence euery where, sharpely condemning the Clergy for making him President of Deway College, an hereticall mi­nister, a man of vnfound opinions in matters of faith, wrote, or signed some thing in England of that nature, vnfit for Gouernement, & God knoweth what not. And from him inferreth how vnfit it would be that the Clergy should be trusted with any more important forme of Gouernement, then as yet they haue, since they still make vse of, & boulst [...]r out Vnorth [...]d [...]x men: I wish from my hart there was no reall groūd for this accusation; & that it were truly a Ca­lumny. But when we con­sider how the Chapter Faction first boulstred out Mr. Black­lo, after­wards Mr. Sergeant his profest disci­ple, & how they feare the Reputation of their Ortho­dox brethren such as Dr. Ley­bourne: we must owne this to be a great Truth. This is his constant language not only to Cardinal Capponi, & publickly in his Anticamera where all the English repaire; but euery where else, euen by way of [Page 47] Clamour among Italians the Pope's Ministers, & F. Luke: so as he hath pre [...]sed it into the Pope's Eares, & giues him sh [...]ewd doubts of him: euen so much, that his Hol. asked me very odde questions of him, & shewed much vnsatisfaction. in his particular, vpon occasion of my mouing him at my last audience about his Chanonry. In earnest he, & Fa. Iohn, & the others of their party, shew themselues very factious both against you, & against the Queen, He neuer mentioned any one particular thing done, or sayd by Sir John Cansfeld, F. John against the Queen. which silence proues that to be a calumny. & insult most in­solently of their defeating, as they beleiue, your Chapter busi­nesse, though her Maiesty recomend it with efficacy, & I solicite it with all earnestnesse.

I pray you see what I write to Sir Iohn VVintour con­cerning Fa. Courtney; & silence all preiudiciall rumours in Paris against him.

Another Postscript. Sir Iohn Cansfeld's & Fa. Iohn's discourse of the English Deane & Chapter is that the Pope nether can, nor ought do it, for it is against his own interest &, authority: & that therefore he refuseth it. For the Clergy vseth to be insolent, I wish there were no other proofes of this, but the words of those two persons. f. The Regulars ac­commodate themselues no further to the Pope's will, then it is conformable to the will of God & the Laws of the Church, & all rules of Conscience. And so far the Secular orthodox Clergy ownes obedience to him. & stand vpon their owne ryghts & legs: But the Re [...]ulars his Missionarys depend wholy vpon his f. will; & to that accommodate themselues in euery thing. M [...]nday 30. 7ber 1647. After I had written my Letter. Dr. Bacon.

I send you here a copy of a paper signed by the Prouincialls & by diuers Secular Priests as also a copy of an Oath inten­ded to be presented by the Catholicks to the Parliament. For my part I do not approue, nether of one, or the other: howsoeuer you may do well to shew them to his Hol: & to the Protectour of England: & in case they dislike them, you may tell his Hol that vntill he giue the Clergy a superiour, & settle Ordinary iurisdiction How strangely is Mr. Fitton altredl the Last year he was so indiffe­rent for a Bishop, that he seemed ra­ther to desire there should be none (s [...]e Letter 3. & 5.) & now Religion cannot stand without one.. amongst vs, worfer things will be done, then this is: For besides animosity, that must needes be in the Clergy, by reason of the iniustice (as they conceiue) of that court towards them, in denying them their ryght, they being to suspect that that Court intends to in­troduce, & impose vpon them an arbitrary way of Church Go­uernment, which they can no more brooke. A fit com­paris [...]n be­twixt the Obedience of the s [...]culare Clergy, to the Pope, & that of the Parlia­ment of the King. then the Par­liament would do arbitrary Gouernment in the state: & so it is not to be wondred, it they fall into some extr [...]u [...]gances especially considering that there is no superiour to restraine them, from doing what they please. Nether will they admit of any superiour without Ordinary Iurisdiction, & which is worse, I feare they will not [...]e any more to that court for a superior, if you come downe without effecting some thing to their satisfaction; but se [...]ke it else wh [...]re as well as they can. If you please you may giue these very words I write vnto you, to our Protectour, & to whom else you please, as from me As for my self I do not write to our Protector, or to any other, because (as long as things stand thus) I will not assume upon my self to meddle further in that which concernes the common, th [...]n the rest of my brethr [...]n do: & so that court must not expect any account from vs, but take their informations from whom they can get them, & if they be misinformed (as happily th [...]y may be as well as they haue been hitherto) let them blame themselues.

[Page 49] Now you must know, that this Paper, which is signed, is to be dispersed amongst Catholicks, & was signed only for that end, that the Catholicks may know how to answer to these three propositions, which were sent from the army to my Lord Brudenal in these very words as they lye here. There is a more ample answer to be drawn for the satisfaction of the army, & the Parliament with a discourse touching euery proposition in particular. The best iest is, that the Benedictins, who were always suspected to fauour the Oath, do now scruple to signe this paper, & (as I imagin) seeking to carry fauour with Rome, haue refused to do it, & yet not withstanding their owne refusall, they giue leaue to my Lord This noble man before was sayd to consult only Iesuits now none but Bene­d [...]ctins. Brudenal to answer as it is signed.

As for newes &c.

I A. B. Do acknowledge, testify, & declare in my con­science before God, & the world, that our soueraign Lord K. Charles is lawfull King of this Realme, & all other his Maiestys Realmes, dominions, & countrys. And I do pro­mise, vow, & protest, that I will beare all faithfull, & tru allegiance to his Maiesty, his heyres, & lawfull successors, & him & them will defend to the vttermost of my power against all Conspiracys, & attempts whatsoeuer which shall be made against his, or their persons, crown, & dignitys. And I will do my best endeauour to disclose & make known to his Maiesty, his heyres, & lawfull successors all treasons, & traitors, or conspiracys, which I shall know, or heare to be intended against his Maiesty, or any of them.

[Page 50] And I do ab [...]ure as false, & most erroneous both assassi­nations of Prince, & People, & that Faith is not to be o [...] ­serued with all sorts of People. And I do detest them both as most repugnant to humanity, & not to be allowed by any Religion whatsoeuer. And further that I sh [...]ll be most ready to mantain, & defend with my power, life, & fortunes all my countrys libertys, the iust ryghts & Libertys of Par­liaments, the subiects lawfull ryghts, libertys, & property, the peace & vnion of his Maiesty's three Kingdomes of Eng­land, Scotland, & Ireland, & in all iust, & honourable ways endeauour the Punishment of those, that seeke to worke the contrary, as a dutifull & loyall subiect is bound to doe, & as a tru-born louer of his Country is oblidged. And that nether for hope nor fear, or other respects I shall relinquish this promise, vow, or protestation which I make hartily, willingly, & truly, without any equiuocation or mentall reseruation whatsoeuer. From which as I shall not desire absolution, so I hold & beleiue no power on earth can absolue me in any part. So helpe me God.

You would be extreamely to blame, beyond all capacity of Pardon, Here is a new sin a­gainst the Holy Ghost, not to be for­giuen in this world, [...] the next, to retain any consideration for the Sea Apostolick. if for any weak respects to this court (which yeild you none) you should forbear making vse of that happy coniuncture of affayres to procure your own aduan­tages, which God Here the disorders caused in England by the Rebels, are called a happy con­iuncture of affaires & attributed to God which althô it may be tru through God's Per­missiue will, yet as commonly taken, they beget another sense, & that very bad. hath opened you a dore vnto. The Pope, & his ministers apprehend you will not but I conceiue you will do, what wise men in your cases would do. And there­fore the Pope is in mind to send a Person to reside about the Queen who vnder pretence of her seruice may get countenance from her Maiesty, besides the authority he shall bring with him from his master to keep you in aw [...], & embroyle your This is a malicious in­terpretation of the Pope's intentions, to frustrate the good he designed by that Legacy, by making the Legat be suspected. affayres The person he hath pitched vpon is sight. Ferrante Cappeni, whom I conceiue you know well. But this, as from me, you must keep exceeding secret. For as yet if it be vented, whiles only three persons in this court besides my [Page 52] self do know it, there myght ensue great harme to who is my confident. Knowing his end, & his instructions, I do what I can by all dextrous meanes to suspend his going, that you may haue time to do your businesse first with the Army & Parliament. I must with all giue you account of another thing, but in as great confidence as I can say any thing, & I con­iure you let no body but Mr. Holden know any thing of this no more then of the former secret. It is that le P. Giles Chaissy at London is the man that mouldeth, & manageth all the Ca­tholicks businesse with the state there & sendeth a weekely account hither, & receiueth weekely Instructions from hence. You looke vpon my Lord Brudenall, & Mr. Montagu; but it is Monsieur de S. Giles (or le Pere Giles) that is the soule, who guides those Organs. And he disposeth all he can to haue a strict dependance of the see of Rome, expecting speedily from hence a Bishoprick in reward How could he know, that Father Giles was moued with such a sordid designe; & not rather with a desire to procure some ease to Catholicks without preiudicing their consciences? of his Labours. Beleiue this is a certain truth, for I know it. Only make vse of the aduice in the gouerning your own affaires, & in speedy putting them to an issue.

I hear nothing from Sir Iohn VVintour, or any of our court this weeke. I slacken no endeaueurs for your seruice here. So humbly thanking you for yours of the 13. past I rest

I most humbly thank you for yours of the 13▪ past, & re­ioyce to see that our vnhappy country is not yet so forlorne, but that there is one man of wit, & courage, seasoned with piety VVe see the opinion Sir Kenelme Digby had of Dr. Hol­den, for pen­ning as be did those In­structions. How iustly he deserued this elogium let others guesse. Tha [...] he shewed Courage, I grant, & also some wit; but I deny that there is any footstep of Pi­ety in it. who hath care of it. Your printed paper, & written instructions were all dictued by the Holy Ghost. Yet I beleiue nether the one nor the other will euer be admitted into the Canon of H. Scrip­ture. But act: let not all end in, designing, & discournsing. By any meanes print a­gain your former Dialogue. Close with the Independants. A good ad­uice for one who was actually em­ployed by the Queen! Make them see their interest to strengthen themselves, by vnion with Catholick party, which may adhere to them, when after the Parliament & Army dissolved, the Presbiterians will grow too hard for them single. And doe all you can justly to compasse fitt conditions & aduantages for vs, without mingling this wicked & interessed court He must always haue a fling at Rome: so dutifull a son is he of the Roman Church. in our treaties: for I dare assure you, they will cooperate nothing to your good, but dependently of their own ends; & will endeauour to keep vs always like VVardes in a very seruile pupillage. I wish with all my hart I were now in England: for in this great worke I would gladly employ not only my paines, but my fortune, & my life. And vnder your direct on I should hope, that the interest I haue with the now ruling He flattred himself extreamely with the opinion of his interest: which how inconsiderable it was we shall see Letter 46. persons, & such little knowledge as I haue in affaires of the world, & particularly of this na­ture myght produce some good worth leauing a desert for at least for so long a time, as would take vp that treaty. And I should not care whom I displeased, This zeale, & con­tempt of Humane respects, would be commendable, if directed by Prudence, & subiect to tru Charity to promote the common good, but being restrained to the il­legall designes of one part, (which he calls Just ends) it is factious, & blame worthy. so I compassed the Catholicks just endes. But God knoweth best who, & what is best for euery person & businesse. And to his prouidence I quietly submit all.

I pray you vse your vtmost endeaueur to get P. Barbanson's Anatomia Animae, by meanes of your book sellers or freinds [Page 45] from Flanders, or Cullen; for I heare it is the best, the solidest, the subtilest, & the hyghest book that hath euer been writ­ten in that kind.

I shall haue extreame difficulty, (if not impossibility) It is strang, that he who so lately boasted of his hauing the whole Court of Rome at his beck, who could banish, or retain men as he pleased, should now think it impossible to procure so slyght a businesse, as this, viz, Leaue for a Lady to enter into a monastery of women! to get the licence you aske for Dna Lucia de Roche foucault. There­fore I will expect your peremptory command to do all I can perfas & nefas to purchase it, before I embarke my self with engaging all my strength for it. That is, consider of your self whither it be of that importance or no, to be worth the labour.

Mr. VVhite's book wil certainly be censured if I do not a miracle to preserue it. That businesse was very ill cast, that the fagot of bookes was not directed to me; but loosely turned into the Dogana in a bookesellers bale. It will be ne­cessary that he dilate, & confirme the doctrine there of Ori­ginall sinn, & of non existence of Accidents without subiects. I pray God preserue Mrs Girbiers from all misfortunes; but I feare the worst. Indeed the Abbot hath bin much too blame.

I humbly thank you for yours of the 20. past. My cheife business It's strange that the cheife businesse of a publick mi­nister of so great a Prin­cesse, who had so many then on her hands should be to solicit private con­cern of one part of the Kingdom. Had he no other? or did not regard any other? Deberet fortè esse Persecutiō. is now, & hath bin this good while to presse for a resolution, on or off, of your Chapter businesse as con­ceiuing I may haue speedily order to depart from hence & that it is as good as lost, if I leaue it then depending. But all my industry & Art hath not as yet bin able to obtain other answer, but that his Holinesse is resolued forthwith to giue all satisfaction to the English Clergy, as that which he The bulk of the English secular Clergy, de­serues this, & greater commenda­tions: & it is Lamentable those of vertu & learning should be trampled on by the black­loistical & factious part. esteemeth in a hygh mesure for their Piety, their con­stancy in their great prosecutions, & their Eminent Learning. But he doth nothing in the businesse, nor will enter into the particulars of it: but accordeth me all in generall, & referreth me to the Congregation to draw vp, & a just parti­culars: And this Benedetta Congregatione I can neuer get to meet. So inconsi­derable had he made himself, by embraceing blindly all the concernes of that Faction. Card. Capponi doth his vtmost to procure their assembling, assuring me, that they nether can, nor dare deny what you aske. But withall his E [...]in. beleiueth they will seeke what they can to sh [...]ft it off for the present, & lay hold of all pretences for delay. Yet he is confident he shall driue them from all their Euasions, though he stand single for you, & all the rest be joyned against you. The Pope since the creation of the Card. Of Aix langheth Here is non causa pro causà. From the beginning his Holinesse little regarded those threates of Bishops from France. He knew too well their zeale for the vnity of the Church, to feare that. Other things alleadged by Sir Ke­nelme moued him more viz, the credit of the Party with the Independants. But find­ing that to be imaginary, he looked on all those threats as words, & no more. at all that hath been in­sinuated vnto him, of the English Clergy procuring Bishops from the French, which at first did move him vehemently. Bu [...] now he maketh account he hath France at his beck: he sayeth himself he hath that Kingdom in suo pugno: & that now Card. Mazarin for his Brothers promotion will obsequi­ously, & implicitly obey whatsoeuer his Ho: shall wish him to do. So that he speaketh confidently, that if the Arch Bishop [Page 56] of Rouen should but entertain any sute of our Clergy's to such purpose, as hath bin whispered here to him, the Card. Mazarin vpon the least word of his Ho: would send him prisoner to the Bastile, or any other should dare to coun­tenance the English Clergy to stand vppon their owne legges. Truly I conceiue vppon rhe whole matter that businesse is now vpon such termes, as if you should not haue faire Sa­tisfaction before I depart from hence, it importeth both the Queen & you, & all the Catholickes of England, to proceede in such a course as reason & Justice shall warrant you in: & that without it, after such intimations (not to say threates) of what you will do, you must euer henceforward expect Here he exhortes the Secular Clergy to lay aside all thoughts of redresse from Rome: & charges the bad successe of his negociation not on his ill management of it, nor on the threates with which it was accompanyed, & which to superiours are always most odious; but on the Little regard that court had for the Sec. Clergy. VVhich ether is false, or if tru, it was caused by the faults of the preuailing factious Party in it, & would be changed, assone as the offending cause was remoued. It was therfore his Duty to haue represented to those men the tru ground of that alienation (if there were any) of his Holinesse & his Ministers from the English Sec. Clergy. But this he would not do, the Doctrine of his Oracle, Mr. Blacklo, being concerned in it. And his own: For the Diuinity of this Man is drawn, not out of Scrip­ture, Tradition, Councils, Decretals, Fathers, the vsual & only fountaines, of all Diuinity; but as he says himself, out of the DIGBEAN PHILOSOPHY. to be very ill vsed, & troden vpon. And so I pray God to send you all happinesse, resting

I Hope that this Letter will find you yet in Rome, which if it do I would entreat you in case that our businesse is not come to a conclusion, that you would procure at Leastways a Letter from our Protectour to this purpose, that we may proceed on with our deanes & chapter, The despe­rate condition, which this Letter repre­sents the chapters Confirma­tion to be in proves my coniecture, that the tru cause of the miscarriage of that affaire was the threats they vsed hoping thereby to quicken the dispa [...]ch, which f [...]ll out quite otherwise: for from that time their hopes [...]isibly dimi­nisht, [...]ill [...] last they quite vanisht. And those, whome lately nothing could satisfy, but an abso­lute acknow­ledgment of their vnca­nonical Chapter, & Many Bi­shops, would now be satisfyed with an or­dinarily Let­ter from the substitute of the Protectour, (Cardinal Barbarin the Protectour being absent) with a prouisional allowance of the Chapter, till the Pope provide another Go­uernour. I wish by this lamentable experience they would learn, that sturdy Beggars are odious, & that Petitioners ought not to threaten with a Cudgal, as not demand­ing; but commanding. as we haue don hitherto vntill such time as it shall be otherwise ordained by his Hol: & that in the mean time the Dean may enjoy the facultyes formerly granted to the Arch priest. This is a thing which the Protectour may do without recurring to the con­greg. by speaking a word only to his Hol. & by receiuing order from him vivae vocis oracule: or if you your self could pro­pose it to his Hol. I doubt not but he will tell you we may; which will suffice vs without proposing to the congr. who in all likelihood will deny this as they haue done all the rest. You may shew his Hol. or our Protectour the necessity of it, because otherwise we shall be left for the interim without all Gouernment Subsumo: but there was no such Letter granted: ergo the Secular Clergy is left without all Gouernment. I wish those would con­sider this, who stand so stifly for the Authority of the pretended Chapter, & call all those seditious men, who doubt of its authority: althô there is none, who vnderstands it, but must doubt of it. which must needes breed great harme and confusion, & there can be no prejudice to the Pope to grant this, it being only for an interim.

I send you here the copy The Paper follows after this Letter. The Petition I could neuer find. of a Paper deliuered to Crom­well & Ireton signed by 5. or 6. Lord's & 50. other gen­tlemen of quality, together with this paper they deliuered a petition, which Cromwell & Ireton promist to deliuer to the Parliament, in du time, as a thing avowed & approved by the whole army.

I suppose you haue seen a printed paper set forth by Dr. Holden, which is much cryed out against in England, & as I hear intended to be disowned by the Catholicks. No lesse could be expected from any wise, & moderate men, then a dislike in Generall of such an attempt of a private pragmatical man in a business of general concern, in which he ought not to haue medled without the order, or at least advice of the rest: I wonder Mr. Holden did not in a huffe go ouer into England, to the Army, & either vnite to his semiments the foolish Catholicks, or hang them. As he very meekely sayd in his Letter of the 6. of September. Vide Lit 15. Mr. Montagu in particular I hear is extreamely offended at it although the things that exception is taken against I suppose Vppon what is this supposition grounded of Regulars opposing this Act, but that all things which displease these men must proceed from Regulars, & [...]e charged on them? Carnet the King [...]e dis [...]osed to see himself ranked with the Parliament, that is a Soueraign with his subiects, vnlesse he haue a Benedictin, or a Do­minican [...] at his elbow, to [...] him to it? Cannot the Catholick Nobility be offended to see the Pope & his Ministers accused & censured & their Catholick Ancestors condemned, unlese a Franciscan, or Jesuit stir them to it? Hath nether King, nor Lord nor Gentleman, nor Commoner any sense of wrongs don to them, the Church, or state, but what they receiue from Regulars? But it seemes Regulars must be charged with all odious; & displeasing matters, ryght or wrong, it matters not. No wonder Protestants should charge all mischeifs on Papists. They deal with them, as the secular Clergy a [...] with Regulars. the greatest opposition proceedeth from Regulars out of [Page 58] animosity, are 1. those words: except perhaps in the Pope his Do­minions. 2. Those words: Some rigorous proceedings of the court of Rome, & seuerall seditious combinations, &c. 3. Those words: If you find amongst your Petitioners any dregs of those pragmaticall plotters &c 4. those words: (which being a pure gift of God ought not to be forced, or violented vpon any) Lastly the King is offended that he Joines him, & the Parliament together. I thought good to aduertise you of this, because it may be, you will hear more noyse of it there. &c.

Being ready to seale vp my Letter, I receiued your of sept. 23. And assure you selfe that if an Oath be necessary, we shall do (as you aduise) that which is just, let that Court think of it what they please.

The Roman Catholicks of this Kingdome taking into con­sideration the 12. proposall in the declaration of his Excel Sir Thomas Fairfax lately published this present year 1647. And how prejudiciall & destructiue it myght be to them, at this time tacitely to permit an opinion (by some conceiued) of an inconsistency, in their Religion with the civil Gouern­ment of this Kingdom, by reason of some doctrines and positions scandalously layd vpon them, which myght thereby draw on persons, that cannot conforme themselues to the Religion here established, an incapacity to receiue, & be partakers of a Generall benefit intended for the ease of ten­der consciences: haue thought it conuenient to endeauour the just vindication of their integrityes therein: & to remoue the scandall out of all the minds, & opinions of moderate, & charitable persons, do declare the negative to those pro­positions following.

1. That the Pope, or Church hath power to absolue any [Page 60] persons, or persons whatsoeuer from his or their Obedience to the civill government established in this Nation.

2 That it is lawfull by the Pope's or Church's command or dispensation, to kill, destroy, or otherwise injure any person or persons, vnder his Majesty's dominions, because he or they are accused, or condemned, censured, or excom­municated for any errour schisme or heresy.

3 That it is lawfull in it self, or by the Popes dispensa­tion to break ether word, or oath with, any persons aboue­sayd, vnder pretence of their being hereticks.

And in further testimony that we disavow the sayd precedent propositions, as being no part of our faith, I do not beleiue, that euer any Catholick Doctor thought, writ, or taught that those Positions, or any of them were to be held for ar­ticles of the Catholick Faith, deliuered by Christ to his Apostles, & by them, & their successours handed thorough all ages down to vs. or euer taught vs by our Pastors, we haue here-ratifyed the same vnder our hands.

Agens Cleri Anglicani humilitèr expo [...]it Sanctitati vestrae, quod in Angliâ ob defect [...]m Episcopi, vel alterius, qui re­bus Ecclesiasticis praesit, aut pro Superiore agnoscatur, omnes functiones sacrae obeuntur confuse & inordinatè administrā ­turque Sacramenta sine facultate, & iurisdictione, cum nemo [Page 61] certus sit in regno, à quo obtineri queat, nec recurri possit ad Superiores transmarinos ob multas & notas difficultates. Ex quo oriuntur indies praeter innumera alia inconvenienti [...] & scandala, nullitates & invaliditates Matrimoniorum, Con­fessionum, &c. cui vt in posterum occurratur, supplicatur humiliter Sanctitati vestrae, vt dignetur benignè deputare v­num vel duos Sacerdotes in reg [...]o qui provisionaliter conce­dant & communicent aliis facultates necessarias ad legitim [...]nt administrationem Sacramentorum, donec Sanctitas vestra vlte­rius quid resoluat circa Concessionem Episcopi, vel alius Su­perioris legitimi dictorum fidelium, & Cleri. Quod &c. Quam Deus &c. ³

After my late Letter from hence (in which I haue giuen account of the state of affayres here) & vpon your know­ledge how I haue long expected my reuocation (& there­fore it were vnseasonable to engage my self in new businesse) you will expect by this post little more from me, then to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 26. past. Yet I press for an issue & conclusion of the Clergys businesse: So that I hope to obtain speedily a meeting of the Congregation, & a resolutior. Yet I must tell you, that if I prevaile to haue [Page 62] the Cardinalls meet it is an act of meer importunity & vi­olence: for nothing can be more against their mindes. They dare not giue vs a flat deniall The Pope hath great reason to stand in awe of halfe a do­zen Blac­loists. of that Church Gouerment which Christ setled in his whole Church. And on the other side they are so [...]imbued with a beleife of the secular Clergys re­fractory, & turbulent spirit, I think this is tru. that if it be possible, they will euade coming to a conclusion. Sir Iohn Cansfeld hath been much to blame▪ & very injurious to you. He cryeth a main of your whole ceconomy of Gouernment, & against the persons of your G [...]uernours: Mr. Gage & Mr. Hide are two princi­pall markes, he aime that. He hath much blested the later to hi [...]der his obtaining a Canenry. And it is reported here from his mouth, that there are not above 8. Alumni at Deway, & that the allowance which the Pope maketh vnto that Colledge is conuerted to far different vses, then is intended by the giuer. Indeed he is a very froward spirit, which maketh me be very sorry, that he hath gotten an employment, & Let­ter, & mony from this court into Ireland: for he professeth he will set all on fire. If he had not bin recommended hi­ther by the Queenes Letters he would not haue had the credit to do th [...]se mischeifes: But for her Majestys sake he had re­spect, & credence here especially when he made vse of it ac­cording to the sentiments of the People. The French Ambassador neth [...]r can, nor will do any thing for him. Much lesse can I, who would most hartily, nor any man else. This Pope will do no graces: who of all men liuing hath least reason to put him self vpon the rigor of Gods justice, if it be tru that is sayd of him. I haue nothing to trouble Mr. Fitton with particu­larly this weeke: & I make account that what I say to one of you I say to both. I humbly thank him for his of the same date with yours, & I pray you tell him, you of the Clergy are out of the way, The Secu­lar Clergy will be well guided, if it followes Sir K. D. direc­tions. as long, as you solicit to haue any good from hence. Abandon not your selues. And when Justice is denyed or de layed you here, seeke it elsewhere. And remem­ber, that they are only duped here, who haue a mind to be [Page 63] so. It is tru his Hol. is grown confident, & bold, & begineth to speak big language & expresseth a great contempt of vs, & what we can do, I haue elsewhere giuen the tru [...] reason of this chang in the Pope's Lan­guage, viz, the vain menace vsed in the name of the English Clergy. since he hath oblidged Card. Mazarin by promoting his Brother: beleiueth himself now able to dispose of all France at his Beck: & that an Arch Bishop of Rouen▪ or euen the whole Cler­gy of France & Colledge of the Sorbone will be made say any thing he desires vpon a bare Letter to Card. Mazarin. But I hope bet­ter of the Cardinals Prudence & Piety, and of your Church (men's Judgment, & courage, then that we shall be abandoned to neglect, & sold into the servitude of our enemys, at the price of a red Cap.

Just as I was writing what is aboue, F. President Iohn VVilfrid This K. Father was to be banisht with F. Courtney, had Sir K. preuailed: but failing he faignes a sub­mission, [...]o saue his own credit. came to see me, with great protestations of duty, & af­fection to the Queen, & of respect to me. Vnto which I re­plyed that I had no ill talent to his person euen when I La­boured with my vtmost industry that no offices or endea­uours of his myght prejudice ether her Majestys seruice, or the Clergys interest.

I intendere long to return him his visit. Vpon which I hope Sir Iohn VVintour will be well satisfyed of me: who hath written to me seuerall times with much earnestnesse, to re­ceiue, & vse him fairly, if he should come with respect vnto me. It is now time for me to leaue you to your bet­ter thoughts. Only I must entreat you to get for me le facturm de Monsieur le Marechal de la Motte Houdancourt co [...]re Monsieur le le Procureur General du Roy au Parlement de Grenoble. And so re­membring my humbly service to Mr. Fitton, & hoping ere long to see you (therefore after your receiuing this write no more to me) I take my Leaue, & rest

I haue yours of the 4. current, which I humbly thank you for: I cannot discern what it is you mislike in the Oath, & Propositions, vnlesse it be that you feare they are not home enough to satisfy the Independents: for I see no cause for Catholicks to make any scruple at them. We do weakely to hazard our vndoing for this court, that hath no Piety, nor Charity for vs, nor considereth vs beyond their private sordid interest. Without all doubt these Propositions, as they are vniversall ones, & not limited to particular cases, ought to be subscribed by euery good subiect. Fa. Iohn (who now is most kind to me, & visiteth me dayly) is of that mind. And you shall hereafter see the Benedictins as forward, as any of the pack. Father Rector here of the Iesuits hath giuen in a copy of all, & asketh directions how to steere in this sea, & there is a congregation of 16. Diuines (but hitherto very private) to fit vppon it, & give their opinions to the Pope. It is a great fault to aske leave, when we need not, & where we are sure to haue the question pared, & Limited to their owne self interest. Though I haue served you little here, I am not out of hope of being considerably vs [...]full to you in England, He flatters himself with expectations of great suc­cesse in En­gland: where as hard fate expected him, & much harder as we shall see his letter 17. 1650. as things stand. Card. Capponi hath giuen me his Letter to you, & to your canons These are not such Let­ters as Mr. Fitton demanded Letter 28. in England. They are the same, (as he telleth me) that he shewed me 9. or 10. months agoe, & differed them till now, vppon expectation euery weeke to haue your Chapter businesse done to your mind. But he hath now lost all credit at court, I may safely say, for yours, That that good Cardinal lost his credit, favouring Blackloists, I easily beleive, but that his zeale for the Queene's service should prejudice him, is improbable. & the Queene's sake, in both whose in­terests he hath appeared boldly, & spoken lowdly. Yet I send you not the Letters till next weeke, conceiuing it possible there may be some suddain change here in resolutions [Page 65] Concerning vs. I am withall sincerity Your most humble & faithfull servant. K. Digby.

On the back. To Mr. Fitton 28. octob. 1647

These are to humbly thank you, for yours of the 14. of octob. & more for the paines I haue vnluckily put you vnto by sending you my bookes. The packet whereof had no o­ther addresse from me, but vnto your self: howsoeuer for its l [...]ttlenesse I suppose it was put into a greater to Mr. Trichet. I doe not care what they doe with the bookes, & should not bee much sorry How little doth he regard the Roman Censures! if they censured them. Onely it trou­bleth me to haue put you into an harsh businesse. If the re­fusall of the Chapter can Deromanise Mr. Fitton, Doe these words speake an vnderva­luing of the approbation of the Chap­ter, or a desire of Mr. Fitton's a­bandoning Rome? An­ger spocke them, that their affaires in Rome should be dis­appointed. it will doe more good, then the Confirmation would haue done. Mr. Hide is extremely bound vnto you, & I vpon new respects for the good will you shew him. But I should be sorry you should stay an howr in Rome to the prejudice of your health, for any of our occasions. I feare you will be troubled with the council of Constance. For the rest I feare not what will be cited out of F F. & CC. Those who write against the mo­tion of the Earth, or indifferently, generally conclude that scripture Mr. Blacklo foisted sayd Dr. Ley­bourne into Rusworth's dialogues a more gene­ral Errour, viz, that S [...]ripture was no Fitter to convince any thing, then a Beetle to cut, or a straw to knock with. VVhich R. Smith late Bi [...]hop of Calcedon s [...]rd was a Blasphemy: & expressely contrary to the Apostle: Omnis Scriptura divinitus inspirata vtilis est ad redarguendum. convinceth nothing which neverthelesse is the [Page 66] ground of their decree, as Morinus, Gassendus, & I think Fro­mondus. I am told that a Iesuite in this town hath a L [...]d-stone soe strong, that if a man keep the Iron from it with all his force, it will draw man & all to it self. I shall see what news I can get from Mr. Chanrond against your coming. There is another in town hath promised me the same, & sayeth he hath two other secretts, the one to tinct Luna to yeild 30. for one: the other to draw a crown of gold out of an ounce of Luna. He is poore, but not needy, & hath a modest caraige. By the time you com I shall see whither he be worth your acqvaintance. Mr. Skinner presenteth his humble respects vnto you, & desireth you would permit one of your Laquais to car­ry this enclosed to Mr. H [...]rt. God send you well & soon back.

It is long since I am acquainted with sendovigius vpon Dr. Mores recommendation. But I fear I shall vnderstand little in him.

This is in answer of yours of the 25. of 8ber. your com­mands in which of making what hast I can to you, shall be [Page 67] obeyed by me. And if vnder your wing & directions, I may doe any good there, I resigne my self in your handes: do with me as you please, & in all things I will steere by the compasse you shall assign me. He will then sayle in danger of shipwrack. I cannot sufficiently admire at the folly Another exhortation to break from Rome, that is, to a schisme. of our Enlish Catholicks, who will depend so contemptibly vpon this wicked interessed court, that neither careth for them, nor esteemeth them. But I am perswaded this Pope will do great good in this particular if God permit him (for the advantage of his Church) to live a little longer: for his infamous covetousnesse, & neglect of Gods service is so gross that every body beginneth to be weaned from this Childishnesse, & to detest those Mamons of iniquity, & to do their businesse To embrace which (schisme) he alleadges the example of others; which no body heard of be­sides himself vnlesse it were from him. qvietly by themselves. I had long discourse yesterday with the Pope about Mr. Whites book, & gave him a memoriall concerning it: I know not yet what will be the effect. The Magister Sacri Pala [...]ij is a scrupulous drye Pedant He bestows his Censures very liberally: & no wonder, for none can please him, but the All-knowing Blacklo. These Censures speak Sir Kenelme's Humility. & is now busie censuring a Iesuits book of Palermo, that holdeth a like opinion to Mr. Whites con­cerning the appearing accidents in the Blessed Sacrament. I gave Sir Iohn Cansfield more respect, then belonged to him. But such intollerable pride, & self conceite e. as he hath is never satisfyed. My former letters will haue told you, I can do nothing for Monsueir le Gras.

I am indebt to you for Letters of the 9. & 30. of Aug. & of the 20. 7ber. My slow payment hath proceeded from my weekely hopes of obtaining the promise of a Chanonry for you, (notwithstanding all your enemys opposition) that so my Letter myght be the more welcom to you, then whilst it should carry with it barren expressions of my respects. And this my neere hopes fluttering still before me hath drawne me into this great arrear: for which I humbly aske your pardon. Yesterday I got the Popes promise for you of the chanonry vacant by the death of Monsieur del Clef, who dyed 14. 8ber last. I had notice of it by Mr. Fittons Letter just as I was going to my audience: & so I hastily scribled a note my self, whereby to fix the Popes promise so as to ground vpon it the speeding of the bulles, without dan­ger of his saying afterwards he forgott it & had there-vpon given it a nother. I have also sent for Signior Zutti to follow it at the Datary; & I haue spoken to Dr. Bacon to do the like: & haue already likewise recommended it to Card. Cap­poni, to lend his hand to it, if there should arise some dif­ficulty: which truly I doubt not, but in such cases, in these times one cannot be to sure.

The french Ambassadour hath spoken efficaciously Of those we neuer saw any signe, but in this Letter. to the Pope to confirm your Deane & chapter; & further to give vs Bishops: so farre he is from what is told you. I had large discourse yesterday with his Hol. here abouts: & he alloweth positively all I aske; only he is advised to delay time before he settle things, till he see what plye the affayres of those in England will take. Yett he assured me yesterday he would before my departure take some order to giue content to the Clergy. He is of a nature easily diverted from doing any [Page 69] thing, in any kind. But he is so inefficacious Of late there hath beene no Pope, to whom this could be lesse reproached, as appeared by many in­stances. in all things of action (excepting accumulating mony) that such thoughts vsually passe not beyond impotent wishes. There was neuer any the least declaration of the Congregation against the Deane & chapter. They dare This is sayd to encourage the Party in their h [...]ffing way, which hath ruined their credit in Rome. not discountenance it, much lesse deny it. But all the Cardinalls of it excepting C. Capponi, & Monsigneur Albizi, are so divoted to the interests of some Regulars (& for some other regard) that they seek to coole the he [...]te which my pressures putt in the businesse, by gaining time, especially till I should be gone: & then they hope they shall rest a while vnmolested: for I spare them not. But rest you confident that happen the worst that may be, they neither can nor will, nor They both dare & haue declared a­gainst them, when they condemned all Blackloe's bookes, whose Protection they had vn­dertaken. dare declare anie the least blemish against you, whatsoever they may whisper, & murmur amongs themselves. I must do the Pope, & our Cardinall Protectour this ryght, vpon this occasion, that truly the former is well affected towards you, & your businesse: & the latter is passionate, & earnest for you. I may chance go now away from hence with both giving & receiving some disgus [...] : for I have dealed very freely & planely with the Pope, as Mr. Fitton can inform you more particularly: And it is not new that truth frankly spoken should beget Enemyes. I reckon them not, as long as that raiseth them, be they never so powerfull. He that neither hopeth, nor feareth any thing in this world, hath a great advantage. And as little I am moved at the various discourses, which passe of me, to my prejudice. But much to see your great kindnesse & frend­linesse to me which I beseech you continu, & beleive me to be worthy Sir Your most humble & affectionate servant Kenelme Digby.

I haue yours of the 4. cur. The thought of sending Signeur Ferrante was charged vnto Monsieur de C [...]ri [...]antes, who (to tell you tru) I thought by no meanes so fit (all things con­ssidered, for he is Card Spada's creature, & Monsigneur Al­bezi's botome freind) as the other: therefore I represented to him the rockes he myght run vpon, & steered him as dextrously, as I could to take hold of greater hopes, that dawne to him by accompanying the Duke Gvise, to Naples: where he now is the Minister for the Crowne of France: for the D. of Gvise, goeth vpon his owne score with the Napolitanes without any dependance of France, but their leave to advantage himself what he can, expecting only assistance, & countenance from France, for their owne interests in in­feebling the Monorky of Spaine. So that now the treaty is come back vpon Signeur Ferrante against, whose great rubb is matter of mony, for he will not spend of his owne in such a publick employment, & this prodigall Pope can find none to employ vpon the penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos. If he go, rest a. confident he shall be armed with instructions from hence In all be­ginnings of negociation he promises much; but in processe per­formes little Parturiunt montes, nascitur mus. to your mind, & besides you must know I shall haue a great strok with him, for I know how to wield the ressorts that go­uern him. But keep this to your self. I am labouring to get such a declaration from the Pope, as you desire, in an interim, for your Dean & Chapter, & for the Arch Priests Facultys to you till all be setled: & I am not out of hope of obtaning it. I make it my owne proposition (not to engage you, in case I should be refused) & will make this Court beholding to me, Still mag­nificent pro­mises. But where is the effect? to get you to accept it. Therefore be sure you keep your own secret, that if I should be refused you may [Page 71] disclaime me, & not seeme to go lesse in your just requi­sitions. This court is inwardly much displeased VVhen h [...] saw reasons faile to shew the Lawfull­nesse of actīg independantly of Rome, he endeauors to perswade it is the desire of that Court we should do so. (though they must not shew it) with some of our English asking their directions how to gouern themselues about the Oath, & propositions. For this engageth them to make some de­claration (which yet they will avoyde if they can) against what is both lawfull, & fit, (& so conceiued here) for vs to do in England, as matters stand. But they here must not declare a publick allowing of what will be of huge conse­quence to the retrenching of their owne pretences elsewhere. They would haue bin glad it had bin don without asking leaue: & then if there appeare a necessity for them to take notice of it, they would haue seemed to be vnsatisfyed at it, & so haue letten it fall, without doing any thing. In deede they all condemne our discretion in not seing this: which they did before hand plainly enough intimate to all of vs, & warne vs not to engage them in a matter, that of one side myght force them to do what would be odious a brode, or on the other would be prejudiciall to themselues at home. This was singly by Fa. Rector's worke: who is so stitick, so formall, & so hidebound, that he is very vnfit for any pru­dentiall charge. I must do F. Iohn & F. Courtney this ryght, that they are mainly for doing what is proposed, & reqvired, of vs, & do publickly declare themselues so, & haue writ­t [...]n discourses to mantaine it. But they neede not to convince the prudent Cardinalls, & Prelates here: for they avow where they may be confident, that they haue the same sentiments herein, as we haue; but withall say it is not fit for them to declare so much. There haue beene severall Congregations about this matter, & they last very long, many hours at a time, & are kept myghty secret.

You are not well informed of P. Giles interest & power among English Catholicks: He gouerneth wholy Mr. Modtagu, but that of late he seemeth to allow a greater liberty to what we may do, then Mr. Montogus devotion will digest. Besides he gouerneth all the Ambassadors negociation for Catholicks, [Page 72] and hath a great hand with severall of the Army & Parlia­ment, & hath treated often with them, by order of the Am­bassador, Mr. Montagu, my Lord Marques of VVinchester, my Lord Brudenall, & the King himself, & hath gon severall times between the King, & the Ambassador, (all with great secrecy) in this businesse. He is well affected to vs, & hath not bad principles of Judgment. But he would fain haue his Bishoprick dispatched, & till then will not displease this court. It is now resolved on, & the Breife for his Consecration is speedily intended to be sent to your Nantio: vpon which he is to come to reside in France. I pray you be sure to do him no prejudice in his owne private pretensions: but make vse of what I tell you to haue your eyes open. But take no no­tice to an, body else: & know that I shall be able to steere him to all that is sit.

Card. Capponi hath answered your Letter, & I haue sent them to you a Post, or two a gone. Your Postscript shews cleerely how much it import [...]th vs not to trifle in giving the state satisfaction of our fidelity vnto it, without such a blind dependance on a despotick Authority of theirs, as is conceived. For Gods Loue let no time be lost in our doing our vtmost endeavours to root out that misconceit. Truly it is vndutifully don of our Iesuits Rector in regard of the Queen, as well as imprudently in regard of all our Catholicks to moue such a businesse of state of his owne head, without acquainting her Majestys ministers with it. I haue not else to trouble you with, but rest

As a feaver welcomed me to Rome, so it vshereth me out. But Doctor F [...]nseca, & Gio. Giac [...]mo (Mr. Fitton's acquaintance) put me in hope, that vppon once or twice Letting bloud & two purges more then what I haue made already, I shall be well. Howeuer I will set out, though in a litter, asloone as I haue the answer of the congregation, that sate close on fryday & is to sit againe this weeke vppon our affaires. If at least they will giue me any answer, for I haue so put them past excuses, that in truth they can giue me no rationall answer (as I heare most of the Cardinalls do declare) but doing what I desire: And that the Pope cannot find in his hart to do, for it will cost him mony, & will justify the existence of a society of honest men, that will not be fit for this courts sordide & impious ends. Nether my head, nor hand serue me well to write now: Therefore for more particulars I referre you to Sir Iohn VVintour, who will haue seene my Letter to my Lord Iermin. And so I rest

My harty respects to Mr. Fitton. If I were out of this accursed ayre, & vexatious businesse, I should surely be presently well. Which I haue not beene (not thoroughly well) one single day, since I came hither.

Yester nyght I received yours from Rouen of the 24 of the last, 1649. & at the same time this enclosed, but from whence, or whom, I know not. I sent you some letters, & writ vnto you saturday last by the ordinary post for England, which I should be very glad to heare you had receiued. At the same time I sent one to Mr. VVatson. This Watson was I think Scout mas­ter General to Crom­wel, a great Confident with the Blackloists. I haue little to adde ether concerning your private affayres, or the publick oc­currences of these parts to what I then signifyed vnto you. I haue nothing to say to your kind expressions, but that I should be infinitly glad to be assured of your safe arriuall.

I suppose you will know before this come to your hands that Dr. Leybourne went ouer hence from our English court well furnished with monys by them, & with order, & in­struction This is not tru: he had nether Commis­sion, nor Instruction from the En­glish Court. Yet this is sard to set all the Rebels on his back. to hinder the Priests, & Catholicks of England not only from obliging, or engaging themselues to any subiection or fidelity to the present state of England; but even from re­ceiving any favour from the Independants in matters of Re­ligion. To fortify & strengthen his person, & power in this businesse, he hath procured my Lord of Calcedon to make him his Vicar General ouer all England, This is tru. which my Lord hath given him by Patent. What dangers may hence follow both to Religion in generall, & to the Clergy in particular, How strangely so­licitous was the Cabal for their cause, & to sicure their footing in the Chap­ter when they could not endure one Orthodox man should be employed by their Bishop! you may easily imagin. Mr. Fitton, Mr. Cur, & others here are extreamely offended at this vnfortunat accident. To prevent the future mischeife which will infallibly follow this weake mans ambition thus employed, you may do well not to open your mouth of it, to any Catholicke, saue only in common termes (for your freedome of speech Medi [...]e cura [...]eip­sum [...] VVhat freedom Dr. Holden gaue to his tong, & pen appearres by his Letters, & discourse. ruins all your affayres) [Page 75] and advise secretly with Mr. VVatson You see his Goodwill to a Prime clergy man, & their vicar Gene­ral. what course to take to haue him at least sent back by the state. He was sent into Ireland, he was always on the Presbiterian faction, Al this is false Dr. Leybourne neuer joyned with Presbi­terians, or any Rebels. & a professed enemy to the Independants, & a cheife author of all those horrid & wicked reports, which ran current here against your self, Mr. VVatson, Mr. Fitton, & I as causers of the King's death, & as labourers to submit the Catholicks of En­gland to the Independant Government I feare you will find Mr. Montagu infected by Mr. Leybourne's informations, bringing him Letters from the court here to perswade his concurrence with him: I doubt not but if Mr. VVatson be ryghtly informed in the businesse, he will easily do vs all that ryght as to procure meanes to prevent the harmes which this factious & proud spirit This is the full intent of these bloudy informations: to preuent all opposition to the Faction. will effect. If those who now gouerne be informed of him, I feare they will not think his returne in the way of banishment sufficient: & therefore I wish the bu­siness were discreetly He sees these informations may cost Dr. Leybourne m [...]re then banishment. managed, & aboue all things that nothing be obiected against him for Religion, Here is an Idea of the present Persecution: we may think (this present seuere Persecution being a copy of what is here suggested) that s [...]me disciple of this man assisted in the Contrivance of it. that what­soever he suffer, it may be as a spy, a brovillon, & a factious fellow. But you will over do this, if you meddle in it your self, & I pray therefore go along with Mr. VVa [...]son in the ma­naging of it, & nether appeare your self, Thus hauing throwne a stone which myght dash out the Doctor's braines, he hides his hand [...]: that he may se [...]me to haue done nothing. nor any other, but such as are ministers of the publick affayres. I haue often repented my self (for I must tell you all I think) that I gaue you (against the dictamen of my owne Judgment) the paper of the Catholick Government in England in my owne hand writing, If the paper be good & such as all Catholicks are bound to consent to, why was he affrayde it should be seen? If it be bad▪ why did he comp se it, & shew it to Parlament men? for you can nether hould your tonge, nor your hand. We heare your stay was long in Diep by reason of danger by Sea. And though I feare not your security once landed, VVe shall find hereafter, that notwithstanding all this assurance grounded on their compliance with the Independants, Sir K. D. could find no safety in England: for as Sir K. writes on the 31. Aug. 1649 vpon his arrival at London, he was ordred by the Parliament to depart the nation within twenty days, & not to returne without Leaue vpon pain of death, & confiscation of his Estate. yet I shall not be fully quiet in mind, vntill I heare from you, & of your safe aboad at London. Let not Mr. VVatson How solicitous the good man is for the safety of that Cromwellianl hasten to fast ouer, let these vehement stre­ames of men's Passions be a little allayed: for one told me this day to my face, that had he beene here at the news of the Kings death, Henc it appeares that this Letter was written a while after that exccrable Parricide committed by Rebels on the Person of their King. she would haue helped to haue stoned him. Adieu. Yours as you know H. H. [Page 76] Nothing written vpon the back anciently. And though it hath no date, yet I beleive it was written before that of the 24. of March, because this accuses Dr. Leybourne of having acommission from the Queen & that other retracts it. It was written a while after the Execution of his Late Majesty.

I haue little to answer to yours of the 19 but that I am glad you haue receiued the letter you mention, & I wish you would make good vse of what I writ concerning your freedome of speech He spares not Sir K. D. you see. if you knew what prejudice it is to [Page 77] you, & what is sayd of it, you would be more carefull. What I writ of Dr. Leybourne He had been sent into England by the Bishop of Calcedon, as his vicar General▪ is most certain, that is, for his Vicarship to my Lord of Chalcedon for his commis­sion from the Queen, Here he retracts what he had writ­ten in the forgoing Let­ter. that is sayd, but cannot be certainly known, but from himself, or those who gaue it him, who I suppose can hold their Peace. Howeuer because I am cer­tain he will be doing, it were fitt his busie head were pre­uented. Mr. VVatson hath sufficient information of him, By this hint we may see what good offices were done by the Cabal for Dr. Leybovrne a prime officer of the Secu­lar Clergy. By which we may guesse what fauours such men, as Regulars may expect from their hands: which are hands of Esau, though they affect Jacob's voice. but I know not whether he will act in such a businesse, vn­lesse he be dealt withall by word of mouth. In the Letter I sent to you, to London (as supposing you would be there as soone as it) there was nothing of consequence, nor any Letters from Italy, for here they are. Monsieur La Mague hath received none of yours. Mr. More will let you haue 40. pistols vpon my score. For your negociation in England, I will hope well, nor can there be any hazard in them, saue only by too much freedome with one, or the other party, for nether the Catholicks, nor the Independants (if they settle) must know the meanes you intend to set on foote, to effect what you may declare to be your de­signe, as being just in it self, & contenfull to both sides, I meane an assurance of the Catholicks Fidelity to the common wealth, they are to liue vnder. I cannot sent you any news of our English court, for I never enquire after it. Mr. Fitton must do it. I beleive your passage by Calis would be much more secure for the Sea: but by Land I know not.

I will send this morning to Mr. Ferrier. Our Deputyes are still treating, & are to continew vntill fryday. I much feare we shall haue no Peace. All your freinds here salute you.

I receiued one from you without date of time or place. But to giue it satisfaction my residence is at the Hague. My business at the present Geometry whereof I intend to set forth some few resolutions to whet the printers appetites This had a quite c [...]ntrary effect, for the demonstrated faults of his Geometry proued evi­dently his Divinity was stuft with like or worse errours, seing he aduises his Reader by that writing to Iudge of this. to my Divinity, which as yet will not goe downe with them. I pray God I find meanes to continue vntill I can perfect it. I write with these a letter to Mr. Du Bose to gett some monyes One point of most of his Letters, is this, want of mony. to hold out these hard dayes, for my Inke freezeth in my pen. I perceiue well I grow old, yet must I loose time euen against my will wanting mony, & being put to shift to get some. I haue a project to get monys from Mr. du Bose, but it wil be Easter first, and I doubt whither I can expect soe long, or no. As for your opinion of the Blessed Sacrament, if it please God to make vs meete, we shall discourse to the purpose, then I shall vnderstand your grounds: & if I can get my Divinity to the presse, peradventu [...]e you will see my intention the better therein. I am wondrous glad of your good health of body, & minde, though Dr. H [...]lden bee not soe credulous of this last, It seemes Dr. Holden did not spare Sir K. & indeed whom did he spare? I meane of the strength you promise your self, & wishing you all happiness I rest this 21. of [...]ec.

I haue sent a letter to the post for you. And since my doing so, I haue receaued that which you haue don me the honour of writing me on thursday, your 7 of this month. I am infinitely oblidged to you for the frendly care you are pleased so nobly, and so charitably to take of my interests. And am ashamed of the troubles I so continually cause you. But I see your goodnesse is not to be wearied out.

I concur with you in all that you say in this letter, and professe my self to haue the same sentiments you so ju­diciously express. So that your writing this to one as sup­posing me to be of a different opinion, and consequently, your endeavouring to persvade me hereby (for my good) to be of yours, sheweth I haue not in my former letters clearly expressed my selfe: And therefore I will make bold to say a little now imediatly and directly to what is the subiect of this letter of yours. My other letter of this morning seemeth vnto me to say somwhat to this tenor: and I think that most of my former ones do continualy inculcate the vnhappiness of my condition, that to saue me and children from staruing, did cast me vpon courses and imployments which I forsaw would cause exceptions against me. This I would haue prevented, If I could but haue had means otherwise to liue. But being thrown vpon these rockes, I could not auoyde Guesse by this how zelously he serued the Queen, wh [...] employed him. hearing some-times things that went much against my Nature, and saying others that being malevolently interpreted myght cause ill odor of me, & complying for outward decency with persons whose ends I no ways concurred with. For all these things I humbly beg a fauourable construction. And do beseech those who shall looke vpon my life and actions, to consider the main bulke of them, and the actiue part of them, and what effects haue resulted out of them; And by [Page 80] these to judge of my intentions; And according to my in­tentions (which haue euer been sincere & cordiall to the state) to ground their opinion of me. If in any thing through in­discretion I haue giuen cause of mistaking me, or that through error of Judgment I haue fallen into any error, so as offence may haue been taken at it (which I protest was euer far from my intention) I do in most submissiue manner beg in­dulgence & remission, & that it may be gratiously passed by: And (let me borrow one further expression of the Pa­pistes doctrine) If I haue, in running through so may straights & necessities & rockes, committed venial sin, I craue pardon for it, & that long & heavy Purgatory for so many years [...]ay be deemed sufficiently expiatory for it. But as for mortal sin. I will craue no pardon for such. They admitt none. They must proceed from a depraued & aversed minde from the state: such a one, as is not capable of fauour & mercy: And vpon which nothing but death & ruine ought to fol­low. For these it is that I standso peremptorily vpon my justi­fication. And which if I should admitt but a possibility of hauing comitted, by craueing fauour for what I may have don in this kinde, I should exclude my selfe from all fa­vour; for I should not deserue the least. But for all other frailties, errors of Judgment, mistakes & vnhappinesses that my extreme necessities & the natures of my Employments haue cast vpon me; as I acknowledg my weakness to lay me abundantly open to such beyond my intention; so I beg grace & pardon for them. And do humbly beseech the state, & those it shall designe to sift & judge my actions, to looke vpon the effects of them, & to examine if ever any of them were in the least manner prejudicial to it; & accordingly to determine of my intentions: and by them to let me standor fall. This I direct my solicitor & Councel & Frendes to offer and craue in my behalfe; whiles in the mean time, they put me vpon my rigourous justification for these things which properly deserue the name of crimes. To all which I shall [Page 81] euer positiuely plead not guilty. And it must be legall proofe [...] only, that can attaint me of these. Without such the Law declareth the accused person innocent.

Ill opinons & auersions, may be entertained of one for only the formes; which though they punish not directly, yet they carry great waight & prejudice with them; & one time or other, before the year be ended they will come home to his dore. So that he is in an vnhapy condition, who liueth vnder them. But I hope my ingenuity & submission in or­der to the things that may begett them, will preserue me free from that burthen & misfortune, so as (Dear Cozin) you will still honour me with your advises, & assistance, & the good offices of your frends: on which three, I repose the good success of, my cause. And whatsoeuer it be, I rest with all the greatest obligation that can be to you; & pesigne my selfe entirely to what God shall be pleased to dispose of it & me, now that I haue vsed all the di [...]ligence that I am a­ware of (as I conceiue I am bound in my duty to my selfe to do) adding this only to be represented vnto them who shall de­cide it, that if they relieue me not I am vtterly & irrecove­rably ruined; the maine stock of an auncient family is de­stroyed: & if they will be so good as to preserue me, they will preserue one who will employ his life & fortune & all that they shall enable him with in their seruice. All that I haue written in this letter, I beseech you represent to as many as you can, where it may concerne me: & be pleased to order my solicitor to do the like vnto others where he shall judge it may import: as also to instruct my councel to make vse of it in due time & place. As I doubt not but he will do the like with what else I write to him, or that you are pleased to let him see of my writing to you. I beseech you joyne my humble thanks with your obliging ones, to that noble genleman, who for your sake did so worthily put by the calumnie which would haue been brought vpon the stage against me. Truly, he is one of the galentest generosest [Page 82] persons, I haue euer receiued fouours from. They are all vpon your score. Therefore you are in obligation of making high acknowledgments of them. I take vp too much of your time for one post-day; & the packet-boat is ready to be gon. Therefore remitt vnto my next, the reflecttions I make vpon what you & your Cosin haue Philosophically reasoned. By my two to you of the 19 of this Month, & by my third of the 14 you will perceiue I haue received those let­ters of yours which you mention in this now. But you will haue reason to say I haue no mercy, but weary you beyond all limitts of good manners & discretion. Therefore without further lengthening your troble by making an apology, I humbly take leaue and rest

Your most humble and faithfull seruant and most affectionate kinsman

Kenelme Digby

Loose not courage for that in my businesse you finde so great difficultes; & that dayly new ones arise; It is the nature of all great businesses, to encounter with great difficultes. And this is the greatest I euer had or can haue. All my liuelihood, & future well-being of my whole family de­pendeth of it. Industry & patience with Gods blessing will mastter all. And then, the harder we were put to it, the greater will be our comfort & joye.

[Page 83] Sir K. D. his case is not to be considered barely vpon the blunt proofes as they lye before the Barons in an ordi­nary legall course (althô euen in that consideration, it standeth fair; since, punishments ought not to be inflicted, but where the crime is evident & vndoubted:) for that were too narrow a compasse, for a businesse, & a person so much looked vpon as this has been. Such as these are not only obiects of private Justice; but do also carry with them the force of publick examples; whereby the minds & appre­hensions of multitudes of men are quieted & secured, and are encouraged to apply their industries to merit of the state; whose Justice & magnanimity (that hath larger & nobler rules, then do belong to a particular tribunall) is thence rendred conspicuous & beloued by all men. In this case then, (where the actions in controversy, haue passed vpon an e­minent stage) the supreme Judges may please to consider, 1. the time, & the Persons behaviour before those actions; 2ly. The circunstances that he was in, when his behauiour seemed doubtful. And lastly, his carriage euer since. The first, compriseth all the time from Sir K. D. his entring into rhe management of publick affairs, & his comportment in them, till his going out of England from Winchester house, by allowance of the Parliament. During all this time his car­riage was such, as made him be looked vpon as one Sir K. D. pretends to haue been ac­cused to the Court even before the Ci­vil wars. endew­ed with the publicke spirite of a true Patriote, & averse to the byas & private interests of those who were in power & swayed in all that season; as may be evidently made to ap­peare, by many notable examples in his management of the Nauy, & of the Ordinance; by sundry actions of his out of England, & by severall other Employments at home; if any one shall doubt there of: But no proofe can be stronger, then that in the beginnings of the distempers between the Parliament [Page 84] and the late King, when all those who were affected to the wayes of the Court embarked themselues in the interests of it. Yet he behaved him selfe so, that at his going then out of England, when he was allowed the honour of taking leave solemnely of the Parliament he received from it the greatest demonstration of kindness & the most obliging civilities, that it euer did to any private person; & withall, declared him innocent of all crimes that he stood accused of against the state (for euen then, there wanted not some few who were adverse vnto him) & ordered him the quiet poss [...]ssion of his estate, & g [...]ue him licence to carry ouer what he pleased of his goods; as may be seen in the Registers of the Orders of both Houses then.

For the 2. Consideration; They may please to be informed how his vnhappiness was such, that he was no sooner gone out of England; but some of the country committies who were not rightly possessed vpon what faire termes he went a way, but vnderstood his departure as a banishment, and s [...]ayed by popular Rumers, & took advantage of his absence sequestred his estate: so that he had not wherewithall to sub­sist abroad; & to maintaine his 3 sons that he had by him then in France. Herevpon he often petitioned both houses, ex­pressing the distressed condition he was in, & beseeching leave to returne and justifie him selfe of any crime might be ob­jected against him, or receive punishment in his person as well as in his estate if he should be found guilty. But the great affairs of the Parliament could never allow the leasure to take his petition into consideration. Wherevpon he wrot severall letters to some of the eminentest Members of both houses, to acquaint them with the extreme necessity & exigents he was in, & with what was proposed to him to giue him meanes of subsistance; namely an Employment (the myste­ries whereof, & the reasons of pitching vpon him, he has informed severall of the Parliament) for France He pre­tends, that he was sent to Rome by the Queen of France, then Regent. How tru this pre­tence is, let the world judge. (but vnder the Queen of Englands name) to Rome: which he [Page 85] was very vnwilling to accept of; fearing the misconstructions at home that might follow such an Employment. thô he was resolved and certain that in it he should do nothing in effect that was vnfit for a faithfull servant He was then resolued to be very faithfull to the Q. who employed him of the state. Thus, extreme necessity, to be able to live himselfe, and to give his Children bread, forced him (after frequent ad­vertisments thereof at home, to deliver him of it, if it might be) to engage him selfe in that Employment which is the only thing that hath begoten any doubt concerning him: Infine, such a necessity, as ever by the law of Nature & of Nations, alloweth a man to take by violence, to break open doors, to steale food to keep himself & children alive when they are ready to starue. And yet the heaviest accusation against him layeth not to his charge, any particular nego­tiation wherein he may haue deserved ill of the state (which certainly would haue broken out to light in this long time; if he had acted in any) but only suspitions arising from a third persons letter, written in generall terms, & vpon God knoweth what particular designes of his owne; & from the course he was in, which he could not avoyde: And which the rather cleareth the candor of his minde towardes the state; since in such difficult circumstances, he behaved himselfe so as nothing riseth to beare evidence against him.

The last & most important consideration of all is how Sir K. D. hath behaved himselfe euer since his leaving to walke in those mysty paths, that afforded some ground for suspition. In which it is to be observed that as soon as he had setled a correspondence betweene France & the Court of Rome to which he was employed, he presently came a­way from thence. If those interests which are contrary to this states interests, had carried him thither; they would still have kept him there, for they dayly pressed more and more. But as soon as a French Ambassador was settled there, he presently returned: which maketh it cleare that his em­ployment was but in order to that, & to the consequences [Page 86] thereof. As soon as he had giuen an account of his employ­ment to the King & Queen of France that sent him (as they themselues do witness) he continued his former indus­tries to haue leave to returne home, to justifie himselfe, or vndergo any severe punishment if he should be found guilty of any objected crime. It was then an active & busy time with the state of England; which caused, that few private businesses could be heard; & among others, his had no answer. Wherevpon he came over himselfe into England, to encounter all that could be objected against him, without any protection or security at all, but what his Innocence & a cleare Conscience could give him.

Whiles he was there, all, that he petitioned for, was to be heard, to have severest Judges examine his cause, & to afford him nothing of Grace, but bare Justice. He was VVhere was that cre­dit of which he boasted whilest he was in Rome with the Prime Inde­pendants. commanded away, not for any thing imputed against him­selfe, but for suspitions accasioned by others behaviour; which now since, by tract of time (that bringeth darkest matters to light) appeareth to haue had no solid reflexion vpon him. But he hath still continued by his son & neerest friends, to presse for Justice, & to be brought to further punish­ment if he deserve it. In the mean time he hath been ex­posed to all the sufferances, dangers & extremities, that want & dislike of those, neere whom he hath been forced to live, haue cast him vpon. Adde to these, invitations that cannot faile of having been offered to a person whose parts & ex­perience in the world are sufficiently known. Yet all this hath not begot any impatience in him, nor tempted him to steere any other course, nor made him slack in endeavouring to do very important services to the state (as severall in the Parliament do know very particularly) And, for a plenary proofe & evidence of this candor & integrity to the state; they all know that during these 5 years that he hath been returned from Rome, in which time so many discoueries have been made of the closest mens darkest tempers & designes, [Page 87] by the taking of so many papers, by the surprising & ex­amining of so many of their Enemies Agents, & particularly now at the vpshot of all by the perusall of all the King of Scots papers, & of all his secretest frends letters to him, from his first entrance into affairs to this last attempt) taken at Jersey; Not the leste shadow appeareth of any thing to be suspected This prou­eth, that the Royal, Party had little esteeme of Sir K. D. in Sir K. D. which is an argument of so great an Innocence & integrity & soundness of hart in him as bloweth away & cleareth any mist of suspition that vpon any doubtfull action of his, long since done, may be raised against him.

Therefor, vpon the whole matter; since acts of state in punishing eminent persons, are to be looked vpon rather as publike medicines & examples for the future, then as ex­piations for particular offences past long agoe, (which is too narrow a consideration for the supreme body of a great state) certainly it belongeth to the maiestie & honorable­nesse of such a noble state as that of England, to pass ge­nerously over such few dark steps of his life as necessity did long since cast him vpon, & that peradventure some nar­row & scrupulous natures might a while stick at; And re­solue to make vse (some way or other) of the tallents of such a person, as all men know hath been in a course that may haue enabled him to be serviceable to his He hath a great esteeme of of his owne parts as also Blacklo. But I think nobody else e­steemed him. country; Or at least to allow him to live quietly & retiredly vnder the protection of the state, which he has been so industrious to serve (and with no small hazard to himselfe) as severall in the house do know Sir K. D. hath been. This proceed­ing will win the affections of multitudes, He thinks the world much con­cerned for his case: so a boy who sold matches in Paris folling into the Seine, & be­ing in danger of drowning sayd, what wil becōe of Paris if I am drown­ed? when they shall see that, even in doubtfull cases, a good temper of their minds will draw vpon them the benignity & favour of the state; & that all men are not exposed indifferently to the lash & seuerity of the laws but that the state is so generous as to make fauorable constructions of such enforced actions as the necessity of broken times haue cast well-meaning men [Page 88] vpon, to keep themselves aliue in a storme; which admitteth not a regularity in euery piece of a mans behaviour: It will settle many wavering harts: It will secure & quiet many mens fears: And in a word, it will worke a like effect in the state of England, as the absoluing of Fabius Maximus did in the Romane state; which is so judiciously observed by one of the wisest historians that ever was, in these words: Non minus firmata est R [...]sp [...]blica Romana P [...]ri [...]ulò Quinti Fabij Maximi, quam supplicio mis [...]rabili Titi Manlij. The freeing of men (who have merit or ability to plead for them) from punishment, in doubtfull cases; conduceth as much to the setling of the laws & Justice in a cō non wealth, as the pūishing of guilty persons.

If there should be any clause in the exceptions of the Act of Oblivion, that may possibly be contrued to reach me (in case my business be not ended before it come out) Methinketh it should be a very good ground for my frends to move the Parliament in my behalfe, that when so many thousands of delinquents are made happy by the grace and pardon of the state, it doth not suit with their high good­ness & nobleness & gentleness, to let a person remaine in want & miserie & all kinds of discomfort (through some casual shortness of the act of Oblivion in his particular) that hath shewed so much constant affection to the state; And is therefore looked vpon with great animosity by the enimies of the state.

Paris 27. March. 1652.

In Mine of the 20. I sent you the heads of such con­siderations as I conceave are most important for my frends in the house to reflect vpon; who, as being the judges of my cause, are to consider & speake of it in a higher straine [Page 89] and vpon nobler & larger principles, then belongeth to Advocates or lawyers in a plaine way; who attend only to what is positively proved in that precise cause which they plead in; without looking so far to the consequences & dependance of it, & to the Rules of Generosity that be­longeth to a state or to a King. For I make account, that the Senate of Rome (vnto which ours now is conformable) or Julius, or Augustus Cesar; were swayed, in cases pleaded before them, by other & hygher notions, then such as were to governe the private Tribunals vnder them.

Paris 30. March. 1652.

I have no more to adde concerning my business, but that you put my agents in remembrance of a consideration I have often writ vnto them; which I conceave is one of the importantest & most mouing ones to get me a good dimis­sion of my seqvestration, that can be vsed. And it will come seasonably in, at the close & winding vp, after the justice of my case hath been made to appeare by some frends speaking in my behalfe in the house. And it is; to represent to the state that in freeing me of delinquency, & in taking of the sequestration of my estate, they relinquish nothing that they already haue; nor do give me, or part with ought that they have possession of, or can ever be in away or possibility to possess, but by first enabling me to be owner of it. For, my estate is now out in mo [...]tgage, & engaged for other debts that must succeede the mo [...]tgage; so that nothing will be to come to me (and consequently not to the state neither) in 20. years, & more, if it be let lye as it is. And all this while they haue no tye vpon my good behaviour; for, whatsoever I should do or attempt, I can be in no worse case then I am. Whereas setting me vpright. And vpon faire termes with [Page 90] the world, they will put me in a cōdition to make me vse indus­try to recover what I can of my estate, & to pay my debts vpon better aduantage then to let them eate themselues out; And my Mother will do something for me, when I may be bet­ter for it. And thus the state will haue a solide tye (of some considerable fortune) vpon me, to oblige me to duty & respectful behaviour to them, as well as the motiues of affection and honesty in me.

I cannot forbeare writing to you; & yet I know not what to say. Such is the effect of extream greifes, that they can neither be silent, nor speake to the purpose. In a letter yesterday from Mr. Holden I received newes of the tragicall accident befallen in your family; which almost strucke me dead too. Beleive me, Sir, I beare a great share in the ex­cessive greife, you most needes haue vpon this occasion. As soone as I could recover my selfe out of my astonishment, I betooke my selfe presently to adore his Providence that keepeth an exact account of every hayre of our head, & [Page 91] without which not a sparrow falleth to ground. In a deepe & entire resignation vnto that, is al the comfort we can find in such bitter stroakes. I wish you as many helps, & as great & true ones as I can to my owne hart. But least I should be importune to you, holding you too long with my broken sighes, I will turne them from you to God Almyghty in your behalfe; who only can give ease to your Just sorrow. Whiles I shall haue a deepe sense of all that concerneth you, & shall ever be

Your letter of the 21. Decem. appeared to haue made a circuit about, for it was of an old date before I received it. And it hath layne longer by me: for I made account every weeke to haue from England meanes to answere it better then by bare acknowledging the receipt of it. But it is Gods will, that when my desire is strongest & my owne neede, & my best frendes most vrging, I should then be most destitute & forsaken. You would not easily beleive what distresses & wants I have endured here, even in such necessary thing, as [Page 92] a person living in the world, cannot well be without. His blessed name be praysed forit. My Mother assisteth me what shee is able. But shee is in apittifu [...]l sad condition her selfe: God helpe her. My frendes in England bid me hope for a speedy releife out of my estate. But as yet it cometh not. And there is great animosity against me. I do what I can, & vse all the Art & Dexterity, I am capable of, to become master of some thing, that I may transplant it among Christians. But the tyde runneth strong against me. Yet I am confident, that with patience, & with constant & steady vsing those in­dustryes I pursue, I shall bring my businesse to a reasonable issue. In the meane time I suffer not a little. I thank God my doing so is not the least trouble, or affl [...]ction to my minde. Nor, in regard of my self singly, would I cast away one bare howers thoughts, or care to remedy it all. But I conceive it is my duty to vse those diligences I doe: for I see very great goods that I myght set on foote, & advance, if I had my owne transferred into these partes. God hath bin very mercifull to me in weaning me by little, & little & in processe of time, & by an admirable providence, (that I can reade plainely in the great variety of accidents which have b [...] fallen me) from all desires, & affection to the world: not by a deepe melancholy, vpon any sharpe misfortune, as once before, which made onely the present face of things become displeasing to me; but by a through Change of my taste: Here are good disposi­tions to vertu, if he had fallen vpon an orthodox, & able In­structer. not wrought of a suddaine; but after many vicis­situdes in a long course of time, vpon mature, & deepe con­sideration of the emptinesse, & vnsatisfyingnesse of present, & fading goods, & of the reality & fullnesse of future ones. I long to be, where I may be instructed by you at leisure, & att full of these things: for I beleive I am growne more capable of them, then you have ever yet knowne me to be: I find in my self the powerfull effects of solitude, & silence: which I enjoyed (vpon the matter) now above a yeare. In which time they have much ripened the seedes, that have [Page 93] bin long sowed, & slowly growing in me. For though I have bin often obliged to negociate my businesse with others (& other conuersation then such I have avoyded, & have not had) yet that hath not at all slackened or layed a sleepe my love of retirement. But rather hath much encreased it, by reason of the displeasingnesse, & vncouthnesse of such em­ployments. Those only which be pleasing ones, do endan­ger the relenting, or eneruing of ones minde. Yet withall the distastfull busying of ones thoughts doth beget a disorder in ones soul, which hindreth it from being efficacious in good, though it win it not to a compleasance in what is bad. So that besides my naturall incapacity & weakenesse, the dust that is rayled in me by irregular motions of businesse hin­dreth me from aduancing much, though through the mist of it I desery which way my Journy lyeth. Paciencia con la P [...]z (that Gregory Lopez so much recommendeth, & that I hope I am not farre from being in a condition to be able to enjoy) will assuredly allay the one, & in the other I pro­mise my selfe a happy betterment by your charitable helpe. What may be done at a distance, cannot be (I confesse) so efficacious there vnto, as what I shall learne from you when we may notas audire & reddere voces. Yet in the meane time I will beg of you to sett downe in writing some such con­siderations, as you who know my palate, & grounds (as having formed the one in me, & given me the other) may judge will be profitable & mouīg to me. Without such I should, not lye, if I s [...]yd, that your redeeming me out of vulgar ignorance, hath b [...]n in some regard a misfortune to me: As the cure of madnesses was to the poore wretch, who then saw his misery, whereas before he lived contentedly, so your vnsieling my eyes hath rendred those motives of Devotion, & Charity which worke strongly vpon others. Most vnsavoury, & flat to me, and such as will by no meanes downe with me. The only way to releieve me out of this distresse, is to give me solid & tru ones. I acknowledge I am not altogether vnprovided of such from you. [Page 94] But I would be glad to have a compleate body of Considera­rions & Meditations vpon weyghty and subsisting groundes, to rayse a strong love of the Vnum necessarium, & a prime and close adhesion to it. When I reade in the spirituall bookes I meete with, Here he gathers such opinions as were insipid to his Palate, by reason of the tast. Mr. Blacklo had framed in him. VVhich (opinions) being for the most part taken out of Scripture, & commended therein by the Holy Ghost, it is ablas­phemy to vi­lisy or con­temne them. He blames, that in spiri­tuall writ­ters, some Actions, are sayd to please God others to displease him. And why should they not say so, seing God commands some, & for­bids others, & by conse­quence is pleased with the first, & displeased with the second? And he punish­eth the later sort of Ac­tions, & rewardes the former, we reade Mat. 25. And that he is astrict Judge, is cleare, for he will exact an account even of every idle word. Mat. 12. 36. That aliqua opera ope­rata, actiōs themselfes, cancels sins, & encrease Grace, is defined in the Council of Trent: & by them, & our owne sup [...]eatural Actions, d [...]ne in o [...]e­dience to the Law of God, the Merits & price of Christ's P [...]ssion is applyed to vs, as we learne from the same Council. VVhy he should loath these (which he ownes to be Truths) seing the Holy Ghost, & the in [...]reated wisdome did vs [...] them, as Motiues to vertu, I can­not see, but but that his stomack, & Palate was very much disordred, & cut of tast: Otherwise how could these things recorded in Scripture, as vs [...]full to Piety, make him for­ward, & be rebutted with devo­tion? how pleasing some actions are to God al­myghty, how displeasing others: how he punisheth these, how he rewardeth the others: how the merits, & price of Christs passion is to be applyed to vs, how strict a Judge he will be, how materiall actions, & opera operata do can­cell sins, & encrease Grace, & what they describe Grace to be, I grow froward, & am rebutted with Devotion, instead of being inflamed, as they intend it. Such discourses as vsually dry spirituall masters are stuffed with, do move me as much, as Rhombus his Mocke-oration in Sir Philip Sidny's enter­tainment of the Queen (as intended by a foolish Pedant, for a paterne of Eloquence) did move the hearers. Yet I acknowledge that all they say of positiue doctrine is tru: but God knoweth it is tru in a quite other sense, then as they afterwards explicate it. They vnfold these hygh, & ex­cellent Mysteryes (out of the knowledge whereof resulteth our way to beatitude) in a pittifull low straine, proportiona­ble to their Narrow capacityes, & meane learning. I would have them lively delineated accordingly as truly they are, with­out any figuratiue speakings, & doctrines grounded vpon the mistaken senses of the words, which in their genuine sense we are bound to beleive. I would be glad to VVhat he here desires, viz to see, the Oeco­nomy of God's making & Saving vs: what he is, what we are, &c, orderly set downe, he may find it orderly set downe in the spiritual Exercises of S. Jgnati­us, or any of those others who follow him: & that with such re­flections, as may move vs to imbrace that vnum necessariū, in case ryghtly ap­plyed. But all these humble, plaine & sub­stantiall Considera­tions, in those workes are fastidiously despised by the Blackloists, as they were in Scripture by the Pagans, both out of a motive of Pride, & of their owne con­tempt of what had not the character of the spirit, which animated them. Althô God knows, of all the considerable number of men in the world, the Blackloists haue the least reason to harbour such diminutiue thoughts of others, who are no ways in­feriour to their best, ether in Piety, or Learning. I will say nothing of the Disciples, their master himself what hath he of his owne besides shamefull errours? VVhat is good in him, is translated from others, & impayred by the translation. He hath printed a small book of Meditations, all borrowed of & to be found in the meanest of those Authours, whom Sir K. D. treates so contemptibly, except some v [...]ch tritable (& therefore very vnfit) reflections on Religious vertues so that nothing but their ig­norance occationed the groundlesse esteeme they have, for that Persone. Now si Lu­men quod in te est tenebrae sunt, ipsae tenebrae quantae erunt? If their Doctor be so ignorant, what are the Disciples? If their hygh Cordial be such dead Beere, what is their small Beere. To vse his comparison. see the whole oeconomy of Gods making & saving vs, & the considera­tions that are entayled vpon that (as what he is, who we are, & the like) ord [...]rly set downe, in the method of Causes, & effects connaturally relating to one another: & due re­flection vpon them, to stirre vp affections, & resolutions in vs. And for a crowne of all, what is to be done on mans part, & what considerations he is at last to six vpon, to bring himself into a disposition to receive at Gods liberall hand (which is never scanty, where it finds adue preparation) the [Page 95] gift of contemplation, & of prayer without intermission, that S. Paul recommendeth vnto vs, & that the prodigious Gregory Lopez so hyghly practised. When one tells me barely, you must do such an action, beaufe God commandeth it. Or forbeare such a one, because he forbad it, also he will be angry with you, & cast you into Hell, to be tormented by vgly Divils, & burned with fire & brimstone, & that if you will say such prayers, & communicate in such a Church on such a day, you shall gaine a plenary Indulgence, & thereby balke Purgatory. I grow sicke with hearing him, & my head aketh, & I become as one that should stand in neede of some hygh Cordiall, & a silly Physitian giveth him small beere to comfort himself with. But when one sheweth & conuinceth me, how no created That no created good can fill the capacity of our soul, is no new thought of Mr. Blacklo. S. Austin hath it: Creasti nos Domine ad te, & inquietum est cor nostrum d [...]nec [...]equiescat in te. S. Bernard, our soul Creatis rebus occupari potest, satia [...]i non potest. These & many such are cited by masters of spirit, in the contemplation of the love of God: of whom Mr. Blacklo Learnt it. The same I say of th [...]se other Considerations, of the goodness beauty, order, & excellence of all Creatures in God, that Infinit goodness, beauty, &c: in all which Mr. Blacklo had been in the dark, if he had lyghted his taper at then T [...]ch. good can sa­tisfy. & fill the infinit capacity of the soule, & that what aff [...]ctions soeuer it goeth out of the body with, But it is peculiar to Mr. Blacklo that all the soul's affections when separated from the body, remaine indeleble for all Eternity. And that all its torment is to retaine those, As he says, thô he teaches, the soul joys in them, & in all other qualitys, it pos [...]esses, as much as they deserue, althô they deserue more joy, then all this world can afford: this I say inpeculiar to him, & is so far from diverting men from vnlawfull Affections, that it is no weake incentiue to them. For as Saints Love God, & loue this Love of God, & des [...]re it may neuer be changed; So wicked men Loue vnlawfull obiects, & Loue that Loue, & desire it were per­petuall, & are cooled in their Love when they think it may be Changed. And were men perswaded, there was no other Hell, nor other paines in Hell, but to enioy those Affections; nor Ioys in Heaven, but to be free from them, I feare many would prefer Hell to Heauen in the life to c [...]me, as they prefer sinfull affections to those which are pious, in this. And I haue knowne s [...]me, who sayd, hauing reade, & weyghed these Doctrines: could I beleive him I would play the Roman, & kill my self. Viz, to com sooner to th [...]se Ioys which he promises in the world to come, even to profligate sinners so weary would they be of the body of this death, & so desirous of that life, which at worst, is better & more happy, then all the joys in this life united can make: & yet they remaine voyd of all Loue of God, or tru vertu. they re­maīe eternally indeleble in it, & that the Activity of a separated one is infinitly beyond what is in an imbodyed one, whereby the pleasure & sorrow of it becomes vnexpressible, then I confess, he setteth me on fire to learne carefully what affec­tions, & Judgments I am to store my selfe with in this world: & he maketh me despise & hate all the obi [...]cts I conuerse with here, which may hinder me from happinesse hereafter. When he goeth a little furder, & makes me have some glim­mering of an infinit good, that will not only fill, but in­finitly overreach the vtmost capacity of the Largest intellec­tuall created nature: In whom the goodnesse, beauty, or­der, & excellence of all creatures is resumed in an infinitly hygher straine, then shineth in them, and whereof what they have are but faint shadows, & streaming from that substan­tiall fountaine: To whom all time, place, & Actions are present, as flowing in an vnconceivable manner from him, from whom all things that are haue received their being: And that all these truths, & that infinit others do spring vp in vs from the consideration of this simple selfe-Being. And [Page 96] that our vnderstanding, & soul & Being will be so enlarged, & stretched out by this selfe Beeing, & eternall truth, as to become one with it, & be in a manner transformed into it, if we set our harts entirely vpon it, & make this affection the principle from whence all our actions proceede, & ba­nish from our commerce all those objects that may draw vs an other way. I then gr [...]w weary of the wofull, & wretched employments the Earth confines her children vnto, And I become impatient, that I find none to deliver me from the body of this death, & to release me out of this prison, that I may take my flyght to that happy state I see befor me. And this I say only to give you some hinte of what it is I would be a [...]t, wherein I crave your ass [...]stance, & instructions. I doubt not, but you haue framed vnto your selfe an entire series of such considerations; and have at least beaten them often in your dayly thoughts. But if you have not as yet committed them to paper, or reduced them to an ordely methode, it will not be time l [...]st to your selfe (whiles it will be a great charity, & contentment to me) that you vouchsafe att [...]n [...]y request to take your pen now & then (when you have entire leasure. & disposition of minde for it, & compose them into Meditations, & divide them into points, and severall jointes: and set downe practically those particular and familiar rules, which are necessary for one that inten­d [...]th a t [...]u spirituall life, after an intelligible, & solide man­ner in the most [...]fficatious way he can propose to himself, capable of. It may paraduenture seeme vnto you (if I haue not expressed my selfe well) that I entreate what you have already done, in that excellent treatise you wrote some yeares agone to me: (which I would to God you would give me leave to publish in print for an vniuersall good) But you see I haue my thought vpon that whilest I desire this, & therefore you will conceive it is some thing else, which I now desire. That is a compleate & perfect p [...]ce in its kind. But to form a complete spirituall man, it requireth this other be added to it. [Page 97] That anatomiseth thoroughly the theory of what is to be aimed at in a spirituall life, & extendeth to the practicall part likewise in som degree: but it descendeth not to such particulars, as I wish to have, & neede. It leaveth off there, after it addresseth to them in generall. To do this will be no tedious, nor voluminous work. A few considerations well chosen, & well pursued will serue the turne. And a few Rules will be sufficient to practice. In the making of which let me put you in minde of what I have often heard you say in commendation of Sales his Introduction, that you judged it the best book hath been written of that kind, because it descendeth to sundry minute practicall directions, which have a great influence vpon ones actions, & which all other wri­ters doe slide over. When you shall take this matter into your thoughts, I beseech you employ them also particularly in composing some meditations for receiving the B. Sacra­ment, The receiving of the B. Sacrament, is indeed the hyghest action of Christian Religon, by which we are in some manner concorporated with Christ, as S. Cyril of Hierusalem says in his Catechisme. And our spiritual writers haue not neglected the dispositions necessary for it. And besides that previous, of being free from sin (which S. Paul requires by those words: Prob [...]t seipsum homo) they require a great Faith, beleiving it to be, what it is, the tru body of Christ. 2. Great Humility, which the Church recommends saying thrice: Domine non­sum dignus, when shee gives the Communion. 3. Great Charity, to answer that, which Christ manifested in the Institution of this Divine Sacrament, giving himself to vs. These I say we find in our spiritualists, & what Mr. Blacklo ever did say equall to these, if he would say any thing different from them, I cannot tell. to instruct one to performe that byghest action of Christian Religion in such manner, as one may hope to obtaine by it the happy fruit of it. I am now the more emboldened to entreate this Charity of you, because I vn­derstand you are ere this or are expected at Doway; where (for the time you designe to stay) your minde will not be so much in suspence, & disquiet about disposing of your selfe, as whiles you were in Holland. I shall be glad to heare from you, of your being there, & how long you are likely to continu so, & how you doe, & are in circumstances to your liking. What I beleive it was not long before Sir K. D. knew the Fate of those Geome­trical Propositions, which no sooner saw the Light, but their deformity being dis­covered, they were by their publisher condemned to perpetuall darkness. And doubtlesse the same Fate attends the Divinity of the same man: that being a like false, (& of a more dangerous nature,) thô it may be a little longer lived, because its Falshood is not so easily discovered. becometh of your Divinity? And what of your Geometricall Propositions, that in your last, you told me you were publishing? I pray you cast now to loose as little time, as you can from the great designe you have projected. And remember the first line of Hyp­pocrates his Aphorisme [...]: Ars longa vita brevis. What cometh of me, you shall heare from time to time. If you be at Doway, I pray remember my respects & seruice to worthy Doctor Hyde. And recommending my selfe to your good [Page 98] prayers, & craving pardon for my tedious letter, which is spun out to this length before I am ware, I rest

Your most affectionate & most obliged humble seruant & tru frend Kenelme Digby

Father Clarke at Newport desireth much you should see his Poeme, which he hath now finished, & put his last hand vnto it, vnlesse you cut him out new worke. I write no­thing to you, of Monsieur du Bose, because I make ac­count Dr. Holden doth all that is requisite. He is very bare of mony (as we are all at present) & hath had lately a very great affliction in the losse of his children? And what say you to him? Those of his coate speake wonders of him: but you know their geese are all swans. And by the bulke of his book (as it is described to me) I should suspect, the Authour is too heauy, & hath too little fire for so a yery at aske.

Your most obliging Letter of the 30. of Sept. had a long Journy about: for it went first to Paris, & after some delay there it was sent me hither. So that I received it not till yesterday. I have written twice to you since my arrivall here: As being confident you were restored safe to your owne home, since both Windes, & Seas & all the Elements, & whole Nature her selfe have an interest in preseruing so excellent a person, VVhat a sawning hyperbolicall, abominable flattery, have we here. borne for an vniuersall good. But now that I reade vnder your owne hand the difficultyes & dangers that God delivered you from in your passage, I must againe con­gratulate & rejoice with you for so signall a deliverance. And I do pray God you may enjoy long life for the comfort of your freinds, & the benefit of all mankind: for they are not narrow circumscribed thoughts, that fill your noble breast. I would I had the soule of Ae [...]ulapius in me, to contribute the better to that wished end. But such poore knowledge as I have acquired by Long experience (& cheifely vpon my selfe) I shall always most readily Sacrifice vnto you. [Page 101] Now to what you enquire of me in your Letter.

Now Sir concerning the deafenes I am in­formed this is a good re­medy, & therefore I print it as such. For the com­mon good. of the person you write of contracted some yeares since by a great cold. I con­ceive it likely to be some flegmaticke & viscus humour, that is congealed & hardned in the passage of the eare, and so hindreth the perception there of the ayres motion. I will tell you an easy & familiar remedy for this: of which I have seene admirable & suddain effects, even in persons of 20. or 30. yeares deafenesse. Make a posset drinké with one part of a pretty good spirit of wine & two parts of new milke, throwing away the curde. Before you vse it, droppe a little oyle of sweete Almends into the deafe eare, & let it soake in, for halfe an hour or an hour, laying that eare in a fit posture for that effect. Then with a siringe without a little long pipe at the end; but blunt, so as to fill the orifice of the eare, to keepe the liquour from rebounding too easily out, inject some of the posset drinke luke-warme, do this as often as you shall see cause (not aboue twice at a time; but inter­mitting halfe aday between) & always when you have done, stop the eare with blacke wool dipped in a little civet, dis­tempered with oyle of sweete Almonds. If both eares needeth cure, apply it to the second when the first hath received its injection. I have seen at the first syringing a hard substance two Inches long (not vnlike the pith of Elder) start out of the eare.

I would be glad to see an act of Oblivion, or forgetting the molestation of persons that have never bin delinquents: Here we see how much he was mis­taken, when he boasted so much of his credit with the prime Rebels: seing he could not obtaine from them so much as security for his owne person. for this is my case, as I doubt not of making it appear assoon as it shall be heard, which is all I Labour for, asking no favour, but only justice. The act to take away laws against Papists, concerneth me not, for there never was any proceeding against me, as a Papist, so that in that regard I stand rectus in curia. Vpon the whole matter I am confident it will not be long before I be allowed to returne home, when one of my greatest contentment will be the happinesse of enjoying [Page 102] often your excellent He conti­nues in his abject sordid flattery. Conuersation. I wrote to you from hence the 5. of this month, by Mr. Ayliffe: & the 7. by Iohn Lee. And I have with my tediousnesse trespassed too long vpon you now. And I cannot of a suddaine breake off the conuersation of a person I esteeme, & honor so much, as I do you. I now committ you to Gods blessed Protection, & with all respect do take leave of you & rest

Yours of the 12. of Nou. came to me on the 19. the very writing time which made me guilty of my owne slownesse to differr the answer vntill this next post. Your motion of writ­ing a rule of Doctrine is very good & a thing I desire to do before I stire out of Paris. But S [...]heper Daniel having brought my packet so late, my hands are at the present full with reading over those papers, which I desire God willing to print in Paris by your assistance. Howsoever I desire to make it ready for your syght against you come, that you having perused it we may the better discourse of what is contained in them, whereof you seeme to be curious. In those papers I beleive will bee some things which will make the Iansenists in part side with mee, & the treatise you speake of will come out with more authority if the Authour be famed before. Besides this my brother hath written that he thinketh to be shortly heere, & therefore I am not vnwilling to refresh [Page 103] some geometricall notions, to give him content withall. As for desires of your returne they easily frame in me without my owne seeking, by the sole power of the obiect. But for hopes of it, I know not how to measure them, being not able to judge of the circumstances. As for my entertainment, I have more adoe to keepe of excesse then defect, & nothing is wanting but your company. There lyeth Rovens 18. livres for the Charthusians of newport from Mr. More in my command, if I could gett an acquittance for which I have sent often to Doway, but get no answer. If you can gett their acquittance sent, I shall see the monyes delivered heere, or in Doway, to whom they please. No more but that I am as ever Paris 23. of Nouem. 1650.

These are not to complaine of your long stay, the which I know to be very necessary, though vngratefull to him, that seeth himself by this meanes to spend your goods without affording you that comfort you seemed to ayme at in his seruice. But to have your aduice in an occasion proposed [Page 104] vnto me from London. VVhitaker a stationer, who printed my Institutiones Peripateticae is not so weary of that bargaine, but that he is willing to print my Divinity. Mr. Austen, whom I believe you remember at Rome, promiseth to be the cor­rectour. I have answered for the present, I could doe nothing, because of your absence, & some engagement I had put you into. But being vncertaine of your stay there, I thought it good to take your aduice. I am not fond of VVhitaker, for I saw a copy of my Institutions, which mee thought were ne­ther good paper, nor correctedly printed. But likewise your last letter hath put me out of hart with [...]esse, seing you cha­racterize him to bee the proprius of the sraterie which supposed it is impossible the book should not be suppressed before divulged. The reasons for which I desire your presence be­fore I resolue this affaire are cheifly two. The one to con­sult what were best for the book, & the divulging it here: which I think to bee a circumstance of importance, & may be best don now when the Iansenists begin to print bookes without approbation. The other is that your self myght have the perusing of it whilest I am with you: for besides the ambiguityes which I myght cleere to you, I apprehend you may finde in this book what you wrote to me for in Doway: for I account tru Divinity to be nothing, but the vnueyling of those considerations which God hath prepared for the steer­ing of our soules This is tru, & appeares eminently in the writings of the Fathers, & severall schoole Divines, if not all. Yet how far Mr. Blacklos Di­vinity is from that, I refer to the Iudgment of those who have reade it. I never knew any one the better man for reading it. It nourishes Pride, Faction, Contempt of Superiority, stubbornesse in judgment, & will, extinguishes feeling Devotion, & sense of Piety, & disposes to schisme, and heresy. It may be knowne by its siuits. For amongst his Disciples little of [...]u christianity is to be found, whose life, is Charity, which is banish't by a root of bitternesse springing vp out of it, Radix amaritudinis sursum germinans. VVhich is knewne by the perpetuall calumnyes against all who dislike their doctrine, without sparing even the eminentest Men amongst their owne Brethren, as we have seene in Dr Holden against Dr. Leybourne, & do dayly see, & heare in the ordinary dis [...]ourse against Regulars. Can the T [...]e be good, which brings forth such anti-Christian Fruite? See my annotation on Sir K. D.'s Letter 25. Feb. 1650. you will there find some reasons, why this man's Diuinity is contrary to tru Piety. Indeed two Passions have a maine influence on all our Actions, Hope & Feare which may be termed the two wheeles, on which all our Affections turne, or the two generall fountaines of all our Actions. By these God himself in his Divine Scriptures Endevours to debarr vs from bad, & stir [...] vs vp to good Actions. (vide Ecclei. 15. 18.) Setting before our eyes the Greatest of Evils, Hell fire designed for the wicked: & the greatest of good things the Heavenly Kingdome prepared for the good, & vertuous. Mat. 25. 34. & 41. Now this Hope, & this Feare is extiinguishe by the Doctrine delivered in this Divinity of Mr. Blacklo: which containes no­thing, but meere Philosophical Notions mingled with some termes taken out of Christianity, or Scripture, but handled more as a proud Pagan then an humble Christian: & savouring more of an Epicurean Libertinisme, then Catholick submis­sion of the vnderstanding to the yoake of Faith. This sentiment all must frame of it, who read it with a mind not prepossest; but at liberty to judge of it, & not ablind submission to his sentiments, which is due to none but God, & his Church. to its last End. This is my Proposi­tion: the Judgment yours, I to obey as

These are to accompany my Brother for bienseance, your goodnesse not permitting that he should need any company. Withall to have aduice about a little treatise I intend to print [Page 106] vnlesse your opinion be contrary. I intend to call it Institu­tionum Peripateticarum pars Theorica, & if you like of it, I would add that it is admentem of the authour of the Immortality of the soul. There will be some matter of which our Divines may except against He guesses very ryght: f [...]r aspirit of singularity, & Novelty accompanyes him in all his writings: which must needes give occasion of exceptions to Divines; who are taught to tre [...]d in the footsteps of th [...]ir Anc [...]s­tors, & cum dicunt [...], non dicere nov [...], as Vinc [...]ntius Lirin. Hath it, to deliver old things in a new manner. but peraduenture will not whilest I live out of Action, & therefore I aduertise you, that you be not engaged vnawares, although for all this title you may disavow any part of the doctrin, seing I may mistake your minde. I think the book will be at the hygh [...]st a Cardescu book. I could wish therefore to know how many you would advise me to print, 750. or only 100. for frends. This later way the cost will be less but wholy lost. The former way, if I can putt them of, there may be some profit. But my writings are such No great wonder: for he writes vnknowne Doctrines in an vngratefull, insipid stile. Dr. Holden in a letter to Sir K. D. of the 9. of nouem. 16 [...]6. sa [...]: I feare that Mr. White will neither accept of the place you designe for him, nor will be fit for it. It is lippe learning which prevailes amongst men: & we have so few mortall Angels, that all invisible knowledge is for the D [...]serts. Thus he, sp [...]aking of the obscure & vnpleasant way of delivering his minde vsed by Mr. Blacklow both in ordinary discourse, & writing which way rebu [...]tes those, who retaine to themselues a Liberty of discerning Gold from Copper, Truth from Fables, yet hath beene of as great vse to entertaine his Disciples in the admiration of his sentiments, when they were but trivial, or worse, as the obscurity of the oracles meeting with minds prepossest with an opinion of their Truth, served to entertain the D [...]luded Idolaters in that erroneous veneration, althô the answer were such as did not sarpasse the reach of an ordinary wit accompanyed with craft. as take with few. For other things my Brother can give you a better accompt then I whose chief worth is to bee ever, (2. of July)

I have received your Letter by my cosen Dermer, vpon whom I have waited every day since his arrivall at this citty, which was this day seue [...] ryght, endeavouring to comply with your commands according to my power. The G. Duke, & his brother are absent from Florence, & have been so ever since he came, & so he could not come to [...]isse their hands. But this will be supplyed at his return, for he intends to passe all the summer in this court. This morning he is gone for Rome. Thus much touching my cosen Dermer, & the obliga­tion I have to serue him vppon your recomendation. But there is another favour for which I connot render you suf­ficient thankes, which is the present you were pleased to make me of Mr. Blacklo his Learned Divinity which at last I have received together with his other Opus [...]ula. I did not thinke to have given you an account of this, vntill I had perused them all; but I find that the worke is too tough, to be run over curscrily, it must be reade with attention. I know not how it will relish amongst our Italian Divines, especially when they reade his doctrine of Purgatory [...]: as yet I hear no talke of it, it seemes either that they have not seene his book, or els they find it too hard a taske to reade it over. For my part I do not see how it can stand with that maxime of Tradition Mr. Fitton dislikes Blacklo's opinion of Purgatory. His first rea­son. which is the ground of all our beleif [...] : & although some of the ancient Fathers myght have beene of the contrary opinion, This is not tru; for not one of the Ancient Fa­thers h [...]ld what Black­low teaches of Puga­tory. yet that ought not to prejudice the present doctrine which for many ages hath been held nemine contradicente, & hath beene Confirmed by the v­niversall practice of the Church. For vpon the same ground it myght be denyed also, that the Saints departed shall see God before the day of Judgement, for the same Fathers were also of that opinion. Secondly His second reason. if all shall remaine in [Page 108] Purgatory till the day of Judgement, without any alteration for want of their bodyes to worke it, what avayleth it to pray for soules in particular, & yet it hath been practised in the Church for all ages from the times of the Apostles. 3ly His 3. reason. Mr. Blacklo's Purgatory as I conceive it must needes be most grevious to those, who have most Charity, & were lesse charged with sinnes whilest they lived in this world, in regard that they have a greater desire to see God, then one who hath lesse charity & consequently a greater pain, then ane, who hath Lesse: & yet the one is to endure as long as the other.

But to let this question passe till I see Mr. Blacklos book, which I vnderstand he hath written of this subject. I shall make bold to beg a favour of you for my owne particular, having vnderstood from my cosen Dormer that you intēd short-to see England: wherefore you may be pleased to know that there is a debt due to me—&c, with my most humble respects to your selfe, I remaine Florence 30. oct. 1653.

We have according to our Order formerly obserued by our Generall Assemblyes nominated six to be presented at Rome [Page 109] out of whom a Bishop is to be elected at his Holinesse his pleasure; & with an vnanimous vote your Honourable Self in the first place. Of whose vnexceptionable worth, & in­clinations towards our Chapter, & Body wee have that assured esteeme, that our naming any other besides is rather an effect of our respects to His Holinesse, then a deem'd competition or ballanceing of any second with your worthiest self. We heartily wish there were no more difficultyes to be overcome, then on our sides; where the resolution was so readily, & heartily made, that it was not judg'd worthy to admit any the least debate. Perhaps we may feare some difficulty at Rome to obtaine that Authority, which onely we dare ad­mit, that is an Ordinary, or Bishop; but we more fear a modest disinclination on your part; whose very name and Person wee with good reason hope might otherwise bee a meanes to obtaine vs the thing wee sue for. We become therefore humble suppliants to your Lordship by your good­nesse, & by the aff [...]ction you bear towards vs your Brethrren, (of which we are very confident) that you would please if his Hol. so think good, not to refuse a Charge, for which inward personall Endowments concurring with circumstantiall considerations represents you to the eyes of the world as every way most fit. The rest of our Consultations & Orders, your Lordship will vnderstand from our Common Letter, which accompanys this, & from our Agent, Mr. Holt; whom we have enjoined to communicate our Intentions particularly with your self. Recommending the welfare of our Chapter, & Body to your Lordship's Condescendency to our Petition & your self to the Protection of the Almyghty, we rest

This day only I received your Lordship's civill Letter in one from Monsieur Tilier, to whom I am extreamely obliged for his civility & curtesyes towards me, in so much that I beleive with the helpe of your Lordship's interest my pe­tition presented to his most Christian Majes [...]y, & the Queen in order to this Community may find the successe we desire. As to the Information your Lordship mentioneth, [...]y Let­ter to Mr. Cl [...]fford, & Mr. Carre will doubtlesse afford fullnesse of satisfaction vnto your Lordship, & our good frend Dr. Gough. As to my proceedings to expulsion, truly tis not in my power to expell That Power was taken from the Presidents of Doway, Colledge by a decree of the Congrega­tion de Propa­gandâ, anno 1662. any Alu [...]us without expresse order from the Cardinalls of the Congregation de Propaganda side, to whom I have not hitherto writ, In order to the faction Seditious practices of Blackloists a­gainst their Superiours. Mr. Blacklows spirit (which is crept into this family) has raysed to expell me, if it had power enough, & really I wish it had, for these 15. yeares I have beene tormented with it, & would esteeme my selfe happie to be separated, as far, as R [...]me from it: & to that Purpose I have for 2. yeares, & more Solicited our Protector, & the sore sayd Cardinals; but now my design is to goe thither my selfe, since Letters will not prevayle. Vrget pras [...]ntia T [...]ni. The enclosed It follows this Letter. is the paper I offred to be subscribed, & twas rejected. Then I desired of our spirited two ghostly Fathers, which be the heades of the Faction, to refer themselves to your Lordship, Dr. Gough, Mr. Clifford, & Mr. Carre. And 'twas replyed saying will they refer themselves to the Chapter. Which reply did much displease me. Nevertheless some two days after, they signified [Page 111] vnto me, that they were content to refer themselves, and write to Mr. Carre vnto that effect: but doubtless they have not, for they are pinch'd with the paper, & seeke evasion after Evasion. This day they offred to take the oath of Pius 5. Pope which importes a Profession of Catholick Faith. To which I ans [...]ered that I had order from the court of Rome to keepe out Mr. VVhites Blacklos. spirit out of the house; but not to offer them Pius 5. Oath. Yet I wish them to write to the Cardi­nals, & if that would content theire Eminences, it should con­tent me. They be at their wits end, & can invent noe lye, nor plausible evasion for their preservation. And this day they endeavoured to make a quarrell, They talke of Peace, yet hate it, & banish it from all places, where they prevaile seek­ing quarrels, as little a­greing with their brethren as with others. saying I called them Schis­matickes, for refusing to subscribe the paper. I ans [...]ered I did not call them Schismaticks, but that they would be esteemed for such. And wi [...]hed them to consult the cheife Doctors of our Vniversity, who I assured me would wonder they should refuse such a paper, & judge it an argument of a Schismaticall spirit. This is all I have to say at present in order to your Lordship's civil letter: relying on your Lordship's goodnes, that you will be pleased to peruse what I have sent to Mr. Clifford, & Mr. Carre, that is my owne letter, thô disorderly with my letter directed to the Chapter, in answer to one they writ me, & Mr. Gage his Letter writ me from Rome, when he was Agent there: & thereby judge how prudently my sayd Letter to the Chapter was made the ground of a Faction. I professe Dr. Ley­bourne's sin­cere intentions for the pub­lick good frustrated by the Chapter Faction. to your Lordship sincerely I had nothing before my eyes, but an earnest desire of a good intelligence with the Sea Apostolick, & thereby vnion amongst our selves: which will never be, if we continue in this Thi is most certain. Schismaticall exerc [...]se of authority & Iurisdiction. I say Schismaticall, which I have al­ways a fore concealed: & I thus demōstrate it to your Lordship.

Reasons, why the pretended Chapter's Authority cannot subsist. 1. The Late Bishop of Calcedon had no power to establish the Chapter. Our Bishop of Calcedon was only Delegatus habent eam p [...]testatem & Iurisdictionem in Regnis Angliae, & Sco iae, quam habent Ordinarij in suis civitatibus, & Diaecesibus. And the Pope as appeares by his Breve conferd on him this power of an [Page 112] Ordinary, & consequently this Ordinary Power was a Personall Grace, which of necessity expired with him. Which our last worthy Bishop knew The Bishop him­self judged the Chapter to have no power ca­nonical. well: for some yeares before his death, he ordered me, his Grand Vicar, as also Mr. Clifford, to confer facultyes to the cheife of our Clergy, saying: when I am dead, I knew not how they will come by them. And therefore thought fitting to give them, when he was alive, & in power. Out of these premisses it is Evident, that the Chapter did not succedere in ordinaria Iurisdictione Episcopi defuncti: that Ordinary Iurisdiction in him being a Personall Grace, that of necessity ex­pires, the Bishop dying. This is the doctrin of all Catholick, Orthod [...]x Doctors. But now let vs suppose this ordinary power did not expire in the death of the Bishop; & suppose also that his Chapter had been Confirmed, & consequently did succedere in hac petestate Ordinariâ, nevertheless though it were a Chapter as good & valid, as that of S. Peters at Rome, or as that of our Ladys Church at Paris, it could not succedere A third reason of illegality of the Pretended Chapter's proceedings, their vsurping without any grant from Rome, or colour of law, the extraordinary Facultys granted by a special deed to the late Bishop. To which no Chapter how Canonical soever, ever pretended. in Episcopi autheritate, & Iurisdictione extraordinariâ, that is such a Chapter could not lawfully exercise their Bishops Facultyes extra sortem, granted by the Pope, vnless his Holiness gave express leave thereunto: & without his sayd Holiness Leave, & ap­probation such exercising of such Facultyes is Schismaticall, er­roneous, k. A second reason of the nullity of the Chapter: all Doctors condemne it, Dr. Ley­bourn after the sayd Bishop's Death con­sulted the ablest Doc­tors of Divinity, & Can [...]n-Law cōcerning the pretended Chapter: who a [...] vnan [...]mus­ly (thô vn­knowne to one another) an­swered, that the Chapter was Null: which he here hints at. Nay the chief Canons know this nullity, as appeares by the Letter of Mr. Fitton to Sir K. D. 11. Octob. 1647. & the Petition of the Agent of the Clergy, which follows it. & Sacrilegi [...]us. But our Deane & Chapter exercise our Bishops exterordinary Facultyes, give our Bishops exterordinary Facultyes, & make Vicars, & Arch-Deacons as many as they please, without his Holiness Leave, having never asked of him either ordinary, or exterordinary Facultyes. When in England I de­manded of the Deane, Dr. VVarren allias Ellis, Dr. Humphrey Waren, alias Ellis, acknowledges the nullity of the Chap­ter, of which he was Dean, & acted as such, who only pretended the Pope's know­ledge of what they did. But he did not take notice, that the Pope had exprest frequently, nay on all occasions, his dislike of what they did as being schismaticall Vsurpation. VVith a like reason the London Rebels might have excused their se­ditious Actings, because the King knew what they did, Indeed that Rebellion in the State against the King, & this in the Church against the Pope, began at the same time, (which is worth the noting) & was defended in some sort with the same pretences. quá auctoritate, quâ Conscientiá he could give exterordinary, or indeed any Facultyes? he replyed, the Pope could not but know what they did: & that was Sufficient. My Lord, how deplorable it is, that such a Clergy, as we are, should have no better authority & Iurisdiction, as to exterordinary Facultyes, then what is presumtive, & inter­pretative onely, Deus bone in quae tempora s [...]ruastinos! The thought The like sadness of hart this consideration would give to all other Clergy-men, would they weygh the pernicious consequences, which flow from it: viz, Nullity of Dispensations, Inualidity of Absolutions, & Sacriledges without number, of all kinds, which naturally flow from vnlawfull authority, in matters so vn­limited, as they pretend to, & exercise. Let them consider what account they can give to God of the deluded souls, who rely on them. of this has given me often a sad heauy heart: & my Lord [Page 113] I will dy A zealous resolution in the pious old man. rather then breed my Children to swear Obe­dience to such a Chapter: but the two Confessarij; which have sworn obedience Another sacrilegious practice, to take illegall vows of Obedience of Persons, in opposition to the legall authority of their lawfull superiours. vnto it, as I am now (too late) cer­tainly informed, have gained the greatest part of my young Priests, & Divines, to side with the Chapter. My Lord I have now intrencht on your Lor [...]ships Patience: & therefore beg your pardon, & swear Obedience to your Lor [...]ships com­mands, who am in all cordiall manner

I would willingly write my Letters twice over,

but truly my hand shakes, & I am ould.

The writing offered to be subscribed sent with this Letter. Infrascripti Praeses, Profess [...]res, & Officiales Pontificij Collegij Duaci declaramus nos esse paratos acceptare, & stontanèe, & libenter amplexari eam autoritatem, & Iurisdictionem▪ qu [...]n sa [...]ctissimus Dominus Noster Clemens 9. Papa assignavit, & cersti [...]it pro Regimine Cleri Secularis in Angliâ.

1 It appeares vpon reading the papers, & Letters directed to vs from Mr. President on the one side, & the Seniors of the Colledge on the other side, that both partys have sent their case to Rome: & therefore we judge it altogether impro­per for vs to pronounce any determinate s [...]ntence.

2 It seemes to vs most necessary not only in regard of the vnsetled condition of our Ecclesiasticall affaires in England, but of the Seasonablenesse of this conjuncture, wherein it hath pleased God to give vs a supreme Pastour, who hath a particular inclination to helpe vs & doth at this present ex­presse a desire to be informed of our affayres (as we are in­formed by letters from Rome) that an Agent be sent to his Holines withall possible speed; which Person Althô they doe not presume to decide the difference betwixt the two contend­ing partyes, yet they ap­prove what Dr. Ley­bourne re­quired & tacitly con­demne the dissenters. cannot ap­peare vsefully there without carrying with him the signature of some engagement to the effect of this proposed paper, now in question, from the Clergy of England, & together wi [...]h it from the Colledge of Doway, & that of Lisbone also, soon as it may be had.

[Page 115] 3 In pursuance of this opinion of ours, we do presently write into England, for the hasting away of a fit Agent with ample instruction, concerning the state of our affaires & with the afore mentione Subscription of the Clergy.

4. In the meane time for the peace of the Colledge, we desire Mr. President This pro­visionall ad­vice to sus­pend the ex­action of the subscription is no blame to Mr. Presi­dent who exacted it; but only a suspence of that affaire, to auoide greater disorders, which myght be feared though the refractorinesse of these, who having Vowed illegally obedience to the vsurpation of the Chapter, did adhere more tenaciously to that, then to their Duty their Lawfull Superiours, or the Pope, who appointed them. to suspend the vrging of any sub­scription, till the Agent be ready to goe with the Vnanimous subscription of the Clergy, which we hope shall be hastned with all possible expedition.

I have conceived the readyest way, to convey my acknow­legment to all our freinds, He thanks the Chapter for their kindness to him, in nam­ing him to his Holi­ness, for their future Bishop: which he vn­derstood by their Letter of the 23. August 1667. from whom I have received so great a testimony of their affection, & esteeme, is by your conueyance of my resentments, relying much vpon your particular frendship for the delivering of them to the best improvement of such a returne, & I must entreate you to represent to them the ingenvity of my perswasion, which moves me to decline the Proposition. I have declared to Mr. Car at large the reasons, that move me to this determination, [Page 116] and as he professes himself satisfyed, so he hath promist me his offices towards the perswading the rest of our frends of the justnes of my considerations in the matter: & truly for no motive but that of securing the cause from prejudices, which the notoriousness of my person, joined with the ob­noxiousnes of the office doth determine me in the declin­ing of it.

Wherefore He de­clines the Office. I am perswaded that vpon f [...]ll discussion of the question, you will all conclude my motives to be justi­fyed by the sight of inconveniences, which are so visible in the exposure of my person to the view of our aduersarys, & as I presume your judgments will conclude with mine, in this point, so I must entreate your opinions, to grant me the beleefe of my gratitude in this occasion & my zealous application in all occurrencyes, wherein I may hope to honour & serve there society.

I must now proceede to deliver the common sense of our brethren here vpon the consulting Mr, Holes Commission and Instructions: & we conceive you mistake vs much in the end of our proposall of the signature of that short profession of obedience to our great superior. The true intention The intent of the sub­scription mis­understood by the Chap­ter, as ap­peared by the the Instruc­tions given to Mr. Holt. on our part being to conciliate & dispose the power we acknowledge to determine that sort of Government we all desire, which is Episcopall, & we are not determined by this civil aduance of our dutys, to accept that forme, which we intend to decline as much, as you, so that our propose in this gene­rall submission in our first addresse is to dispose our judge to conforme his sentence to our conveniences, which is certainly best provided for by a generall deference to his proposalls, which doth not bind vs, as to the first offer, but rather give vs a justifiable freedome to represent our sense, in what shall be suggested to vs.

And by this so acceptable entrance into the deliberation we may be very confident, of a faire proceeding from our Judge, & of his concurrence with our Unanimous judgement: & as to the scruple of our being concluded by this civil addresse [Page 117] in what order soever shall be first discoursed, & offered to vs, we answer that this dutifull aduance of ours doth but dispose our superior to a faire communication & debate of the matter, & not bind vs vp in the first ouer [...]ures.

For these reasons, Sir which leave no apprehension of having that government imposed vpon vs, which we doe all vna­nimously decline, we doe very earnestly propose He vrges the subscrip­tioni to you againe the signature of this little subscription we sent you: & to prevent all apprehension of publick offense, in the ren­dring such an act publickly notorious, we have conceived that expedient, which is that the submission proposed to be signed only by the Deane & Secretary, as the other addresses are, & this we vndertake to have approved at Doway: Dr. Ley­bourne's in­clination to Peace on any just termes, not doubted of. & we perswade our selves, that it will be sufficient with our superior, & cannot endanger the notoriety you object, as dangerous in this conjuncture.

We therefore pray you to consider whether the proposall be not already in the court we are to pleade, & whither the difficulty of this concurrence will not be strayned to a great vndutifullnes, & we pray you to judge what operation this dissension in the submissive part will have in a court, to which an intire conformity is appropriated, the debate being thus i [...] argument already vpon the stage we are to enter, you may easily conclude what compliance we may hope without this Uniforme respect & recommendation to our Judge.

We have therefore opend our Judgments freely to Mr. Holt, Mr. Holt approved of the reasons for the subscrip­tion. who hath vndertaken to represent them to you as efficatiously, as the concurrence of his Judgment with ours c [...]n promise, & we aprove so much your choice in him, as we promise our selves your concurrence with his & our judg­ments in the matter. Vpon all these we are confident of your sending to overtake him with this subscription of the Deane, & Secretary, which may have the same comprisure of the whole body, as the rest of his credentialls: & we the proposers to you of this facilitation of our common wishes are so perswaded [Page 118] of the Piety & Prudence of his proposall, as we will not doubt of your present concurrence wherein if you shall make a dissenting difficulty, we conceive our selves bound to declare to you, that we shall labour to informe our superiors of our Judgment, & disavow Threatens not to com­municate with the Chapter, if they persist in their reso­lution not to subscribe. our correspondence with the dis­senting party.

And on the other side, if the paper of submission be sent to the Agent with the instruction for demanding a Bi­shop, we are perswaded No danger to be feared from the subscription. that by the Queenes mediation with his Holines, & other remonstrances we will offer, that the government you apprehend, will not be so much as offred you, & though we are not ignorant of all the apprehensions of this conjuncture, yet all circumstances considered, we are perswaded, that your demand of a Bishop ought to be retarded.

We cannot but much resent, that the concurrence of vn­happy circumstances afford your Lordshp so strong & en­forcing motives for the refusall of that degree Of a Bishop. amongst vs, the acceptance of which would have rendred vs all most happy. Now we must rest content, that we have discharged our duty in offering our Obedience, & in the Satisfaction we receive of your Lordships favorable inclination of making vs par­takers [Page 119] of that happiness: for which we all returne our most humble thanks, & gratefull acknowledgments.

We have had divers Consults about that little paper of Subscription. In the first consult wee had resolved to comply entirely with your Lordships desir, & to signe as you pre­scribed, & I my selfe, with the Secretary, had order to signe, & seale it, & send it away by the next post. But before the next post day came, other Chapter men He lays the fault on many Chapter-men which was but of one: whom we shall find hereafter to be mr. Iohn Sergeant. coming to town, it was brought into debate againe, & many difficultyes were moved, so that we could never come to a resolution of it a­gaine. Wherefore we bethought our selves of an other, & concluded in this, which I here send your Lordship: which we hope may give satisfaction. I have not time at pre­sent to give your Lordship an account more at large of our procedure: for just now we ended our consult, wherein it was resolved: & now my letters are called for. By the next post I shall give your Lordship a fuller satisfaction, & in the mean while rest

The writing profered by the Chapter.

Ego Onuphrius Ellis [...]us S. T. D. & Decanus Capituli Ecclesiae c. These tw [...] conditions make the whole sub­scription in­significant: it being always in their power to decline any Authority appointed by Rome on those accounts. Anglicanae▪ Sede vacante, meo & eiusdem Capituli nomine declaro, nos (vti d [...]c [...]t Sacerdotes Catholicos) esse paratos acceptare, & spontancè a [...] libenter amplexari, in quantum status regni, & res Catholicorum permittunt, authoritatem, & Iurisdictionem, quam SS. Dominus noster Clemens Papa nonus assignabit, & constituet pro regimine eiusdem Ec­clesiae Anglicanae. d. They doe not promise to acknowledge any authority to governe the Secular Clergy, or the Chapter, as resolving to continue in that way of Independence, into which they entred on their own heads. Yet the cheif necessity of a Bishop was that, to prevent all those sinfull inconveniences, which all good, & zealous men deplore, as well as Dr. Ley­bourne, whose sentiments are exprest in his Letter 29. Iuly 1667.

By the last mondays post I gave your Lordship a breife ac­count of our resolves, & enclosed in my Letter a copy of the subscription, we had framed, & sent to our Agent. I could not then enlarge my selfe thrrough want of time: now I shall endeavour to give your Lordship more ample Satis­faction in the carriage of that businesse.

Immediately vpon the receipt of your Lordships Letter, I called a consult, wherein it was resolved that we should comply with your Lordship's desire in the subscription: & the Secretary, & my selfe had orders to signe & seale it in the name of the whole Chapter. But before the post day came other Chapter men coming to towne, it was thought sit, that a busines of so great concerne should be debated in a fuller consult: & our proceedings authorized with more numerous votes. In this second Consult such difficultyes were raysed By Mr. Sergeant who would yeild to no reason. against that subscription, that in divers succeding Consults they could not be allayed: & so we were forced to lay it a­side, & frame a nother, which we hoped myght give satisfac­tion. It was vrged that the two last generall Chapters had voted, & ordred that as far as lay in vs, we should not admit of any extraordinary authority, being Commanded so to doe by Superiour Powers. We therefore, as being substituted to the Chapter, had not power to act against their orders: which not withstanding, we had done, had we subscribed, that we would accept of what his Holynes should impose vpon vs. Besides it was much doubted whether the rest of our brethren would have approved that subscription, & not have rather hyghly censured, & condemned vs for such an attempt: & have stood to their former resolves, & left vs to make good what we had subscribed, which we had obliged our selves to [Page 121] doe. Hence by the rash management of this affayre, we myght have been guilty of a great Schisme, & division Can those be guilty of Division in the state, who adhere to the King? Or in the Church, who adhere to its head? amongst vs, & whilst we endeavoured to establish our go­vernment have quite destroyed it. It was also represented, that if wee made this subscription, it would not Lu [...]ke so in darknesse, but that it would come to publick lyght in Rome, & thence in Paris, Flanders, & England: & at length the state heere would have notice of it; who having been conscious, that wee had formerly engaged to them, This is a very remark­able point, discovering a secret never owned by the Party before. that wee would not accept of any extraordinary authority, & knowing now that we made this contrary subscription, would looke vppon vs as so many knaves not to be relyed on, & those who hitherto protected vs, would then with good reason desert vs, & leave vs to the fury of our enimes who having even by forgery, & calumnyes VVhat farfetcht rea­sons are here! And all are non causa procausa. endeavoured to fixe vpon the Ca­tholicks the burning of the Citty, & a hundred treacherous plots, to the end they myght rayse a Persecution against them, would certainly embrace this occasion & make good vse of it, to drive home their designe to their greatest advantage. From hence also would follow, that we should be made o­dious to all the Catholicks of England, for drawing vppon them so great a mischeife.

This subscription was judged also Here is the tru, & sole reason of their dissent. of dangerous conse­quence to our Chapter, & Government: for we we are not ig­norant, that the court of Rome, & the Holy Congregation de Propagandâ Fide are desirous that all Missionaryes should have a totall, & immediate dependence on them. How then can we be secured, that if wee make that subscription, by which we give vp our own liberty, his Holines will not take vs at our word, & reduce vs to immediate subjection, inde­pendent of any other, but himself, by annulling our Chapter, or imposing vpon vs a Vicarius Apostolicus. Tis tru we doe not so much fear the later, because your Lordship hath engaged your promise to oppose it, & the very constitution of our nation is like to exclude it: but for the former, we have [Page 122] much reason to suspect it will come to passe, when we con­sider how vnsuitable Marke this. this Chapter is to the inclinations of the Court of Rome, how opposed by Mr. Leybourne (who as we are informed was the first author of this Subscription out of a designe to ruin it) & other most potent & active adver­saries: & how we cannot be confident even of your Lord­ships Patronage, being you have given vs no promisse to de­fend the rights of the Chapter; but only to oppose extraor­dinary authority. That we stand therfore, can be attributed to nothing else, but to Ryght of possession Here we have Dr. VVaring's acknowledg­ment vnder his hand, that the insti­tution of the Chapter is illegal, & a­gainst the Canons. of which wee can̄ot be deprived without much disturbance: which if we deliver vp by this subscription, we cannot expect we should receive a refusall of so solemne an offer.

Lastly we considered that the Court of Rome could never in reason This is a censure of those who required the subscription, as demanding a thing vn­reasonable, & of the Chap­ter it self, which at the first Consult appròved of it. So that of the Secular Clergy, none, but Mr. Sergeant, acted reason­ably. expect such a subscription from us, since it was never heard, or read of, that any Ecclesiasticall body ever of­ferd vp the like. And indeed it could only suite with those, who after some great schisme, or disobedience to his Holi­nes, were now become very penitent, & sensible of their du­ty, & by such a subscription would give an outward testimo­ny of it. In vs, who were never guilty of any such crime, it would be esteemed only a fraudulent mask for some de­signe, especially seing we have so lately made it knowne to his Holines, & the court of Rome by Mr. Lois his meanes that our Resolutions were quite opposite to this subscription.

For these motives, my Lord which wee cōceive very rationall, & convincing, we thought fit to wave that subscription, & so to offer another which myght nether argu vs imprudent nor convince vs to be fraudulent; but yet myght satisfy the just, & rationall expectation of his Holines: the copy of which I have here sent your Lordship. And we hope your Lordship vpon serious reflection will approve of our pro­ceeding. How ever we are confident we shall not be found soe highly criminall, as to deserve that heavy punishment, with which your Lordship is pleased to threaten vs at the end [Page 123] of your letter, saying that you will informe your superiours of your Iudgment, & disavow all correspondence with the dissenting party. My Lord your judgment, as to the point of Obedience, & Submission to his Holines is the same with ours: for your Lordship is as much resolved to oppose any authority inconsistent with the good of this Kingdome, As if that Subscription, which was demanded, was incon­sistent with the good of the Kingdome! Or Dr. Ley­bourne, & the rest, who required it, were not as good Patritos, as the Black­loists who courted the Indepen­dants! as wee can bee. Wee offer only, that your Lordship thinks it most conducing to the end we aime at, to palliate that judg­ment, with a subscription signifying the quite contrary; where­as wee apprehending that subscription may involue vs in great mischeife, & prove a snare to entrap vs, thinke best to avoyde it. And with submission to your Lo [...]ship's better judgment, I doe not vnderstand how this is a crime, that can deserve so great a punishment as breach of correspendence with vs. Nay I am perswaded, that if his Holines vnderstood, that wee made that subscription, meaning nothing lesse, then what it signifyes (which is the way your Lordship A biting reproach to Mr. Mon­tagu. prescribeth to vs) he would be as much displeased with our Subscribing, as your Lordship now is for the refusall of it.

My Lord, there is not a person in the world, whose good o­pinion wee should more ambitiously covet, then your Lord­ships; whose zeal we have to our great comfort experienced, & whose power we know to be very transcendent. Had not your Lordships demands endangered our very Beeing, wee should not have been backward in complying with them. But when they are of so dangerous consequence, &, as we ap­prehend, tend to our ruin, let mee humbly beg of your Lordship to give vs the liberty of Vsing our owne reason, & follow the dictamen of it without offence: & obtaine the favour, that this may not be made a crime lessening any of vs in your Lordships esteeme, & in particular

Your Lordships charitable designes for the good of our En­glish Clergy puts me on the confidence of Saluting you, vp­pon the occasion of the Subscription, you will have account of this post from Dr. Ellis. How much they are obliged to you & I with them as an Englishman, (though my concerne here be the least His grea­test concernes was his Bi­ [...]hoprick in Portugal.) our humble thanks to you, & our prayers for you, can only testify. How many meetings, & what paynes it cost vs to get a consent nemine Contradicente to the subscrip­tion, Dr. Ellis may tell your Lordship. But because This guesse was very ra­tional, & tru: for in­deed Dr. Ellis never named anyone in particular; but charged the dissent on many. I sup­pose he will not tell you, who vsed all his industry to hin­der it, I shall; that your Lordship may have an occasion to employ a little more of the charity, which put you vppon what you have already done: that the Clergy may owe to you not only the having a Superior, but also their freedome, from a trouble­some Marke this. spirit that disturbes them.

Their Secretary Mr. Iohn Holland Mr. Ser­geant. vsed all the ways possi­ble to disturbe this businesse, for it being resolved in the first Consult, he & the Deane should signe it, he when twas sent to him (for he was absent) absolutely refused to signe it, with a most imperious controwling letter, pretending strange You see who is the Authour of all those objections. things to the Consult. Uppon which at a second meeting I declared against the proceedings of Mr. Holland, & resolved no more to come amongst them, Here is a­nother, who refused to communicate with them in business as Mr. Montagu, & other Clergymen in Paris had done. if this businesse passed not, nor owne any more of their actions, as long as Mr. Holland thus Lorded it over them, for that as I detested being a No­velest, so I abhorred to be soe esteemed: which I should not be able to avoyde, if I continued amongst them, who suffred themselves The chap­ter governed, & controuled by Mr. Ser­geant, the profest disci­ple of Mr. White. to be lead by Mr. Holland; the professed disciple to Mr. VVhite. But Mr. Ellis Mr. Curtis, & Dr. God­den conferring with me the next day, & promising all should [Page 125] be mended, I was prevayled vppon to give them another meet­ing, where we agreed nemine contradicente, vppon the Subscrip­tion. The clause in quantum status regni, & res Catholicorum permit­tent was put in by the advice of a great Lawyer, & Eminent Catholick, who was of opinion that without it we myght en­danger all. This secret I trusted him with, because he is a person trusteth me with the secrets of his soul, as well as his temporall concernes.

Now my Lord it being thus, that the gravest part, & greatest of the Clergy are sensible of the injury they suffer by Mr. Holland Most of the Clergy dis­pleased with Mr. Hol­land's being Secretary to the Chap­ter. being, especially at this time, Secretary, if your Lord­sh [...]p with advice of Mr. Clifford, & Mr. Car, will but cause a letter to be written, signifying how much it is to the pre­judice of the clergy, that he is in that place, Mr. Ser­geant was shortly after displaced, & Mr. John Leybourne put into his office, probably vpon the Letter, which was demanded. Here we see the tru cause of Sergeant's being deposed, which was not by his own request, that he myght attend to his controversy writings, contrary to the vnanimous desire of the Chapter which was very well satisfyed with his carriage in it, as was alleadged, as I heare, in the Attestation produced against the Arch-Bishop of Dub­lin, signed by Dr. Waring. & Dr Godden; but because many of the prime Chap­ter men could no longer br [...]ke his insolent controuling humour, nor endure his er­r [...]neous sentiments. I am sorry, that those able men Dr. Ellis, & Dr. Godden, should give such ground [...]o surmise, they have little regard to Truth, in the Attes­tations they giue. Comending Mr. Leybourne, as he is, as a fit person for it, I am very well assured it will take effect, & your Lordship will have the merit, of setting vs in perfect tranquillity. For that I doe assure your Lordship setting him aside, here is a Clergy as well stored with able, judicious, vertuous That there are very many such in the Secular Clergy, who deserve this c [...]r [...]cter, I gladly beleive: I wish the management, & direction of its affayres were put into the hands of such, & others, of contrary Principles were not employed in all places of Trust, or at least that they were so far discountenanced, as to prevent that generally malignant Influence they have on all transactions of common concerne. For whilest these are permitted their full swing, their stubborne resolutions, & violent carri [...]ge doth disharten moderate, & Orthod [...]x men from d [...]fending the better Part, & for­cibly draw them ether to a reall or seeming consent, to what they interiorly dislike: As Bishop Russel complaines that Mr. Sergeant (thô alone, & against all the Chapter-men. assembled) did by [...]ffing, & H [...]ct [...]ring in the businesse of the Subscription. So Factious men make a figure, & honest men are meere cyph [...]rs, whose value depends on the figure, & stand of them selves for just nothing. persons, & as full of Obe­dience, & submission to the Sea Apostolick, as I beleive any Clergy in the world. I humbly beg your Lordships pardon in this & desire you will advice about what is fit to be done with the two persons I named. For my part, who am independent on England I am vnconcerned: but still as an English man, & Brother seing things tending so prosperously to quiet, & establishment, & that only this thing is wanting to per­fect it, I confesse I could not containe my pen (though I incur the censure of a too forward person) from letting fall frō it to your Lordship these Lines, the trouble whereof your owne charitable goodnesse has drawne on you. Thus com­mending this businesse to your Charitable Consideration, & your Person to the fountain of Charity, I rest