The encounter against M. Parsons, by a revievv of his last sober reckoning, and his exceptions vrged in the treatise of his mitigation. Wherein moreouer is inserted: 1. A confession of some Romanists, both concerning the particular falsifications of principall Romanists, as namely, Bellarmine, Suarez, and others: as also concerning the generall fraude of that curch, in corrupting of authors. 2. A confutation of slaunders, which Bellarmine vrged against Protestants. 3. A performance of the challenge, which Mr. Parsons made, for the examining of sixtie Fathers, cited by Coccius for proofe of Purgatorie ... 4. A censure of a late pamphlet, intituled, The patterne of a Protestant, by one once termed the moderate answerer. 5. An handling of his question of mentall equiuocation (after his boldnesse with the L. Cooke) vpon occasion of the most memorable, and feyned Yorkeshire case of equiuocating; and of his raging against D. Kings sermon. Published by authoritie

SECT. VI.

A generall practise of fraud in the Romish Church accor∣ding as it is confessed by their owne Doctors.

25. THe generall practise of deceit, which now com∣meth into our viewe, is of two kinds: the first is their professed abuse of Authors, as is manifest, both by cor∣rupting of their Books, & also by peruerting their meanings. For euidence whereof we haue, concerning the former, the confession of their forenamed Marsilius. a 1.1 It is a matter known vnto all (saith he) that those things which were written in the be∣halfe of Lay Magistrates, haue beene, and still are razed out of the Councels, Canons, and Bookes of other Doctors, yea out of the very Breuiaries and Missals: insomuch as it may bee feared, lest that in processe of time, that vnlimited power of the Pope in tem∣porall affaires will be established. So that hee that will compare the Bookes that were written in the yeere 1530. or 1550. with the writings, at this day, whether they write of Councels, or of o∣ther things be shall easily finde where the Vintage is: So that it is a maruell, that after this haruest, we found any clusters of grapes, for the defence of our prince Wherby in tract of time it will come to passe, that none will giue credit vnto any writings, and that the Church of God will be ouerthrowen. Which I speake (saith he) vpon this occasion, which is offered by the Lord Cardinall, as al∣so wishing very earnestly, that bookes bee not depraued: which I say with all humilitie, and reuerence. Marsilius pursueth him further, saying, b 1.2 It need not be maruelled why we cannot alledge many for this opinion, he sheweth two reasons: the first is, Be∣cause this question is but new: the second, because if any write freely, he is forthwith compelled to retract himself, as it hapned to the Lord Cardinall (Bellarmine) himself; or else such things are blotted out of their bookes; or else threats are cast out: insomuch that Sotus could say vpon the conclusion of this matter, It be∣commeth a seruant to thinke much, and say litle.

26. Can there be any greater fraudulencie then this, or in

this fraude, a more pernicious tyranny, against either the li∣uing, or the dead, then thus to tye, as it were, cords vnto their tongues, and compelling them to speake contrary to their meaning, so farre sometimes, as to chaunge c 1.3 visible into In∣uisible? Besides they doe further so professe to deale with d 1.4 Auncient Authors, as either to suffer many errors (so they call the opinions, when they are obiected against them in di∣spute) or to extenuate them, or to excuse them, or else by some newe deuised comment to denie them.

27. The second kind of deceitfulnesse hath beene, belike, sensible ynough at Rome, seeing that their owne learned Doctor Espensaeus was forced to complaine thereof. c 1.5 When Pope Paulus 4. (saith he) did seriously affirme that hee intended to choose me into the order of Cardinals, I doe religiously sweare, that as often as I thought vpon the report of obteining the red Hat freely (which others hunted after for money, who were repul∣sed) I giue immortall thanks vnto God that he suffered not, I will not say, so much good, but so much euill to happen vnto me: Quid facerem Romae? mentirinescio. What should I doe at Rome? I cannot lie. Now if Rome, which will seeme to bee the Metropolis of all sanctitie, become the Exchange of lying, we may suspect that Mr. Parsons, after his so long residence in that place, may happily haue receiued some taint. This wee may trie by the confession of his owne Romish Authors, after that we haue first heard what he will say for himselfe.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Defens. Marsil. Cont. Bellar. pag. 331. A daungerous Art of corrup∣ting of Au∣thors.
• b 1.2

  Ibid. pag. 338.
• c 1.3

  Index Belgieus per Iunium. pag. 17.
• d 1.4

  Index Belg. a∣pud Pappum. pag. 12.
• c 1.5

  Cl. Espencaeus Tract. 6. Epist. dedic. ad card. castil.