An apologie for the oath of allegiance first set foorth without a name, and now acknowledged by the authour, the Right High and Mightie Prince, Iames, by the grace of God, King of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. ; together with a premonition of His Maiesties, to all most mightie monarches, kings, free princes and states of Christendome.

TO OVR BELO∣ued sonnes the English Ca∣tholikes, Paulus P.P. V^ius.

BEloued Sonnes,* 1.1 Salutation and Apostolicall benediction. It is reported vnto vs, that there are found certaine amongst you, who when as wee haue sufficiently de∣clared by our Letters, dated the last yeere on the tenth of the Calends of October in the forme of a Breue, that ye cannot with safe Conscience take the Oath, which was then required of you; and when as we haue further straightly commanded you, that by no meanes ye should take it; yet there are some, I say, among you, which dare now af∣firme, that such Letters concerning the forbid∣ding of the Oath, were not written of our owne accord, or of our owne proper will, but rather for the respect and at the instigation of other men. And for that cause, the same men do goe about to perswade you, that our commands in the said let∣ters are not to be regarded. Surely this newes did

trouble vs; and that so much the more, because hauing had experience of your obedience (most dearely beloued sonnes) who to the end ye might obey this holy Sea, haue godlily, and valiantly contemned your riches, wealth, honour, libertie, yea and life it selfe; we should neuer haue suspe∣cted, that the trueth of our Apostolike letters could once be called into question among you, that by this pretence yee might exempt your selues from our commandements. But we doe herein perceiue the subtiltie and craft of the enemie of mans saluation; and wee doe attribute this your backwardnesse rather to him, then to your owne will. And for this cause, we haue thought good to write the second time vnto you, and to signifie vnto you againe, that our Apostolike letters dated the last yeere on the tenth of the Calends of October concerning the prohibition of the Oath, were written not onely vpon our proper motion, and of our certaine knowledge, but also after long and weightie deliberation vsed concerning all those things, which are conteined in them; and for that cause that yee are bound fully to obserue them, reiecting all interpretation perswading to the contrary. And this is our meere, pure, and

perfect will, being alwayes carefull of your sal∣uation, and alwayes minding those things which are most profitable vnto you. And we doe pray without ceasing, that he that hath appointed our lowlines to the keeping of the flocke of Christ, would inlighten our thoughts and our counsels: whom wee doe also continually desire, that hee would increase in you (our beloued Sonnes) faith, constancy, and mutuall charity and peace one to another. All whom, wee doe most louingly blesse with all charitable affection.

Dated at Rome at Saint Markes vnder the Signet of the Fisherman, the x. of the Calends of September, 1607. the third yeere of our Popedome.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The second Breue.