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. V.

The fift charge: concerning the testimony out of Gratian, for paying of debts.

33.

TO shew that, by their doctrine, they will pleade freedome from paying of debts vnto such persons, whom they shall excommunicate, the Glosse of a Canon was alleaged by R. S. and mistaken; but yet only in part, for their Iesuit Tolet a 1.1 expoundeth that Canon, and an other of non-payment of debts,

which are made by promise. And now M. Parsons beginneth to play his prizes, and to haue about with two at once.

M. PARSONS his Reckoning.

WE may see how poore men in substance our Ministers are, who * 1.2 double thus.

The Reueiwe.

34. Hath R. S. mistaken this one place? and hath neuer any Romish Priest beene found so culpable, as to mistake an obiection for the resolution? We b 1.3 haue heard the complaint, which their owne Doctor Cumel made against certaine Ro∣mish writers, such as were the Iesuit Suarez, and others, say∣ing, * 1.4 I am grieued to see how falsly they alleage Driedo, vrging that, which he spake by way of argumentation, or obiection, for his owne iudgement. And M. Parsons himselfe, who is the ac∣cuser, must necessarily runne vpon his owne blade of reproch, who c 1.5 called an Interrogation, made for the more sensible in∣troduction of the matter, a crafty and hypocriticall silence and dissimulation.

Mr. PARSONS his Reckoning.

Mr. Stock alleageth the Canon it selfe, making his Inference thus: * 1.6 This is the decree, which in generall carricth as much, or more as is set

downe. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he saith, that it carrieth as much in generall: but gene∣ralities are not sufficient to auouch particulars. This Canon doth pro∣hibit obedience to be exhibited to excommunicate persons, vntil they doe conforme themselues: it speaketh nothing of debts; how shall we trie it? first by the wordes themselues, wherein there is no mention at all of debts: and for that cause it is probable that Mr. Stock was asha∣med to English them, as M. Morton before to recite them Secondly, by the Commentary, or Glosse, whose wordes are plaine, Licèt excom∣municatio tollat obligationem, quoad fidelitatem, non tamen quoad alios con∣tractus: albeit excommunication doe take away obligation of fidelity, or subiection towardes the person excommunicated, yet not in other contracts: so as if I doe owe to an excommunicate person, money, I am bound to pay him. Thus doth the Glosse expound the Canon, and the scaberd doth agree with the sword, and both of them doe hurt Mr. Morton, and M. Stock, though neuer so good fencers in a badde cause.

The Reueiwe.

35. Although we two should seeme too weake for this M. Parsons, who maketh himselfe greater then an Hercules: yet it may be we shall ouer-match him, when we adioyne vnto our small force the help of their owne Card. Tolet, who citing these two Canons, to wit, Nos Sanctorum, and Canon Iuratos saith d 1.7 These Canons doe proceede concerning debts, yet not debts which are reall (meaning, by Bill, or Bond) but debts contracteà by promise. This exposition of their owne Cardinall, and sometime Iesuit, doth not only ward M. Par∣sons his blow, but also driueth it to his owne pate, by con∣trowling the audaciousnesse of his answere, wherein he de∣nied that there is signified any non-payment of debts in this Canon.

M. PARSONS his Reckoning.

Mr. Stock goeth further to alleage an other beginning of a Ca∣non, * 1.8 Absolutos senouerint, which was made by Gregory the ninth. Wherein the very same thing is decreed, as in the other; wher∣in * 1.9 there is no mention of debts, although, by occasion of this decree, a certaine Glosse, whichi of Bernardus de Buttono Parmensis, doth pro∣bably hould that to such a man there is not obligation of payment of debt (at leastwise of such debts as are only contracted by promises, but are not reall debts) so long as he remaineth in that case. And to this effect also speaketh Tolet in the place here cited by M. Morton, and we

haue heard before how the other Glosse of Bartbolomaeus Brixiensis held it for probable, though the contrary for more true, vpon the Canon, Nos Sanctorum.

The Reuiewe.

36. Well then, their Card. Tolet, and Romane Glossers haue held it lawfull for men to with-hold their debtes con∣tracted onely by promise (which may passe without witnesse) from persons excommunicate. But why onely these kinde of debts made onely by promise? Is there, in respect of God, * 1.10 more iustice in a mans letters, then in his wordes? in his hand, then in his tongue? in his specialties by billes and bonds, then in his obligation by promise? no, but it is rather, as it may seeme, because the Creditor hath not so good cuidence be∣fore men, to clayme his debt by word, as he hath by writing; wherefore the Romish Canon sauoureth rather of humane craft, then of good conscience; and is farre vnworthy the ti∣tle of Nos Sanctorum. But let vs proceede.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Preamb. p. 105
• * 1.2

  Reck. pag. 335.
• b 1.3

  See aboue. Cap. 1.
• * 1.4

  Romists ouer∣taken in the guilt, which they impute to others.
• c 1.5

  See aboue. Cap. 12. §. 8.
• * 1.6

  Reck. p. 339. 340
• d 1.7

  Tolet. Instruct. Sacerd l. 1. c. 13. §. Sixtus. M. Parsons con∣futed by their Card. Tollet.
• * 1.8

  Reck. pag. 340. 341.
• * 1.9

  Greg 9. Decret. l. 5. Tit. 7. c. 16.
• * 1.10

  The mistery of non payment of debts made by promise.