4. The Subjects of the King of England lawfully may, without the least breach
of any Catholick Principle, Renounce, even upon Oath, the Teaching, Mantain∣ing,
or Practising the Doctrine of deposing Kings Excommunicated for Heresie, by
any Authority whatsoever, as Repugnant to the fundamental Laws of the Na∣tion,
Injurious to Soveraign Power, Destructive to the Peace and Government; and
by consequence, in His Majesties Subjects, Impious and Damnable. Yet not pro∣perly
Heretical, taking the Word Heretical in that connatural, genuine sense, it
is usually understood in the Catholik Church; on account of which, and other
Expressions, (no wise appertaining to Loyalty,) it is, that Catholicks of tender
Consciences refuse the Oath commonly call▪d the Oath of Allegience.
5. Catholicks believe, That the Bishop of Rome is the Successor of St Peter,
Vicar of Jesns Christ upon Earth, and Head of the whole Catholick Church;
which Church is therefore sitly stiled Roman Catholick, being an universal Body
united under one visible Head. Nevertheless,
6. It is no matter of Faith to believe, That the Pope is in himself Infallible, se∣perate
from a General Council, even in Expounding the Faith: By consequence
Papal Definitions or Decrees, though ex Cathedra, as they term them, (taken
exclusively from a General Council, or Ʋniversal Acceptance of the Church) oblige
none under Pain of Heresie, to an interior Assent.
7. Nor do Catholicks as Catholicks believe, that the Pope hath any direct, or
indirect Authority over the Temporal Power and Jurisdiction of Princes. Hence,
if the Pope should pretend to Absolve or Dispence with His Maiesties Subjects from
their Allegiance, upon account of Heresie or Schism, such Dispensation would be
vain, and null; and all Cathelick Subjects (notwithstanding such Dispensation or
Absolution) would be still bound in Conscience to defend their King and Coun∣trey,
at the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes, even against the Pope himself,
in case he should invade the Nation.
8. And as for Problematical Disputes, or Errors of particular Divines, in this,
or any other matter whatsoever, the Catholick Church is no wise responsible
for them: Nor, are Catholicks as Catholicks, justly punishable on their Account.
But,
9. As for the King Killing Doctrine, or Murder of Princes, Excommunicated
for Heresie; It is an Article of Faith in the Catholick Church, and expresly de∣clared
in the General Council of Constance, That such Doctrine is Damnable
and Heretical, being contrary to the known Laws of God, and Nature.
10. Personal Misdemeanors of what Nature soever, ought not to be Imputed to
the Catholick Church, when not Justifyable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Tenents of her Faith and Do∣ctrine;
For which Reason, though the Stories of the Paris Massacre; the Irish
Cruelties; Or Powder-Plot, had been exactly true, (which yet for the most part
are Notoriously mis-related) nevertheless Catholicks as Catholicks ought not to
Suffer for such Offences, any more then the Eleven Apostles ought to have Suf∣fered
for Judas's Treachery.
It is an Article of the Catholick Faith to believe, that no Power on Earth can
License Men to Lye, to Forswear, and Perjure themselves, to Massacre their
Neighbours, or destroy their Native Countrey, on pretence of promoting the Ca∣tholick
Cause, or Religion; Furthermore, all Pardons and Dispensations granted,
or pretended to be granted, in order to any such ends or Designs▪ have no other
validity or Effect, then to add Sacriledge and Blasphemy to the above-mentioned
Crimes.
12. The Doctrine of Equivocation or Mental Reservation, however wrong∣fully
Imposed on the Catholick Religion, is notwithstanding, neither taught,
nor approved by the Church, as any part of her Belief. On the contrary,
Simplicity, and Godly Sincerity, are constantly recommended by her, as truly
Christian Vertues, necessary to the Conservation of Justice, Truth, and Com∣mon
Society.