St Paul's late progres upon earth, about a divorce 'twixt Christ and the Church of Rome, by reason of her dissolutenes and excesses. With the causes of these present commotions 'twixt the Pope, and the princes of Italy. A new way of invention agreeable to the times. Published by James Howell, Armig.

The Authors Caution to the tender - conscienc'd CHRISTIAN.

THe Author who composed this present Booke, hath peradventure more reli∣gious thoughts, and fuller of piety than thou caust imagine hereby, O serupu∣lous Christian: But the malignity of the times is come to that height, that he is cryed up in a man∣ner for a Hereticke, who consents not to the ope∣rations (whatsoever they be) of the Court of Rome. The cause hereof is thy simplicity, which confounding in one, the authority, and the affecti∣ons of Popes, canst not distinguish, which are the operations of the one▪ and which are the opera∣tions of the other. The Bishop of Rome may erre as he is a man; and being subject to errour, who dare maintaine but he may be reprehended? Christ, who knew no sinne, could be content to be crucified; and a Bishop, who is composed of peccable humanity, and who perhaps sinnes every day, must thinke it strange▪ if he be but censur'd by any just reproofe? David was not so dainty; the

most ancient Pillars of the Primitive Church, who were went with humble retribution of thanks, not with proud disdaine, to listen unto the zealous corrections of others. Poore St Bernard, if he had corrected the exorbitances of these times, with that liberty, as he inveighed against the abuses of his owne, assuredly his name should be seene registred in the Index of prohibited Books, rather than in the Catalogue of Saints. But such dangers cannot dastardize me, neither am I induc'd to write this to justifie my owne intentions, it being sufficient for me, that God onely knowes the intrinsicals of my meaning. But I thought fit, O scrupulous Christian, to offer thee this present Booke, as an Instrument, which haply may have power to unbeguile thy simpli∣city from those too credulous opinions, whence the presumption of some, is fomented to disturbe Italy, and to scandalize all such that have a right understanding in Christianity. If things which bring profit with them, doe use to be gratefull, I despaire not altogether of thy good acceptance of this. I know that at first sight, the Title will appeare unto thee somewhat irreligious, and the Argument not savouring of much piety; but the Palate must not be Iudge of the Physicke. I desire thee not to frame any judgement upon't, till thou hast perus'd the whole Booke, wherein if any thing conduce to make thee despise the true Ca∣tholicke

Religion, or her Tenets, I am content thou should'st condemne both the Worke and the Author: But if thou be taught to detest onely the ill practises of those that infringe the Law of Christ, thou must not impute any prophanenesse to that zeale which deplores the abuses in Reli∣gion. Many were condemn'd for Heretickes, who have writ against the Rites of the Church of Rome, but he must not incurre the same cen∣sure, who writes onely against them, that doe not rightly observe those Rites; for there is a great deale of difference 'twixt the blaming of externe observances, and the violation of religion her self. O but thou wilt say, this Booke is against the Bi∣shop of Rome; thou must distinguish, O scrupu∣lous Reader, 'tis against the affections of the said Bishop: I reverence the authority, but Christ hath not oblig'd me to reverence any earthly ex∣orbitant passions of his. And if others doe law∣fully take the sword in hand against such passions, I hope it is veniall for me to take the pen. Nor thinke it strange, that I have imagined a Colloquy 'twixt the Persons of the Holy Trinity; for 'tis the stile of sacred writ, to accommodate it selfe to humane capacity. Live happy.