A preamble vnto an incounter with P.R. the author of the deceitfull treatise of mitigation concerning the Romish doctrine both in question of rebellion and aequiuocation: by Thomas Morton. Published by authoritie.

Of these summarily and in order. FIRST: That the title of the Booke of P. R. called A Mitigation, is very ominous and vnluckie to them, whom especially he laboureth to defend.

§ 10.

35 THe subiect of his whole Mitigation is by P. R. thus propounded in the Title of his booke, viz.

That it is not impossible for Subiects of different Religion (especially Ca∣tholikes and Protestants) to liue together in dutifull obedience and subiection vnder the gouernment of his Maiestie of Great Britaine.

It is not impossible, good: For why? It is not impossible for k 1.1 fire to descend from heauen, and thel 1.2 people of God to passe safely thorow the Red sea: It is not impossible for 〈◊〉〈◊〉m 1.3 Asse to speake reason, and then 1.4 Diuell to tell truth: It is not im∣possible for theo 1.5 dead to be raised to life, and for the Disci∣ples of our Sauiour byp 1.6 faith to remoue mountaines. Nothing is impossible with God: who as hee prescribeth the raging Sea his bounds, which it can not passe, though naturally it affect an ouerflow and deluge of the whole world; so doth hee by his gracious prouidence often represse the furie of rebellious spirits in what profession soeuer; and, notwithstanding they trauell with mischiefe, yet he keepeth them in an awfull sub∣iection.

And shall now this Mitigation of feares, conceiued by Protestants against the bloody designments of their Romish Aduersaries, consist of no better termes then the possibilitie of things, which are in the ordinarie course of nature impossible? Though a man taken vpon suspicion of felonie be charged by his accuser to be most certainly the man, who assaulted him by the way, might not be thought to satisfie the Iustice, say∣ing, Sir hee chargeth mee that it was impossible but that I must haue done this mischiefe; Neuerthelesse I shall prooue the contrarie, to wit, that it was not impossible, but an other might haue done it, and not I. Although this Answer might confute his accuser, who said, It is impossible but that it was you: yet could it not satisfie the Iustice, because still the answer im∣plieth as well a possibilitie that he did it, as an impossibilitie that he did it not. Hath not therefore P. R. their learned Ad∣uocate merited of his Clients,* 1.7 a Catholike, that is, an vniuer∣sall fee, who now intending a Mitigation of their punishment, hath giuen the State so great cause of suspecting their disloy∣altie, as that he dare promise no better assurance in their be∣halfe, then only, It is not impossible for them to liue in obedience? S. Pauls charge concerning temporall obedience is,q 1.8 Let eue∣ry soule be subiect to the higher powers; And againe,r 1.9 We must be subiect not because of wrath onely, but also for conscience sake. Wherein he hath prescribed vs not a may but a must; and thereby inioyned not a possibilitie, but a necessitie of loyall subiection. But this [It is not impossible to liue in obedience] is no more by Logicall conuersion then this; It is possible to liue in obedience. Which so suspicious and imposturous a Title of his whole booke can minister no more hope to Protestants of his pretended Mitigation and composition, then an adul∣terous woman can satisfie her husband, and mitigate his iea∣lousie by this maner of submission:* 1.10 Be contented, good hus∣band, though I haue committed folly as often as I had pre∣sumption of secrecie and opportunitie to satisfie my lust; yet now may you bee better perswaded of me, for I protest vnto you, it is not impossible that I shal liue honestly heerafter. This case is nothing different from the former. What shall we then

thinke of P. R. but as of the man, who had purposed with himselfe either to scorne Protestants, or else to betray his Catholikes? Neuerthelesse as worldly feasters vsually offer their guestss 1.11 The best wine first, and then that which is worse: So he hath prefixed in the forehead of his booke this Title of Mitigation, although prodigious and intolerable (as we haue heard) yet more plausible than the whole Tract of the booke it selfe, which teacheth indeed an impossibilitie of all voluntarie subiection vnto Protestant Princes; insomuch that after but a summarie view hereof, it will appeare that the title of his booke and his Treatise are no more proportionable and agreeable, than the head of an Ape ioyned with the bodie of a Beare. From the Title we proceed vnto the Treatise, and manifest

Notes

• k 1.1

  2. Reg. 1. 10
• l 1.2

  Exod. 14. 22.
• m 1.3

  Num. 22. ver. 28. 29. 30.
• n 1.4

  Matth. 8 29. & alibi.
• o 1.5

  Ioh. 11. Matt. 9. &c.
• p 1.6

  Matt. 21. 21. Marc. 11. 23. &c.
• * 1.7

  P. R. a mise∣rable Aduo∣cate for his Catholikes.
• q 1.8

  Rom. 13. 1.
• r 1.9

  vers. 5.
• * 1.10

  Simile.
• s 1.11

  Ioh. 2. 10.