A reply to the ansvver of the Catholiqve apology, or, A cleere vindication of the Catholiques of England from all matter of fact charg'd against them by their enemyes

PREFACE TO ALL THE ROYALLISTS that suffered for HIS MAJESTY: AND To all the rest of the Good People of ENGLAND.

My Lords and Gentlemen:

IF formerly the English Catholiques by their Apology did in treat your In∣tercession to our Gratious Monarch, in suspending the execution of tho∣se severities then proclaimed: I (a member of that faithful Body) must now beseech your Iu∣stice against the malice of a Parson, who not

only strives to oppress the Loyal, but also (by the inferences of his Discourse) would stifle hereafter zeal, and mitigate, if he could, the fire, that resides in the breasts of all generous Subjects. Can any thing touch men of Honour more, then after the loss of so many Lives and Estates, insultingly to have it said, It was but your Duty? Nay, to go yet farther, even in a barbarous falsity, that Necessity only forc'd us to what we did, and that at all times you would rather far have had our room then Compa∣ny. What Preacher preacht this in the days of old? Or who told us when Cromwel lived, Be gone, you are no friends to Caesar? It was our Du∣ty, I confess, and a Duty which no good man can refuse his Soveraign, neither shall we ever be shockt in the fervour of it, by the Doctrine of such a Rabby.

The reason why I now take up the Gantlet of this Goliah, is to shew the candour of our A∣ctions, being yet purer then his words are black: which though many could do far better then I, yet here I appear challenged into the List, as Author of the late Apology. Author I can call my self, if plain words may create that Title; but the Duty and Submission is the sen∣ce of the whole Catholique Party; and for the

matter of Fact, Books are the preservers of it, which will for ever record our Innocence, in despite of such detraction and calumny.

A Jesuit, the Minister is pleas'd to call me, though I had not the happiness to be bred in their learned Schools: but the trick of this poor man plainly appears, that thus he hopes to make Truth it self suspected, because by the Preaching of such Pastors, the ignorant (as children consider Sarazens) have most fond Ideas of the Society and of all Priests in gene∣ral.

My Lords and Gentlemen, Before I go any farther, I think it most necessary to tell you what moved me to write that Pamphlet; which wken you have well weighed, you will find in the intention, perchance that Piety, which is usually lodged in an English Heart: and that you may assure your selves of the sincerity of my thoughts, Know, that if my Arm was too weak to weild a Sword in the late just War, I had then a passion to wish my years greater. But though I thus lost the Honour of laying my life at the feet of the injured Father, I had yet the satisfaction to hazard it for the Son, even before and since his happy Restau∣ration. For my neer Relations, they all suffe∣red

in the Common Cause, which as it brought death to some, so to others the sale of their cōsi∣derable Estates, and the best Fortune that any could expect, was to be crowded into the dre¦adful List for Cōposition. I am sure my zeal to the Royal Family has been as forward (to my power) as the best, more then which no body certainly can do; nor have I ever been farther Satyrical against those that stand at Helm, then by innocently saying, We Catholiques are al∣ways most unfortunate. This is the Profession I have lived in, and in the same loyal Faith will I end my days. Doubtless then I could have no sinister design in publishing the Apo∣logy; the good end I had, let the World con∣sider.

My first Motive was the Law of Nature, which gives the Needy leave to call for Mer∣cy: nor was there at any time a Nation so cruel, that ever yet denied this favour.

Could there be a more frightful sight, then to see the whole English World on a sudden, point and cry, Fie on them, Fie on them? What scoffing Blasphemies did the Seditious utter? How did Tenants begin to confront their Landlords? Nay, (omitting several insolen∣cies of the Rabble) I knew some Justices, by

reason of private spleen to their Neighbours, seize on a Servant, threatning his commit∣ment, unless he made Oath what his Master daily did. Thus then in a trice we became an Eye-sore to our Friends, and a by-word a∣mong the Common Ennemies.

But now my Minister will nimbly demand, Is not this accusing the King, and blaming the whole Parliament for their Advice and Counsel? To which I answer, first, with the great Em∣bassador of Heaven, God forbid: Nor is it pos∣sible for a man, who would hazard whatever is dear to him on Earth for the glory of his Coun∣try, to harbour such thoughts against lawful and just Authority. Pray, Master Parson, let me ask you, Whether Laws in all places are executed by inferiour Officers, according to the intent of the Legislator? Remember, Sir, the infinitely wise Bill of purging Corpora∣tions, and you will find how private revenge converted it into quite another thing. This is a Flayl, against which perchance no wisdom can make defence; but nevertheless, 'tis Vine∣ger, and may force a shriek from the opprest, without offence to Government.

My Lords and Gentlemen, I do with all sub∣mission acknowledge that Counsellors (espe∣cially

the Supream) may advise their Soveraign to put Laws in force, without giving a reason to the Publick; and moreover, I do farther say, that it was mercy that they were till then suspended: yet it is no crime, even when they are revived, humbly to beg for favour. And to illustrate this, consider, I beseech you, an Example.

Imagine that his Majesty being returned, an honest Cavalier was restored to his House, which with two parts of his Lands lay round about a City, the prime Jewel in the Royal-Diadem. Here the good man sitting now un∣der his own vine, daily blesses God for the hap∣piness of the Nation; and here each moment he conceives fresh joys, by considering how superlative his late sufferings were. If now on a sudden both Houses (upon mature delibera∣tion) should beseech his Majesty to make use of old Laws, to new fortifie this his most con∣siderable place (which consequently would destroy this Subjects Estate) no body, I think, could wonder to see him amazed and troubled. Suppose then, to diuert this ruine, the poor mā should beseech his friends to intercede, should shew his sufferings, should urge reasons that his house would be a strength to the Town,

and that the Kings Enemies have certainly some bad design by his calamity. For all this the Prince is no way necessitated to grant his request, Because reasons which seem strong to a Party concerned, may yet in themselves be frivolous, when they are weighed by judg∣ments who know far better the state of things, then private men can be conceived to do. But yet, it were severe to indite this man for a Libeller, or say (because he begs) that he mutinies against Obedience and Rule.

Niniveh might call for mercy without affronting Heaven, even after sentence was given; nor has ever the King of Kings, when he punishes, forbad his children to cry, Re∣member Abraham, Remember Isaac, Remember Jacob; O Lord remember the promises that thou hast made of old.

My second Reason, was as a Subject to keep the Peace, and to the utmost of my power to prevent all strife and division. This is an ob∣ligation which no son of Adam can plead ex∣emption from: for seeing all men are under somme Government or other, and Quiet the sole end of that, everybody must use the best means he can (so it contradict not Laws) to preserve the thing for which Magistracy it self

was established. No Creature, I am sure, can be ignorant of the distraction then in England: for he that was in the City, fled to his Farm, frightned with the noise of a new fire; and he that got into the Country, poasted again to Town, to escape the Massacre, which design∣ed whispers dayly threatned.

If this disorder was amongst Protestants, what dreadful confusion must you imagine amongst Catholiques, who are but a handful comparatively to the whole, and yet the fa∣med Authors of these two Conspiracies! Was it unbeseeming then an English Christian to wish a better understanding among his Coun∣trymen, and to desire the Royal-Party should not be disjoyned, especially when an Invasion was menaced by our Confederate Neighbours; and a Rebellion newly broke out within the Circuit of our own Island? If remedies were needful, what Medicament could be better ap∣plied then the gentle balm of true perswasion? By this men saw the Tares which the Enemy so∣wed whilst they slept; and thus they began to reknow their often tried friends, descended (according to Nature and Grace) from those Ancestors, who like so many Atlas's upheld the Grandeur of our Kings, whilst the whole

World from East to West admired their Vi∣ctories.

Consider then, I beseech you, (Great Patriots) in whom the Prince of darkness reigns; whether in me that am termed a Jesuit, and would banish all discord from among my Brethren; or in this strange Minister, who to sow Sedition, plows with perverted Storie, and then harrows with downright falsities and untruths.

How does this poor man rip up old tales of Popes, and by discovering his passion and fancy, infer, that it is a check to the Glory of Kings, and utter loss of Soveraignty, to be under the spiritual Jurisdiction of this Uni∣versal Bishop? Why do not the Kings of France, Spain, Portugal and Poland see this? How comes it to pass also, that the Emperor (who is Absolute Monarch of Hungary and Boheme) and the other great Princes of Ger∣many, are ignorant of a thing of so much con∣cernment? This I much wonder at indeed, especially since their Countries have so swar∣med with these Reformed Evangelists: But it may be they are carelesse of their interest, and so is the simple Florentine, who with the Duke of Savoy, and the rest of the Italian Re∣gulets,

want as much wit as they do Authority and Power.

These Princes, even these very last, live, as I may say, just under his Holiness his Nose; and yet (when they please) dispute about Temporals, not only with Sword in hand, but are so absolute and arbitrary in their Do∣miniōs, that England would groan to bear once in many ages, what their Subjects daily suffer.

Reflecting thus on the premises, might not I well wonder in our Apology, how so wild a calumny could be laid to our charge, as that our Principles are destructive to Soveraignty? Truly, I did wonder, and that not a little, especially since our fore-fathers were so emi∣nent in Religion, and yet our Kings rather Monarchs of Europe, then of half an Isle, gi∣ving Laws wheresoever they pleased. If some Popes have been exorbitant, 'tis no more our Faith to believe their actions iust, then that humane transgressions are the true Precepts of Christianity. As some wicked mē dealt ill with Gods Anointed; so on the other side, who de¦fended these Princes against pretended illegal impositions of Rome? were they not Papists? Yes, and so fervent for that Truth, that the next day they would take the Croisado next

against any forreign Hereticks.

'Tis no breach in our Religion to say, that Popes in their private Deter∣minations may erre, much less, that they sin like men. A Pope and Council in matters of Faith I confess Infallible; and therefore I look upon the Decrees of Trent, as divine as those of Nice: nor were there, I am sure, more tricks against Protestants pretended in this, then in the former against the strong and nu∣merous Arrians. No man abominates Pre∣latick insolencies more then I: Bring out then the Glorious Roll, and upon examination you will find, that our bravest Catholique Princes have been the best sons of the Church: nor is yet a King by our Tenets the worse Child for defending his Rights and Priviled∣ges. Caesar must have what is Caesars, and to God we must ••••nder what is Gods.

Shall Notions then convince Experience, when as Demonstration it self often gives way to Practice? Let us now summon for witnes∣ses to this great Truth, the present Kings of our Profession; and though their thoughts towre far higher then Eagles, they will not only deride the contrary, but unanimously proclaim, that their people are not rebellious

by reason of Ecclesiastical dependence abroad, nor do they think themselves less absolute then that very Prince, who cries, There ought to be no other Pope then Me.

What shall I say then to such a man, who will yet affirm our Principles inconsistent with Obedience? To advise him to Anticyra is vain, for no Ellebore can purge that madness, which first taking root by ignorance, has afterward been quite transformed, through interest, into an obstinate, and selfdeceiving wilfulness.

My Lords and Gentlemen, As malice has forced the Answerer thus ill to apply his rea∣ding, so also it hath stained his face with so deep a dye, that now he blushes at nothing, nor regards any more whatever he says. Well might I have pardoned him his rude upbrai∣ding, That our sufferings were but Duties, be∣cause it is a real Truth: yet no Subject takes pleasure in the sound, when in rancour and despite it is used against him. I say, well might I with silence have swallowed this, see∣ing afterwards I was to hear him with impudē∣ce proclaim, That Papists were forc'd to their bravery, and like a hard-hunted-Deer, we threw our selves into the Herd, glad to be sheltered under the Royal covert. Glad, we cōfess, as Loy∣al

men grasp the occasion of expressing zeal; but that we could not sit quietly at home, I flatly here deny: nay, day is not clearer then this, that had not our Loyalty forbad, we might with triumph have been received even into the very embraces of the Enemy.

Had this Minister perused Books any far∣ther then their Indices against Catholiques, he would have seen, that let Rebels declare what they will, they'll soon find excuses, and pu∣blickly make use of those very things (when tis for their advantage) against which in the beginning they openly profest. Was not Godliness, Godliness, the cry of all the Saints? yet because dexterity was needful, they ad∣mitted into their league H. Martin and others, who were then as notorious for their Vices, as afterwards eminent in all the abominations of the Land.

Again, if the Papists were pursued, against Bishops there was as fierce a Chase; and ever af∣ter, Popery and Prelacy were continually plac'd in the same Parenthesis. For my part, I belie∣ve the English Episcopacie stuck more in their stomacks then we; because Hereticks hate most that Religion which is but one remove above them, and from which they are ever

iustly taxt rebelliously to have gone out. Besi∣des, the Catholikes (being of a Faith for which the People had a prejudice) could no ways obstruct the Reformation, which they so earnestly intended. 'Tis plain then, against Pre∣lats they had as great, if not a greater Pique: yet when it conduced to the reducing of North Wales, and subduing of Sir John Owen, they made commander of their Forces not onely a Bishop, but an Arch- bishop also, I mean (that real Chimaera) his graceless Grace of York.

But why do I trouble you with these proba∣ble arguments to prove the possibility of our reception, when as the matter of fact is certain, not done in a corner, but in the Palace of a King, and in the sight of all his Nobles? Sir Arthur Aston, a Catholick of Quality and Experience, offered our late Souveraign his service, and the service of many more, upon the first preparations of War. The good Prin∣ce sincerely gave him thanks; but told him, that by reason of their Religion, he durst not admit them into the Army: for the Rebels (who never omitted a pretence), would make use of this, to discredit him among the people. This Knight being refused thus, rode in all haste to London, and made the like tender to Essex. The Earl upon

the proposal consults the Cabal, who pre∣sently advised him to accept the offer; and so a formal Commission was given Sir Ar∣thur. He immediately posted back to the Court, and there shewed the Commission to his Majestie; which when he saw, and together with it the Intrigue of these Ju∣glers, he not onely gave Sir Arthur a Com∣mand, but from that time declared all Catholicks welcome, who thereupon from every Quarter hastned to his help and suc∣cour.

The Designes which the Rebels had herein, were many: for by this they not onely hoped to get to themselves a Party well versed in War, great in Bloud, and of Estates answerable to that Bloud; but also were sure at the same instant to weaken as much the King, as they brought stren∣gth to themselves: and besides, they far∣ther considered, that this might adde a gloss to their proceedings abroad, because all Neighbouring Princes (being Catho∣liques) would then probably look on their actions with a more partial eye. Scripture also, which is the stalking-horse of all Sects, could not be wanting to them, who

had already, with a Curse ye Meroz, invited all to Rebellion. That very Example might have been a Warrant, that the God∣ly & Profane may joyn in a Confederation. At least 'twas evident, that the children of Israel, who went to fight the battels of the Lord, used a Rahabs assistance, a Harlot of Jericho; for which service they shew'd favour to all her fathers house: And why then might not the Elect (when the Cause required it▪) receive aid from us, though children of the Whore of Babylon? Doubt∣less, in Conscience this advantage could not have been omitted by the Saints, since it might have been a means towards our Conversion, as Cromwel afterwards urged, when he so passionately stickled to bring in the Jews.

My Lords and Gentlemen, Thus stood our Case, and thus are we now reviled by a Minister, after such true and faithful Ser∣vices: Yes, so Loyal have we been, that I defie all mankinde to shew one that was false, unless perchance those that renoun∣cing their God, and shaking hands with Religion, were owned as Converts by the people. Nay, let any man read but the

Account of the a Pyrenaean Treaty, printed by the Dutch and others, and there he shall see, that Cromwel esteemed us the greatest of his enemies: for so he told the Duke of Cre∣qui, when he desired him (as a request of his Mistress the Queen Mother of France) to cease his notorious persecutions against us.

Certainly, nothing can more fully pro∣ue the sincere and disinterested meaning of the Catholiques, then the Kings miracu∣lous Escape from Worcester: for he fell not there into the hands of men of Qualitie onely, but among Papists of all ranks and conditions. There were Priests, there were Trades-men, there were Labourers, there were old women, there were young, fully acquainted with his misery: and though at the same time death was proclaimed to the Concealer, and to the Discoverer a reward (able to make a poor man Emperour in his own thoughts) yet no danger, no gain could make them betray him, whom by their Faith they were commanded to con∣ceal. Men of education and parts may sometimes have by designes, even in the best of their doings; but they of low degree

(being unacquainted with the artifices of the World) declare the full reality of their hearts, having nothing lodged there, but the religious Principles, which from their youth they received from their Ghostly Father.

My Lords and Gentlemen, I must here conjure you not to put any forc'd inter∣pretation upon my words: for I do not now Apologize for any Extravagancies done by our Predecessours in the begin∣ning of the Reformation; onely let me be∣seech you to look on their Case at that time with the gentlest aspect that may be. Hei∣ght of temptation may perchance move pitie in Magistrates, though not pervert their Justice: and let me desire him that will judge, to lay his hand on his owne brest, and truly examine there, what he himself would do in this condition. Sup∣pose he were of a Religion which he thou∣ght the visible Church from age to age de∣livered, which he knew his ancestors to have happily lived under, and which he saw profest by all the Kingdoms about him: suppose then on a sudden, by the preaching of two or three men (base in

their rank, and taxt in Moralities obyne another) a flame should break out through all Europe, and turn topsie-turvie this ve∣nerable Building, to make way for divers unlike Fabricks, every on of which, each Architect affirmed, was according to Gods own Word and Model. I ask him then in such a devastation, (which, to use a Camden's own phrase, The world stood a∣maz'd, and England groan'd at) what would flesh and bloud move him to? 'Tis an Article of my Faith, that neither Here∣sie nor Turcism (because ill must not be do∣ne that good may come of it) can be opposed by Rebellion; though many of the Refor∣med Divines are (b as I shal shew you) of another sentiment. Yet even those that do agree with me, will nevertheless confess, that (by reason of carnal passions) Grace must be predominant to resist so strong a torrent. Was it not strange in the begin∣ning, to behold c Abbies destroyed, Bis∣hopricks gelded, Chanteries, Hospitals and Colledges turned to profane uses? Nay, (after a change of Liturgies and Rites) to see people renounce their pious Vows, and out of Godliness grow more licentious

and loose. a These and the like unexpected alterations (it being a pitiful thing (as b Stow says) to hear the lamentations in the Country for Religious houses) spurred men forward to resist: for people saw the Conflagration, and none knew in what it would determi∣ne or end. But now, Noble Country-men, the Scene is quite altered: for now we know the full scope of your designe, now we are inured to the gentle. Yoak of Protestant Kings, and now we are so incorporated by our long acquaintance and joynt sufferings that all humane proneness to contend (which our Enemies called Principles of Faith) is wholly eradicated and taken away.

Having thus shew'd you that our Prin∣ciples are not dangerous to Kings, that our actions have been zealous for Kings, and moreover that it is impossible we should again fall into those misdemeanours, into which natural frailtie and misusage drove the foregoing age: I will now, with your permission, examine the Answer of our Minister to each particular Paragraph, and by it shall still farther let you see, as well his pernicious ill nature, as his detest∣able

Positions and Designes.

But, my Lords and Gentlemen, I shall beseech you, first throughly to peruse the Apologie it self, it being the ground of the whole Dispute: and because it hath been mangled by him into many imperfect Sections, I have thought fit to print it here entire, to the end you might run it over with the more ease; and that by the whole connexion and dependance (which muti∣lation spoils) you may the better consider the real integritie I had, in putting out that true and submissive Vindication.

[illustration]

Notes

• a

  Iosh. 6. 22.
• a

  Pyr. Tr. p. 4.
• a

  Cam. Brit. P. 163. B.
• b

  Vid. Rep. 6.
• c

  645. Mona∣steries. 110. Hos∣pitals, 90. col∣ledges, 2374. Chaun∣teries and free Chap∣pels. L. Herb. H. 8. p. 443.
• a

  Ʋid. Rep. 48. sect. 5.
• b

  St H. ••. pag. 964. Reg. 26.