I Find your last as full of Doubts and Inquietudes, as your former was o [...] Heat and Zeal: whether meer Compassion hath altered your iudgement, or that you fear your own Turn may be next, I cannot tell; but I easily perceive you and the greatest part of honest thinking Protestants, as well as you, begin, though late, to suspect,Miseries inflicted on Catholicks That Catholicks have wrongfully suffered the loss of their Fame, their Goods, their Fortunes, and many their Lives Nor do I wonder to see you touched with some Concern at our Miseries; for besides the sad spectacles of Bloodshed, (which I mention without any Resentment, or Disrespect to the Government) the Prisons have been filled with us, whole Families ruined and exiled, poor Widows and innocent Orphans have perished through distress, the very Woods and Deserts have not wanted men dying with cold and hunger, and all this upon account of a Plot, horrid indeed, and detestable in it self, but which could never yet be proved against us by any one credible Witness, or probable Circumstance evincing the Crime.
Through the PerjuriesTrue it is, Dr. Oates, Captain Bedloe and others of debauched Lives and desperate Fortunes, allured by Gain and encouraged by Indempnities, have positively sworn, (if bare positive Swearing, without any other probability of truth,Of wicked Men may stand for good Evidence) to a multiplicity of Particulars. But these men have been and are, so notoriously stigmatized with all sorts of Vice and Infamy; their Oaths have been confronted with so many self-Contradictions; their Forgeries accompanied with such incredible, such impossible Circumstances; their [Page 3] Lyes and Fables so stuffed with Absurdities, Non-fence, and Follies; the Crime of Perjury so often, so palpably proved against them: in short both their past and present Villanies are now become so apparent and perspicuous, that the greatest part of the Nation hath an abhorrence of them.
But you tell me, (and you are in the right) That the thing which hath rendered credible the Testimony of otherwise incredible Witnesses against us,Evil Principles wrongfully imputed. and which hath invalidated all contrary Evidence given in our behalf, is a Perswasion many Protestants have; that the Catholick Religion is made up of traitorous Principles destructive to Peace and Government. You say you have been informed by common Report by printed Books, nay by some Ministers in their very Pulpits. That Catholicks hold it an Article of Faith to believe. That the Pope can depose Kings, absolve their Subjects from their Allegiance, and dispose of Kingdoms to whom he please. That to murder Protestants and destroy the Nation by Fire and Sword, for prop [...]gation of the Catholick Faith, are Works of Piety, and meritorious of Heaven. These and the like horrid Aspersions, together with I know not what feigned Idolatries, Superstitions and Abuses, are (as you have rightly intimated) laid to the charge of Roman Catholicks, whereby to render both their Faith and Persons odious to many otherwise well-meaning People, who not sufficiently examining the truth of things, but taking all for granted, judge nothing ill enough can be said or done against men so principled.
And is it not strange and severe,And always disowned by Catholick [...] That Principles, and those p [...]etended of Faith too, should be imposed upon men, which they themselves renounce and detaste? [...]f the [Page 4] Turk's Alcoran should in like manner be urged upon us, and we hanged up for Mahumetans, all we could do or say in such a Case, would be patiently to die, with Protestation of our own Innocence. And this is the posture of our present condition, we abhor, we renounce, we abominat such Principles; we protest against them, and seal our Protestation with our dying Breaths. What shall we say? What can we do more? To accuse men as guilty in Matters of Faith which they never owned is the same thing as to condemn them for Matters of Fact, which they never did.
You press the Question, and say, Some of our generall Councils, several Papal Decrees, and many of our Doctors and Divines, assert the fore mentioned Principles. Sir, I have been instructed in the Articles of my Faith, and I acknowledge the lawfull Authority of general Councils, yet I profess I never learnt, or found asserted in any of them, such Principles. And I propose unto you, this plain and short Dilemma, Either the abovenamed Principles are esteemed by us Matters of Faith, or not. If they be, What farther can be required of us, then to deny and forsake such a Faith? And this we constantly do. But if they be not Matters of Catholick Faith nor owned by us as such, Why are Catholicks as Catholicks punished for them? Why is our Religion persecuted on that account? Let these in Gods name, if any there be of what Religion soever, who hold such Tenents suffer for them. Why should the Innocent be involved with the Guilty? There is neither Reason nor Iustice in it.
An Objection Hereunto some Persons (I hope out of zeal and misinformation, rather then Malice) stick not to say; That Dispensations, and I know not what Indulgencies and [Page 5] Pardons, whereby to legitimate the Crimes of Lying and Forswearing, when the Interest of our Church requires, is a main Part of our Religion; And by consequence the Denial of our Principles, is no sufficient Iustification of our Innocence, Answered. I answer, First, It is in the highest measure censorious in any one, to impose upon all our Ancestors, and the greatest Part of Mankind, who are, or have been Members of our Religion, such an excess of Folly and Wickedness; as must needs have perverted all Humane Society Secondly, If we could lawfully deny the Principles of our Faith, when interest requires, why have we lost our Estates, our Liberties, our Lives, for the Profession of it? To what purposes are Oaths and Tests devised, to entangle us? How impertinently is the frequenting the Protestant Church, and receiving the Communion, proposed unto us, and refused by us? Thirdly, Though many Men may be induced to Lye, and forswer, when they have some hopes or prospect, thereby of Temporal advantage, yet that Persons Dying for their Conscience and Religion (as divers have done, and those no Fools even by the Confession of our Adversaries) should be so stupendiously Sottish and Mad, either to imagine that Lyes and Perjuries, for Concealment of Treason, Murder, Massacre, and Destruction of others by Fire and Sword, should be Acts of Vertue, pleasing to God, Dispensable by the Pope, and Meritorious of Heaven; Or that, on the contrary, knowing and believing, as needs they must, such Monsters and Horrours to be Odious and Detestable in the sight both of God and Man, they should nevertheless, upon the very brink of Eternity, Wittingly and Willingly cast themselves Head-long into an assured Damnation, and this at [Page 6] a time when they might have saved both Bodyes and Souls, by meerly discharging a good Conscience in acknowledging the Truth, and becoming honest Men, This I say is Inhumane, and contradictory to all sense and reason to believe.
Now therefore I am come to what you so often and so earnestly press me to (viZ) to satisfie the world,The intent of this Epistle. and cleare my self, my Fellow-sufferers, and my Religion from the Imputation laid upon us, on pretence of such Principles, by a true and candid Explanation of my Belief and Iudgement, in the main points of Faith and Loyalty, controverted between Catholicks and Protestants, as they severally Relate to God and the King.
PARAGRAPH I. Of the Catholick Faith, and Church in Generall.
Redemption in Christ1. THe Fruition of God, and Remission of Sin is not attainable by Man, otherwise thenEph. 2.8. 1 Cor. 15.22 in and by the Merits of Iesus Christ, the Son of God, who gratis Purchased it for us.
Applicable by faith,2. These Merits of Christ are not applyed to us, otherwise then by a Right Mark 16.16. Heb. 11.6. Faith in Christ.
3. This Faith is but Eph. 4.4. one, entire and conformable to its Object,which is but one being Divine Revelations, toJam. 2.10 all which Faith giveth at undoubted assent.
Supernatural,4. These Revelations contain many Mysteries 1 Cor. 1.20. Mat. 16.17. transcending the Naturall Reach of Humain Wit or industry. Wherefore,
By the Divine providence to be Learnt,5. It became the Divine Wisdom and Goodness, to provide Man of someIsa. 35.8 Way or Means whereby he might Arrive to the knowledge of these Mysteries; MeanesIoh. 9 40. Visible and apparent to all, MeanesMat. 11.25 Proportionable to [Page 7] the Capacityes of all; MeanesIoh. 15.22. Sure and Certain to all.
Not from privat interpretation of Scripture,6. This way, or means, is not the Reading of Scripturs, Interpreted according to the Privat 2 Pet. 3.16. Pro. 14.12. Mat 22.29. Reason or 1 Ep. Ioh. 4.1. & 6. Pro. 14.12. Spirit of every Disjunctive Person, or Nation in Particular. But
7. It is an attention andMat. 18 17 Luk. 10.16. submission to the Doctrine of the Catholick or Ʋniversal Church, But from the Universal Church, Dilated, Continued, and guided by the holy Ghost for that end. established by Christ for the instruction of all,Psal 2.8. Isa. 2.2. & cap. 49.6. Mat. 5.14. spread for that end throughout all Nations, and visibly continued in a Succession of Pastors and People throughout all Ages: From which ChurchIsa. 59.21 Jo 16.13. Eze. 37 26. Eph. 5.25. 1 Tim. 3 15. Mat 16.18. guided in Truth, and secured from Error in Matters of Faith by theMat 28 20 Iohn 14.16. promised assistance of the holy Ghost, every one may and ought toDeut. 17.8 &c. Mat. 23.2. learn both the right Sence of Scripture, and all other Christian Mysteries and Duties respectively necessary to Salvation.
8. This Church, thus spread, thus guided, thus visibly continued,This Church is the same with the Roman Catholick. Cant 6.8. Jo. 10.16. Rom 15.5. Jo. 17.22. Phil. 2.2. in one uniform Faith, and subordination of Government, is that self-same which is termed the Roman Catholick Church, the Qualifications above-mentioned, being applicable to no other Church or Assembly whatsoever.
From the Testimony of which we believe the Scripture to be God's Word.9. From the Testimony and Authority of this Church it is, that we Receive and Believe the Scripture to be God's Word. And as she canMat. 16.18 1 Tim. 3.15 Mat. 18.17. assuredly tell us, This or That Book is God's Word, so can she with the like assurance, tell us also the true Sense and meaning of it in controverted Points of Faith; the same Spirit that writ the Scripture,Isa. 59.21. Ioh. 24 16. enlightning her to understand both it, and all other Matters necessary to Salvation, From these Grounds it followeth.
Divine Revelations only matters of Faith10 All and only divine Revelations delivered by God to the Church, and proposed by her to be believed as such, are and ought to be esteemed Articles of Faith, [Page 8] and the contrary Opinions, Heresie, And
What Heresie, and what Schism.11. As an obstinate separation from the Vnity of the Church, in known declared Matters of Faith, is formal 1. Co. 11 19. Mat. 18.17. Heresie: so a wilfull separation from the visible Vnity of the same Church, in Matters of Subordination and Government is formall Tit. 3.10 1 Cor. 1.10 cap. 12.25. Schism.
How Matters of Faith are proposed by the Church.12. The Church proposeth unto us Matters of Faith: First and chiefly, By theIo. 5.39. holy Scripture, in points plain and intelligible in it. Secondly, ByAct. 15. per tot. Definitions of Generall Councils, in points not sufficiently explained in Scripture. Thirdly, By2 Thes. 2 15. cap. 3.6. 2 Tim. 2.2 Apostolical Traditions, derived from Christ and his Apostles, to all succeding Ages. Fourthly, By herJam. 2.1 [...] Practice, Worship and Ceremonies, confirming her Doctrine.
PARAGRAPH, II. Of Spiritual and Temporal Authority.
What is the Authority of generall Councils.2. GEneral Councils (which are the Church of God, representative) have no Commission from Christ to fraime new Matters of Faith,Gal. 1 7. [...] (these being sole divine Revelations) but only toDeu. 17 [...] Mat. 18.1 [...] Act. 15. per tot. Luk. 10.1 [...] Heb. 13. [...] 17. explain and ascertain unto us, what anciently was, and is received and retained as of Faith in the Church, upon arising Debates or Controversies about them. The Definitions of which, generall Councils in Matters of Faith only and proposed as such, oblige, under pain of Heresie, all the Faithfull, to a submission of Iudgement. But
An Explanation of the same Authority.2. It is no Article of Faith to believe, That general Councils cannot Err, either in Matters of Fact or Discipline, alterable by Circumstances of Time and Place; or in Matters of Speculation or civil Policy, depending on meer humane Iudgement or Testimony. Neither of [Page 9] these being divine Revelations 1 Tim 5.20 deposited in the Catholick Church; in regard to which alone, she hath theJoh. 14.16 promised assistance of the Holy Ghost. Hence it is deduced:
A Deduction from thence concerning Allegiance.3. If a general Councill (much less a Papal Consistory) should undertake to depose a King, and absolve his Subjects from their Allegiance, no Catholick as Catholick is bound to submit to such a Decree. Hence also it followeth:
A second Deduction concerning the same.4. The Subjects of the King of England lawfully may, without the least breach of any Catholick Principle, renounce even upon Oath, the Doctrine of deposing Kings excommunicated for Heresie, by any Authority whatsoever,1. Pet. 2.13. &c. as repugnant to the fundamental Laws of the Nation, injurious to Soveraign Power, destructive to the Peace and Government, and by consequence, in his Majesty's Subjects, impious and damnable. Yet not properly Heretical, taking the word Heretical in that connatural genuine sence, it is usually understood in the Catholick Church; Of the Oath of Allegiance. on which account cheifly it is, that many Catholicks of tender Consciences refuse the Oath, commonly called, The Oath of Allegiance.
The Bishop of Rome supream Head of the Church But not Infallible.5. Catholicks believe, That the Bishop of Rome is the Successor of St. Peter, Mat. 16.17. Luk. 22.31. Joh. 21.15. Vicar of Iesus Christ upon Earth, and Head of the whole Catholick Church, which Church is therefore fitly styled Roman Catholick, being an universal Body Eph. 4.11. united under one visible Heed. Nevertheless.
6. It is no Matter of Faith to believe, That the Pope is in himself Infallible seperated from a general Council, even in expounding the Faith: By consequence, Papal Definitions or Decrees, though ex Cathedra, as they term them oblige none under Pain of Heresie, to an interiour assent.
Nor hath any temporal Authority over Princes.7. Nor do Catholicks as Catholicks believe that the Pope hath any direct, or indirect Authority over the Temporal Power and Iurisdiction of Princes. Hence, if the Pope [Page 10] should pretend to Absolve or Dispence with his Majesties Subjects from their Allegiance, upon account of Heresie or Schism such Dispensation would be vain and null: and all Catholick Subjects, notwithstanding such Dispensation, or Absolution, would be still bound in Conscience to defend their King and Countrey, at the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes even against the Pope himself, in case he should invade the Nation.
The Church not responsible for the Errours of particular Divines.8. And as for Problematical Disputes or Errors of particular Divines, in this or any other matter whatsoever, the Catholick Church is no wise responsible for them: Nor, are Catholicks as Catholicks justly punishable on their account. But:
9. As for the King-Killing Doctrine, Conc. Const. Sess. 15. or Murder of Princes,King-killing Doctrine Damnable Heresy. excommunicated for Heresie; It is an Article of Faith in the Catholick Church, and expresly declared in the General Council of Constance, that such Doctrine is Damnable and Heretical, being contrary to the known Laws of God and Nature.
Personal misdemenours not to be imputed to the Church.10. Personal Misdemeanors of what nature soever, ought not to be imputed to the Catholick Church when not justifyable by the Tenents of her Faith and Doctrine; For which Reason, though the Stories of the Paris Massacre; the Irish Cruelties, Or Powder-Plot had been true, (which yet for the most part are notoriously misrelated) nevertheless Catholicks as Catholicks ought not to suffer for such Offences, any more then the eleven Apostles ought to have suffered for Iudah's Treachery.
11. It is an Article of the Catholick Faith to believe, that no Power on Earth can license Men to Lye, No Power on Earth can authorise Men to Lye, Foreswear, Murther, &c. to Foreswear, and Perjure themselves, to Massacre their Neighbours, or destroy their Native Countrey, on pretence of promoting the Catholick Cause or Religion; Furthermore, [Page 11] all Pardons and dispensations granted or pretended to be granted, in order to any such ends or designes, have no other validity or effect, then to add Sacriledge and Blasphemy to the above-mentioned Crimes.
Equivocation not allowed in the Church12. The Doctrine of Equivocation or mental Reservation, however wrongfully imposed on the Catholick Religion, is notwithstanding neither taught,2 Cor 1.12. nor approved by the Church, as any part of her Belief. On the contrary, Simplicity and godly sincerity are constantly recommended by her as truely Christian Vertues, necessary to the Conversation of Iustice, Truth, and Common Society.
PARAGRAPH III. Of some Particular controverted Points of Faith.
Of Sacramental Absolution.1. EVery Catholick is oblidged to believe, that when a SinnerEz. 18.21. 2 Cor. 7.10 repeateth him of his Sins from the bottom of his Heart andPsa. 32.5. Pro. 28.13. acknowledgeth his transgressions to God and hisAct. 19.18. 1 Cor. 4.1. Jam. 5.16. Ministers, the Dispencers of the Mysteries of Christ, resolving to turn from his evil ways,Luk. 3 8. and bring forth Fruits worthie of Penance, there is (then and no otherwise) an Authority left by Christ to Absolve such a penitent Sinner from his Sins; which Authority Christ gave to hisJoh. 20.21 &c. Mat. 18.18. Apostles, and their Successors, the Bishops and Priests of the Catholick Church, in those words, when he said. Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whose Sins you shall forgive, Of Satisfaction by penitential Works. they are forgiven unto them, &c.
2. Though no Creature whatsoever can makeTit. 3.5. condign satisfaction either for the guilt of Sin, or the Pain eternal due to it2 Cor. 3.5. this satisfaction being proper to Christ our Saviour only, yet penitent Sinners redeemed by Christ may as members of Christ in some measureAct. 26.20. Jona 2.5. &c. Psal. 102.9. &c. Psa. 109.23. Dan. 9 3. Joel 2.11. Luk. 11.41. Act. 10.4. satisfie by Prayer, Fasting, Alms, Deeds, and other works of Piety, for the Temporal Pain, which by order of Divine Iustice sometimes remains due after the guilt of Sin, and Pains Eternal [Page 12] are (gratis) remitted. These penitential Works are notwithstanding satisfactory no otherwise then as joyned and applyed to that satisfaction, which Iesus made upon the Cross, in vertue of which alone, all our good works find a gratefull 1 Pet 2.5. acceptance in God's Sight.
3. The guilt of Sin or Pain eternal due to it, is never remitted by Indulgencies, Indulgences are not Remission of Sins, but only of Canonical Penances. Abuses herein not to be charg [...]d on the Church. but only such1 Cor. 5.3. &c. 2 Cor. 2.6.10. &c. Temporal punishments as remain due after the guilt is remitted; These Indulgencies being nothing else then a Mitigation or Relaxation upon just causes, of Canonical Penances, enjoyned by the Pastors of the Church on Penitent Sinners, according to their several degrees of demerit. And if any abuses or mistakes be sometimes commited, in point either of granting or gaining Indulgencies, through the remissness or ignorance of particular Persons, contrary to the ancient Custom and Discipline of the Church; such Abuses or Mistakes cannot rationally be charged on the Church, nor rendered matter of Derision, in prejudice to her Faith and Doctrine.
There is a Purgatory or state, where Souls departing this Life with some blemish are purified.4. Catholicks hold there is a Purgatory, that is to say, a Place or State, where Souls departing this Life, with remission of their sins, as to the eternal guilt or pain, yetNum. 14.20. &c. 2 Sam. 12.13. &c. obnoxious to some temporal Punishment still remaining due, or not perfectly freed from the blemish of somePro. 24.16. Mat. 12.36. venial Defects, or Deordinations, (as idle words, &c. not liable to damnation) areCap. 5.22.26. 1 Cor. 3.15. purged before their admittance into Heaven, where nothing that isRev. 21.27. defiled can enter. Furthermore:
Prayers for the Dead, available to them5. Catholicks also hold, That such Souls, so detained in Purgatory, being the living Members of Christ Iesus, are1 Cor. 15.29. Col. 1.24. 1 Jo. 5.16. 2 Mac. 12.43. &c. relieved by the Prayers and Suffrages of their fellow-Members here on Earth:Superfluous Questions about Purgatory. But where this Place is? Of what nature or quality the Pains are? How long each [Page 13] Soul is detained there? After what manner the Suffrages made in their behalf are applyed? Whether by way of Satisfaction or Intercession? &c. are Questions superfluous, and impertinent as to Faith.
Of the merit of good Works through the merits of Christ.6. No man though just, Jo. 15.5.16. can merit either an increase of Sanctity or Happiness in this Life, or eternal Glory in the next, independent on the Merits and Passion of Christ; nevertheless in and by the Merits of Christ Iesus,Mat. 16.27 Cap. 15.12. Cap. 10.41. 2 Cor. 5.10. 2 Tim. 4.8. the good Works of a just man proceeding from Grace and Charity, are acceptable to God, so far forth as to be, through his Goodness and sacred Promise, truly meritorious of eternal Life.
Christ really present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.7. It is an Article of the Catholick Faith, That in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, there is truely and really contained theMat. 26.26 Mar. 14.22. Luk. 22.19. 1 Cor. 11.23 &c. Cap. 10.16. Body of Christ, which was delivered for us, and his Blood, which was shed for the remission of sins; the substance of Bread and Wine, being by the powerful Words of Christ, changed into the substance of his blessed Body and Blood, the Species or Accidents of Bread and Wine still remaining. Thus:
8. Christ is not present in this Sacrament, according to his natural way of Existence;But after a supernatural manner. that is, with extension of Parts, in order to Place, &c. but after a supernatural manner, one and the same in many Places, and whole in every part of the Symbols. This therefore is a real, substantial, yet Sacramental presence of Christs Body and Blood, not exposed to the external Senses, nor obnoxious to corporeal Contingences.
9 Neither is the Body of Christ in this holy Sacrament separated from his Blood,Whole Christ in either species. or his Blood from his Body, or either of both disjoyned from his Soul and Divinity, but all and whole a living Iesus is entirely contained under either Species, so that wholoever receiveth under one kind, [Page 14] is truly partaker of the whole Sacrament and no wise deprived either of the Body or Blood of Christ. True it is:
Hence Communicants under one kind no wise deprived either of the Body or Blood of Christ.10. Our Saviour Iesus Christ left unto us his Body and Blood, under two distinct Species or Kinds; in doing of which, he instituted not only a Sacrament, but also a Sacrifice;Lu. 22.19. &c. a commemorative Sacrifice distinctly1 Cor. 11.26. shewing his Death or bloody Passion, untill he come. For as the Sacrifice of the Cross was performed by a distinct effusion of Blood, so is the same Sacrifice commemorated in that of theHeb 13 10 Altar, by a distinction of the Symbols. Iesus therefore is here given not only to us, butLu 22.19 for us; and the Church thereby enriched with a true,Of the Sacrifice of the Mass. proper, and propitiatoryMal. 1.11. Sacrifice, usually termed Mass.
Worship of Images wrongfully imposed on Catholicks.11. Catholicks renounce all divine Worship and adoration of Images or Pictures.Luke 4.8 God alone we Worship and Adore; nevertheless we make use of Pictures, and place them inExod. 25.18. 1 Kings 6.35. Luke 3.22. Num. 21.8. Acts. 5.5. Churches and Oratries, to reduce our wandering thoughts, and enliven our Memories towards Heavenly things. Yet there is some Veneration due both to Pictures And further we allow a certain Honour and Veneration to the Picture of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, &c. beyond what is due to every prophane Figure; not that we believe any Divinity or Vertue in the Picturs themselves for which they ought to be honoured, but because the Honour given to the Pictures is referred to the Prototype, or things represented. In like manner:
And other Sacred things12. There is a kind of Honour and Veneration respectively due to the Bible, to the Cross, to the Name of Iesus, to Churches, to the Sacraments, &c. asJos. 7.6. Exod. 3.5. Psal. 99 5. phil. 2.10. Luke 3.16. Acts 19.12. things peculiarly appertaining to God; also to theJo. 12.26. glorifyed Saints in Heaven as domestick Friends of God; yea,1 pet. 2.17. Rom. 13.7. to Kings Magistrats and Superiors on Earth, as the Vicegerants of God. To whom Honour is due. Honour may be given without any derogation to the M [...]jesty of God, or that [Page 15] divine Worship appropriate to him. Furthermore:
Prayers to Saints lawfull.13. Catholicks believe, That the blessed Saints in Heaven, replinished with Charity,Rev. 5.8. pray for us their fellow Members here on Earth; that theyLuk. 15.7. rejoyce at our Conversion; that seeing God, they1 Cor. 13.13. see and know in him all things suitable to their happy state, that God is inclinable to hear their Requests made in our behalf,Exod. 32.13. 2 Chron. 6.42. and for their sakes granteth us many Favours; that therefore it is good and profitable to desire their Intercession; and that this manner of Invocation is no more injurious to Christ our Mediator, nor superabundant in it self, then it is for one Christian to beg the Prayers and Assistance ofRo. 15.30. another in this World.Yet so as not to neglect our other duties. Notwithstanding all which, Catholicks are taught not so to rely on the Prayers of others, as to neglect their ownJam. 2.17 &c. Duty to God; in imploring his divine Mercy and Goodness;Rom. 13.14. in mortifying the Deeds of the Flesh; inRom. 11.2 despising the World; in loving Gal. 5.6. and serving God and their Neighbour; in following the Footsteeps of Christ our Lord, who is theJo. 14.6. Way the Truth, and the Life: To whom be Honour and Glory for ever and ever, Amen.
A Conclusion from the premisses.THese are the Principles, these the Treasons, these the Idolatries, and Superstitions, which though no other than what we have received from our fore-Fathers, and what the greatest part of the Christian World now professeth, yet hath drawn upon us poor Catholicks in England such dreadful Punishments. I beseech you, Sir, consider our Cause, without Passion or Prejudice, and I am confident you will see, we are not such Monsters as our Adversaries represent us to be, nor entertain such Principles as are inconsistent with our duty to God and the King.
An Objection answered.You seem to say, This very Plot with which we are charged, proveth us guilty of wicked Principles. But, under favour, you here commit a vicious Circle in way of arguing; For first, here are wicked Principles alledged, to make good the proof of a Plot; and these being denyed, the Plot is introduced to make out the wicked Principles; as if a man should say a thing, because he thought so, and give no Reason why he thought so, but only because he said so, which in stead of Proof, is to beg the Question. Certain I am, Catholicks both taught and practised Principles of Loyalty, at a time when the King and Kingdom felt the dire Effects of contrary Perswasions.
[Page 16] A second Objection answeredYou add, The two Houses of Parliament, the Judges, and in a manner, the whole Nation, seemed to believe, and cry up the Evidence given of a Plot. I answer, The most upright Persons, and those even of supreme Authority, may sometimes be misinformed, and consequently abused, by the Perjury and Malice of wicked Men. Especially when once Mindes are exasperated, jealousies heightened, and forgeries abetted and multiplyed, by the clandestine endeavours of a malignant Party, who love to fish in troubled Waters; and who by raising Feuds, and fomenting disorders, make their way to sinister Ends. You your self are sensible, there are a sort of People, who under a colourable zeal against Popery, (as they term it) strick at Monarchy, and undermine the Government. I shall not need to dilate on this Subject; our Nation hath once had a sad experience of this zeal, and I heartily wish the same Tragedy may not be Acted over again.
Catholicks suffer for their Religion. Their sufferings not unlike to those of Christ our Lord.In Fine, whatsoever is pretended against us, it is manifest we suffer for our Religion, and for our Religion wrongfully traduced. It is farther a comfort to us, that our sufferings (God be praised) are in some measure, not unlike to those of Christ our Lord; For it was laid to his charge, as it is to ours,Luk. 23.2. Io. 11.48. Ma. 26 60. Rom. 8.29. ver. 17. that he was a Traitour to Caesar. That he perverted the People, and endeavoured the destruction of Church and State, Nor were there wanting then, as now, an Oates and Bedloe, two false witnesses to Swear all this.
Thus God, I hope hath predestinated us (as the Apostle saith) to be conform to the Image of his Son; to the end that suffering with him, we may (through his Mercy) be Glorifyed together with him.
Sweet Jesus bless our Soveraign, Pardon our Enemies; Grant us Patience; and establish Peace and Charity in our Nation.
This is the daily Prayer of,
False Witnesses did rise up; they laid to my Charge things that I knew not.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of Evil against you Falsly, for my sake. Rejoyce and be glade, for great is your Reward in Heaven.